[BACK TO YOU — S#3 TRAILER#10]
POV: Ren (the underground bar)
Ren: Since you're such a motormouth, go on; what's wrong with my face?
Ace: Well, the truth is, your face is stunningly perfect. For me, every moment spent gazing at it is a delightful pleasure.
I blinked.
He blinked.
I blinked again.
And I think that's when he finally realized what he said, because I saw a soft blush creep across his face, along with a nervous gulp.
Ace: Did I say that out loud?
Ren: Yeah.
Ace: Well... What I was really getting at is that your face, already perfect, looks a bit dry, so I just wanted to offer some water and...
But as he scratched an itch—probably from stress—his hand knocked his glass of water off the counter.
Realizing what happened, he flinched and dove to catch it, but it was too late—after a few wobbles, it crashed to the floor, shattering right between us.
Ace: Dang...
He looked down and immediately bent to pick it up, but then his forehead slammed into the counter with a loud bang.
But at the same time, I slapped my hand over my mouth because I swear, I felt like I was about to burst out laughing.
[…]
Hold it together.
Hold it together.
Just hold it...
Ace: Son of a... Biscuit.
No matter how much I wanted to hold it back, I just started choking under my own hand.
And that's how I ended up letting my lips part, and my laughter slipped out too.
[…]
Ren: What?
Ace: I... um... It's nothing, just... your laugh...
Ren: Is awful, I know. Trust me, if it had a button to turn it off for good, I'd hit it in a...
Ace: What? It's not awful. It's beautiful.
Ren: I know I sound like a goat and a parrot had a kid.
[…]
Ace: It doesn't sound like that at all. I'd even say that's the cutest laugh I've ever heard.
[…]
Ren: Yeah...
"I recommend that you hold back those disruptive, embarrassing squeaks, Lauren. It is important for someone of your character to maintain composure and show respect." — A firm, female voice cut through my memory.