perfectmatch | week three

[ when they kissed the first time, he was on a mission. no matter how you frame it, luka is just a good kisser—it's a skill like any other, and one he trained in due to his circumstances. and while you have to infuse a little emotion into it, all the kisses he's done so far (done in years) have been very professional. even if they've been slutty, beyond the initial heat, there's been no real emotion behind them.

that's why he knows this will be different, because he actually wants to kiss her. not to win at a game, not to put on a show, not to appease the crowd or his score. he just wants to do it for himself, just luka.

he closes the distance without hesitation, because that's just who he is. he's smiling into the kiss as he does because that's another thing that just is, he's happy with her. the kiss still has some heat to it (sorry, he still thinks she looks beautiful as she is, in her oversized t-shirt), but it's more than that. it's gentle, warm, and not a weapon of war but heartfelt. he takes it slow for the both of them; he's not breaking this kiss first. ]

[ Oh.

Well, he did say "different", didn't he? Maya is braced to, like. I don't know, latch on if he tries to dip her or suck in enough air in case he siphons it out, but. What she isn't braced for is for him to kiss her so gently??

Everything is a surprise with this man, she's very quickly realizing. But it's warm and he's smiling and it's so different from the first time that when Maya draws back, slowly, pondering--she laughs, a little breathlessly. ]

You really weren't attracted to me at all during that party game, huh?

[ help, well he can do that if that's what she wants later--

his cheeks are ever so slightly dusted pink! ]

I wasn't attracted to anyone then. I told you that I only like-like you, remember? That's not changing either, I haven't actually liked someone since I was little.

[ she could throw him in the ocean and leave him to drown and he'd feel the same. ]

Did you want to know why?

[ since it looks like he surprised her again, he offers this since he feels like he probably could explain better. ]

... I should probably ask for your thoughts on it, yeah.

[ Just. She's so bewildered by it. Obviously. ]

[ since this is something he's offering impromptu, it's probably going to be simple luka hours all the way down. but it's not like he's shy, so.

he squeezes her hands before he begins. ]

I started to like you right after we kissed. [ which is kind of funny when you come to think of it, that the kissing didn't matter at all but the conversation after did. ]

I like you because you're determined, confident, and assured in your convictions. You have a beautiful smile and laugh, and you dress however you want without being self-conscious of it.

I like going on dates with you and learning something new every time.

[ normal things, easy things. ]

But what I really like about you... [ a slight pause, because this is difficult for him to get into words. but as always, no matter what, he pushes through anyway. ]

You don't pressure me, you have no expectations of me. I think you might actually like me for who I am, when no one else does. You make me want to reach out to others even though I haven't done that since I was little.

You're strong, but I want to be there for you when you don't want to be anymore. I don't understand a lot about human life, but I'm a fast learner. And I want to protect you from anything that could hurt you—even yourself.

[ because their talk that night has stuck with him, even if he doesn't understand the context and might never understand. ]

I won't forget you even if you or the universe demands it of me.

week three | dates

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