Pairing: Bug/Lily

Not mine.

Following the reruns that have been showing on A&E lately. If you haven't seen them, oh well. Sorry. Bug cheers her up. Hehe.

Quite short, vignette-ish. Please review.

oOoOo

"Lily." Bug caught her arm and ever so gently pulled her to face him. He set the bag on the ground and stepped down to her level, looking her in the eye with a look so loving it almost scared her.

"What?" Lily avoided eye contact, instead staring at the ground.

Bug squeezed her hand. "Why are you pushing me away? I care about you, you know I do," he said. "Why are you keeping me at arm's length?"

"Because I'm scared," she blurted, yanking her hand away. "I'm scared, okay Bug? I am. I see people every day stricken with grief over the loss of someone they loved, and I don't want that to happen to me!" Tears filled her eyes, and Bug held her in his arms, letting her cry on his shoulder.

When he finally spoke again, his voice was quiet and soothing. "Lily, Lily, why would you think I'm going anywhere?"

Lily took in a shuddering breath in an unsuccessful attempt to calm herself. "I don't know."

"Ahh, Lily, you just don't get it, do you?" Bug brushed a stray lock of hair out of her eyes tenderly, and, surprised, she looked up to meet his gaze. "Lily… I'm in love with you. You are the most kind and caring and by far the most beautiful person I have ever met. The way your smile lights up an entire room; the way you can turn the worst of days brighter; your sweetness to everyone around you… You are such a joy to have around. I love you for you, not for who people want you to be."

"You- you love me?" Lily managed softly, in awe.

Bug offered her a smile. "Yeah."

"Oh" was all that would come out of her mouth when she tried to speak. Despite herself, a laugh lingered on the edge of her tongue and spilled out before she could stop it. "I mean… wow. That's fast. Thank you, Bug." On impulse, she leaned forward, and suddenly stopped, blue eyes fluttering closed. Bug met her halfway and kissed her, sliding his hand to her cheekbone and rubbing it with his thumb.

"I… love you too," Lily whispered when they broke apart. "I guess this is the part where I tell you to hurry up so we can go to my apartment and eat Rocky Road ice-cream, huh?"

Bug caught her hand and held it, interlacing their fingers. "That's up to you."

Lily laughed and reached down with her free hand. "Come on, it's going to melt."

oOoOo