Makin' Plans (hbo war imagines)

22. Floyd "Tab" Talbert; 20 Questions

A hand came to rest on your hip as the man it belonged to appeared at your side, a confident grin plastered on his face. "How'd you like to keep me company for a while."

"Are you lost?" you questioned instead. Your tone didn't sound like a scolding, but your words weren't what he was used to hearing as a response.

His smirk faltered. This wasn't how this normally went. "I- Sorry." He removed his arm from your waist.

It was your turn to be surprised. "Apology accepted." You hadn't expect him to back down so quickly. "I don't expect so much from American soldiers."

"Judging by your accent, ma'am, you're American too," he pointed out, crossing his arms.

"Which is exactly why I know how you operate," you explained. "I grew up with guys like you. You particularly seem like the 'one-and-done' type."

He frowned. "That's not really fair."

"Why? Because I'm right or because I'm right only based on a minute of interaction?"

He straightened out his shoulders, and his expression softened. A cleaner version of his smile grew on his face, and, by God, he was good-looking. He stuck out his hand. "Floyd Talbert."

You returned the gesture and shook his hand, though a bit apprehensively. "Y/N L/N."

"Nice to meet you, Y/N."

"So we're just going to pretend the previous exchange never happened?"

He cocked an eyebrow, smiling still. "What exchange?"

You nodded. "Right... My pleasure, Floyd."

"If you're not terribly busy, how would you like to spend a little while getting to know each other?"

"In a family-friendly manner, I hope."

"Absolutely."

You would never tell him, but the flash of his smile could have stopped your heart. "Alright then, Floyd. What would you like to know?"

"Firstly, I'd like to know how you're so damn beautiful."

You exhaled, hoping the blush you had applied would mask any hint of one spreading across your cheeks. "Genetics mostly. Is this like 20 questions where you keep going until you've figured me out, or do I get to ask now?"

"Please, go ahead," he insisted.

"What's your mother's name?"

"Nellie. You got any siblings?"

"Yes. You?"

"Yeah. Four brothers. What's your hometown like?"

"The sun shines a little more," you laughed. "I can't think of a day I've seen the sun here yet."

"I know what you mean," he agreed, watching you shift in a more comfortable position in your seat. "It's your turn."

"Oh, right. How many girls have you pulled this charming stunt on?"

"Just you." He leaned in across the little table. "You think I'm charming?"

"Is that your next question?"

"Yes, and you can't answer it with a question."

You bit your bottom lip slightly before answering. "You already know you're charming. That's why you asked."

"Still didn't answer me. Do you think I'm charming?" he repeated. He had dropped that cocky smirk, appearing to be more sincere. Almost like he wanted—or needed—that confirmation.

"Yes. Why'd you pick me?"

He frowned again, confusion written across his face. "Not sure what you mean by that."

"There are at least 15 other women around. Did you and your buddies draw straws to decide who was going after whom?"

"I think that counts as two questions."

"Forget the first one then."

He sat back in his chair, wetting his lips in thought. "I saw you the other day—when we got here—and I swear, you were like something out of a dream. I decided I was going to find a way to make you mine."

You blinked. Every retort you could have fired back vanished. "What?"

"I, uh...." He exhaled sharply. The poorly masked panic on his face made it clear he hadn't really planned on sharing that. "I don't believe in love-at-first-sight, but I've never felt that urge to know someone as much as I did when I saw you."

"Charming and romantic. If can sing or dance, you might just be a triple threat." This time you wore the smirk, and you could almost see the nerves melt out of him.

"I can carry a tune well enough."

"I don't know if that counts," you said. "But I'll let it slide." You propped your elbow onto the table, setting your chin into your palm.

"I appreciate it." He mimicked your action, making you giggle a little. "Who's turn was it?"

"We can take a break for now," you decided.

"Tired of sharing?"

"No. I just figured we learned everything tonight, we might not have much to talk about moving forward." The moment of confidence it took to say that flushed with your face again.

"Moving forward?" he echoed. "You want to see me again?"

"I kind of like your face, so yeah, I wouldn't mind seeing you again."

"How about tomorrow?"

"A little soon, but I guess it has to be with how things are." You sat up, smiling at the prospect to seeing him again. "It's a date."

"Consider it our first."

"Well, then what was this?"

"The appetizer," he said with a wink as he got up. "See you tomorrow."

Another tumblr request 😊

The request was for fluffy banter and idk how fluffy I managed to be but I love for writing banter, so I had fun! M'kay.

~Mariah