a Conclusion

"...Luke... would you... please..."

Her heart pounded strongly as she drew even nearer, while Luke stayed, leant over her and still watching her closely as Sofia's lips neared his ever so slowly.

"Sofia - Luke...!"

Boa shouted excitedly as she bounced around the inn's edge.

Sofia immediately snapped away and her heart skittered quicker, as she felt like she'd nearly been caught doing something she shouldn't have.

"Wha... uh... hum... uh... what is... it Boa?"

Her eyes couldn't lock on to anything for a moment, until the other Oni reached out gently to take her hand.

"I have completed my 'couple of dates'... so am I free to... bond with Rafael now?"

Sofia felt herself clench all over and start to sweat.

She's asking permission to... do...

Boacizi waited, with a pleased smile, as her fired up eyes hungered for an answer.

"Yes I suppose..."

"Thank-you!"

She suddenly gave a strong hug, squeezing Sofia in her muscular arms warmly, but only briefly, as she let go and shot back over to her nearby chosen man.

"So I assume something special happens after our second successful date...? So what did you have in mind next?"

Rafael asked, just within sight, while Boa bestowed a great grin at him.

"A 'bonding'... dear Raf."

"What's that?"

She leaned down and whispered really softly right into his ear, then pulled back slightly to stare upon his face again with a wide red-lipped grin.

"That sounds perfect... shall we?"

"Yes!"

Without further ado - she practically whisked him off his feet and gently carried him away, back into the inn.

Sofia was left with her jaw open wide, standing out by the hotels side.

I didn't quite hear exactly everything she said.... but I think I got the gist...! Are most men really that easily swayed...? I mean they didn't even know each other three days ago...

She looked over to Luke briefly, who remained still right behind her - but his eyes seemed to be inspecting the little vines that ran up the side wall they stood beside.

"Well, that's that then."

"Yeah looks like it..."

Sofia was at least glad that the others had worked something out - all be it had rapidly progressed in the short time.

"I suppose we'd better go home, since they've clearly sorted themselves out."

"Uh-huh..."

They couldn't seem to make eye contact with the other then, but still began to walk homeward together, but they hadn't made it very far, when Sofia caught sight of a possible way to end their current bundle of emotions.

"Oh Luke... did you still want to go here?"

...with me...?

Sofia pointed out the town's only bookstore just across the street.

"Well... If it's not a bother now..."

"No... Let's go then."

It was Sofia's third time she'd even been in the large store crammed with many stacks and shelves filled with books, and it hadn't seemed to have changed at all over the years, but while she half-heartedly skimmed over the titles, Luke appeared to delve into a particular section.

After a little wander, Sofia had found a small collection on gardening, but a brief look through one promising book, she found she already knew nearly all of what it had to offer.

Eventually she was distracted, when she saw Luke had become rather focused on a particular one, and watched on contently as he flicked through the pages.

Even in this quiet space... I'm becoming merely glad to be sharing in one of Luke's passions...

Luke had obviously made a decision then, and already had a couple under his arm, as he came over to her and asked.

"So anything you like the look of? I can borrow another for you?"

Sofia was keen to have his happy mood continue, and if they had a shared loan, it meant further interactions at his favourite store, but she hadn't, so she grabbed a random one of the shelf and held it out.

"Maybe this... one..."

'When we Became Lovers'

After she actually read the cover, Sofia almost immediately returned the small hardcover book to where she'd picked it up, but hesitated and then held onto it.

Is this fate...? Maybe it could hold a little insight...? I really don't read all that much... so why not...?

"Are you going to keep... that one?"

"Y...yeah."

Luke quietly sorted out the borrowed books, and they returned to the street and like they had been before too.

It got awkward again...!

Their path however provided an opportunity, as they neared a little bakery by the town's edge, which filled the air with lovely smells as they neared.

"Should we get a little snack?"

Sofia again took the lead, wanting to break the lingering quiet again.

"Sure."

A couple of savoury scrolls and some differently flavoured sweeter bun were obtained for each, and at least they provided a topic of conversation while they ate them.

"My dad gets these all the time..."

The slightly bitter swirl of bread did taste familiar for Sofia too.

"Yeah... I think my Mama used to get these all the time too..."

They munched slowly into them on the bench seat by the road.

"Do... do you think they grow on you... get easier to eat the more you have...?"

"It's probably not worth it though..."

"Probably not..."

They finished them off anyway, while Sofia almost couldn't wait for the sweeter round bun she'd gotten.

"What was yours again?"

Luke asked after seeing her quickly half devour the next softer one in a near instant.

"Lime and Pepper... and your's?"

"Wait, wait, wait... what?"

He looked at her oddly.

"Lime and Pepper..."

Sofia repeated.

"Black Pepper actually... I suppose they only make it here... so have you not tried it before?"

Luke shook his head, before he looked at the small piece Sofia handed over to him suspiciously.

"It works... right?"

She waited eagerly for his opinion after he started to eat it.

"I guess... maybe... that might be an acquired taste too."

As he chewed on, Sofia slightly pouted, seeing her favourite treat being dissed a little, but Luke passed over a part of his own for her.

"Mine was blueberry, so I'm afraid it's nothing special."

"That's totally fine."

Sofia smiled warmly again, feeling like things had turned for the better again.

This day might just turn out very nicely indeed...