Title: He Knows
Author: Golden Jellybean
Rating: (K+) PG
Genre: Romance/Drama
Ship: Maxon/America
Plot/Summary: Sometimes, Aspen wishes he didn't know her so well.
Aspen Leger knows everything about America Singer.
He knows how bad she is at taking compliments. He knows because her cheeks turn a bright shade of pink whenever he calls her gorgeous, or tells her how beautiful her voice sounds.
He knows how stubborn she is. He knows because once, when she was sick, he tried to get her to stay in bed. She still snuck out to meet him at their treehouse, though.
He knows how short her temper is. He knows because she used to lash out at him whenever he said or did something wrong. She's gotten better at controlling that fiery temper of hers, though.
He knows how kind she is. He knows because she used to bring him huge platters of food even though her family had barely enough to spare.
He knows how graceful she is. He can tell by the way she carries herself.
He knows how bad she is at lying. She can't even bring herself to say half-truths without stuttering.
He can tell when she's in love. He's familiar with the way her eyes twinkle like bright stars whenever she looks at the person she loves. He knows because she used to look at him that way – with her eyes twinkling like little fairy lights – whenever she saw him.
Aspen Leger knows her more than anyone else does. He knows her more than her own family does. He even knows her more than she knows herself.
So whenever he sees her with Prince Maxon, his heart clenches and his stomach twists in terrible knots.
He tries not to notice, but even from afar, he can see the way her eyes shine like diamonds whenever the future king of Illea is around.
He tries to ignore it, but he can't help but notice how dull and empty her eyes look whenever she sees him.
Sometimes, he wishes he didn't know her so well.