Kevin looked up from his tablet as Lee walked into the living room. He quickly put on a casual smile, hiding the worry that had been nagging at him.
She'd been acting weird lately – jumpier, quieter, sometimes looking at him like he was about to spontaneously combust. (◎_◎;)
He'd tried using their "blue" safe word yesterday, asking if something was wrong, but she'd just waved him off, looking exhausted. (￣_￣|||)
He'd been trying really hard to stick to the rules they'd set. Platonic wife, right. No funny business unless she initiated… which she hadn't. But maybe his usual charm – a friendly touch here, a warm smile there – was getting through her defenses?
He hoped so. Seeing her look so stressed wasn't fun.
She stopped a few feet away, not getting too close, which was normal for her lately. Her face was hard to read, mostly just tired. She didn't quite meet his eyes.
"Kevin."
Her voice was flat, neutral.
He straightened up a bit, waiting. (°▽°) "Yeah, Lee?"
She hesitated, just for a second, maybe gathering her thoughts? Then, still looking somewhere past his shoulder, she said it.
"Tonight."
Kevin blinked. Once. Twice. "...Eh?"
Did he hear that right? Tonight? Tonight what? Dinner? A movie? Was she finally going to talk about what was bothering her?
Before his brain could catch up, she added one more word, maybe with a slight, almost imperceptible nod towards the hallway leading upstairs.
"Bedroom." (//・_・//)
And then, she turned. Fast. Almost like she was running away.
She didn't look back, just disappeared down the hall towards her room, leaving Kevin staring after her, utterly bewildered.
Bedroom? Tonight?
His mind slowly started putting the pieces together, but not the ones Lee intended.
…Wait. (◎_◎;)
She'd been acting strange. Defensive. Pushing him away even harder than usual.
But… he'd kept trying, hadn't he? Being nice. Making breakfast. Giving her space but still showing he cared.
Maybe… maybe all that pushing away wasn't real?
Maybe she had been affected. Maybe his persistence, his unwavering affection, had finally worn down that prickly exterior she put up.
A slow grin spread across Kevin's face. (¬‿¬)
Ah.
So that's how it was.
The hedgehog was finally throwing out its thorns.
She wasn't angry or annoyed with him at all. She was just… shy? Embarrassed? Finally giving in after fighting it for so long? That's why she ran off like that! (≖ᴗ≖✿)
Kevin felt a surge of warmth, a triumphant feeling bubbling up inside. He'd done it. He'd gotten through to her. Even this guarded, second-personality Lee couldn't resist him forever! (☆▽☆)
He leaned back against the sofa, a smug, happy sigh escaping him. (￣▽￣) Tonight. Bedroom.
His Lee might still be asleep, but this Lee… yeah, he could definitely work with this.
He just had to be gentle, show her she'd made the right choice. (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧
Kevin stood up, stretching lazily, already mentally planning the perfect, romantic evening.
He was gonna ace this. Absolutely ace it.