I found myself going to see Shaun. Despite his coldness to everyone, I quite enjoyed his company. In the little while that I'd been here, he was the only one who truly made me feel like I'm not alone. Sure, Rebecca is a great friend but I'm just not pulled to her the same way I am to Shaun. I sat in my chair and pulled my feet up and watched him silently. I knew he knew I was there, but I didn't want to ruin the moment. He was in that intensely focused state again and I tried not to oogle him too much. I didn't need him knowing how much power he really had over me.
"Are you just going to sit there and stare at me?" Shaun asked, pulling away from his work to talk to me. It actually made me feel really special but I tried not to smile too much.
"Probably," I shrugged and watched Shaun take off his glasses to rub his face. It was kind of cute. All I wanted to do was get up and rub his shoulders and tell him not to stress so much but I couldn't do that. Somewhere along the line, I'd realised that I liked Shaun. It didn't bother me, it is what it is.
"I need to get some fresh air," He sighed. "Would you like to accompany me?"
"Sure," I replied easily and we got up. Shaun told William, Rebecca and Desmond where we would be before going outside.
"Good luck," Rebecca whispered to me before I left.
I followed Shaun silently through the field before he sat at the last row of grapes and looked up at Rebecca's and my tree. I sat quietly beside Shaun and picked at the grass a little.
"You roughed Desmond up a little today," Shaun said matter of factly.
"Well I can't have you getting in trouble for me," I smiled a little. "I can fight my own battles."
"I know, but you weren't awake for it," He sighed in his adorable accent. "You didn't hear what he was saying about you."
"Thank you Shaun," I said quietly and nudged his shoulder. "Really, it was sweet of you."
"Anytime Tess," Shaun smiled down at me. I leaned against him in the cool night air and for once, I didn't feel like an Assassin. I felt like a normal person, having a confusing relationship like I'd always dreamed of. I felt Shaun wrap an arm around me and I cuddled into him more. We didn't say anything for a long time. We just sat there, enjoying the human contact for once.
"Do you ever get lonely Shaun?" I asked and looked up at him. He was looked back at me with his ever curious eyes. That was another thing I liked about him. He was always digging deeper because curiosity hadn't killed the cat yet.
"All the time," He answered sadly. I did all I could, meaning I had to settle for hugging him tightly. "Relationships are hard for people like us."
"Not always," I said, knowing he was still looking at me. "Not for us."
"You just said us," Shaun pointed out.
"And?" I asked and looked back up at him, suddenly scared beyond belief at what he'd say.
"I want there to be an 'us'," He whispered, leaning down a little.
I pulled myself up a little so I could meet his kiss. Shaun's lips were gentle against mine, which was not what I expected but I enjoyed it anyways. It felt like there were fireworks exploding in my chest and I shivered all the way down to my toes. I tangled my fingers in his hair as he pulled me into his lap. When we pulled away, I just let Shaun hold me against him while I came down from the high of kissing him.
"Do you ever get lonely Tess?" Shaun asked me.
"I used to," I answered and watched Shaun smile.
"Well, you'll never have to be lonely again," He told me and I kissed him quickly before replying.
"Neither will you."
Shaun and I stayed outside for a long while. At one point, I got cold so Shaun gave me his sweater. It was a little too big but it was warm and I appreciated it.
"Ever the gentleman," I giggled a little before settling back against Shaun's side.
"Isn't that what the English are famous for?" Shaun joked.
"Well that and being stuck up," I replied, laughing when Shaun pretended to be offended.
"Wow, is that what you really think of me?" he pulled away from me.
"No," I answered with a smile. "I think you're just lovely!"
"Good," He smirked and wrapped his arms back around me. "Don't think that this means I still won't antagonize you."
"Oh I know," I replied. "But this does mean we can gang up on Desmond."
"The poor chap will never win now," Shaun laughed. I liked hearing him laugh, it was something I didn't get to hear often during the day.
After another little moment of laughing and joking, Shaun surprised me. He took my hand in his and squeezed a little. I did it back and felt him kiss my head lightly. In the back of my head, I knew we would have to go back soon and then we would have to work the next day in the dark, musty cellar. Somehow it didn't seem so bad anymore though, because I had Shaun to keep me company now. The only downside would be Desmond's disgusting advances and William's condescending tone. At least it would be three against two because we had Rebecca.
"We should go back," I heard Shaun say sadly.
"I know," I looked up at him. "It's not like this is the last time we can do this though."
"If I could, I would drag you out here with me every night," Shaun sighed and got up.
He helped me up too and held my hand as we started back. I decided that it would be more fun to have him carry me back so without warning, I jumped on Shaun's back and almost knocked him over. His hands went under my knees and I loosened my grip around his neck so he could breathe.
"My god Tess," Shaun gasped. "You scared the living daylights out of me!"
"Good, that was the point," I giggled and he carried me back to the cellar doors.
He put me down before we walked in and for a minute, I thought he was going to hide the whole thing from everybody but now he surprised me by taking my hand and leading me down the stairs. We must've been outside for longer than we thought because everyone else had gone to sleep. Shaun walked me over to the doorway to my room that I shared with Rebecca.
"Goodnight Tess," He said quietly, trying not to wake people.
"Night Shaun," I replied, not knowing what he was going to do. He leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. I kissed him back and wrapped my arms around his neck, having to stand on my toes a little. I never realised how tall Shaun is until now.
"I'll see you at breakfast," He whispered and I just nodded before letting him go.
I almost forgot I was wearing his sweater but he just motioned for me to keep it. I slipped it off and put it by my stuff before crawling into my sleeping bag and closing my eyes.