cuddling the devil ≫ clifford

two

"what do you want for lunch?" michael spoke aloud, stretching his arms from out of the bed and standing up, his feet meeting the rigid carpet below him. "i know how to make a mean panini. but i don't think i have any cheese left, and if i do, it's shredded. but to me, shredded cheese is much more tart than sliced. your thoughts?"

michael, gazing back for kiera's response, swiftly left his side of the bed and heading towards kiera. he picked her up bridal style, pecking her cheek softly as his lips curved upwards into a smile against her clean skin.

he sat kiera in one of his folding kitchen table chairs. he brushed her tangled hair behind her tiny ear, grazing his thick fingers along her thick, tangled locks.

michael started by making lunch and gathering all of his supplies and ingredients. he hated to see kiera bored, so he decided to tell her a story.

"one day, i was walking in the street, and i saw a girl. she was so beautiful and she struck my heart when her eyes fell upon me. she was the love of my life and i knew that before knowing her name. when i heard that name, my lips fell agape. for her name was so beautiful and unique and i wanted to see her name before my last name for the rest of time," michael began, lathering the italian bread with mayonnaise with a butter knife, a smile perking at his lips. "do you know what your name means, beautiful?"

michael almost heard kiera softly giggle from the grimy table across from him as he took a deep breath.

"kiera means 'little dark one'. and you see, you are the brightest star in the sky and i have always been confused why such a dark name was given to such a radiant girl like yourself."

michael put the two sandwiches into the panini maker, the harsh sound of the grill pressing down on the bread as smoke arose from the machine.

"i know your parents hate me kiera. they never liked my tattoos and ripped jeans. but i know you do. i will someday make it up to them and attempt to change for them - for us."

michael took the sandwiches off of the machine, putting them on two plates and walking towards kiera. he placed the sandwich in front of her before sitting across from the beauty.

"eat up," michael said, wrapping his fingers around the tough crust of the grilled bread. "we can't have you going hungry now, can't we?"