A/N: 2nd part of their date, things heat up a little here, and yeah well "magic" happens… I have no specific plan here, other than it will be a fluffy fluff ball fic, and yet I can't let go of these two… I friggin' love Hope with Rue here and sort of want them to go on an adventure of their own, together… ideas are always nice to get. So maybe if I come up with something, things might change a bit, before we get to the happy end… we'll see.
Chapter 6: RuebenRueben knew it wasn't her usual type of food, but only a few bites in she beamed at him and said how tasteful it all was. He looked down at his plate of Succotash and Pine Nut Catfish, it really was quite a feast.
"I'm glad you like it," Rueben said as he pulled the shared Frybread in two and gave her one half.
Hope smiled in thanks and plucked a piece of bread and popped it into her mouth. Once she swallowed she said, "this really is a special place, and I'm happy that you took us here."
"Oh," he rubbed his neck sheepishly, "yeah well, it took me a while to figure out where to bring you. Then after we've talked about my background and you having been on all these travels with your family…" He smiled, "I guess it just made sense and I wanted to make it special."
"It is very special," her eyes were honest, yet when he kept looking at her she shyly looked down, a blush creeping up her neck.
They kept talking about their family and also the various school projects and assignments they both had been working on. It was easy to talk with Hope and he couldn't help but marvel at how at ease she seemed to be around him. It was a relief, and it gave him hope that this would be something more than just a one-time thing.
When the waiter came with the bill, Rueben paid for their dinner and he cleared his throat and said, "so… yeah… you want to go for a walk or…?"
"I'd love to," Hope said and rose from her seat, "where should we go?" They walked outside, and he looked at her. The dress she wore fluttered in the evening breeze, the soft pink color was perfect for her and the fabric hugged her body in a pretty tantalizing way.
He cleared his throat, "There's a small art gallery down the street from here," he shrugged, not sure if she would even like visiting a place like that, "it's a Native American art gallery."
Hope looked up at him with sparkling eyes, "sounds interesting."
"Really?" He was pleasantly surprised and it made his heart flutter in his chest that she seemed to enjoy this date so much. He was enjoying this too, the time spent with Hope was spectacular in every possible way.
"Hmm," Hope gently nudged him with her shoulder, "I really like hanging out with you Rueben."
He felt the instant heat from her body and when he looked down at her he could see her eyes looking a little shocked. "What's wrong?"
"Eh, nothing," Hope combed her fingers through her long hair shaking her head, "let's go."
He could see that something was on her mind but he didn't push her for more, he didn't want to scare her off with too many questions.
Once they reached the gallery they walked inside and he let Hope take her time taking in all the various paintings and sculptures all in some way or form being linked with the Native Americans. From time to time she would ask a few questions and whenever he started speaking she would keep her eyes on him. It was nice to be with someone who took his heritage so seriously and showed real interest in each detail of the art.
One of the last paintings they looked at was of a Chaman wielding some sort of magic orb. Hope paused at this and tilted her head while looking at the stunning picture.
"Magic," she whispered and looked down at her own hands. Rueben knew how she struggled with her magic, and her worry about hurting anyone.
"Yeah, it's everywhere." He stepped a little closer and reached his hand towards her. When she didn't pull back he clasped her hand in his and turned to look at the picture again. Seconds later he could feel the crackle of something shifting in the air around them. Looking down he saw light and dark blue waves of magic form around their clasped hands. It didn't hurt, it felt warm and magnetic, he couldn't let go of her hand.
"Bloody hell," Hope gasped, "I'm sorry, I don't know—" she tried to pull her hand from his but it didn't budge. "What the hell is happening?" He could hear the panic in her voice.
"Hope!" When she looked up at him with worry and fear in her eyes, he said, "it doesn't hurt, so just calm down. I know you can control this." When she started to shake her head he tried again, "it doesn't hurt, I'm fine, all I feel is this warm fuzzy tingle." He took a deep breath himself, "breath—"
Her rounded eyes looked down at their hands, biting her lips she finally took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Okay, I can do this," she whispered to herself. Moments later the magic fizzled out and they could have pulled apart but neither of them seemed to want this.
"Look, it worked," Reuben beamed at her with pride in his eyes.
"Yeah," She sighed in relief, "that was nuts, I've never experienced my magic do something like that." She looked up at him, "you sure you're okay?"
Rueben nodded, "yup I'm fine."
"You see that's why I never go on dates," shaking her head, "my magic goes nuts. But never like this," tilting her head she looked down at their hands again, "and never with such vibrant colors, that was new."
"Wow, do you think that means something?"
"I don't know, gonna ask my mom or aunt next time I train with them." Then her eyes lit up and explained, "but the colors, they must mean something. Up until now, it's been some very faded colors and never anything solid like this."
Rueben beamed at her, feeling her excitement over this discovery. "That's great, wonder what triggered this development?"
"No idea," she looked up at him and smiled, "guess today was just one of those perfect days where new things can and will happen." She bit her lips, and a blush painted her cheeks.
Rueben smirked when he saw how flustered she suddenly became, reaching his other hand out and cupping her face, "it really is a perfect day, hmm?" He winked, and the sudden warmth forming between them had him gasp in surprise. Hope looked as if she felt something too, her eyes wide and a tiny bit of worry showed on her face.
"Yeah it is," she whispered, taking a deep shuddering breath as if she was trying to sort through whatever was happening between them.
"Come, let's get out of here," Rueben suggested, he didn't let go of her hand. She squeezed his hand in return and followed him outside. They walked to Rueben's car and only then did they let go of one another.
"Not sure I'm ready to go home," Hope said once she sat in the car.
"I agree," Rueben said with a smirk, "let's go get some ice cream down by the lake."
"That would be nice," Hope tugged a stray strand of hair behind her ear as she settled back in the seat. Rueben grinned and began driving towards the lake.
They found a bench overlooking the lake, both eating their ice cream in silence. Rueben shifted a little in his seat and he could feel the heat emanating from her shoulder, if he leaned over a bit more he would be able to touch her. Taking a look at her profile he could see how she focused on her ice cream while the setting sun painted a rose hue over her blond hair. She was breathtakingly beautiful right now, and he wanted to spend more time with her.
Almost finished with his ice he rubbed his neck, then stretched his arm behind her back, hoping she wouldn't mind. When his arm came in contact with her shoulders she looked at him with a smirk and raised an eyebrow. "Smooth one there Rue." Then she shifted closer to his body so their sides were touching, from their knees to shoulders.
"Didn't want you to get too cold." He shrugged and smiled sheepishly.
"Right," Hope chuckled and finished her ice cream, a smile a permanent fixture on her face. Whenever she moved a little and her shoulders shifted against his side, she looked a little surprised and a few times she glanced down at her clasped hands. She began looking more and more uneasy, biting her lips.
"You okay?" Rueben asked nervously.
Nodding vigorously she explained, "just my magic being a bit weird again." She shrugged, "I don't know what is going on." Turning towards him she sighed, "I'm really sorry for being so on edge about this, sort of ruining the night." She looked down.
"Hey," Rueben said gently, "nothing is ruined in my book." When she didn't look up at him he gently placed his finger under her chin, "look at me, Hope." Finally, she let him lift her face and her eyes found his, the worry was clear in her blue eyes.
"Sorry." She mumbled, still biting her lip.
Using his thumb he freed her lip and moved in closer, trying to gauge how she would react. Her eyes were huge and blinked a few times. When her eyes shifted to his lips and seconds later she moistened her lips, he closed the gap between them.
The gasp from her was soon gone and their lips moved together in slow languid strokes, he could feel the heat building between them. He wasn't sure if the buzzing in his ears was his blood pounding in his veins or her magic crackling in the air around them. Right now he didn't care, he decided he could keep kissing her like this forever.
Hope let her hands roam up his chest, her fingers clenching in the fabric of his white shirt. Everything around them evaporated in the haze surrounding them. When her tongue tentatively touched his lips he groaned and opened his mouth deepening the kiss.
Suddenly the buzzing sound intensified and he looked around them, a bluish hue shimmered around them. So her magic was clearly being affected by something. Him? He never managed to think much more, seconds later a series of loud cracks popped nearby them.
Hope yelped in surprise and jumped from him, and looked around. With surprise in both their eyes, they realized that the lampposts lining the deck overlooking the lake were all shattered.
"Bloody hell," Her voice trembled in horror and she placed her hand over her mouth, panic was showing in her face. She stood up and looked at the mess around them.
Several people around them were talking animatedly among themselves trying to figure out what had happened. The owner of the ice cream place hurried outside and quickly assessed the situation and relief came over his face when he realized no one was hurt. Only shattered glass was littering the deck. Orders were made to clear out the glass, and everyone continued to enjoy the evening, now in a much darker setting, but the moon was out so no one really cared.
"Hope?" Rueben tried gently as he stood up too, he could see how horrified she was.
"I… I did that?" Her voice was trembling.
"Yeah, I think you did." He reached for her, but she jumped back and shook her head.
"No, don't… I mean look what happened when you… you know…"
"Kissed you?" He smiled at her.
"Yeah," She smiled sheepishly, "I had no idea it would happen, I mean… Well, last time someone kissed me I burned his shoelaces."
"It was a pretty great kiss," He reached over and took her hand, despite her attempt to pull back again, "look, I'm not scared okay?" Her eyes were large and filled with doubt. He took a step closer, "I know you won't hurt me."
"How can you be so sure?"
"I just know." He placed his other hand on her cheek, gently rubbing her soft skin.
"You are a brave man," She smirked a little and Rueben hoped she would be more at ease now.
"You're brilliant and I really have a great time tonight, I hope you will want to repeat it someday?" He held his breath as he watched her contemplate his question. Her eyes found his eyes and she gazed at him for several moments before she nodded.
"I'd like that," she smiled, then looked towards the shattered lamps, "I need to figure out how to control my magic."
"Hmm, might be a good idea," he winked, "but don't shy away from me or your magic, it's part of you. And I like you." Her eyes widened at this.
"Thank you," giving him a shy smile, "I like you too."
"Nice," He leaned over and kissed her forehead and he sighed in relief as no sign of wayward magic showed up. "Why don't we head home?" She nodded in agreement. He looped her arm through his and led her to his car.
"Hold on a sec," Hope stopped, "I better go in and say I'll pay for the broken lamps." Rueben smiled, he watched as Hope walked inside and asked to talk with the owner. The owner seemed surprised as Hope explained what had happened. Rueben could imagine it wasn't every day that this happened.
"How did it go?" Rueben asked when Hope emerged from the store.
"Surprisingly well," Hope grinned, "he claimed it had happened a few times before. I guess living in a United Realm where magic is a known thing, it's just another day in the office."
Ruben smiled and took her hand and led her to his car, they drove in silence for most of the ride. He was still replaying the kiss in his mind, the feel of her lips was mesmerizing and he truly hoped she wouldn't object to kissing him again, despite what happened this evening.
Once he parked the car in front of Hope's home he got out and walked her to the front door. He watched her tug a stray hair behind her ear as she turned towards him. Looking at him while biting her lip she clearly wanted to say something.
"I had fun," she said gently and hugged herself. Rueben had hoped she would step closer to him but he could sense the hesitance in her and he understood why. The last time they'd been close her magic had gone crazy.
"Me too," He said genuinely and reached out to grab her hand, she jumped a little by the contact, but she didn't pull away. Taking a tiny step closer he whispered, "I would really like to kiss you again?" He held her eyes captive and hoped she would accept his request.
"Oh," She looked down at their clasped hands, "Yeah well, last time didn't go so well… I don't know—" Her voice trailed off and she kept her gaze on the ground.
"I'm not afraid of your magic," Rueben took a tentative step closer and placed his hand on her warm cheek. Even in the dimmed light, he could tell that she was blushing, he smiled as he gently lifted her face. "I'm not scared."
Hope gulped down, but she leaned in closer to him and let him pull her face closer. When their lips touched again Rueben tried to make the kiss gentle, giving them both time to enjoy it. Hope weaved their fingers together while her other hand slid up his chest. Her hand shimmered in a warmth that he couldn't tell if it was magic or not, he honestly didn't care. He closed his eyes and let himself just feel, her lips moving over his in a sweet caress while her hand explored his chest. Her fingers curled in his shirt, gripping him closer to her.
When her hand sneaked up to explore his neck, shifting through his long hair, Reuben felt goosebumps rise on his arms, a shiver of something deeper shifted through him. Daring to deepen the kiss he let his tongue slip over her lips in a gentle caress. With a gasp, her mouth opened and she welcomed his tongue with her own, now her body was pressed firmly against him, one hand wrapped around his neck the other holding on to his hand.
Vaguely Rueben noticed the porch light flicker, but the kiss felt so damn good that he didn't want it to end. He cradled her head in his hand, his fingers sliding through her blond hair, he felt her shiver in his arms, and she mumbled something against his lips.
Suddenly the front door burst open, "who the hell—" Rose stopped whatever she'd intended to say, "Eh carry on, kids." She smirked and waggled her eyebrows at Hope who glared at her friend. Rose closed the door with a final word, "don't mess with the lights, the tv is bugging out too in here."
Hope laughed and rested her head against Rueben's chest, and he joined her laughter once Rose had shut the door.
"Bloody hell," Hope was still laughing, "I'm really really sorry about that, she can be… well she is just Rose I guess."
"Yeah," Rueben chuckled and pulled her in for a final hug, "I did have fun tonight, I hope that this won't be a one-time thing?"
"I'm pretty sure it won't be a one-time thing," She looked up at him with hooded eyes, clearly still affected by their kiss, "I really like you."
"I like you too," He placed a small kiss on her forehead, "I'm going now, we'll talk tomorrow."
"Yeah, thank you." Hope nodded and hugged him back, "see you soon Rue."
"Yup," He finally let go of her and ran his hand through his long hair, trying to clear his mind, but each look or shared touch, and kiss he'd had with Hope shifted through his mind as he walked to his car. Turning towards the house before getting into the car he looked at Hope, who was still outside, her arms wrapped around herself. He waved and sent her a beaming smile, then he got into his car and drove off. While he headed home he was already planning what he wanted to do next time he would spend time with Hope.