Chapter Text
Day 1256
Why is he looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face. Abbie brushes her face subconsciously while looking at a confused Ichabod. “What is it, Crane? Care to share what’s on your mind with me or are you just going to stare at me all night?” Damn it, that sounded rude. “I’m sorry, I feel rather weird you looking at me like that.” Abbie returns her focus back on Washington’s Bible. Hoping to find something that will help turn the tide on this very long and most difficult war.
Ichabod shakes his head, and sighs in an attempt to collect his thoughts. “Miss Mills. I am just thinking how lucky you were not injured seriously during that ambush. I pray that we will always have luck on our side, though lately it has not been so abundant.” Crane sitting at the other end of the room begins to stand up and make his way towards Abbie.
The archives is their special place. Somewhere to plan their strategies, somewhere to eat and drink, a place to unwind. Their common space. Sure they could have these conversations at the cabin, or at Abbie’s apartment, but here it’s neutral. This is where most of their intimate conversations were had. For Crane he is thinking tonight will be the night to share once again.
Ichabod played this very scenario in his head dozens of times. He would look at Abbie and she would make a snarky remark. He laughed at the thought. It was one of the many qualities he loved about her. She is reserved much like myself and yet she can be so opinionated, and very very assertive. She is also gentle, kind, and had a huge heart. Taking deep breaths he slowly approaches Abbie as she sits head down deep in thought. Okay, remember to breathe. She looks so lovely today, and what is that I smell. Orange blossoms. Well now this is new. “I apologize Miss Mills, I did not mean to make you uncomfortable then.” He leans ever so slowly towards her taking in her delectable scent. Just breathe and keep it simple. “I must admit, I always assumed if one of us ever fell during this battle with Moloch it would be me. Never did I truly believe it would be you, and that terrified me.”
Abbie looks up from the Bible and stares at Ichabod bewildered. Okay, what is happening? Why is he acting like this. Something is wrong. “Crane, we’ve had plenty of close calls before. Tonight really wasn’t that different. I’m okay, you’re okay. We’re okay, okay.”
“No, Miss Mills. Not this time. We were lucky and it put many things into perspective for me. Truth be told I have been searching for weeks to come up with the right words to express what I am about to tell you.”
Oh shit. Okay now I know something is wrong. Why am I feeling hot all of a sudden. How did he get so close to me. I can smell him. He always smells woodsy to me. Like nature. Yeah I’m feeling a little warm now. “Crane I know what you’re going to say….”
Crane takes Abbie by the hands and pulls her closer to him. “No I don’t think you do. We have been partners, fated to meet and fight side by side to save the world from Moloch. I’ve fought in battles before. Lost comrades, and for the first time since we’ve met, I felt like I would lose you tonight, I don’t want to go another day without expressing how much you mean to me.”
Wait, what? What is happening right now. I can’t breath. The air is too thick in here. I need to find some air. Oh his eyes are so blue. And piercing. It’s like he’s staring into my soul. Abbie shakes her head. “No this is not happening right now.” She starts to pull away, but Ichabod holds firm.
“Please, stay, I need to say this Abbie.”
Oh he said, damn it he said my name. Why did he say my name? This is serious. Great I am feeling the butterflies again. Damn it. I tried so hard to keep him at arms length. Each time I feel my guard come down I get these damn butterflies. This can’t happen. I can’t like Crane. It would only end badly and he will leave me. Just like everyone in my life that I dared to love. “No, Crane, whatever you are going to say to me. It can’t be said. We’re friends, and partners, that’s it. That’s all we can be.”
She’s scared. Well of course she’s scared, I’m scared. I’m terrified. Still holding her hands in his, he lets one hand go and holds her head up towards his. “Miss Mills, I ……….”
Damn it Crane don’t say it.
“Love….....”
Omg. Omg. Omg.
“You. Abbie. I love you. I questioned my feelings in the beginning as something of a Crush?” I think that’s the right vernacular. “But I was just denying what I felt in my heart. You, Miss Mills are the light that keeps my soul aflame. You have always been my destiny and my salvation. I love you Miss Abigail Mills and I hope that each day I am on this Earth I can prove to you I am worthy of your love.” Okay it’s done. I said it. Oh this look doesn’t seem happy. “Miss Mills?”
Abbie is taken aback by Ichabod’s declaration of love. Sure she’s been feeling more lightheaded around him lately. She started dressing slightly differently around him. Taking extra breaks at work to check up on him at the cabin. Going on day trips to nearby cities just the two of them. It was meant to be fun just to get him use to this century. Abbie suspected there was an attraction between them but she wasn’t prepared for this conversion. She wasn’t expecting this at all. Shock starting to wear off she immediately closes her mouth she just realized was opened.
“Oh Ichabod, I don’t know what to say.” Abbie looks up to him, feeling tears starting to swell in her eyes.
Oh the way she says my name is music to my ears. ‘Well I was hoping you would tell me how you felt. That is typically the response one gives to another after their affirmation of love is announced.” Why is she being so difficult. Did I misjudge her feeling for me as well? No I am certain she feels the same way.
In her head she knows this is crazy. He’s from another time period. He’s British. He’s from another time period. Hell, he’s like a walking talking romance novel. He’s from the 18th century. How is this man out of time looking at her with such desire. And yet in her heart, her heart simply beats only for him. She starts to speak. “Right. You’re right. It’s just a lot to take in all at once.” Breath. Keep breathing. Damn it’s so hot in here, of course now I’m sweating. He’s so beautiful and the way he is looking at me right now. More butterflies. I want to say it. Just tell him. “I love you too Ichabod. I have for a very long time. And I wasn’t be honest with my feelings either. I was scared that you would leave me if I told you how I felt.” Abbie looks away feeling shy all of a sudden. She hadn’t felt this way in years, it feel new to her. He is different. Ichabod is special. They were destined to meet, and for the first time in her life her heart felt whole.
“Oh poppycock.” Ichabod looks down at Abbie with a new sense of urgency in his eyes. “I will always be by your side. Knowing that you are allowing me a place in your heart fills me up with such joy. I will never make you doubt your feelings. You are always loved.” Ichabod begins to lower his head towards Abbie.
Oh this is really happening. I’ve dreamt about this for so long. Just breathe. Abbie wets her lips in anticipation for the kiss. Their first kiss. So close. He’s so close, I can almost taste him. Abbie closes her eyes taking in his earthy scent, stands on her tippy toes, leans forward and…….
“Excuse me, am I interrupting anything?”