RD 4 Ch 36

I waved to Circe in greeting, putting my best smile on my face as I approached.

She chuckled. "You’re chipper for somebody about to lead a war. Although I guess it’s not your first time.”

“Well, technically I didn’t lead much in my last life, and this is all moving much faster. I was more of an elite force. Get in, destroy some demons, get out kind of fighter before.” I admitted. Though more than once that meant getting in before the demons showed and whipping forces into shape.

This was a much longer endeavor and while it was moving fast in the midst of things, wars could easily take years.

“You’ve done amazing at getting humanity ready in what little time you were given.” Circe offered, her tune from when I left the vault having changed considerably.

Then again, it was fairly reasonable for her to be upset with me when I went missing for over a year. Perhaps that’s why any romantic feels that had been blooming had been cut short. Maybe Simone was right and I needed to put some effort in, if nothing else than to heal the rift.

"Well, now that you've fluffed me up, what's the problem?" I asked, half-joking, only for Circe to tilt her head. "Fuck, is there an actual problem?" I asked after she hesitated.

"Don't worry, it's not that bad. However, as expected, the Borrsons are pushing hard against us. And it seems the Ennead clan has their back. You didn't upset them when I wasn’t looking, did you?"

I waffled my head. "I don't think so, but if I'm perfectly honest, Ozzy didn't really seem too excited to have me when I was down there, anyway."

"Well, do your best not to make it worse." Circe instructed, pulling back her blue hair.

I slapped a sloppy salute to my forehead. "Will do. Perhaps you'll just have to come with me though, just to keep me from causing those sorts of problems."

"Seriously?" She gave me a strange look. "Are you asking me to come with you or be with you?"

"Something like that. After all, the leadership in an organization needs to build close bonds if we're going to work together effectively when we're under pressure." I answered, doing my best to keep a straight face.

She raised a singular blue eyebrow at me in curiosity. "Now this is where I'm supposed to ask you what problem you caused that I'm going to have to clean up. You are being far too flattering for the Bran Heros that I know. Or perhaps did the demons finally get to you?" She teased and stepped up close, putting a hand to my forehead. "Or can you get sick?"

"None of that." I swatted her hand away, feeling a touch extra warmth from her touch. "You're a lovely woman by all accounts and from everything I know about you, I sincerely want to treat you well. Well enough that you stay on my side through all of the craziness we're about to go through."

Circe chuckled. "Has Simone ever told you that you're a terrible flirt?"

I blinked. "Maybe. She certainly wouldn't call me a romantic."

"Few men are, Bran. Few men are. Most are really only concerned about one thing, and that's getting a woman's dress off. If you let them think for just a minute they possibly could, they become significantly more amenable to just about everything."

"I know. You’re an unincorrigible flirt." I replied.

Circe gasped and put a hand to her chest. "Bran Heros, do you really think of me like that?"

"Am I wrong?" I looked her dead in her red eyes.

"Absolutely not. I am a flirt, and it has helped me in numerous ways. Though I do draw the line at actually going on my back to get what I want. Flirting has generally worked well enough." She felt the need to clarify, her beautiful eyes searching my own to see if I understood.

I raised an eyebrow. "And why would you want me to know that?"

"Because despite many things, I do care what you think about me, Bran." She clarified, "Like you said, members of an organization need to get along and they need to respect each other. I fear you wouldn't respect me if you thought I did more than flirt to get what I want."

I held my hands up, worried about how sensitive this conversation was going. "You would have had my respect regardless. There are many strange individuals, as you saw with the generals. What really matters is if you're capable at what you do."

"Refreshing to hear that, Bran. And though many people give that lip service, I believe you." She told me, nodding to herself.

I cleared my throat. "However, Simone calls me block-headed at times. She's been trying to tell me that you're more than just a flirt. I decided to flirt my own way and it’s rather direct. Flirting like a punch in the face. So, accompany me?"

Circe broke into laughter. "Straightforward. I see. And what if I don't want to be so straightforward? What if I want to make you work for it?"

I shrugged. "Then I guess I don't have much of an option, do I?"

"No, you don't." She stepped forward and put a finger under my chin. Despite the gesture, somehow she managed to make me look down into her eyes. She was a fair bit shorter than me. "I'm glad we understand each other. But Bran, you might be a little immature for me."

I chuckled. "You are probably one of the few women in the world who can say that and actually be true. I have far more life experience than this body, remember?”

“I'm so glad I have the honor," she smirked, drawing her finger away with a small scratch of her nail in the stubble that had grown on my chin since I had been out working with the new recruits.

"I'll pick the time, and you pick the place." She offered, leaving her the easier decision. And the one that stressed me out because I would have to try to figure out what is romantic enough.

"Simone, Nix, and Gloria are going to take a day off with me here soon. As long as we can work around that, it should be fine," I said, after a moment.

Circe gave me a long look that I could not decipher. "Your first move is to remind me that you have other women?" Circe prodded when it was clear I was not following whatever was going on in her head.

"Direct, remember? There's no point in me hiding that fact. Though perhaps you'd like me to make it less upfront?" I asked after a second.

She shook her head, clicking her tongue. "What in the world am I going to do with you?” Circe asked.

"Well, I'm sure Simone could give you a dozen quick-witted replies to that. However, my biggest ask, Circe, is just to give me a chance." I looked her dead in the eyes. "I do know if you're anything like the many people I've known over the years who've lived past a certain age, something like romance isn't exactly your top priority. So give me a chance to prove to you that I'm worth the effort. Because ultimately, I think we both know, that's what's holding us all back."

Her lips curled into a slow, steady smile, this one far more realistic than the quick, flirty ones she had thrown my way since we met. "That sounds like a plan. And Bran," she said, starting to walk away, only to turn and look over her shoulder, "don't remind me of my age too often. And be sure to look at my ass as I walk away. You’re supposed to enjoy watching me, I’d prefer you stare at me and my assets often. Bran I like attention and you already have yours split three ways." With that she turned and swished her hips dramatically as she took a few test struts while looking over her shoulder.

I did as she asked, dropping my eyes to her rear, even if this went against my nature of trying to be respectful.

The sway was particularly pronounced as her loose dress accented every movement of her hip. That white toga was somehow fitted like it was grabbing each and every one of her curves.

I had a feeling I had just gotten way in over my head. But the problem about jumping into unknown waters was always not knowing just how deep they were until you were in. Circe was old enough to have strange depths.

Perhaps Simone had been more correct about Circe than I had initially believed. It seemed there was at least some interest.

However, I knew that people as old as Circe came with a fair amount of edges to her puzzle pieces. I would have to discover those over time and see if we were in fact compatible. But she might be worth that effort. I'd really have to spend some time figuring out a plan for whatever date she would expect from me here in the near future. And that's when I realized as I walked away, that she hadn't given me a time.

Fuck, she did that on purpose. To make me wait on her? Look for her to ask for it? She did say she wanted attention.