Destiny

3: He and Home

Niomi's POV: 

My mind goes blank at the sight of him. I can feel my mouth hanging open, and I quickly snap it shut. 

"Killian?! What are you doing here?!" I whisper yell. He gives me a small grin, then ducks his head closer. 

"Well, I was looking for a certain snowy-haired lady, and, well, that's how I ended up here. Like the hair style, by the way." he gestures to my loose waves, and I just grimace. 

"Why are you here? I'm sorry, but I don't really want to go back. I'm sure you know why..." I lead off, picking at my nails. Now it's his turn to grimace. 

"Look, I came to find you. It was against everyone else, but I just...I needed to find you." He says, looking me dead in the eye. I look up, and he quirks one corner of his mouth. 

"Do you remember what I said to you, right before you left Destrian?" he asks, pulling one of my hands form it's place on the counter. 

"I- well, I can't really remember much from that day. When I got back, I just- I couldn't function very well. My mind started to block out everything, trying to get rid of any memory of you guys, and that place an-" I say, and he cuts me off. 

"Look, just try to remember. If you can't, I'll remind you." He says simply, tracing small patterns on the palm of my hand. My mind is suddenly racing, trying as hard as possible to remember what he said. 

"Nope, I got nothing." I reply. He looks up at me and smiles, then lets go of my hand. He leans his head next to my ear and whispers: 

"It was something along the lines of: "I love you." he whispers. My breath catches in my throat, and he moves away from me. Killian has a cocky grin on his face, and I'm struggling for words. 

"Well, do you have anything to say?" he asks. I'm about to speak, but that's when the bell above the door rings, and my ten o'clock walks in. I almost sigh, but I stop myself before I can. 

"Hello Ms. March. How are you today?" I ask, logging her into the computer. Killian steps aside, then takes a seat in the waiting area. I usher Ms March into the back, then I stop. 

Should I just leave Killian? He came a long way just to see me.... 

"Hey Lindsey, can you take the rest of my appointments for today? I just... Someone I haven't seen for a long time is in town and..." I don't even finish before she replies. 

"Go. I'll watch the store." she says, and I give her my most grateful smile. 

"Thank you. I owe you one." I add, then grab my coat and my purse, then run to the front. 

"Killian!" I yell when I get there. He jumps up, clearly startled. 

"Are you up for some brunch?" I smirk. 

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As I take another bite of my eggs, Killian stares at the small tablet that sits at the end of the table. I look between him and the device, then back again. 

"You okay?" I ask, my mouth turning up in a smile. He shakes his head, clearing the thoughts away. 

"Sorry, but I just don't understand you're... what did you call it? Techno-what?" he asks. 

"Technology. And it's your friend, I swear. Here, try this." I say, handing him my mug of coffee. He takes a sip, then looks at me. 

"It's very good, kind of like the tea that Winnie used to make..." He says, then takes another gulp. 

"Alright, that's enough. Give it back." I say, taking my cup from his hands. He gives it back willingly, then takes a bite of his pancakes. 

"See, all the things you have here are much better than what we had in Destrian. Everything just tastes... better." He says, chewing thoughtfully. 

"Well, this is America. We believe that everything should either taste like grease or bacon, even though there's not much of a difference. But, it tastes good, and that's all that matters." I state, then grab the tablet from the end of the table. 

I type in my name and then slide my credit card through the slot. I type in the tip, then hit enter. I set the tablet back in it's spot, then grab my stuff. 

"You ready to go?" I ask him, and he nods, then stands form the small booth. I wind my way through the tables in the small cafe, and then out the door, onto the cold winter streets. 

"This is my favorite time of year." I say, little snowflakes falling here and there. Killian walks up beside me, then winds his large hand through my small one. 

"Well, it's cold, so someone has to keep your tiny hands warm. And, it looks like I'm the only available candidate." he says, swinging our arms as we walked back to my apartment. 

"Where are we going, anyway?" he asks, pulling his coat closer around him. I take a quick second to take in his modern appearance, and it's a little weird to say the least. 

"We're going to my place." I say, missing a beat before I answered. 

"And where is that exactly?" he questions, looking at me sideways. 

"Here!" I say excitedly. We've stopped in front of my building, and Killian is looking up at it in awe. 

"This is your home?!" he asks in disbelieve. 

"No," I laugh, "just one section is mine. A lot of people live here, not just me." I say, then pull him inside. 

We get in the elevator, and I press level 5. When we get up to my floor, we go through the winding hallways, and finally arrive at my door. 

I take out my keys and unlock the red door. 

"Here we are. Home." 

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