Second Gesture:

Arm on the Shoulder

It had been a long while since they had started holding hands. Every now and then, Lacus would start searching for that familiar feeling that never failed to captivate her sensitivity. She had been used to it, she mused, and concluded that this was indeed something normal, if not habitual.

Without it, her day would never be complete.

But there was something amiss about the place today, particularly on that cottage where they stayed. It was unusually silent…no sign of any kid in the area within the vicinity. And that soundless environment was deafening.

The door opened, revealing a purple-eyed young man. His rugged smile was again plastered on his face as his muscular arms carried a couple of paper bags.

Lacus, recognizing the tremendous effort he had been putting up to this time (he actually volunteered to do the grocery this week), went to his side and assisted him in any way that he would allow her to (since he was particularly uneasy with a lady carrying these heavy stuffs rather than himself).

Once those things were set on the table, Lacus took out the contents from each one by one and carefully laid the same on the clearing.

"So, how was the shopkeeper today?" she asked as she kept her focus on her "work". Weird. He wasn't responding to her question and it was unlike him to ignore her.

"Kira?" looking up at him, she can't help but blush by the way he stared at her. His eyes - - those clear purple ones looked straight at hers without a blink. And this somehow caused quite a palpitation in her then already fast-beating heart.

She turned her gaze away and simply turned back by the sink, washing some vegetables from the market dirt they possessed.

Her question long forgotten, she turned around once more and placed the cans on the cabinets. She was unconsciously humming a tune, one which she personally composed. It was sweet and calm and he actually found it all too good to hear.

She tried desperately to avoid his figure, mostly his gaze which was still on her (she could feel it), but then, every time she'd turn around to the table, she couldn't help but focus her attention on the young man standing by the door.

He wasn't moving an inch, just looking at her and nothing more. He spoke no words yet and it may even appear that he was in deep thought.

With her back still on him, she continued washing some commodities when he finally approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder, his full arm on her body as if in a half-embracing gesture.

"K-Kira?" she was stunned beyond words - - not just by the proximity, but more so by his boldness. One which she never thought he actually honed within him.

"Shh…I just want to know what it feels…to hold you…like this…" she could tell he was feeling awkward at what he just said…even ashamed of his choice of words.

It was a silent compliance as she never breathed another for the next few minutes, allowing him to do as he pleased.

She wanted to see his face at that time, just to know if his eyes were still on her all the while. But the distance was preventing her to do so, she was worried that something more awkward might happen if she did. She could feel his body next to hers and this made her breathing quite heavy. She could very well see her cheeks brighten so red now. The worst part of it all, she doesn't know how to react to this kind of situation.

Without her rationality, her arm slid on his back…keeping a hold on that part of his body. She felt him stir a little, aware that he was well-surprised just as she was (on what she did). But then, after a few more minutes, relaxed.

It was only for a brief moment, but when he laid his hand on her shoulder, an obvious warmth flooded her senses. She felt herself being wrapped upon by his steady arm. Its hold on her was delicate and securing. His other arm began moving towards her waist…in fact, he already had his palm on that part of her body…turning her slowly to face him.

"Lacus…" his eyes had that expression of longing in them.

And before she could snuggle next to his body, the moment's over…as little culprits came out from their hiding place.

"See, told yah they're into each other!" cried one little voice, seemingly in debate with another. There were just two or three kids by then and all of them where caught red-handed on eavesdropping. Promoting a disciplinary approach on this one, Kira handled them by himself…eyeing each youngster coldly. They took their leave as Kira headed them out the door - - led the rowdy children out from the privacy of the room.

"Maybe next time…" she quipped highly above a whisper as soon as she trusted she was by herself once more.

"Sure…next time it is then."

Her eyes widened as she turned around at once, just in time to see Kira's smile behind the abruptly closed door. His eyes were on hers again as the door turned full close…locked with a clicking sound on the wooden frame.

And how she blushed madly after that.

end