A/N: Sup guys! Enjoy! I HAD TO REVAMP THIS CHAPTER OKAY IT WAS SO CRINGEY OMG XD (11/8/2018)

B: Better

Delbert fell back onto his butt, the shock he felt making it hard to register what had just happened. His entire face ached, his nose throbbing dully.

"That's for standing me up," Amelia stood there, her arms crossed and a deep frown on her face.

Delbert shook his head to clear it as he slowly got back to his feet and tried to look at her. He winced, the pain in his nose making his eyes water. He had forgotten just how strong she was...

"Well, what do you have to say for yourself?" her gaze was fiery, filled with a deep-set hurt that radiated off of her entire being.

"U-Um...I… I'm s-sorry, Amelia I...I d-didn't mean to-." he started weakly. He truly wished he'd been able to keep his voice steady. He could see her anger peaking with every word he struggled to say.

"You're sorry? Oh really, wow! Woooow I feel so bloody flattered!" Amelia interrupted, her voice laced with a bitter hiss that Delbert had never been on the receiving end of. It was terrifying. He opened his mouth to speak, but she wasn't finished.

"It's all just fine and dandy now because you're sorry!" She paused, letting out an irritated sigh.

"I waited for you, Delbert. I...waited two hours… for you." she said, her voice softening a little. "I assumed something had come up and you would call but… You didn't."

Her gaze hardened, her hands gripping her crossed arms.

"Then I realized you were standing me up."

Delbert's heart ached. She had waited so long… for him. No wonder she was hurting like this. It was then that he realized she was giving him a chance to explain himself.

"Amelia, I...I am so...so sorry. I would n-never stand you up on purpose. I had a um...speaking engagement at the Academy and I just...I lost track of time."

"Lost track of time? That's your bloody excuse?" she snorted, then her gaze moved from his face to the floor. "Delbert, if I read our...conversation wrong, and you actually didn't want to pursue a relationship, you could have just told me. Would have saved me a lot of heartache."

Delbert blinked, and it took everything in his power not to grab her face and kiss her into oblivion.

"No, no that's not what I meant! I…" he paused, realizing that one of her neighbors had stepped outside and was watching them with growing interest. "C-Can I come inside?"

Amelia looked up at him sharply, then followed his gaze to her neighbor and rolled her eyes, stepping aside to let him in.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Inside, Amelia made him stand in the front hallway, her arms crossed again. She was still very upset with him... and wanted him to know it.

"Well?" her voice was tight, as if she were holding back some emotion he couldn't place.

"Again, I a-apologize for 'standing you up'..." he started, rubbing the back of his neck. "I received a call this morning f-from the Academy. They asked me to come to speak to an astronomy class this afternoon, and I...I agreed, b-because I was sure I would be finished in time. But, the class kept asking questions, and I lost track of time."

Amelia stood there, silently listening, and Delbert wondered if she were going to forgive him or not. Her posture hadn't relaxed any, so he took a chance and met her gaze. Her eyes were still fiery, but the flames in them had died down some, laced with an inkling of mild forgiveness.

Sighing softly, he took a step towards her, noticing how her defenses raised slightly. He gently took her hands in his, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Amelia, if I could go back in time, I...I would have said no. Absolutely would have said no...Beyond the shadow of a doubt." he offered a sincere smile, pleased that she hadn't pulled her hands away. "Nothing is more important to me than seeing you."

She said nothing in response, simply searched his eyes as her heart pounded painfully in her chest. She had already forgiven him. In fact, she'd forgiven him the minute he'd stepped inside. But for some reason, she couldn't voice it. Not yet. Instead, she slid her hands from his and gently touched his bruised nose. He winced, and the guilt she felt was almost unbearable. How could she do this to him?

Amelia gently grabbed his hand, silently leading him into the living area of her apartment. He followed, still quite confused. She hadn't said a word since he first entered her apartment. What was happening?

Amelia sat on the couch, gesturing for him to sit next to her. She waited for him to do so, then angled herself so that their knees were touching. She reached towards the coffee table in front of the couch, and surprised him by gently pressing an ice pack against his nose. Had she been expecting him to show up? Had she been prepared to strike him? She must have… That was the only explanation as to why she had an ice pack prepared...

"A-Amelia…?" he stuttered, a chill running down his spine at the sudden cold contact. She was avoiding his eyes, focused only on his nose.

After a moment or so, she let out a sigh and removed the ice pack, resting it in her hands in her lap.

"I apologize, Delbert. I shouldn't have hit you."

Delbert was silent for a moment, then gave her a relieved smile. She wasn't still angry with him, he could see that now. Tilting her chin up with one finger, he smiled at the softness in her eyes.

"You had every reason to. I should have called..." he removed his finger, his eyes lighting up when she slid her hands into his.

"Well… I understand why you couldn't. Perhaps...Next time we should make sure both of our schedules are clear, don't you agree?".

He nodded, chuckling softly. They were silent for a moment, Amelia looking at their hands. The clock chiming in the hall startled them both, and they shared an embarrassed laugh.

"I suppose that means you should be headed home," she said softly, meeting his gaze before standing.

Delbert smiled and stood with her, and followed her to the front door, their fingers intertwined. She opened the door and he stepped out, turning back to her to say goodnight.

"I… I'm really sorry about today, Amelia. If it's alright with you, I'd like to make it up to you tomorrow."

Amelia smiled, casually playing with a strand of her hair.

"Are you sure you have no previous engagements?"

"No previous engagements, I swear." Delbert said, giving her a wry smile. "How about noon?"

"Why so early, Delbert? Eager, are we?" she said with a smirk.

Delbert smirked as well. He knew what she was trying to do. This banter of theirs had become regular, and he was so relieved that she wasn't angry with him anymore, that he threw caution to the wind.

Wrapping an arm around her waist, he pulled her flush against him and placed a tender kiss on her lips. When they pulled away, he didn't miss the utter surprise on her face.

"In response to your question, yes. Yes I am." He chuckled, smirking as she laughed, pulling him in for another kiss.

The night had not gone as planned, but that was fine with both of them. Sure, Delbert was going home with a bruised nose and a mild headache, but he had gotten to kiss her, twice. That was better than the usual goodnight peck on the cheek he was used to giving her after they met.

Much better.

A/N: *insert unnecessary banshee screaming* …...please review lol