The whole idea came from Lioness wearing high heals hence the name 'Tall order'. I dunno it just seemed to fit. A very short, fluffy, stand alone scene in which Lioness and Axel have an almost romantic moment. The kind of awkward thing I always imagine their relationship being like. Lioness is too proud to admit she likes Axel and he's too stubborn to admit he likes her. Still sweet though.
Disclaimer - Do you think I would be posting stories on here if I could actually write for the series?
Tall order.
It was a beautiful late summers evening. Although the Sun had long since set some of the heat of the day still lingered warming the air. Axel was out on the balcony, having escaped from yet another of Mr. Lee's insufferable parties. His elbows rested on the safety railing and he stared out into the darkened city watching as a silhouette as it passed a brightly lit window before the light winked out. Behind him the glow of the party spilt out onto the balcony, the light illuminating his back but throwing his face into shadow. He could faintly hear the buzz of conversation and a high pitched laugh from one of the women in the room.
Sighing Axel tugged at the ridiculous bow tie that had been knotted around his neck and let it fall loose. The glass door to the balcony slid open almost silently and a figure stepped out into the night, she closed the door behind her and then bent to undo the straps of her elegant high heels, grumbling as she pulled off first one, then the other.
"Stupid shoes, waste of time, I'll have blisters, my feet will ache for a week." Lioness complained straightening and letting the shoes dangle carelessly from her fingers. "I'm sorry, I thought I was alone," She apologised then her eyes widened as she recognised the boy watching her slightly amused. "Oh Axel it's only you, so this is where you've been hiding."
Axel suppressed the slight annoyance at the fact that Lioness had said 'only you' and smiled at her. "Yeah." He shrugged. "I just had to get away for a while, I'll never be able to mingle like Hawk."
"Tell me about it." Lioness said coming over to join the brunette at the railing. "I knew these shoes were a bad idea." She waved the sandals in his face then dropped her arm again. Axel chuckled remembering a time when she would never even have considered wearing the shoes she had clutched in hands. He had to admit she looked good in them though, when she had walked into the party this evening he had been too stunned to speak. The black cocktail dress hugged her body accentuating her curves and her hair had been up in an intricate clip.
"What?" Lioness asked. Axel ducked his head embarrassed, he'd been staring again. To hide the blush he turned back to the city landscape. Lioness came up beside him bringing her own arms up to rest on the metal bar. Their hands touched as she moved and a tingle shot up Axel's arm as her soft skin brushed against his fingers.
They stood for a long time, staring out into the darkness, a kind of comfortable silence had settled between them and Axel was only became aware of just how long they had been out there when Lioness shivered slightly. The air had cooled considerably and there was even a soft breeze blowing about them, lifting a few wisps of Lioness' hair.
"You're cold." Axel said, finally breaking the quiet.
"I'm fine." She insisted but there were goose bumps rising on her bare tanned arms.
"Here." Axel offered shrugging out of his jacket and offering it to her. Lioness raised a brow as if to say 'Oh please, this is so cliche.' the accepted the proffered coat draping it over her shoulders.
"If you want to get cold." She told him flippantly and Axel smiled.
"I..." He started, then paused, he wanted to take this moment alone to talk her, tell her how he felt, but he felt a pang of doubt, put off by her casual manner.
"Yes?" She asked, tilting her head back to look at his face. Her eyes were a rich honey colour.
"I just wanted to say." He managed, fighting the blush that threatened to rise up his cheeks. "I thought you looked really... beautiful tonight."
It was Lioness' turn to feel embarrassed and lowered her gaze studying the ground at her bare feet. "Thanks." She said quietly and they both went back to the city watching too shy to say anything more.
Except this time as they stood side by side they were a little closer than before, their arms touching from shoulder to wrist and their fingers entwined in a comforting handhold.
"Hey guys!" Hawk called as he slid open the door. The two of them jumped apart but Hawk didn't notice their sudden edginess as he almost tripped over the door frame. "You're missing all the fun!"
The two of them exchanged glances before following Hawk back into the building. Lioness handed Axel back his coat as they went
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