Surprising myself with a one-shot. Weeeiiiird...

Near sat in his odd little way as I watched him put together his white jigsaw puzzle for the twenty-third time. I'd been sitting there with my knees help tight to me chest for the longest time, just hoping he would look away from that stupid puzzle and talk to me.

I smiled at how ridiculous I was. Near didn't like to talk and that was just how I liked it. It just seemed... awkward this time. I shifted, uncomfortable with the weight that hung over the room. I knew he'd hate it, but I had to say something. Anything to break the tension.

Anything.

"I love you."

NOT THAT!

I slapped my hands over my mouth and reeled back, causing me to fall to the ground. A high-pitched, muffled, hoarse scream wrenched itself from my throat. I lay there for what seemed a silent eternity with my eyes wide and my face getting hotter at a rapid pace.

Near's reply? Nothing. The guy was probably trying his hardest to not laugh at my stupid comment. What else could he be doing? It wasn't like he was going to confess his undying love for me in the middle of the playroom. What had even made me say that!?

I heard Near get up. I was too scared to look at him, so I stayed on my back, looking like a stupid, red, sweating, screaming turtle. He was going to tell me to get away from him, that he hated me. I just knew it. All of those hours I sat and watched him play with his toys or build towers meant nothing. He was just tolerating me until I finally left him alone.

He was coming closer. I shut my eyes tight to escape the annoyed or hateful stare I knew I'd encounter.

I felt a finger entwine itself within my hair. My eyes shot open and I saw Near sitting right next to me with his left hand in my hair, his right hand in his own. He looked at me and smiled.

Smiled at me.

My temperature rose tenfold and I hesitantly sat up. I grinned at him like a dork. A red-faced, sweaty, now messy-haired dork. Near broke eye-contact, but kept his fingers twirling in my hair. I also looked away, resting my eyes on the white jigsaw puzzle.

The unfinished white jigsaw puzzle.