Imagine That: Multifandom Part Two

moving on【four】| alicia clark

"Come on, we don't wanna get caught in any queues," she said when I didn't speak, grabbing my hand and tugging me into the first exhibit. "I hear it can get pretty busy this time of year."

I rolled my eyes at how nerdy she was being but let her drag me around. She treated it like a real day out to an art gallery, encouraging me to check out my brochure and showing me around all the exhibits. Most things were still in perfect condition, though I had my suspicions that Alicia had come in here prior to this trip and done some cleaning up and dusting around. There was no way half of these sculptures had remained spotless without a display case. Why she'd gone to so much trouble for me, I wasn't sure...

We studied all the different paintings, read all the plaques, posed with all the sculptures. We even stopped by an interactive part where visitors were encouraged to do their own drawing in a sketchbook. I drew a terrible rendition of the bowl of fruit before me, signing my name and feeling oddly excited at how fun today was. I hadn't felt this alive in so long.

"Let me see yours," I said to Alicia before we moved on, rounding the desk to take a look at hers.

She slid the sketchbook toward me and I widened my eyes slightly, amazed at her drawing of the interior of the hall we were sat in.

I scoffed lightheartedly. "Of course you're good at drawing. Is there anything you can't do?"

She chuckled. "Quit being a baby."

We checked out the final exhibit before reaching the end of the line, coming face to face with a tip box.

"I must say, this was an excellent tour," I said playfully, but meaning it. "I'd definitely leave a tip if I could."

"Hmm." Alicia looked around suspiciously before pulling something out from behind her back. When she held it out to me, I realised it was a dollar. "Here you go."

My face began to hurt from how much I was smiling. She'd found a dollar just for this? "Alicia."

She pressed her lips together to contain her joy. "Go on. It's part of the experience."

My heart was full as I accepted the dollar, eyes still lingering on hers because she was simply amazing. I almost forgot why she'd given it me because I was too busy admiring her.

"There," she said after I dropped the dollar in the box. "Now onto the best part. The gift shop."

Without a second wasted, she walked away and I was forced to follow, realising she was leading me to the gift shop. Again, the whole place had been tidied up and looked almost new. Now I definitely knew Alicia had gone out of her way to do it, but why?

We both looked around the store, fiddling with the trinkets on display. I admired the postcards full of art and she tried to justify taking a keyring for keys she didn't have. The whole experience had me spilling with gratitude and I couldn't take her humbleness anymore.

"Why did you do this?" I asked her when she was flicking through a book.

She quirked a brow, distracted, and looked up. "Huh?"

I gave her a knowing look. "This. You found this place. Surprised me. And I know it wasn't just something you came across. So spill it. Why did you do this for me?"

I had my suspicions of course, though it could have been solely delusions and me seeing what I wanted to see. I needed to hear it from her.

She played it cool, closing the book and putting it to the side. "Well... you were talking about how you missed having a day out and enjoying the moment. So, I thought I'd give you something to enjoy. Show you that there's still things to look forward to."

How could she remember such a silly comment and prove me wrong in the best way possible?

"Malory on guard duty was talking about how she really wants a pet dog, but you're not out here finding her one, are you?" I pointed out. "So, what's different with me?"

She smiled with amusement, stepping toward me. "Y/N, you're my friend."

"Wow, and Malory isn't?" I scoffed playfully. "Ouch. I'll be sure to tell her that."

Alicia rolled her eyes, trying to stop herself from laughing. "You know what I mean."

"I don't," I told her, meeting her eyes, and I knew I had to share what was on my mind because the last thing I wanted to do was misinterpret today. "You went out of your way to organise this whole day for me. After I made one comment. Friends don't do that."

"Yeah they do," she said nonchalantly.

I pressed my lips together, studying her expression, but she was avoiding looking my way and instead distracting herself with the merchandise. I wasn't being delusional, right? This was what I thought it was?

"You did this for me," I repeated slowly, not quite looking away from her. "So, if I wanted you to kiss me, would you?"

Her breathing hitched as she glanced at me, and I wondered if I'd said the wrong thing. But it was either this or live in denial forever, and I didn't want to anymore.

"I suppose so," she finally answered, voice low and eyes fixed on mine.

I swallowed hard, eyes lowering to her lips. There was nothing more to do than ask. "Well, I–"

She didn't even let me finish as she leaned forward, closing the gap between us. My skin was on fire where her hand caressed my neck and I immediately closed my eyes, falling into her. Her lips were so soft, fingers so delicate, and my insides were filled with butterflies.

This wasn't what I expected and yet I wouldn't have had it any other way. I hoped she couldn't hear my heart beating out of my chest.