Caffeine Withdrawal | T. Drake ✔

[26] Kissing Under A Vintage Lantern

There seemed no end to the rainstorm and even the electricity was cut off temporarily due to it. The power breakdown was supposed to get over soon but the whole city had blacked out for a short time.

Dora searched for a torch and turned it on when she found it, the light dimly illuminating the surroundings.

"When does Alex usually come back?" Tim asked.

"At four. And would you look at that, it's gotten so late already," she flickered the light over the click that was striking ten at night.

"Yeah," he nodded, "I'll leave soon as the power comes back in because it doesn't seem as if the storm would end even then so..."

"Tim, it's okay, you can stay for as long as you like," she replied with a soft smile, "and I do prefer your company instead of spending my time alone."

"That's a first, people usually don't enjoy my company," a smile crept up on his features as well.

She laughed lightly, "because there are very few people who are lucky enough to actually know you. The rest only see you as a person who is one minute away from injecting caffeine into his bloodstream."

A short laugh broke forth from him as he replied, "fair point. And hey, it won't be a bad idea to do that, in fact I think I might try injecting some into my bloodstream and see what happens."

"Don't you dare do that, Timmy, or else I will not permit you in the shop for eternity."

"That's cruel, Dora."

"But that also happens to be the only threat that works on you," she answered, "hey, it's really cramped in here. Why don't you come up? And I'll show you around our tiny living space."

"Sure."

He followed her up through the spiral staircase and as they entered the small corridor, Dora turned to face him, "welcome to the Beaumont Residence. It's small but cozy and comfortable."

He chuckled slightly, "size doesn't matter as long as the place has everything you need."

"Exactly," she agreed, "and the best part is that this place even has a gas lantern so it won't be too dark in here. Alex said this building was very very old when he had bought it. And while he was renovating it for the shop, he left the upper portion in its unique character."

True enough a torch bracket was located at the top on the wall at which an antique gas lantern was mounted.

"Gives an old Gotham vibe," Tim remarked, "I haven't seen any lanterns like that before."

She fumbled in the drawers for a pack of matches and when she couldn't find a chair to get up on it, she spoke, "Tim, can you lift me up? Alex usually switches this on but he manages because he's way taller than I am and I can't find the stool I use to get up..."

"Yeah sure," he mumbled and tentatively lifted her up, hands cautiously holding her by the waist. 

"Don't let me fall."

"I would never," he replied back.

She struck the match and lit up the gas lantern, the tiny flame flickering for a few seconds and then the light spread throughout the area. Her hands rested upon his shoulders as he gently put her down to her feet. 

"Thanks," she smiled but didn't pull apart just then.

It was almost as if the two were thinking the same thing but a little hesitant to be the one to initiate it. The yellow light from the gas lantern engulfed the two ethereally and the blush on their cheeks was quite clearly visible.