AnimeGenork

The TV was still on when I woke up. Ash’s head had lolled drowsily onto my shoulder, and his breaths tickled my arms. His arms were still around my waist, though loosened, and I was still sitting in his lap. With a smile, I closed my eyes and leaned into him, turning my head so my nose grazed his cheek.


          Moments later, he stirred, kissing my cheek and lifting his head to yawn. He rested his chin on the top of my head and muttered, “Is it really morning?”



          Snuggling deeper into his arms, I sighed contentedly. “I think it’s very early morning. Go back to sleep.”



          Ash shifted me so I sat sideways in his lap. The way I was sitting, I almost felt like a princess being carried by a prince…as cheesy as that sounds. He leaned his head back and stared down at me lazily, a slow grin spreading across his face. “You’re cute when you’re sleepy,” he mumbled, and I nudged his chest with my shoulder.



          My knees curled up to my chest as my head settled into the hollow at the base of his neck. I could feel his chuckle rumbling through his chest, and it made me smile.



          He squeezed me, and lifted my chin with a finger. I looked up at him with a shy smile. “Good morning,” I said, wrapping my arms around his neck and hugging him.



          Laughing, he hugged me back, his face buried in my hair. We stayed there for a moment, just embracing, until finally Ash pulled away, only to lean down and kiss me. I kissed him back, smiling.



          We stopped, but only so we could smile at each other and say, “I love you” in unison.



          I felt like the happiest girl in the world.

Glancing up at Ash from under my eyelashes, I asked shyly, “Was it really worth it, coming all the way out here?”


          He kissed my cheek sweetly and smiled down at me. “Of course it was. I finally got to meet you in person.” He tightened his arms around me and added, “Besides, I’m with a cute girl. That makes it all the more worth it.”



          I felt my cheeks redden as I ducked my head and nudged him. “Stop it.” Instinctively, my hands clenched his shirt tighter as my forehead touched his chest. In his arms, I felt tiny and vulnerable, like I could break any second. I didn’t know why he insisted on flattering me like that; I wasn’t anything special…or pretty, for that matter.



          As if he knew what I was thinking, Ash pressed his lips to my forehead and murmured, “You stop it with the insecurity. It makes you more adorable.”



          I lifted my head, mouth open to protest, but before I could, he kissed me.



          On the lips.



          My eyes widened as I stood there, unsure what to do or how to react. Finally, something in me melted, and I closed my eyes and kissed him back with a slight whimper. I could feel him smiling, and I felt one of his hands slide into my hair to cradle my head. It was just kissing, but I felt warm from head to toe, even as my arms slid up his chest to wrap around his neck and pull him closer.



          Eventually, he pulled away, his breath brushing along my cheeks as he rested his nose against mine. His eyes were distracted and unfocused, his chest heaving to take in more oxygen. My eyebrows lowered over my eyes in concern. “A…are you okay?”



          The shroud in his eyes lifted, as did his head, and I realized once again how much taller than me he was. A smirk played on his lips as he looked down at me. “I love you, you know.”



          “W-what?” I exclaimed, blinking rapidly. Did I hear him right? Did he seriously just say—



          “I love you, Grace,” Ash repeated in a whisper, his eyes growing soft as he brushed his thumb along my cheek.



Absentmindedly, I leaned into the touch, and I stared into his eyes, wondering how we’d gotten this far. Because, the truth was…


“I love you, too, Ash,” I replied, a tiny smile lifting the corners of my lips as I blushed.


A moment passed where he didn’t say anything at all except look at me. Then he smiled wickedly, and bent down. When he stood up again, I was lifted up, and I hugged him so I wouldn’t fall. Opening my eyes, I realized he was holding me up by the thighs, so that I was finally at eye level with him. My blush deepened, while he just smiled jovially at me. “That’s better,” he teased.


So of course he kissed me again. And of course I kissed him back.