Park
Tristan got out of his car and ran into the park he and Rory went to last night. He knew she'd be there. He ran through the field looking for her. And sure enough, as he approached the lake, he saw her. Sitting on one of the benches crying. *Relax, DuGrey. Relax. What do I say to her? I dunno what to do. Just go up to her. You have to. Calm down, Tristan. It's gonna be okay.*
Tristan walked up behind her. She didn't notice he was there. He moved around the bench and sat down beside her. Rory jumped when she realized he was there, but she didn't turn to look at him. Tristan brought a hand up to her cheek and wiped away her tears. She pulled away after a moment.
"Rory, I'm sorry." She still didn't look at him. "Rory, say something. Please." He began to run his hand through her hair.
"What do you want me to say?" Rory finally spoke, but she still refused to look at him.
"Rory, look at me." Tristan took her chin and turned her face to look at his. "I didn't mean to scare you. I didn't know what else to do. I've been trying to make you understand. I won't hurt you."
"I know" she said softly.
"Well, what's the problem?"
"I dunno. It's just that you all of a sudden are acting sweet and caring and understanding, but I can't tell if that's the real you or if you're still just playing your game."
"I thought my poems would help you understand. I love you, Rory. I know that scares you, and I know you don't want to believe it. You never trust me, you won't get hurt. But I won't hurt you, Rory. I promise I would never hurt you."
"I just don't know how I feel."
"About....?"
"You."
Tristan stroked her cheek. "Rory, I think you do. I think you're just afraid to admit it."
"You're right, I am afraid. I don't know why. I don't understand what's stopping me from loving you. I'm just not sure how I feel about you. I'm really confused."
"Well, let me help you figure it out." Tristan leaned in slowly and kissed her. Rory was shocked at first, but she didn't pull away. Soon she found herself kissing him back. All too soon, she thought, he pulled away. "You're not gonna run away crying this time are you?" he asked, smiling at her.
"No." She had to laugh.
"Did you feel it too? The sparks?"
Rory wanted to say no. But she knew that would be a lie. She had felt it. She had felt it the first time too. She had felt it every time they touched. She knew she couldn't deny it anymore. It was getting too hard, trying to hide her feelings. Rory finally admitted what she was too scared to before. "Yes, I did. I always have."
Tristan took her hands in his. "I really have changed, Rory. I changed for you. Everything about this feels so right. I promise I won't screw it up."
Rory smiled. "You better not, cuz after a kiss like that, I can't help wanting more."
Tristan was more than happy to oblige. He leaned in to kiss her again. Rory wrapped her arms around his neck, and he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her to him. He ran his tongue along her bottom lip, asking for permission. She opened her mouth wider and let his tongue in. Suddenly she pulled away.
"You wanna go get coffee?" she asked him.
Tristan laughed. "Is that all you think about?"
"That and you."
"But which one's more important?"
"We had this discussion before. You'll never beat coffee. Coffee comes first." She smiled warmly at him. "But you are a very close second." She gave him a quick kiss.
"Good to know where I stand. Sure let's go."
"Great, we can walk and come back for our cars later." They got up and walked out of the park, Tristan with his arm around Rory.
Luke's Diner
They entered Luke's together and sat down at the counter. Luke glared at Tristan.
"What's he doing here again?"
"Oh, well, he's my...um we're...he's my um..." Rory stammered.
"I'm her boyfriend." Tristan finished for her.
Rory smiled at him. "That's right. He's my boyfriend."
Luke groaned. "Oh, God. You just better not make me put you in a headlock too." He remembered what he had done to Dean.
"Um...okay."
Luke rolled his eyes and went to get them coffee.
Rory looked at Tristan. "My boyfriend. I like that."
He smiled at her. "Not as much as I do." He leaned in to kiss her. Rory forgot about all the other people in the diner as they kissed. She didn't notice Miss. Patty take out her cell phone and start dialing to tell everyone the news. She didn't even notice Luke's eyes shooting daggers into the back of Tristan's head. It didn't matter. She was happy. She hoped the feeling would never go away and the sparks would never die. She knew they wouldn't. They would always be there cause she was in love with Tristan, and she wasn't afraid to be anymore.
End