It's my birthday Friday! :D I'm officially in my late 20's!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING! I can't believe I've had such a response with my stories! I hope I won't disappoint y'all!
Also, an interesting fact, your DNA begins to degrade after 25. It accumulates slowly over time and usually won't show until later in life and is a key factor in aging due to the DNA reparation mechanism becoming less efficient over time, which is normal!
Please enjoy some cuteness though! The next chapter I'm actually working very hard on,
( ͡ ͜ʖ ͡) I'm putting a lot of thought into it as I really want to get it right (practice makes perfect!) I've been busy with life and taken up most of my focus so updating is slow.
Lorelei turned to her own present. Sitting on the floor, she carelessly tore the paper off the box, placing it in a neat pile beside her.
She was intrigued by the box's slim and square shape, along ruby red leather exterior.
The hinges of the box creaked softly as she lifted the lid. She gasped, her eyes widening in pleasant surprise. The light that reflected off her irises shimmered like sunlight through summer leaves, hailing the season that had long since passed.
The golden clasp that held the pearls together glinted bright, a nice contrast to the pearls' faint shine in the morning light.
Lorelei lifted the necklace from its box, she could feel color flood into her cheeks, surprised at how much the gift had moved her.
Having never owned expensive jewelry—she had been more focused on her studies, on the next test, on the next final. The draw of space had always held her attention, furthering her education in the field.
"Do you like it?" Steve's voice was hesitant.
"It's spectacular, Steve. Thank you." Lorelei beamed, her eyes bright beacons of green. "Help me put it on?" She looked at him through her lashes, gaze turning doelike and pleading.
The look was lethal, and had an immediate response on Steve.
Steve chuckled, setting aside his partially unwrapped gift, which he had abandoned to watch Lorelei unwrap his instead, a bundle of nerves in his stomach.
Steve had dragged his more experienced friend along trying to find the perfect gift for Lorelei.
Bucky had guided him towards the pearls, a popular gift.
Steve had hemmed and hawed, unsure if Lorelei would like it, she was from a different time.
But seeing her pleased smile, Steve gave Buck a thankful look, who returned it with an 'I told you so,' look.
Lorelei turned, gathering her curls in her hands to free up her neck.
Lorelei sat still, heart thrumming as Steve approached, the pearls in his hand catching the soft light of the room. He knelt, his calloused fingers brushing against Lorelei's neck, to which Lorelei sharply inhaled. She flushed, cursing herself for failing to keep it cool. She could hear Steve chuckle, and she groaned inwardly, knowing he could hear everything. And the little shit enjoyed every moment.
With careful hands, Steve draped the necklace around her neck, the ice of the pearls a contrast to the warmth of Steve's touch.
The sensation of Steve's breath close to her ear sent a shiver down Lorelei's spine. "There, all done." Steve said, leaning back.
Steve did an amusing little shuffle around to face Lorelei.
He smiled, satisfied with how it looked on Lorelei.
Lorelei felt the faintest tremor in her hands as she reached up to adjust the necklace, but Steve stopped her with a soft smile. He admired her, his gaze lingering on her for a long moment.
"Well?" Lorelei pressed, self-conscious, "does it look okay?"
Steve's gaze softened, his eyes lingering on her with an intensity that made Lorelei's heart skip a beat. Lorelei could see him take a moment, as if trying to commit every inch of the sight of her to memory. It made her feel shy, but important. Like she mattered in the world.
The pearls shimmered against her skin, their soft shine only accentuating the glow in her cheeks. His smile deepened, warm and full of affection.
"It looks perfect," he said softly, his voice steady but laced with a hint of emotion. He reached out, brushing a stray curl from her face, his fingers grazing the side of her cheek and leaving molten fire in its wake. "You look perfect."
Lorelei's pale skin turned a hue of pink.
Lorelei leapt away from Steve as Bucky cleared his throat.
"Let's remember that there's three people in the room, please." Bucky pleaded, bravado leaping out the window, afraid the two would try to make out right there.
"Aren't you supposed to be the smooth casanova, Bucket?" Lorelei retorted, busying herself by gathering her trash together, ears bright red.
Bucky raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Hey, I'm smooth," he said, "but I know when to give a little space. Unlike some people who act like they're in their own little world." His grin widened as he threw a wink at Steve. "Just trying to save you from making this reallyawkward."
"Gee, thanks Buck." Steve said sarcastically.
"Well, what did you think of your present, Steve?" Lorelei asked, desperately wanting to change the subject, unwrapped present unseen.
Bucky smirked at the deer in headlights look Steve had as he glanced back.
"I haven't unwrapped it yet." He admitted, slumping in defeat.
"I thought you already did." Lorelei furrowed her brows.
"I was watching you open your present."
"Sap." Lorelei rolled her eyes. "Well? Go on, open it!"
With the prompt, Steve opened his gift as Lorelei nervously looked on.
The brass compass gleamed once brought into the light, the perfectly polished surface a near mirror finish. It felt solid in Steve's hand, built to endure even the harshest of conditions.
The compass clicked open, revealing the compass dial within, the needle pointing north.
Steve smiled, looking at Lorelei. Lorelei returned the smile with a mischievous one of her own, gesturing at him to turn it over.
Steve did, letting out a hearty laugh at the inscription.
'Try not to break this too. -Lorelei.'
Lorelei sat back with a satisfied grin.
"You won't let that go, will you?" Steve chuckled while Bucky tried to read the inscription.
"Never." Lorelei returned with a coy smile.