"Isn't it obvious?" Orion said, his voice filled with conviction, as he made a conscious decision to squat down and meet Fiona's eyes on equal ground for the first time since they met. "Just because I'm young doesn't mean I can't appreciate the importance of effective communication or put in the necessary effort to convey the true meaning of my words to someone who truly deserves it. Espec...".
Fiona, far from being naive, possessed a level of maturity that allowed her to read between the lines. As soon as Orion started speaking, her already surprised expression widened once more, and unable to contain her curiosity any longer, she blurted out, "You meant what you said?".
Even though Orion was interrupted, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction as he saw the realization dawning on Fiona's face. It was as if she had grasped the essence of his message without him needing to utter another word. He sealed his lips and nodded his head in affirmation, his eyes locking with hers as he spoke with unwavering certainty, "Yes. I meant every word that I said yesterday." After all, he believed that actions spoke louder than words, and the fewer words required for her to understand, the better it would be for both of them.
Orion observed intently as Fiona's expression turned vacant, and she swiftly rose from her seated position on the ground. Pressing her hands firmly against the sides of her ears, she vigorously shook her head in disbelief. In a state of confusion, Fiona began to pace back and forth, aimlessly changing directions while remaining in the vicinity of the well. Suddenly, she blurted out, her voice tinged with scepticism, "No, you are lying. There must be some hidden agenda behind your words." Her words were laced with a touch of bitterness, because she had grown accustomed to the men of her generation disregarding her, despite her esteemed status as a warrior. So why would a young man like Orion, who was several years her junior, express such sentiments without any ulterior motive?
It was simply impossible!
At that moment, Orion felt a heavy weight settle in his chest, draining his energy with each passing second. If only he had anticipated Fiona's reaction, he would have approached her with greater care, unlike the other women he had encountered. "And what if I don't have any ulterior motives?" he questioned, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and sincerity. "Believe me, this is the first time I've been so compelled to convince a woman of her beauty." Orion shook his head, a mix of disappointment and resignation etched on his face, as he rose from his crouched position.
Fiona abruptly ceased her aimless wanderings and stood still, her back now turned towards Orion. She clenched her teeth tightly, her expression an intriguing mix of fury and a seemingly blank facade. Slowly, she turned around to fix him with an intense gaze. "If you genuinely have no ulterior motive," she challenged, her voice laced with distrust, "then prove it." With purposeful steps, Fiona closed the distance between them, covering the remaining distance in just a couple of strides. And in an astonishing display of agility, her figure flashed before him, materializing right in front of him in a mere two steps.
Orion's throat went dry as he witnessed yet another impressive display of skill, one that further confirmed Fiona's formidable warrior status. Nevertheless, he maintained his composure, not succumbing to intimidation. "How do you want me to prove it?" he inquired, meeting her gaze with unwavering determination. His reaction was more of admiration than fear.
Fiona's eyes narrowed, studying Orion intently. Judging from his words the day before, it was evident that the young man held a genuine interest in her, going as far as to inquire whether she had a partner or not. With that in mind, she uttered, "Kiss me."
"Huh!" Orion's thoughts were abruptly thrown off balance.
Fiona's initially expressionless face blossomed into a smile. "Don't worry, I won't count it as a proposal," she reassured him. She only wanted him to prove that his intentions were genuine, without any ulterior motives. And what better way for him to demonstrate it than by kissing her? If he found her truly unattractive, he wouldn't dare to kiss her and give up on his pursuit. However, if he truly found her attractive enough to inquire about her relationship status, then this was a golden opportunity for him to steal a kiss without any consequences or strings attached.
With her head lowered towards him, Orion found himself at a loss for words as he watched Fiona's lips parting, her breath softly caressing his face. But, contrary to Fiona's expectations, a smile formed on Orion's face as he rose on his toes, tilting his head upward. Startled, Fiona instinctively pulled her head back, but before she knew it, Orion had already wrapped his arms around her neck, his lips meeting hers in a seamless embrace.
As Fiona's eyes widened the moment, she felt Orion's lips infiltrating hers, exploring and savouring the taste, Orion, on the other hand, closed his eyes, determined to make every second count and fully immerse himself at the moment.
After ten heart-pounding seconds, during which Orion playfully nibbled on both of her lips for an additional five seconds, he reluctantly pulled away, gasping for breath, his gaze locked on Fiona's flushed face. He watched as she mirrored his breathless state, their eyes locked in an unspoken understanding.
"Do you believe me now?" Orion asked, his arms still wrapped around Fiona's neck. Instead of releasing his hold, he slid his arms down and encircled her waist. Despite the situation taking an unexpected turn, he couldn't resist seizing the opportunity. "I don't know about you, but I consider this a proposal. Fiona, will you b..." Before he could finish his sentence, Fiona pressed her hand firmly against Orion's mouth, her expression growing fiercer. Uncertain of which emotion would prevail amidst the whirlpool in her eyes, Orion took a bold move and lightly bit her palm, causing Fiona to retract her hand abruptly. With Orion's arms still locked around her waist and Fiona's muscular stature combined with her unsettled state of mind, she stumbled backwards, inadvertently pulling him down with her. The two ended up in a tangled heap, with Orion landing on top of her.
"Ouch!" The momentary pain caused them both to flinch, but with their enhanced physical abilities, the sensation was nearly nonexistent. However, what truly caught Fiona off guard was Orion's swift action of pinning her to the ground. Her mind went momentarily blank as he extended her arms above her head, firmly clasping them with both of his hands. In this vulnerable position, he uttered the words, "Fiona, will you be my partner?".
