His mind froze up immediately. God Lionel could smell her shampoo and feel the warmth from her skin and immediately all coherency was gone from his mind besides the idea that he could kiss her right now. He was almost sure she'd let him.

"I..." Lionel fumbled for a secret but couldn't really think of anything. "...yeah okay I forgot." He swallowed, wide eyed at just her presence.

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Marlene leaned back and sighed. "Terribly disappointing. I think for that, I should get to read one page of that mysterious diary."

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"I told you already," Lionel says simply, shrugging. "Make me an offer, duckling."

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Hugging her knees to her chest, she asked, "What do you want in exchange?"

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"I think we're just talking in circles here, Marlene," Lionel sighs.

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She stood and looked down at him. "You haven't told me what you want." She shrugged and headed to the doorway. "I'll let you finish unpacking."

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Lionel hesitated, his mouth open. He wanted to make the point that he had told her want he wanted. Several times. But there wasn't a point. Lionel sighed. "Tell me a secret. And then I'll tell you one. We'll trade."

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Marlene leaned against the door frame and thought for a moment before turning a soft shade of pink.

Quietly, she said, "Did I ever tell you? You were my first kiss."

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Lionel's lips parted in shock a warm shock went down his spine. "No shite?"

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His adorable look of shock made her blush a bit harder and look away from him. "Yeah. Well whatever. Okay, your turn."

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Lionel wasn't so easy to give up the subject. He scrambled to his feet and brushed his bangs out his face. "Seriously? You should have said something. I would've..." Done it differently.

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"Would've what? Made fireworks appear? Just a kiss, Lionel. Not a big deal, right?"

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Ouch. Lionel flinched momentarily, smirking absurdly through the pain. "Not a big deal," he echoed. "Riiight. Thanks, Marlene. Thank you, for that." An ache appeared in his chest and Lionel rubbed dully at it.

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"Don't," she glared. "Don't do that."

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"Mmmmhmmm," Lionel said. "No, yeah, I have to do this, Marlene. Sorry. Kind of hard to avoid." He made an effort to slip past her out the doorway.

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As he slipped past, she grabbed his wrist.

"Lionel."

She wanted to say that it was the perfect first kiss. Dancing in the rain ending with the sudden, unexpected meeting of the lips. And with her best friend. But instead she could only look at him for a brief moment before letting go of his wrist and pushing herself out from between him and the door frame, heading quickly to her own room.

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Lionel pressed a hand to his mouth, an attempt to hold back his frustration. She was always doing that. Always starting sentences and not finishing them. He hurt, he ached to know what she always started to say, and never did.

After a moment, Lionel let his hand drop and took a long, deep breath. He moved to lean in the doorway of her room, silent for a moment.

"Wanna hear my secret?"

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Her back to him as she rearranged some picture frames, she replied, "I suppose, yes."

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He picked at his cuticles, trying to appear casual as he said, "I'm glad we're friends, duck."

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"Hardly a secret, Lionel."

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"Most of my others would either get you killed or make you mad at me."

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She turned to look at him. "I promise I won't get mad."

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Lionel grinned. Sure she said that now... "Alright." Lionel stood up straight and spread his hands. "I'm not sorry I was your first kiss. Take it or leave it, duckling."

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Marlene shrugged. "Why would I get mad at you for that? I'm not sorry you were my first kiss, either."

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"Seriously?"

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