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," Joseph

the first attempt, Ava lightened her touch, and soon she was placing

band-aid, and a brief

care of him. "Alright," she said,

now the band-aid made his face look a bit less polished. "So, do

It's nothing. Do

her a little uncomfortable. Seeing Ava trying

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

he spoke, the warmth of his breath against her neck

hands were tangled together, unsure of where to

position felt too

on her waist, his lips brushing against her neck in the

from Joseph's lap and sat

spoke, and the living room fell into an

a few

acting a bit edgy today. After instructing her to close

Ava walked him to

they arrived, Joseph didn't say anything for a long time, his hand still warm from holding hers. She urged him, "It's getting late. You should go home now!" "Well, give me a hug, Ava," Joseph replied,

curly and felt nice to

hug was over,

much time to see each other. If you

try to come by when I can,"

one thing, but passing

the car, Bud dropped the cigarette from his

up his cell phone and dialed

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

wanted to