A/N: Thank you for the follows/reviews! I hope you guys enjoy the chapter. :)

"I love you."

Bado let out a heavy sigh as he bagged her purchase.

She kept her stare fixated on him; mesmerized and fearful like a moth to a flame.

Silence.

She leaned forward, uninvited desperation pouring out of every inch of her body as she watched him in anticipation.

Soft lips pursed together as she crossed her arms across her chest, making sure to accentuate them ever so.

He ignored her; lengthening the silence between them and humming a tune as she stood in silenced agony.

She would've preferred for him to laugh at her, to wave her off, anything really. Anything would be better than having to endure the weight of embarrassment that loomed above her.

Her stomach was contorting into knots. Say something. Her breath hitched in her throat much too loudly to her liking as he set the bag down in front of her. You make me look like an idiot.

She stifled a sigh as he pressed his fingers on the keys of the cash register with mild contentment.

Maybe he hadn't heard her. Maybe if she spoke up a little louder…. She felt her mouth begin to open, searching for the right words and then abruptly close as realization sank in.

Maybe, just maybe, he had indirectly rejected her.

She knew that he would and it was apparent that he already had.

Acceptance of this truth, didn't make it hurt any less.

Her vision began to blur as tears threatened to overspill. Not now. She bit her lower lip until she could taste the warmth of her blood seep inside her mouth. Not here.

All at once it seemed as though her feelings of inadequacy and self loathing were laid out bare for him to see.

She flashed a strained smile as nausea brewed inside her. Stop. Stop. Stop!

She balled her hands into fists and slammed them on top of the counter; shaking the flimsy 'fire-repellent' squirt guns on to the ground.

"STOP".

Bado looked up from the register and down at the spluttering girl.

Her face began to heat up as she slowly sank back into place.

He raised his eyebrows quietly and shrugged as he nonchalantly handed her her change.

"You alright?"

Frey grumbled and stuffed her change into her tattered coin purse. "Never been better."

A small grin appeared on his face as he studied her scowl.

"What?"

"Nothing", amusement lacing his voice as he leaned forward, "Hey Frey?"

She crossed her arms and mumbled incoherently.

He flashed her a half smile and paused for a brief moment, searching for the right words before continuing. "I'm glad you decided to drop by and visit me, believe it or not-"

Frey felt herself burn from the neck up to her cheeks as the blacksmith watched her, smiling contently.

Scarlet began to saturate her face when she leaned in closer to the man; a glint of restored hope illuminating through her eyes.

"-Good thing too, cuz I haven't been making any sales this week." The blacksmith chuckled, unaware of the frown on Frey's face.

"I'm kidding. I'm kidding", he let out a small laugh as he rested his elbows on the counter, flustering the young woman. "Try not be a stranger, alright?"

Even though she had been so callous and immature, Bado did not chide her. Despite how she had ignored his existence the past year, the blacksmith remained friendly with the young woman; as if nothing ever happened. A part of her felt grateful for his passiveness. Relief, even, to realize that all she had felt for the man was a result of her own deprivation.

He had seen her as a friend: nothing more, nothing less. What happened before was in the past. What she had confessed before was just a slip of the tongue, along with everything she'd done in his presence. It was nothing sincere.

And yet, her heart sank at the thought of him casting her feelings aside as a joke.

"Bado", she sighed.

His ears perked up with interest at the sound of his name, signaling her to continue.

The words began to take form in the back of her throat but then quickly recoiled against the back of her teeth.

"Uh..I err..". Her heart pounded wildly, but she stepped forward and blurted out, "W-would you like to go...s-somewhere with..me?"

Bado shifted his weight as his lips curled into a sly grin, "I'll see you at Dragon Lake, say 10-ish or so. Sound good?"

"Uhm...y-yeah..yes."

"So I'll see you tomorrow then. Don't forget to bring your wallet with you tomorrow", he said with a wink.

She blinked twice, nodding her head slowly as her lips stretched into a smile, " I won't. I'll be there."

The blacksmith hitched himself up to where he stood towering the young woman, and walked around the counter, stopping in front of the now blushing girl.

Bado dug in his pockets and retrieved a small key. "I can trust you to lock up for me, right?" Bado said coolly as he tossed her the key.

"Uh…"

"Thanks! See you kiddo", he chuckled as he ruffled her hair and walked out the door.

Frey leaned against the counter as her heart beat rapidly against her chest, letting a satisfied sigh echo through the room.

It seemed she was genuine after all.