Trash Panda

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

“Oh really?” Crow grinned at Penelope mischievously. “I might have a few ideas about how you can make it up to me.” He slid his hand around her waist, sensuously tracing the curves of her body. He still couldn’t believe he was really holding her in his arms—that he had just kissed her. The woman who had stolen the thief’s heart loved him too. He leaned forward, wanting to kiss her again, but this time she pulled away from him, saying that they shouldn’t have been so physical in public. He looked up, finally noticing the people around them. A few onlookers were staring and whispering amongst themselves.

He placed a hand on her hip and drew her close to himself once more. “Let them watch,” he smirked. “Or is that just your way of saying you want me to take you somewhere more… private?” Casting her a teasing wink, he dropped his arm from around her waist. He found her hand and laced his fingers through hers, giving her a light tug to lead her along the road. “It’s getting late, so we should head back to the inn though.”

On the walk back, Crow found that his eyes continued to wander back to Penelope. She really was beautiful. Her slight hand fit comfortably in his, and he enjoyed the feeling of her body pressed against him when they had embraced. And that kiss. His heart raced at just the thought of it. Before he had met Penelope, he had been with a number of peasant girls in the outer villages, but none of them had ever made him feel the way she did. There was something so different about kissing a woman he loved, and who loved him back. He felt like the luckiest man alive.

Struck by a particularly strong wave of joy, Crow gathered Penelope to himself and kissed her one more time. “I still can’t believe this is happening,” he breathed, tracing the length of her jawline with his lips. “You’re so gorgeous…” He pressed a kiss to her neck, snaking his arm around her back. Suddenly, his stomach decided to intervene, letting out a growl. He flushed, stepping back from her and averting his gaze. “Err, do you think the inn serves dinner at this hour?”

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Sorry, my mom called and it was a really long conversation ^^;
My little brother is getting married, but he's a high school drop out with no career, so it's causing a lot of drama in the family

I'll get to work on my reply now though!

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

SAME
And it's not even over, since they have to split up soon TuT

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Crow lapsed into silence again as they walked along the road. There was no going back anymore. He had already told her he had something to talk about, so he had to just square his shoulders and do it. He glanced at Penelope once more, but couldn’t bring himself to speak. Why was it so hard? He had resolved to tell her how he felt, but the thought of actually saying it out loud was mortifying. Even when Olivia and Hartley had accused him of being in love with Penelope, he had never said the words back to them or even to himself.

His breath caught in his throat as he felt Penelope suddenly take his hands in hers. He stared at her, wide eyed with shock. What is she doing? His already quick heartbeat picked up even more as they stood, hand in hand, gazing into each other’s eyes.

“Crow…” Penelope spoke at last. Her voice sounded tense, as if what she was about to say would be difficult for her. She’s figured me out, his chest felt hollow. This is it. She’s going to tell me she’s not interested. He wanted to close his eyes, afraid to meet her gaze yet unable to look away. He braced himself for the inevitable. It’ll be fine. I knew this was coming all along. This is the closure I’ve been waiting for.

“Listen… I… uh… This is probably going to sound ridiculous to you but... I love you. And-And I get it if you don’t feel the same! I just, after talking to Kip, I needed to tell you.”

What did she just say? Crow felt lightheaded. He blinked, unsure if he had heard her correctly. Did she actually say she loved him, or was he so desperate for her affection that his imagination was playing tricks on him? He couldn’t believe his ears. She said it. She loves me, and she said it, his mind reeled.

Before he knew what he was doing, Crow had dropped Penelope’s hands and was wrapping his arms around her, pressing one hand to her waist and another to her upper back. He pulled her close and met her lips in a passionate kiss, closing his eyes to the world around them. He still couldn’t believe it was real. His fingers ran through her long hair and down the length of her spine as he deepened the kiss, holding her slender body as tightly as he could to his own.

He didn’t want to stop, but eventually had to pull away to catch his breath. Panting slightly, he rested his forehead against hers, meeting her gaze once again. “I probably should have said this first, but I love you too, Penelope,” he laughed softly. Gently brushing a loose strand of hair from her face, he touched his lips to hers in one more fleeting kiss. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited to do that.”

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

I can't handle how cute they are >u<

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

“Oh, gods,” Hartley paled. “They’re coming back.” He began to fidget nervously as Penelope and Kip walked towards them.

“Calm down,” Crow said, although he felt just as anxious as the boy. He clenched his hands into fists at his sides, forcing himself to follow his own advice.

“But what if she turns me down?” Hartley swallowed. “What if she doesn’t want to marry me anymore?”

“What if she does?” Crow turned to him. “Is that the face you want to show her if she says she wants you to court her again? Have a little pride.”

“You’re right,” Hartley squeezed his eyes shut and took a steeling breath. When he opened them again, there was new resolve in his expression. He stood, still trembling slightly, as Kip approached him.

“L-Let’s go talk somewhere...” she girl said quietly.

“O-okay,” Hartley’s voice cracked in anticipation. He coughed in an awkward attempt to hide it as Kip reached to take his hand and lead him away. The boy cast one final glance back at Crow, who offered a reassuring nod, before he took off with her.

“So, she decided to take him back, after all,” Crow murmured when Penelope said everything would work out between the two. “That’s good. Hartley was a nervous wreck.” He turned to look at her, unable to help but notice how good she looked even in the low light of the evening.

Now it was his turn to feel anxious. Hartley was going to get the answer he had been waiting for, but Crow had no idea how Penelope would react if he told her the truth. Perhaps she had some idea already about how he felt towards her, but one offhanded comment couldn’t tell her the full weight of his emotions. Besides, even if she did know, he had no clue if she loved him too—or if she was even attracted to him, for that matter.

Stop thinking, Crow repeated the command in his mind. He couldn’t lie to himself any longer. He wasn’t okay with just staying friends with Penelope. It was torturous to him to have her so close, yet unable to have her close enough. Whether she felt the same way or not, he needed to have some closure. He took a shaky breath, To hell with palace raids. This is the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do in my life.

“Take a walk with me,” he said, breaking the silence between them. His nervous green eyes met hers. “I think we need to talk about something too.”

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Awesome ^^ I might be going to a movie tonight, but it won't be until around 8:00 if that's still happening

Crow is finally starting to consider opening up to Penelope too~
Hartley revealed that he suspected Crow's feelings all along xD

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

The walk back to find Hartley and Kip was more than uncomfortable for Crow. He wished Penelope would say something—anything—to break the silence that had fallen between them. He would have done so, himself, but his tongue was tied with worry. He didn’t know what was going to become of their friendship now that Penelope seemed to have figured out about his feelings towards her. If only he had kept his mouth shut, he could have kept the secret longer.

He glanced at Penelope, only to find her deep in thought as well. She’s probably trying to figure out the best way to let me down, he dropped his gaze wistfully. Of course that’s what it is. She’s too nice to let me keep thinking I might someday have a chance with her. He felt a strange mixture of disappointment and relief at the thought. While he wanted desperately to have her, he knew he could never be with a knight. It didn’t make sense. At least this way, he would have some sense of closure.

Crow looked up again when they finally found Hartley and Kip. He frowned, noticing the distance between the two. It’s just like me and Penelope right now, he noted dryly. Hartley must have told Kip the truth a little earlier than he had planned to, and she didn’t seem to be taking the news very well. He sighed. It had been too much to expect anything more of her. Why would any woman, even a peasant, choose to accept a thief?

As Penelope began questioning Hartley, it seemed that Crow’s suspicions were correct: He had been honest with Kip and she hadn’t taken him back. Crow opened his mouth to suggest that they just head back to the inn and call it a night, but Penelope spoke first, saying something he never expected.

“Well, stay here. I’m going to go talk to her.”

He stared after her in surprise as she left to talk to Kip. What could she possibly have to say to change the girl’s mind? He suddenly remembered what she had said earlier: I hope she accepts him. The poor kid has enough problems with his family. Last thing he needs is to be rejected just because he’s a thief. She really was going to try. He wondered again how far that courtesy was extended. Did she just think that way about thieves and peasants, or would she consider the possibility of a knight and a thief? There’s no way, he reminded himself. Don’t forget how uncomfortable she was when you complimented her. She doesn’t have feelings for you.

“So,” Hartley’s melancholic voice drew Crow from his thoughts. “What’s going on between you and Penelope?” He rolled his eyes when Crow spun on him with wide eyes. “Please. I can tell something happened. You both looked just as distant as Kip and I are right now.”

“It’s nothing,” Crow lied.

“Come on, Crow,” Hartley said blandly. “You’re more obvious than you think you are.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Why do you think I was so aggressive in my pursuit of Penelope? I was trying to stay ahead of my competition.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Crow averted his gaze. “I told you, we’re just—”

“Yeah, yeah,” Hartley interrupted. “‘You’re just friends.’ You keep saying that, but I’m starting to think it’s more for you than for me.”

Crow said nothing.

“Why won’t you tell her the truth?” Hartley asked. “You just made that big speech to me about how I needed to be honest with Kip, and how I’d never know if she’d accept me if I didn’t try.”

“It’s not the same,” Crow muttered. “Penelope is a knight. Knights and thieves are natural enemies. We may be able to be friends now, but it would be impossible to continue when we go back to our lives in Brerra. Besides, you and Kip were already courting before you became a thief. She has feelings for you. I doubt Penelope would want anything to do with me romantically, especially when she could have any nobleman she wants.”

“Sounds like a lot of excuses to me,” Hartley nudged him with his shoulder. “You think too much. Love doesn’t have to make sense. It isn’t logical. It’s just a feeling, and if Penelope feels it for you the way you do for her, then what’s stopping you?”

“I hate that you’re actually making sense right now,” Crow scoffed. “When did you get so wise, kid?”

“I always was,” Hartley smirked. “You just took a while to notice.”

“Alright,” Crow gave the boy a shove. “Don’t go getting a big head because you said one smart thing.”

Hartley laughed and then grew quiet as his eyes fell on the two women, “I just hope she cares strongly enough for me that she won’t be scared off…”

“With Penelope talking to her, I’m sure she’ll come around,” Crow rested a hand comfortingly on the boy’s shoulder. He looked up at Penelope, watching her from a distance. Stop thinking, huh? he mused. Maybe the kid is right.

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

I like it! That could be how Crow comes to the conclusion that she died too

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

He still has no idea, haha
I think they're getting close to their breaking point though, which is exciting