Pointdexter: A Swooning Over Stan-fiction

Chapter Forty-Nine: And This Gives Life to Thee

It was a calm day at sea, for once.

No storms, no birds, nothing but the sun setting on the shimmering sea ahead of her. Alice sighed, leaning into the rails at the bow of the ship, taking in the last few rays of sunshine. The ship bobbed lightly, pushing through the waves in pink-tinged clouds of foam from the sunset ahead of her. Her hair whipped into her face, but she never minded that not when the last kisses of the sun warmed her skin and sent a rolling satisfaction down her back.

It was the perfect way to end the day.

"You looked beautiful in the setting sun," Ford murmured, his chin resting on her shoulder and his arms wrapping around her waist.

Alice tensed for a moment, only to relax when she realized it was him, the warmth of his breath sending a shiver down her smile. She hummed in assent, closing her eyes and enjoying the sun on her face, Ford's arms around her, and the scent of salt in the air. He nuzzled his face into her neck, planting a soft kiss there before speaking again.

"You know what it's called when the sun turns a pinkish hue like that?" He whispered, his lips brushing against her ear. "Sailor's delight. According to lore, it means the next day will be calm and safe."

Alice smiled, opening her eyes and tipping her head to him. Her nose brushed along the side of his, and for a moment, they were sharing the same air. His hair tickled her cheek and his stubble brushed against her face, but she loved every second of it.

"Is this going to be a pick-up line?" She asked whimsically, relishing the contact.

He chuckled, the sound of his laughter a warm rumble against her back. Ford leaned into her.

"Pick-up like or scientific observation?" He retorted, his voice dropping a notch. "You know, I did read an article that said the perfect romantic setting like this increased dopamine levels by 37%."

"I love it when you talk nerdy to me," Alice replied, closing her eyes again and shifting. She turned her back to the sunset, leaning against the bow railings and bracing her elbows on top.

"I know you do," He smiled, following her movements and adjusting his arms around her. "You love when I say things like 'I find your intellectual curiosity and knowledge of ornithology extremely attractive'."

"Very sexy," Alice said with a nod, a smile creeping across her face.

The setting sun cast a glow over Ford, brightening everything already so bright about him. She reached up, gently running her fingers through his hair and letting her fingers trail down his face. There was no way she would ever tire of seeing him.

Not like this, when he was happy and smiling.

"You'll make me blush one of these days, you know," He murmured, leaning into her touch and meeting her gaze. "And the great Stanford Pines doesn't blush."

"I can think of a handful of times I've made you do more than blush," Alice mused, her fingers slipping back into his hair. It was soft and warm under her touch, perfectly tousled after his many attempts to tame it.

"You're insufferable, you know that?" He teased, but the affection in his tone was undeniable.

Alice chuckled, tipping her face toward her feet and shaking her head. She couldn't help herself, Ford managed to make her feel like a scientist and a schoolgirl at the same time. But she wouldn't complain, no one had made her feel like that in a long time.

"You're a hapless know-it-all," Alice responded, the same love and adoration slipping into her voice.

"Hapless, am I?" He repeated, his grin widening as he leaned closer, his forehead touching hers. She could see the playful glint in his eyes, glimmering and perfect. "I'll have you know I'm also incredibly charming and devastatingly handsome."