The house was rarely quiet.
Between patrol rotations, arguments over the last muffin, and someone inevitably knocking something over, silence was almost suspicious. But with Jared running patrols with Embry and Sam and Emily off on a lunch date, the place felt... still.
Tala and Paul were stretched out across the couch, tangled together in that lazy, comfortable way they always seemed to fall into without thinking. A soft breeze drifted through the open window, carrying the faint smell of rain and cedar.
Tala's fingers idly traced circles along Paul's arm, her thoughts somewhere far away. Paul pretended he was watching the muted TV — but he hadn't absorbed a single frame. Not when her leg was thrown over his, and definitely not when her head was resting against his chest like she belonged there.
He cleared his throat.
Tala hummed. "You okay?"
"Yeah." He said quickly — too quickly. "Totally. Fine. Great."
She lifted her head, brows raised. "That sounded like five different lies stacked together."
Paul fought the urge to groan. Smooth. Real smooth.
"I'm just thinking."
"That's even more concerning."
He flicked her lightly on the shoulder, earning a soft laugh that made his heartbeat do something stupid.
He tried again. "So, uh... I was wondering if you wanted to...I don't know....do something. Later. With me."
Tala blinked. "We do things together all the time."
"No, I know that, I mean—" He rubbed the back of his neck, glaring at the ceiling like it personally betrayed him. "I meant something not here. Not with everyone."
Her expression softened, but she didn't say anything. She waited — patient, steady — letting him struggle his way through it.
Paul muttered under his breath, then finally pushed it out:
"Like a date. You wanna go on a date with me?"
Tala stared at him for a long moment, eyes flicking between his and his fidgeting hands like she was trying to decide whether to tease him or kiss him.
"Paul," she said finally, "are you trying to ask me out while lying horizontal on a couch you've drooled on?"
He sat up so fast she nearly fell off him. "I do not drool—"
She placed her hand over his mouth to shut him up. "Paul."
His heart hammered.
"Yeah?" he mumbled against her hand.
Her smile spread slow and warm. "Yes. I'll go on a date with you."
Paul froze, processing... then grinned like someone handed him the moon.
"Cool." He said, trying — and failing — to sound casual. "Cool. Yeah. I mean... obviously you would. I'm amazing."
Tala snorted. "And there he is."
She tucked herself back against him, and Paul wrapped his arms around her without thinking, burying his smile in her hair. For a moment, the house was quiet again — soft, peaceful, absolutely perfect.
Then the front door opened and Jared's voice echoed through the foyer:
"I swear if you two are making out on the couch—"
Paul threw his head back and groaned. "I'm canceling his patrol privileges."
———
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Only Exception | P.L
Fanfiction"None of this was ever worth the risk, well you are the only exception" Paul Lahote never wanted an imprint nor expect to find one, much less it being his best friend's little sister. Tala Uley had grown up pretty guarded. With their parents not ar...
