The Adventure Continues

[abrightboy]

For thatsfascinating.



The villa Malcolm rented was in the Languedoc, not far from Marseilles, south of Avignon. It was a very historic region, though Malcolm was particularly not interested in visiting Marseilles again. There was a charming village nearby the villa and if they were going to go to an historic city for a day, he'd rather make the trip over to Montpellier, where he'd never been at all, much less with Dr Whitly.

The villa had six bedrooms. As the driver brought their luggage inside the bright and spacious main room, Malcolm handed him some folded Euros and thanked him and shut the door behind him.

"First choice of a room is yours," he told Edrisa with a smile. "But you might want to explore first."

Comments

[thatsfascinating]

She brightened as well. "Ooo! I bet you can! That will be so nice. Mohonk was probably the most stars I'd seen in years, and that's still pretty close to the city."

[abrightboy]

He laughed. "Yeah, there's a reason Gil calls me 'city boy'," he admitted. "I'm actually really excited about the skylight over my bed. I bet when the lights are out, the view of the sky is amazing."

[thatsfascinating]

"Assuming the weather cooperates, we can find out tonight." She fully intended to lie down with him until he fell asleep.

[abrightboy]

He loved that she did that, despite how inconvenient it had to be for her. He fell asleep more easily. His mind raced less. He felt needed. He felt loved and appreciated.

"Maybe we'll see some constellations."

[thatsfascinating]

She loved being able to be there for him like that. They couldn't spend the whole night in the same bed, but she could be with him until he fell asleep, holding him close and keeping him warm. Showing him she was there, and she loved him.

"Maybe!" She looked around. "Which way is north?"

[abrightboy]

He thought about it, turning in his seat slightly to orient himself.

"That way," he concluded, pointing to the left.

The chef came in, noting Malcolm's very slightly touched bowl.

"You do not like, monsieur?"

Malcolm looked up, almost startled by the question. "What? Oh. No. It's very good. Thank you."

The chef looked dubious as he refilled their wine glasses and then slipped back out of the room.

Malcolm watched him go, then looked at Edrisa. "It's possible I didn't think this through."

[thatsfascinating]

Edrisa was orienting herself and trying to figure out where the constellations would be when the chef came in. She gave the man a wide, encouraging smile when he glanced her way to reassure him that the food was really good. When the man returned to the kitchen, Edrisa looked at Malcolm.

"Don't worry! You could give some to me...I'm almost done and I could definitely have more."

[abrightboy]

"Really?" What an answer to all the problems... oh. Something occurred to him that hadn't. "It's pretty light for a main course, isn't it?" He pushed his bowl towards her. "Take as much as you want. Just leave some broth in the bottom."

[thatsfascinating]

"A little," she confessed. "But it's okay! Between the two of us it's perfect."

She scooped the solid pieces of seafood into her bowl,leaving the broth, then passed the bowl back.

[abrightboy]

He took his bowl back, taking another bite. It was easier to spoon up the broth with the obstacles gone. He'd eaten one or two solid chunks at the start, but that was enough.

"That's our relationship's slogan, isn't it?" he teased.

[thatsfascinating]

She smiled, her mouth full of delicious fish chunks, and swallowed and washed it down with wine.

"Together we're perfect?" Her smile widened. "Sounds about right."

[abrightboy]

"It does sound about right." He took another bite of the broth and leaned forward a little. "What constellations will we see through my ceiling?"

[thatsfascinating]

"Mmm..." she said, chewing as she thought. "I think we should be able to see canis major."

[abrightboy]

He smiled. "Maybe I'll make up a story about it," he said. "That's how constellations started as a Thing, right?"

[thatsfascinating]

She pointed her spoon at him. "Yes it is! And that sounds like fun!" She smiled. "I like it when you tell me stories."

[abrightboy]

"Yeah? I was worried I was talking too much," he admitted.

[thatsfascinating]

She shook her head. "You never talk too much."

She never understood why anyone would think that.

[abrightboy]

His expression warmed.

"Neither do you," he told her.

The chef collected their dishes and brought out the dessert - creme brulee garnished with fresh berries - along with a different, much sweeter wine.

[thatsfascinating]

Her own expression warmed at that. She loved that he believed that. And that they were connected that way, too much for other people but just right for each other.

She leaned back and gave the chef a smile as he took the plate. "That was delicious, thank you!" When he returned with the dessert she clapped and bounced a little in her seat. "Oh, nice!"

[abrightboy]

Malcolm ate a berry off the side as it was placed in front of him, in case the chef didn't believe he ate the soup. Or at all. He smiled at Edrisa's reaction.

"Thank you," he told the chef, and he slipped out of the room again.

[thatsfascinating]

Edrisa picked up her spoon and cracked the layer of caramelized sugar, then scooped out some of the creme. "This looks amazing," she said, adding a berry to the spoon and popping it all in her mouth.

[abrightboy]

He took a bite as well.

"Delicious," he confirmed. "Very authentic."

He looked across at her. "I can eat maybe half. Do you want the rest?"

[thatsfascinating]

"Mmm!" she said with a nod. "Yeah, definitely!"

She took another spoonful.

"You know what? We should have a picnic tomorrow."

[abrightboy]

"That's a great idea!" he said enthusiastically. "We can throw together a few things. I'm sure there's a picnic basket or something in this place."

[thatsfascinating]

"it doesn't have to be too fancy. Some cheese, some bread, some fruit, a bottle of wine...we can find a nice tree to stop under on our way into town."

She took a sip of the sweet wine. "Mmm!"