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Smooch, smooch, smooch.
Well, this was certainly overwhelming. Scarlet squirmed in Chase’s grasp, the feeling of being kissed repeatedly was ticklish. She was also growing flustered by the amount of attention he was giving.
His kisses trailed to anywhere he could reach. Her shoulder, neck, cheek, nose, forehead, they were all being attacked by Chase’s lips.
He thought it was cute— adorable, even. Someone as badass and ruthless as Scarlet turned to absolute putty in his hands. His hands. His and no one else’s, the thought made him giddy.
Chase thought back to Liam. When they first met, a strange feeling overtook him when he saw Liam and Scarlet bonding. It was silly, Scarlet is her own person, she’s allowed to talk and befriend other people.
Then Brook came along. When Brook joined their side they would see him practically everyday. Brook and Scarlet…although they bantered, they still get along really well.
It’s not like he expected Scarlet to only ever pay attention to him. Though he had to admit he did feel…possessive during those incidents. Almost like he wanted to butt in and at least wrap an arm around Scarlet, as if to say, ‘She’s off limits.’ Which is so stupid to him considering they weren’t even together at the time.
Chase was pulled by his fit of jealous thoughts when he felt Scarlet squirm even more. Turns out while he was silently fuming to himself, his kisses got more and more harsh.
Scarlet was thrashing around in his lap, doing all sorts of twists and turns in an effort to create a brief moment of distance.
“Stop.” Scarlet murmured, there was no venom or aggression behind her words. She had one of her hands on his arms that were looped around her waist, and her face was turned away from him.
The attention was becoming increasingly overwhelming on Scarlet’s end.
“Sorry, sorry.” His voice was sincere. He buried his face in the crook of Scarlet’s neck. There was a pause where neither moved nor said a word. Then Scarlet felt it, a light kiss on her neck.
“Chase.”
“I know I’ve kissed you several times now, but I can I just do, like, a few more?”
“….Sure.” He trailed several small kisses from her neck all the way up to her cheek, he then planted a firm kiss right there, her cheek felt very warm. He wanted to continue like he was doing before, but he did say a few more, and that was a few. Besides, Scarlet looked like she couldn’t handle much more anyway.
Chase chuckled, “You know….I really do love you.” He lifted an arm to rake his fingers through Scarlet’s hair.
She didn’t respond. She still wasn’t facing him either.
“Scarlet?”
“Hm?”
“…You okay?” His eyebrows furrowed down. Had he pushed her beyond her comfort zone? God he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he ended up pushing her limits and made her uncomfortable. He was so fucking selfish, why didn’t he just stop?—
“I’m fine.” Her voice was hushed.
He held her more firmly, “….You sure? I didn’t cross any lines, did I?” His words came out rushed the more he spoke. “If I ever do, you can just tell me to piss off, I’ll understand.”
“….It’s not that.” Scarlet turned to look at him. Although, she was technically actually looking down at his shirt.
“You just—….” Her bottom lip twitched as she struggled to make sense of what she’s trying to say, “Y-you’re close.” She squeaked.
“Close?” Did she want him to stop being physically next to her?
“N-not close. You’re…fuck dammit..” Scarlet held her face in her hands. Her eyes were now squeezed shut and her eyebrow knitted together in annoyance at her own incapability to express herself.
She dropped her hand and let out a huff, focusing her gaze over to the wall, “I’m just embarrassed by your affection or something.” She brought a hand up to gesture, “L-like, I-I don’t know. It’s not that I hate it…it’s just—..it’s new?”
Chase grasped the situation now. He put himself in Scarlet’s position and acknowledged how she possible felt right now. It’s not like she’s had any previous relationships, or like she’s had a chance to catch feelings or have a crush on more than one person. Chase is her first experience at all of that.
Chase smiled understandingly, his expression completely soft and full of pure love, “I get that.” He brushed a lock of her, newly long, hair behind her ear.
“Let me know when what I do becomes too much. I might not always recognize how strong I can come off.” A memory flashed through his mind. His smile faltered, “I guess I just get too excited……I just have a desire to shower you in endless love.” He averted his gaze, his cheeks heated at his own choice of words.
Scarlet also flushed at Chase’s confession. “…..I want the same for you too, Chase.” She leaned back, resting the back of her head against Chase’s chest.
She looked up at him from that position. Chase looked down at her and chuckled at her endearing antics and honesty. He brushed back her bangs with both hands, “I know.” He planted a soft kiss on her forehead, her face scrunching at the warm action.
Although Chase is still wearing his warm and loving expression, something felt off.
“Now it’s my turn to ask, are you okay?” Scarlet reached one hand up and placed the back of it gently against Chase’s cheek.
His face slowly dropped with each passing second. “No, I guess I’m not.” He exhaled through his nose.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Scarlet whispered. With her head still reeled back, she pressed a kiss to the underside of Chase’s chin in an attempt to comfort him.
“……..It’s about my ex. From college.”
Scarlet visibly froze. She swallowed dryly, “….Your ex?”
Chase hugged Scarlet, leaning over to bury his face in her neck again. Scarlet brought a hand up to rest in his hair.
“Just a bit ago…..I suddenly remembered her.” He nuzzled into Scarlet. “I was wondering why I get so excited with giving you affection, and I—….I think it’s because my ex never even gave me a chance.”
Scarlet frowned. She recalled when Chase told her about his ex. They relationship they were in was nothing short of toxic and abusive. For fucks sake, the woman would openly hit him in public!
Scarlet twisted around until she was at an angle where she could comfortably hug him. She rested her chin on top of his shoulder and grazed her fingers repeatedly up and down his back.
They stayed like that for a few minutes, Chase draped over Scarlet and Scarlet embracing Chase.
“..I love you too.”
Chase lifted his head, “Hm?” Even though he’s heard Scarlet say that phrase many times now, he’ll still never not enjoy it.
“Earlier. You said you love me. I realize now I never said it back.”
A smile tugged at his lips. The fact that she felt the need to say it back after he says it…fuck, that sent him over the moon.
He pulled away from the hug and cupped Scarlet’s face. Then, very delicately, placed their foreheads together. Chase closed his eyes, wanting to soak in the warm fuzzy feeling that he was currently experiencing.
Right now, this is everything to him.
Scarlet is everything to him, and his going to make sure she knows that for as long as they’re together.