𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞

Elysian

"I'm Clairence."

Florence turned to him, surprised he had used his full name.

"I'm Mack."

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance." Clair said, almost jittery.

"I'm a novelist." He explained quickly.

Mr. Mack gave another laugh, his suspenders slipping off his thin shoulder.

"How fitting." The old man answered with a goofy smile.

Placing his hands together, he announced, "Now, I've got to get back to sorting books back here." 

He jabbed a bony thumb over his shoulder, gesturing to a small door that was ajar. The flicker of a small lamp spilled over the threshold.

"Florence will show you around I'm sure." With that he gave them a quick smile and hobbled back into the room.

Florence moved closer to Clair immediately. He pulled her towards the back of the shop as she spoke, the two drifting along like partners in a waltz.

"You used your full name." She stated.

"You didn't even introduce yourself to me like that." There wasn't an annoyance or jealousy in her tone, just an observation.

"I didn't." Clair answered simply.

He led her blindly towards the leftmost back corner of the maze. They found themselves stumbling into a tiny room, the walls entirely composed of books. A bulb overhead sputtered with light. The both leaned against the opposite walls of books. Although the room was so tight that they were only a mere foot away from each other. Florence was dimly aware of her heart beating out of her chest, her fingers aching to reach out for him. But she kept herself distracted on Clair's face.

"I never liked 'Clairence' as much." He whispered.

The ancient wooden floorboards creaked underfoot as Florence shifted her weight almost nervously.

"But I like when you say it." He finished, his voice barely audible in the dim space.

Florence shivered with delight at his words. Somewhere in between, Florence couldn't tell you when, they had moved closer. She could feel the warmth of his breath circling on her cheeks.

"Clairence." She dared to whisper back.

Florence had leaned in so her lips brushed his ear as she spoke. The heat between them was unbearable. Each knew what they had wanted in this moment, more than anything. But neither dared to admit it.

'Clairence'.

Clair heard the name again, but it wasn't coming from Florence's soft gentle lips. It was coming from Cathryn's. The room spun around him. Earlier that day, he remembered distinctly,

'Clairence.'

She'd whispered hungrily. Clair hated himself for letting her slip his mind. Cathryn was his, as he was hers. His lover. His step-sister. His impossible dream. His unjust desire, he recalled his father once say. 

'It wasn't fair anyways, we'd been in love far before they tragically decided to marry!' He'd always tell himself.

The shuffling of Florence's feet drew him out of his reverie. She's backed away slightly, now gazing up him with a confused face. Clair's hands instantly flew to her waist. He pulled her into him, earning her small gasp as he did so. Clair knew this was wrong, but he couldn't stop himself. He clutched her to himself, wrapping his arms around her. Florence comfortably fitted her head to his strong chest. Slowly, she moved her hands up to his shoulders, driven purely by lust. Florence clasped her hands at the back of his neck, almost hanging onto him as is this was all she wanted, she didn't want to let go. 

Leaning up she whispered to him worriedly, "Is this okay?"

She was concerned. It was so admirable, even Clair knew that. She was worried that perhaps he felt uncomfortable, especially since he had seemed dazed only a moment before. She was proved wrong as he only pulled her in tighter in response. Clair's hands absently found their way to her hair, where he tucked two strands behind her ear like before.

"Clairence." Her small voice almost broke.

He knew she wanted this just as bad as he did. Her voice was gentle in comparison to Cathryn's passion filled growls. He preferred Florence's soft-spoken nature. Carefully, he dipped his head to where his lips brushed her cheek, Florence leaned in, but he stayed stationary on her cheek. Once he knew she couldn't stand to wait any longer, he placed his fingers carefully under her chin, and tilted her head up towards him. Then Clair kissed her.