The Queen's Back

After Ava went upstairs, Joseph took a careful look around the living room where she lived.

The space was simply decorated, mostly in shades of white. After surveying it, he sat down on the couch and waited for Ava to return.

He touched his cheek absentmindedly; it was bleeding slightly-Bud had hit him hard.

But he thought it was worth it since Ava had brought him here.

When Ava came down with a first-aid kit, she noticed the corners of Joseph's mouth lifting into a small smile.

The sight made her guilt deepen just a bit more, and she hurried over to him.

"I'm so sorry. I don't know why he snapped like that, making you take a punch for nothing," she said apologetically, opening the first-aid kit and sitting beside him.

"What are you apologizing for? I took the punch, but I gave one back, too," Joseph replied, frowning slightly.

He didn't like it when Ava apologized to him. It made him feel like she was aligned with Bud, leaving him on the outside.

But Ava was his girlfriend, not Bud's.

"Alright, alright-keep still and lower your head so I can treat it," Ava said, dipping a cotton swab into antiseptic. She reached for his cheek.

Joseph tilted his face towards her hand as instructed.

They were sitting close, and Joseph could smell the fresh, clean scent that seemed to cling to her.

His heart sped up just a bit.

Ava dabbed the cotton swab on his injured cheek.

Perhaps it was because it was Ava's first time doing that, so it seemed she wasn't used to treating wounds gently. Joseph couldn't help but hiss in pain and leaned back a little. Seeing his reaction, Ava quickly apologized and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was being rough."

overreacted,"

and soon she was

and a brief thought about Bud's injury

it, though. There was no use worrying about someone who had other people to take care of him. "Alright," she said, looking at the band-aid on Joseph's cheek. "But that band-aid

face look a bit less polished. "So,

her head. "What would I mind? It's nothing. Do you want some water? I'll go get you a

her a little uncomfortable. Seeing Ava trying to get up, Joseph

wrapped around Ava's waist, and his chin rested on the inside of her neck. "Don't move. I want to hug you," he said

warmth of his breath against her neck

their extraordinarily intimate proximity. Her hands were tangled together, unsure of where to go. After a few moments, Ava couldn't help but say,

to get up. This position

released his grip on her waist, his lips brushing

quickly got up from Joseph's lap

spoke, and the living room fell into an extraordinary

a few

sitting in the corner and realized he had been acting a bit edgy today. After instructing her to close the

walked him to the

from holding hers. She urged him, "It's getting late. You should go home now!" "Well, give me a hug, Ava," Joseph replied, gently wrapping his arms

curly and felt

hug was over,

the crew tomorrow, so we won't have much time to see each

by when I can," Ava

country and was looking for work. Making money was one thing, but passing the time felt more pressing, and she just felt so bored when

car, Bud dropped the cigarette from his hand and opened the

hesitation, he picked up his

had just begun to realize that he was in love with Ava, but after seeing her so close with another man tonight, he understood

wanted to follow