Being close to Amber was already working on him. She hadn't pushed him away, her face hadn't twisted in anger and disgust. Her body was closed off, arms crossed across her chest, shoulders drawn together slightly--if Amber would ever allow herself to be anything less than regal--and a look of confusion, nearly fear, on her face. Wanting to hold her was like a physical force, drawing Foreman closer. Maybe he could still see her when she was open, happy, demanding even. He couldn't see that anything was ruined after all. Amber was as near as she had been when they'd stepped out on the dance floor. That first night, before he'd really known how good it was to have his arms around her. Without a thought, Foreman eased forward another half-step, shifting his weight in her direction. His chin lifted; in her heels, she was just tall enough that he was looking up at her, his eyes half-closed as he watched her. It was like magnetism, and even if it was a risk, and this time Foreman didn't want to take no for an answer. If he'd confused her, then they'd both been saying things wrong again, that was all. He reached out and took her hand, interlinking their fingers and squeezing lightly. He could give her a moment, but he didn't want her to forget, or disregard, what he'd said. He was here.
"Not where we left off," he said. It'd be impossible. Neither of them was foolish enough to think that they past forty-eight hours could simply be erased. Foreman wet his lips, dipping his head slightly. He could see the curve of Amber's mouth, the warm pink of her cheekbones, but her eyelashes hid her expression from him. Hope beat against his chest, his heartbeat increasing and pounding in his ears. Foreman knew for himself that it'd never be the same. He knew that Amber could hurt him, and that she wouldn't hesitate to act against him, if 'against' was the right word. She was probably treating him just like she had every authority figure in her life. Maybe it wasn't him. Maybe it was just how indomitable she was, never taking anything for granted, never giving up. "It's never gonna be like a first date again," he said, letting out an amused breath. "Or like the restaurant...?" He was coaxing her. Her memories had to be as strong as his. She'd been so warm, underneath him, yanking him closer, kissing him so hard, and then watching their bodies in the mirror, a wicked smile on her face. God, she was crazy. They'd both been so overtaken, they hadn't thought. So, now, thinking had to happen, but it was always like that eventually. You couldn't have nothing but fun forever, if you wanted to make something that lasted. Foreman breathed in deeply through his nose. The light spicy scent of Amber's perfume, over the everyday ordinariness of the hospital. That's what this was. More, but sustainable. "I want to figure it out," he said. "I might need some time to myself sometimes, but that doesn't mean I'm leaving you. I want to make it work."
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"Not where we left off," he said. It'd be impossible. Neither of them was foolish enough to think that they past forty-eight hours could simply be erased. Foreman wet his lips, dipping his head slightly. He could see the curve of Amber's mouth, the warm pink of her cheekbones, but her eyelashes hid her expression from him. Hope beat against his chest, his heartbeat increasing and pounding in his ears. Foreman knew for himself that it'd never be the same. He knew that Amber could hurt him, and that she wouldn't hesitate to act against him, if 'against' was the right word. She was probably treating him just like she had every authority figure in her life. Maybe it wasn't him. Maybe it was just how indomitable she was, never taking anything for granted, never giving up. "It's never gonna be like a first date again," he said, letting out an amused breath. "Or like the restaurant...?" He was coaxing her. Her memories had to be as strong as his. She'd been so warm, underneath him, yanking him closer, kissing him so hard, and then watching their bodies in the mirror, a wicked smile on her face. God, she was crazy. They'd both been so overtaken, they hadn't thought. So, now, thinking had to happen, but it was always like that eventually. You couldn't have nothing but fun forever, if you wanted to make something that lasted. Foreman breathed in deeply through his nose. The light spicy scent of Amber's perfume, over the everyday ordinariness of the hospital. That's what this was. More, but sustainable. "I want to figure it out," he said. "I might need some time to myself sometimes, but that doesn't mean I'm leaving you. I want to make it work."