Been a while, I know. Just here for one little addendum to this story, since a few of you were asking for a "first kiss" scene …
This one's for you! :)
And a special shoutout to Jade!
This is completely unedited, though, and short, so no guarantees it's any good. lol
…
"Got anything for the laundry that's not already in here?"
"Nope!" Bonnie hollered back into the depth of her apartment, her lips curling upward at the thought of this small exchange. She had grown incredibly domestic within the last two weeks, ever since she had opened her apartment and her life to a certain lovable thief.
Trying to focus back on finishing her term paper and failing, she pushed back her chair and listened into the quiet for signs of Enzo. She could hear him wrangle with her obnoxious old washer, cursing at it by using a myriad of funny Britishisms that made her smile. When he finally emerged, a scowl on his face, he let himself flop down on the couch across from her.
"Bloody monster. I don't understand how you've been able to put up with it for so long."
"Out of necessity," she allowed with a wink, and the corners of his mouth lifted up again.
"Just like with me, eh?"
A chuckle stole its way out of her despite herself.
"Kinda, yeah. The machine is worse, though."
He raised his eyebrows.
"Oh yuh?"
"Coz it doesn't cook for me."
With an eye-roll, he shook his head. But he was grinning at her, and it made her grin, too. Until his expression began to falter, then vanish all too abruptly.
"What?" she asked, creasing her brow as she swiveled her chair so she could face him properly.
"Bonnie …" He made a pause. Leaning forward, balancing his injured arm on his leg, he tilted his head at her. "It's time I go."
The moment stuttered to a weird stop. She swallowed around an instant lump in her throat.
"Right," she said. "Two weeks are up. No virus here." It was their unspoken agreement. She'd allowed him to stay until they both knew whether either of them had caught the virus through their crazy encounter. But they were both healthy. Even Enzo's arms was looking a lot better. Too good for her to pretend he'd still need to stay and rest.
He gave a weary sigh.
"I was thinking, maybe I could cook for you one last time? As a thank you? Then I'll leave right after dinner?"
"Enzo, you don't-"
"I want to."
"Oh." She gulped, looking down. He wanted to leave? Or cook dinner? Were they talking about the same thing? Something told her she was grasping for straws. "Okay. Tonight then."
"I should pack up."
"The laundry isn't done yet." (Really, Bonnie? That's all you can come up with?)
He chuckled, but it was a humorless sound.
"Your things, love. Not like I brought that many outfits," he said with a wink, and she felt a surge of embarrassment flush her cheeks.
"Well, um … I'll, uh, really have to finish this now. -But we'll talk during dinner, yeah?"
"Absolutely."
He got up, no longer slow or wonky, but with an all too smooth movement, and she had to tear her eyes away and stare at the computer screen in front of her so as not to give in to the sudden awful urge to start sobbing. Her chest felt too tight. She was going to be alone again. After dinner, he'd leave. She'd already have to watch the season finale of The Umbrella Academy all by herself tonight.
No more chats about what kind of superpower they'd have if they were at all supernatural. ("You'd definitely be able to put me under your spell, love." - "And you'd have a self-destructive vein.") No more debating over whether their indulgence of choice would be Oreo's or M&Ms, or maybe even icecream. No more fights over who's turn it was to start a load of laundry or do the dishes. No more human company …
A sigh escaped Bonnie, the sound too close to a sob, the small sound hurting her throat, and she had to push her stupid feelings down down down, because they didn't even make sense.
She'd barely known this guy two weeks. That was nothing in the grand scheme of things. He was still a stranger, a stranger who had only come into her life because he had stolen from her. Caroline and Elena and Damon would all be so relieved to hear he was finally gone.
But she wasn't.
She didn't want him gone. Maybe it was a side-effect of the stupid virus that she was no so starved for human interaction that she didn't care who she was with as long as she was with someone. But she really wanted to have a someone.
No.
She wanted him.
…
Dinner came and went. They were both in a bit of a mood, the whole affair subdued and somehow rather gloomy. Bonnie could barely even make herself eat - even though he had made his mushroom risotto for her, which she usually gobbled up. (And yes, she'd eaten it a bunch of times during these last fourteen days. It was that good.)
When she couldn't come up with anything to say, she just stared at him, and he … remained awfully quiet. When they were done, he got up to do the dishes, and where she normally helped, she now sat frozen, watching.
"I guess it's time."
His words jolted her out of her weird stupor, and she looked up to see him gaze down at her with a soft expression, something close to a smile, but sadder. Much sadder.
"Right."
With an awkward screeching noise, she moved her chair and stood up, waiting for him to make his move first. It was not like he had anything to grab still. He hadn't come with any kind of baggage, after all. He had never meant to stay. These past two weeks …
"Bonnie?"
She inclined her head, her forehead wrinkling as he touched her cheek. His fingers were so soft, so warm. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, letting it out in a shudder.
"Thanks for … this. For letting me in. For not letting me die, even though we both know I didn't deserve your generosity."
"Enzo …"
"No, love. It's alright. You need your life back. Your apartment. I've taken up too much of your time and space."
"It's still so cold out there."
"I'll be fine."
"At least …" She whirled around, leaving him standing dumbfounded as she raced into the living room and then back toward the small hallway, where he had inched even closer to her door. "... take this blanket with you. And the leftovers. And-"
Putting a finger to her lips, he shushed her, the smile on his face making her heart flutter and ache in her chest.
"Thanks, love."
The moment stretched, his finger still on her lips. Then, when she grabbed his wrist, determined to do something, though what, she had no idea, he abruptly leaned forward … and kissed her.
His lips were so soft. Arms coming around her, he held her, and she couldn't help but lean in, wallowing in his touch, his closeness, his warmth.
Then, what felt like moments later, or maybe an eternity, they came up to breathe, and she giggled into his shoulder.
"What a way to say goodbye, Mr. St. John."
He wiggled an eyebrow, wiping his mouth.
"I'm sorry, lo-"
Before he could finish his sentence, she pressed her lips on his again, needing more, needing him, and dropping the stupid blankets, and caution along with it, she tugged at him, pulling him back with her, deeper into the apartment.
"Don't leave," she mumbled between kisses, her mouth barely leaving his as she kept walking, half-stumbling backwards.
"Bonnie, are you-"
"Hell yes, I'm sure," she breathed, and it was as if he'd only needed to hear that, needed her permission before he finally let go, and, hoisting her up, carried her over to the couch. "Your arm," she gasped out, but he pulled back enough to smile at her, then lowered her onto the couch.
Biting her lip, she beamed at him, her skin prickling under his scrutiny. His smile was gone now, something else in his look, and it made a surge of goosebumps ripple across her body, centering in her middle.
This was really happening, wasn't it? They were going to …
Oh, gosh, yes, they were …
…
~ So, the two weeks are over. He gone? ~
Um …
~ Bonnie?! ~
Promise you won't get mad, Care.
~ He's still there, isn't he? ~
…
~ You happy, girl? ~
Happier than I've been since way before the lockdown even started
~ Okay … ~
~ At least he's cute ~
~ (Don't tell Elena I said that!) ~
Love you, too, Care.
~ Love you, girl ~