Notes: Just a little something that popped into my head. I'm really not sure if this will go any further, but we'll see. Italics to represent thought and the woman in question is meant to be Lita, the guy ... well that could be nearly anyone.
Disclaimer: I don't own a damn thing.
She wasn't even sure why she was here because she didn't belong here.
Breathe in, breathe out …
But he had asked her to be here and like an idiot, like a moth drawn to the flame … she just couldn't stay away.
Breathe in, breathe out …
She stood out like a sore thumb, but she was used to that … she wasn't one to blend in well to begin with.
Breathe in, breathe out …
The words repeated over and over in her head like a mantra.
Breathe in, breathe out …
Such a simple ordinary task made that much more complicated by his presence.
Breathe in, breathe out …
Her position in the catering hall put her at the point where it would take her the same amount of steps to walk towards him or to walk away from him.
To run away from him, if it all came down to it, just like she had before.
Breathe in, breathe out … don't look
He was watching her and she knew it … she knew that he was watching her just like he used to. Just like she used to watch him, like a predator would watch its prey …
But this time, she didn't know which was which.
Don't look back, don't look …
His proximity unnerved her, even though he was standing across the room. He consumed her thoughts, occupied her heart and possessed her soul.
Breathe in, breathe out …
She blinked and suddenly all she could see was him, leaving her to wonder how in the hell he had moved so quickly … and how she had failed to notice.
Breathe in, breathe out …
"Hello," he whispered against her ear.
Don't look, don't look … don't speak…
"Hello," she finally managed to squeak.
Stupid, stupid, stupid … breathe in, breathe—
"You're here," he almost sounded surprised.
"You asked," she routinely replied.
"Why?" They voiced in unison, blue eyes meeting hazel in a silent clash of wills.
An eyebrow arched, "you ran."
And shoulders shrugged, "you let me go."
"You were never mine to keep," he finally admitted to what he had always known.
Something shifted in the air, an understanding passing between them.
Don't walk away…
She wasn't meant to be kept, perhaps that was true … but that all depended on who wanted to do the keeping…
"You always said you played for keeps."
"That hasn't changed."
They were nearly touching, nose to nose, mouth to mouth, and body to body and yet … something was holding them back.
Just ask me…
"Can I keep you?"
"Do you want to?"
Please just tell me …
"I need you," his forehead rested against hers, "I want you;" he practically spoke against her lips. "I love you."
Her heart was pounding in her ears; his hands were gently cupping her face…
"Can I keep you?"
He smirked just before claiming her mouth with his.
"Like you need to ask?"
"I need to know."
"Will you run?"
"Will you let me go?"
Point, counter point, breathe in and breathe out … she shifted back and he shifted forwards.
"I play for keeps."
"I know."
Details, they knew, could be worked out later … details, they knew, would only get in the way right now. Because he played for keeps, because she didn't want to be kept … but this time around it was different.
And maybe this time, she wouldn't run because maybe this time, he wouldn't let her go.
Because she also played for keeps, because he wanted to be kept.