“Thank ya very much for tha’ compliment,” Autumn grumbled, shooting him another warning look - sometimes she wanted nothing more than to smack him upside his head. Was that bad? She didn’t think so. “Wha’ do ya think? Why should I share when I was the only one makin’ it? Don’t think ya need dessert anyways - you’re startin’ to get a belly.”
“That’s not true.” He leans closer to kiss her cheek, a small poke being given to her side. God, he loved her — but sometimes, she was, in the least rude way, so freaking annoying. But that’d be mean to say aloud, right? Right. “You’re feeding me actual, non-city food, and I’m grateful. Thank you. Oh, we still have to get you some fast food. Something incredibly unhealthy.”
“Course mine looks better!” Autumn scoffed, rolling her eyes once soon after. It was obvious, wasn’t it? Her eyes narrow further when she sees his tongue, scoffing softly once again. “You gotta be the laziest guy I ever met!”
“And you’ve gotta be the rudest girl I’ve ever met.” Ross retorted, huffing as he ate his own sandwich. She may have been that to him, but he still hung out with her - call it the power of affection. “Are you gonna share dessert?”
“You ‘ungry enough to risk losin’ your fingers?” Her eyes begin to significantly narrow, hands tugging the plate with the sandwich on it closer to her for protection.
“Fine, then. I’ll eat my own sandwich, but yours looks better than mine.” Ross scrunches up his nose and sticks his tongue out at her, but turns back to his own sandwich-holding plate. “You won’t even give me the crust?”
“Not like you’ve been teachin’ me anythin’ important,” Autumn huffed under her breath, leading him towards the stables that held her horses. “Ya wanna start with Charlie? Think he’s gonna be a pretty good match for ya.”
“But, I still taught you things.” He mimics her huff and follows her, crinkling his nose. “Sure, why not. When will I learn to jump obstacles and all that fun stuff?”
“You’re like a freakin’ kid,” Autumn retorts, snickering once under her breath. She makes no move to break away from his grip and soon finds herself outside. “You thin’ you can ‘andle it?”
“You like when I act like this. And, oh my god, yes, I can handle it.” Ross nods excitedly, letting go of her and tapping his foot, rather impatiently. “I’ve taught you so many things - or tried to - and now it’s your turn. So, teach away.”
“Listen to me, buddy. I ‘preciate ya tryin’ to step in ‘n protect my honor or whatever ya were doin’, really, I do. But I can protect myself, ya know.” Autumn mused, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. And that she could - she was able to land a punch right in the man’s face.
Ross accepts the kiss, his lips lingering close to hers even after they broke apart. “But, what if you couldn’t protect yourself? What if you needed me?” His head tilts ever so slightly, eyebrows lifting. He wanted to protect her, despite his lankiness and awkwardness. He wanted to believe that she actually needed him around. “You do need me here, right?”
