Heart yawned through the laughter for the seventh time in a row despite his cheeks being sore from smiling, he still looked like he could laugh with Anong and Finn for hours but also looked like he could fall asleep in a second if his head were to hit any surface. Saint was banking that it would be the last one.
Finn tapped Anong on the shoulder and pointed at Heart’s drowsy face with a gentle adoring grin.
Saint didn’t blame them, Heart could capture anyone’s heart in a short amount of time.
“You two must be tired. We should have realized that you might be a bit exhausted after a day like today. Why don’t you two head back inside and get some sleep? We will come in a bit later.” Finn said.
“Is that alright? I can stay and help clean up?” Saint offered, while staring at Heart who looked back at him through pre-drowsy eyelids.
“It’s fine, we are just going to sit out here a little longer. You guys go rest.” Anong said.
Saint nodded. “Okay, okay, sounds like a great plan.”
Heart mumbled “Mhhhmm” sleepily. His face slightly flushed from the drinking.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“We won’t let you two, stay up too late after all you have been through today. We are good hosts.” Finn said.
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Saint laughed, shaking his head no.
“I am actually surprised at how good he did tonight. He really had to drink a whole bottle himself. I would have thought one glass and it would do him in for, the kid has more spunk than I thought. But yeah he is still pretty lightweight.”
“He is so tiny.” Saint commented softly.
“Take care of people like him, it’s hard to find that once in a lifetime soul mate.” Anong said, her watchful eyes twinkling.
“Oh, we are not together. I don’t want a relationship.” Saint amended.
“I am not looking for baggage.” He added, as a way of explanation.
“I am a pretty carefree person who doesn’t like to get attached. Ever” Saint emphasized, still watching Heart carefully, as he slept peacefully across the table from him. He kept glancing back at Anong but it was hard to pull his eyes away from Heart. He looked so sweet as he slept. His white shirt wrinkled and creased, his face flushed from the hot, humid weather and the combined drinking. Yet, the cutest thing was not how messy he looked, but his head lolling from one side to the other gently.
Saint cleared his throat, ripping his gaze from Heart to look back at Anong.
“I am not a one man kinda guy.” He said, knowing he sounded a little less convincing.
“Oh, you can hardly fight destiny when it happens. The heart will always grow and attach itself to the other person and never with our permission. But I know that look.”
“It’s impossible to stop it.” She nodded at Heart, her eyes twinkling fondly.
“Whether or not you ever planned on getting attached, love still happens. It’s very nature keeps it from ever going as planned.” Anong said, leaning over to pat Finn’s hand before they intertwined their fingers together.
“You like without meaning to like, you love without meaning to love. You tell your heart, I can’t or I won’t. But it doesn’t stop it from growing fondly for someone. Betraying it only hurts you both, when you don’t need to be hurt. Sometimes you just have to let Love do what it is meant to do.”
“Love.”
Saint watched them, fascinated.
‘Would I feel differently about life, about getting attached if I had grown up around something like this? Around people who could express love, consistently?’
Saint turned back to Heart whose mouth had dropped open and a dribble of drool was slipping out.
‘I don’t think it matters. Look at him. He grew up without any parents at all and he is a sunshine who lets anyone in like a twenty-four seven grocery. You are a positive sunshine, no matter what I do to you. And I can’t figure out why.’
“I am telling you, you can’t fight Fate.”
“I remember when we tried. Fate always found a way.” Anong warned but her warning was kind and filled with a knowing glance at her husband. Saint pretended not to see it.
“Have a good night.” Finn said, then stood up and offered Anong his arm. She slipped her arm in his and he pulled her up, then they walked off down the beach together.
Saint just doesn’t understand his feelings for sweet Heart yet. 🙃
Hahaha I know right. This baby just doesn’t get it yet.