The First Rule

Chapter 21b: Smashing Webbs

Standing near the window, Cavill crosses his arms in front of him, silently watching you sip on the sugarcane on your bed. A small smirk forming on his lips before he lets out a chuckle. He marvels at how easy it is to lift up your mood. Well, almost as easy as breaking it down—

"What?" you ask naively, lips still embracing the straw, happily transferring the sweet liquids into your systems.

Between his long.. dark lashes, his gaze lingers on you—his almond eyes capturing every detail. A few strands of his jet black hair fall effortlessly across his forehead. Raising an eyebrow with a hint of mischief, he continues to chuckle softly, and the only word he could mutter under his breath is,

"Nothing."

Squinting your eyes, you finish the last drop of your sugarcane and sass, "If you think I've forgiven you already, you're terribly wrong."

He smirks and takes a small sip before offering you his sugarcane—and your eyes light up at the sight of the future second dose of sweetness. However, just as your left hand is about to reach for the cup—he grabs your forearm midway and pulls you! Instinctively, you make a fist as if you're about to Karate Kid him.

"If—"

Even just hearing the word 'if', you roll your eyes in annoyance. "Disappointed but not surprised, there has to be a condition when it comes to you—"

“—you forgive me."

And as he lays the condition on the grass, he lifts his right hand—teasingly lifts the second dose of sugary sweetness just out of your reach. That smirk.. oh how you want to slap it out of his gorgeous face. Calculating the height between you—especially with his lifted hand.. you pout in defeat and rant, "You haven't even said sorry!"

Raising an eyebrow, he wonders aloud, "I already say it downstairs—even in front of your dad—" but seeing your eyebrows knitting harder—with your pout now resembling a downward crescent moon—he exhales a sigh. Tilting his head in weariness, Tyler clarifies, "I'm sorry, but I don't regret—"

That's it! If I hear one more ego bullshit from him, I'll Karate Kid him—and jump from this window.

Your annoyance reaches its peak—and you take a sharp inhale, preparing to release yourself from his grip. However he tightens his hold for a moment—before squeezing gently, firmly keeping you in place. You were so ready to fight along with squinted eyes glaring up at him—but instead, you're surprised to find his eyes softening. At the once in a lifetime sight, you cease moving, and instead—

You’re lost in his eyes.

Those.. light brown eyes.. How does one sparkle so beautifully once they get kissed by the evening sunlight..

Unconsciously, you let out a little gasp—overwhelmed by the sudden intense emotion he laid bare on you. Slowly.. he moves his hand from your forearm.. to your hand.. squeezing it gently..

"What I'm sorry for is.." he whispers softly under his breath. Pulling you closer, the warmth of his touch sending shivers down your spine. His hand gently cupping yours.. his hazel eyes never leaving yours..

Feeling a rush of emotions, you crease your forehead and avert your eyes from him, unable to meet his gaze. Your heart pounding in your chest as your left hand hesitantly squeezes his shirt, a silent plea for him to.. stop?

Uncertain of the strange feelings stirring within, a sense of confusion overwhelms you. Torn between wanting to embrace this moment.. or wanting to push it away—but all you know is that.. this weird.. feeling..?

Gives you a sense of peace.

Reaching for your cheek, he notices strands of hair that have been falling across your face. Gently, he tucks them behind your ear, fingers trailing softly along your skin. As you look up at him, still wearing a slight pout and a furrowed brow.. he can't help but let out a slight side smile. Subconsciously, he lowers the hand that had been holding the sugarcane away from you.. letting it fall to his side—to circle them behind your waist. Like protecting you. Like how he always did.

The sugarcane. Come on, Em you can grab them behind you and just end—whatever this is—

...

Screw the sugarcane. All I want—

"I didn't mean to get you in trouble with your dad like that.." he murmurs softly, still cupping your cheek with his hand. Holding your gaze, he sees you unconsciously lean closer to his touch. Squeezing your right hand and reluctantly resting them on his chest, you close your eyes and exhale slowly as he whispers, "I wasn't thinking. I'm sorry.." and that's when you open your eyes.

And it's like time stands still. Every flutter of his eyelashes.. every subtle shift of his expression.. every unspoken.. emotion swirling between you..

You feel your heartbeat drums a little faster.. how the temperature is rising.. the feeling of your cheeks as it starts to burn—impulsively, in an attempt to end this weird moment, you slap his left cheek! Sending him to jolt in surprise, eyes widened! Cringing at the absurdity of your own action, you decide to hide your face—

In his chest.

It's too late to back out now. You end up wrapping your arms around him tightly, closing your eyes with furrowed brows. And right now.. cringe is too underrated.

Great. Bravo Emilia Winters. You just won the Nobel Prize for—constantly, and successfully, embarrassing yourself.

...

Wait.. am I.. hearing this right? Does—is this—

Despite his calm demeanor, you're surprised to hear his heartbeat drumming rapidly. Seeming reluctant when he puts his left hand behind your back, eventually, he returns by squeezing you tighter. And his familiar embrace brings you so much comfort it makes you forget any awkwardness you felt. Closing your eyes, you exhale softly, feeling a sense of peace wash over you.

"Thank you for the sugarcanes, Tyty. I know how sorry you are,"

Pulling away slightly, a small smile playing on your lips. "Especially after getting them from my doorstep for a week straight," you add with a teasing tone.

"You have no. idea. the tremendous effort for enduring the man's glare. What's his problem, seriously."

At the mention of your favorite old man, you beam, "OMG how is he?! I miss him so much!"

"I wish I could say the same," he impales, rolling his eyes in disagreement.

"Why you always haatiiinnnn~ why you always haaatiinnn~" you sing teasingly, playfully swaying your shoulders to the rhythm of the song.

His eyes widen in surprise—yet he can't help but chuckle. "Oh you can laugh now?"

With a mischievous grin, you playfully squeeze his waist in a hug, eliciting another chuckle from Tyler. He reaches over to ruffle your hair in a playful, messy manner—causing you to squeal. Giving him a playful pout, you shoot him a glare, only to be met with his charming lopsided smile. Suddenly, without warning, he blurts out,

"Cute."

Suppressing a big grin, you purse your lips and quip, "What—did you get struck by a lightning?!" his wide grin only encourages your playful banter as you tease him, "Am I really cute or is your love life just that boring?"

"Rude—" retracting his head, he starts with a disgusted expression, but then his eyes dart to the corner as if he's pretending to ponder. With a smug shrug, he blurts out, "It's you."

Startled, your eyes widening in surprise at his sudden praise. But you quickly regain your playful facade, and roll your eyes teasingly. "Obviously. Here's a tougher question," you cheer before asking, "me or.. Lily Collins?"

"You."

You hold your breath before letting out a nervous laugh, "You're too desperate for my forgiveness aren't you?!" and he smiles sheepishly, trying to contain his grin.

There's a moment of silence as he looks at you intently.. observing you. You find yourself meeting his gaze—and the tension builds, making your heart race again. By now you're unsure if this is quite healthy—

What the heck is happening right now—why look at me like that—Shitshitshitwhattodowhattodo—oh right! The sugarcane—!

In panic, you do a quick 180-degree spin and lock eyes with the sugarcane behind you! Without thinking, your mouth finds the straw and you take a big sip—completely oblivious to the fact that it's still in his grasp! As you enthusiastically suck on the straw, Tyler's expression shifts from surprise to utter bewilderment as he watches from behind your back—and when he finally grasps what's going on, unfortunately, his cup is already drained in seconds.

"Hey! My sugarcane Goddammit!"

You immediately spin around with a mix of guilt and disgust plastered on your face. "Bro, you gave it to me?!"

He gives you a disgusted glare. His eyes wide, staring at you while you glare back guiltily but defiantly—before he bursts into laughter, shaking his head in disbelief. You pout in shame, and the only word you can muster is a sorry.

Finally finishing his laugh with a chuckle as you groan in irritation, he invites you to sit on the floor on top of your carpet. Still cackling, he expertly flings the empty cup into the dustbin in the corner of your room. And when he turns his attention back to you, his eyes soften at your sheepish grin—before his expression turns serious, eyes narrowing with curiosity before he blurts,

"SMASH and WEBBS with me again?"

Your eyes widening in surprise. Processing his invitation, a sense of shock settles in—before a smile slowly spreads across your face, turning into a grin of genuine amusement. However.. someone comes to mind. Imagining his girlfriend's reaction, your expression shifts.

"But.. what about Taylor..?"

"It's just two days. She'll understand."