Beyond the Castle, part one. (Two person.)

Araline:

“Is that how you see me?” I asked quietly.

Ario:

I paused uncertainly. How did I see her? I thought about it for a while longer before speaking slowly and hesitantly. "I don't see you as a princess...I see you as someone who is special enough to be treated like one."

Araline:

I smiled. “Oh.” I said looking down at him. “That’s sweet.”

Ario:

I smiled back at her. It was mostly the truth, I just left out a few parts...

Araline:

I laid down on my stomach next to him and propped myself up on my elbows. My mind went back to what he said yesterday all by itself and I bit my lip.

Ario:

I looked at her curiously, wondering why she was biting her lip.

Araline:

I looked away from him hoping he couldn’t read my face.

Ario:

I tilted my head curiously wondering what was going on with her. I didn't want to ask if she didn't want to tell me, so I stayed silent and just watched her.

Araline:

I sighed and slid my arms forward until my cheeck was resting on my crossed arms. I hesitated for a moment before saying, "Ario?"

Ario:

"Yes?" I answered softly my head still tilted curiously.

Araline:

I chewed on my lip for a moment. I shouldn't have said any thing. I should keep my mouth shut now. "About yesterday..." I said ignoring my own hesitations.

Ario:

I looked away from her and waited for the rest of the question. "Yes?" I repeated softly.

Araline:

I took a deep breath. "Do you really think I purposely toy with your heart?" I asked in a rush.

Ario:

I paused in complete surprise. "...I..." I sighed softly and ran a hand down my face. "Yes...no..." I let out a soft breath. "I don't know. At times it seems so, but for the most part its my fault not yours..."

Araline:

I studied him for a moment then asked, "And how exactly is it that I make things difficult?"

Ario:

"I don't want to answer that question, in case it changes things between us." I admitted softly after struggling in silence for a bit to answer.

Araline:

I was silent for a long moment. "Then you want to me to continue to make things difficult?" I said and tilted my head.

Ario:

"No...but...I don't want things to change...and they might change in ways I don't want if I tell you..." I said softly biting my lip again.

Araline:

I watched him for a long moment then sighed looking away into the slowly clearing fog.

Ario:

Her silence made me give in and in a small voice I said slowly and softly. "I...I think I have....feelings for you..."

Araline:

My breath caught slightly but I didn't look back at him, I didn't even know if I could. I put my chin in my hand, fingers splayed out over my mouth. I had to do some thing otherwise this would just be a repeat of yesterday. I composed myself enough to face him but when I met his eyes I felt myself blush lightly and looked away quickly horrified. I never blushed, it just never happened.

Ario:

I wasn't sure what to make of all this. Her silence wasn't helping me feel better, and a blush touched my cheeks. But I think what shocked me the most was I saw for a brief moment a red hue to her cheeks. Was...was she blushing? I had possibly seen that maybe two, three times since I had known her.

Araline:

I took a deep, shaky breath. "Ario..." I said softly. "I don't know what to think. How would you think I could possibly react?" I asked finally looking at him though my cheeks were still flushed.

Ario:

I shrugged. "I honestly don't know...Its probably why I never said anything, or did anything about it." I admitted looking at her.

Araline:

I chewed on my lip reminding myself to breathe. I covered my face with my hands seeing as I was still blushing. I splayed my fingers out so I could see him.