In the end

Chapter 17 - Vanilla and Cloves

Eventually the party started to wind down and we decided to leave. We said our goodbyes and I ended up being hugged by more people than I could count. There weren't as many photographers outside as earlier so I was able to walk out on my own. Regardless I still kept my face down as Jared led me by the hand out to the waiting car, though there were still some flashes I wasn't blinded like before. Jensen had left a bit earlier so we were alone in the backseat while Cliff drove to my apartment. We didn't talk but kept sneaking glances at each other. I really didn't want to say goodbye yet but I also didn't want to appear needy. Cliff dropped us off in front on my apartment and we stood there in that awkward post date silence. "I had a really good time tonight, thank you." I took a small step closer I him. "Me too, more fun than I've had in while actually." He shifted a little closer until we were almost touching.

I thought about everything that had happened between us so far and what Liv had said about him an decided to just trust my feelings and go with it. I closed the space between us and reached up to wrap my hand around the back of his neck and pulled his face down to mine. He seemed surprised as I pressed my lips to his tentatively. I kissed him softly at first but something inside me seemed to snap when he wrapped his arms around me. I pressed up against him and traced his bottom lip with my tongue. He made this sound deep in his throat that was almost a growl and my whole body seemed to ignite. His arms tightened around me and I parted my lips and kissed him with a hunger I've never felt before.

We pulled apart panting and gasping for air. Our eyes met and we both started smiling until we broke out in laughter. "Wow... I uh-" "That was.." We spoke at the same time. I looked down and fidgeted with my belt. "Do you wanna come in for a bit." His face went blank and his eyes widened. I let out a very girly giggle at his expression. "Calm down there tiger. I mean for a cup of coffee." His face went red. "Yeah that would be great."

~ Jared's POV ~

I didn't want to say goodbye to her so was thrilled that she invited me in. Trying to will my heart to slow down I followed her up the steps and inside. She excused her self to change and I took a seat in the living room to wait for her. I was able to take off most of my costume except for the chest piece that did up in the back. I was just grateful I had been able to wear regular clothes underneath. I looked around the apartment and saw that one entire wall was taken up by shelving covered in books, records and picture frames. I walked over and started scanning the titles, there was everything from Shakespeare to biology texts. I picked up one the frames and examined the picture. Bree looked to be about 12 and was sitting atop a horse smiling with a man and women I assumed were here parent standing beside her. I looked at the other pictures she had spaced out randomly. Some were from around the same age and there were more from when she was older. There was a shot of her on the beach with a group of people in a homemade frame covered in seashells and one of her and a blonde girl sitting on a camel. I picked up the picture and still looking at it when she walked into the living room.

"I don't know how people wear wigs all the time." She had both hands in her hair and was rubbing her scalp. "Hey, come here and turn around, that can't be comfortable." She motioned to the price of costume I still had on. I put the picture back and walked over to her and turned facing away from her. With the lightest touches she undid the snaps and ties of the costumes and helped me slide it off. Her fingers grazed my arms and and I was glad she couldn't see my face. I turned back to her and saw she was wearing sweatpants and a faded U of BC tee and her hair was loose around her face. She had never looked more beautiful.

"You are not aloud to make fun of me, that costume was tight as hell." She said with a smirk. I walked over to her and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "You look perfect." She blushed and looked away. "Hey" I whispered and turned her face back to mine. To my surprise she was smirking at me. "That's ridiculously untrue, sweet but ridiculous." I stood there for a few seconds in awe before she pulled me toward the kitchen. I sat at the table and watched as she flitted around the room making coffee. "Cream and sugar?" She asked. "Sure". She had a light step and I noticed she tended to walk on the front of feet. She handed me a cup and we went back into the living room and sat on the couch. I broke the silence first. "I just realized that I know almost nothing about you?" She took a sip of coffee and thought for a moment. "There's not really much to know, I'm pretty boring." She set her mug on the table beside her. "I highly doubt that." I motioned to the picture of her on the camel. She laughed. "Oh my god. Jules forced me to do that. Trust me I was terrified of getting spit on." Her face was bright and she was gesturing wildly as she recounted stories of the places she'd visited.

I studied her features, the way her eyes lit up when she talked about her friends and how her nose scrunched up when she told me about trying eel during a trip to Japan. She had a heart shaped face with big doe eyes. Her nose was straight and turned up the tiniest bit at the tip. And I couldn't stop looking at her mouth. Her top lip a perfect match of the bottom and this perfect rosy peach colour. She told me about her job and was so passionate about it about I could tell it was something she loved. I was in awe of this beautiful creature before me. I wanted to make her smile and laugh and protect her sweetness from all the bad in this world. The realization hit me like a sack of bricks. I had only met her a few days ago but I was completely enraptured by her.

She must have noticed my shiver because she dragged a beat up knit blanket off the back of the couch and threw it over us. She smiled and leaned her head back against the couch. Her eyes were heavy and she yawned. "I should let you get to sleep" I stood and picked up the empty mugs. "Can I use your bathroom before I go." I asked. "Of course." She replied with another yawn which made me start as well. She laughed and I took the mugs to the kitchen and put them in sink before heading to the bathroom. I was still yawning when I got back to the living room. Her eyes were half closed so I walked over and kissed the top of her head. "Hey, come here" she said sleepily. She pulled her arm from under the blanket and patted the couch beside her. I sat down and she wrapped her arm around me and pulled me closer. I kissed her lightly before resting my forehead against hers. He eyes slid closed and she kept her arm around me. I closed my eyes and just breathed in her scent. It was like vanilla mixed with cloves. My eyes refused to open and I felt myself drifting off to the sound of her heart beating beside me.