Chapter 2- Tequila and Taiwanese mini chairs.
After all, that's what she does, that's what she knows.
Darts, snarky-ness and strip poker, but mainly just tequila and more tequila, until she's strong enough to face the world again.
He dumped his ex in a way that bore some serious resemblance to Burkes little surprise. This is drunken-denial and emotional-wall-building-time.
So how come instead she taking him home with her?
And when exactly did she start holding hands, she didn't hold hands. with any one. in the universe.
She looks to her left where Owen is walking, all ruggedly handsome, his red hair catching the moonlight. Holding her hand.
There's only one explanation. She sees him.
She recognised him back when he was Bright and Brass, and now that he's Gentle and Twisty she still sees him clearly.
She trusts him, the way she trusts Meredith, instinctively. Without reasoning or intent.
And that changes everything, cuts the usual small drama away. They had gone straight to the core of who he still is and who she is, underneath all the defences.
This trust and connection existed between them from the very first time they met and part of her just cannot believe it came this easy, without preparations or work .
Being with Owen, seeing him for who he is, feels like breathing.
It comes natural and is vital to her existence .
It seems almost surreal, remembering how hard she had worked at being with Burke, doing her best, following the rules, jumping through hoops…she hadn't had a clue then, that love; non-mushy, badass Love really existed.
She had been so fixed on battles and games all her life, how could she have guessed there was a real, strong man out there that wouldn't need her to prove herself to him? Who would show himself to her in all his pain and beg her to see him? And that she could respect regardless of status or accomplishments.
Of course she delighted in his strong body, his beautiful eyes, his smile. And it obviously helped that he was a badass surgeon that had served his country in a war zone for years.
But those things couldn't be the reason she always called him by his first name, or why she would wait for him to be ready when she was about to explode, she wanted him so bad.
It was him- all of him, everything that made him his unique self. And she knew there was no predicting outcomes or following the rules any more. No expectations or guidelines.
That idea didn't scare her, instead, it made her feel free and exited, and strangely safe.
They can do this, she can do this. With him, she can.
Her thoughts were interrupted when they passed a group standing on the side walk and he pulled her close against him, wrapping his arm around her waist to get past.
His body ,so much bigger, was pressed up against her. His scent around her. She felt a warmth rising in her chest, going straight to her head and just had to stop . Pulling him close, facing her.
He looked at her, eyebrows raised in a question and she placed her hand against his check, caressing his soft skin and beard. She couldn't find the words, didn't think this was the time to tell him how she felt, but he seemed to understand just the same. His eyes got darker and his arms came around her as she leaned up to kiss him as softly and tenderly as she knew how to.
When she wanted to step back he stopped her and hid his face against her neck, in her hair and they stood there for a perfect moment. She wasn't embarrassed or feeling awkward, she just stood there and felt she belonged.
Some one from the group they had passed before wolf-whistles and they break apart smiling.
Walking the last few yards to her building.
Almost home.