Smooth as a candied apple

After an hour of sharing food I am finally stuffed.

"I can't eat anymore." Says James.

"Me either. But I'm so happy. I got to try everything I wanted to this year." I tilt my head to the side to look at James and smile. "Thank you for helping with that."

"My pleasure." He smiles back.

I straighten up. "You still are dorky in that costume." I can't help but laugh.

"I'm fine with that. It got your attention, Fiesty kitty." He laughs too.

"Hey!" I whack him with my tail and we both laugh.

"I'm going to go to the bathroom real quick." I say dashing off to the Cafe.

My heart is fluttering. I'm light on my toes. I think I have fallen for him. I really shouldn't have judged him before spending more time with him. He is pretty funny. Along with he is strong. The flashbacks of training and seeing his muscles ripple under his shirt sends shivers down my spine.

I slap my face. Enough! I need to get back to him before I day dream the night away.

I race on back. He is holding a coffee.

"Here I got you something." He says handing the coffee to me.

"Awwww thank you!" Thmp! Thmp! Be still my heart you're going to come out of my chest at that rate.

"Anywhere you want to go?" James asks looking over at me.

"Not that I can think of. You're probably ready for that costume to come off aren't you?" I say tilting my head.

"Yea I am. Do you need to be back at a specific time for your trainee?"

"I told her midnight so I should probably be there around then so I know if she is safe. Want to go to your place quick so you can get that fluff put away?" I sip on my coffee. Oooo he got me a pumpkin latte.

"That would be nice." He says.

We take off to his place. Walking down the dimly lit streets with the leaves crunching beneath our feet. Talking about what we enjoyed about the night.

He told me how he liked my face lighting up when we would try different foods or when I saw a well put together costume.

I thanked him for the werewolf experience. And let him know his humor is enjoyable. Dorky but enjoyable.

Once in his house we take our boots off and go to the living room. His place got cleaner and has stayed clean after my first visit here.

"Oh before this comes off." James says as he pulls out a nicely wrapped candied apple from his feathered costume.

"When did you?" I ask. How did?

"I noticed you eyeing this part of the night. So when you went to the bathroom I got you this too." He gets close to me while holding the apple close to his chest. In his low smooth voice. "Hazel, will you be my girl?"

My body reacted before I could fully comprehend what he asked. I jump and wrap my arms around around his neck.

"That sounds fun." I whisper to him.

He wraps his arms around me, lifts me up and spins me around his living room. Avoiding the couch, coffee table and chair.

"I'm so happy I could kiss you." He sets me down and looks into my eyes.

I get on my toes.

"I'm not stopping you." I whisper.

He leans in for the kiss. Then it hits me. I'm not very good at this! He was gentle while we kissed. He leans back a little then brushes my hair back with his hand.

Looking at him in the pink feathers caused me to laugh. And I couldn't stop. It could be from me being overjoyed he likes me. I feel horrible for laughing but gosh does he looks funny.

"What's so funny?" He begs for an answer.

"Let's get that costume off. I just can't right now." I say as I continue to laugh.

I help him out of his costume. My laughing slowed to a stop.

"I'm sorry. I'm just... really happy right now." I say sitting on the floor next to him. I have the candied apple twirling in my hand. Watching the glaze shimmer in the dim light the lamps gave off.

"Your ears and tail give that away you know." He pulls me in and kisses the top of my head. 

I have been wearing the ears and tail so much they have become second nature. 

"It's going to be sad putting these up for a year." I say bringing the tail around. I make it twitch while it lays on the floor.

"You want to keep them here? When you visit you can put them on. It'll be our secret." He smiles.

"I'm trying to figure out if that's romantic or your creepy fetishist talking." I give him a concerned face.

He slumps. "I try being nice because you like them. Then this is what I get?" He gives me a defeated look.

"You know I'm teasing. Keeping them here sounds fun." I lean in for a kiss. The midnight bells toll as he gives me a kiss.

"Looks like my princess is going to be running off." James chuckles leaning his forehead against mine.

"Looks like it." I smirk.

"Can I walk you home?" He asks.

"I would like that." I tell him.

Leaving my tail and ears behind we get our boots on. Then out his front door we go.

"Care for a late night jog?" I ask.

"Are you able to keep up?" He says taking off.

"You little!" I chase off after him though the streets. Both poking fun and laughing with each other.

We get to my house fifteen minutes after midnight. All the lights are on, some windows open with the smoke alarm is going off. And I see three "fairies" and a Samantha running around the house.

"Ummm." James looks at my house. "Will you need help?"

"Nah scary Hazel is about to come out. It's probably best you leave." I sigh.

"If you say so. Let me leave you with something though." He says in a low quiet voice standing beside me.

I have the candied apple what else could? He interrupts my thoughts with a kiss. He pulls my chin up and kisses me gently.

He then slips into the shadows as Samantha pops her head through the living room window.

"Hazel! We got rid of the ghost!" She sounds so proud of herself.

What?