The waitress bowed to them as Mila pulled Isabel into a restaurant and then further into a small private room she had reserved.

It was still awkward. Mila could count on one hand how many sentences they had exchanged on the way here.

Four. That’s how many. Mila wanted to scream. This certainly wasn’t how she had planned the day to go.

But not all was lost. Mila pushed a loose lock away from her face. Her bun had suffered when Isabel had…

No, no, no. Mila cleared her mind. This wasn’t the time.

At least the room was up to what Mila had paid for beforehand. She had spent the whole morning running around to ensure everything was in order.

A wide window let in the light to the addition of the ten candles sprinkled throughout the room. Bright flower arrangements on one side brought life to the room, and a painting of a mountain made it feel larger.

And a moment later, the waitress entered the room, bringing them what the place’s Chef had recommended to Mila earlier. He had reassured it would be up to the taste of her partner.

It repeated a few more times until the table was covered in various garishly decorated foods. It was not the usual etiquette to have all the dishes brought at the same time, but Mila didn’t want anyone to interrupt until they were done.

After all, Mila had chosen this place to talk about the most pressing issue with Isabel. Truthfully, she had wanted to walk some more around the city, to show some selected spots to her girl, but due to the… Circumstances, the plan had to be changed.

Mila watched Isabel, still adorned by the neverending blush, fidget as she stole glances.

After an embarrassingly long moment, Mila managed to speak. “Only the best for you, Isabel.”

It was… Not perfect. Mila had wanted to tone down on her mushy lines, but they just kept coming. As it was, it worried her greatly.

Well, it could have been worse. Mila could have said - “I searched the whole city for a place that suited you, but alas, I failed. Nothing came close to the grace and pose you possess. So here we are, in a room decorated as best as this lowly realm could manage. I know it's not much for an angel like you. You deserve so much more! So do forgive for my failings.” She bowed her head.

After a moment of silence, Mila groaned. “I didn’t mean to say that aloud.”

Isabel laughed. Her clear laughter was music to Mila’s ears. “That was so long.” She giggled.

“Ahaha, yes, it was!” Mila was happy to nod along. She just had to push forward. It never failed.

Okay, it sometimes did. It definitely had just earlier. Mila was going to ignore that time.

“This does look like a fancy place.” Isabel picked up a fork and poked one of the bowls full of vegetables cut into shapes of flowers.

“As it should be.” Mila joined Isabel in searching through the dishes and picking some of everything. Her ramblings had helped with loosening the mood.

“How did you afford this anyway?” Isabel picked up a colourful piece of meat dripping with juices. “It seems expensive.”

“It wasn’t that bad.” Mila chose another dish to dig through. It was some kind of fish.

“Is this gold?” Isabel dangled another piece of meat that shined golden.

“Uh, I don’t know?” Had Mila ordered anything like that? She had dropped a bunch of coins she took from Silinth in front of the chef and told him to do his best. So maybe? “It couldn’t be.” She said instead.

“Okay,” Isabel placed the piece back where it was before. “I don’t think I want to find out by trying.”

“Oh, but this could be interesting.” Mila took the piece to herself and cut into it. This would serve as a great distraction. Isabel was almost back to how she usually was.

Her tongue would have to be the sacrifice. It had sinned enough today. Mila and Isabel both studied the cut before she put it into her mouth. After a couple of chews, she had made her decision.

“It certainly looks pretty. But the contents could be better.” Mila gave her opinion.

“Okay, how about this one?” Isabel pointed at a pink fruit that smelled sickly sweet.

“I guess I can give it a try?” Mila stabbed the pink treat and put it in her mouth. Despite its smell, it was sour.

“That bad?” Isabel looked at Mila with surprise.

“No, it just did not agree with my tongue. It is a bit too acidic for my taste.”

“Huh, interesting.” Isabel decided to try the fruit as well. Her face contorted in a grimace. “So sour! Okay, now try this one!” She encouraged Mila and picked one of the three drinks that looked like water but smelt like pine.

“I-” Mila wanted to steer the conversation to something more romantic. The candlelight mixing with the stray beams of the sun certainly fit the mood. As did the slight smell of food and flowers. “Sure.” But She couldn’t deny Isabel’s request and resigned to her fate.

And what a fate it was. It seemed that Isabel was brimming with curiosity. Mila tried more and more of the eclectic selection the restaurant offered.

The chef had outdone himself. Even after an hour of testing, Mila still had a few foods she had not tried.

And it was fun. When Mila or Isabel stumbled upon something confounding, unexpected or with a strong taste, they made sure to share it with each other.

Mila’s mood continuously improved. It wasn’t what she had imagined, but Isabel’s smile was what she had aimed for.

And Isabel smiled so widely. Her cute laughter echoed through the room, making Mila’s heart resonate along. Their conversations were airy and arrived and left like a breeze. There was no specific topic.

They talked about the food, Isabel’s friends and Tiff’s troubles with Kefo. Most of the time, Mila was content to listen to her girl’s experiences.

And when they had tried it all, and the candles started to burn out, Mila was satisfied. She smiled as Isabel excitedly told her about Andrew’s wolf scaring him and Mr Crow by barking.

It was a little saddening that Mila had not been there to share this particular memory. But Isabel did her best to retell it fully.

Besides, they had this one, and no one else would have it. Mila’s smile widened further.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“What?” Isabel finally could not take it. “What is it? Is there something on my face?” She tried to clean her cheek.

“Not at all. I am just mesmerised by your beauty.”

“Ah, um, you too.” Isabel tried to return the compliment. “I mean, you are beautiful.”

“And not my dress?” Mila extended her foot and brushed it against Isabel’s.

Isabel jumped. “Uh, um, no, I meant you.”

“So you learned.” Mila contemplated if she should continue. Her toes glided up Isabel’s lower leg. But this time, she did stop before it could devolve into another bout of unrestrained abandonment of common sense.

“I-I did?” Isabel innocently tilted her head before a metaphorical lightbulb went off above her head. “Oh, that!” She squeaked. “What even was that?” Her whisper barely carried her voice.

Mila sighed. “I want to say a mistake, but-” Her mind wandered. “But it didn’t feel like one.” The tingling feeling she had felt earlier returned, albeit to a manageable level.

“No shit.” Isabel agreed with a murmur.

“But it begs a question.” Mila pushed her horniness to the side and raised the main topic. “What are we to each other?”

“Uh, um, that is-” Isabel stumbled. She appeared to grow more and more nervous by the second. “That is a good question.”

“And that is not an answer.” Mila slightly shook her head. “Ever since the day I-” She paused. There was no need to avoid it. “Ever since the day I forced out the confession from both of us, I have been thinking.”

“Oh, um, Mila,” Isabel interrupted. “I wanted to say something about that.”

Mila let Isabel continue, wondering what it was.

“I- I mean, I am not very brave.” Isabel tried. “At least not when it comes to all of this.” She gesticulated, implying it was the relationships with Mila she meant. “So, thank you.” She bowed her head. “Thank you for… Well, for being you.”

Mila saw the sadness flashing on Isabel’s face when she spoke of her courage. She wanted to ask who had harmed her so much. She wanted to hurt that person for inflicting suffering on Isabel. Her mind searched for comforting words.

Instead of speaking, Mila got up from her seat, walked around the table and slid into Isabel’s arms, sitting down on her lap. She snuggled against her girl’s chest and looked up, meeting her love’s eyes.

And Mila still did not speak. She raised her arm and gently started fixing some stray strands of hair sticking to Isabel’s face.

“Thank you.” Isabel wrapped her hands around Mila and nestled against her bun.

Mila waited, but it didn’t appear Isabel would tell her more. She shifted deeper into Isabel’s lap and listened to the girl's heartbeat.

“Anyway!” Isabel finally gathered herself enough to continue. “This is strange. I should be the one giving you the emotional support.”

“Thank you, but I am quite alright. I am rather worried about you.”

“I am fine.” Isabel cuddled some more, enjoying Mila’s warmth. “I am fine now.”

“You’ll have to talk about it someday. And I’ll be there to listen.” Mila sagely noted.

That got a chuckle out of Isabel. “Ah, I see. Well, okay, that can work, I guess.” She supposed. “And the same to you. You can always talk to me, and I’ll listen.”

“Now, that is something that I’ll capitalise on right now.” Mila pushed herself away from the inviting warmth and looked up to meet Isabel’s gaze once more. “I do have something to say.”

Isabel started fidgeting once more. “Uh, okay, you can do that. I think I am ready.” She nodded.

But when Mila opened her mouth, Isabel interrupted her.

“No, wait! Give me another second.” Isabel took a deep breath. Then another. “Okay, go on. Wait! No, it’s fine.” She grew nervous again.

“Isabel, you are making it tough for me.” Mila found this nervousness contagious. “Please calm down for a minute.”

“I am trying, okay!” Isabel shot back. “I am pretty sure I know what you are going to say, so I just need to prepare my heart, okay? Okay! I am ready.” She stiffly moved back and rested her hands on Mila’s midriff.

Mila looked at Isabel with suspicion while calming her racing heart. “I am going to say it now.” She waited for Isabel to nod. “You can open your eyes.”

“Oh!” Isabel opened them, her brown orbs peering into Mila’s green. “You have pretty eyes.” She blurted out.

“Isabel!” Mila covered her face with her palms. “Please, I am serious!”

“It was an accident, okay!” Isabel tried to defend herself. “And I don’t want to hear anything about inappropriate timing from you!”

Mila didn’t acknowledge the accusation. She peeked between her fingers at Isabel. “I am saying it.” Her arms moved away and sought out Isabel’s.

She pulled Isabel’s arms away from her body, holding them between them and intertwined their fingers. Mila took a breath, letting their digits become inseparable. She squeezed Isabel’s palms, feeling how sweaty both of them were.

“Isabel,” Mila started. “The day we confessed to each other, I was elated. I could hardly believe it was the reality.” Isabel sighed in happiness, reminiscing about the day.

Mila smiled. “And I saw how delighted you were as well. But as the days went by, I realised - it took more than a confession to move to the next step. The bond we shared became something precious and intimate, but also unclear as we did not speak of what we wanted.”

“So today,” Mila squeezed Isabel’s hands tighter. “Today, I want us to make it clear. On my side, I want to keep being with you. Share everything I have with you. I want to spend my life with you. I want us to move forward as lovers.”

Isabel gasped. “... A proposal?” A whisper broke past her lips.

“What?” Mila blinked.

“What?” Isabel returned the blink.

“What?”

“It wasn’t?” Isabel suddenly started to squirm. “No, I mean, you were so serious about it. I, uh, sorry? I didn’t think-” She babbled. “I mean, you started to speak about a lifetime together and I-”

Mila started to flounder as well. “It wasn’t that! No! I mean, it wasn’t ‘wasn’t’ that! It’s too soon! That comes next!”

“Yes, yes, that’s right!” Isabel nodded along. “It’s too soon…” She stopped before squirming even more and trying to free her hands to cover her blush. “What next? Mila, you dummy!”

“Okay, let us calm down!” Mila held onto Isabel’s hands. Isabel looked so cute at this moment.

“How can I!” Isabel struggled even more. “Dummy! You are a dummy!”

“No, no! I wanted us to start dating before doing anything else!” Mila could not turn away her gaze from her love's embarrassed face.

“Stupid Mila! Make it clear before you start spouting your stupid pickup lines! How can a girl not misunderstand!” Isabel complained.

“Isabel!”

“What even is this? Forever? Of course, there is no way I would say no! But it’s too fast! Think before speaking, you dummy!”

“Isabel!”

“Uh, oh?”

“Is that a yes?” Mila tried to hold Isabel still. “Are we a thing now? Are we dating?”

Isabel’s face flushed to an incredible degree, and she finally responded. “Of course, yes!”

“Great!” Mila felt her heart about to burst with happiness. “I am so glad!”

“Me too.” A tear rolled down Isabel’s cheek. “I am so happy!”

Mila leaned closer. She moved their hands out of the way, shifting closer to Isabel.

But Mila’s girlfriend didn’t get it. She kept shedding tears of happiness, not noticing Mila’s suggestive move.

It was so silly. Mila moved even closer, their bodies pressing together, and she raised her chin. “Shall we?” She let go of Isabel’s hands and wrapped hers around her girlfriend's neck.

“Yes…” Isabel finally noticed and inclined her head, moving her lips closer to Mila’s.

Their lips met halfway, gently pressing together. Mila felt her mind go blank. It was so much more than she had imagined. Her breathing hitched, and relief filled her body.

The softness left an unforgettable mark on Mila’s mind. Isabel’s light breath on her lips tickled, and the happiness overflowed.

It was unclear who laughed first, but the very next moment, both girls started to giggle. Their joy mixed together as they hugged each other.

Mila licked her lips. Her first kiss had been salty.