Freckles

"How are you?" He asked once they had separated.

Abby looked at the floor because she was afraid he would see through her lies.

"I'm fine." She replied with her voice barely above a whisper.

Remo held her chin and raised her jaw to make her look at him.

"Are you?"

"Y-yes." She managed a small smile with a nod.

"Then why the sad face. Or perhaps you missed me?"

Abby felt her cheeks flush with a hint of embarrassment as Remo gently teased her. His ability to lighten the mood, even in the midst of her emotional turmoil, was one of the things she cherished about whatever that they had.

She let out a soft, almost imperceptible chuckle. "Maybe I did miss you a little," she admitted, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.

Remo smirked, "Ouch I'm hurt sweetheart, just a little?"

Abby hummed in response.

"Are you sure? You're bad liar Abby, I think I need to torture the truth out of you."

With no time to anticipate his actions, his fingers darted toward her ribs, setting off an immediate reaction.

She let out a high-pitched shriek, her body convulsing and writhing as if seized by a fit. The sensation of being tickled was something she thoroughly despised. She ran to the couch and he followed, not sparing her.

"Remo! You please! St - Stop! I'm serious - damn it! STOP!" she stammered, her words interspersed with yelps, while her limbs flailed. However, he had her legs firmly ensnared, and he let out a hearty, amused laugh at her reaction.

"Tell me," he demanded, increasing the speed of his finger assault on her ribs, reducing her to the sound of a squealing piglet.

"Remo, please!" she managed to sputter out amid her laughter. "I'm telling the truth! You don't have to—ahaha—torture me!"

But Remo was relentless, his fingers dancing along her ribs with expert precision. He had a mischievous glint in his eyes as he reveled in her uncontrollable laughter.

"Tell me, Abby!" he insisted, his own laughter mixing with hers. "Admit it, you missed me terribly!"

Amid the laughter and the chaos, as Remo continued his relentless tickling assault, Abby's world turned into a whirlwind of sensations.

She gasped for breath between giggles, her cheeks flushed and her eyes tearing up from the sheer intensity of it all.

But just as she began to think she couldn't take any more, Remo finally relented. He withdrew his fingers, allowing Abby to catch her breath as she lay there, still giggling uncontrollably.

"You win, you win," she managed to say between laughs, tears of mirth glistening in her eyes.

Remo chuckled, leaning closer to her. "Now, tell me, how are you really feeling?"

Abby's laughter subsided, and she looked at him, her eyes reflecting a mixture of gratitude and vulnerability.

"I'm feeling better," she admitted, her voice softer, the weight of her emotions still lingering but somehow more manageable.

Remo gave her a reassuring smile, his eyes filled with understanding. "Good. And remember, whenever you need someone to make you laugh, I'm just a tickle away."

Abby nodded, she stared at Remo her heart racing in her chest she realized the position they were in now. He was lying on top of her

With his face much closer to hers than she had expected.

His pupils are blown out, with his lids hooding his eyes but his brows were pinched together as he darted his gaze over her face.

There was several emotions mixing together over his face that were confusing to her; there was sadness, irritation and she couldn't help but get lost in them for a moment.

"I really like your freckles." He said, tracing a finger across her nose and cheeks.

"R-really?", Abby asked, her heart pounding in her chest. She has always hated them so much. God knows how many times she had tried to use makeup to hide them.

"Yeah they're pretty."

Their eyes locked for a moment longer, and it felt as if time had slowed down.

But then, Abby cleared her throat, breaking the moment, and a blush crept onto her cheeks. "Um, so, what were you up to today?" She asked, trying to shift the focus away from the intensity of the moment.

Remo chuckled, recognizing the need for a shift in their conversation. "Oh, just the usual. Work, errands, and then I thought I'd come check on my favorite person. Get dressed, I'm taking you out,Freckles."

With a grin, he gently lifted himself off of her, allowing Abby some breathing room.

Abby furrowed her brows inquisitively, her curiosity piqued. "Freckles?" she questioned, her tone laced with amusement.

Remo nodded, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Yep, your new nickname. Hope you like it."

Abby playfully pouted, her lips forming a mock frown. "And what if I don't?" she teased.

Remo leaned closer, a playful glint in his eyes. "Why not? Freckles is a cute name," he replied, a hint of laughter in his voice.

Rolling her eyes, Abby couldn't help but smile. "Fine! I'm going to change."

Remo grinned, clearly pleased with the outcome of his impromptu nickname selection. "Great! Wear pants and a jacket. We're going for a ride."