returning {to the past} -crystal

[~echo~]

Anita seized the phone almost immediately after it started ringing, but forced herself to let it ring once or twice more before answering. "Hey, Alex."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Alex forced his voice to be calm and friendly. "Anita, hola," he said. "How are you?"

[~echo~]

Anita smiled as she heard his voice. "Hola. I'm well, thank you. How are you?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Apparently tired," Alex said somewhat dryly. "Slept until just a few minutes ago. Sorry."

[~echo~]

She gave a laugh. "Sounds like it. It's okay; I'm sure you've been busy."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Alex gave her a weak smile. "I don't know what you're talking about. Taking down two gangs, then coming here and having to save my brother's a** when I'm supposed to be on vacation? That's nothing."

[~echo~]

Anita laughed and shifted the phone to her other ear. "Well, then, what's up?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I want to see you," Alex said. He smiled and his voice took on a teasing note. "I thought that much would be obvious." He couldn't stop thinking about last night and how he'd had to leave, even though all he wanted was to spend the night with her. Wake up with her in his arms.

[~echo~]

She grinned. "I thought you would never ask. Where?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"How about your place?" At this point, he really just wanted some time alone with her.

[~echo~]

"Sure. That sounds great," she said, smiling.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Alex grinned, a feeling he hadn't felt for a long time flowing through his chest. "See you there."

[~echo~]

Anita prepared her apartment until he arrived, making it clean and good-smelling.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

It only took Alex about ten minutes get there. He parked and took the stairs up to her floor two at a time. Despite his eagerness, he still hesitated before knocking. This was insane, right? Him and Anita, here together, making up. Impossible. He took a deep breath and rapped his knuckles against the wood.

[~echo~]

Anita was finalizing a few things in the apartment when she heard the knock on the door. Her heart skipped a beat and she smiled despite herself. She rushed to the door but hesitated before opening the door... but when she did, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. She pulled back after a moment and grinned at him. "Hola, Alejandro."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Alex had this goofy grin on his face as he gazed down at her. "That was one hell of a greeting, chica."

[~echo~]

Anita grinned up at him. "I didn't know what else to do. Please come in," she replied quietly, the smile still lingering as she led him inside. It was small but comfortable enough. She gestured at a couch and then looked back at him. "Do you want something to drink? I've got water, soda, beer.... what's your poison?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Alex followed her in and glanced around, taking in a slow breath. Geez, even her apartment smelled like it. It was just in the air. "Mountain Dew?" he said.

[~echo~]

(What's in the air? )

Anita heard his request and gave a small smile. "Sure, I've got a little left." She hurried to the kitchen, which was attached to the living room, and fixed his drink. She grabbed a water for herself and then returned, sitting next to him and giving him the Dew. "Enjoy." She raised her cup as if to clink hers with his.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

(Lol, 'giving him the Dew' sounds hilarious to me for some reason)

Alex grinned as their glasses clinked. "To old friends reunited."