Heart to Heart

"I ask again. What's with the get up? I knew you liked weird things but since when have you started going out like this?" He crosses his arms.

"Tell me why you are hitting on random people." I ask folding my arms.

"It's for the safety of the community for me to stiff out the riff raff." He says proudly.

"Uh huh." I turn to leave.

"Wait! I told you! Now you tell me!" He walks beside me.

"I never agreed to anything." I said head low.

"But!" He recalls the words I said. "Dang I guess you didn't agree to anything. Crafty kitty."

"Don't call me that."

"It's going to have to be your new nickname." A smile danced on his lips. "Tell me why and I will keep this all a secret."

I knew coming out like this was a bad idea. And I did it. All with false hope that I could get extra candy and not look like a big softy. Or someone with a real bad sweet tooth. I wanted to hide that part of me.

I hear James sigh.

"You know it's alright to like Halloween more than other people." He glances over at me. "You had me fooled you were a Meif'wa for a minute."

"That was your second brain thinking." I try stabbing my words at him.

"Ouch. You do realize Aba does employ me to patrol the streets right? And Meif'wa are crafty with their thieving." He defends himself.

"If you're truly employed. Then.." I do a round house kick toward his head.

With ease he grabs my ankle to stop my kick. He starts to chuckle as I yank my leg away. Well that confirms we both can use force on another person inside the barrier.

"Don't think you can beat me up and get away."

"It's worth a shot." I say. Going for a jab that he dodges.

I throw a few weak kicks at him. Just to keep him moving. Trying to position him to where I could land a heavy hit.

"So what if you want to be a little kid on Halloween?" James question throws me off and he moves from where I could land a hit.

He side steps me and flicks my hood off my head.

"Hey!" I growl baring my teeth.

"Feisty kitty. Me-ow." He pretends to scratch the air with one hand.

That's it. No more holding back.

I start throwing punches that land one after another. He doesn't punch back but blocks where he can.

He grabs my wrist and pulls me in close. And wraps me in his arms so I can't punch him anymore. The street light is a bit away but I can still see his gentle smile and tempting eyes looking at me.

"How you did your makeup tells me this isn't the first time you have painted your face like this. You do look good tonight." James says as smooth as honey.

It's worth a shot but I'm going to have to use my secret weapon. I place my hands on his sides and continue making eye contact with him. Then I begin tickling him. 

He busts out laughing and releases me.

"And how many girls have you used that line on?" I ask. Even though I don't want an answer from this idiot. Did I just think his answer would hurt my feelings? I can't have feelings for him.

I squat and swing my leg around to knock his ankles out. He jumps enough to be missed and lands in a squat and takes my feet out. I land on my hurt tail bone. 

I wince.

When I open my eyes from the blink he is kneeling beside me with his hand reaching for the side of my face.

"I'm fine." I knock his hand away.

"That fall shouldn't have hurt that bad." James looks at me with concern.

"I just... fell earlier is all." I reply embarrassed. I go to get up.

He scoops me up into his arms.

"What?! What are you doing?!" I frantically look around for on lookers. None.

"Calm down. You're making this difficult." I try to squirm out of his grip but give up. His arms are stronger than they look.

"I can't." I say looking away from him. Hiding tears welling in my eyes.

"Can't what? Stop squirming from being carried by the hottest Batchelor in town?" I don't need to look to know he is giving his best smile.

"Or...." his voice is sincere this time. "You want to keep your image of a strong protector of this town. And prancing around in costumes and foaming at the mouth over sugar doesn't depict a strong protector in your eyes."

How did he? Men are normally clueless.

"To be honest if I had a quest to fight someone foaming at the mouth over sugar that dresses in funny outfits I would be terrified." He shrugs. 

There it is! He ruined the moment. My tears dry. This idiot.

Two golden scrolls land on my stomach.

I grab them both as he places my feet on the ground. I hand the one with his name on it to him.

I open mine.

Hazel,

Your display of behavior was unacceptable tonight.

Violating rule 2 of guardian of the town "thou shall not use force on another for personal gain" you shall be sentenced to training in hand to hand combat with James tonight at the training grounds.

What?

No, you will not change your outfit as part of the punishment. It is evident that you have relied too long on your bow and forgot basic training of subduing an assailant. Report immediately.

Aba 

He saw everything. As always. My scroll bursts into flames and disappears with all my dignity following it.

"Looks like you're stuck with me." James says with the biggest smile.

"Yippee." I say sarcastically.