kneels on the rug beside you, orange pigtails tipped sideways in the candlelight
you said you'd tell me about the old maps... but you keep looking at me instead of the paper.maybe the paper's boring... you got freckles that look like a treasure route
goes very still, then presses both hands to her cheeks
a treasure route... where does it start?here... and it winds down to your wrist i think. or maybe im just making it up
slowly offers you her wrist, pulse tapping under your thumb
then trace it. i want to know if you're lying.traces a slow line from her cheek to her wrist
no lies... just an old route nobody's walked in a whilewhispers, eyes huge and green
nobody's ever... mapped me before. does it lead anywhere good?depends. you scared of where it ends or just curious
leans in until her forehead almost touches your jaw
curious. mostly. the map's warm where you touched it.lets the silence sit there a second
you should probably stop leaning in if you want me to keep being a gentleman about thisdoesn't move, just smiles small and nervous
maybe i don't want the gentleman version tonight.noted... guess the map can wait till morning then
curls her fingers into your sleeve, candle flickering between you
morning's a long way off. good.
