Put Me Down!

"No. I like that glare on your face." Valeric shook his head. 

Stella glared.

"Valeric! Let go!" 

"You've got some moves, huh?" 

"You!-" 

"Where did you even learn to fight? For someone as small as you, it's surprising." 

She was fuming while still hopping on one foot. "I'm going to count to three, and if you don't let go-"

The sound of the man chuckling to himself made her anger burn even worse.

"I'm being serious, Valeric. Let go." 

"Do you give up?" 

"Damn you!" 

"It seems like you're not ready to-"

"Fine! I give up. Let go."

"Say it again," Valeric demanded. 

"What? S-say what?"  

"That you give up." 

"Are you out of your mind?"  

"Doesn't look like you're really ready to—"

"I give up! I give up, I give up!" 

"Good girl." He finally let go of her ankle and stepped closer to ruffle her hair. "How do you feel?"