Would it be lame to say that heavenly angels were singing a chorus somewhere above her head? Or that the perpetual rain cloud that consistently followed her around throughout her entire life, offering gloom and cold and loneliness, had suddenly disappeared? Because right when she felt about ready to turn around and find a nice, cozy rock to bury herself beneath, she suddenly felt Royce's will snap, his hands tighten, and herself being catapulted forward into his chest where she was surely locked behind his arms.
Charlie froze for a second, unsure what to do. But then she realized she was warm and safe and cared for- something wholly new for her- and her eyes slid shut of their own willing, cheek scratching lightly against his flannel shirt. One of her hands was still trapped underneath Royce's, squished in between them now, but her other hand rose to rest light on the side of his ribs. And then she sighed.
This was the most intimate she had ever been with anyone, family included. There was her stubborn, analyical side that told her she should be embarrassed, but it was quickly and thoroughly drowned out by her more selfish side that was happy and peaceful sitting in Royce's arms. It was a moment she wished would never really end, and made infinitely better by his admittance that he simply wanted her to be safe and the small kiss he planted on her head. A shiver ran through her entire body that she was fairly positive had nothing to do with the winter weather. Especially considering the fact that she didn't feel cold at all. Royce was warm and comfortable, like his arms were specifically made at the exact width and length to fit around her own small frame perfectly.
Royce shifted, and Charlie sighed again. The idea of moving away from him and his anesthetic arms was not a pleasant one. She made a face showing her opinion of that, but moved anyway, and let herself be taken by the hand and led back to her own apartment. Royce continued to speak, this time about Noah, and being introduced, and something along the lines of being an ass.
That last word caught her attention, and she couldn't stop herself from checking the area in question. Mmmm...
Stop that came the stern voice again. Get a hold of yourself. If you want to keep him, you're going to have to take more responsibility over your obsession with him.
The voice was right, unfortunately, so when they paused before the door and Royce glanced back at her, her eyes were back in their proper place and she was smiling. She would be good, and try not to let her gaze wander where it didn't belong. Of course, her eyes were fixed on his face, now, and more specifically, his mouth...
"To quote a very wise person I know," she started...
A step forward, a short jump (because the guy was tall), and she planted a short kiss directly on his mouth, smiling behind his lips. When she landed back on her own feet, she stepped back and added, "You are so great, y'know that?"