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The night air carries a salty tang as Gilbert and I ascend the stairs up to the deck. It's dark, but on the last step of the stairs sits a tiny, round oil lamp. I fire it up and a golden light fills the area.
The moon hangs low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the calm waters. The deck creaks under our weight.
Gilbert stretches his arms above his head, letting out a low groan. "Perfect night for a watch, isn't it?" he says, his voice barely louder than a whisper.
"No," I whisper back. "There's no point. Nothing is going to attack us on open waters. I'd rather take a nap."
"You just slept for hours this evening."
"I was poisoned, it's not restful."
He rolls his eyes, blue as this starless night. "No, it's fun. Like the scenes in books where the enemies bond and find out they have a lot in common."
I squint at him, placing the oil lamp at my feet and tilting forward to lean against the rails. "I have two things to say to you. One, you are not worth being my enemy." I hold a finger close to his face. "And, two. I didn't know you could read."
Gilbert's eyes narrow in playful annoyance, and he waves a hand dismissively. "Oh, ha-ha. I can read just fine, thank you very much."
I flash him a reluctant grin. "So, what's our plan for tonight? We have a few hours to kill before Chris and Lester are ready."
"We need to stay vigilant. Make sure nothing sneaks up on us." I groan and rub at my scalp.
"What's sneaking up on us? The icebergs? Oh, I'm sorry. Perhaps a seagull that has flown too far from shore? Gods." He laughs at his own expense and rattles off some excuse to go and check the opposite side of the deck.
____________________________
Gilbert stays on that side of the deck for the rest of the night. I would almost feel bad. I worried he was angry with me, maybe. But he calls over jokes often. Often unfunny, but it comforts me. I don't reply, though. I do not know if he can see my expression from over there, but perhaps it seems like I am cross with him.
The sun hasn't risen yet, and the moon still shining.
Finally, he walks up next to me at the railing where I've been standing the entire time. "I figured you'd forgiven me, you know. After our talk below deck." His tone isn't angry. Almost confused. It makes me snort.
"What, when you called me Pudding Whiskers?"
"Pudding face," corrects Gilbert, a finger near my face. I swat it away. I stay silent for a moment after that.
"You're much more bearable when you're not pissing me off, that's all. Which isn't often." I add hastily, in case he thinks that's me admitting I like him. I do not.
He frowns at me uncharacteristically. "So, I'm tolerable. Most women find me much more than that." The boy says in his matter-of-fact tone. I snort at that too.
I kick at the bottom of the railing. "Careful," I warn. "You almost sound upset to hear I don't want you."
Gilbert's grin returns, down at me, dimples caving in his cheeks. "Maybe I am upset." He replies smoothly, wind rustling our hair.
"Ugh, stop that," I say to him, digging my nails into the wood.
"Stop what?" "Flirting with me."
It's his turn to roll his eyes now, still smiling. "You're so full of yourself, Maisha." A rare occasions; my actual name slips past his tongue.
"I am? You've spent more time in the mirror than Ida." Have I said that before? Oh, well.
"Ida wishes she had my hair," he says, running a hand through his curls. "And, by the way, I only spend time in the mirror because I have to make sure I'm not too devastatingly handsome. Wouldn't want to cause any accidents."
I let out a bark of laughter. "You're unbelievable."
"Yes. I am. Also incredibly charming. You are lucky to have my company this.. fine night." Gilbert gestures out to the bleak yet appealing night.
I pretend to cough up. "If by lucky, you mean cursed, then I agree with you, Gilbert Harrows."
His expression softens slightly in a way I don't think I like at the use of his name. Or something else. So, I look away. "It wouldn't kill you to admit you enjoy my company. Or maybe even me. Just a little."
I count one, two, and three before glancing back at him.
It was a mistake.
Shadowy moonlight filters through his messy, windblown curls, and his gaze is set on me. His lips curl into a subtle, knowing smile that makes my chest tighten, and there's a calm confidence about him that I've never noticed before. He's standing close enough that I can see the tiny flecks of silver in his blue eyes, reflecting the moonlight.
I try not to think about what his own eyes see when he gazes at me. I don't suppose I am the greatest sight to see. It's only been a matter of hours since that storm, but my hair has dried by the fire, hastily brushed out by Ida's marble hairbrush and tucked into a braid.
A loose cotton tunic is draped over my figure (that same one. I brought a surprisingly small selection of clothing to go and seek revenge.) with a simple brown sash tied around my waist. I've never been so good with fashion, but a girl from the Orphanage, Mirna, picked the tunic for me. Ida was there too. She approved.
Hang on, what was happening? Oh.
I clear my throat. Move to straighten up my posture. I part my lips to answer, but I get no words out before he steps dangerously close to me. So close that I think he can count the freckles on my nose that Ida likes so much. The words I was trying to say billow out in a breath. All I have to do is prop up to my tiptoes for our lips to meet. Oh.
"A-" I begin.
He lowers his head down suddenly, lips capturing mine gently. It doesn't linger. Neither do the thoughts in my brain, which promptly exit. Another 'oh' runs through my empty head. The faintest brush of his breath against my cheek. It's gone as soon as it arrived. He pulls away, an annoyingly coy smile playing at his lips as he slowly backs away. Oh.
"Watch is over." He tells me, Then he spins on his heel and leaves me on the deck. Oh.
The gentle lapping of the waves against the side of the boat pull me out of my stilled state, and I hold a hand to my mouth. Touched by his.
"Oh."
A/N:
*debbie ryan ear tuck.*
I've been MIA for 2 months...............so i decided to give you this treasure :3. I'll try my best and do your R4R's tomorrow! see you later, my loves :]
