The weekend passed by quicker than you had anticipated. You ended up just spending the rest of said weekend at Paulie's house, his choice of course. Spending the entire Saturday getting over that horrid hangover. The Sunday to follow was more of an awkward day. Paulie was unusually quiet, you found this action of his quite cute, but the tension was eating you alive. Yet, Paulie insisted that you stayed over for the rest of the weekend. Paulie is a man who makes no sense. The only sense that you got from him was that he could possibly be interested maybe even crushing over you.

Leave it to fate?

Monday surely is a day to be filled with wonders. And it all starts...

"Wake up Bitch! We have work!" Paulie being the crotchety man he was, gave you the wake up call that you'd surely take to heart. Being if your heart doesn't stop due to heart attack that is. Waking up with a terrified shriek that bounced off the bedroom walls. Breath quickened to alarming rates. Your hand entangled itself within one of the many pillows sitting atop the plush bedtop, chucking the sack of feathers right at Paulie who stood at the base of the bed. Hearing the thud of the pillow coming into contact with his unusually calm face. Soon turning red in anger and steam flooding from his ears.

"God Damn It!" The Shipwright cursed all the while raising a fist to your face. "Treat me with some respect!" Paulie barked. Taking in deep breaths, regaining his patience. "Just get out of bed... I don't want to be late," you were beyond surprised to have found out that Paulie change his attitude so suddenly. What has gotten into him?

"Sure thing Mr. Bossypants," you gave Paulie a small salute. Entirely amused by the fact that Paulie was fuming over the insulting nickname. All he could do was take it, since he technically was being a bossy jerk at the moment.

"Thank you," Paulie exited to let you change and collect yourself for the long working day ahead. Once changed into a spare change of clothes, you stepped out of his bedroom. Still a bit drowsy, not entirely awoken. Working against the feeling with no other choice available.

"Lets get going," you yawned with a slight stretch. Paulie was in the process of stuffing his blue flame cuffed coat with the Galley La company's extra sturdy rope that he never left the house without. You tilted your head to this matter.Paulie looked up from his work, flicking the ash off the end of his cigar into a nearby ashtray. Noticing you but didn't acknowledge you.

And he's back to his normal ways... You thought, offended that once again, Paulie's attitude changed so frequently. "I never understood why you carry rope up your sleeves," you directed that statement as a question. Paulie perked up with a large cheesy smile that was rare to your eyes. Adoring that smile, taking a mental picture of the rare sight.

"You never know when you'll need some," Paulie began to explain with a hint of pure joy to his gravelly voice. "Its also how I protect myself. I can demonstrate later on Lucci if you'd like."

Your lips curled into a faint smile. "I'd love to see that."

The blonde shuffled, rearranging his jacket once he had deposited the last of his rope up his loose sleeves. Chuckling slightly, "then call it done. Lets head out," Paulie opened the front door for you, it was definitely a gentlemanly action on his part. You stepped out, with the cheeky blonde to follow.

Its official, Paulie does like me. Nothing else would explain his ever different actions and overall change in image. I think I like this new side to him.

The two began the short walk, strolling side by side down to the working docks. The sun was still rising over the horizon, a faint chilly morning that brought you to shivers. Goosebumps overlying your exposed arms. You still haven't gotten used to mornings like these. It was always colder by the water. "Thanks for letting me stay the weekend at your place Paulie. It was really thoughtful of you," you finally spoke up after a few short yet drawn out moments.

"Don't mention it," Paulie had a bashful grin plastered across his face. You took another mental picture of this sight. Adoring these little moments to the fullest.

"Hey, would you mind if I did this?" You took a hand out of the pocket of your paint stained jean overalls. Brushing your hand against Paulie's; Paulie flinched with a slight gasp. You then in turn, held his hand lightly. Expecting some sort of insult or decline of gesture. But he didn't do anything.

"I-I guess not," Paulie stuttered, turning his head off to one side. A bright dust of pink clouded his sun kissed cheeks that he tried all so desperately to hide.

I still can't tell if Paulie is just a massive pervert or he's truly not used to simple gestures of affection.

"No need to hide Paulie. I can see you blushing," you teased with a shy giggle.

"I figured..." Paulie looked forward. Adjusting his hand so swiftly that you barely even noticed that your fingers entwined with his. "Listen up (Y/n)."

"You have my attention."

"I... I'd like to take you out on a real date eventually. How about it?" Paulie was flooding in a flustered mess that overcame the color in his face.

Can this man get any cuter?

"I'd be dumb to say no."