in which bella does not have long to think of something

"I like you," he explains, as though that's all there is to it. Maybe it is.

subtly_artistic

"Good. I like you too."

Celo beams.

subtly_artistic

"I've been largely cured of the habit of starting sentences with I wish," says Bella, "but, apropos of what I just said, it must be so cool to be able to carry everything around unobtrusively like that. Totally a good tradeoff for no pockets."

He giggles.

"Fuck, you're cute," he says fondly.

subtly_artistic

"Thanks."

"And you're right," he adds, "it's awesome."

subtly_artistic

"Anything else squirreled away for amenable weather conditions?"

He shrugs.

"You know, I think the one major downside is that I tend to kind of forget what's in there until something reminds me," he says. "Nothing else as weather-dependent as the picnic blanket, though." With a wry smile, "Unless there is."

subtly_artistic

"You could maintain a list," she suggests.

"Sure I could," he snorts. "And by sure I mean like hell."

subtly_artistic

"Not your style, huh?"

"No way I'd remember every time." He grins. "Besides, I like the surprises."

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"Like finding silver pieces in the couch," suggests Bella.

"Exactly! It feels like you're getting a present even though it is a present from your own ability to lose things," he snorts.

subtly_artistic

"I'd just as soon not lose the things in the first place, but I get the appeal, sorta," laughs Aether. "Keeping lists is definitely my style."

"I know," he says fondly.

subtly_artistic

Om nom nom, candied orange segments.