CHAPTER 23 — LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU

He held her hand and tucked it into the hoodie pocket he had changed into. Seth was things around the house while they sat on the sofa, watching him. "Shouldn't we help out or something?"

He shook his head. "There is something else I need to do."

She adjusted her seating position and rested her on his shoulder. "What's that?"

He raised her head a little and kissed her lips, reminding her of the taste she loved.

"I liked that." She said once he broke the kiss. "You did?"

She nodded and he gave her hand a squeeze. "You're home now."

"I was always home." He looked confused for a bit, and she added. "I was always home with you."

He smiled at that, and Seth came into the room and sat on the adjacent sofa. "So." He said, leaning and placing his hands on his laps and clasping his palms together. "I was just going to pretend....and act like I don’t think there is something suspicious about the both of you, but after that steamy kiss scene I just witnessed, and that hand still tucked In that hoodie...." He let his voice trail as he searched his trouser pocket and brought out an imaginary mic. "One of you, please do me the honor of taking this mic and explaining yourselves."

Dale laughed and smacked his shoulder. "Go away, Seth. You're hearing nothing."

Seth pouted. "Dale, no. You can't do this to me. It's me...Seth. Your one and only." Dale rolled his eyes and pushed him away playfully, as Elsa watched, amusement dancing in her eyes.

"My dear lady," Seth said, turning to her. "What's between you two? Please tell me." He blinked a few times.

"I love him." She said it like she would say something she had rehearsed over and over. Like it was a universal truth. Just like the colour of the sky, or the setting of the sun. Dale gave a bashful smile.

"I love you, too." Seth made an exaggerated oh my God face "How did it happen?" He asked, after recovering from his shock.

Dale stood, pulling Elsa along with him. "Seth, cook and stop being nosy."

Seth followed. "Please, please, please, just tell me."

Dale flicked his nose. "Ow!"

"There. Now go away."

Seth dropped his shoulders in and exaggerated sad posture and walked away, looking back once in a while to make sure they both knew he was sad.

"Go." Dale mouthed and he gave a humph sound before stomping out. "He's totally childish."

Elsa nodded. "Its cute."

Dale stopped in his tracks, folded his hands, and turned to look at her. "You find Seth cute."

She nodded. "He's cute. Can’t you see?"

His eyes thinned and she raised a brow. "What?"

He shrugged. "Nah…I just can't remember you ever calling me cute. But you know what? It’s fine. It’s fine. Maybe I am not cute." He started to walk away when she held his arm.

"You're jealous."

"Jealous? Me? Of Seth? Because you called Seth cute?" He laughed, showing his teeth. "Well, yes." A serious expression took over his face.

She laughed and shook her head, as she watched his seriousness melt into a pout. Before he could blink, he was in a room. When he looked around, he found it was his own room. Elsa was in front of him, her face in front of his, her breath tickling his face. "Don’t worry. I went to where your scent's the strongest."

He nodded and swallowed, his concentration wavering. He was finding it harder to concentrate as she pushed herself closer.

"Elsa…."

"Dale...." Her expression was serious as she kissed the side of his face. "I find him cute, you're perfect." She kissed the other side. "Just perfect." She kissed his eyes. "I love your eyes." She kissed his cheeks. "I love these too. "She kissed his nose. "And your beautiful straight nose." She kissed his lips. "Your lips drive me crazy." He pulled her back and continued kissing her, but she pulled away and kissed his neck. "I love your neck too." She kissed his shoulders "your shoulders too." She took his wrist and kissed his palms. "I love your hands."

She then wrapped his arms around her hips and started to sway to a beat only she could hear. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him closer, and he joined in her slow music less dance.

"What are we dancing to, again?" He asked, his fingers intertwined with hers. She smiled and pointed a single finger to his chest.

"We are dancing to the beat of your heart." She stopped and thought for a while.

"They say when two people in love look into each other's eyes, their heartbeats are synchronized." She looked up and met his eyes. "So, we can as well, say, we are dancing to the beat of our hearts." She finished and he pecked her cheek.

"And who is the cutest in the room?" She pointed to herself. "It's me. I am the cutest."

He laughed and flicked her nose gently. "Yes, my darling. You are the cutest."

Her expression turned serious as she stepped closer, licking her lips. He looked down at her, his face carrying a humored yet confused expression. "What do you want?"

She smacked her lips. "Meat. I am hungry."

"Meat." He repeated and she nodded, her eyes wide.

"Yes, meat. I am hungry."

He laughed and pulled her. "I'll cook some for you, then.

"I can eat them raw, you know." He broke into laughter and shook his head.

"Seth would die on his feet seeing you eat raw meat. It would be really weird, Elsa. Wait while I cook some for you."

She nodded. "Fine, then." She walked ahead of him, closed the door, folded her arms, and raised a brow. "It’s me or Seth. I either die of hunger or he dies of shock seeing me eat raw meat. Besides…" She let her voice trail as she raised het hands to demonstrate. "In fact, raw meat has all the seasons, tastes better and.."

"Fine," Dale said, raising his hands in surrender. "I will get you raw meat."