(Aphmau)

I entered the house, my feet silent even in their heels.

"Okay, our guest is here!" Zianna chirped. We rounded the corner and as I did, I felt all eyes on me.

I looked up out of curiosity and saw the different expressions. Garte had a soft smile, but wasn't all too impressed with my looks. Which wasn't a bad thing, he looked at me like I was a pleasant young woman.

Zane looked bored, yet a little bit curious. A sly smirk plastered on his face after a little while.

Vylad was grinning and looked eager to meet me. He could've met me at the jail, but he was busy bombarding Garroth and Dante with questions.

And finally my gaze landed on Garroth.

His jaw was dropped.

He looked me over and his eyes landed on mine. I felt sheepish under his gaze and instinctively looked towards the ground, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

After a few moments of silence, Garte spoke up.

"Well, it's very nice to meet you, Miss Lorde"

I smiled politely

"Please, call me Aphmau. And it's a pleasure to meet you too Mr. Ro'Meave"

"Garte's fine"

I nodded and the two sons came up to me.

"Hi! I'm Vylad and this is my brother Zane. It's so nice to meet you!"

I shook their hands and we got introductions aside.

The room filled with laughter and conversation, and I felt a little out of place and awkward. Suddenly I felt my hands being covered by another pair of hands.

I looked to see Garroth smiling sincerely, his eyes sparkling with life and something else I couldn't quite identify.

"You look....beautiful" his voice was barely above a whisper. It was low and husky, "no, beautiful isn't the right word to describe it..." My face was on fire.

"Thanks, you look very handsome"

Our fingers intertwined and our foreheads touched.

"We will make his jaw drop, his eyes sparkle, he's gonna blush, and become flustered! It'll be amazing! And it'll all end, with a kiss!"

Zianna's words echoed through my mind. I quickly backed away and unlocked my hands from his.

"S-so uh...I feel out of place"

The air between us became awkward, and his face blossomed into a deep red blush.

"O-oh uh...c-come over here" he guided me to the table and pulled my chair out for me. He was being an absolute gentleman.

"So Aphmau, Garroth tells me you work on the internet?" Garte questioned with a polite smile.

"Uh yes, I create videos for entertainment"

"That sounds wonderful"

Some maids brought out trays and placed plates in front of us. We started eating and then....

"So Aphmau, what do you like in a man?"

(Garroth)

I started to choke on my food. I coughed and sputtered. I drank some water and cleared my throat.

"Mom, that's a little...personal don't you think?" I asked. She waved my words away like a pesky bug

"Nonsense, Aphmau?"

Aphmau glanced at me briefly and cleared her throat. She had everyone's attention.

"Well...of course there's the cliché stuff, like kindness, intelligence, respect, but also someone who I can laugh with and be serious with. Someone who takes my ideas and opinions into consideration. Someone who I can talk through stuff with and communicate with. Just someone who will love me for me, and vise versa"

Mom glanced and me and winked. I felt my face become hot like lava. I drank some water and kept quiet.

"And as far as looks go?"

"Mom-"

"Let her answer Garroth"

"Zianna, don't pester the poor girl." Dad saved the day. Mom sighed and went back to her dinner.

"Fine I won't pester Aphmau" she answered, "so Garroth, what do you think of Aphmau's dress?"

"Zianna..."

"I'm not pestering Aphmau"

Dad sighed and shook his head, a small chuckle erupted from his lips.

"It's...i-its beautiful" I mumbled. Mom didn't seem satisfied. An awkward silence filled the room, I could feel Zane smirking and holding back laughter. Vylad was wiggling his eyebrows at me.

"So Gar, how did you and Aphmau meet?" Mom asked.

"Zane how is your new movie coming along?" I changed the subject pretending not to hear mom

"It's going fine, not that you actually care. You just want to change-"

"That's good to hear little brother" I managed to shut down the topic of Aphmau and I and everyone went along with it.

Aphmau was across from me, so I could see her perfectly. Not a hair was out of place, and her smile lit up the room. I couldn't help but often times unconsciously look at her.

My mind began to wander. And just to simple things.

If Aphmau and I did date, where would our first date be?

And then I started picturing little scenarios, like me grabbing her waist and kissing her temple. Cuddling on a couch, watching a movie, and then she'd fall asleep.

I dismissed the thoughts and went back to silently eating my food while everyone talks around me. I kept my gaze on my food, and nowhere else.

I felt a small kick to my shin under the table. I looked up to see Aphmau with a worried expression.

'What's wrong?'

She mouthed, I shot a smile and shook my head.

'Nothing'

Waking up in the morning, her sound asleep on the pillow next to me. Her ink hair spread on the white pillow. Her hazel eyes fluttered shut, steady breathing pattern escaping her lips.

Every time I looked at Aphmau I pictured scenes that didn't need to be in my mind at the time.

(Aphmau)

"Okay! Let's eat dessert on the back patio!"

We all walked outside and I went speechless at the breathtaking view. I walked over to the railing and placed my hands on it. I could see everything, it was purely perfect.

The only downside was, it was cold. It was a little late to be out in a dress that showed your shoulders. A small shiver travelled up my spine, distracting me from the scene.

"Here" Garroth placed his suit jacket on my shoulders and placed a plate with a cake on it in front of me, resting on the railing. His Cologne made its way to my nose, his scent was still fresh on his jacket. It was soothing.

"Thanks"

"I love coming here, when I was in highschool I used to sit on the roof and watch the cars drive. It was relaxing."

"The roof?"

"Mmhmm, wanna see?"

"Yeah!"

Garroth slipped my hand into his and guided me back to the glass doors.

"I'm showing Aphmau the roof, be back soon"

"Take your time" Zianna sang.

Garroth rolled his eyes playfully and guided me through the house. We stopped at a door.

"Wanna see my old room?"

"Uhh, sure"

When he opened the door, it was obvious his room didn't stay the same as it did in highschool. It looked brand new.

"Of course it was different when I was younger"

We didn't spend much time in his room, before I knew it I was being dragged down a maze of hallways.

The second door we stopped at was a lot smaller. When we walked out, there were two chairs, a table, and a basket of blankets sitting there.

"This is where I spent most of my time"

He guided me to the railing that overlooked the horizen. It was stunning.

I turned to look at him, to see he was already looking at me.

Garroth took my hand into his, intertwining our fingers. Instinctively, I leaned in. Garroth also leaned in until out foreheads touched. We paused for a moment, letting everything happen slowly. Our noses touched and we stayed that close for a while also, my breath hitched and I was getting nervous.

".....and it'll all end with a kiss!"

Zianna's words echoed in my empty thoughts.

So what did I do?

I panicked.

Right before our lips could touch, I panicked and backed away. I looked back over the horizen and refused to make eye contact.

Garroth sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, placing one hand in his pocket.

So darn attractive.

I didn't know what to say, we were about to kiss for sure. But....I got scared and chickened out.

"Well then..." He mumbled under his breath, "we should uh...head back"

I nodded and followed silently. The walk back was soundless and awkward. We both knew what was going on, and we both knew what I did.

We got back to the group and sat on the couch where they were all talking and standing around. Garroth sat beside me because there was no place else to sit.

Zianna grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the whole group.

"Give me all the details!"

"W-what?"

"How was the kiss?"

"There was none..."

"What?! Garroth didn't make a move?!"

"N-no he made a move...but I chickened out"

"Oh...."

"I'm sorry..."

"Don't be! You'll get him next time! Let's go back to the group!"

We returned to everyone and I sat in my spot next to Garroth, hoping he wasn't feeling as awkward as I was.

(Garroth)

I fiddled with the edge of the couch cushion, trying to distract myself. It's hard being around the most perfect woman and not being able to kiss her.

"Garroth could you drive Miss Lorde home? Our driver doesn't drive at these hours, and since you know her best it would probably be best" dad gave me a look, letting me know it wasn't a question or a suggestion.

"Certainly, Aphmau, are you ready to go?" My voice was barely above a whisper. Aphmau looked at me, her hazel eyes like the moon.

"Uh, yes. It was great meeting you all"

"The pleasure is ours, come back anytime" Mom smiled and glanced at me before returning her gaze back to Aphmau

We waved goodbye as we walked out to my car. When the door closed behind us, we were alone. Crickets sang as we made our way to the vehicle.

I opened Aphmau's door for her and closed it, she said a silent thank you before I went into the drivers seat.

We pulled up into her driveway.

I was being bitter towards her, and she didn't really do anything wrong. But we almost kissed. And I really wanted to.

I didn't say anything, and neither did she.

And then, I felt a pair of soft lips press gently onto my cheek. Aphmau fled the car as quickly as possible after kissing my cheek, but I couldn't contain the grin that formed on my face. I started to drive away, feeling like the luckiest man alive. I got home and closed the front door behind me. I leaned back on the door and sighed, my grin still on my face.

"Why are you so happy?" Laurence asked, walking into the living room. I sighed and sat down on the couch.

"Aphmau kissed my cheek"

Laurence chuckled and shook his head.

"You're pathetic"

"Pathetic and happy"

A/N Soooo there! It's actually NOT a cliffhanger like it's been for what seems like forever! Haha, so Garroth got his kiss. It was a pretty nice chapter if I do say so myself. I love you all devils. Byeeee.