"Oh. That's a good one."

"Is it?"

"I think so.."

Hmm...I can take it again or change it with some filters."

Connie scoffed at the suggestion. "No way in hell, I want my screensaver and background to be authentic, thank you."

"Oh! So I'm gonna be both, huh? " He lowered his chin to her right shoulder as he looked at her phone screen. "Much honor, so cool."

Connie felt her face blazed as her stomach twisted at his close proximity. Looking at his goofy smile from the corner of her eye, trying to fight the tension she felt within. At any other time she would stroke his whiskered chin, kiss his cheek, or even steal a taste of his lips, before making a joke about his own.

'I still could, but...Would that give him the wrong idea?' She couldn't fight the annoyed snarl from her face.' Whatwrong idea!?There is no wrong idea cause, we're cool...'

"Nini, You ok?"

"Hmm?" She looked at his concerned face as he backed up a bit. "What's wrong, Mister?"

"Thought maybe you can tell me, you look like you're fighting a rogue gem."

"Oh.. Um." Her nose flared anxiously, before she chuckled. "Sorry...Just have you on my mind, that's all."

"Didn't know thoughts of me could entice anger." He gave a small strained grin

"No, no." Connie grabbed his hand. " I'm not mad at you.. I have no reason to be mad at you or at all."

"You sure?" He winced a bit. "You're kind of putting the squeeze on my hand there, Ni."

"Oh!" She released his hand, putting hers on her lap. "Sorry Steven. Guess I don't know my own strength."

"That's the excuse you're going with, " he sighed as he shook his hand. "You know i'm quite aware of your body control, Maheswaren." He arched his left brow as he flexed his hand, a bit of forced joviality in his voice.

Connie grumbled. "It's not an excuse. My mind was preoccupied."

"On me right?"

She nodded "Yes."

"Hmm…"

An uncomfortable silence settled between the two.

"Is it about what I said?"

Connie kissed her teeth, waving him off. " What? You mean that you love me?" She tried to fight the fidgeting within.

"Yeah. I mean.." He turned red faced but gave her a reassuring smile " I hope I didn't rattle you?"

"No no.. You think a confession would shake me?" She gave him a grin that didn't reach her eyes. "After all, I said it first, right?"

"That's true, but.."

"And aren't you getting a bit big for your breaches…" She gave him a playful wink. " I'll have you know, I'm quite desirable and have been confessed to before.

."I know that." He smirked."You have used me as a bracer before.'

"Only for the real determined ones who wouldn't take no for an answer."

The two shared a small laugh before the silence returned.

"Hey, are you two doing ok in there?" Alex's voice called out causing the two to turn towards the dressing room entrance. "Are ya decent?" She added .

"Yeah. We're fine." Steven assured.

Alex dipped head into the room, with a smirk. "Sorry guys, but Wanda wants me to work for my money. Can you believe that?"

The chuckles she got were small and felt obligatory, looking at the two in the dimly lit room, she could tell something heavy happened. 'So how is my new favorite 'non-couple'?..." She paused as she looked at Connie's hand.."Is ..is that a cellphone camera?"

Connie arched an eye at the sudden question and the sly tone of it. "Yes? She turned to Steven who shrugged,just as confused as her.

"Oh, having a little private photoshoot Huh?." Her teasing look made the Jam-baes look away.

"Nothing like that, just for a few of our friends. Trying to see which ones to send." Steven offered.

Alex nodded before walking in. "Can I see them then?"

The two looked at each other before handing Alex the phone. They watched her swipe through the multiple shots of Steven "Yeah….No..None of these.It's too dark in here for a good picture." She handed the phone to Connie "Unless they're personal, of course."

Connie shook her head before turning away, blushing a bit. "So noisy."

"Part of the job, believe it or not." She turned her eyes to Steven "Just came to tell you we set up the 'main stage'. "

"The mainstage?" Connie inquired.

Alex smirked at Heartberry nodding. "For professional photoshoots. I'm talking lighting, atmosphere..the whole shebang. We'll even set up a digital background of your choosing for your photos." The receptionist explained. " It's all part of your package deal."

"I didn't know you doubled as a photographer."

Alex scoffed playfully "Oh! I'm not gonna take your picture though it would be nice to have it in my wallet.."Alex chuckled as Steven kissed his teeth in slight annoyance "...Me and boss are just gonna assist and we might shoot your couple shots.."

"Then who's gonna do our solo's.."

"You are!" Alex grinned widely. "We're gonna teach you how to shoot your shot. Alex nodded towards Steven, who found the ceiling interesting. "Just like we taught him to shoot for you."

Connie felt the squeeze on her heart again and the wave of shyness wash over her. She looked over to her Bisky,who glanced at her.

"Thought it'd be a fun thing to do."

Connie couldn't help the flustered and touched feelings as he gave her a boyish smirk

"It is what you paid and worked for...Shouldn't you get your worth?"

"She told you about that." Steven groaned

"Yuuuupah."

With a chuckle, Alex turned to exit the room giving them a wave as she did. "Like I said, the mainstage is ready for ya."

Connie turned to Steve with a slowly growing smile on her face.

Steven gave her a light chuckle. " What?"

"You learned a bit of photography for me, huh?"

Steven shrugged. "Maybe."

"Maybe." Connie shook her head looking down.."You always seem to go up and beyond for me."

"You've done the same for me." Steven stated as he walked up to her resting his forehead upon her crown."

Hey Heartberry. "

"Yeah?"

"Are we ok?"

"Hmm?" Connie raised her head up red on her face. "Yeah."

Both fell into silence, unsure about what to do or how to proceed.

"Stev.."

"Conn.."

The two paused for a moment, surprised at their duality.

Connie smirked before giving him a gentle kiss. "How I got so lucky to have someone like you."

"Saved my life a few times"

"I did do that." She nodded.

"Yes, you did." He chuckled coolly, before looking back at her and kissing her forehead. He held her face in his hands like a treasure. His eyes asking the unspoken question.

"We're ok, Mister." She rubbed his hands and nuzzled into his palms before kissing both.

Steven smiled before giving her a tender kiss. His lips enclosing her bottom lip as their tongues gently twist together, making her moan and melt in his hands. They broke the kiss breathing deeply.

Steven moved to her ear giving the back of it a little nip making her giggle.

"Come on, Bisky. We should get to their set up. Get those pictures." Her voice, a bit more jovial.

"But I get to shoot you first, this time." Steven gave her the corner of her mouth a kiss before turning toward the exit..

As Connie followed behind him with pursed lips thin.

The feeling of uncertainty and inadequacy bubbling up… within them both.