“I always have the same feeling, both during the dream and once I wake up.  I feel safe around this person; protected, and happy, and loved… every single dream gives me the same feeling.”  I nod slowly and tug my lip ring between my teeth, a nervous habit that I can’t seem to kick.

“Do… I mean, if that is true, do you feel like… you’ve met this person again?  Like, in this life?” I ask, avoiding his gaze.

If he has, there’s no way in hell that I have a shot with him, so I might as well just give up before I get hurt.  That’s the easiest way to protect yourself, isn’t it?  Keep your guard up, shut things down before those things can shut you down.

But… if he has met this person, then why isn’t he with them right now?  Why is he wasting time with me when he could potentially be with his… soul mate, or whatever?

He stays silent for so long that I’m starting to wonder if he even heard me.  I finally look back at him, locking onto his emerald eyes, to find him watching me with a thoughtful expression, the ghost of a smile on his lips allowing his dimples to just barely indent his cheeks.

“Li?” I mumble softly and he blinks slowly, long lashes brushing against his cheekbones as his smile widens ever so slightly.

“Yeah,” he whispers quietly.  “I think I have.”

And then he kisses me.