Chapter 6
Felicity stood out on the balcony outside of her room, mentally preparing for her date. She was feeling thoroughly uncomfortable in one of Kennedy's dresses, a pair of Kennedy's black high heels, and some of Kennedy's makeup. Felicity really needed to get Demitri to take her shopping. She closed her eyes and lifted her hands to her temples, rubbing in small circular motions. What if this made their already poorly defined relationship even more complicated? Then there was Stockholm syndrome, but Felicity was fairly certain that what she felt didn't fit into her limited knowledge about the syndrome. What if they had a horrible time and everything afterwards became terribly awkward? Taking a deep breath, Felicity opened her eyes. She was dressed like a totally different person and her palms were sweating, but she was going to go on this date if it killed her. She needed to sort out her feelings and hopefully Demitri's. This was the best way to do it.
Felicity wasn't the only nervous one. Demitri sat in a chair in the living room. He would be able to see Felicity when she came down the stairs but she wouldn't be able to see him. Demitri wished he was wearing his usual jacket instead of the one belonging to his suit. He wondered if Felicity was having second thoughts. She'd been the one to ask him out, but he was the one who planned the date. He wished Kennedy was here so she could give him advice, though he knew she left specifically so Demitri could figure out what he wanted with Felicity on his own.
Demitri thought Felicity looked nice, though not at all like herself. He stood up and greeted her. She looked nervous, but maybe it was just the outfit. She almost tripped crossing the threshold. She clearly wasn't used to walking in heels, though Demitri would never dream of pointing that out to her.
Felicity walked over to Demitri's car, heading for the passenger door. Demitri beat her to it, unlocking the door and grabbing the handle. He was clearly forced.
Felicity raised her eyebrows. "Demitri, it's just me. You don't have to smile unless you really want to."
Demitri's face quickly returned to its normal blank expression. "Thanks god you think that. It's been a long time since I've done this."
Demitri's face quickly returned to its normal blank expression. "Thanks god you think that. It's been a long time since I've done this."
Demitri drove Felicity over to the nicest restaurant in Riverview. It was late, right before closing, and the place was completely deserted. Demitri ended up ordering for Felicity. She felt out of place around other people after so long on her own. She couldn't make herself form words when the waiter came up to her. She couldn't even manage a fake smile. Her food arrived quickly. It was hot, so she left it to cool. Not one word had passed between herself and Demitri. He just stared over at the measly flowerbed in silence. Felicity wondered if she was missing something about the seemingly commonplace daisies.
Felicity began to eat. Demitri continued to stare at the flowers. Felicity frowned and set down her fork. The food here wasn't nearly as good as what Demitri cooked for her at home. The waiter saw she was finished and took her plate, bringing over the check.
Demitri was surprised when a sudden movement interrupted his brooding.
"Sorry, there was.... there was a bug." Felicity said, feeling awkward. There wasn't really a bug, but she didn't want to say she was waving her hand in his face just to get his attention. "The waiter brought the check."
Demitri slid a bill into the folder and stood up, holding out his hand for Felicity. "I thought we could walk to the park if you feel up to it."
Felicity nodded. That sounded nice, even though she was wearing uncomfortable shoes and her clothing was suited for the cool weather. She took Demitri's proffered hand and stood, relaxing her grip so he could let go if he wanted to. He didn't.
Demitri slid a bill into the folder and stood up, holding out his hand for Felicity. "I thought we could walk to the park if you feel up to it."
Felicity nodded. That sounded nice, even though she was wearing uncomfortable shoes and her clothing was suited for the cool weather. She took Demitri's proffered hand and stood, relaxing her grip so he could let go if he wanted to. He didn't.
The walk to the park was more pleasant then dinner. Demitri asked Felicity some questions about her past. She talked some about how she wanted to go into the medical field, stopping when when the weight of her lost dreams became oppressive. Demitri made some small talk, spouting factoids about some of the plants and the Latin names of trees. Felicity turned slightly and met Demitri's even gaze when they reached the park. Her feet were aching from the walk and she was short of breath and completely out of any kind of shape and all she wanted to do was sit down. "Can we sit for a while?"
Demitri nodded, leading her over to a bench where he sat, patting the seat next to him.
Demitri nodded, leading her over to a bench where he sat, patting the seat next to him.
Felicity tripped when she went to sit down and ended up laying over Demitri rather than sitting next to him. She was about to sit up when he put his arm around her. Instead she shifted so her position was more comfortable, wriggling her hand underneath Demitri's. She felt safe with him. The sky had a faint pink tinge, indicating that the sun would be rising soon and they would need to go home. To Demitri's home. Felicity had no right to call it her home. Felicity disentangled herself from Demitri and stood, wobbling a little on her shoes.
"What's wrong?" Demitri asked. Felicity looked at the ground.
"I'm confused. There are lots of things you still haven't told me about. I don't know much about you and I don't know what my situation is."
"You never asked."
"I didn't think you would answer. You don't like to talk."
Demitri put a hand on Felicity's arm, turning her gently so she was facing him again. "It wouldn't hurt to try. There are things I'm willing to do for you that I would never do for anyone else." Demitri was much closer to her now. Felicity's heartbeat sped up.
"Give me an example."
"I'm confused. There are lots of things you still haven't told me about. I don't know much about you and I don't know what my situation is."
"You never asked."
"I didn't think you would answer. You don't like to talk."
Demitri put a hand on Felicity's arm, turning her gently so she was facing him again. "It wouldn't hurt to try. There are things I'm willing to do for you that I would never do for anyone else." Demitri was much closer to her now. Felicity's heartbeat sped up.
"Give me an example."
Demitri put one arm around Felicity's shoulders, pulling her close and kissing her. Felicity did not hesitate to kiss him back. She trusted Demitri. There was a lot she didn't know about him, but she would find out. Right now they were here and that was all she cared about.
Demitri broke the kiss, still holding Felicity. "Is that good enough?"
Felicity nodded mutely. Demitri smiled. "We'd better get back to the house. The sun is rising and you need to rest."
Felicity nodded mutely. Demitri smiled. "We'd better get back to the house. The sun is rising and you need to rest."
Back at the house, Demitri walked Felicity up to her room. She insisted it wasn't necessary. He didn't say anything, but he still escorted her to her room. "So I take it that I'm the only girl you'll kiss?" she said teasingly.
"You know what I said. You have a leaf in your hair." The first part was spoken quietly, almost inaudibly. Felicity heard it anyway. A grin spread over her face.
"Until tomorrow?"
Demitri returned her smile. "Until tomorrow."
"You know what I said. You have a leaf in your hair." The first part was spoken quietly, almost inaudibly. Felicity heard it anyway. A grin spread over her face.
"Until tomorrow?"
Demitri returned her smile. "Until tomorrow."
Felicity sat on her bed, sunlight streaming in through her windows. She couldn't wait to see what the coming evening would bring.