Is this destiny?

Michael released Oni from his hug, and they are lying on the bed close to each other with their bodies only few inches apart. She glanced at him and became aware that he is topless. That reminded her that she removed his shirt, but he didn't put anything on… and the t-shirt she got from the closet is on the bed next to him... and his toned chest is right in front of her, with his finely sculpted abs as well. 

Oni is a teenager and seeing the man she likes exposed like that, on the bed next to her... made her heart race. 

"Michael?", she called weakly.

"Hmm?"

"Can you put your t-shirt on? This is too stimulating.", Oni admitted. 

"Is it?" Michael chuckled while wondering, what is her definition of 'stimulating'? It is probably an innocent version of how he would use that word.

He saw that she is glaring at him and sighed in defeat. "OK."

Michael moved swiftly and pulled the t-shirt over his head and by the time he returned back to a lying position, Oni was sitting on the bed.

He extended his arms, silently inviting Oni to come to his embrace.

Oni bit her lower lip. It's not that she does not want to, but… She put her hand into Michael's and laid next to him, but outside of the hug-reach. They ended up lying side by side while holding hands.

Oni felt a bit guilty about rejecting his hug. "Is this OK?"

"Yes.", Michael responded immediately.

She was not convinced. "Are you sure?"

He confirmed. "Oni, I will never push you to go faster than what you are OK with. You giving me a chance to fix things is good for me."

A warm and fuzzy feeling filled up her chest, making her smile. She wondered if he is aware of the effect his words are having on her. Probably not. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me. I didn't give up on hugging you. This is just a small break."

Oni's heart skipped a beat when she felt that he laced his fingers with hers. She reminded herself to focus and not show him how all this is making the butterflies in her stomach go crazy to the point of her wishing to use the restroom. "How small is that break?"

Michael smiled mysteriously. "Hmm… who knows? It might be a minute, or a day… or a month… Or maybe I don't hug you at all."

Oni's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "Really?"

Oni observed his sly expression and wondered, was he always this confident? She is quite sure that he didn't smile much (before tonight). Is it possible that he is happy? Because of her? 

He hummed in confirmation. "Mhm… I will use my charms and seduce you into hugging me."

Oni laughed. If he knows that she is smitten completely, he would not say that he needs to charm or seduce her into hugging… or anything for that matter because she is absolutely defenseless in his presence and the only thing holding her back from jumping on him is her shyness.

He laughed with her and that eased up the tension. There is nothing better than laughing with the person you care about.

They relaxed and chatted about plans for the next few days. Originally, their schedule was to pack up in the morning and head to Frankfurt, with different missions lined up for the next three days before returning home, but now with Michael's eyes being hurt they need to modify those plans.

They decided to stay in Interlaken a day longer than originally planned. It will allow Michael a day to stay in the bed and heal, and if he feels better later in the day, they can go for a stroll in the city, or maybe for a small hike.

On the 11th they will head to the Chateau in France to meet up with Sarah and Aiden in time for dinner. 

Jesse wants to use this for an additional sync up with Aiden before Sarah and Aiden go off the grid for the next two weeks (part of their honeymoon).

"Do you think that Marija will be there?", Oni asked.

There is a high chance that Marija will be at the Chateau and Oni is not sure how to face her. It would be simple if she is a friend or an enemy, but right now Marija still has the status of Sarah's friend and Oni does not feel that she has the right to punish her.

"I'm not sure. But in case she is, I want to be present when Sarah faces her. All this is my mess and I want to be part of handling the cleanup.", Michael responded.

Oni likes that he is not running away from the responsibility, even though she does not like the idea of Marija and Michael sharing a space. She reminded herself to focus on the important parts. "How will you fix it?"

Michael admitted that he doesn't know. "It will depend on her. Ideally, I would like that she comes to her senses, apologizes for acting like a brat, and we all move on with our lives. But I have a feeling that it will not be so simple because after tonight it is not a matter of right or wrong, but her ego is hurt. What do you think?"

Oni was happy that Michael asked about her opinion. She agreed with his thoughts. Oni does not like Marija, but she has no grudges against her. If Marija backs away, Oni sees no need to pursue this matter further. Oni thought of another possibility: "Marija might pretend that she is fine, but you know that she is good with computers… she can attack at any time when our guard is lowered."

"I know one more girl who is good with computers and can strike back at any given time."

Oni realized that he is talking about her. Well, Sarah said that Oni is her best student (together with Nala and Masika), and Michael praised her just now! Her lips curved into a smug smile.

Thinking about Sarah and Marija, Oni had more thoughts to share: "I'm confident that Sarah has plans for Marija. After all, Sarah knows what happened, and she was never the one to let the bully go."

Michael agreed with this. "Let's try not to think about it. Whatever comes, we will handle it." 

Oni's heart swelled. It's not that this is the first time he spoke about them as 'we', but this is after they kissed and they are holding hands and it has a different meaning, it is definitely more intimate.

Michael didn't notice that Oni blushed again. His mind was already somewhere else: "Since we have three free days unexpectedly, and we will be in France, do you want us to go to Paris?"

"Paris?"

"Mhm…", Michael hummed in confirmation. "We can spend a day there. Eiffel Tower, flower gardens, parks, Seine river, shopping… whatever you want."

Oni stared at him without blinking. "Is that…?"

"A date? Yes.", Michael answered. 

Oni lowered her head shyly, obviously overwhelmed by this, but her smile told him that she approves. 

"Think about what you want to do and let me know."

"OK.", she whispered. 

Oni glanced at him and noticed that he is watching her. "Close your eyes.", Oni reminded him. 

Michael obeyed. 

He smiled while voicing his thoughts: "Out of the three free days, one we will spend here in Interlaken, the second one in Paris… what about the third one? Do you have any desires?"

Oni looked at him and blinked. "Another day? Just the two of us?"

"Why not? We don't get free days often. We will be in France, so we can stay in that area, or return home a day earlier and spend it in Los Angeles."

"A date in Los Angeles?"

Michael can tell based on her voice how flustered she is, and he is glad that he is the cause of her current state and not some other guy. "Yes. A date in Los Angeles. Let's figure out what we want to do and then we will find the place. Do you want us to do an activity which you like, or are you up for something new…?"

"Me? Uhm... What about you? What would you like to do?", Oni asked in return.

"I want to spend my time with you.", Michael said and sneakily opened his eyes to see her half-stunned, half-elated expression. "That is why you pick the activity. Whatever you want, I am fine with it... or if you wish, I can make it a surprise."

Oni took a deep breath, wondering if she is dreaming. She is lying on the bed, holding hands with Michael and they are discussing their upcoming dates. Yes, this must be a dream because her heart is not aching anymore, and she is excited and… happy.

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