North x Northwest

Chapter 287

I wouldve drawn you if it werent for mealtime. Its a shame.

When Ed pressed his lips on Lils, she felt her chest throb before he fell away.

How am I feeling this way when we are only an inch away? Love is complicated I dont feel happy or excited all the time. Rather, its more like an unknown, tingling sensation thats close to pain Its not even funny. If my heart is squeezed this often, I seriously think I might die young?

Lil looked at Eds side profile. Seeing the wind ruffle his hair, Lil found that the wind suited him as well.

You look really good too.

Of course I do.

Ed even said that in such a nonchalant manner that it sounded sincere.

Yeah, right! I forgot that this guys a narcissist

The chest pain Lil felt only seconds ago was instantly subdued.

She gulped down the cold tea, the awkward coldness seemed exactly like her heart.

While drinking, Lil pondered about her awkwardness.

I want to express my affection towards Ed too, but I cant think of anything else to do other than lead on to go to bed together every night None of the affectionate words that Ed usually tells me are returned All I do with Ed instead is kiss him and take off his clothes when I cant overcome those intense emotions But if I look at Levi and Linhardt

Levi was in Linhardts arms. With the latter wrapping his arms around her waist, Levis lips were close to the mans chin while she was constantly saying something. She then giggled and stamped her feet in joy. Lil could tell that on her part, she could never find herself rubbing her cheek and stamping her feet in Eds arms.

To put it bluntly, maintaining her relationship with Ed was more difficult than any relationship she had ever experienced. The reason probably lied in the fact that her emotions had always been repressed and never expressed.

Ed asked Lil, who was blankly tightening the hold on an innocent piece of bread.

What are you thinking about so much?

Im wondering if I can ever learn how to be flirtatious.

Ed spit out the tea he was drinking and coughed. He was so surprised by Lils answer that his face turned red from embarrassment. After coming back to his senses he quickly wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

Why ack why are you thinking about that?

Well, I was thinking about how normal people express their feelings.

Aha. Courtship So, youve been thinking about courtship.

Most people use sweet words or do silly things. Im not good at either of that and at this rate, I might die first before I even get to learn how to do that

Ed suddenly sat with his head bowed down. He appeared to be clutching his stomach, but because he was wearing a coat, Lil couldnt be so sure. It was only when his shoulders began trembling that she realised that Ed was indeed laughing wildly. She didnt even need to see his quirky grin with her own eyes. She could simply picture it.

How could you laugh at what I just said?!

Despite her outburst, he went on with his laughter without listening.

Lil quietly put down the bread and teacup before dusting off her hands. After putting Eds meal aside as well, she pushed the man, still preoccupied with laughter, with both hands as hard as she could.

Why are you laughing?!

He wasnt pushed away altogether but only staggered. Lil, however, was determined and pushed him again.

Oh, really youre so

When Ed turned his head to face her, Lil noticed that the area around his eyes was moist, probably because he had actually shed tears. Seeing him that way made her feel as if he had become infinitely younger. Of course, they had a four or five-year age difference, but she usually didnt feel such a gap in their ages at all.

This is so cute, what should I do with you? Liloa

..!

Ed attempted to embrace Lil as he said that, but Lil saw through it and pushed him away.

Hey?

Ed lost his balance and fell beside the rock they had been sitting on, landing on the grass. Despite his situation, he couldnt help himself and the laughter continued. If being kicked off the rock hadnt caused any damage to his pride, he calmly sat down on the ground, placed his elbow on the rock, and rested his chin on his hand.

Im really curious about the kind of feelings you want to express.

Tell me, hmm?

Id be a fool if I tell you now.

I might be able to help you? If its about being flirtatious, Im quite confident.

As if to prove his words, Ed smiled. He then slowly winked and indeed, the sight of him doing so made Lil swoon immediately. No matter how tightly the bars on her chest were fastened, Ed melted them even without touching.

Its exactly like that

Getting giddy, Lil shook her head.

Well, no matter how much I think about it, I cant.

You can start with words.

But Ive never said such unfamiliar words

Ed gently grabbed Lils waist. With both of his hands almost completely wrapping her torso, Lils body naturally followed him down. The scent of wildflowers and grass became closer. As soon as she felt the moisture on the ground, she landed on Eds thighs.

She absentmindedly brushed her palm over a handful of the rough grass, however, when she noticed she got close enough to touch his face, her face was slightly flushed.

Come on, just try it.

What?

It doesnt need to be expressed in a flowery language. What matters is that you are honest.

What on earth do you want to express and do? Youre making me so curious that I cant even finish my meal.

But this rock isnt even high enough to hide the top of our heads

Lil, who was sitting on Eds legs in the open space, twisted her body in embarrassment while he held her in his arms.

As long as you stay still, the rock will cover us just well.

See, there are some shrubs, too. That should be enough.

Lil looked around at the surrounding bushes before lowering her gaze. Meanwhile, Eds fingers patiently and gently brushed her lips.

I cant stand it

Ed pulled her by the waist. The hand that wrapped her shoulder went to the nape of her neck and into her hair. Lil naturally overlapped her lips with his and slid her tongue inside.

The bright afternoon sea breeze stirred their hair and swirled the hem of their coats.

It felt like the sea was rushing in. It gave her the feeling of sinking under the current, drowning, and being submerged from the feet down. When Eds heated body hugged her even tighter, a moan escaped her as she felt suffocated, not knowing whether it was pain or pleasure. Nevertheless, she couldnt get away from him.

Both were out of breath right after breaking their kiss. Lil then rested her forehead on Eds rising and falling shoulder and turned her head away from him. Her view was filled with the swirling sea below the cliff and the sky touching the horizon.

Lil spoke, her voice entangled with the sound of the waves.

I like you. Its strange

Lil felt compelled to speak up as she looked at the world. On one hand, the world appeared stunningly beautiful and distant. On the other hand, her words seemed small and insignificant.

In the end, I really cant give up* and I keep falling deeper. I wonder if this is what love is.

Eds body stiffened. Lil thought his reaction was related to hearing the word love, but his response was about something entirely different.

When did you decide to give up?

Im just saying

I thought you decided not to do that.

Lil expected to hear some dissatisfaction, but the tone of Eds voice came out colder than anticipated.

Ed hugged Lil even harder so that she couldnt turn to face him. After all, he wasnt sure if he could afford to show her his face full of messy desires and obsessions. Embracing her tightly, he buried his face in the crook of her neck. Ed then rubbed his cheek against Lils warm, throbbing neck, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It felt so peaceful. He eventually bared his teeth and nibbled just above her collarbone. As Ed sucked in, her wet, swollen skin stuck to his tongue.

For a while, Ed indulged himself in licking Lil.

Well, thats right Ugh

Lil, who let a moan escape, bit her lip hard. She twisted her shoulder, but Ed wasnt pushed away. He kept on kissing her gently, moving up and down along her neckline.

Then tell me again.

What how

Lil, who was particularly sensitive near the nape of her neck, flinched due to Eds actions. But the more she shrugged her shoulders, the more he crushed his lips against her nape and bit the area below her earlobe to get the words out of her.

Liloa, again.

Its just that I love you.

***

Reference:

In the end, I really cant give up and I keep falling deeper. I wonder if this is what love is. = The giving up probably refers to when Lil escaped from Venuas rented mansion and was wandering the streets, thinking back about the warning Venua gave her about killing Ed. = chapter 239 241.