DUNCNEY WEEK 2023: DAY 4
(9.13) Day 4: First "I Love You."
Duncan and Courtney weren't afraid of anything- except this.
Duncan was not the type of person to show his emotions. So imagine his surprise when Courtney Rosales entered his life. Courtney was not the type of person to let her emotions rule her. So imagine her surprise when Duncan Robustelli crashed into her life. It was not love at first sight for either of them, but it was indeed something. Maybe irritation. But that irritation slowly but surely turned into infatuation, which scared them.
The two tiptoed around their feelings for a long time. So much so that everyone knew what they tried to suppress until Duncan and Courtney were left in a cramped room to settle their differences. They lasted about five minutes before the tension between them snapped in two. Their friends thoroughly regretted opening that door in fear of them being "too quiet."
Fast forward three months, and the couple was inseparable. No, they were not constantly with each other, but if something happened, it took seconds before they were side by side, like Bonnie and Clyde. Duncan and Courtney understood each other on a deeper level than most. It was one of the reasons their relationship became serious sooner rather than later. In a way, they were lucky to have found one another– yet they were terrified to say those three words to seal the deal.
Still, they found ways to show their love without physically saying it. One of the most significant ways this was shown was how Duncan and Courtney grew as individuals. Where Duncan once would lash out and get in serious trouble with the local authority, he now steered clear of petty fights. He also tended to think through situations rather than taking a gamble. Then, there was Courtney, who was learning to live more spontaneously. She had a habit of planning out her days months in advance, which resulted in her being so unbelievably stressed that she was seeing a therapist. Now, she was slowly coming out of her comfort zone and was enjoying it.
Everything was going smoothly. Duncan and Courtney butted heads occasionally, but never how they had once done. All that pent-up emotion was released in other ways. That was until the day Duncan decided to throw a punch at some preppy prick for thinking Courtney was available. It happened quickly; everyone was at Geoff's house when this guy who thought the world revolved around him strutted in. He took one good look at Courtney and let his mouth run.
Duncan didn't remember how many times his fist collided with this person's face, but he did remember Courtney's scream to stop. DJ and Geoff pulled the two apart as Courtney stormed into the house with Bridgette. Oh, she was pissed. Duncan cleaned his hand before treading into the house; Bridgette was back outside, trying to handle the situation by then.
"You stupid ogre! Why would you do something like that?!"
"Relax, Princess, the prick deserved it for what he said about you."
"Oh, my knight in shining armor!" Her sarcasm was obvious, "I can handle whoever comes my way."
"Well, I only did it because I love you."
There, he said it. He had said it even if it was in the middle of an argument. His eyes locked on Courtney's as she took in his words. Her eyebrow seemed to twitch at the irritation, yet her features softened as everything registered.
"Yeah, well, I love you too." She said without breaking eye contact.
Duncan swore his heart jumped at the sound of those words leaving her lips. She loved him, too.
"I'm going to kiss you now."
"Well, you better!"
Courtney stayed in place as Duncan's feet scuffed the floor, and the dining room table screeched as he pushed it out of his way. Neither wasted time on crashing their lips together, all the anger evident from its intensity. But slowly, their kisses turned tender, and as they pulled away, they kept their eyes closed, savoring the moment they had just shared. When they opened, Duncan and Courtney could only smile at each other. So what if he gave someone a severe concussion?