How to steal a man (until past do we part)

Wake up Colt

Panicking is the worst feeling in the world, whether it's feeling for those lost keys or watching something inescapable happen - we all panic.

Our hearts beat faster and there's this heightened feeling inside of us, unfathomable.

We do not control panic, do we lose our mind or our control?

Are they the same thing?

"Wake up Colt!" I shout slapping him across the face to accompany his black eye, there is a flinch so he is slightly responsive.

I proceed to take a drink from a table near by and throw it in his face.

He lurches forward as he takes sharp draws of breath in steadies his breaths. I kneel beside him, his eyes wide open.

"Colt," I say quietly, which is practically a shout in the quiet bar. He turns to me, the smell of alcohol catching the breeze.

"Hello Miss," He says drunkly smiling, he recognised me and our joke from when we first met.

"Hi sir," I reply chuckling, "May i take you home?" I say smiling eagerly.

"Why who am i to decline an offer from a lady as gorgeous as you?" He says, still struggling to maintain consciousness.

I stare at him for a little moment, his bright eyes always sparkling as he smiles no matter what. He's surrounded by over 100 strangers yet here i am next to his side. He ruffles his hair and stares at his feet not caring that he is on the floor. I feel a warm feeling in my heart as he looks up at me and smiles - his dimples deepening each smile.

I go to stand up when he places his hand on mine and i jump.

I intwine our fingers and i pull him up from the ground, his arm around me to stop him from falling.

I look towards my booth but there are too many people to be able to see anyone, i push open the door and take Colt out into the streets.

"I'm going to take you to the hotel." I say trying to inform him where i am going.

"No... not... there.... your" He says and mumbles away. From what i can make from it he wants to go to my place, then again if he was seen like this at the hotel people would talk.

An old man passes me on the street, "Excuse me sir, would you be able to give me directions to this boarding house?" i say kindly holding out the name.

"Of course," He says pointing and explaining, the walk would only be a few minutes.

I thank him and we depart as i carry this happy weight with me.

The city sings with noise as Colt hums in my ear.

We walk through a park, the boarding house close through the trees. He releases himself from me and stumbles away laughing.

"Be careful Colt," I laugh playfully, he bends down and plucks a flower from the ground - turning and placing it in my hair. His hands running through my hair. The lanterns glow dimly as he places his hands on my cheeks and looks at me for the first time tonight - not drunk. He leans in to kiss me but i pull away, my hand on his chest.

"You're not thinking straight Colt," I say slowly, taking everything from within me to not pull him in.

"I don't need to think straight to know what i want," He says leaning in again, my hand stopping him again.

"You pulled away last time, i can't let you make a drunken mistake, i am not good for you." I say with finality.

He chuckles and places one hand in my hair and one on my waist.