The situation would have been tolerated and treated quickly, had it not been for Anne provocative comment.
"I knew I told you to exercise your body, Hal. But I didn't mean it like that." Her smirk was radiant, and infuriating.
The glare received from the lovers could melt ice and raise storms. Captain Weaver's eyes followed around the room uncomfortably, before settling on Hal. Lourdes tried to hide her smile as Hal stammered in the explanations under the death fire glare of Weaver, but a small grin cracked on the commander.
Raising a hand to silence the boy, he simply exited with a "At ease, soldier."
Anne soon followed, but not before giving a blatantly obvious grin to Lourdes. Both released embarrassed laughter, feeling the time to leave, Hal walked toward the door. Instinct took over Lourdes; she was used to that around him.
"Why me?" There was tension following her gentle murmur of breath. Perplexed, Hal rotated around the watch her .Why not you? The question did not hesitate.
"Why not you?" He walked towards her slowly, secretly enjoying the way her eyes lightened at the heated closeness. He wove his fingers in hers and kissed her delicate fingers. She grabbed the bed behind her to calm her tingling sensations.
"I always expected y'know, you and Maggie to be together. It was obvious to all of us. I'm just confused, why the sudden interest?" Downcast eyes, a frown forming on her supple lips, releasing her hand from his, she folded her arms in the hostile resistance. That's a turn on, Lourdes, damn you.
He gestured towards the bed, they both followed suit, sitting in tense pause. He looked down at her hands clasped together in anxiety. These clashes were valuable; you could sever relationships in a sudden impulse, if you carelessly express yourself. Hal decided to express in a romantic style.
"Lourdes, did Anne ever tell you what happened when you were in your coma?" His question was answered when her eyes squinted in the bright confusion. There was a flutter feeling in the pit of his stomach. Give me strength. "Well…I sat by your side. All that time, I never wanted to leave, so it wasn't a sudden interest. I think I've always been into you; it was just when I thought I was going to lose you. I knew that I had to make the most of what I have."
Perhaps it has been no Shakespearean confession, but for Hal Mason, it had been admirable. Lourdes sat there, letting moments pass, as his words were absorbed. Her bottom lip was bit in consideration, analysing every particle of his confession, she surveyed for any indication of sarcasm or false truth. To her delight, she could not. Hal Mason was being sincere, and it was enough to array an illuminating smile upon her part. She leant in slightly, letting her inhibitions let loose, Hal leant in too. It was funny, it was though, the outside noise vanished, and all could be heard was their soft, rhythmic breathing in tune with another. Two beating hearts, joining as one.
"Hey Lou-Oh crap!" Lo and behold, stood Maggie sheepishly looking away, despite the fact that Hal and Lourdes had barely brushed their lips together. Much to the lovers' dismay. Still looking away, Maggie beckoned towards Hal. "I've been looking forward to you, idiot. Training…now!" She clicked her fingers and then sauntered off. Hal and Lourdes had not seen the smug grin on Maggie's features as she left the teenagers to their moment.
"Well, I better go." And yet, Hal did not move in the slightest.
"I know…" Lourdes' voice was teasing. Oh, how easy he is to play with. Hal growled, and pushed against the rail of the bed, pressing his lips in a feverous passion, playing with the bottom of her scarf, he tugged her closer. I could do this all day.
"Okay, soldier. Simmer down!" She pushed him away, but not before pecking a kiss to his jawline. He frowned in a babyish fashion, before moving towards the door. His eyes never leaving hers. She rolled her eyes at his persistence. "You're so annoying; I don't know why I wanted you for so long". Oh, crap.
Hal had registered her mistake. A smug grin stretched from ear to ear, his posture straightened, his muscles tightening. "You wanted me?"
His question was answered with a pillow to the head and a swift "OUT!"
The teasing was endless. Twice. Twice, Hal was trying to send the rubber ball flying at the head of Ben. He had been pushed, poked and pinched each time Lourdes had passed. He did not doubt that she had decided to take part in the decoration of teasing.
"No, but seriously, Hal…" The sweet voice of Matt sobered the two brothers, his eyes were wide with all the love and innocence, the Masons fought for. "Are you going to hurt her?" This was the way the question was raised; there was no hesitation in his interrogation. He was a rigid posture, staring into the movement. Matt Mason was not kidding. Feeling a duty, Hal leaned at his little brother.
"No, I'm really not, Matty." The second part of his confession was at the carpet tip of his tongue; he leaned over and rested his forehead against Matt. "You know what?" Hal whispered delicately, Matt titled his head in response. "I think I'm in love with her. But shh! Don't tell her." Playfully, he pressed a finger to Matt's lips.
"Why not?" Ben's voice sounded, it was not full of suspicions, but curiosity.
Hal sighed, his insecurity at the surface of his mind.
"Because, everything is too fast. Lourdes' a professional, she doesn't act impulsively." As much as I would love her to.
Bandages were sealed; syringes are sterilized with many opportunities for the test tubes to crash. Anne has not failed to notice the frown between the eyebrows of the reflected image of Lourdes. They had talked about medical details of several citizens tended, but the young woman could not be deceived. It was obvious; a young soldier was on the mind of the physician.
"So…do you think we've beaten around the bush enough, yet?" Anne's voice was steady, but her eyes shone with laughter. She leaned over the bed rail, and observed Lourdes. Lourdes felt heat rush as memories of the day concerning the bed rails were recalled. She firmly rolled the bandages for the seventh time, Lourdes responded to a strained tenor.
"I don't know what you mean…"
"Oh Lourdes, come on-"
"Can we not?" Anne's confidence shook as she watched the girl before her. The frown had reached her lips, her cheeks sucked in boredom, her eyebrows raised in apprehension. The overwhelming feeling of maternal love in was her power, Anne held Lourdes' strong hands in her, they were supple, yet crude, the story of her tragic life could be felt from a single touch.
"What's wrong?" Lourdes' fragility broke, as a soft tear slipped down her cheek.
"I'm falling in love with him, Anne."
Anne's eyes narrowed in confusion, love for the young was not uncommon, they fell in love many momentums ago, but the events of chaos in their observation tore apart their turn, until now. "How is that wrong?"
The voice of Lourdes broke, her trembling hand went to cup her own cheek, her eyes downcast, her other hand nervously pulling at the seams of her scarf. "It's not wrong. I'm scared. I'm not used to this-"
"I'm stopping you right there." Anne's arms went around her shoulders reassuringly, feeling the pleasure of Lourdes sink against her embrace, enjoying the heat. Her child, her daughter. It frightened Anne to understand that with all the devastation and chaos, neither Lourdes nor Hal had been able to rest and let the relief be their salvation. "I know you're not used to this. But, don't you dare think that it's wrong to be in love. It's your turn, now."
Lourdes removed herself from the embrace of Anne, now a tearful smile lighting her eyes, here hands were tight around Anne's, the fragility that was once there, now dispersed.
"I'm not used to letting my feelings rule me." A weak laugh escaped the lips of Lourdes, as she tried to defuse the tension. With love, Anne brought the dishevelled streak of hair behind Lourdes' petite ear.
"It's time for you to be impulsive, Lourdes, love."