Her focus was firmly on the space between their fingers and his beating heart. When was the last time she walked with anyone holding hands like this? To lead a human to drink, yes. But this was something else. It felt like something else. Something familiar. There was a strange sort of shyness deep within her, like some foolish schoolgirl. The feeling was pushed deeper as she called upon the mischevious smiles that before so easily painted her features. She did so detest feeling weak and fluttery like a child. Eyes hardened, lips curled.
Better.
The empty gallery went by in a blur as they traveled through it, ignoring the five-minute warning announced overhead. There was an excitement swirling within her, pushing against her attempts at Being the hardened seductress. The juxtaposition highlighted the illusion, making it more difficult to convince herself of.
What was the point of it all?
They finally came to a stop at the shell. When he glanced at her she smiled with approval, placed hastily over the mixed thoughtful expression she had been fighting with. It was an impressive structure, and as she wondered if he intended to go inside he ducked in. She laughed quietly through her nose and allowed herself to be guided by his hand, feeling somewhat awkward as if bending were an unfamiliar action. His heartbeat seemed louder to her now, insulated by the close-quarters of the shell walls. She watched him sit as he released her hand and immediately she scolded herself for missing it. The bench was small. She snaked an arm around the back of him as she sat, holding her hand delicately against him. It was more comfortable than awkwardly trying to keep their arms side by side, even if it increased the feeling of intimacy. The thrill of novelty mixed with a bitter pang of regret--though she could not place why.
This was like some personal joke to her, after sleeping beneath the ocean, to share a shell with this delicious human. She was caught between feeling like it was humorously poetic and sad.
The overhead music switched off. She could hear staff walking about the gallery, checking for trash and stragglers. One came close to where the two were sitting, but didn't bother checking the shell to see. With rhythmic clicking, the main lights were switched off save for the few kept on for security. It cast a dull glow about the gallery, further diffused by the structure of the shell. It was then that she noticed a hole at the top, almost directly overhead. It cast a dim spotlight on the floor in front of their feet.
The opening, then closing, of the front door followed by the jingle of keys in the lock signaled that they were finally alone. This sent another little thrill through her.
"Got a cigarette?" she asked quietly with a smile.
