[Past] Salt Water and Sandwiches

There were few good things he could remember witnessing first hand, but this day was going to be at the forefront of any future ones. The way her face shone in awe, how her legs trembled under the vastness of how the world really was, Colt could feel the shivers running over her his own responding to rub along her arms in reassurance until she reached for her head. He’d ignore how his fingertips itched to continue, dropping them back to his sides.

Laughing, he nodded. Well, now you’ve seen it, maybe next time we get you out on it. See if you’re a wee pirate as well as a wee wench. The wide toothy grin that was firmly planted on his face showed no sign of letting up, letting her take what time she needed to adjust. Which was why when she reached for his mouth he was caught by surprise, grin already flashing wide even before she tiptoed her way up to kiss him, but not kiss him.

Colt tipped his head forward, helping shrink the distance for their foreheads to touch. His hands settled gently around her waist, holding her carefully but steady enough that a stiff wind couldn’t blow her over or her legs give out again. Her pinched eyes eventually opened to find his observing having never left hers, mapping every detail, freckle and hair and committing it to memory. Yet those words of hers helped feed the fire of hope in him that this unspoken thing between them was growing.

Colt couldn’t help the nervous giggle and fighting with himself for more than a painful second, gave her waist a small distracting squeeze. I’m glad, his voice low, shy again, before his face quickly snuck close. Lips brushed against her cheek this time, retreating just as swiftly and out of reach as he straightened, taking her up with him and onto his shoulder. A hand smoothed her dress down, keeping her decent and within a few strides he’d made it back to Bessie, tugging buckles to free his pack. Okay, now we go find a dune to sit and eat. You good hangin’ there, or you wanna walk?

@Wilhelmina