A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.

Only could he imagine how her hands felt against his. Even though they had held hands before or comforted the other with simple gestures, he only had felt that comfort because of the action itself, not the feeling of it. Lee had a feeling that her hands would feel soft and warm as though they were a small blanket, easing his mind of the troubles of his past. Despite not being able to feel that actually, he appreciated the gesture and understood its meaning. So far, she was taking the information well.

"To be locked up that long ..." She sighed and kept her hand over his. "Based on what you've told me and some of your actions, I'm surprised that you didn't react more violently to when Anita and I tore down that wall." Her brows furrowed, and her hand tightened over his, but he had a feeling the action was more to soothe her mind that time. "To be by yourself and with such thoughts for so long, I ..."

Cutting her off with a note, he watched her pause in her words. I didn't want to ruin the chance I got at having at least some entertainment at the time. I wanted to play my cards carefully. That did line up with how he treated her in the beginning before he had found out about Anita and decided to help her. Frankly, his aid was saving her future, and he was proving to be more loyal and caring than Anita ever had been. Not to mention honest. Despite what he had been like in the past and his past motivations, he had kept to his word and was there for her. No doubt her emotions remained in conflict, and his next words didn't help that.

But before I move on, I'm curious about something. That made her curious as well, but she took the opportunity to eat another bite of stew after she motioned for him to write another note. It didn't take long. My age. Does it bother you?

Swallowing, she hesitated. Did it? He looked like he was in his twenties, but he could be her grandfather or great grandfather for that matter. "In what sense?" she finally managed and hoped that would give her some more time to think on it. When she received no note, though, she sighed roughly. "In the sense of you helping me, no. And if we were to become friends, no." Her eyes glanced to his, and she had a feeling that he could see right through her.

And, should there be more than that?

Setting down the spoon, she stared at the food for a moment before she averted her optics back to him. "More than what?" (F/n) knew what he meant, but she didn't want to say anything unless he did. She wished to stall.

I ... She saw what he was beginning to write, but he stopped. Usually, he was confident in his responses. Was her hesitation actually getting to him? And, she was right on that. He wanted to know should his feelings advance anymore, and he had a feeling that they would, but he didn't want to hear her reject him either. From her answers, it sounded like she might, and he didn't know if his heart could take that. Lee only broke out of his thoughts when the sound of breaking hit his ears.

Glancing down, he noticed the pen had a crack in it. For a moment, they both just stared before he heard her roughly sigh. Maybe, it was cruel that she wasn't giving him a decent response, and he obviously wasn't taking her silence well. (F/n) combed her fingers through her hair. If she kept up her behavior, she might create a wedge between them, and they might not be able to get back to the point where they were at now. No more comforting gestures, except for awkward ones. They might be able to overcome that, but a part of her also didn't want to risk that.

Thinking on it more, she knew that she still enjoyed him placing a comforting hand on one of her shoulders, holding hands and even his kiss on her forehead from the other night. She knew roughly how old he was, but a part of her still wanted those interactions between them to occur. Perhaps, it was odd to have such feelings, but they had been strange ever since they had developed. If anything, the fact that he had killed people should matter more. If she could overlook that, if she could trust him to see her family photos and information and still have those feelings, she should be able to look past his age.

In a way, it was like growing close with a fabled vampire. They didn't age, and they could be hundreds of years old. Lee hadn't aged, and he was even younger in that scenario. Almost, a light chuckle left her, but she kept it back in case he misread it. Instead, she placed a hand over his with the pen. "Sorry." Lee looked to her. "I just ... I want us to continue being like this. I don't know what that means for the future." She removed her hand and rested her hands on her lap. "But, I guess that it doesn't bother me. Though, I'm not like you." That remained a concern; she still aged. "I'll grow old, Lee. Do you really want to get any closer?" Now, he wrote again.

As he wrote, a smile was on his lips. She didn't know how much her reply relieved him; she hadn't rejected him. That was enough for now, and he was happy that he hadn't broken the pen completely. He didn't wish to spend time in getting another. That doesn't bother me. Lee could see the skepticism in her eyes, and he wrote another line. It doesn't.

Setting down the pen after writing another note, he moved his seat nearer to her and leaned over. The backs of his knuckles brushed against her jaw gently, and she tensed a little at the action since she hadn't expected it, but she eventually relaxed. His hand held her jaw just as delicately. Dark browns locked with (e/c)s as he passed a note to her. She broke his gaze to look at it, and he withdrew his hand. Your looks are attractive, but that's not what saved you. That's not why we've become closer.

Not yet had she read the whole note, but she felt his hand take hers. He lifted it up and placed it over her heart before he moved his hand back. Your heart is why. You're honest and caring to a capacity I thought that I never would encounter after what had happened back then. Even when you're older, I have a feeling that won't change. Besides ... For a moment, it seemed like he was laughing but gently, kindly. That plus his words made her heart admittedly skip a beat. What makes you think that you won't be beautiful, then, too?

Before she could answer and let doubt enter in more, another note was before her. Your bright eyes, kind smile, addicting laugh and gentle touch will all be there. She paused in her reading, not just from his words but from his touch also. His hands were on her cheeks, and he was standing before her. (F/n) had been so focused on the note that she hadn't heard him get up, but she glanced back to the note. Wrinkles and grey hair won't make you any less stunning in my eyes.

How he held her and what he wrote to her put her at a loss for words, and she did feel a tear trickle down her cheek. Another and another came when she read the final part of the note. What will make it hard is losing you. Even if we only are just friends after all of this, I will be losing my only true friend in that case. I won't submit you to this fate even if part of me demands me to try that. That sentence almost brought fear to her since she didn't desire to be trapped in a mannequin regardless of what path her feelings took, but his next sentence destroyed that fear. Instead, I'll lie by you and hold you in my arms until even I fade away. I'll never let you go.

"You really have a talent for this," she chuckled out, and he removed his hands when she shook her head lightly. She wiped away some of her tears. "Making me cry like this despite everything you've done." (F/n) looked up to him. "Your partner and if anyone else had hurt you, they really missed out, didn't they?" He softly smiled. Another laugh left her, and it truly was music to his ears. "I even told you I don't what the future will be like in terms of where this goes, yet you tell me that?"

Shaking her head a bit more, (f/n) now laughed and cried at the same time. "I hate to say this since it sounds messed up in a way. But, I'm glad that you're a mannequin." She looked to him gratefully, and his chest would've tightened if it could have. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have met you. I wouldn't have been shown what true friendship is."

Laughing himself, he wrote another note. I guess that we don't have to suppose about being friends in the future, then? Or, am I mistaken? She laughed too and brought him into a hug. A smile touched his lips, and he wrapped his arms around her. Never had he expected this to happen tonight, but he was glad for it, and he was now confident that more information about his past only would seal their friendship more. And, truthfully, he wouldn't mind if it pushed it beyond that too. In fact, that's what he wanted. That was for certain now, and he'd search through social media while she slept to make sure that Tristan didn't get too close to her.

When she pulled away, he brushed away any remaining tears and smiled back to her even if she couldn't see it. They stared to each other for a moment longer until he picked up the spoon and held it out to her. She took the bite and then the spoon while he retook his seat. After a few bites, she glanced to him out of the corners of her eyes. A teasing smile was on her lips. "Is this also why what Anita's doing is pissing you off? You had mentioned partly."

Amused at her look, he tossed a note to her. If I'm being honest, yes. I don't want to watch you suffer. Originally, it had been because of her betrayal. But, it's both now. On her lips grew a soft smile.

"Thank you, Lee." He nodded, and she ate more of her stew. She broke off a few pieces of bread and dipped them into it too. Afterwards, she questioned, "Can I ask another question?" Lee nodded once more. "You mentioned that you lived here with him. What was this place like back then?"

Well for one, your room was mine. He saw her freeze, and he laughed. Don't worry. I like you having my room. I wouldn't want you in his. Her shoulders relaxed. And, it's fitting that Anita is in his. It's like getting a second chance. His hand reached over and held hers. And, I won't let her ruin you.