The Park, Saturday Night.

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

Hurley and Penelope had left the dance, hand in hand. They'd walked part of the way back to the dorms, but stopped in the park. They found a soft patch of grass, and lay back to stare up at the stars.

Hurley was just happy to be there with her.

[ooc: Hurley and Penelope's thread locked to them, please. The rest of the park is open for your needs, though!]

Comments

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"Can you imagine someone actually trying to count them all?" she asked, her voice quiet.

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"There's way too many," Hurley said. "I mean, you'd grow old just trying."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She turned her head, grinning at him. "I can think of much better ways to grow old."

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"Me too," Hurley said, smiling back. "Lots of stuff."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She was quiet for a moment, just looking at him, and then asked: "Are you having a good time tonight, Hurley?"

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"A great time," Hurley told her, honestly. "It's going great."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"I so happy about that, Hurley." And she was. She could tomorrow and feel a bit better for making him feel good.

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"Me too," Hurley said, reaching to take her hand again.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Her fingers interlaced with his, her hand tiny in comparison. She smiled at him and leaned over, wishing to place a kiss on his cheek.

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

Hurley wasn't so smooth as to try and turn his head to turn it into a real kiss. He just smiled and felt his cheeks flush with warmth. He was feeling so content right now, as if he'd totally forgotten about the reality of the situation.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She was more than willing, in this moment, to ignore reality. It suited her just fine because she was happy right now. She was comfortable and satisfied and could probably fall asleep here without a worry.

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

Hurley scooted a little closer to her, so he could put his arm around her. "You're not cold, are you?"

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"Not too much, no," she replied, content as she snuggled in some against him. "Are you?"

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

Hurley shook his head. "Just checking, cause of the dress and stuff." He too was content just to be close with her, right now.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She giggled quietly. "My legs are bare, I know, but I don't feel chilled at all. You are very warm."

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"Must be all that spicy cheese," Hurley joked. He rubbed her shoulder with one hand.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Penelope reached over to poke him with her free hand, chuckling even more. "I didn't have that much."

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

Hurley chuckled with her. "Well, if you get cold, just let me know."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"I will," she said. "We probably shouldn't stay out too late anyway, should we?"

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"I guess not," Hurley said. "Just to be safe and stuff."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"I feel safe with you," she told him. "I just don't want us to grow tired and comfortable and end up falling asleep. You'll wrinkle your suit."

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"Well, uhhh, where would we go?" Hurley said, not really wanting the night to end.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"We don't have to go anywhere just yet," she said softly, scooting in even closer to him. "I like it here with you. We've got a little while yet."

And really... would it be so bad if they did happen to fall asleep?

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"Good," Hurley said. "Cause I kinda didn't want to go anywhere, yet."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"Good," she echoed, smiling gently. "The night is everything I'd thought it'd be."

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," Hurley said. "It's going great. I wouldn't change any of it."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"That pleases me, you know," she told him, grinning.

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," Hurley said. And then, he dared to try for another kiss.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Penelope welcomed his kiss, naturally.

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

Hurley smiled as he pulled back. "Definitely wouldn't change anything," he said.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"No..." she replied and smiled at him.

"Thank you, Hurley."

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"For what?" Hurley asked.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"For taking me to the dance and just," she shrugged a shoulder, "for the whole evening. You've made it easier for me to go home."

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

And that's when Hurley's heart dropped somewhere below his stomach.

"Yeah," he said. "I just.... wanted you to have a good time."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She noticed the change. "Please don't be upset. I wanted you to know how special I feel because of you." She reached up to press her hand to his cheek. "Hurley... you mean so much to me."

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"You," Hurley said, his words hitching in his throat a bit. "You mean a lot to me too, Penelope."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She offered him a warm smile. "Don't be sad. I'm trying not to be."

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"Okay," Hurley said, swallowing up his emotion and smiling back at her. "Just gonna enjoy the night."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"Do you know what I was thinking? That I haven't played the piano for you in a long time. I should do that when I get back."

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," Hurley said. "I haven't heard you play in too long."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"Plan on it when I get back," she replied with a smile.

"Perhaps we ought to head back to the dorms now?"

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, probably," Hurley said. He stood up, and offered Penelope a hand.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Placing her hand in his, she came easily to her feet. Tomorrow was suddenly weighing heavily upon her heart.