Hopefully it's still Valentine's Day somewhere in the world… figured it was the perfect time to post this very indulgent chapter.
Frustrating that I can't add the artwork of Lisa in her dress on but you can see it on AO3.
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Walk together through the night
Sky is clear, the stars are bright
I kiss her lips and hold her tight
Is that enough?
"Could This Be Love" – The Wanted
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That evening under the cool, clear night sky, Rick takes Lisa out on a date.
She had taken special care to dress up, donning a lovely off the shoulders number in the same vibrant shade of red as the trim on Rick's flight suit. Claudia had insisted on loaning it to her and had delivered it earlier with a salacious wink as she dropped it off.
Roy used to go wild when I wore this, I bet it will knock the socks off Rick too, she had said.
Lisa could see why. On Claudia, with her long brown legs, the dress would have been tantalizingly short and while Lisa wasn't particularly petite, she didn't quite have Claudia's height and as a result the dress came to a more modest length on her. It showed an expanse of bare skin across her shoulders that her uniform certainly didn't and as Lisa had admired her reflection in the mirror, she found herself hoping she would have a chance to reveal the dress to Rick in all its glory.
Her doorbell chimes and Lisa quickly pulls on her coat and opens the door to find Rick bundled up warmly on her doorstep. His wide smile when he sees her makes her cheeks flush but before she can greet him properly, he takes her hand and pulls her close to press a light kiss to her cheek. She catches a dizzying swirl of his fresh cologne and she grips his hand a little harder than necessary.
"Hi," he says softly as he steps back, unbothered by her tight grasp of his hand. "Are you hungry?"
For a split second, Lisa wants to say she's famished, but it's not for food. Instead she ducks her head, glancing away to hide the stain across her cheeks that might give her thoughts away. She had been counting the minutes until she could see him again, longing to be with him in a way she would never have previously let herself meditate too deeply about.
She doesn't have to hold back now. Her boyfriend, she thinks. Rick Hunter is her boyfriend. The thought simultaneously makes her want to laugh with a giddy happiness as well as pinch herself to make sure she isn't dreaming.
"Not particularly," she says instead. "Are you?"
"No, not really. Why don't we see a movie first? There are some old favorites playing at the Oggi Theatre if you feel like it."
Lisa is privately thrilled at the idea of prolonging their evening together beyond a meal. "That sounds great, Rick. I'd love to see a movie with you."
He grins and offers his arm as they start to make their way into New Macross City's central commercial district.
There's some light hearted debate on the movie they choose to see before deciding on an old classic that pre-dated even the unification wars but Lisa doesn't remember much of the it save for the way it had felt to sit close to Rick and cradle his hand in her lap in the darkness. She discovers that she very much likes his hands - so much larger and stronger than hers - calloused but not rough. He has a scar that lines the back of his knuckles on his left hand that she traces absently as she tries halfheartedly to follow the story being played out on the screen but her thoughts keep carrying her back to the jagged line of raised skin.
"The Mockingbird," he tells her when she asks him about it later as they pass through the cinema foyer when the movie is over. The name tickles something at the back of her mind before realization sweeps in.
"Oh, that was your little stunt plane, wasn't it?"
Rick sniffs. "It was more than that," he tells her, but he chuckles lightly. "That plane was my pride and joy."
"Do you miss it?"
"A little bit. There's no more flying for fun these days," he says ruefully and she catches the hint of melancholy in his voice.
"No," she agrees sadly as they walk out onto the street. She shivers lightly in the cool air despite her warm coat and tucks herself close to Rick as they stroll along. "I don't suppose there is."
Rick leads her down a few streets until it looks like they're moving away from the main thoroughfare and into a winding maze of small alleyways. The foot traffic ebbs and fades away along with the chatter of people enjoying their evening out until they come across a small restaurant that seems unassuming from the street but spills out into a delightful, glass domed courtyard. The clear ceiling traps the heat from the braziers inside for the benefit of the patrons and draped across the vaulted ceiling space are old fashioned fairy lights sprinkled like suspended stars. Green foliage like Ivy curls against the walls and a woman with bright purple hair plays a soulful song with a violin in the far corner.
The restaurant couldn't have been more than a year old, but the warm golden glow from the solar lights that sparkle on the tables makes the space feel timeless. Adding to the romantic ambience are intimate booths, white table cloths and shimmering glassware.
"Oh," Lisa breathes, taking it all in with wide eyes. "Rick, this is lovely. I had no idea places like this existed anymore."
He flashes her a quick smile but his eyes seem to be searching for someone in the depths of the restaurant. Lisa wonders who he could be looking for and refuses to let herself think about how this restaurant would be just the sort of place a certain celebrity would feel right at home in.
"Bobby told us about it. It's New Macross City's best kept secret."
A pretty dark skinned girl materializes nearby, taking their coats and tucking them away. Lisa is grateful that the restaurant is warm and cozy when her shoulders are exposed to the night. Rick's eyes widen slightly at the sight of her dress under the glow of the lights but there's no chance to speak before the girl is warmly welcoming them.
"Captain Hunter! It's lovely to see you. Bobby told me you would be joining us tonight."
"Hi Amelia," Rick quirks a half smile at her and Lisa gets the odd sense she may have met this girl before. "Thanks for fitting us in at short notice. Lisa, this is Amelia, Lieutenant Bell's fiancée. Amelia, this is Captain Lisa Hayes."
Amelia looks at Lisa with round eyes. "It's an honor to meet you, Captain Hayes. Bobby talks so highly of both of you."
"It's nice to meet you too, Amelia," Lisa says politely. She knows Lieutenant Bell from his recent induction into Rick's Skull team out of Alpha Squad. "Lieutenant Bell is one of our best up and coming pilots. I see a bright future ahead of him."
Amelia's answering smile falters. "I hope he has the chance to have that future. The life expectancy for fighter pilots isn't exactly high." She flushes and glances awkwardly at Rick. "I'm sorry, Captain Hunter, I don't mea-."
"It's alright, Amelia. You know I'll always do everything in my power to keep him safe."
Lisa echoes Rick's words, thinking about the Lieutenant and his not-easily-ruffled attitude. She had noticed he had a cool head about him during the missions conducted under her command but she finds herself regarding Rick with surprise at the gentle way he handles Amelia's fears. It was clear Amelia wasn't military, probably one of the few survivors left on Earth following the Rain but instead of brushing aside her worries with the cocky bravado she might have expected, he had opted for reassurance instead.
"Thank you, Captain Hunter," Amelia says softly. "I suppose that's all I can ask. Oh, but enough of that," she flushes and gives a small toss of her head to shake off her heavy worries. "I'm sorry; you're here for a lovely evening together, not to counsel a jittery bride."
She leads them through the restaurant to a table in the far corner where Rick makes a point to pull out Lisa's chair for her. Lisa chuckles and gives him a small smile as she thanks him.
"You're welcome," he murmurs leaning over her as she sits. The tickle of his warm breath over her bare skin leaves Lisa momentarily breathless.
"Well, I'll leave you both to enjoy your evening, but if there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to let us know," Amelia says once they're both comfortably seated.
Rick nods. "Thanks, Amelia. Say hi to Bobby for me. Tell him I expect to see him on the flight deck bright and early tomorrow."
Amelia gives him a wry laugh. "Yes, Captain," she says, giving him a mock salute before she turns away.
A moment later, a waiter appears and hands them both a handwritten menu and taking their drink orders. Lisa makes a small sound of protest when Rick orders another one of her favourite wines but he waves it away.
"I know the owner," he jokes and he winks, making Lisa smile. He picks up the menu and skims it quickly and Lisa does the same although she finds it hard to concentrate on the options, her mind still partly pre-occupied by Amelia's words.
The life expectancy for fighter pilots isn't exactly high.
"It all looks so good here," Rick says, pulling out of her distraction. He glances up at her and Lisa thinks about how he looks especially dashing tonight, dressed in his familiar suit and a blue tie that matches the colour of his eyes perfectly. Seeing him in the suit had reminded her of the last time he had worn it, and it made her feel especially grateful for the night he had shown up half frozen on her doorstep.
She might have hidden her heart away behind her hurt forever if he hadn't done that.
They decide on each sampling separate dishes but Rick makes her promise to share a small portion of hers with him. Lisa doesn't bother to fight him on it, her nerves still fluttery at the way their knees occasionally brush under the table to have much of an appetite but after their mains have been served, she picks up her wine glass and nods her head to Rick to do the same.
"I feel like we should make a toast."
"Oh, yeah? What should we toast to?" he asks, lowering his fork.
"Hmm," she pretends to think on it then meets his eyes across the table. He's watching her with an expression she's not used to seeing on him, eyes dark like he's a man half starved. Lisa suspects her bare shoulders that her dress reveals might have something to do with it and she flips her hair over one shoulder to test her theory. Rick's gaze follows the movement hungrily, and Lisa experiences a rush of heat inside her. "What do you think we should toast to?"
He seems surprised that she would turn it back on him but then his mouth curves. He pauses for a beat then holds his glass up a little higher. "To fresh starts," he says, then he glances down sheepishly. "And second chances."
"To fresh starts and second chances," she repeats softly, thinking how very much this evening is just that for them. Even more so than the meal in Rick's quarters the night before, this was a new beginning for them both.
They gently chink their glasses together, sharing hopeful smiles.
At the end of the meal, Rick signals to the waiter and Lisa bends down to collect her purse. Rick gives her a pointed look but his mouth twitches teasingly. "You aren't going to insist on paying are you? This is my treat and I don't care if you earn more than me."
She tilts her head, trying to stop her lips from curving into a smile at the memory of the last time they had that argument. "I suppose I will allow it just this once. Besides, we might be on equal pay these days."
"Not likely," Rick laughs. "But what good is a Captain's salary if I haven't got anyone to spend it on?"
As they're leaving the restaurant, Rick helps her into her coat. She catches the appreciative glance he gives her as she puts it on and raises an eyebrow.
"I really like you in red," he says honestly, almost reluctant to admit it. Then he takes her arm and they walk back out into the night air.
The streets in the commercial district have grown busy as the evening waned on. Colorful garlanded lights and banners hang between the buildings to remind them both that the holiday season was almost upon them. Lisa hadn't felt particularly festive in the past, offering to take on Christmas day rosters for the officers for had families and she was rostered on again this year. Despite that, she has a feeling that this year Christmas might be very different.
"I guess I should take you home," Rick says as they walk, sounding disappointed. She knows how he feels. She doesn't want their night together to end yet.
She turns to him, reaching for his hand. "Well, you could come back to my place for tea if you like?"
His eyes light up and he gazes at her warmly. "I'd like that," he answers then his gaze shifts to something over her shoulder. "Wait here, I know just the thing to go with it."
"Rick, wha-"
He's gone before she can even finish her sentence, dashing across the street and then disappearing into a small shop with a bell that rings when he opens the door. She stands there helplessly, tucking her coat tighter around herself in an effort to ward off the chill air, wondering if she should follow him before reminding herself he had told her to wait where she was. She squints at the shop sign, realizing it's a tiny boutique bakery.
He's gone for a few minutes and Lisa contents herself by window shopping at the building behind her. She almost regrets it when she realizes it's a lingerie store with plastic mannequins in the window modeling thin strips of satin and lace and her face heats. She finds herself admiring the soft ivory set at the back when she suddenly recalls an early memory of Rick huddled behind a table balancing a paper bag of groceries off the floor and laughs to herself. Mr Lingerie. He'd been so ridiculously clumsy and embarrassed. How could she have forgotten that?
She's still smiling to herself at the recollection when she hears her name being called and she turns expecting it to be Rick, but instead it's Max with his arm up, pushing his way through the crowd on the street with his other arm tight around his wife. His cheeks are red and Miriya looks pretty in a soft lavender sweater that shouldn't look as perfect as it does paired with her verdantly tinted hair.
"Captain Hayes!"
Lisa waits by the store window for them to reach her. "Hi Max," she says warmly. "Hello, Miriya. How are you both?"
"We're great," Max tells her. "Just having a night out without the baby while we have a chance."
It's on the tip of her tongue to ask where Dana is but then Lisa remembers it's late and Dana would no doubt be tucked up in bed with the babysitter. It's good to see Max and Miriya have some time together away from the baby that isn't in the cockpit of a veritech, Lisa thinks to herself but her thoughts trail off when she notices the very intense look Miriya is suddenly giving her.
Miriya's eyes shift from the store window to Lisa and back again. "Are you planning to purchase those under garments to wear for Captain Hunter, Lisa?"
Lisa inhales sharply as her face instantly flames. The thought had possibly flittered through her mind but to hear Miriya express it so starkly embarrassed her.
She glances sharply at Max, but he's not listening, having spotted Rick crossing back over the street with a small box in his hands.
"Skipper!"
Lisa is glad for the interruption, saved from having to answer Miriya's bold query by Rick arriving. He greets Max and Miriya and then steps closer to Lisa, sliding a proprietary hand against the small of her back. They stand together facing Max and Miriya as the crowd of people ebbs and flows around them.
"We're just about to head over to The Set-Up to catch a drink with Claudia if you feel like joining us," Max tells them. "Might even go dancing too."
"Uh, thanks, Max but I was just about to take Lisa home."
Lisa lays a hand against his arm. It's another chance to prolong their evening. "I wouldn't mind staying out a little longer if it's something you would like to do."
Rick hesitates briefly, searching her gaze. "Well, we're both rostered on tomorrow but… Alright," he agrees and his blue eyes go soft as she looks at her. Her heart flutters for a moment, caught up in his look but then then he turns back to Max. "Sure, why not? Let's go."
"Fantastic," Max grins and he pulls Miriya closer to him. "It's not far from here, we'll be there before we know it."
Max and Miriya turn and start to thread their way through the crowd of people on the street towards the club.
"Where did you disappear to just now?" Lisa asks as they trail after their friends. Rick has a small white box in one hand and he pauses on the sidewalk just long enough to let her peek inside the lid.
Inside is a single, beautifully decorated red velvet cupcake.
"Something to have with the tea," he says with a half shrug, as though he's suddenly embarrassed by his spur of the moment purchase. Lisa hopes he isn't. It was a surprising and sweet action and one she would never have expected from Rick.
He was surprising her a lot tonight.
She takes the box from him and tucks it lovingly into her purse.
"We'll have it with the tea later," she assures him as she takes his arm and they start to walk again.
They arrive at the bar and find Claudia chatting to a young man with reddish hair long and thick in the popular style of the veritech jocks but he excuses himself when they stop by the table. Lisa notices Rick giving him a hard glance before they all sit down and makes a mental note to talk to him about it later. Claudia might have been his brother Roy's fiancée before he died, but she's still entitled to a life now that Roy is gone. And as devoted to Roy as she was, Lisa knows that eventually it will fade and the loneliness will set in and she might want to move on.
That was something Lisa knew from experience. Once a upon a time she couldn't imagine wanting anyone but Riber, only to now have Rick kiss her and marvel at all the ways a heart could heal.
Lisa divests herself of her coat and Miriya gives her an approving look.
"You look very elegant," she tells her. "Red is the colour of blood, but Max also tells me in your culture it's the colour of love."
Lisa nods and thanks Miriya for her compliment but then Claudia takes centre stage and whistles cheekily. "Captain Hayes, I knew that dress would be magic on you, but oh my, nothing quite compares to actually seeing you in it!"
Lisa finds herself blushing as all eyes turn to her. "Claudia, please," she protests. She's sure her cheeks are as red as the dress. It's a little bit cool inside the bar with her shoulders exposed and she sits back in the booth to lean closer to Rick to find his warmth. He misunderstands and thinks she's embarrassed so he slides his arm around her shoulders and draws her to him protectively.
"You look really nice in that dress," he whispers in her ear. "I don't think I've said that yet."
She doesn't get a chance to reply before a young woman with big blue eyes and dark wavy hair arrives at the table balancing a tray of drinks. Lisa studies her carefully as she places the glasses down, realizing that this girl reminds her uncomfortably of Minmei. She sneaks a glance at Rick, but he's talking animatedly with Max about a plot hole in the movie they just saw, oblivious to the woman in front of them.
Lisa is relieved, before she inwardly rebukes herself for being ridiculous.
The rest of the evening passes enjoyably with the five of them drinking together and sharing conversation. They've spent a lot of time together over the years, and their friendships have been firmly established not just on duty, but in the quiet off moments too. She goes a long way back with Claudia, but Lisa considers Max and Miriya to be her friends as well. At one point, Sammy, Vanessa and Kim even join them with their beaus for a drink then a live band starts to play and then the trio is off twirling on the dancefloor with their partners.
Through the warm buzz flowing through her system from the drinks and Rick's arm curled possessively around her waist, Lisa finds herself watching the dancers with envy. Maybe she could ask Rick to dance, she thinks but the music is a little too fast and she's fairly confident she's a little bit too tipsy to make a good impression.
I wonder if Rick is a good dancer, she wonders, realizing it was something she had yet to learn about him. There hadn't been an opportunity to dance at Max and Miriya's wedding, an attack occurring before the first dance had taken place but she speculates idly if he would have danced with anyone had there been the chance. At the time, she had been watching the televised event with her father at Alaska base far away on Earth but she had been caught up in the romance of their wedding just the same.
Before long, Claudia decides to call it a night and she stands up to gather her coat and says her farewells. Lisa decides to walk Claudia out so she leaves Rick at the table and stands just inside the entrance while Claudia hails a taxi. As they say their goodbyes, Claudia kisses her cheek.
"You looks so happy, Lisa."
Lisa's eyes prick in spite of herself. "I am," she says with a small, disbelieving laugh. "I've finally got everything I've ever wanted."
Claudia surprises her by pulling Lisa into her embrace and holding her for a long moment. "I'm thrilled for you, honey. I really am. You've waited such a long time for this."
"I never thought I would have this again, after Riber-"
"Well, enjoy it. It's been a long time coming. We both fell for pilots, didn't we? After all that time you swore black and blue you wouldn't."
"Life sure is funny like that," Lisa says dryly.
"It's funny to think we could have been sisters. If Roy was still alive and then you and Rick-"
"We are sisters," Lisa rushes out quickly. Tears prick at her eyes at the longing in Claudia's voice but she's filled with a swell of warmth and affection for her beautiful friend. Claudia had been the most important woman in Lisa's life for a long time now. "You'll always be my family, Claudia."
"Oh, honey," Claudia says softly. "I feel the same way."
Lisa's eyes prick harder and they're more than damp when Claudia pulls away and dashes for the taxi with one last wave over her shoulder. Lisa watches the car disappears down the street, hugging her arms around herself when a blast of cool night air catches her as the doors open and close with new patrons.
She turns to walk back to the table but Rick finds her by the door.
"There you are," he says in relief but then his expression shifts and he frowns. "Lisa? What's wrong?"
She shakes her head, wiping her eyes quickly with her fingertips. "Happy tears," she assures him. "I promise."
He seems satisfied with that and takes her hand, tugging her after him through the small crowd of revelers. "Come on. Come with me."
"Where are we going?" she asks in confusion as they pass their table. A moment later, Rick pulls her onto the dancefloor. The music had mellowed from the previous upbeat tempo to something smooth and slow and the lights dim as couples pair up and sway together. Lisa catches a glimpse of Max and Miriya entwined nearby but they have eyes only for each other.
Rick stands close to her amongst the dancers and squeezes her hand. It's hard to see the expression in his eyes in all the shadows but she thinks there's uncertainly there. "So, uh. We've never danced before."
"No, we haven't."
"I think we should change that. Will you dance with me, Captain Hayes?"
She can't help her smile. "I would love to, Captain Hunter."
Rick tugs on her hand, drawing her in close against his chest. He slides his other hand around her waist and she lays her hands on his shoulders as they shuffle gently together. The only discomfort is when the song changes and the band plays a cover of one of Minmei's classic love songs that had been slowed down for maximum poignancy. Lisa tries not to let it bother her, but it seems that even on a date with Rick, reminders of miss Minmei were inescapable.
Some of her disquiet must show in her face because Rick catches her eye and winces slightly. "Maybe I can make a request?"
Lisa stares up at him, taking note of the feel of his arms around her, the lengths of their bodies pressed close together. She can feel his muscles move under her palms and see the warmth in his eyes as he watches her.
"Tens of thousands of songs in the world, and they had to choose this one," she tries to laugh. Rick's arm tightens around her waist and her uneasiness dies away. It didn't matter what song they played, it only mattered that she was the one dancing with Rick.
When she says as much, he stops in place to press a sweet, lingering kiss to her mouth that only ends when someone whistles and calls out their names nearby.
Rick raises his head and Lisa glances over her shoulder to find the trio grinning and gesturing wildly.
"Oh. Well, it seems this is our grand debut," Lisa says, her face heating.
"It seems that way," Rick chuckles. "Are you worried what people will think?"
Lisa already knows there's long been speculation regarding the two of them, from as far back as the time they had returned to a broadcasted medal ceremony for miraculously escaping Dolza's clutches to much recently. Usually notoriously private in her personal life, she's surprised to realize she doesn't want to waste a moment more hiding away how she feels about the man in front of her.
Lisa just hopes he feels the same.
She reaches up to pull him into another kiss, brushing her lips over his before leaning back to look up into his eyes. "Do I seem worried to you?"
"No ma'am," he murmurs, quirking a grin as he tightens his hold around her waist and lowers his head to plant another kiss against her mouth that leaves her head spinning and her knees weak. For a moment, she can almost forget that the trio is nearby watching them, except that their excited squeals become too raucous to be ignored.
Rick and Lisa break their kiss and Lisa buries her head against Rick's chest with a small groan. "I'm never going to be able to maintain control of them again," she mutters.
Rick chuckles lightly. "They know you're human now, it's going to be tough to keep them in line."
Lisa lifts her head and eyes him suspiciously. "Sometimes I think my ability to keep anyone in line faded the day you stole a veritech."
"I didn't steal it," Rick protests bravely but his eyes are twinkling. "If you must know, I was trying to take a nap."
Lisa snorts delicately but shares in his soft laughter. He hugs her close and the warmth of him curling around her sends her heart soaring. How could she ever have predicted that the irreverent, cocky civilian in the cockpit that day could come to mean so much to her. She gazes up at him, caught up in wonder of just how much their fates could change. Her fingers delve into the hair at the back of his neck as she leans up.
"I'll always be grateful you accepted that invitation," she murmurs against his mouth. "Despite everything."
"Me too," he whispers back. Once again he pulls her close.
Lisa sways with him in the flow of the music and decides that this might just be the most romantic night of her life.
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By an unspoken agreement they end up taking the long way home, walking together in silence along the edge of Lake Gloval. It's dark in the SDF-1's shadow but the path is lit under their feet by tiny lights that look like the reflection of stars. Despite the late hour, Rick isn't at all in a hurry to take Lisa home.
He'd had a wonderful time tonight, so much that it had genuinely surprised him. If he had known that dates could be so enjoyable, he probably would have done a lot more of them. He suspects it was more the company than the activities though. He could be stranded on the other side of the galaxy and the only person he would want to be with is Lisa.
He chuckles lightly to himself as he remembers. Back then he had been so caught up in Minmei he didn't appreciate enough the connection he shared with Lisa.
"Something funny?" Lisa probes as they walk. She has her arm tucked against his as what had become her habit and Rick finds himself standing taller with pride when others pass by them and throw Lisa appreciative glances.
"No, not really. I was just thinking about when we were captured."
"What on earth are you thinking about that now for?"
"I was just thinking how I couldn't imagine going through that with anyone else but you."
She pauses in her steps and turns to him. Her eyes are shadowed by the darkness but he catches the curve of her smile. "We have had quite a few adventures, haven't we?"
"Yeah," he nods. "We have." He's silent for a moment as he replays their history behind his eyes. "Do you ever wonder about it?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well… You and me. We always seem to find our way back to each other, don't we? I can't help but think… maybe we were made for each other."
"That's very romantic," she says softly but it's not lost on him that she doesn't argue. Rick isn't sure where this suddenly whimsy has come from, all he knows is that this feels different. He feels different. Whatever it was he shared with Lisa – it was unlike anything he had ever experienced before.
If Lisa is surprised by his musings, she doesn't say so. Instead, she smiles that soft gentle smile of hers that Rick is beginning to enjoy so much and tilts her face up towards his. He spares a moment to think about how lovely she is in the moonlight then lowers his head to press a kiss to her mouth. The warm glow of an evening spent together and the scent of her perfume makes him linger, then Lisa's hand curls into his hair and she opens for him and the kiss grows deeper. It drags on far longer than it should for such a public area but Rick is carried away on swell of it. He forgets where they are until a group of civilians brush past them and one of them gruffly mutters get a room and they both pull apart, cheeks burning.
"I suppose we should be used to people watching us kiss," Rick jokes weakly. That makes Lisa laughs and she turns her face against his shoulder in an attempt to hide her pink stained cheeks. He holds her solicitously, enjoying the feel of her turning to him for protection when he knows that Lisa of all people doesn't need it.
They start walking again, making their way back to Lisa's quarters. Rick hesitates at the front door, wondering if her offer to come in and share tea was still valid at this very late hour. Before he can step back, she pulls the small box filled with the pretty cupcake out of her purse and holds it up.
"I believe I promised you some tea to go with this."
"That's alright, Lisa. You don't owe me anything. You can have it all to yourself if you like," he tells her kindly, aware of how late it is and recalling how tired she had seemed after her shift. He doesn't want to leave, but he doesn't want to outstay his welcome either.
Sometimes it wasn't much fun trying to be so mature.
Lisa lowers the box and gives him a small frown that makes him think he's said something wrong. "I'd rather enjoy it with you, Rick."
He studies her for a moment, debating if he should be gallant and take himself home or take her up on her invitation before ultimately deciding he isn't ready to say good night to her yet.
"Alright," he says slowly, and he's rewarded by a smile that makes her eyes crinkle happily at the corners.
His breath catches a little at the sight but he doesn't have time to dwell on it because she takes his hand and tugs him inside.
She takes off her coat and hangs it on the hook by the door then turns to the kitchen. He's caught off guard once again by the dress and the creamy expanse of the skin across her shoulders from the strapless design. He follows her to the kitchen and slides his arms around her from behind, unable to hold himself back a moment longer.
She's so warm and fragrant in his arms. He lowers his lips to her skin and a small, sensitive quiver rolls through her frame at his touch. "Oh, Lisa," he sighs.
She turns in his arms to face him and reaches up thread her fingers through his hair. She has such pretty eyes, he thinks, losing himself in the deep green and amber flecks as she looks up at him. Why had he never truly noticed that before? Why had he been so blind to anyone but Minmei for so long? When he had this with Lisa sitting right under his nose all along.
Lisa was right. He really was a dope.
The kettle whistles away softly, signaling the water was ready but Lisa doesn't move straight away but Rick doesn't release her. A long moment passes that has him wondering what she's thinking.
"I should make the tea," she murmurs and Rick reluctantly releases her.
He leans against the doorway as he watches her move about in the kitchen. He's not sure he feels like drinking any, but he has no intention of turning down more time with Lisa. She catches his eye as she pulls out a plate and carefully places the pretty cupcake down on it before pulling out some cutlery.
Soon the tea is ready and they stand together in her kitchen with the cupcake on the counter between them.
Rick picks up a spoon and quirks his mouth when Lisa does the same and follows the motion with a scoop of icing and cupcake.
"Oh sure, too full to try my desert after dinner last night but you'll eat a cupcake now," he teases.
"Dinner was hours ago," she tells him with a shrug. She closes her eyes as she savors the bite of the cupcake and the small hum she makes causes Rick's blood to heat. What he wouldn't give to have a chance to hear more of those small sounds from her. He's busy staring at her mouth he almost doesn't hear the rest of what she says. "And we did all that dancing."
He forces himself to focus on the cupcake instead.
"Why have we never done that before?" he muses, joining her in tucking into the cupcake. It's soft and fluffy but breaks apart easily with the spoon. He must have been thinking of Lisa in that red dress when he chose it.
"What do you mean?"
"Dancing."
Lisa pauses for a moment before she answers. "I suppose there hasn't been a lot of opportunity. Even now it almost feels a little strange."
He doesn't need her to elaborate. After all the time in space fighting for their lives followed by the long, slow, and often painful road to reconstruction in the face of the loss of eighty percent of the Earth's population, something as simple as dancing feels almost… offensive.
Rick lowers his spoon, a stubborn refusal to let their evening be tarnished filling him. He understands, he does, but he doesn't want the cloud of that grief weighing down their future. It was too heavy, too painful.
"We can't mourn forever."
"There's still a lot we have to do, Rick."
"I know that. But what's the point if we aren't living? I'm tired of just surviving. Aren't you?"
Lisa holds his gaze but the line around her mouth smooths. "We're more than just surviving. Things might not be perfect, but… we're finding our way."
Rick's lips quirk dryly. "Are you talking about in general… or about us?"
She chuckles lightly at that, then lowers her spoon to her plate. She takes the spoon out of his hand and does the same before stepping closer. Her eyes turn soft in a way he's sure he'll never grow tired of and it encourages him to slide his hands around her waist. Lisa loops her arms around his neck and his heartrate kicks up dramatically at the proximity of her soft curves against him.
"I've had the most wonderful night, Rick," she murmurs, laying her cheek against his. Her breath is a warm, dreamy puff of air against his ear. "Thank you."
Rick breathes her in, warmed by her gratitude and more than a little satisfied. There was a lot of ground he still had to cover but for the first time, he feels like he's made significant progress. "I had a great time too."
She tilts her face for a kiss and Rick happily obliges, losing himself in the tender touch of her lips on his. It's easy to do – Lisa is so sweet and soft and all the things he had never truly appreciated until now.
For a long time, he's content to simply stand in her kitchen and hold her in his arms.
｡･:*:･ﾟ ,｡･:*:･ﾟ ｡･:*:･ﾟ ,｡･:*:･ﾟ