The Imperfections Of Mutual Affection.

I traced circles onto his hands, and the scars that painted his pale arms. "I'll be Juliet if you'll be my Romeo."

Silence.

And then, a tiny word. It was such an intimate word in that moment, with the way his voice was rough and velvety, and the way we both seemed to hold our breath; with me waiting on his response, and him trying to word it in a way that we'd remember forever.

But eventually, the four letter word was better than any dramatic speech, or a flaming, bruising kiss.

It was just, "Deal."

And if it means anything, I felt a smile slide onto my lips, and the stranger slip into my heart.
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