80 - Expectations

 "So where do you want to start?"

Jia closed her eyes as Atlas ran his fingers down the side of her face, the calluses following the dip of her cheek and down to her chin. She sighed. "Are we - dating?"

It was a clumsy way to begin a talk so important, and she knew it. But it was better than nothing, and at least he looked amused rather than disappointed at her lack of eloquence. A smile quirked at the corners of his mouth as he took a lock of her dark hair between his fingers and raised it to his lips. He pressed a kiss to it, keeping his eyes on her face all the while, and she became even more acutely aware that she was still straddling his lap.

"I'd say that we are. I wish I'd been more plain about it if you've been doubting it so much."

"No, it's not that," she hurried to say. "I just...wanted to be sure. Might as well."

"Mm."

"How serious is it?"

"How serious do you want it to be?"

She took one hand off his shoulder a