Giraffe > l.r.h

*10*

"So. How do you know which one is which?" Luke asked Aria as they strolled side by side past the giraffes. Business was slow and she was currently on lunch break so she used it to idle with Luke. Her long curly hair was in a bun today. It complemented her narrow facial structure.

"Well" she said and began to trail off and scratch the side of her neck. Luke couldn't help but to notice the scratch in her seemingly perfect voice. One that made him warm and tangled up inside. And Aria couldn't help but to notice the depth to Luke's voice. It made her flustered and uncomfortable.

'Maybe that's why the fans love him so much'

She chuckled at her own thought then continued to respond to his question. "It may seem weird but those large animals up there. They actually wear things called name tags" she said sarcastically in a light tone and Luke chuckled as he played along. "Wow. Tell me more about this crazy invention".

Aria elbowed him in the side at this and they both sucked in a breath at the contact but none realized.

"Shut up Giraffe Kid. I'd probably need a telescope to see it but you on the other hand. You'd probably just have to tip" Aria joked and Luke chuckled at her joke about his height. "Anyways. We actually use signs. Like hand gestures. It's kind of weird but it's like this. If I put up a specific hand sign in the air when I have all of their attentions then the specific giraffe will bend his neck towards it".

"A hand gesture" Luke repeated in disbelief and Aria nodded giddily. "Let me show you. This sign is for Walter" she called before jogging towards where the giraffes were feeding then she raised three fingers which made a W. At first none of the giraffes showed no sign of understanding but then one of the tallest ones moved towards her and lowered his head to her level.

"Whoa. That's rad" Luke said watching from a far off as he watched Aria pet the giraffe's head. "Do another one" he repeated giddily and she nodded. She paused from petting the giraffe's head as she called out "This is for Tim". She made a T in the air and a another tall giraffe moved towards her. Luke realized though that he moved slower than the others.

He was older.

"Nice. He's really keen even though he seems old" Luke said chuckling and Aria shot him a look. "Don't judge the elderly" Aria grumbled and Luke placed up his hands in defense with a chuckle. "I'm guessing the one for Stanley is S seeing that you have the initial as a sign for each of them".

At this a soft smile grew on Aria's face and she shook her head. "Come here" she said quietly and slowly Luke moved to her scratchy voice. As soon as he came in front of her she nervously took his hands in hers and began to manipulate them into a symbol. Soon he realized that the symbol was no letter.

It was a heart.

He looked up at her searching her for explanation even though his heart was beating hectically in his chest. She didn't meet his gaze, she glanced at his hands in hers then she let it go and looked among the giraffes. "Put it up" she said quietly and he glanced at her strangely but placed it up anyway.

Immediately one of the shorter giraffes began to move quickly towards Luke. It slowed as it approached Luke then lowered its neck to nibble on his hands.

"No wonder you keep loyal to your job" he said in compete awe as he stared up at the giraffe. She in turn blushed as she stared at the side view of his beautifully carved face and his lip ring.