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,"

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

a brief thought about Bud's injury crossed

someone who had other people to take care of him. "Alright," she said, looking at the band-aid on Joseph's

face look a bit less polished. "So, do you mind?" he asked

I mind? It's nothing. Do you

she noticed Joseph's face was too close to hers. The warmth of his breath brushed against her, making her a little uncomfortable. Seeing Ava trying to get up, Joseph grasped her hand firmly, causing her to fall onto his lap. Her face

around Ava's waist, and his chin rested on the inside of her neck.

he spoke, the warmth of his breath against her neck

extraordinarily intimate proximity. Her hands were tangled together, unsure of where to go. After a

get up. This position felt

this, Joseph reluctantly released his grip on her waist, his lips

as she was free, Ava quickly got up from Joseph's lap and sat to the side, a

spoke, and the living room fell into an extraordinary silence.

a few

he had been acting a bit edgy today. After instructing her to close the

of politeness, Ava walked him

time, his hand still warm from holding hers. She urged him, "It's getting late. You should go home now!" "Well,

slightly curly and felt nice to

the hug was

much time to see each other. If you have time,

come by when I

for work. Making money was one thing, but passing the time felt more

cigarette from his hand and opened the window

up

with another man tonight, he understood his feelings had

wanted to follow