Heron Lake Plateau Just a wasted puzzle piece

He was glad that she, and Towhee, appreciated it, much as he wasn't quite ready to admit the latter.  More likely than not, he and Towhee would function as they had so far... eventually they'd talk, and if it went well, he wouldn't rehash past things if she didn't.  Colt was ace at pretending conflict hadn't happened.

He paused though when Niamh struggled to put words to what he was, and instead leaned in for a small kiss to cheek.  A hell of a lot went through his mind at that moment; fuck this new mindset that made him think about shit like this.  He used to be perfectly happy taking it as it came, but now he'd tasted commitment and found that he liked it, curse the words.

More than that, he'd learned what it was to get your heart torn to pieces, and that he did not like.  At one time, he'd done just that to others freely.  Now, looking back at a few of them, the ones who had obviously not been as casual as he... he regretted it.  

"I'd like to hear the end of that sometime, though maybe after talkin's a bit easier." He said with a small laugh.  He didn't return the kiss, but he didn't move away.  Instead he went on a different track.  "So, what was the plan for the day? And you wanting some company?"