Her black rose

We work as just friends

A/N - long chapter impending. Sorry...I guess!?

One word. The way that single word had fallen from Mia's lips in the most purposeful way was seemingly enough for Charlotte to be driven into complete physical and mental overdrive. The two had shared a wonderful day together, followed by the most incredible candlelit dinner, and of course not forgetting the singular decorative black rose that had sat upon their table. It had been a selection of some of Charlotte's favourite things, and she knew that Mia knew that too. Of course she did. There were few things that Mia did that were an accident.

And now Charlotte was being pulled along quiet streets by her favourite redhead, her mind and body feeling a myriad of different things but neither being in sync. Mia, on the other hand, wasn't in overdrive. She was in control of the situation and knew what was coming next - and whilst a little teasing and flirting had been intentional, she perhaps didn't anticipate just how easily Charlotte would be to work up. 

"Three glasses of wine and one slightly sexual word and suddenly you have no idea what to do with yourself." Charlotte didn't know how to respond, but she knew that her nervous laughter was a dead giveaway to confirming Mia's words. "Cute." Mia said, a wink being thrown in Char's direction. 

The terrain underfoot had changed from old cobbled streets to grass. Far too distracted, Charlotte hadn't realised that they were now making their way through a small field. It was definitely the three glasses of wine, but Charlotte's next few words actually leaving her brain and coming out in the open surprised the both of them. "Oh god, please don't tell me we're about to have sex in a field." Charlotte, bless her, was mortified as her hand came to cover her mouth. Mia turned, wide eyed, but that look quickly transitioned to complete smugness. "Char! I never said anything about that." "But you said...Mia, stop it. You said...I thought..." 

"Turn of phrase, sweetheart. And here was me thinking you were all innocent. Tut tut." Mia's eyes narrowed on Charlotte, leaning in closer to whisper her next few words. "Just admit it already, you like me." "I thought that was clear." The words were barely a mumbled whisper from Charlotte, muttered so softly that Mia couldn't hear. It was intentional, her liking Mia was obvious...wasn't it? And if it wasn't, she couldn't let Mia once again have the upper hand against her.

It took only a few moments more of walking before the pair stopped. The tension between them was thick and even Mia had started to become a little nervous. She'd planned this entire day meticulously a few days prior, and she wanted it to be perfect. From their late night chats and daily messages, Mia knew that it had been a long time since someone had done something solely for her. And for Mia, there was no expectation to come at the end of it. Quite simply, she wanted to give Charlotte what she deserved - happiness.

"Charlotte," It was rare that Mia used Charlotte's full first name to her face, so much so that the seriousness caught her attention immediately. Their eyes met and, not for the first time, they both seemed to get lost in each other. But this time was different. Mia was seemingly searching Char's eyes for something. "do you trust me?" There it was. That's what Mia was searching for. Honesty. Trust. Any hint of hesitation. "What? Don't be silly, of course." Charlotte gave a small, uneasy laugh, almost thrown by the seriousness of Mia. "No, sweetheart. No waffling. Yes or no, do you trust me?" There was a pause, but it wasn't hesitation. It was a silence that spoke a whole story between the two. "With my life, Amelia." There had already been many defining moments in their relationship, but this had just become one of the most important to Mia. In that moment, Mia promised herself that no matter what happened between them, she'd protect Char with all her might. She'd already promised to always be in her corner, but this add on had come far sooner than she thought it would. 

The seriousness of the conversation was broken by Mia, whose smile let Charlotte know she was ready for what came next. "Good, because I'm about to cover your eyes and walk you about 30 seconds up that hill. Try not to fall." Charlotte rolled her eyes as she playfully nudged Mia. "Well don't let me fall." She moved behind the brunette, her hands coming to cover her eyes as she moved them forward to their final destination with tentative steps. Mia smiled as they reached the top of the hill, the blanket she'd asked to be put down along with a small bottle of wine sitting right on point. She took a moment to take in the view herself whilst her hands remained over Charlotte's eyes. "Mia, we've stopped, you're silent, and I still can't see. Should I be worried?" Her response was simple: a small kiss pressed into the side of Char's hair. "No."