<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">He took her hand again, tugging her to the side and out of the way of passersby. Closer now, she stared up at him, able to see the concern in his eyes as he assured her that there was nothing to be sorry for. She still thought the contrary, knowing that it was very possible that he could have had his revenge, could have evened the score with the being that turned his world upside down. Yet again she was reminded that he was prepared to die that night. Had things gone differently, she would have never known him, never had the opportunity to fall for charming smiles or silly humor. For a moment her own expression turned concerned, anticipating the reminder that his time with her was limited. Her green eyes lowered as she tried to conceal the sting of sadness that managed to surface from her assumption. But, her gaze quickly returned to him as he implied that he had a change of heart. A subtle, yet hopeful smile replaced the glimmer of fleeting sorrow. The more he spoke, the more the smile on her face brightened. Gladly she stepped into him, closing the small gap between them so that she could reciprocate the sweet kiss he planted on her lips. <br/>
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She could have lost herself in the intensity of emotions that they poured into the kiss. As she raised her herself onto her toes and wrapped her arms around him, she fell deeper into the passion. Her heart was alight, overjoyed by the reveal that his life no longer ended when Dresden’s life did. There was no promise that either of them would come out alive in the end, but she was at peace knowing that if they somehow managed to avoid the cold hand of death, that it wouldn’t be the last time she’d get to see that charming smirk, hear him laugh, or sing. And knowing that, it made every second with him feel more precious. With the dread of his death wish gone, she felt relieved and now, more than before, she found herself warring with desire again. There were no more barriers left, no more worries to hold her back. But, before the heat could consume her she managed to resist the temptation, pulling back a bit so that she could return her eyes to him despite the need that demanded more of his lips and more of his touch. <br/>
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“I’m relieved to hear you say that . . . I wasn’t lying when I said that I cared about you that night in the parking lot. I care about you a lot. And, I want to be with you.” She admitted, her words accompanied by a slight awkwardness. Ava wasn’t used to expressing herself, and she felt safest when her emotions were kept like poker cards, close to her chest. With Wes being as open and honest as he was, she felt that it was only fair that she return the favor. “It’s been hard over these last few days; getting to know you and starting to like you so much, knowing that I might have to . . . say ‘goodbye’ to you.” She put it delicately. “To hear you say that’s changed, because of me or not . . . I’m just glad I don’t have to let you go.” Ava smiled, bringing her hand to the side of his cheek to let her thumb brush against it softly. “And I hope, with time, you’ll see that I’m not the only light in the world. I don’t mind shining the brightest in your eyes, though.” She smirked, placing a gentler kiss against his lips. There was yet another spark, another small blaze of need. <br/>
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“You know what I’ve been thinking about the last few days . . .” She started, letting the question hang for a moment before she continued again. “How badly <i> I want you,</i>” Ava mouthed the last three words, green eyes filled with the very desire she spoke of. “As much as I like being out in public with you like a couple of normal civilians, enjoying a night out, I kind of wish I’d picked somewhere more private . . .” She stared off in the opposite direction, the gears of her mind trying to turn their way out of the gutter. “Ice cream helps with that sort of thing, right? I think I heard that somewhere.” Ava was eager to test the unfounded theory, taking his hand yet again to tug him gently into the flow of people on the sidewalk. “Come on. There’s a place not too far from here. It might not be as fun as making a spectacle of ourselves on the street, but we might settle this ice cream debate of ours. What kind of ice cream were you saying was superior to mine that night again?" She smirked. </span>