Emmaâs beautiful white dressed hugged her body tightly, showing off each and every one of her delicate figure while being as modest and fashion forward as wizardly possible.  Evan and her motherâs team had been at work, not stop, constantly reviewing her dress, her intake of food, and the design aspect. Evan had been able to request what parts are shown (like her back was open and half way down a tightly woven white ribbon crisscross making a graceful frame) and which are covered (She wore a high collared front that hugged her body that gave wizards only an impression of what they were missing once Emma was off the market- only an impression because Evan gets the gift and only him at the end of the night.) It was breathtaking. At least that is what everyone was saying. Diamonds, that looked like stars by the magical lights that adorned them in the right places so theyâd twinkle was certainly a beautiful master piece of work and the elegant bow that adorned her head was just everything that represented Evan and Emma in one little diamond crusted accessory. Everyone, especially Evan (who shouldnât have seen her in her wedding dress but no one had pointed it out to him) had been calling her an angel all day. Then why was she going to hell?Â
"Liz?" Emma called upon her friend, her voice quivering. Her eyes were red and puffy and her hair was astray which was the only thing that looked wronged in the pretty picture that should be Emma Va- Soon, Emma Rosier⌠Evan Rosierâs bride was more appropriate. Evan Rosierâs bride should be picture perfect and ready to do anything on a moments notice. Emma was turned around, crying for a good twenty minutes alone before Liz had come in. She was both the last person and first person that she wished to see come through the door. Liz thinking quick, locked the door and her good nature took over and seeing Emma distressed rushed over to her and hugged her tightly without even knowing what was wrong. She wouldnât want to hear this anymore then Emma wanted to tell her. Emma started crying harder at the thought this could be the last time they hug. Liz shushed her and pattered her back supportively and Emma could not help but feel guilty at the thoughts Liz was being more then a friend- no she had to push that away. All of this just confused her and she wished she had enough strength to push her against the wall⌠and leave. But no- she had to tell her! It was eating her up inside.Â
When she was dating David she thought it was jealousy⌠she thought it was just⌠well Liz clearly had some hold over David that Emma did not. It must have been that the way David looked at her was different from how Emma did⌠although sometimes⌠sometimes David and her eyes would meet- while both in search of Lizâs and Emma would play it off as catching her boyfriend ogling another women and he would then sit there trying to think of a way to appease Emma later but Emmaâs anger wasnât at David it was at herself for wanting to look. She had caught David looking over many girls before that and after that⌠even when David went off with others and Emma would stumbling into somewhere where he was kissing another girl she felt nothing. She had hoped it meant she was over David but if she was honest with her self she would have knowing the knots in her stomach was not because of him kissing someone else.Â
The way Liz moved her hips, captivated Emma. But it shouldnât have! Besides the fact that Liz was clearly a girl⌠Liz didnât even dress to provoke a responses like that. She didnât! And yet Emma couldnât stop- unless she constantly thought about NOT looking which means she wouldnât be staring but then it would⌠get images of her clothes that snug in all the right places, that curved her body the way she knew David didnât know how to do⌠Her eyes would close and all her secrets would let out. She wanted Liz⌠she wanted to give Liz that same breathless feeling that she use to feel with Evan until Lizâs⌠whole being captivated her mind so much- the secret desire welled up too much in her head that she couldnât stop thinking about it. She was becoming desperate and she knew it was going to be selfish but she had to tell her! Before the wedding! It was the only thing that kept her going through the day. When her mind got to wrapped up in Liz and then she get to winded up to do anything ⌠sheâs began thinking about telling her. Telling her about⌠her thoughts. Though she didnât want to recognize it even while she was fantasizing about telling her all her wonderful, consuming thoughts.Â
She could pin her biggest downfall one on particular night where she slowly turned the door handle and opened it to see⌠them. Naked⌠in bed. David was lying on his back, the back of his head facing the door and Lizâs⌠body was in all itâs glory. She was sitting on him her whole front facing towards Emma who had her mouth opened⌠they must not of heard her come in because they continued on in full force and Emma sat their motionless. Davidâs hands were wrapped around her waist his overly eager thrusts (which made Emma actually roll her eyes even though her whole body was still an unable to move) seemed to be not discouraging by Davidâs awful attempts Liz seemed valiantly going along and doing a good job to. Her eyes closed an Emma couldnât help but rack up her body before running out of the room and finding Evan. She thought about the night a lot- usually alone and at first it was just the images of David and Liz that played in her head but slowly it got to be just Liz.Â
Soon the dreams started to happen. Dreams where she and Liz were⌠dating. It would just be them hanging out but it would end with ⌠something date like. A kiss? Sheâd bring Liz flowers. Sometimes sheâd go out dancing with her⌠sometimes it was so clearly not just two friends hanging out⌠and their bodies would be pressed together and it was ⌠really rough waking up to that and.. knowing that she ⌠took care of herself when she woke up so⌠flustered while thoughts of Queen ran through her mind was too much for her.Â
She pulled away from Liz and stopped crying, embarrassed at her thoughts and what they lead to. Lizâs face was etched with concerned as she looked at Emma for a reason for the tears.Â
"Whatâs wrong? What happened? Did something happen with Evan?" She asked.Â
Nothing happened with Evan. Nothing ever happened with Evan. âNo.â Emma said, simply and she sighed.Â
Slowly it began to change and Emmaâs eyes would find Liz as soon as she walked into the door. She would start criticizing her on her dance movements in order for Emma to teach her the âproperâ way. She found herself listen more intently to Lizâs story, looking for details relating to how sheâd could win her over. Going out of her way to do things, laughing a bit harder at her jokes. She waited for Liz to wake up in the morning so sheâd be able to see her⌠found reasons after reason to hang out with Jason so sheâd be in the Ravenclaw common room. Evanâs hatred of Jason grew because of jealousy because Evan had no clue who would actually be stealing her heart.Â
"Itâs just that I donât think we should be friends after Iâm married Queen." She said sharply, using the nickname that wasnât very appropriate on her anymore. Liz cringed but pressed on. Emma thought sadly that she always wanted Liz to be her Queen.Â
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Emma sits next to him on the train tentatively and put her hand over his debating about waking him up since theyâre almost there
Evan wasnât actually asleep, just sat silently his head resting against the window eyes staring out at the landscape that was passing by. He was contemplating everything that was going to happen today.
Emma puts her hand firmly on his and squeezes it slightly.
Emma: Weâre almost here, EvanâŚ
Evan blinks a little and sits up turning to look at her.
Evan: Yeah⌠Thatâs true we are.
Emma looks a little surprised
Emma: Were you awake?
Evan: ⌠You thought I was asleep? I was thinking.
Evan shrugs a little looking out the window before back to her
Emma: Yes, I thought you were⌠I was planning on waking you up around now and well⌠yes.
Emma sighs
Emma: Are you still hungry?
Evan shakes his head but smiles gratefully.
Evan: I had a decent enough breakfastâŚ
Evan: Plus if I get hungry Iâll steal some food at the mansion.
Emma nods her head and sways her feet looking down
Evan remains sat silently for a second before squeezing her hand as she did earlier.
Evan: Iâm⌠Glad youâre coming.
Emma nods again still looking down for a few moments before she looks at him
Emma: Happy you decided you needed someone.
Evan: You said you were my family⌠Family need each other.
Emma: Though I would have focused myself in regardlessâŚ
Emma laughs slightly
Emma: Am I family now Evan?
Emma looks at him a bit hopefully, lacing their fingers together
Evan: You always will be family. Not just nowâŚ
Evan feels her fingers intertwine with his and nods again.
Emma grins
Emma: Watch out. I almost sound like a sister.
Emma teasing
Evan: Wouldnât want that now would we? Otherwise that might be classed as incest.
Evan manages a chuckle
Emma smiles and then laughs
Emma: Wouldnât that just make us more pureblood?
Evan: Valid reasoningâŚ
Evan watches the train station grow nearer in the distance.
Evan: Weâre nearly thereâŚ
Emma stands up and offer her hands
Evan takes her hands and gets up letting out a long sign.
Emma wraps her arms around him and looks up to him
Emma: Anytime you want to get away just say anything and we can step out
Evan nods slightly and briefly hugs her back.
Evan: Yeah⌠I think Iâll handle it.
Emma smiles at him
Emma: Letâs go.
Evan moves to take his case and picks this up by the handle.
Evan: Weâre taking the spare carriage to the mansionâŚ
Emma takes hers from on top and follows him out
Evan walks down the aisle and pushes the door open holding this for her seeming to have returned to his more brooding demeanour.
Emma goes through and nods
Evan steps off after her glancing towards the exit of the deserted platform.
Evan: That wayâŚ
Emma follows him and takes his hand once more
Evan seems relieved at her touch and grips her hand as he begins walking off the platform.
Emma walks to the carriage and presumably stays silent until the manor?
Evan once they were in the carriage set off the wheels turning silently causing a strange ambience to fall. Evanâs jaw was set as they turned around the corner of the drive up to his mansion. The carriage eventually came to a halt and Evan braced himself.
Emma takes the ring off her puts it back on her necklace and hides it checking to see if itâs okay
Evan lets out a breath before pushing the door open and getting out. Everything around was eerily silent apart from the large fountain nearby. The sound of water being the only thing to break the silence.
Evan: People are probably inside⌠Or not here yet⌠Or arenât coming.
Emma: My parents will certainly come.
Emma: Unless business has taken father.
Evan: Well at least not everyone will be a money grabbing vulture⌠My aunt should be here⌠Iâm not sure about Bellatrix.
Evan trails off looking up at the imposing manor.
Emma: Bella?
Emma looks at Evan trying to hide her excitment
Evan: Uh⌠Maybe. She is my cousin⌠And her mother is my fatherâs sisterâŚ
Evan shrugs a little.
Emma grins
Emma: Right. That be nice.
Evan: Yeah⌠Come on peopleâll be here soon⌠I wouldnât be surprised if Jer isnât already hereâŚ
Evan starts towards the main doors slowly.
Emma walks with him
Evan stands on the doorstep for a little while before moving a hand aside to touch the Rosier crest engraved into the wall. The doors swung open immediately after his fingers touched the centre of the stone.
Emma: Where are we sleeping?
Evan: I have my quarters and I can get the House elves to set up yours in the corridor beside mine⌠The typical ones you get when you come here.
Evan looks down to Drocul as he scuttled in along with the other House Elves Evan waited until he came to a halt bowing low infront of him.
Emma: I do rather enjoy that one. Iâm lucky that no one has figured out why.
Emma: We arenât going to express the fact that weâre dating, are we?
Evan: Yes I know you do⌠Which is why itâll be set up. And⌠I donât think itâd be the appropriate time to admit to the world weâre dating⌠As much as I like the idea my fatherâs funeral⌠Seems a little âŚ
Evan shrugs
Emma: Of course not. I was just wondering⌠what I should say if anyone was to ask.
Emma: ⌠Iâm going to just be a family friend then?
Emma tries to not let it bother her
Evan looks down to the House Elves and sighs telling them to organise Emmaâs Rooms before walking over to her.
Evan: If you want to be that then so be it⌠But that doesnât change the fact that youâre the one Iâm dating and the only one I want here with meâŚ
Emma: I know what I want to be.
Emma says softly then realizes that really isnât her place
Emma: Nevermind. Letâs go upstairs.
Evan sighs and wraps his arms around her waist gently hugging her for a few moments in silence.
Evan: I know you do⌠And I know it too⌠I want that⌠But today I donât know whether or not itâs the best idea.
Evan: Believe me Em⌠I want this.
Emma: Itâs fine.
Emma: I shouldnât even ask that of you.
Emma: Merlin, I have no manners lately.
Emma looks around nervously
Evan: You can ask what you want of me⌠And I like you without manners.
Evan lightly kisses her not even considering stepping away.
Emma: Sh. Evan!
Emma: You shouldnâtâŚ
Evan: Make me shh. Well I do, so tough.
Evan smiles a little and steals another kiss.
Emma: But you said you didnât want people to know
Emma says confused and a bit baffled but takes the kisses anyway
Evan: No, I said possibly not today⌠But I wonât argue if we do. I donât give a damn who sees us⌠Iâm feeling something that⌠Iâve never felt for anyone and to hell with people who disapproveâŚ
Emma: It be good if it makes you feel betterâŚ
Evan: Of course it would⌠Then itâs settled the world will know Iâm dating Emma Vanity and I couldnât be⌠Happier.
 Emma grins
Emma: You donât have to now.
Emma: I just wanted to make sure you didnât want it to be hidden.
Evan shrugs and lifts her up a little.
Evan: Why would I want to be secret? When the other day I was practically begging you to let us go public at school.
Emma smiles slightly
Emma: School and the conquest you have there are different then dating me me and coming out to adults and blood relations. It means something serious.
Evan: That is true, however I wouldnât be considering it if I wasnât serious⌠I want to be with you Emma⌠So I say lets do itâŚ
Emma nods
Emma: I will follow your lead
Evan: I suppose we should go and freshen up⌠Peopleâll be arriving soon.
Emma nods
Emma starts walking to the correct direction
Evan follows her up the stairs pocketing his hands into his pockets.
Emma stops at her door and looks at him
Evan glances at her for a moment.
Evan: Iâll come check on you in a bit?
Emma nods
Emma: Please do.
Emma goes into her room and sets her things down
Emma hurriedly going to her bathroom and washing herself off
Emma writes letter now I guess
Evan sighs and pushes open the double doors to his large suite taking in the room for a little while he set his case down on the bed and tugged off his shirt. Tilting his neck to either side letting this click he dropped the fabric onto the bed before heading towards the shower. Neither happy nor melancholy⌠Just stuck in the middle.
 Emma sigh and letâs watched the owl fly away then goes into the shower
Emma finished quickly and puts on a dress with stockings and grabs a veil and her wand
Emma knocks on the door
Evan eventually stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around himself, crossing out to change into his clothes par his jacket and tie for the moment he returned to the bathroom. He washed his face before Evan picked up his shaving cream and coating his chin in this before he took his razor and began running it along his jaw. Pausing at the sound.
Evan: Come inâŚ
Emma comes in and looks around for him
Emma goes into the bathroom
Emma: hey.
Evan: HeyâŚ
Evan spoke before continuing to expertly handle the razor drawing this across his skin slowly.
Emma says softly as she holds the veil selfconsciously
Emma nods her head because he is okay and goes to a mirror in the bedroom to put on her make up
Evan takes a while to finish before washing off the razor and placing it down. Washing his face once more he nodded to himself before taking his cologne and putting this on.
Evan walks back to the room glancing at her but heads over to the bed to take his tie looping this about his neck expertly.
Emma ties up her hair and puts the veil, watching herself in the mirror
Emma looks at him nervously
Emma: can I- I ask you something. a bit silly.
Emma: not of any real importance
Evan turns to look at her fixing his tie in place.
Evan: Ask away
Emma walks over to him and leans down
Emma: does this I smell comforting?
Emma: Do I smell comforting?
Evan seemed a little surprise but inhaled briefly.
Evan is left a little dazed for a while.
Evan: Yes⌠Uh yes y-you⌠Yes.
Emma: Camomile, vanilla and strawberry plant
Evan: ⌠Yes you do.
Emma smiles and fixed his tie slightly
Emma: I made it for this, wanted it to be subtle
Evan raises his hands to lightly grip her own.
Evan: Thank youâŚ
Emma smiles
Emma: its nothing. you did it well and no one would have noticed
Evan: But still⌠For everything⌠Itâs appreciated.
Evan hears the door chime and groans.
Evan: Probably my uncle âŚ
Emma stands up and gives an encourage smile
Evan pushes himself to his feet taking his jacket and sliding this on⌠Buttoning it up he let out a long sigh.
Evan slowly starts heading for the door glancing at her he was going to need her if he was going to get through this.
JÊrome joined the chat 18 minutes ago
Emma smiles and stands up straighter
JĂŠrome wouldâve been let in by the House elves and waiting in the parlour.
Evan would just quietly walk down the steps his face having transformed into a rather solemn facade.
Evan: UncleâŚ
JÊrome turned to look at Evan and then Emma his eyes studying them both silently his lips pursed.
Emma follows behind him, matching his expression
JĂŠrome: How are you coping? I suppose this isnât the easiest time. And⌠Young Miss⌠Vanity no?
Evan sighed before replying.
Evan: Iâve been better⌠But I suppose you know where to go⌠Weâre convening in the lounge and parlourâŚ
Evan looks back to Emma gesturing for her to come and talk wondering if anyone else might show up.
Emma: Yes. Emma Vanity. A pleasure to meet you Mister Jerome Rosier. I wish we could have met under different circumstance
JĂŠrome: Yes⌠Quite true. Iâve heard quite a lot about your family Miss. Vanity. Will they be attending today?
Emma: Of course they will be, sir. And hopefully you heard only good things?
Emma: Iâm sure theyâd be honored to meet you if they havenât already.
JÊrome ended up nodding his head.
JÊrome: Yes⌠Very good things.
Evan smiled faintly although heard the door ring and sighed a little watching the house elves scuttle to open it.
Emma smiles sightly and nods her head
JĂŠrome: Well if youâd excuse me⌠I think Iâll take a walk in the gardens before everything⌠Begins.
Emma: Nice meeting you.
JĂŠrome shakes Evanâs hand before bowing to Emma slightly.
JĂŠrome: Et vous madame.
Emma curtsy sightly
JÊrome straightens and heads slowly out of the room towards the grounds.
Otranto enters with his wife
Evan was just looking at the door as it was pulled open still stood at Emmaâs side.
Evan keeps a solemn expression on his features as he looks at Otranto and Aphrodite.
Otranto goes straight to Evan and pats him on the shoulder
Evan looks up at Otranto and inclines his head.
Evan: Iâm grateful you could make it sir.
Otranto: We were devastated when we heard, Evan.
Otranto: I hope youâre doing as well as you can?
Aphrodite watches Emma critically and makes a motion to her hair
Emma opens her mouth slightly like, seriously mom right now?
Aphrodite glares
Evan: It was⌠Quite the shock sir⌠I admit. However, Iâm doing my best to stay strong⌠The only true Rosier heir left I have to be stoic for my name.
Emma stares back for a second and then puts a whisk of her hair behind her ear
Otranto nods
Evan notices Aphrodite and Emmaâs exchange but stays looking solemn.
Otranto: Thatâs all you can do. You father was a great man and he will be missed.
Otranto frowns slightly
Otranto: You are the only Rosier left.
Otranto looks between Emma and him and nods again
Otranto: I wish you luck.
Evan: Yes sir he will be missedâŚ
Evan glances to Emma for a moment before nodding his head.
Aphrodite rolls her eyes slightly and makes a motion to her sleeve
Evan: Itâs appreciated sir⌠I hope you donât mind I requested Emma accompany me todayâŚ
Emma smiles sightly to Evan and back to her father before fixing her sleeve
Otranto pauses a second too long
Otranto: Of course not. You two are best friends. I would have only assumed that my daughter would come.
Evan just remained silent looking at Otranto respectfully.
Otranto: She is perfectly trained.
Emma grins pleasantly at her father trying to ignore her mothers eyes
Evan: Yes sir⌠I merely wanted to inform you if you did not know she was coming⌠I know how important studies are to us all.
Otranto looks sharply at Emma
Aphrodite looks sharply at Emma as well
Aphrodite: Are you doing poor-
Otranto puts his hand up to stop her from talking
Evan glances at Otranto and Aphrodite for a moment before to Emma and back as the silence hung.
Otranto then grins at Aphrodite and puts his hand around her waist
Otranto: Iâm sure Emma is doing well in her studies, right?
Otranto in a tone that clearly means there is only one answer and the first time he spoke to her
Evan: Of course sir⌠We both are top in all of our classesâŚ
Emma: Of course si- Father. I would never agree to leave my studies if I wasnât doing well.
Otranto nods and smiles and looks between them as if sharing a secret
Otranto: Some things are more important then studying though.
Otranto puts finger on his nose and brings his wife closer who smiles politely
Evan: Yes sirâŚ
Emma: I understand, father.
Otranto looks at Emma curiously
Otranto: I hope you do, Emma.
Otranto: Will she be sitting with you, Evan?
Evan glances aside once more to Emma before back to Otranto.
Evan: Yes sir⌠Emmaâs one of my closest friends.
Evan: I decided that as an honour Iâd request she sit beside meâŚ
Otranto nods understanding
Evan: And as a sign of respect to your familyâs close ties to our own.
Otranto: Well you should always ask her parents first but of course that is fine.
Otranto: Iâm sure Emma would be happy to be there for you.
Otranto: If she can go away for a moment so her mother could speak wi-
Emma: No!
Evan: Iâm sorry sir, everything was quite⌠Fast for me. I only found out yesterday about this whole eventâŚ
Emma says suddenly and then looks a bit embarrassed
Emma: I mean, father I rather not leave Evan alone for even a moment, if you donât mind.
Otranto: Yes of course. As a Rosier you have some sway anyway, donât you? In fact I might have to start calling you Mr. Rosier now?
Otranto looks at Emma, narrowing her eyes and then nodding
Otranto: If you feel this is necessary
Evan: Yes sir⌠We have quite an influence thanks to my fatherâs ambitions in life⌠You may call me whatever you might please sir⌠I donât quite feel entitled yet. Not until this day is overâŚ
Otranto: We shall see when this is over.
Otranto looks at Emma
Emma: I only do things a hundred percent, father.
Otranto smiles silently at his daughter
Otranto: I do expect you to live like that so-
Otranto nods and looks around
Evan hears the door ring and watches the house elves scuttle once more.
Otranto hears it and looks at Evan
Otranto: We shall walk around for a bit unless there is still something you need help with?
Evan: I think I will be able to manage adequately sir⌠Although if I do require aid I shall seek you out immediately. My⌠Uncle should be in the grounds somewhere⌠Although whether you will run into him or not I can not be entirely sure of.
Evan: But thank youâŚ
Otranto: We shall try and find him.
Otranto shakes Evanâs hand and looks at Emma
Otranto: Iâll see you later?
Emma: Yes Father.
Evan shakes his hand firmly before releasing this.
Evan bows politely to Aphrodite.
Narcissa joined the chat 8 seconds ago
Druella joined the chat
Druella waits until the House Elves open the door before she sweeps in head held high eyes silently surveying the gathering.
Narcissa trails in after her mother quietly although with a similar posture.
Emma takes his hand for a second because of her parents
Emma lets go quickly
Evan smiles briefly and glances at Emma, moving a little closer to her.
Evan notices his aunt and cousin and smiles a little more before his sombre expression returned.
Druella slowly crosses over to Emma and Evan stopping infront of Evan.
Druella: My apologies Evan⌠Cygnus and Bellatrix are⌠Detained with work and unfortunately could not make an appearance.
Narcissa: Yes it was quite the shock to hear of uncleâs passingâŚ
Emma looks uncertainly between both of them
Emma since Bella isnât there
Evan: I understand⌠Everything was rather short notice⌠Iâm grateful you could make it though⌠The support is appreciated I know you and my father⌠Werenât close⌠But Iâm grateful none the lessâŚ
Narcissa looks at Emma for a moment and then to Evan and back again seeming to study them.
Druella: And you brought Emma? How good of you to attend with EvanâŚ
Emma smiles at her
Emma: I wouldnât have it any other way, Madame Black.
Druella nods at her words.
Druella: It is good to know that Evan has such a good friend to attend with him.
Narcissa seems to prefer to stay behind her mother stood properly just trying to be seen and not heard at least not today.
Druella: Ah⌠I nearly forgot. Cygnus requested I give you this in his absence. He said you should open it after the funeralâŚ
Emma: Well I hope to be more then enough for him today- I can understand how stressful this is.
Druella passes a small black folded envelope to Evan.
Druella: Yes⌠Iâm sure you will do well. I know of how close you two areâŚ
Evan takes the letter uncertainly but inclines his head.
Evan: Thank you Madame Black.
Emma looks at Evan and back at Druella and smiles at her
Druella: Well I suppose you will have more guests to greet⌠My sympathies once more for your father⌠Come along Narcissa let us leave them in peace.
Emma: Good bye Madame Black.
Druella: Yes, good bye Miss Vanity.
Druella turns and walks away towards the gardens lightly patting Evanâs shoulder on the way past.
Narcissa turns to go after her mother but pauses looking at Evan.
Narcissa glances after her mother apprehensively until sheâs gone before she hugged Evan briefly murmuring âIâm sorryâ before breaking away and hurrying after Druella.
Evan is left a little shocked but mainly looking at hte letter
Emma looks at him
Emma: Whatâs the matter?
Evan lightly taps the letter on his hand before shaking his head and pocketing it.
Evan: Nothing.
Emma: I said you can lean on meâŚ
Evan: ⌠I know. This isnât for now thoughâŚ
Emma nods understand
Emma: Well okay.
Evan hears the door go wondering who is next.
Evan watches once again as the House Elves fight over who gets to open the door
William enters with his wife
Evan looks up and sees Davidâs parents.
William goes up to Evan and Emma and looks a bit surprised but covers it
William: Evan and Emma.
William nods
Evan: Greetings sirâŚ
William looks around
William: I expected to see David around?
Evan inclines his head politely still watching William.
Evan: No sir⌠I suggested he remain at school.
William realizes what he said first and then looks back at Evan
William: Sorry for your loss, Evan.
Evan: Yes⌠Thank you sir.
William nods
Anne: Emma! So good to see you!
Evan glances aside at Anne and Emma quietly a little unsure of what to say.
Emma tries to grin and looks at Evan like what should she do?
Emma: Miss Parkins-
Anne: Anne, Emma. Donât be a stranger!
Emma tries to smile
Evan just remains neutral but isnât entirely sure looking back to William.
Evan: Iâm glad to have you here sir⌠Itâs been quite a shocking few days.
Emma: Yes, Anne. Nice to see you to. Wish it was under better circumstances
Anne looks confused for a second and then frowns
Anne: Right of course.
Anne goes to hug her and looks at Evan
Anne: So sorry for your loss.
William: Pleased to be here for you, Evan.
Evan turns to look at Anne and smiles faintly.
Evan: I⌠Thank you Misses ParkinsonâŚ
Evan: Itâs appreciated greatly.
Lurking joined the chat
Anne: Oh donât mention it.
Anne: Iâm surprised to see Emma here.
Evan glances at Emma for a moment before looking back to Anne.
Emma tries to grin but feels very panicked
Emma: Iâm here for Evan of course.
Evan: I requested she be here with me⌠The Vanityâs are a very close family to our own⌠Much like yours. As Iâm sure youâre well aware Madame.
Anne: Of course but I would have assumed David would be better to bring.
Anne: We know itâs hard for you to stay to one girl, Evan.
Anne laughs slightly
William: Oh, Anne.
Evan frowns slightly at this comment.
Evan: I think I can manage quite adequately MadameâŚ
William: Itâs not as if she will be sitting up with him or anything. That is reserved for family.
Anne: Well, youâre just so young EvanâŚ
Evan feels his fingers start flexing a little then.
Evan: Iâve had to grow up quickly in the past few days.
William: We all think that when weâre young, donât we.
William smiles pleasantly
Evan: I think I have better reason than most to say that⌠Iâm putting my past behind me and hoping to live up to my fatherâs legacy sirâŚ
Evan: And as for seating arrangements The Parkinsons and Vanitys will be seated beside Madame Black and myself. As a sign of respect to the closeness of our families.
Evan says slowly his fingers still flexing slightly at his sides a habit Evan wouldnât ever shake.
William: Well thatâs good.
Evan nods his head politely.
Emma: And I will be sitting next to Evan.
Emma decides to say not looking at either of them
Evan: Yes⌠Emma will.
Evan just confirms this to see their expressions.
William looks between themselves
William: Oh is she?
William: Generally thatâs reserved forâŚ
Anne looks at Emma confused
Evan smiles politely.
Evan waits for the bombshell to drop.
William: Are you two arranged?
William: I didnât see anything-
William looks at Emmaâs hand and she quickly puts it behind her back realizing she put the ring back on
Evan: No, although we are currently dating. Although apparently I canât keep myself to one girlâŚ
Evan looks hard at Anne for a second obviously displeased.
Evan: Now if youâd excuse me I have a letter to read prior to any more guest arrivals.
Evan inclines his head slightly to William before moving his arm around Emmaâs waist about to guide her away.
William: Yes uh very well, Evan.
William: We shall talk to you later.
Emma Goodbye Miss and Mister Parkinson
Evan doesnât reply simply guides Emma out a side door towards the secondary parlour.
Evan: I remember why we rarely ever had them over now.
Emma stifles a laugh
Emma: Theyâre not horrible.
Evan looks at her and sighs.
Evan: Theyâre facesâŚ
Evan: âAre you two arranged?â
Evan grins a little then.
Emma puts her hands in front of her playing with the ring on her finger
Emma grins to herself
Evan: I wanted to just go⌠Yes yes we are.
Emma: Yes, Evan. I saw them.
Evan: See how that one went down.
Emma looks at him
Emma: You did?
Emma: I was considering it as well.
Evan pauses for a moment and shrugs.
Evan: Yeah⌠Well I promised you right?
Emma gulps and smiles at him a bit scared
Emma: ⌠you did.
Emma: Wanted to get your⌠father to approve and askâŚ
Evan: ⌠I did.
Evan nods a little but eventually draws the letter from his pocket.
Emma: Could we⌠get away?
Evan: ⌠Get away?
Evan seems to be focused on the letter now lightly toying with the wax debating on opening it.
Emma: Yeah just go to a room ⌠somewhere?
Evan nods a little.
Evan: Sure
Emma grins
Emma: Letâs go.
Evan considers this for a little while but takes her hand and starts off to the library.
Emma follows
Evan still holding the letter as he lead her to the library
Evan quietly walks inside over to the small leather seats in front of the fire.
Emma: Are you going to open that letter?
Evan looks at it sceptically.
Evan: Yeah⌠I suppose
Emma stands next to him
Evan presses his thumb under the seal and breaks it.
Evan unfolds the letter and begins to read down it face rather neutral.
Emma looks at him nervously
Evan finishes it and frowns.
Emma: Whatâs the matter?
Evan: ⌠I knew it.
Emma: Knew what?
Evan: âŚ
Evan: He didnât die in an accident
Emma: âŚ
Emma nods
Evan: âŚ
Evan: He was killed by AurorsâŚ
Emma: WellâŚ
Emma frowns
Emma: How do you feel about that?
Evan shrugs a little.
Evan: Heâs still dead
Evan: I donât really care about much elseâŚEmma: Are you going to open that letter?
Evan looks at it sceptically.
Evan: Yeah⌠I suppose
Emma stands next to him
Evan presses his thumb under the seal and breaks it.
Evan unfolds the letter and begins to read down it face rather neutral.
Emma looks at him nervously
Evan finishes it and frowns.
Emma: Whatâs the matter?
Evan: ⌠I knew it.
Emma: Knew what?
Evan: âŚ
Evan: He didnât die in an accident
Emma: âŚ
Emma nods
Evan: âŚ
Evan: He was killed by AurorsâŚ
Emma: WellâŚ
Emma frowns
Emma: How do you feel about that?
Evan shrugs a little.
Evan: Heâs still dead
Evan: I donât really care about much elseâŚ
Emma: We know thatâs a risk.
Evan shrugs again.
Evan: It wouldâve been nice to know⌠Rather than being lied to.
Emma: They couldnât just write that can I?
Emma: they*
Evan: ⌠It wouldâve been nice to know in the letter to me.
Becca lay in bed, staring at her computer screen her brows furrowed in frustration. She was trying to scroll through Tumblr, but really her mind wasnât too focused on anything other than the fact that she was angry at her father. And Nick for that matter. Why couldnât they tell that she didn;t liked to be locked in the house with just them, that she wanted time with her own friends. But no. Family came first. So she had promptly locked herself in her room with no second thought, angrily sending a text message to Ben saying that the plans were off.
 âWhy whatâs wrong?â He asked as he was already ready to go and a block away from Beccaâs house. God the Knights were frustrating.
 âDadâs being an ass again, saying that I need to spend time with Seb before he leaves, but him and Nic wanted to go to the courts to practice tennis and thatâs a two person thing so... yeah.â She texted back, exiting out of tumblr and going to Netflix.
 âGross. Who is better at hanging out then me? I can totally hang out with your brothers if I have to.â He said, as he continued walking.
 âNot many other people. Tasha if she was in town, but youâre always first choice. And you came here to DC, itâs not fair if I donât get to see you.â She sighed, clicking on How I Met Your Mother. âNo. I locked myself in my room to show my anger.â
 He called her and said âCould you unlock it to open the door- sneak me to your room and then lock it and pout- as if I was there?â He said, standing outside her door.
 âI think I could attempt that. Dadâs probably in his office, so it couldn't be that difficult. You want stay on the phone until you get to the door.â She got up out of bed, heading to her door and unlocking it.
 âI am on the phone waiting for you to come- but I totally didnât tell you I was at the door-â He gave a smile. âHello.â He said once she opened it.
 She grinned when she saw him, raising her a finger to her lips. Becca pulled him inside, making sure her father hadnât been alerted to his entrance and smiled at him. âGreat. I thought I was going to shrivel away and die in here.â
 Ben just raised his eyebrows and waited until he was lead to her room.
 She made her way up the stairs, lightly stepping so that it didnât sound as suspicious to he father, who she knew had ears like a hare. When the y finally made it to her room, she locked it behind them, and brought on a pouting face. âI am now pouting again. Mission accomplished.â
 âCould we pout together?â He asked, going closer and chuckling quietly.
 A slight smile played at her lips. âOf course we can pout together. Thatâs why I let you inside. I need someone to pout with.â
 âYeah? Yeah.â Ben said. âIâm very good at pouting.â He said, whirling around and letting his backpack down. âSo how quiet do I have to be and should I tell mom not to call the house?âÂ
âI know you are.â Becca went over to her bed and sat with her legs out her back propped up on the magnitude of pillows she had. âQuiet enough that your voice wonât carry down to the first floor, and definitely do not call the house phone. This is a covert mission.â
 He nodded. âAlright, Iâll tell Garrett to tell mom not to call because Maxx wants peace and quiet. Just tell her that Iâm here and okay.â He said, taking out his phone and sending a text.
 âThank you. And good, she needs to know that,â she said rest her face in her hands and mumbling out. âAnd itâs not as if sheâs probably not used to my fatherâs.. whatever.â
 âYeah I mean your dadâs a bit⌠well we know to be careful.â He said, shrugging. âYouâd think heâd accept one of my fatherâs stupid boy night out things- although mother says itâs better that he doesnât.â He shrugged and opened his back and put his phone back down. âSo what are we doing tonight?â
 âThat is because my dad is lame and doesnât know how to have fun,â Becca pointed out.
 Ben smiled. âUnlike you of course. Should I bring out my laptop or do you have a weird indie movie you want us to see?â
 Becca grinned. âTotally unlike me.â She shook her head patting the place besides on her on the bed. âNah, no film today. Or weird retro game. So bring out your computer.â
 âCool- should I put on your playlist or would that be too loud?â He asked as he began setting up the laptop.
 âYes, you should, my dad wouldnât notice anyways. It was about time I would start playing music anyways. And I doubt heâd notice these songs. He kind of just tunes my music out.â
 âGood for him. Being a regular father.â Ben gave a nod and went on his youtube channel and started playing their mix. âAlright, music set- oh wait does this mean that we canât get food since we canât leave?â He asked.
 âI still donât see why you donât use spotify,â she muttered but smiled as the mix started playing. âI mean I could go down to the kitchen, if need be, but..â she gestured over to the minifridge and cabinet near her desk. âI have a small stock of food just in case I have to barricade myself in here.â
âWhatâs wrong with youtube? Sometimes spotify doesnât work.â He said and he looked at the fridge, âRight. Youâre the smart one.â He sat on her bed, taking off his shoes with his feet and went to look at her. âSo want to tell me why youâre trapped in here again?â
 âYoutube has to buffer, and that annoys me.â She grinned and leaned back onto her pillows. âYes I am. And youâre... Ben.â She giggled, watching him take off his shoes, and then frowned. âWell I asked him nicely if, since you were in town, you could come over and we could hang out. And he went off on about something like, family and that I should spend time with him and my brothers and I was like, I spent nearly all summer with you guys, I want to see my friends. ANd then i screamed something about my mother and he got all, himself and told me it was either go to the courts with my brothers or go to my home so... here I am.â
 âThatâs honestly not fair, I made we came out here and are in a hotel for you guys and your mother isnât even here- which means we are here for you.â Ben said, with a grin. âIâm happy youâd fight for me Becca and yet Iâm annoyed that your dad thinks every second needs to be spent on strengthening your family. Why does he do that?â He gave a groan and put his head against the wall, moving on the bed.
 âExactly itâs not fair. But after our little escapade the other night.. heâs not too thrilled with me spending time with you.â She nodded. âOf course Iâd fight for you. I want to have fun... And no idea, except that he once said the most important thing was family. But you guys are like family.â
 âWe are, family friends means family basically anyway. I can understand him being upset but youâre safe and weâre fine and it was fun- itâs not like heâd say yes anyway.â He said, shrugging. âI mean Aunt Liz and mom act like sisters- so really we should be considered spending time with. Also we should be actually at your house- thatâs why your house is so big, isnât it?â He said, âbut I think my dad got the hotel rooms for free⌠so I guess it be rude not to use them.â
 âI tried pointing out that I was fine, but he kept looking at me like I was going to suddenly turn into a corpse.â She sighed. âI know, I know, but seriously, he gets like this when Momâs not around. Like he feels like if the family doesn;t spend time together we will feel abandoned.â SHe looked around for a moment. âHonestly, I thought it was because all of the dogs but visitors make a lot more sense.â
 âDoes- does that mean that your parents⌠are hitting a rough spot?â He asked, carefully- always unsure with them as he slightly got up. âWell, I think dadâs thing got him the rooms and yet I donât know. My parents are weird talking about money to usâŚâ
 âNo, no. I donât think so. They always seems fine when theyâre home or we go to see her shows but.. Weâre not six anymore. I donât need family bonding every day.â She stretched her legs out some more. âOur parents donât like talking about adult things with us. Unless itâs Nick, perfect little protege.â
 Ben frowned. âYeah- well what do you think is happening? If they seem fine- I donât know. Lots of my friendâs parents are getting divorced and theyâre all pretty unhappy that theyâre stuck in the middle of it. Plus less money for us.â He said, looking around her room.
 âI just think Dad wishes sheâd be home more.. we all do. But this is what she loves and.. I donât think sheâs ready to give up Paris and France.â Becca seemed to somber up at divorce, but shake her head. âNo, no, that canât be it. They love each other and- they wouldnât do that to us.â
 âYeah. Okay. Theyâre just away a lot and that is like the first step or whatever. Middle class- apparently- have them live in different parts of the city but families like ours? Different countries.â
 Becca groaned, rolling over and placing her face into her pillow, leaving enough room so she could still speak and be heard. âno, no, itâs- just- their jobs, right? It has to be.â
 âYeah.â He paused. âYeah, youâre right my mom goes to Paris right and I donât think they are⌠itâs probably fine. I guess I just thought she be here. They usually schedule themselves so Aunt Liz can see mom, is all.âÂ
At his clarification, she rolled over onto her side, looking at him. âShe meant to be. In fact the Opera was supposed to be on a week or two ago but it had to be extended out a little longer...â She paused, brows furrowed. âYou know.. if they were to... Iâd have to move to Paris.â
 He paused and seemed to be in thought he avoided her eyes for a moment and gave a smile. âThen I just have to get my parents to divorce so I can move to Paris as well.â He gave a bigger smile. âBut I think weâre safe.â
 âBut your parents are so nice together,â she whined, though she smiled, secretly loving the fact that he would do that, or at least say he would. âI think weâre safe too. Mom promised just this last year and then sheâll home to help Nick get ready for college.â
 He nodded. âYeah and Iâd break them up anyway. Paris could be nice. Even if Iâd have to know french.â He said with an easy smile. âWell then weâre safe and we shouldnât talk about this- honestly Iâm sorry for getting you started. I just donât understand Max.â
 âParis would be super nice. I could show you everywhere, all my favorite spots. Itâs not so bad. And I could speak french for you.. though I might tell everyone you are an idiot.... but weâre safe.â She propped herself back up again. âI donât blame you, I donât understand him either.â
 âI know that word- Connard!â He said excitedly. âBut yeah, I wouldnât mind if you spoke french and still told everyone I was an idiot- because hey less work, right?â He said, leaning more back. âI guess weâre just not adults yet, which is a shame- soon we will not have to worry about parents when we go off to college- if I do.â
 She laughed at Ben. âEven if I stopped you from getting with any of the french girls?â
 âWell I assume that weâd be-â He paused and smiled. âthat they wouldnât be worth it anyway.â
 âThat we would be-? Best friends and wouldnât want you leaving me for some random girl.â She raised her eyebrows. âAnd what do you mean if you go to college. Have you not figured out where you want to go?â
 âWeâd be living together because weâre best friends and you wouldnât want me bringing girls home.â He paused. âNo. Mom gave me a deadline for college apps and it was right before this trip, as if I didnât do them I couldnât come here with the family. Garrett has things figured out and yet- I donât know I looked at all the applications and couldnât see the point.â
 âIâd have to live with you? Gross.â she said offhandedly.  âReally? Same as Nick except obviously he was mister Speedy Quick on those. Ever since the middle of summer heâs spent more time at home and not with friends- yes he actually has those.â She frowned though and twisted to look at him. âWhy not?â
 âHe has friends?â Ben asked surpised. âAnd he can hang out with them but I canât see you when we fly out here?â He said, shaking his head. âHow does that make sense?â
âI just donât know what to do. Everyone of us seems to have a talent but me.â He said, avoiding her eye- it was clear he was talking about the Herbert gene that he swore existed and this wasnât the first time he brought this up.
 âBecause he has guy friends and itâs fine for him to hang out with those but the only friend I have that he would approve of is Natasha.â She shrugged. âHe obviously thinks we make out all of the time.â  She just continued to look at him tilting her head. âAnd like Iâve said before, youâll figur eit out. Maybe your talent is your charisma?â
 He smiled at that. âI donât think that will get me anywhere. Besides mostly everyone is charismatic.â He said and he frowned. âYou know what would really show your father? If we just made out all the time.â But he laughed.
 âYes but you are super charismatic. Politician charismatic I think the books call it. Iâm not charismatic..â She gave him a weird look. âWhat? My dad would maybe actually kill us if that happened. And youâd never be allowed over. Locks everywhere.â
 âI could be a politician⌠I donât care for any of that. The most I can do is watch the Daily Show.â He sighed. âWell a boy can dream.â
 âWell then.. a dinosaur wrangler. An astronaut. Youâll figure out something.â  She smiled leaning a little closer to him. âI boy can continue to dream... but why would we do anything that might ruin.. this.â She leaned back to her original position.
He laughed and moved over a bit and patted the place right next to him. âMove so I can lay down on your bed like a real boy.â He said, grinning. âAnd yeah, I wouldnât want to kiss you because that would totally ruining the fact that I snuck in here.â
 âFine.â She moved to the spot that he wanted, lying down again. âThatâs not what I meant. I meant this friendship. And our family vacations and.. everything.â
 âYeah, I forgot that one kiss would change everything and make everyone fight-â He moved to his side to smile at her. âBut I understand. Weâd have to really mean it- like really, really mean it- if we were to kiss.â He said softly.
 âWell of course, I mean, Iâm not gonna just kiss you Ben. You get enough of them as it is. Canât let you think you can have any of my kisses whenever you would like.â
 âNot even one kiss? Just like- pressing our lips together.â He said, smiling, assuming nothing will come out of it. âItâs not that crazy.â
 âYour ego is crazy. I canât let you have even one little thing.â she smirked, poking him.
 âFine. I guess I must see reason.â He took her hand though and kissed her knuckle lightly and looked back at her with a smile. âBut my lips are soft and awesome and youâre missing out.â He chuckled.
 She looked at her hand for a moment as he kissed it and blinked but smiled. âThey are, they are, and I am, but I think Iâll survive. Unless I start to die right at this very second. Then you should kiss me.â
 He grinned. âFair. If you die right now- Iâd like you to say sorry for doubting me- but then I will kiss youâŚ. to save your life of course.â He said, putting his arm under her pillow and resting his head against it.
 âIâll say sorry,â she said. âWhen you keep me alive. But only to save my life of course. Nothing else. That would just be silly of us to do.â She had one hand under her head propping the pillow up to lean on.
 âSo whatâs the latest thing swirling in Beccaâs mind this week?â He asked.
 It always took her a moment to actually sort the thoughts of what to say. âI learned all the capitals of South America this week.â
 He shook his head. âWhy would you do that?â
 She giggled, hiding her face for a moment. âBecause I could and I didnât know them yet.â
âBecca. Becca⌠Becca.â He said, sighing but grinning. âThat is not something that you need to know.â
 âOh fine, oh wise Ben Herbert. What do I need to know?â
 âI donât know but itâs not that.â He paused. âYou know what you need to know, Becca?â He said, âHow many good Crank movies there are.â
 âThat doesnât seem that important. I mean, when I could just memorize the formula for speed instead. Itâs distance divided by time by the way.â She grinned.
 âWell, actually itâs way more important because itâs an experience. Chev has to live because main character and yet itâs a great movie to watch to see himself cure himself from poison- and find out who poisoned him in a nice two hours and a half- itâs brilliant and Chevâs story is more important than a little formula.â
 âIs this you telling me to watch this movie with you. Because I will. But I donât see how it could be more important than formulas. They make up our world. Make the world spin. LITERALLY spin.â
 âYes. Yes it is- itâs great.â He grinned. âWell, that seems like the world is going to spin without me knowing that but if you donât watch this movie, you wonât be able to experience and appreciate humor and jokes that reference it.â
 âWhat is it with you and me experiencing things?â She huffed. â But I will watch it with you and then you can make all the jokes youâd like and I will finally get... maybe a sixteenth of them.â
 âYes! And itâs not just me- itâs something special, I swear.â He nodded. âTons of people watch it and reference it and there is nothing wrong with you experiencing things.â
 âSo want to tweet and see if anyone else has seen this movie.â She looked over at her desk where her phone was plugged in though. âBut so far away. And Iâm not saying anything is wrong with it either, but I could be learning more. i canât let Nick think heâs smarter than me.â
 âEveryone has youâd just be embarrassing yourself by asking.â He said nodding. He grinned. âIf he knew anything itâs that youâre smarter.âÂ
âUgh, fine.â She rolled her eyes, but grinned. âBecause itâs true. I stumped him the other day. It was a proud moment. Super proud.â
 âOh about what?â
 âVietnam war. He never did care much for modern history. Tried to argue with me and failed. Not my fault Iâm great,â she mumbled as he set her face slightly into her pillow. âBut course, Dad mainly cares that heâs the one who wants to be a doctor.â
 He put his hand on her back. âYeah well, at least itâs something Nick wants to do- do you think itâs because Max does it or because he really has a passion for it?â
 âBoth. I mean, he has the passion, but it probably helped that dad would watch documentaries with him and let him follow him around the office while he worked where i was busy reading or talking to the foreign dignitaries.â
 âWell that seems like favoritism.â He said softly. âI know whatâs that like.â
 âNot his fault Dad just could.. relate to him more..â
 âIt is though, I mean I think fathers could try a bit harder.â He shook his head. âShouldnât they be a bit more lenient- notice that one of their kids is taking up most of their time?â He said, frustrated.
 âBecause sometimes I donât think they know how to...â She sigh and leaned her face so she could look at him. âItâs Jules isnât it?â
 He nodded. âHe spends so much of his time with her.â He muttered. âEven more now with those damn concerts.â He sighed. âSheâs amazing- I have no right to judge but- I always thought I was the most like dadâŚâ He glanced away for a moment and back at her.
 âShe is amazing, but even so, you deserve time too. I mean, at least I get time, even if sometimes I donât want it. But I guess you guys have a lot more children in your family then us Knights.â
 He chuckled nervously and then looked away and sighed, looking to her ceiling and folding his arms up on his chest. âThey treat Jules differently than they did with Garrett and I.â
 She shifted so that she was laying on her side again. âHow so?â
 He shifted uncomfortably. âI donât remember being hugged as much as Jules did when she was little.â He hesitated. âAnd I donât see pictures or video of moments that Iâve seen mom go through with Jules, Anne and Chase.â Ben flicked his eyes towards Becca. Maybe she had the same problem. Or maybe it was an oldest problem.
 âMaybe they just didnât know exactly how to parent yet,â she reached out and lightly settled her hand on his arm. There were pictures galore of all the Knights children in the house and affection was spread wildly. Well at least most of the time. Her mother could be a bit strange.
 âYouâve seen my parents.â He said, almost anxiously. âNot knowing how to parent is not⌠them.â He sighed and looked down. âI thought maybe it was because of Garrett and I. I just- I remember that it felt like I was⌠hard to hug?â He managed to say. âGod I sound so stupid.â
 She just watched him as he spoke, moving her body closer to him so she could wrap her arms slightly around him. âNope. False. Not hard to hug. Your hypothesis is incorrect.â She smiled slightly and looked up at him. âYouâre not stupid. When we were younger we sometimes though mom didnât love us, because dad would hug us but sheâd touch us only ever really carefully... But I think sheâs just afraid of breaking things, she does it with everything... light touches.â
 He took a deep breath as she wrapped her arm around him and he hesitantly put his arm around her as well, a small smile forming on his lips as he let his hair get buried under her hair. There was always something strange about touching Becca like this- it was comforting but heâd know that he was feeling something else as well, something he tried ignoring and he held her closer, chuckling slightly at her admission. âSeems like we both sound crazy.â He said softly as he nodded his head slowly. âBut thatâs good to know but your mother is always like that. Mom is the more affectionate one with Chase now-â He sighed. âIâve been over this in my mind again and again⌠It canât mean anything.â But he still sounded unsure. âItâs good to know my Becks is fine with my hugs because then weâd be in trouble.â He whispered in her ear.
 âMaybe we are both crazy,â she suggested with a slight smile. But she frowned as he spoke   some more. âIt probably doesnât mean anything, Ben. Itâs not as if you and Garrett were problem children..â SHe couldnât think of anything else to ease his mind though. âI donât like too many hugs, but yours are okay.. great really,â she mumbled.
 âBut crazy is perfect. And fucked up is perfect.â He said, nodding but sighed after her next sentence. âMaybe we were.â He muttered. He smiled again at her last statement. âYes well, Iâm perfection at them.â He loosen his grip in her and his mouth twitched as he looked at her. âYou convinced me my parents love me. Now we can stop talking about it.â He said.
 âSo I can be perfect, perfect for you.â She wanted to rebuttal his statement, but she had nothing else to say. âYou are pretty good at them, Iâll admit it...But weâll stop talking about parents, sure. I donât want to think about them.â
 âYeah, yeah I know.â He gave a little sigh and let his head fall down on the pillow, his hand slightly playing with the fabric of her shirt. âIâm happy we donât make out like crazy when Iâm here.â He admitted.
 She knew a part of her didnât want him to be playing with her shirt, but an even stronger part of her brain didnât want to make him stop.. It was harmless anyways. âReally? I canât tell sometimes, you know, with how you talk about it.. But Iâm glad too.â
 âItâs nice to talk to you without having to explain anything and just jump right in.â He chewed on his lip for a moment, tapping against her waist. âI wouldnât get that if we were making out or more which is what I assume your dad doesnât like me for.â
 âSame here,â she agreed, taking a deep breath as he started tapping, her own fingers lazily, running along a small part of his side.. âI think we would be too busy doing other things if we were making out, little time for small talk...yeah, but weâre done with the parent talk remember?â
 âIâm not talking about your parents, psh.â He said with a smile, moving himself closer to her and feel a rush as their breath mingled.
 âNo, youâre just... bringing him up with other topics...â she said softly, just watching him as he moved closer, feeling her breath hitch slightly.
 âNah.â He said, smiling and he stared at her eyes for a moment too long before looking away. âThis bed is better than the last time I came.â He said, closing his eyes.
 For a few moments, Becca just watched him even after he closed his eyes, slightly lost though she quickly pulled herself back into focus, her eyes closing gently. âThatâs because I got a new mattress. And sheets, new a lot of things.â
 âTheyâre nice. I like it softer though itâs healthier to have to rigid.â
 âWhen have I ever cared about health over comfort,â she muttered. âPlus its so great for sleep on.â
 âIt does, where did you get it? Were you able to pick it out? Itâs nicer then the ones at the hotel weâre staying at.â
 âI donât know.â she gave a slight shrug of her body. Gift from Mom, but the sheets I picked out myself. Canât have itchy sheets, that just canât be a thing thatâs allowed. And of course they probably are, but you can stay on them for a little while longer, if youâd like..â
 âThat would please me.â He yawned but his phone went off and he sighed and got up to see what it was.
 Becca was displeased as he got up, returning to her typical position next to him, looking at him again. âSomething important?â
 He sighed. âNah, mom asked if I can stay over a bit longer since no one is up in the room and I donât have the keys.â He looked at the laptop and back at her. âI guess maybe the length of a movie and if you have to keep me out then, I guess Iâll have to.â He said with a smile.
 â Iâll keep you for that ;long, but only that long. Canât have you exceeding your welcome.âShe grinned. âWhat are we gonna watch?â
 âCrank!â He said excitedly. âOr Psych.â He said, assuming that will actually be the one picked.
 âPsych means you get to stay longer. And I can fall asleep to it without feeling bad.â
 âNo falling asleep or I wonât leave.â He warned jokingly.
 âI canât promise anything, weâll just wait and see,â she smirked back at him, getting near him as still messed around with setting his laptop up. âFine, you get to stay if I fall asleep, which will probably be soon.â
 âOh that seems exciting- I know you talk in your sleep. I swear you were telling me the whole Chem Table one time, gosh youâre such a nerd.â He said, laughing and laying back down.
 âOh hush! I do not talk in my sleep and I doubt Iâd be reciting the periodic table of elements unless i have a test the next day.â She pushed him lightly but settled down besides him.
 âOh well maybe you did- or it was in the summer and maybe you are just a big nerd.â He said simply, chuckling. âYour pushing me feels like a light breeze.â
 ââll shove you off this bed if I have to.â But she stayed still, resting her head on the pillow.
 He chuckled. âWhatâs wrong with being a nerd? Donât you like that sort of thing?â He asked moving closer to her, his hand protectively around her waist, in his mind saying that it was so she couldnât push him off.
 âNothing is wrong, but when you say it it sometimes sounds like a bad thing,â she said with a slight chuckle though it died out as his hand went to her waist. â But no, I donât like it, since itâs really only be used derogatorily to me.â
 âDerogatorily? That seems wrong. Itâs not like a turtle is upset that itâs called slow since it wins in the end.â He said seriously, referring to the fable.
 âBut a person can be upset when they are called a name, and they know a person doesnât mean anything good by it.â
 âI like that youâre smart,â He said his mouth twitching again as he moved slightly closer, his hand now playing with the fabric of her shirt again. While he might be in this position with girls a lot it felt different with Becca without- well because he never knew what he wanted.
 â I know you do. I like it too, but it doesnât stop how it feel for something like that to happen,â she muttered, but smiling slightly at him.
 âI didnât mean anything negative besides that fact that youâd be the worst spy ever with the talking in your sleep thing.â He said, his nose touching hers.
 âI mumble in my sleep, th- thatâs way different than talking,â mumbled, getting excited by how close Ben currently was and how she both wanted him closer and push him far away.
 âYouâd spill all the secrets and will cause the government to collapse.â He grinned looking at her mouth for a moment. âYouâd really want that? Tsk.â
 âThis was even if I was allowed to be a spy. I feel like they have testing for this kind of thing.â She bit her lips slightly, not being able to help herself and shook her head. âWe;; no, if I was a spy I wouldnât.â
 âYeah exactly. You shouldnât be the cause of the government crashing no matter how pretty you are when you sleep.â He said, blinking a few times.
 âIâm pretty when I sleep?â Becca asked a little dumbfounded and slightly confused. When would he have ever really paid attention to her when she slept.
 âYeah, duh.â He said chuckling. âBecause you canât be all mean to me when you sleep.â But he opened his eyes and gave a real smile. âOr because youâre just pretty. You would think that if I said it enough youâd get it.â
 âNo, no. It has to be the first one. I know you hate it when Iâm mean to you,â she commented quickly.
 âA bit of both.â He said, breathing in. âBut more so the latter.â
 âMaybe Iâm just too stubborn to listen to you.â
 âMaybe youâre too pretty to listen.â He said, with another soft chuckle. âBut you actually donât listen to a lot.â He closed his eyes. âUnless itâs in class.â He paused as he smiled. âNerd.â
 âItâs the stubbornness kicking in,â she replied softly, with a light giggle. âIdiot.â
 He brought her closer to him, his leg parter her slightly as he put his foot in between them so theyâd be closer enough that their chest were almost touching. âI can wear down stubbornness, surely.â He said thinking about kissing her forehead but resisting- but just the idea making him smile. âLeast Iâm not a⌠nerd.â
 Her breathing faltered for a moment as he brought her even closer to him, and she had  to actively remind herself to do so. âI wouldnât be too sure about that . I have stubbornness in my veins.â She closed her eyes, draping an arm around him loosely. âIâd rather be a nerd then an idiot.â
 âFine be a nerd and Iâll be an idiot.â He paused as he thought of something amusing. âIf we had a kid together would that make him just smart enough?â
 I donât know,â she mumbled. âI donât think it works like that. But think of how smart and charismatic they would be.... odd thought. Iâm tired, and nothing can be held against me.â
 âI can totally be held against you.â He said, smirking bringing her even closer because heâs an idiot as he moved some hair out of her face. âSmart and charismatic kids- sign me up. Although I donât know how you feel about my last name.â He paused, chuckled slightly as he looked down. âScratch that, I do know how you feel about my last name.â Â
 âOkay, okay, so you can,â she breathed out, opening her eyes for a moment, just to look at him, then closing them again. âI donât think I can sign this deal as quickly.â She paused, taking a deep breath. âHerbert is an okay name.â
 He put his finger on her chin and gently lifted her chin up, slowly to look at him. âHmm, canât sign a deal with a devil yet?â He said, blinking a few times as he realized how much she was effecting him. He breathed out. âWell, Herbert is a great name and I mean whatâs so good about the name⌠Knight. Psh.â
 âYou aren;t the devil, but I wouldnât sign the deal if it were you either. Remember canât.. Wouldnât m- no just cant.â And it was so true. She wanted to kiss him , but it just seemed to dangerous to be caught up in. âHerbert is okay. Knight too. Queenâs awesome.â
 âCould you just be a Queen then.â He asked in a low voice.
 âIn France I am. But not here. Just Becca Knight.â
 âI think that is an oversight that we should try and fix.â He said quietly, his eyes closing again. âBut not now.â He said, yawning.
 âTomorrow maybe?â she prompted.  âJust not now. Seems like a lot of work.â
 âTomorrow if I havenât died.â He said lightly. âYeah I think the most I can do is-â He said as he leaned against her head, curling slightly on her bed. âIs this.â
 âYou canât die, wonât allow it. There rules against that arenât there?â She sighed as he curled up with her, smiling as she relaxed, âThis is great enough. I enjoy it.â
He brushed his lips against her forehead and then leaned his head on the pillow. âYeah.â He yawned. âI gotta live. Itâs the rules.â
 âBecause if you start dying I have to kiss you, And that will definitely fix something,â she mumbled.
 He chuckled. âIâm dying Becca.â He said, with a smile and a shift.
 She sighed, propping herself up and kissing him softly on the cheek. âThere. donât die anymore.â
 He chuckled. âAlright. No dying.â He didnât feel he can open his eyes anymore. âYou too. No dying.â He said and loosen his arm around her as he settled into her bed.
 âAye, aye captain. Now shush. quiet time.â
 âYea.â He said softly, falling asleep easily.
Emma was jittery. She was jittery but she wouldnât acknowledge it at all and it was pushing Axton to his limits but Axton had to remind himself that for Jason he can deal with Emma- for Jason he could deal with anyone. Even Emma. They started walking to meet Liz and Axton was sure that Emma hasnât slept and in fact had lied about being in her room all night- her skin was white with no coloration, the only red being in her eyes but Axton was adept and not speaking about things. His eyes were bloodshot too- and she had looked away when she noticed so Axton wasnât about to be the observant one. They walked to the train station, awaiting Liz leaving Kathleen and the family as they try and finish the decorations and final alteration.
âWhen did you say Liz was arriving?â Axton asked, knowing the answer already but a bit uneasy at the quiet from her. He knew what must be running through her mind and he didnât like to dwell on them so why would Emma.
There was silence for a long moment and Axton was going to ask again as Emma reacted as she didnât hear him. When he opened his mouth to ask again she responded. âShould be another few minutes.â She sniffed, pulling her coat closer to her body although Axton didnât feel cold at all. He glanced down the tracks to see the train coming as they waited in silence.
 _____________________________________________
The room was like being transformed to a different era clearly belonging to a teenager in another generation, the only suggestion that someone a bit older possessed these room was the fashion mannequin that sat in the corner with clashed with the childish (yet elegant) wall decorations although no one has actually lived in this room for some time.
 âMy eyes are burning and itâs so stupid but they really are burning and itâs like incredibly unhelpful because how can anyone even see with burning eyes, right? Who gave my eyes the right to burn so intensively and itâs like my body doesnât feel like producing anymore tears.â She scoffed as she laid on her bed, her head hanging off it, her hair touching the floor, her fingers around the simple metal ring that matched the one she was wearing she hadnât let go of for even a second since itâs been handed to her.
 All Liz wanted to do was tell Emma to shut up, curl up into a little ball and sleep. In fact, what would have been better was just leaving tonight, going back to Hogwarts as quickly as she could. She didnât belong here, just as she had felt while at the funeral, but she knew she would have regretted not coming at all. Also saying anything like that to Emma while she was in this state was the worst possible idea. âI donât know, Em. So muggles think itâs God.. but I donât know.,â she muttered.
 âMuggles donât know what theyâre talking about.â Emma said, darkly, clutching the ring in her hand and closing her eyes letting the blood go to her head.
 Axton sighed and took a large sip of whatever was still left in his bottle as he sat in the corner of the room where he can see both Liz and Emma if he chose to.
 âIâm not saying they do, Iâm just-â Liz wiped at her eyes, which really did nothing but irritate the skin underneath her eyes. âI donât know. But youâre going to get dizzy doing that,â she pointed out with a huff.
 âIâm sure it wonât matter in the long run.â She said, knowing that itâs true she was going to feel dizzy but confident she wouldnât feel anything regardless.
 âLet her get dizzy then.â Axton said as he started to peel the bottleâs paper off more. âIâm sure itâs therapeutic.â He said, without indicating if he actually thought it would be.
 âFine,  but she doesnât get to complain about any of it.â Liz lowered her head, resting her face in her hands silently. âAnd I bet plenty of things are therapeutic, doesn't mean you have to do them,â she muttered through her hands not caring if anyone heard.
 âIâm here, donât call me she.â She said. âAnd we all know there is just one thing that is really, really therapeutic.â Emma paused, breathing in. Axton looked up at Emma, almost as if he was interested in what she was going to say.  âWell one legal thing anyway and I canât really do it anymore so eh.â She slipped the ring on her finger and off, she repeated it a few more times as if one time it will actually fit.
 Axton bowed his head down, assuming it was drinking and swallowed some more.
 âI think you and I have very different thoughts of therapeutic. And even drinking doesnât like itâs doing anything at this point,â she complained, looking up and staring at the bottle in front of her.
 âItâs not drinking.â Emma replied, sitting up finally and taking one of the pillows on  her bed and putting it in between her legs.
 âIt is for me.â Axton said softly.
 Liz looked at Emma shaking her head calmly, but the way she rubbed her arms was nervous. âIâm not doing that...â
 âWhat? Why not?â She looked back at Liz, clearly confused.
 âBecause,â Liz answered meekly. â.. I mean.. what are you talking about?â
 Emma looked at Axton who didnât look up and back at Liz. âSex?â She said, questionably.
 âThatâs what I thought.â She sucked back in a breath. âI just.. donât want to. Not yet.â
 Emma shrugged and looked back the pillow as she let her palms roll around it. âWell I would be. It make me feel better. I donât see how it couldnât help you.â
 Axton spoke up. âHasnât helped me.â
 Emma shook her head, not glancing at him. âYou have to actually like the person youâre sleeping with to make it feel better.â She put her head on the pillow for a second and sighed. âThen itâs different.â
 Axton shook his head and opened his mouth but said nothing and took another drink unable to correct her.
 âIt might help me... But I just... donât want to yet. It seems too fast. I already had to stop him last night,â she replied, reaching out for her drink and taking a long sip.
 âGross.â Emma said, spreading out on the bed now and wrapping her arms under the pillow, the ring she put next to her eyes so she can watch it.
 Axton looked up at Liz at that. âHim?â
 Liz shot a look at Emma then looked at Axton, nodding. âYeah. Max. Max Knight. Weâre dating.â
 Axton gave a chuckle and put his drink down. âI bet you hate that Emma.â
 âWhat?â She said absentmindedly. âOh. Uh no. I donât care.â
 âFrom the girl who had posters of him without a shirt on whenever I visited conveniently opened?â
 Emma shrugged. âIt was to annoy J-... I donât care about whatever.â She said, sighing, looping the ring in her hand again.
 Axton looked at Emma and drank another sip of his drink and back at Liz. âActually dating or just pretending to fuck because wouldnât it be all over Witch Weekly- well I guess I havenât been in the country in a while so maybe it has been.â
 Lizâs mouth hung open as she stammered, âActually dating. Weâre actually dating.â Then she tilted her head confusedly. âWhy would we be pretending to fuck?â
 Axton shrugged. âI would assume youâd be actually fucking but since you said âitâs too soonâ I guess you could be pretending to fuck. I donât know how shitty famous wizards are now adays.â
 âHeâs not shitty.â She took a swig but looked at Axton. âHeâs good.â
 Emma and Axton both chuckled at the same time but then locked eyes nervously at the rare moment where they were in sync. They looked away and Axton took another swing. âThatâs good.â
 âWhatâs so funny,â Liz demanded, crossing her arms. âItâs not as if youâve met him. What would you know?â
 âExactly, what would I know.â He replied. âIâm sure heâs a good guy. He seems like a saint on paper.â
 âHe is.. and the papers donât lie either.â She uncrossed her arms, taking a long sip from her bottle. âHeâs been nothing but kind since Iâve met him.â
 Axton frowned and rubbed his eyes putting the drink down and then pressed his back against the wall. âAlright Lizbet- if you say so. I never thought youâd be attracted to a nice boy.â He coughed. âBut what do I know anymore.â
 Liz looked at Emma, biting the inside of her cheek a bit, before looking back at Axton. âAnd what did you think I was attracted to, dare I ask?â She shrugged slightly. âIt happens when you leave. You stop knowing people because they change.â
 Axton glared at Liz but after a moment he couldnât even look at her as Emmaâs eyes fell upon him, not believing Liz actually said that to him. Axton got up and nodded, he put the drink in the corner dusted himself off and left the room, slamming the door as he exited.
 Emma looked towards Liz, actually looking at her worried.
 At first Liz felt satisfied with what she had said, keeping her head up and staring at him even when he looked away. But as he slammed the door her face fell in a frown. âItâs not my fault,â she muttered.
 Emma gave a questionable look, rolled her eyes and then rolled back over, not feeling the energy to explain Axton as she moved to hug her pillow.
 Liz didnât have anything to hug so she just clutched her legs, feeling the tears come to her eyes as she just sat there. She looked at her bottle but not feeling like actually drinking any of it. âI didnât mean it.. no, I meant it I just shouldnât have said it. Shouldnât I?â she asked.
 âHe went to America to work.â Emma said, dryly. âIf you meant it- you meant it but he feels bad enough that he canât even remember the last conversation he had with Jas- Jason.â She turned to face the ceiling. âSo bad that he actually cried and confessed everything to me.â She said, a bit softer. Emma closed her eyes.
 âI messed everything up,â she mumbled, pushing herself up to stand shakily. She sighed taking a step towards the bed, then thinking better of it, eventually just standing there where the room spun slightly. âI didnât want to come.â
 She looked towards Liz and tensed up seeing her stand up. She hesitated for speaking, âWell you had to.â At least how Emma saw it.
 âI know,â Liz said softly. She was careful not to get too near the bed seeing that as Emmaâs territory. So she slowly started to pace, though it was at a snailâs pace. âEveryone always leaves. Are you going to?â
 Emma sighed at the question and rolled over a bit, letting Liz sit down if she wanted to. âI donât know anyone who leaves.â Emma answered honestly. âI probably will one day so I canât promise that.â She shifted uncomfortably for a moment and slipped the ring over her finger. âThis is Aunt Edithâs room.â Emma said, then she paused. âWell, I guess your aunt Edith, not mine.â She looked around for a moment. âChildhood room obviously. I always get this room.â
 âI thought so,â Liz sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed, at the very edge. âNot my aunt. No one in this family is my anything.â Liz looked around, though her eyes really didnât see much. âThatâs nice. I donât. Get a room out here, I try not to come out here is if I can help it.â
 âWell considering I call everyone Aunt and Uncle here, I still feel like you have more claim than I do.â She closed her eyes and nodded, this not being new information. âAunt Edith doesnât sleep here. I do. People grow up after a while and donât like to see where they came from- or at least disassociate themselves from it. Weâre not suppose to stay in the past.â She took a deep breath and moved the ring to the other side of her hand.
 âThey like you better. I donât want them to like me. âIâm not even a Herbert.â Liz lowered her head, stretching her arms out across her legs. âI donât blame them. The past only holds you back..I mean, sometimes its nice to revisit it, but not all the time. If I did.. I donât think Iâd be here.â
 She felt her heart stop for a moment but clearly it must have been her imagination. âNor I am a Herbert.â She said, her voice shaking. She took a deep breath, her mind taking her up into the sky once again, pretending she is in a no pressure game. âRight well- I dream about him.â She said miserably. âSo Iâm not really getting out of this past thing. Just like this room that wonât change Eras.â
 âI do too. I dream about my mother too,â she admitted. âIt doesnât mean I can dwell on it. I can;t let myself dwell on them.. But sometimes.. I guess I would be sad if you werenât still thinking about him.â
âI never stop thinking about him.â She said quietly and sat up to look at Liz. âWhat do you dream about?â
 Liz sighed. âSometimes itâs just us drinking and I tell him things.. but I know how he is answering is just how I wish he would answer. Sometimes, itâs him teaching me quidditch and how to fly, even though we aren;t the right age. Just mundane things.. But sometimes I.. I dream of his death or what my mind makes up as it and... but those nights are rare.â
 Emma nodded, worried for the first time that her Jason in her mind is just speaking the words she wants. âThat sounds.. nice actually. Mundane dreams are the best.â She paused and brought the pillow back to her, not okay with it not being closer to her for even the several minutes itâs been away.
 Wh-â she almost asks Emma what her dreams are about, and then decides against it. She doesnât want to dig that deep. Not right now. Nor does she really feel like hearing about any of it. âYeah, they are nice..â she mutters and gets up again, crossing over to her suitcase and sitting down in front of it.
 She watched Liz walk over to the suitcase and Emma let her legs stretch out. âI have been at least sleeping though.â Emma commented. âIt was harder for me before but now I can sleep three, five hours at most.â She said, a weak smile.
 She started taking things out of the suitcase, wanting to repack it just to give herself something to do. âThatâs good. You need sleep,â she replied. âI sleep, like I always do. Whenever my body lets me.â
 Emma nodded. âThatâs good.â She looked as Liz started to unpack. âOh- are you sleeping in here?â She asked, almost nervously.
 Since there wasnât much packed, it didnât take long to start packing again. âOh. I donât- No. I have my own room,â she answered, rolling up a shirt and sticking it in the corner of the case.
 âOh- uh no itâs fine. If you want to stay I wonât mind!â She said quickly. âI just- I didnât sleep here last night. Thatâs all.â
 âWhere did you sleep?â
 âThe gazebo.â She said, blushing. âI know itâs freezing outside but I couldnât help it⌠Kathleen found me at around 6am and convinced me Iâd be better alive today yet I want to go out for a while again.â
 âYou should, since you want to. Just, take a jacket and donât stay out too long.. or Iâll come find you,â she said, putting a pair of shoes back in her case.
 A couple of tears rolled down her cheeks. âYeah, I think I shall.â
 Liz removed the gold locket from her neck, storing it carefully in a small box and tucking that in the inner pocket of her suitcase. âIâll stay here for another hour, if you arenât up here by then, Iâll come get you, okay?â
 She nodded and got up, feeling a bit woozy as she pulled the sweater over her head- the one no one could dare tell her she couldnât wear here- as she pulled it close to her. She bent down and knocked on the floor panel as it opened, revealing a blanket as she knocked on it again as it replaced. She looked towards Liz apologetically. âEdith was a bit of a rebel.â She shrugged, as that was the only explanation and she pointed to the closet. âUh- donât open that closet, alright?â
 Only after her suitcase was entirely packed again did she look at Emma. âAlright, but why?â
 She blushed. âWell, you know all the bluebells at the ceremony? And in the hallways. And on the doors, and on the outline of the gardensâŚâ She said only naming a few where the crystalized bluebells had been placed.
 Liz nodded. âThey are now in there, arenât they? I wonât open it, donât worry.â
 Emma blushed even harder and shook her head. âNo uh- we havenât had time to clean most of those up and the ones that have been have taken care of by magicâŚâ She looked at the door and back at Liz. âI just made much, much, much more then was needed.â She said softly.
âItâs alright. You were always vigorous with decorating,â Liz said. âI still wonât open it for that reason. Any reason.â
âJason deserves the best.â She said weakly as she looked towards the door and nodded towards Liz. âIâll be outside. Get comfortable.â Slightly implying sheâd be longer then an hour as she left.
 Liz sighed after she left, getting up and grabbing hers and Axtonâs not yet empty bottle and sitting back on the bed, wondering whether she should follow Emma. But they all needed time to grieve alone, she decided as she moved onto the center of the bed, taking a sip from her bottle.
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Characters: Jason Herbert, Emma Vanity, Garret Herbert, Ben Herbert
Universe: Harry Potter
Time: 6th Year and time travel to the 70'sÂ
Jason was sitting on the couch in the Slytherin common room just like any other day. He had one of the seventh year girls sitting next to him. Her name had already escaped his mind, but she was tall and blonde and easy on the eyes. He had his arm around her and was chatting her up as per usual. Every so often though, Jason would look towards the girlsâ dormitory stairs, as if he was looking for something. Then heâd be brought back by the attention of the girl, was her name...Lucille..no, was it Hannah? He still couldn't remember. All he knew was that his hand was creeping up and under her shirt slightly as they talked quietly and closely with each other.
 Garrett and Ben entered the Slytherin common room, open to those who can since the Durmstrung students were here for the weekend.
âAre you sure this is a good idea, Ben?â Garrett asked hesitantly.
âHow would we ever get another chance?â Ben waved him off and they both entered. âParents lie but they canât lie now.â He smiled at Garrett. âJust have fun.â
Garrett nodded, feeling a bit better as they entered. âHow easy do you think it be to find them?â He asked but there was no need for an answer because both their eyes fell on the Jason and the blonde girl next to him. âIs that-?â
 Jason had glanced up again to the girlsâ dormitory stairs but looked back to the girl, only to feel someone staring at him. He looked over at the two boys that were now in the common room with them, and stared back. âCan we help you with something?â he asked a bit snarkily. âWhy donât you just take a picture of her, Iâm sure itâd last longer,â he said, mockingly defending the girl he was sitting with.
âYou are so sweet,â the girl smiled a bit brainlessly at him.
âI know,â he gave her his best fake charming smile and felt her sit closer to him, which allowed his hand to go even more under her shirt.
 Garrett looked at his brother in disgust. âThat canât be- thatâs not dadâŚâ he shook his head.
 Ben studied the girl for a second, surprised about this whole thing. âUh- that isnât⌠anyone we know⌠so⌠clearly not someone important⌠unless mother killed her.â Ben smiled at his brother but then frowned, disturbed that could be a possibility. âWeâre from the other school, just trying to figure out what to do around here.â Ben gave a smile.
 Jason wasnât really paying attention to them, but the girl seemed to take some interest in them, so Jason sighed and looked at the two boys. âOh, youâre from Durmstrang?â he tried to sound interested, but really he was getting a bit annoyed that these two guys were ruining his fun. âWell Slytherin is the best house here, but maybe you two should look at the great hall. Right now.â he looked at the door to the commons, and then looked up at the girlsâ domitory steps again.
 âAlright thanksâŚâ Ben said, turning towards Garrett shrugging since he wasnât sure what to do next. âWhy does he keep looking up at the girls dormitory? Maybe we can find⌠mom at the pitch?â
âMaybe...letâs just go find mom. Dad is bothering me..â Garrett took his brotherâs arm and started to move towards the door.
 Suddenly they heard a girl walking down the steps which made Garrett and Ben look up at least briefly. The sound stopped once she was at the foot of the stairs. Â
âHerbert!â Emma screamed. âMust you annoy me when I first get out of bed, could you stand to make someone else's life miserable or do I have to stick Evan on you again?â Emma challenged.
 Jason looked at Emma with mock concern. âOh Vanity, I didnât see you there. You know, Iâd say that I would make your life miserable, but youâre not worth the time. Besides, your face makes anyone feel miserable every time you get out of bed,â he rolled his eyes at her. âRight, like having Rosier punch me in the face again is going to do anything. When will you learn that Iâm used to it?â he felt the girl that was sitting next to him start to pull away.
âI should leave you beâŚâ she looked down.
âNo, stay. Sheâs just being annoying.â
 âHeather get out of here!â Emma said sternly at the girl. âI would have thought you had better taste than Herbert, you know the rules of the dorm.â She said, putting her hand on her hips.
 âFound mom.â Ben said, slowly. Both of them frozen in place at the sound of their parents yelling.
 âHeather! Thatâs right!â Jason laughed a bit. âVanity, I know this may be hard for you to do, but shove your nose out of my business. Okay?â he turned to Heather and held onto her hand.
âIâll see you tonight?â she asked him a bit nervously.
âSure,â he kissed her in front of Emma just to piss her off and then let her walk away.
 âHe doesnât even know your name!â Emma called out after Heather then walked up to Jason, looking him up and down. âYou know whatâs funny, Herbert?â
 âNo, I donât know. Is it your personality? Or lack of one?â he stepped a bit closer to her, looking pissed off as usual. He could never control himself when they were fighting.
 Garrett just stared at the two of them, in shock that they were acting this way. âBen...this doesnât feel right..â he whispered. âThey should be smiling. Why arenât they smiling??â
 âWhat is this?â Ben whispered.
 âYouâreâ she touched his chest. ânot in your Quidditch robes. Finally decided that you should just quit the team? No surprise after your last game.â
 âMy quidditch robes are in the locker room. Iâm not in them yet, because I figured you and rosier need more time to fuck your brains out before practice so you can favor him AGAIN!â Jason poked her collarbone harshly. âsome captain you are. Canât stop sleeping with half the team!â
 âWh- Shut up! You slept with this whole school! Even the worthless ones- oh wait. Theyâre ALL worthless to you!â She screamed.
 âYeah! Well you were the most worthless of them all!â Jason yelled at her. âYou were so fucking- GAH!â he threw his hands up in the air, unable to finish his sentence. He was beyond pissed at her. âI like my girls that I sleep with. Because at least THEY ARENâT PSYCHOPATHS!â
 âI- Iâm not a-!â She pushed him hard. âTheyâre all worthless to you and Iâm happy that Iâm the one you cared about the least because it makes me LOVE Rosier that much more!â She felt her cheeks grow red and was about to turn around.
 â...â Jason was seething. âDonât fucking use those words like you know what they even mean! Youâre a heartless bitch just like the rest of them.â he turned a bit away from her. âIâll see you on the quidditch pitch. I may or may not resign after todayâs practice. Depends on if youâre still a raging bitch.â
 âWhy do you always do that! I LOVE him and youâre just going to have to accept it since you want to die all alone, which I hope you do so I donât have to come down here watching you SNOG some girl every freaking morning!â
 âYou donât LOVE him! You just want your fucking marriage and your fairytale husband. Well congrats! you found him! go fucking marry him already and leave the rest of us who want A LIFE alone! Go have your five hundred kids and your snobby balls. SEE IF I CARE!â Jason screamed at her.
 âI canât wait to marry him! Heâs my favorit-â She turned around. âWho are you?â
 Garrett was so stunned by the sudden turn of events, he didnât realize sheâd addressed him and Ben. âUh...weâre Garrett and Ben. Weâre from Durmstrang. Itâs nice to meet you mo- I mean...miss.â
 âWhy are you just standing there?â Emma asked, sighing.
 âWe..just wanted to...uh-â Garrett looked at Ben for help.
 âWeâre going to⌠ask to go to Quidditch practice- Captain Herbert?â He said hopefully. âVanity!â
 Garrett hit his brotherâs arm for the slip up. âWeâre really good quidditch players. Heâs a chaser, Iâm a beater/keeper. Our uh- our mother taught us the game pretty well. Weâd like to see you play.â he tried to gloss over the whole herbert fiasco he was sure was about to ensue.
 âHerbert!â Emma said, exasperated. She looked at Jason. âWhich slut that lets you touch her, did you tell you were the fucking captain?â
 âI havenât shared that lie yet!â Jason thought about it though. âThatâs a good one though. Iâll have to use that some time. thanks for the idea Vanity.â He patted her shoulder. âYou know, Iâm also a chaser for the team. I could take you down to the pitch.â Jason looked at Ben.
 Emma pushed him so hard that he fell onto the couch. âIâll take that one then. Come on Keeper, maybe I can keep one of you sane.â She barely looked at Garrett or Ben her eyes still trained on Jason.
 He landed on the couch and then flipped Emma off. âSee you on the pitch captain.â he rolled his eyes at her and then got up to stand over by Ben. âSo..which one are you again?â he asked Ben, unaware that one day in the future heâd ask his sons that on occasion.
 âDonât you DARE say youâre a Captain of anything!â She looked at both of them. âYeah, which is which?â
 Garrett couldnât help but smile a bit, since this was just what their parents used to do when they were little. âIâm Garrett...that oneâs Ben.â he pointed to his brother. âHeâs the Chaser. Iâm the keeper.â
 âKeeper? Okay. Come with me.â Emma said walking but then she looked at Jason. âI am not going to be fucking Rosier so come down to the  pitch before I ruining your night by telling Heather literally anything!â
 âAlright! Iâll be down there! Hold onto your hippogryff!â Jason rolled his eyes at Emma and then walked over to Ben. âSo...thatâs the captain. She sucks, right?â
 Ben froze. âUh- yeah I guess.â Ben said putting his hand on his neck. âShe didnât seem too bad...though.â
âDidnât seem too bad? Are you blind? Sure, she looks great naked, but sheâs horrible! she has no respect, and sheâs just. Sheâs Vanity.â  he shuddered and then looked at Ben. âYou know, I have an uncle named Ben. Itâs funny, you kinda look like him a bitâŚâ but then he shook it off. âWhatever..â
 âNakedâŚâ Ben said, shaking slightly. âI- oh must be the pureblood thing, right. I am Irish⌠and German.â
 âWhatâs the matter with you? Never seen a naked girl?â he punched Ben lightly in the shoulder and laughed. âIrish? Me too. Do you know the Blakes at all? Itâd be cool to know someone at Durmstrang who knows them.â he walked with Ben out of the commons and to the quidditch lockers.
 âYeah. I think so. A bit.â Ben said, laughing slightly but freaking out. Now that he had the chance to ask questions he couldnât ask anything. âDo that often?â He managed to say.
 âDo what often? See a girl naked? Sure. Why not?â Jason continued to walk with Ben, and put his arm around Ben as if he were guiding him. âYou see Ben, my philosophy is to sleep with whoever I want, whenever I want because I can. Iâm not in a relationship with some pansy ass girl who keeps trying to smother me. Itâs so much more fun this way.â
 âHave you ever dated a girl?â He asked tentatively. Werenât they in love? They promised usâŚ
 âYeah..I dated Vanity for...like a year and a half. She woudlnât shut up about marriage though, so I broke it off. She was always going off about wanting a husband, and having...kids.â he shuddered. âIâm only sixteen, I want to enjoy life. Canât do that when youâre married.â
 âYou donât want⌠kids? Couldnât you do that with⌠Vanity?â Ben said, not realizing how weird this was going to be.
 âMe? Have kids? Look at me!â Jason gestured to himself. âIâm not the kind of person who should be a father. My father sucks, I donât want to be like him. Besides, I have other things I want to do with my life.â he looked at Ben with disgust. âYou want me to think...about touching her again? What, did she pay to you talk to me or something? Is this some kind of prank again? I swear to Merlin, if this is a prank, Iâm going to get her again!â
 âNo, no! Just- I donât know. Seems weird to me.â He shrugged. âSo what do you do at Hogwarts?â
 âI do girls. I drink...uh...oh, you should meet my best friend later. Axton. Heâs fun too.â Jason nodded his head and laughed. âHeâs probably a bit hungover today, though I am too I guess.â he shrugged. âYou can also do homework if you want to...or sneak out. Uh- I spend a lot of time in my roomâŚâ he left it at that. he didnât want to tell just anyone that he wrote music. âWhat about you? You do anything fun at Durmstrang?â
 âSex, drugs, alcohol.â Ben said, a bit nervously since he was still talking to his father. âObviously. Lot of Quidditch but my brother is more obsessed. Captains.â Â
 âNice, sounds like you know how to have fun. Youâd fit in with Slytherin.â he patted Ben on the back. âCaptains are the worst. Axton is a captain and heâs always trying to beat my team. Vanityâs even worse though. I swear, one time she punched a wall when we lost.â
âPunched a wall?â Ben asked, amused.
 âYeah it was during fifth year..I had to convince her to go to Pomfrey. Sheâs so fucking stubborn sometimes. I swearâŚâ Jason stopped talking. âThat was a long time ago though.â
 âYou took her to Pomfrey? Thatâs nice.â
 âYeah. I can be nice sometimes. Iâm not always a complete asshole, no matter what others might tell you about me.â he sounded a bit defensive. âAnyway...how are you liking Hogwarts? If youâre bored later tonight, thereâs a party going on with Slytherin.â he offered.
 âOh, and I can come?â
 âYeah sure, thatâs why I mentioned it. You can bring your uh- is he like your twin brother or something?â
 âYeah twins. Weâre a bit different but only in personality. Iâm like a minute older which is better.â
 âYou two are practically identical. I bet your parents forget who is who.â he laughed. âDo you have any other siblings? Or just uh- whatâs his name. I canât remember it.â the were almost to the quidditch lockers.
 âHis name is Garrett and we have a younger sister⌠Juliet.â He said hesitantly. âIs there something I can wear? Maybe a broom?â
 âJuliet? Nice name. Iâve got a little sister too. Her name is Jules.â he said just before they entered the quidditch lockers. âSheâs only five, but sheâs cool.â he went to his locker and handed Ben some extra padding. âYou can use some of my things. Weâre practically the same build. So they should fit pretty well. As for brooms...we have spares in the closet over thereâŚâ he pointed to the large broom shed.
 Ben nodded.
 ________
 Emma pulled Garrett out and then she looked at him. âHeâs awful, that prat. Trust me that youâll never treat anyone like that, Garrett.â
 âYes mom- Maâam.â he said quietly. âI donât think anyone has to worry about me treating a girl poorly though..â he said a bit awkwardly.
 âOh well thatâs good then. So Keeper? What else then?â
 âIâm also a beater, but not as good as keeper. Iâm the captain of my team though. I have a lot of good plays up my sleeves. I keep around a playbook for when I get ideas.â he seemed proud of that. âQuidditch feels like my life.â
 âYou do?â Emma said brightly. âSo do I!â She said laughing.
 âYes! I write in it all the time!â He was so enthusiastic about his play book. âBen makes fun of me all the time. Calls me a toughest captain of them all. Itâs not my fault I want to win.â Garrett felt weird talking to his mother like this though. âSpeaking of wanting to win...what are you going to do if uh- that guy resigns? Is he really that bad of a player?â
 âI- oh Jason? Heâs nothing.â Emma said, frowning. âActually between you and me, I have to say he would be missed but⌠I canât help it, I canât live with his fighting! And he hates my boyfriend.â
 âI could tell...it sounded like you two um..have problems?â Garrett couldât find the right word. âI have a friend. um- Ryan. Heâs always fighting with his ex-boyfriend at h-durmstrang.â
 âHe is?â
 âYeah. Itâs pretty annoying actually. Seeing him talking to his ex all the time. But um- I mean they never fight like you and uh- Jason was it? No. Not at all that intensely heated.â Garrett wanted to know what happened to make his parents seem to hate each other so much.
 âHe hates me. He hates me so much.â She frowned. âI still donât get it.. theyâre dating?â
 âRyan and his Ex arenât dating. Heâs uh- well he told me he wants to date me. But Iâm not sure.â Garrett shrugged. âYou and Jason- it sounded like you two dated though. What was that like?â
 âWait so how does that work? Why would you want to- heâs a boy? I mean⌠Iâve kissed girls but- you can have a kid with them?â She looked at Garrett confused.
 âRyan um...yeah heâs a boy. I havenât kissed him. I mean, not really kissed him or anything. I donât know what to think...I shouldnât have said anything. Itâs weird..â Garrett hadnât even admitted to his mother that he was considering dating a boy, and yet he could easily tell teenage Emma.
 Emma shrugged. âWell do what you want. Life is short. Just donât be a slut.â Emma said, wagging her finger at him. Weird though. âYeah, Jason⌠well it was for a year and half- first serious thing but now heâs completely mental. Canât deal with the fact the future is coming⌠I wonât marry him anyway.â She frowned.
 âIâll consider it..â Garrett smiled a bit. âI wonât be a slut though. My father always tells us that we should respect women..and I guess guys for me.â he looked at Emma and patted her shoulder sympathetically. âWho knows..maybe heâll change? Boys are funny like that.â
 âYour father sounds amazing.â Emma said, âI wish my hus- well he will be.â Emma smiled. âEvan is quite the catch, do you know the Rosiers?â
 âUh...I might have heard their names once or twiceâŚâ Garrett rubbed the back of his neck. âSo, do you really think Rosier is- the one? Have any doubts...at all? any?â Garrett couldnât believe this. His mother and father werenât even in love! They werenât even semi-together. Why was his mother with someone else? She should be with his father! Itâs the way theyâd always beenâŚ
âNever have doubts.â Emma said but looking at Garrett⌠he did kind of look like Jason. âSometimes.â She admitted. âBut I will soon have a ring, itâs a great name. Great guy.â
 âI donât know..Rosier just doesnât sound as good as Herbert. But thatâs my opinion. I guess I just like to be higher up in the alphabet..â Garrett shrugged. He was always going to be a herbert. His mother would always be a Herbert to him. It was so odd to think that she could have ended up as a Rosier.
 âHow do you kno- Oh yeah. Right well. Emma Rosier sounds better than Emma Herbert anyway. Though you can take a crack at him.â She said sweetly. âWant to see some of my plays? Maybe we can collaborate?â
 âUh- no...I wouldnât be interested in Jason...heâs not my uh- heâs not my type.â Garrett shook his head vigorously. Only in the past would his mother suggest that he try to get with his father. Ugh. âSure! Iâd love so see your plays.â but then Garrett faltered. Most of his plays he had gotten as inspiration from the 1990 quidditch cup. âUh...Iâll just see your plays. My playbook is back at home.â
 âThey didnât let you bring it? Figures. Itâs like a dictatorship around here. Help me a bit would be nice though, prove that youâre a good Captain, right? Iâll take you back to my lockers.â She said walking towards it.
 âThe captainâs locker? Iâd love to see that..â Garrett had seen it for the past two years at school. He was an exceptional captain. But he was getting the chance to see it when it was his motherâs.
 âCaptains in Hogwarts get to change so much about it, every Captain has it different. What is it like at your school?â
 âOh uh...we have captainâs quarters too. Mineâs really nice. I just, I wanted to see the Hogwarts one.â he said a bit sheepishly. âHas anyone else seen your captainâs locker?â he asked, innocently enough.
 âYeah- oh uh⌠well weâre not supposed to but once upon a time I trusted that Herbert fellow, I allowed him in.â She frowned.
 âOh..so uh..Iâm guessing. Yeah..â Garrett felt a bit awkward asking his teen mother about her sex life with his father. âNo worries here. I wonât be interested in uh- any of that.â he shook his head and then slapped himself in his mind.
 âI wonder- well when I showed him he said it was⌠well that it showed a lot about me. Maybe he was just saying that to sleep about me though?â
 âYou never know. He doesnât seem all that heartless to me.â Garrett prompted as they walked closer to the Captainâs lockers.
 She snorted. âWhat?â
 âI just mean that...when you two were...arguing...well Iâve never seen two people argue like that before. It was very...heated?â he didnât know the right word. Merlin, he was trying to set up his mother and father! âNo one argues like that unless they care..â
 âI donât think so Garrett. Youâre a nice kid, but he hates me. He wouldnât make me⌠watch those girls⌠all over him all the time if he didnât. He hasnât even tried to speak with me alone in weeks⌠he use to try.â
 âWell...like I said. Boys are stupid. I should know. My brother Ben, heâs always sleeping with some girl! But I know he really likes this one girl above all the others. Heâs always staring at her, arguing with her about the boys sheâs with. Sometimes I want to shove them in a room and just make them kiss already. But- thatâd be awkward. Aunt L- well our pseudo Aunt would be pissed since itâs her daughter.â
 âAunt L?â Emma said curiously but then she smiled. âWell⌠I mean itâs nice that you think that⌠but I donât think Jason and I are the same. How could I tell?â She looked at him, frowning slightly.
 âIf he apologizes to you in any way...youâll know,â Garrett sounded confident.
 âWhy are you so sure?â She asked, curiously.
 âI guess Iâm just a bit of a romantic?â Garrett shrugged. âBut um- we should get ready for quidditch. Canât wait to play with your team!â
 Emma smiled. âYou can meet my boyfriend. Weâre almost there-â She said pointing to the Quidditch Locker Room. âThere.â
 âmeet...your boyfriend...okay.â Garrett walked behind Emma to the lockers and couldnt believe what he was seeing. He was literally with people his age that were the parents of all his friends at Hogwarts. âwoahâŚâ he said.
Emma smiled and then opened the door to the room only to see Ben and Jason already in there.
âUgh. I thought you were going to quit. â
 Jason turned around and rolled his eyes at Emma. He smirked at her. âWhy would I quit when I can stay on the team and annoy you endlessly? That sounds like a lot more fun.â he took off his shirt and put on his quidditch shirt instead.
 âYouâre a jerk.â Then she looked at Garrett and shrugged saying clearly that they wonât be able to get along. She pointed towards one of the lockers. âYou and your brother can get some extra of EVANâs uniform.â Shaking her head at Jason because he wonât share.
 âThatâs not neccessary. Benâs already using some of MY quidditch things. Garrett can use some too. Because Iâm not a BITCH.â Jason opened his locker and took out some more padding and passed them to Garrett. âRosier isnât their build anyway. Heâs too scrawny.â
 Garrett looked at his brother, a bit concerned over their parentsâ hatred for each other.
 âYouâre being hateful again, Rosier isnât scrawny, heâs build. Trust me, I think I have compared both your bodies enough.â Emma said, smirking.
 Ben looked at Garrett like he was about to die. He did not want to hear that. Maybe this wasnât a good idea.
 âSure, favor him. Like you ALWAYS do.â Jason finished putting on his quidditch things and slammed his locker shut. âIâll tell you one thing, your boyfriend doesnât know how to live. I heard heâs not even going to the party tonight.â he picked up his broom and looked at Emma coldly. âHeâs leaving you alone, again. Hope you get used to that.â he felt bitter inside. Extremely bitter.
 âThatâs because heâs busy! Has no time for your stupid little party and news flash, he doesnât like you very much, does he?â She countered. âBecause there is nothing about you to like and-â The she heard what he said. She twitched and frowned. âI-â She felt the tears almost flow out as she went to go grab her broom.
 Garrett couldnât help but stare at Emmaâs broom⌠wow. It looks so much newer.
 âYouâre- thatâs horrible.â Emma said, both of them knowing that it was only upsetting because it could be true. âHe⌠would never.â
 âYeah...well...itâs your life not mine.â Jason was ready to go. He looked at Ben and Garrett, ignoring that he could tell Emma was about to cry. âIâll see you on the pitch, Captain..â and he walked out.
 Garrett looked at his brother as he saw their father walk out on their mother. It was sad to see this all unfold. It felt like the image heâd built up of his parents always being in love was shattered. âBen, can I talk to you before we play quidditch,â
 âYeah⌠of course.â Ben said, nodding slowly.
 âYouâre a jerk.â She mumbled, letting the door close behind her as she went into her quarters, forgetting the promise she made to Garrett.
 âBenâŚ.I think they hate each other..I was talking to mom and sheâs deluded herself into thinking Uncle Evan is going to be her husband!â Garrett sounded shocked.
 âGarrett, I donât think dad is much betterâŚâ He said frowning. âI know they told us this was bad⌠but how could it be this bad?â
 He shook his head frowning. âI donât know...whenever I pictured them saying they fought, I thought itâd be like when weâre at home and dad does something stupid.â he looked around at the lockers and then at the quidditch pitch door. âWe could try to get them back together?â
âShe was crying and father didnât even give another glance⌠he was on another women this morning!â Ben said, a bit outraged. âThis is just not right.â
 âMaybe we should just...go home..â Garrett sighed and sat down on the bench by the lockers. â...unless...we could go to that party. Uncle Evan wonât be there.â
 âWe can see if theyâre⌠different with a party⌠I mean⌠we know they are married⌠we didnât fuck that upâŚâ He shrugged.
 âYouâre right. Theyâre still married. Theyâre still our mom and dad.â Garrett stood up and hugged his brother. âThereâs still hope for them!â
 Ben smiled and hugged his brother back. âMaybe we shouldnât practice with themâŚâ
 âThen what should we do? Just wait out for the party?â Garrett looked at the captainâs quarters and then at Ben. âOr should we cheer up mom?â
 âCan we cheer mother up?â
 âI think we can. We have before. Why should this time be any different?â Garrett started to walk towards the captainâs quarters.
 âUh okay?â Ben look unconvinced.
 Garrett was about to knock on the door but then he stopped. âWe canât cheer her up...weâre not dad, and weâre not her kids yet. Sheâd just get freaked out, or think one of us wants to get in her pants..â he sighed and looked at his brother. âWant to just wait for the party then?â
 Ben nodded. âYeah. Do you think dad can?â
 Suddenly the door swung open, Emma without a trace of crying, full in her uniform angrily came out of her room. It was the scary version of mom, and younger, which was almost more frighten. (Possibly because the war hadnât soften her yet and she still naive enough to think she can get away with everything.) âCome on, letâs practice you two. Herbert and I will see what youâre made off and Iâm not even going to pretend to go easy on him.â Her eyes were focused on the door and she didnât even look at them as she walked out.
Garrett looked scaredly at his brother and gulped. âYup...thatâs our momâŚâ he quickly reached for the quidditch pads and looked at the broom cupboard. âDo you think sheâs going to kill dad?â he asked as he passed Ben a broom.
 âProbably. Letâs go watch.â Ben said, smiling slightly as he ran out.
 Garrett was close behind his brother as he ran out with him to the pitch. It was odd as he looked at the Slytherin team in front of him. He stopped dead in his tracks. âBen...BenâŚâ he whispered. âI just realized...most of these people are deadâŚâ he pointed towards Regulus Black, whose picture his mother had shared. âThat guy, I think heâs dead too..â he pointed towards one of the Lestranges. âor at least in azkaban..â
 âDead?â Ben replied. âWoah.â
 âGet them, Reg.â Emma shouted as Regulus came over to them with a smile, apologized for Emma and showed them what theyâd be doing today which was mostly with Herbert and Emma.
 Garrett looked like he was in quidditch heaven. He smiled at his brother and looked like a fangirl for quidditch practice. âBen, this is. so. Awesome!â
 âYeah, great.â But he couldnât stop looking at his father. He was watching Emma, wasnât he? So doesnât this mean⌠He smiled at Garrett though.
 Jason was standing as far from Emma as he could, but he couldnât stop looking over at her. He knew that she was pissed at him. Heâd gone too far this time. In the back of his head, he knew he was going to have to make up for this somehowâŚ
 Emma glanced at him as much as she could while still keeping Evan busy. The new kids werenât horrible.
 Garrett was having the time of his life. He was excited for the plays that he was being shown. He hadnât seen classic moves like this in a long time, and he thought about bringing them back once he and Ben were in their own time.
 ____________
 With quidditch practice over, Jason headed to the lockers quickly, taking off his sweaty clothes and changing back into clothes that would be acceptable at a party. He looked across the room to Emmaâs door, but he knew she was still mad at him. It was evident during practice when she made him do plays that he hadnât done before, and expected perfect results the first time around. Sighing to himself, Jason looked at Ben and Garrett, who seemed to just be standing there. âWell what are you two doing? Arenât you coming to the party?â
 âYou did horrible Herbert, like always.â Emma said coming out while people were still coming. She was completely dressed for a party, make up perfect and her clothes no where in sight. âIâll see you tonight, I need to have some fun. Hopefully tonight will be my lucky night and youâll finally die from all those things you consume. Say hi to Heather from me.â Emma sneared and without looking at any of them she left.
 âOh- yeahâŚâ Ben said, shaking his head a bit miffed after he saw his mother like that.
 â...well..whatever Vanity!â Jason watched her walk away and shook his head. âFucking- sheâs winningâŚâ he tried to shake her out of his head and then looked at Ben and Garrett. âCome on, letâs goâŚâ he looked a bit frustrated.
 âRight.â Ben said and Garrett and Ben followed behind him.
 âThe party is in the common room, since itâs Slytherin only. You two are from Durmstrang though, so it counts. You look like Slytherins anyway.â he lead them to the common room and then looked back at them. âHey uh- sorry you had to see all that fighting and stuff..â
 âIts no problem⌠damn you guys really have it out for each other. Whatâs so great about this Evan guy, anyway?â Ben aked.
 âHeâs not great. The only thing great about him is that heâs not me apparently.â Jason rolled his eyes. âHeâs a prick is what he is. An uptight, anger management counselorâs dream, prat.â
 âSheâs only dating him because he isnât you?â Ben said, looking at Garrett like âsee!â
 âOh, not to mention heâs got more money, a better name, and he is also looking to be stuck in a dead ended marriage that wonât amount to anything. Match made in heaven, right?â he rolled his eyes. âI swear, tonight Iâm gonna get wasted, because nothing else has been good today.â
 Garrett looked at Ben and realized that this was probably why people gave their father weird looks.
 âWhat about Heather?â Garrett asked the slightly crazed Jason.
 âHuh? what about her?â Jason didnât sound very phased. âOh...you mean that girl from this morning? Eh- I donât know. She was hot this morning, but the girls here will be drunker.â
 Ben looked at Garrett like holyshit I know why mom gets so mad when dad drinks now.
âSounds good, uh- Jason.â
 âIf one of you wants her, go ahead. I think tonight Iâm gonna...fly solo.â In truth Jason wanted to just get drunk, and then go up to his room and write another piece of music. Maybe apologize to Emma when he was drunk enough.
 Garrett just shrugged his shoulders at Ben, not sure what the heck was going on with their Dad. âThis is so weirdâŚâ he whispered to Ben, just before they entered the Slytherin Common Room to a giant party.
 âWow, Emma makes the practice go on even though the party had already started?â Ben said, looking at Garrett like looks like we know where you get it.
 Jason walked into the commons and headed straight for the drink table. When he had downed at least three glasses of firewhiskey, he looked around the room, seeing if there was anyone that caught his eye...or Emma...he still needed to apologize to Emma.
 âWe should split up. Iâll find mom, you stick with dad?â Garrett offered.
 Ben nodded and followed Jason, getting a drink next to him and just glancing at him to see what heâs going to do.
 Emma wa already drinking on the corner, talking to a rather nice Slytherin who seemed to get closer and closer to her, his hand almost on her leg.
 Garrett swooped in with no time to lose. âMom- I mean...Emma! Hey! I wanted to thank you for letting me come to quidditch today. It was a lot of fun.â Garrett wedged himself between the boy and Emma and then looked back at the boy waving him off.
 Emma couldnât help but giggle. âSure, Garrett. Bye Rabastan, weâll talk later.â Emma winked.
 âwhat are you doing with him? You shouldnât be hitting on other guys! What about da- I mean...uh...whatâs his name?â Garrett sounded a bit panicked and looked over at Ben to see how he was doing with their dad.
 Jason was drinking yet another bottle of firewhiskey, and looked at Ben who was sitting next to him. âwhat are you...doing here? shouldnât you be hitting on some girl? Wait..thatâs me.â
 Ben was fumbling a bit with his drink, just at how weird this was. He drank a bit before he smiled back at Jason.  âRight, I donât know about that. I was actually hoping youâd help be a bit with the ladies- Iâm good but not as good as you. Iâll keep the drinks come to you?â Ben said, secretly excited about the fact that he gets to see his father drunk like this. Ben looked at Garrett and smiled.
 âOh, Garrett. I have a boyfriend, flirting is harmless with Rabastan itâs just nice to feel appreciated and Rabastan has a way to make you feel his focus is on you.â She smiled. âBut you seem like better company.â She looked around the party quickly for Jason but then went back.
 âM-me? Better company? Uh-...what makes you think that?â Garrett was a bit worried what his mother was implying.
 Jason looked at Ben and smiled. âSure bro, I can show you the ropes. Pick a girl and Iâll show you how itâs done.â
 Ben looked at Garrett and mom and then frowned. âUh- Emma? Sheâs⌠hot.â Ben said, cringing. His mother was of course beautiful⌠but hot that wasnât a word he used⌠just- oh gosh.
 Emma took a big sip of her drink and giggled at Garrett. âYouâre good at Quidditch. Iâd love to talk to someone about strategy. I feel like my plays are a bit ⌠ahead of there game you did well out there, better then your brother but still both of you are fantastic!â
 âYou want me to help you by picking up Vanity?â Jason looked questioningly at Ben and then finished his drink. âAlright, I think Iâm drunk enough for this.â in truth though Jason had just touched the surface of being drunk. He was only buzzed. He got up and looked at Ben. âAre you coming?â he started to walk over towards Emma.
 Garrett smiled at Emma. âOh no, your plays are cutting edge. Iâd say that theyâd be considered classic by say...1992.â Garrett laughed. âBut uh- speaking of fantastic...I think I see someone walking over towards you..â he looked at his brother and mouthed âoh my merlin, sheâs drunkâ to Ben.
âThanks Garrett!â Emma said, hugging him. âI love your name by the way, itâs wonderful.â She giggled when he said someone and looked over to see Jason and Ben, to hide the fact that she was happy to see Jason coming towards her she waved to Ben. She started fixing her hair.
 Ben looked at Garrett, read his lips and shook his head. Ben might have done something bad. Why is she waving? He waved back sheepishly.
 âHey Vanity, nice to see you waving at my new buddy here.â Jason sat right next to her and leaned on his arm so that he was closer to her. âI told him Iâd show him how to talk to girls tonight since I have nothing better to do.â he hoped sheâd see that he wasnât with whatâs her name...holly? noâŚ
 âNo Heather?â Emma said, grinning and patted the seat next to her. âWell come sit here then. Ben, Iâd love to help you. Anything to help dating.â Emma said smiling to Jason. âI can show Ben how to avoid a break up- unless you just want to hook up?â She said, looking at Ben.
 Ben looked at Garrett then back at all of them and just stuttered, silently pleading for Garrett to help him talk.
 âYou know Vanity, thatâs your problem, weâre just trying to help him and you have to make him think about break ups. He just wanted me to talk to you. Why are you like this?â Jason put his arm around Emma nonchalantly.
 âNo problem. Impress me Herbert.â Emma said. âAnd if you show me your Quidditch skills youâre already failing.â She stuck his tongue out at him though since she was pretty drunk.
 âYou know what? I think Iâm going to play the âhonestâ approach.â Jason still had his arm around Emma and scooted closer to her. âYou do look nice tonight. Heather looks hotter, but sheâs got not personality and sheâs blonde. Fake blonde. Youâre real, and for one minute Iâd like for you to shut up.â
 Emma frowned at this but let her hand dangled between them. âWell, I donât expect to look hotter than Heather to you. I understand that hotness is someoneâs willingness to sleep with you and clearly Iâm not a prize anymore. I have a ring.â Emma frowned for a second, just enough for Ben to catch it. âBut Iâll shut up for a minute since you asked so nicely.â She looked him in the eye.
 âYou know what? I donât care if you have a ring. I donât care that youâre with Rosier, because tonight, Iâm going to win you back just to prove that I can.â Jason let his hand dangle next to Emmaâs. âIâd like to start apologizing for my actions, by asking you for a dance.â he used that fake sincere voice he used to use on her at balls all the time.
 Emma felt her heart race at the mention of winning her back, clearly her favorite thing was declarations of wanting her affection but⌠sometimes when Jason said things like that⌠even when followed up with just to prove it⌠it was worth it in her mind. Sheâd play the memory over and over again before she fell asleep sometimes as a little secret from everyone that sheâd think about him like that. She pushed her hand against his and the fake sincere voice broke the spell a bit. She cleared her throught. âDo you see this, Ben? Girls donât want to be treated like an angel so a slight rejection, a reminder that he can find another girl but then bringing it back as if youâre still their first choice⌠it makes a girl feel special. Itâs easy to say that if the boyfriend they talk about⌠if theyâre not here then it makes sense for the boy to use them against youâŚâ She couldnât stop looking at Jason though. âThe voice heâs using is⌠not his real sincere voice⌠Jason wouldnât waste his time using that on a girl he was just⌠picking up.â She gave him a smile and let her hand entwine with his. âBut since Iâm a lady and Iâm in the mood to be helpful to the school to the north⌠I accept your dance.â
 Garrett looked at Ben like âwhat the fuck?â and then stared at his parents in their twisted drunken game.
 Jason took Emma away from the table and brought her close to him as he started to dance with her, his hand on her waist. âWay to overanalyze the play, Vanity.â he said in her ear.
 âIâm trying to help.â Emma said loud enough for the boys to here. âNow youâre being a bit unfair⌠you know how I melt when yo- anyone whispers in my ear.â She said softly pulling him closer not to be undone.
 âI didnât realize that that melted you.â Jason smirked at her. âI know that you like your neck kissed, you like to wear the same Jasmine perfume every morning, you were jealous of Heather this morning, which is why Iâm not with her right now, and I know that I went too far todayâŚâ he said all of this quietly and in her ear. âI shouldnât have said that.â he kissed the side of her head and then continued to dance with her.
 âIt does.â Emma said. âDoes this mean you donât like my Jasmine?â Emma said, slightly teasing. She pulled him closer and put her head on his shoulder. âYou did went too far and⌠thanks for⌠for not being with her.â She nodded and held his hand tighter. âYou shouldnât have.â She said, realizing it really bothered her.
 âHe kissed the side of her head!â Ben said, nudging Garrett.
 âthatâs a good sign..â Garrett nudged Ben back.
 âI think your Jasmine smells...decent.â Jason pulled their hands in between them as they continued to dance closer together.
Noticing there hands she smirked. âSorry, was I too close?â
 â...â Jason tried to play it cool. âWell...I just didnât want to do something weâd regret..â Jason continued the dance. âHow are things with Rosier? Going super smooth and romantically perfect I guess?â
 âWho says Iâm not already regretting this dance?â Emma asked, raising her eyebrows. âWeâre⌠weâre doing fine. Heâs a perfect gentleman. HeâŚâ Emma couldnât bring up words and just let herself shrugged with a smile.
 âUh...great I suppose..â Jason brought her in closer to him, wrapping his arms around her waist. âYou knowâŚâ he couldnât say it. â...Iâve never kissed a girl with a ring on her finger,â he laughed jokingly at her.
 âOh so now weâre allowed to be closer?â Emma asked, but not minding. âWe both know thatâs a lie.â She whispered quietly, smiling at him and letting her face buried into his neck for a second, willing herself to miss the way Jason smelled.
 âOkay...thatâs a lieâŚâ Jason leaned his head against hers when she buried her face in his neck. âBut you know...Iâve kind of wanted to kiss you since seeing you in this outfit.â
 âWhile in the Quidditch locker rooms?â She asked.
 âYeah..â he admitted.
 âYouâre so easy to get going. There is just something about my hair up that you love, isnât there? Something about my neckâŚâ She said, giggling slightly.
 âTrue...there is something about your neck,â he smiled at her and leaned his head down a bit closer to her neck. âI just canât remember what it is..â
 Emma sucked in her breath. âI- I donât know.â
 âI remember..â he said as he lightly kissed her neck, just below her ear. Merlin- what was wrong with him? Damn it...she smelled great tonight.
 âWe shouldnât-â But they can. Hoping he can smell the bluebells she added. âI know you wanted this since you told me Evan wasnât coming⌠you keep tabs on himâŚâ
 âWell last time he wasnât around was three weeks ago..â Jason remembered the last time that theyâd gotten like this and then pretended it never happened. For some reason, this was their new thing.
 âAnd we⌠spent the whole night talking⌠just talking.â Emma smiled, cleaning meaning something.
 âIt was a pretty decent talkâŚâ Jason said against her neck. He then skimmed his nose across her cheek and was so close to her lips. â...we shouldnât...do thisâŚâ but clearly he wanted to.
 âOh merlin.â Emma said low, her eyes watching his lips. So close. âYou- we canât⌠Evan really does⌠know everyone⌠we can⌠find⌠a place to talk⌠why do you do this to me?â
 âI donât know...I guess sometimes I canât get you out of my head..and I want to make it up to you for being so rude todayâŚâ his lips were so closer to hers. âThereâs a couch in the corner...no oneâs sitting thereâŚâ he offered to her.
 âSome where no one can see us⌠weâre not alone at this party but⌠a quick⌠a quick kissâŚâ Emma said, freezing just ever so close to his lips. âMaking it up to me isnât cheating.â She offered weakly.
 âItâs not cheating if he doesnât know..â Jason said just before he kissed her.
 âI-â She kissed him back, hard, pulling on his shirt, breathing hard.
 Jason kissed her harder, parting their lips slightly, wrapping his arms tighter around her. After a few long minutes, Jason pulled back slightly. âSo your choice...couch or attempting to find some place else?â he let her try to decide while he kissed her neck again.
 Emma pushed him off, violently so hard he fell on the floor. âJerk!â She yelled. She gave him a wink and proceeded to storm off⌠to the boys dorm. She waved her hand, fanning herself..
 Jason got up off the floor and ran a hand through his hair, going back to the table where Ben and Garrett were. âSo uh- thatâs how you talk to girlsâŚâ he had a bit of a strained voice. âIâm going upstairs now. H-have a good party.â
 Ben looked at Garrett. âUh⌠GarrettâŚ?â
 Garrett looked speechlessâŚâWhat just...happened?â
 âI⌠I donât know, I feel like⌠is it⌠weird if we follow them?â
 âIâm not sure..but either Mom is going to kill him, or..theyâre going to pass out from being drunk.â Garrett looked at his brother. âLetâs go check on them.â
 âYeah⌠he just followed her⌠I mean⌠I understand but ⌠would could they have whispered about? I-â Ben just shook his head and started up the stairs.
 Jason followed Emma up the stairs, and the minute he saw that no one was in the dorms, he semi-closed the door behind him and started to kiss her again. This time picking up where they left off.
Emma pulled him on top of her, kissing him hard and without looking got them to fall on a bed⌠some bed.
 He didnât even care what bed it was, he was just focused on kissing Emma as much as possible. He had his hands tangled in her hair as he parted their lips fully to french her.
 âOur little⌠secret⌠again?â Emma gasped out between kisses.
 âYes...our secret..â he managed to say in between their kisses. He felt like there was too much space between them, but they were practically plastered to each other. One of his hand left her hair to reach for her hand.
 âMerlin- Iâm going to miss- and- shit.â Emma said as she began to unbutton her shirt.
 Ben and Garrett slowly open the door.
 âThis is- better than- that.â Jason managed to get out as he helped her unbutton her shirt, and get it off of her.
 The room was a bit dark, and Garrett couldnât really see anything. But he could hear- oh merlin noâŚâBen...do you hear what I hear..?â
 âWhat⌠I thought⌠they must be⌠dying.â Quickly Ben went across and sat down at the edge of a bed, so he was facing away from them, on a bed two or one away. He ushered Garrett along.
 She fumbled with her shirt some more and giggled. âIâm sorry I push him in your face⌠it might not last long or somethingâŚ. but I might as well have some entertainment.â
 Garrett hurriedly went to join his brother, not sure what was going on with their parents.
 âI donât care if youâre with him or not..please promise we can still do thisâŚâ Jason just ripped her shirt off of her and kissed her exposed skin. It felt like a need to have her now. Itâd been three weeks since heâd slept with her. âThose others girls suck...and not in a good way.â
 âIâm the only one⌠that you can⌠do this with?â Emma said, smiling slightly letting her shirt fly off, not even complaining. âSo what would you do if I said that I donât want to do this anymore?â Emma said, teasing. Just likes to see him bothered.
 Ben just nodded at Garrett. âUhâŚâ
 âIf you didnât want to do this anymore...Iâd convince youâŚâ he kissed down her torso, his hands starting to take off her skirt.
Garrett sat next to his brother horrified. He hold onto Benâs hand out of fear.
 âConvince me then⌠I donât want to be naughty.â Emma said, clearly the way she was saying this meant another. âI knew Heather meant nothing.â She didnât. She felt so relieved.
 Ben held Garrettâs hand and just shook his head. âThey canât⌠just here⌠they⌠they arenât even at the right bed⌠right?â Ben said, grabbing at the book on the table next to him.
 Jason didnât need telling twice. Heâd gotten her skirt pulled off and threw it to the floor. He let his hand rest on her inner thigh and kissed her torso one more time. âMerlin- why are you so fucking hot?â he knew why. It was because he liked her way too much for his own good.
 Garrett shook his head. âBen...I donât think they careâŚIâm scared.â
 âWell⌠youâve seen porn.â Ben said, shrugging looking at the book. âIs this dadâs?â
 âI thought I wasnât hot?â Emma said, between huffs of breath. âMerlin⌠kiss me there⌠Evan doesnât- heâs just- heâs too rough⌠I actually have scars on me.â Emma said, shaking her head holding onto the bed.
 Garrett felt even more horrified. âThis isnât porn, this is our parents!â he whispered harshly, but then he saw the notebook. âThatâs dadâs song journal for momâŚâ Garrett looked at it. âI wonder what he wrote for her last..â
 Jason kissed Emmaâs torso again, and softly planted kisses on her legs too. One of his hands was resting on her hip, and he let his thumb brush against her soft skin. âRosier needs to relax..â he kissed up her leg until he hit her underwear.
 âHe ⌠why did he bring this? I thought he stopped when they stopped dating then again in like seventh year?â Ben said handing the notebook over.
 Emma gasped lightly at the kisses. âCarefully⌠Iâm not really use to them yetâŚ.â She moved her hips closer to his lips closing her eyes. âSo youâre even fine with pleasing meâŚ. I thought the whole point was to please you since those girls arenât good at all.â She smirked but nodded her head. âRegardless, I will please you tonight. I promise- I swear- I- mmm.â
 La, la, la, la, la Garrett thought in his head. He took the notebook and leafed through it. âLook, this was written a few weeks ago...itâs called...Ben! Itâs Snowflake on the dancefloor!â Garrett said quietly and excitedly trying to ignore the sound of their teenage parents in the bed next to them.
 "According to our  research, I thought he wrote it during seventh."
 âThatâs weird...why would he lie about writing it when itâs already written?â Garrett was confused.
Meanwhile, Jason was kissing every visible inch of Emmaâs skin. Heâd reached around her back, and had unhooked her bra in one quick motion. He threw the bra across the room, not realizing heâd thrown it at Ben and Garrett.
 Ben's eyes grew wide and looked at Garrett and the bra inbetween them. Shit.
 Emma groaned slightly and bit her lip, kissing him harder. âThis is your, Iâm sorry, right?â
 âYeah, I told you I was making it up to you,â he said in between kissing her. His hands were feeling her chest, taking his time, touching her softly.
 Garrett pointed to the bra between them and looked frightened. âThis...is our momâs...braâŚ.BenâŚ.â he looked like he was about to have a panic attack.
 âWell⌠itâs not horrible. I mean.. she is our age.â Ben said nervously trying to keep calm.
 âYou are the best.â She whispered quietly to him. âIâm sorry I was so hard on you- also not sorry⌠but sorry⌠I bet you feel sore.â She said, frowning.
 âI hadnât even noticed that I was sore yet,â Jason kissed her sweetly. âBut Iâll let you know when I do feel it,â he stopped a moment to appreciate the sight of her almost completely naked form, and then looked at himself, still fully clothed.
 Garrett looked at his brother. âAre you insane? Thatâs our mom and dad! Weâre going to hear them...doing it! I wonât be able to look at them the same way again...even if they are older.â
 Ben frowned. âI even quiet myself when I- well you know.â Ben shrugged and just prayed his father was like him- or he was like his father- or yeahâŚ
 âOnce you notice it come to me so I can kiss it betterâŚâ Emma said, her voice sweet which Jasonâs hadnât heard⌠in well three weeks. âI⌠think we need to take off your clothes.â She began taking off his shirt.
 Garrett glared at his brother. âYou are just like dad!â
 Jason smiled at her, glad that now they were using their more honest voices with each other. âI think we need to too.â He helped her get his shirt off, and kissed her when they werenât stripping him down.
 She started working on his pants when she froze⌠âWhat if⌠Rosier comes or ⌠any of them? Whose bed are we even on?â She asked, worriedly.
 âI donât know whose bed weâre on...do we want to go to mine?â he looked around realizing they werenât anywhere near to his bed. âThe showers are openâŚâ he offered.
 Emma mumbled a response while on his lips as they slid his pants off. âI really shouldnât.â Emma countered. âItâs nice kissing you and- I-â She struggled with in weeks ago and knew she was going to have to do it again. âIf we do though we stop this⌠fighting for a bit which is nice.â She just nodded. âShower, your bed, quiet us⌠whatever you want.â She kissed him hard again.
 Garrett looked at his brother horrified. âShowers? Showers!?â
 Jason nodded his head and kissed her again. âIâll stop fighting..I promise.â he would do his best to not ever fight with her again. âIâm making it up to you, you choose where to go.â he let his hands roam her body a bit more.
 âMmm. I know thatâs a lie but⌠I agree. Forget fighting.â It will change once they realize they canât but right now it seemed so tempting. âMerlin, anything is fine⌠I promise. We can do it on Evanâs bed.â Emma said, giggling a bit too tempted with him. She might have drank too much.
 âYou sure Rosier wonât notice if he comes up here?â Jason laughed a bit at Emma. âCome on, we can move to my bed..â but he didnât want to move. He was so close to just taking herâŚ
 âNah⌠whatever⌠letâs just⌠take care of us quickly and the second roundâŚ.â She giggled raising her eyebrows.
 âShowers?â He mouthed. âWhatâŚâ
 âSecond round we are going to need a shower,â he teased as he kissed along her chest lightly.
 Garrett cringed. âWhy are we still hereâŚâ
 âYeah, please.â She said, unzipping him and letting her hands go hook his underwear to pull it off.
 âLeave?â
 âPlease...letâs leave..â Garrett got up and put their fatherâs music notebook back on the bedside table. âI want to go home...and try not to look at Mom and Dad weirdly..â
 Ben nodded and pointed his wand at the bed, so they couldnât hear anything as Ben got up to leave.
 Garrett followed his brother out of the boyâs dormitory, trying hard not to look to his left at the sight of their parents almost having sex with each other.
 ____ cut to them home?_____yes
Garrett was so grateful to be back home. âOh thank Merlin...that was scarier than I thought. Letâs never do that again Ben.â and he meant it. âSeeing mom and dad like that was freaky!â
 âI⌠I canât believe they were that fucked up. Iâm almost thankful for my life. Almost.â
 âI mean...mom was with Uncle Evan! And she was...about to sleep with dad!â Garrett shook his head. âRemember when mom and dad gave us that talk? They totally didnât mention this!â
 âThey said everything but I mean⌠i guess we didnât have to know that.â Ben frowned. âLeast we never have to worry about that.â
 âI donât know about you...but that explained why mom hates dad drunk, why all those girls talk to dad all the time, why Uncle Evan hates dad with a burning rage.â Garrett laundry listed it all out. âItâs kind of weird though. We actually talked to them...when they were the same age as us. We actually got to meet teen mom and dad!â
 âThat was cool. Mother was pretty- but she looked⌠more proper then I thought- I always thought it was more like⌠Nana, you know?â
 âNana is crazy thoughâŚâ Garrett had a fun idea. âMaybe we should meet teen her instead of teen mom and dad.â but then he shook his head.
 Ben shook his head. âNope. Never again. We got what they were like and everything is fine. Also⌠in the showers! WE SHOWER THERE. I never even had a girl in thereâŚâ He grumbled.
 â...Ben...you donât think they do it in the shower still...right?â Garrett shuddered at the thought. And then he glared at his brother. âYou are NOT and I repeat NOT taking a girl into our showers! I WILL HAVE MOTHER DISOWN YOU!â
âI- I - I - ⌠I donât know Garrett. I have ⌠I justâŚâŚ Iâm happy we have our own showers⌠but⌠what if they use those⌠too?â
 âNo...donât speak of it. I need to have our shower cleaned...better than Bitsy can ever clean itâŚâ Garrett shuddered. âI think I need a drink...want to see whatâs in the kitchen?â
 âYeah, Iâm with youâŚâ Ben said, shaking his head and following him.
 Garrett got up and walked down the stairs to the kitchen. His brother was close behind him. But when they reached the kitchen, they found their mom and dad were already in there.
 Emma pulled Jason closer to her, kissing him lightly. âCome on⌠try a little bit of the chocolate.â
 âEmma...no. I hate sugar...I love you but no.â he kissed her back but he laughed a bit. âWhy do you want me to eat it so badly?â
âI just want you too⌠What if I put it on my lips for my lovely little husband, hm?â Emma asked, pouting slightly and biting her lip kissing him again and still laughing. âIt make me smileâŚ.â She urged.
 âNo, youâve tried that before, it hasnât always worked..â but he smiled at her and kissed her one last time. âAlright fineâŚâ
 âReally? Just because it makes me smile?â Emma said excitedly.
 âSure, why not?â He smiled at her. âJust...not too much chocolate. Itâs still disgusting.â
 Emma put a very thin layer on her lips and then tilted her head, waiting as she let her feet dangle off the counter.
 Jason put his hands on either side of her face and kissed her lightly, trying not to grimace as he tasted the chocolate.
 âJust pretending youâre t- hey wait. If you donât like sweet things does that mean you donât like to kiss me?â She pretended to pout agian.
 âNo...I donât like sugar...I-â he knew that he was going to dig himself into a hole if he kept talking, so he just kissed Emma again. This time harder, and longer.
 âI-â She giggled, feeling like she won as they kissed each other longer and Emma put her legs around him.
 Ben looked on in horror and gripped Garrett for his life.
 Garrett didnât know what to say. He was horrified. âMom...dadâŚ?â
 âHmâŚâ Emma just acknowledged him without stopping.
 â...can you two please stop? ...please?â Garrett hugged his brother, feeling like he might actually cry a bit.
Emma stopped and looked at them. âOh, Iâm sorry⌠whatâs wrong?â She looked curiously at tose two.
 Jason looked at Ben and Garrett curiosly. âYou two look like youâve seen a ghost..â he extracted himself from Emmaâs arms and wiped the chocolate off his lips.
 âYou guys sick?â
 Ben was frozen in fear and then just started coughing. âMaybe⌠we should go to sleep.â
 âItâs an hour after lunchâŚ?â
 âBoys, whatâs wrong?â Jason looked seriously at them.
 âNothing⌠we were hungry⌠weâre just⌠weâre going to leaveâŚâ He looked at Garrett, he felt a bit sick.
 Garrett shook his head and couldnât even look at his parents. âWhat he said..â but then he looked up. âYou guys love each other right? You love us? Youâre not...you donât fight anymore right? Please tell us you donât fight..â
 Emma looked over at Jason frowning and then got up. âWhat happened to my precious little babies.â She went over to hug them. âWe love you and your father and I⌠we donât fight that much.â
 Jason hugged them too, and put his arm around Emmaâs waist loosely. âWe donât fight too often. What brought this on?â
 âYeah tell us.â
 Garrett looked at Ben for some help. âItâs just that we- uhmâŚâ
 âSex.â Ben said, frighten. â16 ⌠years oldâŚâ
 Emma immediately thought of those sex tapes they made and looked at Jason, wildly⌠noâŚ
 âWoah..Ben slow down...what are you talking about?â But Jason looked at Emma and realized what she was thinking about. âIs this about uh- what is this about?â
 âYou saw the tape-?â Emma said, losing the s as to not to let them know they have more than one.
 âYes.â Ben answered before Garrett could.
 Garrett just stood rooted to the spot. He nodded, a bit frightened still by everything.
 âListen...boys...that was...Iâm sorry boys.â Jason didnât know what to say to make them feel better. This wasnât something heâd ever thought would happen.
 âWe will burn them and everything.â Emma assured her. âWe were fighting in it werenât we⌠Iâm sorry.â
 Garrettâs eyes popped a bit. âThem!?â He looked at Ben with wide eyes. âThey said them! This is worse than shower!â he hugged his brother.
 âUh we mean pictures!â Emma cried. âOkay⌠no problems just⌠weâre sorry. Weâre not⌠uh like that anymore.â
 âIt looked like you two wereâŚâ Garrett said a bit accusingly.
 âWe told you not to go into Jason or my study.â Emma said, shaking her head and then sighing frowning at Jason and holding his hand. âWe love each other and we love you.â
 âYeah, we love you and we love each other. And when youâre married, sometimes you do things. Okay? Just- stay out of our study, and weâre sorry for what you saw.â Jason looked apologetically at his two boys. âWeâll get out of your way. You can have the kitchen now.â
 âYeah⌠and⌠we love you and you can⌠have whatever you want.â Emma said nodding. She started leading Jason out of the kitchen.
 âI canât believe they found the tapesâŚâ Jason said when they were out of the kitchen. â...are we really going to burn them?â
 Emma scoffed. âNo. Why would we?â She smiled. âWeâre just going to have better locks. Letâs go⌠see what we have.â She grinned.
 Jason wrapped his arms around Emmaâs waist from behind her and kissed her cheek. âI havenât seen them in a while...we might have to redo some of them.â he laughed.
 She grinned. âPlease, lets do that. Maybe take inventory.â She smiled. âDo you think weâd be able to do this?â
 âI donât see why not. As long as the boys donât keep walking in wherever we are.â he smiled at her and then the smile faded. âOh merlin...do you think theyâre going to do that now? Itâs not like when they were four and kept knocking on the door at the wrong moment..is it?â
 âI wonder⌠well we can just use magic. They canât.â She grinned. âNo worries, I think they will stay away and knock a lot.â
 âThen what are we waiting for?â Jason kissed her lightly. âTo the study?â
 âI should get carried.â Emma said, kissing him back. âNo more chocolate, I rather go through our old things.â She winked at him.
 He picked her up in his arms and kissed her harder as they walked to their study.
 Garrett was still in the kitchen with Ben, and had a glass of water untouched in front of him. âBen...thereâs nothing else thatâs worse than what just happened..â he laid his head on the counter.
 Ben shook his head and Bitsy appeared ready to make them something. âA couple of- well just something please.â
 Bitsy snapped her fingers.
 Garrett couldnât even look up. âI can never look at mom and dad again...I will never think of sex the same way againâŚI wonât even think againâŚâ
 âOh come off it. You wonât even having to hear giggles like I heard mother do⌠Just⌠just try and forget it and we will be able to get on our way.â Ben sighed and sat down. âAt least they didnât really hate each other. Could you imagine finding out that mom really loved Rosier?â
 âThat would be the worstâŚâ Garrett sighed and looked up. âOkay...so itâs not as bad. Dad is kinda like you. Sleep with lots of girls...Iâm kinda like mom. Iâm obsessed with quidditch. We learned things about mom and dad we didnât know before...minus all the sex and the fact mom cheated on uncle evan with dad, and weâre fine.â he took a drink of his water.
 Ben smiled. âThat was wicked cool playing with mom and dad, did you see them? They were relentless, I know you love that. They are completely obsessed.â
 âAnd dad had some really good form on the pitch. I donât see why mom was so hard on him.â Garrett pointed out. âI mean- dad always said he had to practice to be that good, but it really showed! And momâs broom! It looked so shiny and new...and all those people we metâŚâ Garrett thought about it. âWe met..we saw all those Slytherins at that party...we go to school with their kids now! How cool was that?â
 âThat was perfect. Amazing.â Ben said. âIâm.. Iâm really actually great about that. Iâm pleased we did that.â
 âYou know whatâs weird though...they didnât really recognize us..I mean we look a ton like dad...and never once did they think that was weird.â Garrett realized.
 âDad said something about uncle Ben.â Ben shrugged. âThen⌠I mean Emma was willing to talk to you, she blew off those other guys. Could have somethhing to do with your looks?â
 â...what were you saying that mom was...into me because I looked like dad?â Garrett felt a bit sick.
âShe had a thing for both of us if anything. I just meant maybe she liked the way you looked so she talked.â
 Garrett shrugged. âGirls at school do that all the time to us though. Remember that one time in Hogsmeade? Those two seventh years were all over us because we were twins?â he shuddered.
 Ben smiled. âOh yes I do.â
 âStop smiling you sicko.â Garrett nudged his brother. âItâs still weird that you went back with both of them.â he rolled his eyes.
 He chuckled. âNah, itâs not weird at all. It was perfect.â
 âLike I said...sick.â Garrett huffed. âI donât see why you spend so much time with all those girls. We all know you like Becca.â
 Ben frowned. âShush. Sheâs fine but not something- you know. I mean I like her but I donât have those things to do right now.â
 âOh come on. You like her. You turn into an idiot when sheâs around. Classic Ben.â Garrett countered.
 Ben frowned. âI like her but thatâs not enough.â
 âFine, whatever. Suit yourselfâŚâ Garrett drank the rest of his water. â...Ryan asked me outâŚâ
 âOh. Did you say yes?â Ben said. âWill you- uh tell our parents?â
 âIâll tell them when I feel like...I know how itâs going to go.â Garrett said truthfully.
 âWell. Maybe not about Ryan but telling them that youâre not going to marry in the traditional way⌠that they shouldnât partner you up as they keep dropping they will for both of us.â
 âIâll tell them sometime soon...donât worry Ben.â Garrett really had no idea when he would tell their parents. âIâll tell them Iâm gay, when you admit you like Becca,â he teased his brother.
 âI like BellaâŚ. but yeah. I will⌠take some time to tell them that.â He sighed. âOh well, they will have a lot more kids and then we wonât feel like fuck ups.â
 Garrett nodded in agreement. âWant to go play quidditch outside and try to forget about mom and dad snogging?â
 âYes please.â Ben said, nodding. âLetâs go.â She started walking away.
 ___
 Emma laughed as he put her down. âOkay, where did you get them?â
 Jason smiled at Emma before he walked behind the desk in the study, and opened up a magical safe that had their tapes and a photo album of their explicit photos. âI have them all here.â he set the album down on the desk, and the man tapes they had next to it. âMerlin- Witch Weekly would burst into flames if they ever knew these things existed.â he laughed.
 âI could sell some of yours⌠it be perfect.â She said, grinning ear to ear. âI always feel like 18 again looking at these and sneaking around.â She put her hand on his shoulder, rubbing them slightly before going to the albums and picking up a set. She smiled. âMy strip tease. Of course this will be the first one. Youâre not even in theseâŚâ Emma said, muffling a laugh.
 âThatâs because I was taking the pictures,â Jason picked up another album. âOh, the holiday album. We could show your parents that one from Valentineâs day with all the chocolateâŚâ he laughed at the memory. Emma had decided to lick chocolate off of him.
 Emma blushed. âI like the one in the Santa outfit⌠and unwrapping you as a gift.â She grinned and kissed his cheek. âThat chocolate even tasted better on you.â
 âOh wait...the best picture of them all is this one.â Jason opened up another album to a page called âfailsâ. âthe one where the cat knocked over the camera, and it got a picture of the cat sleeping, with us having sex in the background.â he laughed at that. it still amused him after all these years.
 Emma smiled. âI wanted to put this up and framed it at one point but I think our friends would have not enjoyed that.â She took his hand and rubbed his thumb lightly, taking one of the biggest albums and bringing it closer. âAnd of course, every different magical nighty I wore. What a life we had.â She grinned opening it and widening her eyes a bit. âWow⌠you seem to be having a good time in all of these.â She teased. Her neck feeling hot as she looked at these moving pictures.
 âOh, is that the honeymoon album? Or the ten year album?â Jason asked as he looked at the nighties she was in, in all the pictures. âThat edible slip is still my favorite of them all...best four hours ever.â he looked at the picture of Emma in the disappearing one, and saw how his hands traced over her body. âThese pictures donât lie, I know what Iâm doing.â he kissed Emmaâs cheek. âAnd you look hot of course.â
Emma cheeks flushed. âJust our honeymoon album.â She chuckled a bit. She opened up a button her shirt and smiled. âI like the musical one. It made me feel like a piano.â
 âIsnât that the one you first wore when you were trying to get pregnant?â Jason asked her, not remembering which slip was which again.
 Emma nodded. âIt worked first off and also, I loved the wonder in your face when it first happened. She kissed him lightly and chuckled. âI canât imagine muggle pictures⌠the non moving ones.â She tsk then started picking up more pictures and gasped slightly. âOh my.â Emma said. âRemember this? One of our early ones⌠you kissing my neck like that⌠itâs a bit⌠itâs very sensual.â
 âYeah I know it worked. Your plan worked like a charm. And your slip...merlin it was like I was a kid in a piano shop.â Jason looked at Emma curiously. âCan you still wear it..?â he smiled at her. Jason was a bit lost in the memory of that slip when she showed him the picture from their earlier years. âI remember this one...you still never stop staring at it.â he wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her in closer to him.
 Emma, who was playing with her necklace, smiled once Jason pulled her in closer finally putting the picture down. âYeah, I have it. I have the ones that use different tones so it can sound like a guitar, a harp⌠or a french horn.â
 âWe should use that one again soon then...Iâve got a piece Iâd love your help with working out,â Jason kissed her shoulder and lingered a bit. âWhat about the tapes?â he said in a whisper in her ear.
 âIâd uh- Iâd really like that⌠Iâll help you with your music like that.â Emma said, a bit breathlessly. âRight⌠whisper again and maybe Iâll find them.â She smirked at him, turning around to face him more, holding his wrist.
 âWhat about the tapes?â Jason whispered in her ear again. He lightly kissed her ear, and wrapped his arm around her more.
 Emma grinned and kissed his neck lightly, and got up, letting his hands settle on her waist loosely as she went to go get the tapes, bringing them closer and sitting back down a bit on top of him. She made the machine that played the tapes come closer to her and she leaned against his chest. âReady?â
 âIâm always ready to watch porn, come on Emma.â he teased. He rested his head in her hair and kissed the top of her head.
 âItâs not just porn! Itâs us!â She said, giggling slightly. She put the first one on and she wiggled on his lap, slightly curious how long it takes him to get hard.
 The tape started playing, Jason was adjusting the camera and Emma waved in the background. Jason rolled his eyes. âDonât wave, Vanity.â
âIâll do what Iâd like Herbert.â She smirked but he came closer to her as the their words forget at their closeness, even the video. He kissed her and they fell onto the bed together, both of them smiling.
 Emma sighed on Jasonâs lap. âLook how innocent.â
 Jason watched the tape and smiled at Emmaâs nostalgia. âWeâre still like that...sometimes.â he had to admit that theyâd definitely come a long way from their first tapes. âThis must have been during my boob phase...I just went straight for them..â he laughed a bit.
 âOh, was that just a phase? And are you suggesting that youâre over it?â Emma teased. She watched some more, letting her fingers trace his bare arm, while keeping her eyes on the tape. âLook⌠Jason youâre⌠taking off my skirt. Itâs very cute.â
 âWhatâs cute? Me taking it off? Or the skirt in general?â he looked at the tape a bit longer, and saw Emma arching her back up as he kissed her body. âHa, I always know what to do.â he smiled.
 âOh gosh, is that always what your mind goes to when we watch these? How youâre perfect at this?â She grinned though. âI do like that though.â she purred lightly arching her back into him a bit as she leans forwards on the table, watching the tapes more intently and slightly moving around his lap. âAnd you taking off my skirt. I like it. I- do you see? We miss our looks at each other! I told you.â She mused. âWe open our eyes different sometimes I guess, but-â She lost her train of thought as she opened another button off her shirt since it was getting hotter.
 âWhat? Itâs good to have self confidence..â Jason looked at himself in the tape and shook his head. âWe didnât miss our looks. We just have private moments where we look at the other. I always tell you this!â he playfully bantered with her. When she moved forward on his lap more though, he wrapped his arms more around her waist. âI forget what happens next every time.â he teased.
 âSpoiler alert, we have sex.â Emma teased back, swatting his hand lightly but then putting her arms over his, letting her fingers run across them again. She grinned though as she was clearly getting excited. âAnd off goes our clothes⌠love the way you took of my bra, ego man. Happy you didnât mess up for the magical camera?â She snuggled in slightly.
 âAre you always going to make fun of me for that? It was one time! And you didnât tell me it unhooked in the front!â Jason huffed a bit but when she snuggled into him again. They continued to watch their tape, âHow much snogging did we do before we just went for it? Itâs unbelievable.â he kissed Emmaâs cheek.
 âYou should have realized.â Emma said but she didnât mind. âIâm sorry, do you want us to just go for the full five minutes?â
 âNo, you seem to like the kissing.â Jason thought about another night where theyâd attempted to make a tape. âRemember that time you actually came just because I kissed you intensely for about ten minutes?â he teased her. He knew that before that had happened, theyâd been fooling around earlier and had stopped to do merlin knows what.
 âHey! I was⌠vulnerable and we were⌠I mean all day we were horrible and I donât think that really counts.â She kissed him though. âThat was a really, reallyy, good time though andâŚmmm.â She finished, trying to stretch out and half turn around. âRemember that time I got you to come without me talking off any of our clothes? I feel like that is kind of impressive.â
 âI remember that time..â Jason smiled at her though because it had been pretty fun. âIt was a bit awkward though when I switched pants and someone asked me what happened.â he laughed though. That had been years agoâŚthen Jason heard Emma moaning on the tape. âLooks like that spoiler happened.â
 Emma smiled looked back at the scream. âItâs weird watching myself moan. It makes me feel⌠sexy.â She said, chuckling and moving her foot against his leg.
 âIt makes you feel sexy?â he felt her foot against his leg and pulled her closer to him on his lap.
 âThis doesnât make you feel sexy?â She asked, biting her lip. âI thought it would because⌠you see yourself like this.â She looked back at the tape, now pointing. âLooks like youâre about to enter- man do I always beg?â
 âI just donât think of it as sexy. I just think of it as...me.â he coudlnât put it into words. âAnd yes, you always beg. Even when youâre not begging, youâre begging.â he felt her moving more on his lap and he was starting to get hard.
 âDo you even watch yourself or do you just watch me?â Emma asked then she wiggled slightly, grinding against him and smiled. âOr am I distracting? Am I distracting you watching ⌠me?â
She giggled.
 âOkay yes, I watch you.â Jason admitted it like it was a bad thing and heâd gotten caught doing it. âAnd yes, youâre very distracting. How am I supposed to watch porn with you if you keep suggesting real sex with me?â he smiled at her though, clearly not annoyed with this at all.
 âYouâre right. Iâm being horrible again, arenât I?â She said but the screen distracted her again. âWow⌠weâre really getting into it⌠how did we even get the do-Oh wow. This was your birthday hpresent wasnât it?â
 â...wait is this my birthday tape?â Jason smiled. âIt is! This is the birthday tape.â he laughed a bit. âThis one is classic. See, soon weâre going to do that thing you said youâd only let me do on my birthday.â Jason had forgotten what the move was called nowadays. But on the tape, it looked quite impressive. âPlease hold your applause until the end.â
 She smiled. âOh yes. Did you actually enjoy the fact that I let you do that?â She looked at him, curiously. âItâs been years, weâve had like 7 kids or something. I think you can be honest if 16 year old you liked your present.â
 âI was pretty psyched to be able to get to do that.â Jason kissed the side of Emmaâs head. âAnd any present from you is worth liking. You know that.â he pulled her closer to him on his lap.
 âYou honestly like all the gifts Iâve given you?â Emma asked. She looked at him and smiled, turned half around to start kissing his neck. âYouâve gotten better since you were sixteen but you rocked sixteen year old me back then.â She kissed started nipping at his neck.
 âIâd like to think that sixteen year old me was able to rock sixteen year old you. Otherwise my whole time with you would feel like half a lie. One half true since I liked you. The other half a lie because we never kept it in our pants.â he closed his eyes a bit when she started nipping, and he knew he was getting harder. âyou are so distracting..â
 âDistracting you from watching porn by⌠kissing you?â She trailed kisses down his jaw to his shoulder. âOh, did Jason Herbert like little old me?â Emma asked sweetly, she let another of her buttons go and let the shirt slide of her shoulder. âArenât I lucky.â She mused. She looked back at the tape and moved closer in Jasonâs lap and hesitated. âWant to put in another?â
 Jason was beginning to forget what thinking was. âY-yes...another one..â he was staring at her exposed skin, and hearing her moaning on the tape wasnât helping at all with his current state.
 She opened her legs a bit wider, as she looked back on the tape and she gulped. âYou are certainly going faster.â She said, watching him thrust deeply in her. She coughed for a second and pulled on his shirt. âYou can pick the next one.â Her eyes not leaving the screen as she rocked back and forth.
 He looked at the pile of tapes they had and picked one at random. Looking at the label though, he laughed a bit. âThis one is of older us...itâs our tape you wanted to make because you didnât care you were pregnant.â he rolled his eyes a bit though and then lost concentration since their sixteen year old selves were still going at it on the tape.
 âYou want to watch pregnant me?â She asked meekly. She watched the tape still going with them and rocked a bit more against him, putting her arms around his neck.
 âI just picked one at random. But come on, you were pretty into this one.â he didnât have a lot of room to think though. Emma was rocking into him more, and he was losing concentration fast. He looked at the tape and knew that their tape selves were going to come faster than they were. He could hear it in the tape.
 She kissed him on the cheek, then closer to his mouth but still not on his lips. âFine whatever you want.â She said but she was more invested in what she was currently doing with him. âSounds like weâre having fun.â She said referring to the tape thems.
 âI forgot how into the tapes you get when you watch them again.â he didnât even try to fight what was happening. âWe sound like weâre about toâŚâ but then he heard it. âYou are so loud, I love it,â he kissed her cheek.
 She on the other hand buried her head into his shoulder. âOh gosh, I am arenât I? Itâs so embarrassing.â She said but she lightly bit his shoulder as she snuggled closer to him. âYou make me so self conscious about the attention I give you.â
 âWhy do I make you self conscious? I like that youâre loud. sure...sometimes youâre really loud, but at least I know Iâm making you feel something.â he wrapped his arms around her as she snuggled into him.
 âWell good. Iâm happy Iâm loud then.â She said though Jason could still hear how embarrassed she was. âAre you going to put that pregnant one in? Did I start with a blow job? Or does it start with a foot rub?â She let her fingers play with his collar, teasing him that she was going to start lifting his shirt.
 âI think I gave you a foot rub..â Jason gulped a bit. He really wanted her to just take his shirt off already, or her shirt off. Either would work. He switched out the tapes and played the new one. âYup, itâs the foot rub.â Jason said as he looked at the tape of him giving her a foot rub and her laying back in bed looking extremely happy.
 âYou made me so happy that dayâŚâ She said. âJust with the foot rub and then before that you got exactly what I wanted from the new vegan place. Perfect.â She said. She could feel her heart beat keep jumping so she started to half take his shirt off. âCan I?â She asked innocently.
 âYouâre really loving that foot rub,â he smiled at her and felt his heart skip a beat as she took a hold of his shirt. âOf course you can. Take it off, take all of it off, Iâm not picky..â he sounded a bit jumpy.
 She grinned, happy that she wasnât the only feeling this⌠frisky. She took his shirt off before looking at the video again. âOh see, Iâm smiling. And you keep going higher and higher up my leg. You devil.â
 âInvmy defense...yeah I really wanted you.â he admitted. He thought about this video for a second. âwas this one oral or did we actually have sex? I cant remember.â
 âI canât either⌠probably both. Although- oh no. It was just oral. I wanted to say thank you for everything that day.â She grinned. âAnd I knew you were too horny to function and I just love your massage.â She purred.
 âthatâs right...I remember..â he watched the tape for a second, seeing what the footrub was starting to turn into. âbeing too horny to function is a terrible illness...one that should be cured as soon as possibleâŚâ
 âAre you suggesting something, Herbert?â She smiled as she looked down at her half button shirt, as she slowly started taking off more as she waiting for his answer.
 âIâm always suggesting something.â he smiled at her with half sex crazed eyes as he watched her take off her shirt more. Then of course he heard Emma telling tape Jason how she wanted to thank him for everything heâd doneâŚ
 Emma grinned. âNow Herbert, who are you going to watch?â She asked carefully. âHer or me.â She teased as she let her shirt fall to the floor.
 âCanât I watch both?â he looked a bit torn, but then her shirt came off, and he was only staring at her. âI hate you sometimes, you know that?â he pulled her in closer to him and kissed her
collarbone down to the top of her chest.
 She gasp slightly. âI hope you donât do this to all the girls you hate.â She mused. Then nodded. âFine both.â Emma said, as if it was a difficult decious.
 âNot all of them, just you.â he said against her chest. In the tape he could hear himself saying âfuck-â and he smiled a bit.
 âGood.â She murmured. Then she looked at video and back at him. She slid her bra off before asking, âsounds like heâs having a better time, want me to get on my knees?â
 He watched her take off her bra, and just stared at the beauty of her chest. He loved that chest. âI can have a good time up here...but itâs up to you..â he smirked at her. He was willing to have her in any way he could. Although his tape self did sound like he was further along than his actual self.
 Emma smiled. âI rather not get on my knees but I can⌠just say the word.â She said. She started kissing him lightly, putting her hand on his pants she started to pull the zipper down.
 He kissed her back a bit less lightly, wanting his pants to just not be on anymore. âJust remember that...Iâm not responsible for my actions now.â he teased.
 âI think I can handle you.â Emma said, getting of his lap to take off his pants completely. She smiled back and looked a the video of Jason holding on to her hair as she bobs up and down. âWow, I was really fat.â
 âI wouldnât call it fat, Emma.â Jason looked at the video though and heard himself moaning on tape.
âWell with child.â She countered. She turned her back to the video and started to shimmy out of her skirt.
 âAre we going to have sex on the chair again?â he asked her as he saw her getting out of her skirt. âBecause Iâm up for anything..â he really did sound too bothered to function.
 âThe chair in your study?â She mocked him a bit. âItâs where you do your âworkâ how would you ever think of work if we do that⌠here?â She said giggling slightly as she sat back on his lap, this time only a small layer of cloth between them, just Emmaâs panties.
 âWell...this is...this is considered work..â he offered.
 âHow do you figure?â She asked, letting her nails run down his chest.
 âSex is hard work sometimes...at least I hear it is,â he really wasnât giving a strong argument. All he wanted was to get rid of Emmaâs underwear...now. âpleaseâŚ?â
 âYeah⌠okay. Me or you?â She asked. âWho should take them off.â She asked, rubbing them against his already hard member. She smiled.
 âI-I donât care...Merlin- just take them off..â he couldnât think.
 Emma got up off him and turned around, bending over so her butt was in his face more or less as she slowly started to pull them off her. Yeah she was wet but thatâs okay since clearly Jason was hard. She turned back around. âBack on your lap?â
 âLike you even have to ask,â he held his hand out for her to come back to him. His mind was forming half crazed ideas as to what to do to her first. And while all of this was going on, he could hear himself on tape, getting closer to a breaking point.
 She took his hand and went closer to him, smirking. âI can hear you⌠you really enjoyed thatâŚâ She smiled as she went on top of him, her heart beating faster as she let herself rub against his member and biting her lip. âShush- Iâm not a tease.â
 âI did enjoy that, extensively.â he agreed with her, but when she started to rub up against him again, he held his breath. âYou are the very definition of a tease.â
 She kissed him again and then let only the tip enter her and she mumbled against his lips. âNu-uh.â Though she was smiling as she started to kiss his ear and waited for him to pull.
 He groaned in frustration and tried to move his hips with her to get himself in her more. âteaseâ he smiled though and wrapped his arms around her to pull her down onto him more.
 She groaned a bit as she pushed down until he was full inside of her and run her nails across the back of his neck. âNot a tease, see?â She said, in between kissing.
 He was practically smiling from ear to ear when he felt himself fully in her. He lightly moaned into her ear. âOkay, not a tease..â
 Emma moaned and started rocking back and forth and nodded her head with her eyes closed. âI forgot how strange it was watching us⌠and how much it just makes me miss you- I think it be a shame if we burned these.â
 âIt really would be a shameâŚâ Jason moved his body with hers, but she was the one in full control with the chair. â..want to watch another?â
 Emma just gave a small moan in response. âPlease.â She said, whispering. She put her hands on his shoulder.
 âWhich one do you want?â he asked breathlessly.
 âAny- any.â She responded, putting her hand on the arm rest so she can have better control. âPut your hand on my waist.â
 He put his hand on her waist, and held her in place. He reached out for another tape with his free hand and put it in.
 Emma nodded and went a bit harder then she looked behind her to see what he put in? âWhat is it?â She asked. It was the one of them in shower but she couldnât tell what age or even if itâs in Hogwarts.
 âIts us...in the shower. looks like Hogwarts...7th year. Post engagement...I think this was our last time before we did the spell for the wedding..â
 âWe- oh right- wow- we recorded that- thatâs⌠great⌠oh.â She grunted slightly. âWe watched that⌠while the spell was still on us and we had to be a virgin.. that was awful.â She said but she was smiling. âItâs a good video.â
 âThat was the worst week of my life..â he groaned. âIts a pretty hot video.â he agreed. He saw him and Emma were already making out in the shower, his hands roaming along her wet bodyâŚ
 âMerlin, I watched this one so many times when I was alone that week because I-â She stopped for a second, frozen before she started rocking again. âI uh- yeah. Nevermind.â Shit, she thought. DIdnât want to tell him she actually played with herself thinking about him that week. Make her look a little silly with how much they protested.
 âNo- you didnât- oh you so did!â Jason laughed a bit but his laugh soon was cut off by a moan as Emma rocked harder with him. In the video he could see that she was giving him a soapy hand job as he kissed her neck. Both of them were not quiet.
 âI did- but uh maybe I didnât.â she said unconvincingly but she started to tighten around him to feel better- for both of them. Maybe heâll forget this. âMerlin, weâre loud.â She said, a slight chuckle. âI bet Iâm giving you a hand job and youâre kissing my neck.â She said, since she remembers most of the video. âMmm, this was a good end until I was a virgin agian.â
 âsounds like youâre pretty familiar with the video..â Jason was breathing quite irregularly, and when Emma tightened around him, it only made his heart skip more beats. âYou feel so fucking good, Vanity.â he said, returning to when they used their surnames in bed.
 âI am okay? Thatâs uh- fine.â And she couldnât help but groan against his lips- at first trying to stop her moaning but then remembered the walls were soundproof. âYouâre fucking amazing, Herbert.â She responded. âVideos were a good idea. Donât make me regret this.â She said, smiling quickly before going faster.
 âWe should watch this again, when weâre not...distractedâŚâ he said against her lips, his hand was still holding down her waist, his other hand was in her hair. He looked at the video to see what they were doing in it and did a double take before he remembered. They were trying that new position against the wall of the shower, and it was giving them both some amazing results in the sound department.
 Emma looked back and grinned. Then turned back to Jason since he had taken her hair. She started bouncing on him again, trying to keep up the rhythm. âI- I remember this- we were able to do that- position- it was perfect- we didnât even have to talk about it we just did it.â
He was loving every moment of this. Some people might find it wierd to have sex while watching porn videos of yourself, but it worked for Jason and Emma. He started to respond louder to her bouncing on him, and was thankful the walls were soundproof. âThat position was a miracle..â he said when he could manage to speak.
 âI love when we redo thatâŚâ She said and soon she was matching his moans. âOh merlin- I-â She groaned. She put her arms around his arm, pressing their bodies together.
 âKeep going...right there,â he said against her lips, his words were becoming harder to form. the only thing he could concentrate on was the feeling of her body and the sound of them on the tape getting louder and louder as the tape kept playing.
 âI love hearing the shower in the background..â Emma managed to say as she moved his hands to go under her bum.
 âYou just love the whole tape,â he smiled against her lips, his hands were now under her, and he let his fingers roam a bit, pulling her in closer to him.
 She let him control the speed for a bit as she pressed her eyes closed for a moment. âI just saying love to you.â
 He let his hands control how fast they were going as he kissed along her collarbone and along her chest once more. He just wanted every inch of her to himself, and after a moment he looked at the tape of them and saw that they were using the soap to their advantage. The result on the screen was pretty clear.
 Emma moaned against his lips as she kissed him harder, letting her hands go through his hair. She couldnât even focus on the video anymore and just started to grind into him, pressing closer towards him and picking up the pace.
 Jason responded to her faster pace with enthusiasm as he kissed her deeply, moaning into her mouth as he held her closer to him. He said her name a few times as they continued on, each time saying it a bit louder.
 Emma cries out his name as she gets the pace faster, her breathing very irregular. âJay.â She said. âWe should lay down or- put me on your desk or something- the chair is getting harder to use.â
âOkay...I can do thatâŚâ Jason said a bit breathlessly. He wrapped his arms around her, making sure that she was still on his as he moved over the tapes and the albums and set her on the desk.
 âOw.â Emma said, feeling something under her as takes the little box and push it off the desk, she smiled at him as best as she could and then wrapped her legs around him.
 âWe really- need to control ourselves- more.â he said to her as he smiled at her and bent down to kiss her once more, continuing their faster pace as he drove into her harder.
 She moaned louder then pulled him a bit closer and let her hand wander to her clit and she pushed her waist closer to him as they continue. âHow co-me?â
He saw her hand had wandered down, and he just smiled at her more. He kissed her neck gingerly as he spoke in her ear. âBecause we can never stop once we get going,â he kissed her ear tenderly.
 âIs- is that a bad thing?â She asked smiling. âWe lived through two wars- I thin- I think we deserve this.â She said as she arched her body up to him as he kissed her neck. âYou are the only one I ever felt this with.â She murmured.
 âI suppose youâre right-â he smiled against her neck, and let his hands wander up her sides and down her arm to hold onto the hand that wasnât playing with herself. âWhat feeling would that be?â he thrust in hard as he said it.
 âExactly.â She responded and held his hand tightly. âLi-â She got caught off as she gasped and tried to struggle through to finish her response. âLike I always want you - that no matter the situation, I know youâll feel the best⌠not even with just sex.â She admitted.
 âWith what else then?â he asked her as best he could. He was too busy taking in the feeling of Emma.
 She grinned and looked away for a second and stopped playing with herself to answer. âWhen Iâm upset, I know youâre probably the best one to fix it. Even in Hogwarts. And of course now.â
 âI didnât know you could sound so in love, Emma.â Jason teased and then he kissed her sweetly.
 âShush.â Emma said, as she tighten around him. She moaned again then kissed him back as best as she could. âI think Iâm close.â She whispered.
 âAlready?â Jason couldnât complain too much though. He felt her getting tighter around him, and he knew she wasnât going to be able to last longer. âI-Iâm almost there..â
 âThen donât make fun of me.â Emma complained but it barely could sound mean as she wrapped her arms around him. âHarder and- Iâm close and mm.â She kissed his shoulder.
 âIâll make fun of you if I want to,â he countered back, but he smiled at her and let his head rest by her neck as he drew himself out only to go back in harder than before.
 Emma thought he was completely mental as he drew himself out and she began to protest but then he went in harder and she smiled again, pulling him closer. âLike that.â She agreed. âClose?â She asked him as she kissed him deeply, barely hearing the screams of the video.
 He did as she said and drew himself out again before thrusting in harder. He put his hand on her waist, to hold her down a bit as he continued their faster pace for the few moments they could still withhold. âVeryâŚâ he kissed her back just as deep, letting the kiss become his main focus. The tape a distant memory, because right now this was better than any shower.
 She tighten around him more, letting her legs go around him with the hopes he wouldnât slow down, and he doesnât disappoint. She feels the rush of her, and her heart flutter as she knew she was close. They were both a little sweaty but she thought it just made Jason hotter and she smiled at that though as the pleasure rushes over her and she digs her nails in his back.
 He wasnât going to stop or slow down, that required control, which he was lacking as he finished her off. He could feel her nails digging into his back, and he kissed her passionately as he felt her tighten around him, and it sent him over the edge. He felt himself release into her, and he tried to regain his breathing. Heâd rested his face by her neck, and kissed where her shoulder and neck met. âI fucking love you,â he mumbled.
 She felt the more innocent fluttering of her heart when he said that, unable to resist almost being surprised that he loved her after having sex. Some many times after this, it had been on her lips but never said and even now, years after theyâve first said it, it was always still wonderful. She breathed out and laid back slightly before scooting closer to him and kissing the side of his head. âI love you too.â She responded and held him closer for a moment, not willing for him to get out of her just yet.
 He always felt so...reassure whenever she told him she loved him back. After heâd first said it, he had been afraid sheâd leave, or not return the sentiment. But now, it was just a way for him to always know she was feeling it too. He smiled as she kissed the side of his head and was grateful she hadnât let him go yet. He honestly liked just laying with her after sex. She was the only girl heâd ever felt comfortable with doing that, and it always felt content.
 She giggled and shook her head. âI get a bit crazy when we have sex.â She said, slightly embarrassed. âI hope youâre not mad we used your table.â She said and she let him go, kissing his forehead. âRemember we should avoid the kids.â
 âI love when you get crazy,â he laughed a bit breathlessly, he was still catching his breath. âNah, Iâm not mad. I might have to clean up the mess we made...but Iâll do that laterâŚâ he smiled as she kissed his forehead and started to pull out of her. âWe donât have to avoid them all, just the boys.â he reminded her.
 âStill.â Emma teased. âMaybe tonight we can have a night to ourselves, make the kids get watched by the boys and we spend the night reminiscing how good we have it. No chocolate.â
 âYou think the boys can handle them?â Jason smiled at her. âYou are very tempting...but if weâre going to spend the night I should get some work done nowâŚâ but he didnât move to get clothes.
 âI donât think so, Mister. There is no work that is so important-â Emma perked up though. âUnless you mean that youâre going to be composing?â She asked, clearly having something up her sleeve.
 âI was going to be working on some pieces...why..?â he didnât like the look on her face. It was almost...mischievous.
 âMaybe I have something that can help you work on pieces, youâll just have to deal with me there.â
 âOh merlin- this canât be good.â he laughed lightly and kissed her lightly. âWell...you can do whatever it is you have planned. Iâm going to get started on work, okay?â he smiled.
 âNo because youâre not going to have the right equipment.â Emma said, pouting. âI have a slip for thisâŚâ She said, slowly.
 âEmmaâŚâ Jason laughed more. âWhen people ask me how I wrote this song I canât say that I wrote it while fooling around with my wife,â but he didnât really sound like he was making a good argument. âSo where do we want to go? Music room, or bedroom?â he smiled at her.
 âJason, you are NOT allowed to talk about that when we had sex during your dumb proposal! How was I suppose to even tell that story- when they asked about it during our wedding I almost fainted!â She frowned. âMusic room.â
 âYou were the one that jumped me, remember?â he said. âAnd you told them about how I formally asked you at dinner..later that night..â he smiled at her. âAnd then after that your parents thought you were showing me âwedding detailsâ all evening.â he smirked but then got up off the desk in search of his clothing. âAlright then, Iâll meet you in the music room. Unless youâre worried Iâll start without you.â
 âI.. I canât believe they belived that.â She said, watching him search. âI am worried youâll start without me. Also we have to make sure the kids are away.â
 âWe can check on the kids, and tell them Ben and Garrett are in charge.â he found his shirt, but where were his pants? âThen we can go to the music room.â
 Emma gathered her clothes with her wand and smirked. âSure.â
 He put on his shirt, but still couldnât find his pants. âEmma, do you see my pants anywhere?â
 Emma saw his pants on the floor near her foot and pushes it away from him under the table. âNope, nowhere.â She said with a smile.
 "You are horrible.." He sighed ad looked around more. "I need my pants! My wand was in there..."
 âAccio Jasonâs wand.â Emma said as the wand flung towards her. âTsk, come on. Itâs like you donât even understand magic.â She teased but didnât hand him the wand.
 "I can understand magic.I just want my pants back. Its kind of cold without them on." He held his hand out for his wand, glaring at her playfully as he waited for her to hand it over.
 âNah, maybe if you duel me for it.â She said, laughing.
 "I'm Not going to duel you for it when im half naked!"He sighed and walked over to a nearby cabinet. "I think I have extra pants in here..."
 Emma closed the cabinet with magic, locking it then giggling.
 "I hate you." He glared at her and sat in his chair and huffed.
 âOh come on.â She said. âDonât you want to play? When was the last time we dueled?â
 "I think it was when I had pants on," he folded his arms across his chest but smiled at her. "Come on, we can duel another time. I thought you wanted to compose with me."
 âWe did just have sex-  I mean I think I can wait a bit before youâre all over me again.â She teased.
 Jason sighed. "What about the kids? Don't you want to check on them? I'm sure that one of them wants to hug you right now.."
 âNah, here Iâll give you my wand. But be warned that it is unyielding so dontâ be sad if it doesnât work well for you.â Emma said.
 "you're unyielding, what else is new?" Jason stood up and held his hand out for her wand.
 She passed it too him, sticking out her tongue.
 He took it from her and could feel that her warms was already going to be uncooperative. "Bring your best," he smirked.
 She giggled, knowing that her wand responded well to Jasonâs touch more than anyone else but still wouldnât completely be helpful. She smiled and twirled Jasonâs wand in her hand before firing a tickling spell towards him.
 He raised her wand and tried to block the spell but Emma's wand only blocked it partially. He laughed as the spell hit him, and tried to send a whip crack her way.
 She blocked it since it was a weaker one and then stepped closer to him since she knew her wand was hard to handle. âYou have to love my wand, sweetheart otherwise it wonât want to work.â She grinned and sent a cheering charm his way.
 "IKnow what I'm doing dear," he smirked at her. He dodged the cheer charm and countered with a laughing charm. He felt like this time he'd gotten it right.
 She was trying to keep a straight face but then she started laughing, hoping he didnât send another whip charm. âH-hate you.â she said in between laughter. She sent a stinging jinx over to him.
 He was laughing at her but didnt see the stinging jinx fast enough. "Oww..." Used a cooling charm on himself and then realized he had a wand in his hand. "Accio pants!" He said.
 Emma frowned since Jason wasnât playing fair and quickly used a rope spell to tug him slightly closer, hoping it work effectively when it wasnât her wand, just in case she stepped closer. âNo fair.â
 The rope spell worked and jason was pulled in closer to Emma. "All's fair in love and war," he leaned in closer and kissed her nose.
 âThatâs a shame.â She said. She went even closer and kissed him lightly on the lips, pressing his wand over his chest.
 "If you don't give me my wand or my pants, then him going to have to suggest we continue doing activities without clothing." He smiled at her.
 âYou can have your wandâ She said, sighing but smiling afterwards. âNo worries, we will still do that. I just canât resist, I feel so restless sometimes now that I donât duel.â
 Jason took his wand and smiled at Emma as he gave her back hers. "I know... It's Been a year almost... But we can have fun like this another time." He used his wand and cast a silent accio charm. His pants flew up from under the desk. "A ha! Got them."He put them on commando and looked at Emma. "So kids and then music?"
 She shook her head. âYeah⌠kids then music. Letâs avoid the boys and we will go see if everyone else is in their rooms.â
 "Got it. Who should we pick first?" He put his arm around Emma's waist and kissed the side of her head.
 âWho ever is closer?â Emma said, closing the buttons of her top and straighten it out. âDo I look like we just did⌠that? And you should put back the tapes.â
 "Your hair is a bit messed up...but you look fine." Jason picked up  the tapes and the albums and put them back in the safe where they belonged. "THere we go, no one will know." He kissed her as he passed her and opened the door. "Chase is on first floor."
 Emma nodded and started. âLetâs go get him then.â She held onto his hand as they left the study.
 Chase was playing with some old toy trains of Ben's. "All aboard!" He said and pretended that the conductor stopped the train, "again? I told you no potty breaks!"
 Emma smiled sweetly and she used her wand to make them start to fly silently.
 Chase looked in wonder at the trains and then looked behind him to see his mother, "mom!" He laughed at the trains. "Trains don't Fly!"
 âWait, really? Are you sure?â Emma asked, a bit mystified. âBecause these are! Choo choo!â Emma said, laughing as the whirled around him.
 Chase giggled and stood up and hugged his mother. "I want to fly like the trains. Please?????" Chase loved this game. The one where his parents would lift him up in the air.
 âOh⌠I donât know if we can do thatâŚâ Emma said, sighing and picking Chase up. âI donât think your father and I have it in us⌠weâre going to need lots and lots of kisses if weâre going to get energy like that.â
 "Higher! Higher!" Chase practically squealed as he laughed. He reached out for his dad, but kissed his mom on the cheek. "Kisses for you"
 âAnd kisses for your father.â Emma reminded him, getting closer to Jason as the trains dropped slowly.
 Chase reached out for Jason and jason held onto chase. "Kisses for you," chase kissed Jason's Cheek too.
 Jason smiled at his son. "you're getting heavier, I don't  think we can keep picking you up bud." He ruffled his hair.
 âI think we can throw him⌠but he knows that once heâs too heavy that he gets a very, very special present!â Emma said, excitedly whenever they brought this up. âDo you want to know what it is, Chase?â She said sweetly.
 "What?" He looked at her excitedly.
Emma looked at Chase with just as much excitement, only to see Jason roll his eyes since he knew what was coming. âA⌠toy⌠broom! Your very first broom, Chase!â She clapped slightly while still holding him.
 "A BROOM!" Chase said loudly and excitedly. "I Can be like Benny!" Chase practically idolized his older brothers. He squirmed a but in Emma's arms, wanting to be put down. "I'm too Heavy now...."he shrugged. "Broom! A broom!"
 âYeah- but not right now- soon though. Right daddy?â She said turning to Jason and squishing Chaseâs face to hers.
 "You'll get the toy broom soon enough okay bud?" Jason laughed at the two of them. "DO you two want some time alone?" He joked. "I Know he's cute,"
 âMore then just cute.â Emma insisted. âSo, Iâll throw you to Daddy and then we have to go do some things and youâll have to listen to Ben and Garrett for a while, okay?â
 Chase nodded at his mother. "What about nap time?"
 "Your brothers can do Nap time tonight, okay?"Jason knew chase loved keeping a schedule.
 âYeah, I think they can handle that, right⌠right.â
 Chase nodded and then saluted his mother. "Reafy!"
 âReady?â Looks at Jason to make sure that heâs ready because Emma is going to throw Chase.
Emma quickly went to the alley way where she was suppose to meet Jason, making sure she wasnât being followed (which was just a habit but she couldnât help but feel weird in this outfit) and she came to see him already standing there. She coughed, waiting for him to turn around and see her- he never could hear her coming apparently. Some spy she said to herself with a smile.
 Jason was facing the other way, thinkign that sheâd come north instead of west tonight. When she coughed he tensed up and turned around and gave her a half smile. âI noticed you like coming from the North more. what made you choose west?â but he became distracted as he took in her outfit.
 She couldnât help but blush slightly, not realizing that he took that much notice of her. Of course she had a reason though. âI do usually like coming from the North but for the last couple of times Iâve came to see you, youâve been standing North so I donât like to be spotted from that far away.â She smiled. âEspecially in this ridiculous outfit, with it being strapless and so shortâŚâ She said, looking down, chuckling slightly.
 âWell I think you look nice without bloodstains tonight. You have to shake things up every once in a while M if you want to feel alive.â he looked at her very short and tight dress and raised an eyebrow. âI should know better than to ask, but where are you hiding it?â he said, asking about the knife or five she likes to keep on her person at all times.
 She gave a smile. âNo bloodstains you said! That was the promise. Otherwise Iâll have to throw this out.â She said, moving her hands down her sides. âAnd let me set for the record that this is now how I feel alive. In dirty alleys where Iâm about to be brought into a place that has too many people.â She gave a real smile at that question and bent down to show him one in her high heel boots and then she stood up and lifted her dress a bit too high, considering what she almost exposed as she reveal her favorite one that must have rested on her waist, tightly concealed.
 âDonât knock it until you try it.â he said as he chuckled and watched Emma pull up her skirt to reveal another hidden knife. Of course when she picked up her skirt he could see her underwear, but he didnât say anything. âNice. I wouldnât have noticed those.â he let his hand rest on her waist where the knife was, and pulled her in closer to him. âWeâll be pretty close together in the club. Do you think you can handle it?â he bent his head down so that his face was inches from hers.
 She grinned. âYeah I know-â She paused when he put his hand on her waist and gave him a confused look, unsure what this meant. He pulled her closer though and she took a sharp intake of breath and looked at his hands quickly and then up at his eyes for only a moment before she looked back down. âI-â Can she handle it? No. No she couldnât. Could she handle anyone else being this close though? She scoffed in her mind, realizing how quickly her mind turned to killing someone else who gets this close and only that got her to smile. âI donât know, can you?â She said, but her voice quivered.  She looked up at him. âI mean you should be careful about the knives right?â She felt the stupid pitter patter of her chest but she felt much better being this close.
 âI think I can handle both you and the knives.â he said confidently. âIâm trained with the best the government can afford. Remember?â
 She gave a chuckle at that. âOh yeah, thatâs so reassuring. Iâm sure Iâm better then what the government can afford.â She had been on the government payrate before for a couple missions that the President didnât even get to see- but that was back in America. She put her hands around his neck only for a moment and looked up at him. âAnd, you were trying to explain to me last time that I should be doing this, right? Even in a club?â She gave a sweet smile. She tried to at least, she knew it was hard for her to look innocent.
 When she put her hands around his neck he let his other hand settle on her waist. âExactly. Youâre allowed to act like this in a club. Everyone does it.â
 âEveryone?â She said, almost nervously. This normal thing again. This is what it was coming down too. Emma could be 10 times better at being normal then even the most normal person. She just had to work at it, right?
 âEveryone does this at one point or another.â
 She nodded and let her arms fall back to his side. âReady as Iâll ever be, right?â
 He took his hand from her waist and started walking down the north alleyway as he lead her to the club that was two streets over. âItâs not loud, wel...not too loud. Just donât kill anyone okay?â
 She smirked. âOh come on, itâs not like anyone would find out.â She squeezed his hand. âEvan would never make me do this, J.â She teased. Feeling nervous looking at the club door.
 âthatâs because Evan doesnât know what a party is, even if it bit him and shot him in the ass.â Jason was still holding onto her hand as he opened the club door and the heavy dance music could be heard down the hall. âCome on. Dance floor is down there.â
 She giggled slightly.
 She nodded, gravitating a bit closer to him. âAlright then.â She said walking with him to the dance floor. âItâs already so loud⌠wow.â
 He felt her even closer to him as they entered the dance floor. The DJ was in front and there were a lot of people packed onto the dance floor. Some of them were holding drinks, the others were dancing with each other. A few were heavily making out as well in dark corners or blatantly on the dance floor. Jason took note of where drink spilling threats would most likely take place, and lead Emma in. âItâs not too scary. Just act like you know what youâre doing.â
 âWow this place is gross.â She whispered. âAre they- are they just having sex!â She whispered pointed to the couple who was heavily making out. She moved closer to him, holding on to his hand tighter. She didnât want to be normal.
 âThey arenât right now- but they probably will. Although she looks very intoxicated. I donât see that going over well.â he held her hand and pulled her close to him. âDance.â
 âShe looks more than just intoxicated.â She couldnât breath for a moment as he brought her closer so easily- he was always so good at this. âDanc-e-e?â She asked, moving her hands against his neck.
 âYes, dance.â he said as he put his hands around her waist and pulled her in very close to him. âJust move from side to side to the beat of the music. It helps.â
 She still couldnât breath, it was hard and she knew that if she breathed so much sheâd just smell him and he was always smelled like him. And he smelled perfect. Which is- how smells perfect? âI canât danceâŚâ She whispered. She put her arms a bit closer around him as she started to sway with him. She looked at him curiously- these were the only times she ever gave him a look of unsure. To see if she was being ânormalâ right?
âOf course you can dance. Everyone can a little.â his hands guided her on her waist, and traveled down to her hips to help a bit as they continued. He was very close to her though, and his whole body felt on edge to be so near her. Lately theyâd been- tip toeing around each other and neither had given in yet. Maybe tonight one of them would.
 She felt on fire. She felt a rush and it wasnât because she was doing something dangerou- no this was dangerous but it wasnât illegal. This was⌠a normal dangerous? She smiled at the thought. She felt more confident to much much closer to him, her body pressed against him as she danced in the rhythm with him, trying to ignore everyone around them.
 He didnât say anything for a few more minutes as they continued to dance. The crowd of people around them were all so closely packed, and Jason knew that Emma hated people with a passion. One of his hands moved to the small of her back so that they were practically plastered to each other, but he did this because of drunken couple was about to take out Emma if he didnât move her. Jason turned him and Emma around so that they were facing another direction. âWhat do you think so far?â
 âThis is almost confusing.â She said, moving with him. âWhy did you put your hand there? Do we have to be this close? Why is the music so loud- I can barely hear myself think!â Emma said, frustrated as they turned another direction- Jason knew that Emma hated when she couldnât hear everything separately to pinpoint things.
 âWe donât have to be this close, I was just saving you from a drunken couple.â he took his hand off her back and placed it back on her hip. âListen, donât question it, just go with it. Think of it as- a cover. You donât want your cover to be blown, so blend in. Do what you see others doing.â
 That made Emma think and soon her eyes were scanning the crowd trying to take in something easy to copy but she ended up just going as close to Jason as possible and letting her lips go against his neck. âThey are breathing on each others necks.â She said in a whisper.
 He laughed at that, but nodded his head. âYeah- breathing.â he didnât have the heart to tell her that they were all more than likely necking each other. He did the same as her though and continued dancing with her as the music raged on.
 âI can understand this a little betterâŚâ She said but she tensed up when she said that, wondering if that was a bad thing.
 âThatâs good. Just keep looking for things that would help you blend in. Think of the cover. Then itâll come naturally.â
 She moved back to look at him and nodded, taking a deep breath in and trying to let the music wash over her that it seemed to effect other people. Or maybe everyone was drunk. She started moving a bit more easily and a small smile appeared on her face.
 He smiled back at her and nodded his head encouragingly. âThere you go!â he danced with her more, glad to see that she could actually cut back and let loose.
 She laughed a little bit and let her hands run down smoothly down the front of Jason, as the couple she had been watching had done. She looked at Jasonâs eyes for approval.
 Jason was a bit surprised, but didnât shy away from anything that Emma was doing.
 She moved her hands to his sides just as smoothly, smiling up at him. âItâs like Iâm trying to find a weapon on you.â She said, a bit giddily as she watched the other couple and then back up at him as she moved closer, getting under his shirt slightly.
 âI do have one on me.â he said, then realizing she was going under his shirt a bit. âLooks like youâre going to find it.â he always had a knife or a smaller gun on him at all times. Tonight it was a gun. You never knew what would go down in clubs.
 âOh come on.â She said, moving her hand up his chest, and trying hard to feel any irregulars, feeling her cheeks warm at the fact she was touching his skin.
 âYouâre cold, arctic cold. Itâs not there.â his hands were back on her hips as they continued to dance while Emma searched for where heâd hidden his weapon of choice.
 She moved her fingers to his side, running down her hand and looking up. âStill cold?â She said, going lower to his waist.
 âYouâre getting warmer. Lukewarm.â he smirked.
 She moved closer to him, her hands wrapping around his back and she looked up at him, grinning. Putting her hands underneath his belt.
 âI donât think itâs in there..â he smiled though at her effort. His hands stayed on her hips as he pulled her closer to him. âIf you go a little to your right, youâll find it.â
 Her breath hitched again and she felt so silly being so affected by the closeness. âH-here?â She said lowly, moving more to the right and moving her hands down.
 âYeah, can you feel it yet?â he knew that she was really close to where heâd stashed the gun in the waistband of his pants.
 She did a breathy giggly and held onto the grip of it. âMmm.â
 âBe careful with it though. The safety is...faulty. Itâs an older model.â
 âOh.â She gripped it better and laughed. âSheâs an older model.â Emma said, immediately.
 âHey, sheâs served me well in my years of service. Both for and against the government.â he gave her a more genuine smile. âI promise you can see her later when weâre not in a crowd of people.â
 âReally?Is it one of your favorites? I have one of my favoritesâŚâ She said and she looked up at him with a grin and let her hands go back to his arms.
 âIâm interested to know where youâre keeping that favorite on your person.â he was very close to her and had bent his head down to smile at her more. They were near each other and he felt like wanting to kiss her, but didnât want to get a knife in the gut for being too forward. Especially with her.
 She almost couldnât hear him but it wasnât the music this time it was how near his lips were to hers and she wanted to just⌠simple press her lips to his but- was that wrong? He asked a question⌠what was it. Oh. Where was her favorite?
She wordlessly took his hand, and looked around to make sure this wasnât hugely inappropriate as she brought his hand and his finger to her chest. She guided one finger to the middle of her bra and let him gently feel the outline of a clear knife.
 He had to smile even wider at that. Leave it to Emma to make carrying a knife sexy. His finger could feel the knife in her bra, and he tried not to think too much about how he could feel her chest as well. âImpressive, I wouldnât have noticed. Your chest distracts from the knife.â his finger grazed her skin a bit.
 She sucked in her breath for a moment and nodded. âIt did?â She asked, âI mean- there just isnât much too look at. Iâm not very big.â She let her hand cup on side of her chest for a moment before realizing his hand was still near enough to catch that before she looked back at him. âI like that one close but I  wouldnât use it unless I had too.â
 âSo what? I think youâre exceptional in many ways.â he leaned in closer to her, wondering what sheâd do next to this.
 âBut then how is my chest distracting?â She asked. âIf itâs not as bigâŚâ She said, stopping the movement and ignoring the other couples who pushing slightly on her now.
 âThink of it like...a pocket knife. It might be small, and not seem impressive. But put it in the hands of one of the countryâs best assassins, and itâs as lethal a weapon as any. Thatâs what your chest is.â he hoped that explanation was as good as any.
 She giggled. âJ?â
 âWhat?â
 âYouâre weapon is compliments, right?â She said. âBeing a charmer and all, right?â
 âHalf the time. The other half is seduction and execution.â he gave her a grin. âWhy are you asking?â
 She hesitated. âThis is seduction?â She questioned.
 âWell Iâd be lying if I said I wasnât trying just a little bit. But that doesnât mean Iâm not being honest.â he was so close to her still, and he hoped he wasnât the only one out of the two of them feeling the odd tension they seemed to have.
 She paused and then smiled, gripping his shirt lightly to pull his lips towards hers, she let her hand cup his cheeks as she kissed him harder.
 He was a bit surprised, but when she kissed him harder he kissed her back. His hands wrapped around her to pull her closer to him. The music was lost to him, he wasnât listening to it or paying attention to the other people around them.
 She pulled him closer, her hands sliding around him as she gave into what she keep wanting to do around him, her face must have been red but she didnât care if she was able to do more of this.
 Jason was beyond done with waiting for this to happen. He was going to take advantage of an opportunity like this, with Emma actually giving into the emotions he had to get her to show most of the time. His hands had moved down her back again, and he was kissing her longer each time.
 She was pulling him more even though it meant she was leaning back into nothing or just into this arms. She kissed him harder and a bit roughly, the music driving her a bit crazy with being so loud but it was worth it- totally worth it to /feel/ this. To feel him. To feel like this about⌠anything and to give in. She was smiling into the kisses without realizing it, her eyes closed.
 They must have been kissing like this for at least three songs. None of the other people in the crowd though seemed to notice. No one really cared in the club, things like this happened all the time. Although by the time Jason had to pull away to breathe, he and Emma were pretty entwined in each other.
 She was breathing fast and she gave him a very small smile, unwilling to let go of his shoulder. âItâs only polite to kiss the person who compliment you- thatâs the end goal?â She said, repeating words he had said back to him.
 âThatâs one goal. It doesnât always have to be a compliment though. You are allowed to just kiss someone if you think the moment calls for it.â Jason was always giving Emma lessons in being ânormalâ.
 âBut- I-â She paused and blinked a few times. âI wanted to do that and you said you were seducing me slightly and I thought that meant-â She looked between his eyes and his lips again.
 âI was seducing you a bit- sometimes you need help M.â he nudged her a bit.
 She nodded and let go of him. âIâm sorry if I went to far then.â She said, looking down. âIt felt nice- what is everyone drinking?â She asked, looking arounda gain.
 âYou didnât go too far. Look at everyone around you, theyâre all doing it.â he shook his head though and relaxed his hold around her. âTheyâre all drinking from the bar over there. Did you want a drink?â
 âBut for youâŚâ She looked around and settled her hand on his. âI donât like to drink.â
 âBut for me what?â he raised an eyebrow.
 âIf it was too much for you- because I work with you.â She squinted trying to remember. âBecause thatâs bad.â
âNo one knows about this- and it wasnât too much.â he admitted. âIâve wanted to do that for a while with you.â
 She looked away so he wouldnât see the smile. âAlright.â She squeezed his hand for a moment then let go. âI can have a drink.â She said, confidently.
 âThe bar is this way- unless you want to get a drink elsewhere.â he offered.
 She looked around. âWhere else would they get some?â
 âSome of them go to a bar before they come to the club, or they drink at home.â he nodded to a group of younger looking twenty year old girls. One of them was wearing a sash that said Birthday Girl on it. âThe definitely hit up a bar before coming here.â
 âHow can you tell?â Emma said, curious, moving closer to him as someone tried to step near them as Emma began to pull him off the dance floor.
 âBecause this club has a drink limit, and those girls have bottles that arenât sold here. They must have brought them from another bar.â he let Emma pull him off of the dance floor.
 âRight.â She said, putting her hand over her ears. âIs there a place to hearâŚ. anything for just a moment?â She said, sitting down on one of the couches.
 âWe can step outside if you want to. The bouncer will let us back in.â
 She laughed. âIf we leave- Iâm leaving for good, so are you ready to call it a night or-â She looked down at her shoes. âOr should I step in more drinks?â
 âWe can call it a night. I donât want you to have to pull out your knives on the innocent people tonight.â he offered her his hand. âWe can still hang out if you want to though.â
 She hesitated. âWas that the full club experience?â
 âThere are a lot of club experiences. the full experience would be dancing, getting drunk, getting in a fight, having sex somewhere, and then getting kicked out.â he gave her a smile. âBut that usually never happens...just to me.â he laughed. âParis night clubs are horrible.â
 She didnât laugh. âYou have sex inside these clubsâŚ?â She said, bringing herself up with his offered hand.
 âTechnically I offered sex, but then I managed to get the flashdrive after getting her shirt off. So I started a fight with someone, and got myself âkicked outâ and headed back to my partner.â
 She frowned and when she noticed he was looking at her she answered. âWhat? Sounds messy. I donât like mess- I donât want to get drunk so maybe another time.â
 âWe can leave then.â he shrugged, not noticing how uncomfortable his story had made her. âIs there anything you wanted to do tonight now that Iâm done showing you a normal time?â he lead her out of the dance floor and down the hall to the exit.
 She shook her head. âFood and sleep and maybe not leave a room for the next week. I think I saw enough âŚ. humans for a week.â
 âWeâll still see you tomorrow though for the meeting right?â he said as they walked out into the night.
 âOh- are you - leaving?â She asked.
 âIâm not leaving. I just thought Iâd ask.â he looked down at his shoes for a sec. âDid you want me to leave?â
 Emma nodded.
 âI should probably- do some work before tomorrowâŚâ
 Emma pursed her lips. âJ. You said gentleman are suppose to invite a girl back to his place afterwards. And since you made me do this I think itâs a good idea if we do something I like- you know- quiet.â
 âQuiet. We can do that. What did you have in mind?â he gave her a half smile as he waited to hear her idea.
 âJust in your room- all the curtains drawn- no TV- no noise and maybe- like soft noise but nothing even remotely like this.â She shook her head heading for the door. âJust until I can think again.â
 âAlright. But weâll go to my studio apartment. My other apartment is- infiltrated.â he didntâ want to say that Victoria was crashing there while her small house was being bug bombed.
 Emma crinkled her nose. âWhat does that mean? We donât have any jobs right nowâŚâ She looked at him but pulled him quickly out of that place until they were out and she could breath again, she let go of his hand and leaned against the bricks.
 âIt means that I have someone at my place right now.â he said simply.
 âLike.. Liz or Evan?â She started walking to his studio.
âNot exactly. Itâs not someone in our group.â he tiptoed around that answer and kept walking. âIâm just helping out a friend whose place is being fumigated.â
 âWho are you friends with-â She stopped and she blinked a few times. Vicki. Tori. Victoria. She had to resist to roll her eyes- Liz thought it was a good idea and that meant it probably was.
 âYeah- so uh...we can go to my place. Or if you want to- we can just call it a night. Itâs your choice.â he knew that Emma didnât like Victoria at all, but he liked her. And it was a good idea to have a cover, even if he spent this kind of time with Emma.
 She felt herself panic but she stayed calm on the outside as she turned toward him. âDonât you want to go home? See her. And everything.â She looked down and felt self conscious. âI can go to my house and play the quiet game by myselfâŚâ She just admitted she had a game that had to do with quiet. That was stupid.
 âNo, Iâm fine. I can see her tomorrow. I said I was out drinking with Ax.â he put his arm around her shoulder. âWe can do some quiet time though. Iâm surprised you lasted that long in a club without killing the DJ.â
 âYouâre lying to her?â She said, knowing she had suggested that many times but she was told you were suppose  to be honest. âYouâre suppose to be the good one.â But she smiled, moving closer to him as they walked slower to his studio.
 âIâm supposed to be the good one. And yet Iâm the one out with a hitwoman that I made out with and have slept with several times. Iâm technically cheating on my girlfriend right now. And no one knows it.â
 She looked at him and then back at her hands. She didnât like the name girlfriend. Wasnât she a girl who was a friend? Why wasnât she called a girlfriend? Why was Tori so special? âItâs cheating- so why do it?â Emma asked, biting her lip as they contiued to walk.
 âBecause itâs what people expect of me, and sheâs nice. Sheâs nice, and normal. She doesnât have mafia ties. Sheâs a good cover.â he shrugged. âAnd- well I like her too. Shesâ different than you though.â
 Emma shifted uncomfortably, not wanting to know but having to ask. âHow?â
 âSheâs very- social. the only time she uses a knife is to cut something when sheâs cooking. Sheâs a school teacher. Thatâs the furthest thing from an assassin that I can think of. She thinks Iâm a government worker. Which I am...sort of.â
 She nodded. Is this the kind of person he wanted? Emma knew she was suppose to say she was happy for him so she repeated the phrase. âIâm happy that you can find someone you want.â She said but it hurt her to say and she didnât know why.
 âthanks.â he said, not sure what to say to that.
 Emma stayed quiet until they got to his studio apartment.
 He opened up the door with a key fob, and then another key, and placed his hand on a scanner. The door then opened and he lead her in. âWelcome to single paradise.â the studio apartment was small. In one corner was a bed, then next to it was a small couch and a coffee table. The kitchen was very small, and there were two barstools at the small table top. In another room was the bathroom. But that was it.
 She sighed. âThis is perfect. No distractions.â She turned towards him. âLetâs close the blinds then?â
 Jason pressed a button on a universal remote and the blinds in the apartment went down, and some dimmer lights turned on. âIs this better?â
 âYeah, much.â She said and she got some water for herself and drank some of it leaving the rest on the counter. She then shrugged off both her boots as she placed the knives on the counter.
 Jason smiled to himself as Emma placed her knives down, and it was off her person. âI think this is one of the few times Iâve seen you unarmed.â
 âStill have that one in my bra.â She said with a smile as she went to the mattress on the floor to lay down, breathing evenly.
 âThatâs still as unarmed as Iâve seen you in a while.â he said, commenting on how they hadnât really had any kind of physical interaction in weeks. Not since that last mission they had together.
 She frowned for a moment. âYeah, I havenât seen you alone for a bit.â She paused. She knew it was her fault.
 Jason took off his shoes and socks, and sat down on the mattress next to Emma. âWeâre alone now..â he said a bit awkwardly.
 âNot in your real apartment.â She said quietly but she closer her eyes, moving to the side to look at him. âIâve been ignoring you and Iâm sorry.â
 âWhy are you ignoring me?â he raised an eyebrow, confused at her as he laid down on his mattress.
 âI havenât felt like speaking to you and that is considered ignoring.â
 âWhy though?â he was still confused.
 âI think that Iâm afraid-â She paused and shifted her eyes down. âItâs it nice itâs so warm here? Quiet too⌠I can hear everything. Itâs perfect again.â Trying to shift the conversation.
 He thought about addressing her admitting that she was afraid for something, but decided against it. If she was changing the subject, then that meant she was too uncomfortable to talk about it yet. He knew that getting her to admit something outloud was a feat in itself. âI donât even have a TV here, so no noise to distract.â he put his arms behind his head and took a deep breath in. Just realxing.
 She put herself on top of his chest, her ear to his heart without asking if it was okay. She sighed into a smile. âCan you hear your own heart?â  She started to tap her finger against his chest in tune to his heart.
 âI can hear it when Iâm stressed, or when someone is pointing a gun at me.â he said a bit teasingly, referencing the time that heâd let her have the opportunity to shoot him that first time.
 She gave a quiet chuckle. âWell do you want to hear it?â She asked.
 â...is it going to involve a gun?â he asked a bit apprehensive.
 She nodded. âIf you want- or we can do it my way.â
 âWhatâs your way?â he asked her, looking a bit more interested.
 She got off his chest and put her head to the pillow, her ear pressed up against it. âDo this.â She said, her hand on his waist loosely.
 He turned on his side and pressed his ear against the pillow, not sure what it would accomplish. âWhat is this suppose to do?â he said as he put his arm around her as well.
 âShush, you talk too much.â She paused. âDo you hear yourself? Itâs the thumping. Like someone is walking up the stairs.â
 He tried to listen, and after a few minutes of silence he could actually hear it. It really did sound like someone was walking up the stairs, even though his studio apartment didnât have stairs in it. âThis is weirdâŚâ he said after another moment of silence. âBut good.â
 She smiled. âI use to listen to it a lot- when I was⌠when I was really young I always imagined it was someone that was going to take me away.â She said quietly and she closed her eyes and moved a bit closer to Jason- almost thankful for him being here.
 âYou used to imagine being taken away? Where would you imagine going?â he asked her, surprised that sheâd bring up being a child. She almost never did this with him, it was new and he was curious to see what heâd learn about her this time.
 âI never got that far. I just imagined being taken away.â She paused. âThis was the game I use to play- because I had to make sure I knew how to spot anything out of the ordinary. Make sure I was ready.â Her eyes were closed but she looked peaceful.
 âHow would you spot anything out of the ordinary if you were listening to your heart?â he asked her, wondering what her training even consisted of. He brought his face a bit closer to hers, just so she could feel his breath on her nose. She had her eyes closed, and he couldnât help but just look at her, wondering what was going on inside her head. With Victoria he didnât have to guess. She was always so open, but with Emma it was a mystery. A challenge.
 âBecause you leave it off.â She paused. âLike-â She sighed and moved closer, appreciating the fact she can feel him. âSo you pause everything else. If you listen to the noises around you and you take that as the background then even the smallest sounds will be the difference- and thatâs something new that you can take care of- listen to the heart this loudly means that youâd be able to ignore it even in silence.â She opened her eyes to see him.
 âI guess that makes sense for you...Iâm not sure how thatâd work out for me.â he said as he continued to listen to his heart beat. He wasnât the most patient. He was better talking his way out of things, or looking around for observations. He could understand peopleâs tells, but not actual sound differences.
 She nodded. âYeah I mean itâs only useful for me I guess.â She lifted her head from the pillow slightly. âIâm not an expert at explaining what Iâm doing- Iâm sorry.â She blinked a few times before speaking again, a bit too fast. âI just had to be careful with myself when I was little and even the slightest of noise could have gotten me taken.â She took a deep breath. âI was dealing with people better than me.â She said quietly.
 Jason looked at her, still intrigued by what she had to say. He was always interested in her past. He knew next to nothing about it. âYouâve been doing this from a very young age?â he asked her, not sure if that was what she was talking about.
 âI- I donât remember not doing it.â
 âHow old were you when you made your first...hit?â he asked, not sure if sheâd even tell him or not, but his curiosity was getting the best of him.
 âHow old I tell everyone? How old I did it by myself? How old when I helped? How old when I âassistedâ?- When I saw my first one.â
 âthatâs a long listâŚâ he thought about it for a moment, realizing heâd have to be very specific with her. âHonestly tell me, how old were you when you made your first hit on your own, no assistance.â
 âTen.â She said, honestly as she looked at him waiting for him to get up and leave her there right on the spot. she clutched her hand over her stomach.
 He let that thought sink in a bit. âTen...thatâs...actually older than what I was thinking.â he looked over at her, wondering why she looked so scared.
âWhen I was ten I stole my fatherâs credit card and got myself into the zoo without anyone noticing. I lied to my mom and told her I was going to a friendâs house.â he said, hoping to make her feel a bit better. âand when I got caught I got my mom to think it was all my dadâs fault.â
 She gave a smile. âThatâs impressive for a ten year old.â She paused. âI was eight but I needed help with the clean up- it took a while before Iâm able to clean up as well as I should be able to. Daddy wouldnât trust me any younger.â
 âWho was your first hit?â he asked her, just still intrigued by her past.
 âHis name was Henry. And he was a bad man- someone who use to-â She paused. âTouch children. Daddy thought it be fun- well karma- if I finished his life.â
 âIâm glad you got him.â he said, truly glad she had. âSo your dad arranged the hits for you? When did you become...freelance?â he asked her, knowing that theyâd met when she was a freelancer.
 âDaddy. Not dad.â She paused. âWhen he got taken away. They found out about me but not of me and he was killed while I was hiding and they left- they couldnât find me.â She looked at him and in the comfort of the quiet she admitted very softly. âIâm afraid youâre going to leave me too.â
 He nodded his head, listening to her story, thinking about how different her life was compared to his growing up. But when she quietly confessed, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer to him. âIâm not going anywhere.â
 She wrapped her arm loosely around him- not use to hugs but realizing what they must be for at this exact moment as she brought her head into the crook of his neck. âI donât want you to go- to leave me- I just- I told myself that I wouldnât rely on anything and then youâre here and I find myself relying on you.â She whispered. âJust a bit.â
 âYou know, itâs okay to rely on people sometimes. Itâs called having a friend.â
 She hugged him harder not wanting to tell him that a friend wouldnât wish he wouldnât go through with the marriage.
 He hugged her back, kissing the top of her head as he did so. He wasnât sure what had gotten into her, but he didnât want to see her like this. It felt a bit distressing .
 âIâm sorry- Iâm so sorry- I should stop right but- I- I donât even remember the last person to hug me.â She said quietly. âI never shown anyone this stupid game.â
 âYou donât have to be sorry M.â he said, as he let his hand trace light circles on her back as he hugged her.
 She shrugged into him carefully but completely, just pressing her face against his chest.
 He just continued to hug her, making sure that she was secure in his arms. âYou know- you can talk to me right?â
 She shook her head. âI canât talk to you. Not like- anyone else can.â She said, pulling him closer and not saying like she can- regardless of what she was thinking.
 âI talk to you all the time, just tell me what I can do to help.â he said, not knowing what her problem was, and knowing that this was hard for her to even admit that a problem existed.
 She wanted to tell him what was in her mind but it still didnât make sense for her- it couldnât be true- she couldnât want him forever- she was sure- she was unsure--- she was sure. She put her lips to his neck and it was making more sense why those girls were doing it at the club but only in the quiet of this house- in the dark- could she appreciate it. âYouâll always be here.â She said but he knew it was more of a question- or maybe a request. She closed her eyes, afraid of the answer.
 He somewhat understood her question now, and he wanted to help her in any way that he could. He felt her lips against his neck and he smiled at that. He pressed his lips to the top of her head, since that was what he was near, and laughed. âOf course Iâll be here. Whenever you need me to be.â
 âBut- marriage.â She said unable to say anything else.
 He understood now. âM, I- this is different than anything else Iâve ever done with someone. You have to know that. But- this is- I canât- I wouldnât ever push you into something when I know how uncomfortable you are about people and feelings and things. I never thought this would happen, and I want you to know that Iâm going through with it, but I wish you could be ready too.â
 She paused and she knew she should be crying- she wanted to cry but she knew she wouldnât. âReady for you to leave me?â She said softly, talking all her strength to look up at him.
 âNo.â he said making sure that he made eye contact with her. âReady to- be with someone. Fully. Actually sharing things with someone, and being near someone without a knife on your person.â he said the last part very quietly, he wasnât sure if sheâd hear him. âsomeone like me.â
 âYou want to marry me off as well?â She said, almost horrified. âThis- this right here is the least amount of knifes I ever had on me for someone, and you want me to get closer to someone else?â She said, quietly.
 âI just meant that- well the way you are acting right now. You arenât ready to even think about something like that. Iâve thought about it, I want to do it. I chose her, alright? Even if I wanted to choose someone else- that someone isnât ready yet. And I canât wait around when someone perfectly good for me is waiting and wanting it too. Thatâs the only reason.â
 She tried to take his words in but it was hard and when he finished she pushed on his chest so sheâd move away and she took a deep breath in. Where are the tears. Why canâ I cry? She asked herself before looking back at him. Choosing Icky Vicki (she wasnât even clever enough to make that up- she heard Sasha say it to brighten her up) instead of her- but what could she offer him? Nothing. She could never offering him more than what heâd get with Tori. Sheâd have his children and Emma wasnât even sure if her body was capable of having children. She wasnât sure if she could give Jason anything. She took a deep breath in and then went closer to him, closing her eyes. âIâll make it to your wedding then.â She couldnât look at him. She canât. âAnd- youâll never lie to me right?â She asked because even if the only thing she could get were these stolen and soft moments- she can have- at least for a while- honesty from him which at least Tori couldnât.
 Jason sat up a bit concerned when Emma pushed him away. He hope that he hadnât upset her too much, but he couldnât keep waiting around if this was as far as heâd ever get with Emma. He liked Emma, and he loved Victoria enough to ask her to marry him, but what was he supposed to do? Give up the nicest girl/cover on the planet for a hitwoman who was emotionally...dead inside half the time? Even if he did put his heart and soul into her, what would he get out? What would he do if something happened to her? Sure they had the mafia in common, they had their assignments together, but other than that...Jason couldnât risk hurting himself, compromising Emma, all because of this. It was better to marry Victoria, and that was something he didnât think Emma would ever understand if he told her honestly. âI promise not to ever lie to you.â he said as he bent down and kissed her nose, since that was all he could see in her mess of hair.
 She didnât want to smile and then she did. These feeling were confusing. She found his hand and held, pushing her hair away to look at him. âSo the quiet gameâŚâ She said, wondering if he still wanted her to say- or if he wanted her to leave. âOr should I leaveâŚâ
 âYou can stay, Iâm staying if you are.â he said smiling down at her.
 She half pushed herself up, getting a better look at him. âAnd we will lie here?- Iâll- Iâll tell you something else tonight if you stay the night with me. I donât- I donât usually want company but tonight was a bit of a shake.â
 âIâll stay the night if you want me to.â he said simply.
 âYou donât want the information?â She asked surprised. Usually she had to give him something for favors- little bits about her life for something she wanted. She laid back down. âI like this place you have better than your other one.â
 âIâm going to stay if I want to, not because you have something new to tell me. Iâm not going to play that game anymore. If Iâm staying itâs because I care, and if youâre staying- itâs because you care.â
 She bit her lip. âAm I suppose to say sorry? I-â She paused, struggling for the words. âI do care.â She said slowly.
 âYouâre not supposed to say sorry. Youâre just supposed to decide for yourself if you actually want to stay here or not. Actually think about how you feel, and then decide based on that.â he said, testing her.
 She paused and thought- she wanted to stay, she always wanted to stay with Jason but could she stay? âI always want to stay.â She looked down at her fingers. âBut sometimes it hurts staying because I want to be important to you and your eyes trail to your phone sometimes- I assume you wish to speak to her instead of me. I know that the hours I have with you will mean nothing when you go to your real home so I want to stay here but I donât want to have to sift through my thoughts when Iâm alone.â She said quietly, she put her legs up, her arms going around them as she leaned her head on her legs.
 Jason nodded his head understanding. He put his hand into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He then handed it to Emma. âHide this somewhere and I promise I wonât look at it or for it the whole night. Just to show you Iâm serious.â he held the phone out for her.
 Her mouth twitched into a smile. âSerious about what?â She said, taking the phone and holding it against her chest.
 âSerious about tonight being just about you.â he looked at her and gave her a genuine half smile. âWe can do whatever you want, quiet game, or otherwise.â
 She bounced a little bit and then looked at him, reminded that she was suppose to do something in return when people did things like that. âShould I give you my knife to hold then?â She asked, excitedly.
 âIf I promise not to look for my phone, you have to promise not to look for your knife. Itâs just us tonight.â he said, as he raised an eyebrow. âAre you up to the challenge?â
 She nodded and in less a blink of the eye the knife was removed and in her hands, as she held it between them, as if a gift instead of a weapon.
 Jason traded her knife for his phone and he stood up. âIâll hide my object first, then Iâll come back to the bed, and then itâs your turn. So- close your eyes.â
 She closed her eyes, not going to tell him that as quiet as he thinks he is- heâs not quiet enough for Emma not to know where heâs doing but sheâd play along. She wants to convince him. She nodded.
 Jason walked around the kitchen some, opening up some drawers to create noise, and then he turned on the sink faucet as he placed the knife in his pants pocket instead. He then shut off the water and went to the bed and laid down. While Emma had her eyes shut though, he took that moment to kiss her lightly, just to throw her off her game.
 She smirked, knowing exactly where he walked even if he was creating distractions and decided it must have been in the draws and just as he was coming closer and she was going to open her eyes she got kissed instead which made her open her eyes immediately and press into it lightly before moving away, losing her concentration. âNo idea where you hid it.â She said, nodding. âClose your eyes.â But her voice was a bit off because of the kiss.
 Jason just smiled to himself and laid back in his bed, his hands folded across his stomach and his eyes closed contently. âGo ahead. Do your worst.â
 She laughed. âAlright.â She walked normally up to Jason and then as quietly as ever she slid her feet towards his bathroom and then quietly put it above his pill cabinet where there was a little landing that she knew that he put money sometimes and she slid back to the kitchen, turn on the water because he did and she thought it was amusing, turned it offer and went to the bed and laid down next to him, kissing him lightly since apparently that was how to tell the other you were finished. She grinned, waiting for him to open his eyes.
 He heard the faucet going off, and he wondered if she was actually hiding his phone in the kitchen, or if she was trying to find her knife. He didnât have much time to think though as he felt her sitting back on the mattress and her lips were against his. He opened his eyes after a moment and kissed her back just as lightly.
 She grinned as was clearly happy about this kiss and she chewed on her lip for a second and laughed. âI havenât not had a knife on me⌠in years or something.â She said, feeling a rush of excitement.
 He had to chuckle at that and he shook his head as he did. âSee? Going weapon free for a night wonât kill you.â he looked up at her. âWhat are you going to do without it though?â
 âI know other ways to kill a man, so be careful around me, J.â She said as she went towards him, letting her hands go to his neck, lightly of course as she narrowed her eyes, teasing.
 âAnd I know ways to subdue a woman.â he said with a smirk. His hands settles on either side of her waist.
 She tensed for a moment before giggling. âI think I can kill you before you subdue me- whatever that means.â She said, her hands settling on his shoulders.â
 âI donât think youâd want to be killed if you knew what I could do.â he said in a challenging voice.
 She smiled. âI wouldnât want to be killed either way but I donât see how you would be betterâŚâ She said slowly, wondering what spy thing this was going to be. It was always so interesting to see others techniques surely not all girls felt this overwhelemed with him? Or was this his powerâŚ
 âI never said that I would kill you to stop you.â he let that thought sink in with her, his hands played with the zipper of her dress a bit.
 âOh-â She paused and his hand played with her zipper and she caught on. âYouâd- seduce me to stop?â She said, not really believing that. How could that really stop her?
 âIt is one of my better skill sets.â he said a bit proudly. âSkeptical?â
 She nodded. âI mean I donât want you dead but I couldnât see you really stopping me just because youâre above average kisser and because my stomach does flips.â She pointed out, not knowing, really, that stomach doing flips is a bit out of the ordinary.
 âAlright then, try me. I bet you that I can get you to surrender faster than you can kill me.â
 Emma paused and then lunged for his neck with her hand, ignoring the real pressure point that could kill him and began to press down.
 Her felt her hand pressing down on his neck and let out a small breath before he managed to get Emmaâs dress unzipped on the side, and his hands were touching her bare skin, his main goal was to try to get her to swat away his hand so he could go in for the kill of his own. His one hand snaked down to where her underwear was, just almost touching it.
 Emma couldnât think so briefly let go of his neck to swat his hand away very quickly, her other hand lightly on his other arm.
 Damn he hadnât anticipated her hand on his arm. He was still being mildly choked, and his hand was swatted away. He decided to use his legs to tangle her up and he managed to get himself locked up with her, but he couldnât quite flip her over like he had planned. Instead heâd just brought her closer to his face.
 Wow. Emma couldnât believe how distraction this actually was so she closed her eyes for a moment to regain herself then tried to untangle her legs, which she couldnât since the lock was on too tightly so she put her hand on his shoulder, in an effort to push him away as her other hand got off his arm to balance herself.
 Sheâd moved her hand to his shoulder. That was a success for him. With his free arm, he wrapped it around the back of her neck, and up into her hair as he brought her closer to him and started to kiss her neck. âIâm winning.â he said in her ear.
 She froze when he had his arm around her neck but his hand went to her hair and she had to pause unsure of his plan but when she was plastered against him with him nipping at her neck and whispering she squirmed. He was winning. She canât fight him- she couldnât even bring herself to pretend to kill him. For a moment she stopped squirming and just laid against him, actually smiling against his skin as she planned for her next move- she closed her eyes so she wouldnât have to see him as she jabbed his waist to move him down, which would make her ontop of him and hopefully with an advantage.
 He felt the jab to his waist, and felt her push him down so that she was on top of him. He wasnât going to give up though, no sir. Jason Herbert was a spy, he couldnât let a woman get the best of him, even if she was Emma. He stayed down though, waiting for the opportune moment to make his next move as he anticipated what she would do.
 She gave a triumphant smile as she pushed his shoulders back, pressing both her down on his shoulder. âAre ready to give up?â She asked, tighten her legs around his waist.
 Jason smiled at her, knowing that his next move was going to be dirty, but he didnât care. He took out Emmaâs knife from his pocket and held it up to her neck still unsheathed so that he couldnât really hurt her. âI know this is a low blow, but I think I got you. That looks like I could get you bleeding out within minutes.â he nodded his head towards her neck where he knew her artery was. âYouâre trained to make a hit unnoticed. Iâm trained in distraction.â
 She paused and tensed up considerably, moving her head slightly. âYour distractions work on me.â She admitted. âBut thatâs my knife.â She said, frowning. âCertainly even spies have a code.â
 âMy code is to get the job done.â he set the knife down on a bedside table. âBut I promise not to kill you if you donât kill me.â
 She took the knife without getting off and then fixing it in her hair. âYouâre awful- I donât take a promise just because of your words.â
 âHey, I let you have multiple chances to kill me and you havenât taken any of them. I think itâs safe to say that I wonât kill you either.â
 She grinned. âI could just be waiting for the right momentâŚâ She said, moving closer to him as she still held him down- though she knew he could overpower her easily,- she could kill but she knew Jason or Evan would overpower in in a fight easily, they had to fight- if she had to fight she was already doing something very wrong.
 He let her have this one, waiting to see what sheâd do next. âWhatâs your move then?â he raised an eyebrow looking at her.
 She paused. âIf I wanted to kill you? Youâd be dead already.â She whispered moving closer on him. âBut I would have a problem with kiling you.â She said slowly.
 âWhy would you have a problem?â he asked her as she moved closer.
 She grinned. âBecause Iâd lose a lot of my entertainment. The code is very strict about this kind⌠attachment.â She said very slowly, Emma talked about the code quite often but Jason was sure that she hasnât told anyone the full amount of them even if they all kind of got the gist of them.
 âItâs true, I am entertaining.â he said as he smiled back at her just a little bit. âBut you still havenât told me what your next move would be. If you arenât going to kill me, what are you going to do?â
 âWhat I want to do or what I should be doing?â She said, going closer, her lips almost touching his as she wiggled to get slightly more comfortable.
 âYour choice.â he said as he looked at her lips, they were so close.
 She pressed her lips down against his and while she kissed him she took the knife out of her hair without him noticing.
 He kissed her back, not paying attention much to what she was doing aside from the physical interaction between them.
 She pressed the blade of the knife very lightly against his neck and with her other hand pressed down on his stomach- as she would to cut into him but she pulled back and smirked. âDistraction is a good technique. Maybe I can learn something from you.â She laughed.
 He felt the knife on his neck and he stopped and sighed. He almost seemed to chuckle as he sighed, and shook his head. âYou learned quickly.â
 She let the knife go back into the covering and put it back in her hair as she tied up her hair. She fell back to him. She kissed him harder, bringing her hand under his neck, trying to do this correctly.
 Jason had to admit that Emma was getting better at getting into this more. Although he really wished sheâd be able to put the knife down, but heâd get there with her one day.
 Emma was smiling into the kiss. âAm I doing this right?â She whispered against his lips. âTell me if Iâm not-â She said, letting her hands brush against his hair.
 âYouâre doing great M.â he said against her lips. His hands settled around her waist since she was semi-laying against him on his bed as it was. âBetter than last time.â he commented, knowing that last time theyâd gotten like this- well heâd greatly confused her.
 She frowned for a moment, pausing as she recalled last time- she had messed up right? But she continued, pecking his lips in repetition. âAnd youâre happy?â She whispered, her hands trailing against his ear and cupping his face. âYouâre happy?â She had a lot of trouble when she met them about making sure happiness was something she considered. She didnât understand it but she knew it was important to other people and when Jason frowned- she knew she had to fix it. She was compelled to get him to smile.
 He had to admit that she was doing much better than the last time theyâd done this. She was more...open with intimate physical confrontation. Jason smiled as she cupped his face and he nodded his head. âI am happy.â He wanted to assure her of that. âI know itâs hard to explain sometimes, but I hope youâre happy too. Or whatever form of happy you feel is.â
 âThatâs good..â She said, giving him a self conscious smile. âIâm-â She was confused. âIâm good.â She said, pressing her lips against his again. âEven if itâs hard to explain- I know what I feel.â She said softly.
 âAs long as you know what you feel- thatâs what matters.â he moved his hand up her back so that it was resting comfortably in the upper/middle section of her back. âDo you- um- know what you want to do today?â he asked her, knowing that she was a slow...not learner but adapter to human contact.
 She tensed up and sat up, looking at him questionably. She then gave a hesitate nod. She started to unbutton her top.
 Jason looked at her, watching as she unbuttoned her top. He couldnât help but look at her, he thought she was beautiful. Even if she was a stone cold killer.
 She shrugged the shirt off her but paused before she did and looked at him, she had always been worried about people seeing her without clothing and she knew she had a weird scar on her waist that never healed. He looked like he was enjoying her- she put her hand on the scar and gave a nervous smile and wasnât sure if she was going to ask out loud.
 Jason noted that she was using her hand to cover up something. He looked at her curiously, but wasnât sure what she was doing. He looked up at her and put his hand over hers on her waist and then tilted his head to the side.
 She let his hand rest there as she moved his hand over her scar and put her fingers on the buttons of his shirt as she started to unbutton his as well, making sure he was okay with it.
 He nodded his head to her, letting her know that he was okay with her taking off his shirt. He could feel the scar on her waist, and he wondered what sheâd think about the scar on his chest. It hadnât been there all those years ago before the mafia when theyâd first met.
 She took off his shirt and gasp slightly, her fingers on his chest as her hand ran down, avoiding the scar though. âWhat happened?â She asked. âI donât remember this oneâŚâ She said, her face going closer to the scar, âItâs deep.â The person who did it was good, a professional- clearly they didnât mean for him to live.
 âEgypt.â he said simply. âMission went awry, I got caught. Then I was found about a week later.â he never really liked talking about that week. âYes it is,â he said in response to her commenting on how deep the cut was. He knew that both of them what that meant in the professional hit world.
 She went down, dipping her lips down to the scar, kissing it lightly and moving her hands back up to his shoulders. âYou got out.â She said softly.
 âYeah, I got out thanks to Axton. I kind of still owe him my life.â he said, thinking about how it had strengthened their friendship, but has also made it hard for Jason to distance himself lately. âWe were both servicing on the same mission and he was convinced I was alive still.â
 She smiled. âThatâs great. Iâm proud.â She unbuckled his belt. âI know you and Axton are good friends, Iâm sorry about the strife between you too now.â She said and she looked at him. âW-what did you tell Tori?â
 She unbuckled his belt and he looked at her curiously, wondering to himself just how far she was going to go tonight. He nodded his head though and bit his lip. âI donât know what Iâm going to do about Ax now. I canât keep lying to him about people not actually in the mafia, but at the same time I canât have him turning me in.â he sighed. These were his problems. âOh, I told Tori that it was from surgery. I got in a car accident. It goes along with all the other scars Iâve got on my body.â which he had actually sustained from a car accident while also in service.
 She nodded. âSheâs seen you without your clothes.â She commented, understanding that it was common but she just didnât do that- it was rare for her to remember things like that. At least he was being honest to her- but what did that mean? He had to be.
 âWell of course sheâs seen me without my clothes. Iâm going to marry her, I think sheâs entitled to.â he looked at her though and moved his hand up from the scar on her waist so that it was closer to the band of her bra. âAlso, thereâs this thing called swimsuits, and beaches. Normally I donât wear a shirt with swim trunks.â
 She frowned. âYouâve been to the beach with her?â She said. Sheâs never been to a beach. She starts to take off his pants completely.
 âIâve been on the beach with a lot of people before.â he said, since he had been such a player. âHawaii isnât all itâs cracked up to be. But Belize, itâs worth it. Puerto Rico too.â he thought about the missions to those places though, and smiled. Those were some great times. sometimes he thought about going back to those places, but he never had the time. âBut I went with her a few times over the summer. I met her family there at a reunion. It was- odd seeing a family actually function. I havenât talked to my family in- years.â he knew if he ever showed his face to his mother sheâd hug him so tight that sheâd never let him leave. It was bad enough that he hadnât even told his mother or sent her an announcement about his upcoming wedding.
 She paused and got up taking off her dress completely and sat down on her bed again. âWhat is her family like?â She asked. âI donât-â She paused and couldnât continued the rest of the sentence and just looked at him.
 Jason looked at her in just her underwear, and just smiled to himself. Tori was amazing, but there was something about Emma. Maybe it was the fact that she was so harsh and emotionless as a killer, and when her clothes came off she had this sort of actual fragile frame. It reminded Jason more and more that Emma was in fact a woman who could use her body in many ways to her advantage if she so wanted to. âUh- her family seems...normal. And big. And loud. Her father doesnât like me much, he thinks I look too nice to be an accountant.â he shrugged.
 She paused and looked down, shifting uncomfortably at not wearing clothes- she always wore clothes and she knew Jasonâs eyes were on her and she wanted that but it was a struggle to be without anything to hide herself. âI donât know what that means.â She said, almost a bit desperately. âI just-â Maybe she should watch more films. âWhat kind of family is a loud family? Or a big one? What makes a family big?â
 He had to think about this one for a moment. âWell, a big family is like...lots of siblings. Or cousins, and aunts and uncles. And theyâre all tightly knit. Like- like a kevlar vest. Material so tough that bullets canât penetrate it. Thatâs what her family is like. And on that beach- I felt like the bullet.â
 She gulped. âYou were the thing that would unravel them? That you couldnât become them?â She took his hand, forgetting how uncomfortable she felt to comfort him. âWell when you- m-marry her.â She took a deep breath in. âDonât you become family?â She looked down awkwardly to her hands. âIs that how it works? That you marry into a family and you get one?â She said, not realizing that she basically said she didnât have one to begin with.
 âItâs not that I wonât become one of them- but none of them are me. None of them are in the situation Iâm in. Theyâre all normal. Car dealers, lawyers, thereâs a few teachers in the family. But- yeah I guess. You get a family when you marry into one that big.â he sighed again, thinking about his motherâs side of the family. He smiled a bit. âbut sometimes you already are born into a big family. One thatâs pushy- and eccentric- and they somehow know everything about you and know when youâre lying...and they make it hard for you to lead the life you choose.â
 She laughed. âThen how can you have one? You can lie to anyone.â She pointed out and she pulled herself closer to him, grabbing fabric to put over her slightly. âIs that what your family is like? You donât talk about them.â
 âWas like. Thatâs what they were like.â he said bluntly. âIâm different than them..and youâll find that sometimes there are people that you canât lie to. And when you find that person- you run away to a different country and donât talk to them so that they donât become disappointed in you.â he thought about his mother still living on that damned plantation with all of her family. that fight heâd had with all of them before he up and left, realizing he couldnât stay at home and keep lying to them about what he did.
 âYou canât lie to your parents? You left them?â She asked, softly, nudging him and actually curious.
 âNot my parents...just one of them.â he said sadly. âMy mother.â he thought about her. âSheâs crazy. One of the craziest women Iâve ever met in my life. Sheâs- sheâs amazing. But there are things that she doesnât tolerate. Lying, hiding secrets, and violence. I was staying on the plant- at the house for a bit when she found a gun in my suitcase. I didnât have the heart to tell her that I had two more on my person. And she was horrified with me, and gave me the biggest lecture of my life. And I ran away- I went to Mexico instead. That place got bombed though- and then I retired and came to Canada officially.â
 âI met you in Mexico.â She commented but her mind was elsewhere as she pulled Jason to lay down with her, so she can lay her head on his chest again, hearing his heart- someone elses- was relaxing. âWhat is her name?â
 âThat was a pretty wild weekend.â he said, just about the whole debacle in general. He felt her pull him down though and he laid back down, putting one of his arms behind his head and closing his eyes. Jason had to think though about his answer- heâd never shared this with anyone before. Even with Tori it was a known fact that Jason didnât like to talk about his mother or his family. He took a deep breath and felt it come back out a bit shaky. âKathleen. Her name is Kathleen. I donât know her last name anymore. I donât know if she remarried or not.â which he realized gave away that his parents had divorced at some point.
 She nodded, hugging him tightly with one arm after hearing how shakily he answered. âKathleen is a very pretty name. Perfect for a mother who loves you.â She said. âWhich she did if she didnât want you in this line of work.â She paused. âSo sheâs still alive?â
 âSheâs still alive. Still living in that same small town, on that giant plantation with all the cotton money you can imagine.â he smiled at that. âMy father- well last I heard he was still in New York. Doing God knows what with his firm.â
 âFirm?â
 âLaw Firm. He owns a prestigious law firm.â
 âDo you not like him?â
 âIâve never liked him. And heâs never liked me. End of story there.â even talking about his father made him tense.
 She could feel it beneath her, him tensing up. âSo your mother- are you going to see her when you stop? Liz suggested that youâre leaving. For Victoria.â She closed her eyes, holding him closer and trying to focus on her heartbeat but his heartbeat was in her ear as well and it was hard to just focus on hers.
 Jason hated this. Liz wanted him out so badly, she wanted him to be normal. Jason didnât want to be normal though. Heâd given his life to lies and being something heâs not. And while having Tori was wonderfully normal- he couldnât quit cold turkey. He liked what he did. Yes it was stressful, but he wasnât planning on leaving- somehow heâd get Liz to see that. âThatâs what she wants, yes.â he said, ignoring Emmaâs question about if it was true or not. âBut- thatâs for after I marry her, and we havenât set a date yet-â he said, hoping Emma would somehow pick up on her apprehensiveness on quitting or leaving. âBut no- Iâm not ever seeing my mother again. Not without burning myself and everything Iâve worked for.â
 âShe has that ring though, and thatâs a promise to her.â
 âI know she has the ring. I am promising her a future, but I don't want to leave..."
 âYou donât want to be normal?â She asked, clearly surprised.
 "If I wanted to be normal I never would have left Georgia." He admitted. "I'd be stuck married to Renee Benton."
 âYou were married before?â
 "We never got married, mostly because I left her at the alter for training."
 She looked at Jason, surprised again. âYou promised her the same way? A ring and everything?â She asked.
"I had a ring, I thought it was the right choice. I was supposed to meet her at the courthouse but I got my letter for training, and I left." He explained. "It's different now though. I'm different than I was then. I'm not 20 anymore."
 She nodded and closed her eyes. Heâs not going to stop this. âSeems like you always wanted to be married.â
 "I haven't always...I've just- when I was younger I thought it was expected of me." He shook his head. "I've spent twelve years avoiding marriage."
 âI grew up exactly how  was expect.â But there was nothing to suggest she was proud of that as she cuddled up beside him, feeling cold without clothes. âSo does she give you as much excitement as your job?â
 "She's...she's not like anyone I've been with before. Being normal and listening to her mundane problems is- refreshing."
 âDoesnât sound it.â Emma mumbled, her voice edging on jealousy. âBut whatever makes you happy.â She stretched her arms out for a moment. âThis is not the spirit of the quiet game. And besides I donât think she likes me very much.â
 "You threw a knife at her face."
 Emma tried to look unphase. âI missed- I wasnât going to hurt her.â
"You say that now..." He looked at her and smiled though.
 âIf I wanted her hurt- it would be done. I am not allowed to hurt someone because of ...dumb reasons.â She smiled as well though. âMy hand slipped, I swear okay? New topic please.â She said, shaking her head.
 âRight- your hand slipped. Thatâs your story and youâre sticking with it?â he smiled though and kissed her lightly. âNew topic..â he thought about that. âWell this is quiet time. We could do something more quiet.â
 âOh, I didnât know there was something more quiet then you being very loud. I am now doubting you even have an off switch.â Emma said.
 âWho turned on the sass in you today?â he said chuckling a bit. âI do know how to be quiet- Iâll show you.â he laid back and looked up at the ceiling, making a point to show her that his mouth was even closed.
 After there was no sound for a bit, she opened her eyes to look at him, and saw he was making a show of being quiet. She giggled. âI bet that was all yours strength.â She paused for a moment as she silently watched him. âI can switch games- if I only have you for this night.â
 Jason looked up at her, raising an eyebrow. âWhat games are you talking about switching to?â he was interested.
 She kissed him, harder as she moved sleekly on top of him, and since they were both just in their underwear it spooked her a bit more. She wondered why it was okay for him to do this. She wondered if she should ask Liz.
 Jason instinctively placed his hands where her hips and thighs met, and kissed her back as hard as she was kissing him. Them being in underwear didnât scare him at all, it felt more natural to him. Although he thought about how them being in underwear could be problematic, for him at least,  if Emma pushed it too far and then pulled back like the last time.
 She kissed him hard, running her hand against his arm and then up back his chest to his hair, pulling it slightly. âThis one.â She said, against his lips, not pulling away except for breath.
 He had to give her credit that she could give it her all and get really into this when she didnât overthink it too much. If only every time could be like that with her- maybe things could have been different⌠He smiled though when she spoke and kept kissing against her lips, not pulling back too much even when they both did have to breathe. âI think I know the rules to this game.â
 âThere are rules?â She said, feeling more comfortable with him. She pressed her legs closer against his thighs as she pushed up against him, she smiled against his skin. âThis is feeling easier than last time.â She said quietly as she continued to kiss him. She was more comfortable- at least this time. It was come and go with her.
 âWell- when I play this game there are rules.â he said simply. This time with her was feeling much easier. He could actually interact with her the way he wanted to. He just hoped that maybe this time she wouldnât be as abrupt with- halting things. âIâm glad. Last time was- hard for me to stop.â he admitted.
 She tensed at his words but then gave an easy smile. âTell me about the rules?â She asked. âAnd this time- I know a bit more.â She researched. It was weird and strange but she was able to get a couple of quick tips and she was trying to âfeelâ herself- besides she knew her body better than anyone else so it wasnât hard going with the flow with Jason when they were alone like this. She started to grind her hips against his and smirked. âHard to stop? Why?â She said, wondering how long she can act confident.
âThe rules are pretty simple. You play to win. Obviously- well at the level weâre at- Iâd say our version of winning is...whatever youâre comfortable with tonight.â he tried to explain the ârulesâ basically. He was losing focus though as she continued like this. âItâs hard to stop because- you have a great learning curve, but then you stop when you donât know anymore..â he said. âAnd last time- you learned just enough to make me very frustrated because of you.â
She giggled. âI always play to win- but whatâs winning with me?â She asked softly, rolling her hips again against him as she kissed his neck- which must have been what those people at the club had been doing, and then looked at him again. âI can learn a bit more tonightâŚâ
 âTonight...well last time you got up until you had to be fully naked. Tonight though- itâs your call. Iâd personally like to have you learn all the way up to the end, but I donât know what youâre comfortable with tonight.â
 She nodded and she wasnât sure either. âIf you go slowly, I can do it.â She didnât add the with you part but she felt it. She looked at him and for the first time in her life she felt innocent.
 âI can go slow, and if you feel like you need to stop. Donât care about me, think about you.â he told her, being honest with her. âI can take care of myself. Alright?â
 âYou were annoyed last time.â
 âI will be frustrated- but Iâll live.â
 âSo now what?â She asked quietly. âWhat should we- how do we graduate to something more?â
 âI can show you. First thing would beâŚâ he looked at her bra and nodded at it. âThat comes off.â
 âDo I- take it off?â She asked, tensing up slightly and feeling better her knife was in her hair.
 âNo, I can take it off if you donât want to. But please, donât cut me.â he said, nodding towards her hair.
 âI wonât- you remembered I still have it in my hair?â She said moving closer so he could take it off. She wanted to ask about Victoria but she couldnât.
 âI remember every move you make.â he said smirking. He brought his hands up along her back again, feeling her bra hooks but not taking it off yet. He undid one hook. âAre you good with this?â he asked her as he undid the other hook, leaving her bra there.
 She shivered at that and realized it made her feel special- really special. She gave a sweet smile and nodded, letting him unhook her bra completely. She blushed, indicating how embarrassed she was about her small breast side as she imagined Victoriaâs and castered her eyes down.
 He let the bra come off of her, throwing the piece of cloth to the side of the mattress and he looked at her without her clothes on, and smiled more widely. âI know you hate them, but I think they look great.â
 She looked back up at him. âI didnât say anythingâŚâ She nodded. âBut yeah- I just- you usually donât like ones like these.â She smiled at him though because at least he was here. She took his hands and moved them against her breasts.
 âWho says I donât?â he looked at her chest again. He placed a hand gently on one. âI think theyâre just fine.â
 âJust fine.â She repeated under her breath. âThose girls before- they - well a lot of them wore low cut shirts and had something to show off.â She said looking at him but smiling.
 âThose girls are all show, they donât have substance.â he looked at her trying to think of a way to make her feel more confident. âYou have more to you than you think you do. Itâs not about the size, itâs how you use them. And how others treat them. I can show you what I mean.â
 She hesitated but nodded slowly, interested in what he meant.
 He looked at her chest and then up at her. âI mean that- the handling is the same. Like- my .22 caliber. Itâs nice right? But the 9 mm is smaller and gets the job done with a smaller mess and less forensic burn marks on the hit. You are the 9mm. And while I like the .22 caliber, I always have my 9mm on me.â as he spoke, he let his hands cup her chest gently, just letting her listen to his words.
 She smiled widely, completely understanding. âLike why I bring my smallest knife with me everywhere.â She said. âAnd I like 9mm much more- easier clean up.â She said, inhaling as he touched her more as she tried to focus on his words. âThank you for taking your time with me- I doubt with others there are question that are as inept like this.â She and, tilting her head.
 âExactly.â he still had his hands on her chest, and moved them around a bit more, just letting her get comfortable with his touch. âThere are always questions when it comes to- things like this. Most of them go unanswered.â he then leaned forward and kissed her collarbone.
 She grinned. She really like Jason. She really, really likes Jason. And she knows sheâd never meet anyone else like him- someone so honorable, someone so patient- someone that makes her heartbeat so fast for just looking at her. She knew in her code that she was forbidden to have a family- even others in the code but she cared for Jason. She cared for Jason more than she could admit and the kisses on her collarbone werenât sending her off the deep end. They werenât something she tensed up at- she was willing- she was here and she felt alive. As alive as when she has a knife in her hand and sheâs doing her job- and if this is the feeling that he had with Victoria then he can have her because if she felt like she could ever deserve Jason, sheâd never want to let go. She moved her hand up against his arm and got lost in thought.
 He continued to kiss against her collarbone. Her skin felt soft. Whenever he looked at Emma he always thought that sheâd be rough. And then every time he touched her, he realized just how wrong he was about her. His lips trailed down from her collarbone to the top of her chest.
 She kissed his forehead and whispered. âIâm ready. I want this. All of it. With you.â She said into his ear, kissing it slightly.
 He looked up at her, his eyes meeting with hers and he looked at her to see if she really was. He couldnât tell if it was just over confidence or not. He nodded his head slowly. âIf youâre sure.â
 She looked up at him as well and tried to be as confident. âSo.â She paused and looked at him waiting for him to direct her.
 He thought about that for a moment. âKissing isnât a bad place to start.â he said, smiling at her. âYouâd be surprised at yourself at how naturally this might be for you.â
 âOkay.â She said, kissing him again, sweetly at first. âThen lets start there.â She said, pressing herself against him.
 He kissed her back just as sweetly, his hand leaving her chest to tangle in her hair.
 She smiled into the kisses, feeling that it was overtaking her as she closed her eyes and brought him down, so she was under him.
  He felt more in his element on top of her. Even though he liked to give her the confidence to be on top, he had to guide her through this no matter what she said, he knew that. His hand that was in her hair moved to her cheek as his other hand moved along down her curves.
 She smiled and felt better, moving her body against his hand and letting herself wait for something she hadnât had in years, she was actually excited and embarrassingly wet.
 Jason continued to kiss her as his hand moved down lower to her underwear. It was the last bit of clothing left on Emma, but before he could do that he pulled back and looked at her. His mind was a bit fuzzy but one thing was clear to him before he did anything with her. âThis isnât like Mexico- that was a...fluke. But this time- we actually need protection.â
 She paused. âCondoms?â She asked. âI mean- I donât carry any- ever.â She said quietly.
 He looked at her and then looked around to see if he had any in a side table. After opening the drawer he found a few condoms, and placed them on the top of the table.
 âSo you put this on usuallyâŚ?â
 âYes, this is for me.â he looked at her. âYou really donât know much about this?â
 She paused. âNo! I know the basics! I just mean- you didnât wear a condom the last time?â She said, quietly. âDo you wear it every time?â She wanted to ask with Victoria too but it wasnât her business.
 âWell we were in Mexico! I was a bit preoccupied with not getting shot at and then having sex with you to think about a condom.â he looked at her though and let out a breath. âI use one every time, yes. I donât want illegitimate children running around, especially if I donât know about them.â
 âAnd so you donât with Victoria?â She asked, looking at him. âWear it because you want kids, right?â
 âI wear it with Victoria too. Neither of us is ready for kids. Sheâs establishing herself as a teacher and Iâm- me.â he obviously had talked about this with Victoria before. They both had admitted that they would like to wait a few years into marriage before considering. âItâs also just safe. I like to be safe- unlike Mexico when I was very stupid. Not that- me and you was stupid. But no protection. I could have gotten you pregnant.â
 She tensed up. âDo you regret it?â She asked. She couldnât really remember what sex felt like.
 âI donât regret it at all. That was a memorable weekend for me.â he looked at her, wanting her to know that he did remember her after all this time from their first encounter.
 She smiled. âIt was for me too.â But for different reason. She didnât know if he knew that was her first time- or that weekend was the complete sexual history for her. She tried not to look nervous, but what if he asked? Do people ask. She had no idea.
 Jason looked down for a moment and then back up at Emma. âAre you still sure about this? Because if youâre really ready- I am too.â
 âYeah- this isnât a big deal, youâve had it with tons of girls.â She smiled up at him. âDonât worry about me.â She pressed her hips up slightly, against his hand.
 âI canât help but worry just a little bit.â he admitted softly to her. âYouâre like- one of my best friends.â
 She grinned but that brought something else to mind. âOh! I was suppose to ask you about something! But- I donât think now is the right timeâŚâ She said, realizing this could be inappropriate. âAnd youâre my best friend.â
 âOkay..â he then shrugged it off though, because if he spent all this time talking- Emma could change her mind. Or one of them would pass out on the other. He then pulled her back to him and kissed her again, picking them both back up to where they had stopped.
 âRemind me after!â She said before his lips were on hers again and she grinned, pulling him closer, missing his closeness and feeling more at ease than she had in a while.
 He nodded his head as he kissed her, his hands resting at the band of her underwear. But he wasnât going to take them off just yet. He wanted to make her feel comfortableâŚ
 She wiggled slightly towards him, feeling at ease with him. A best friend. She had a best friend. At at this moment it felt like she had Jason. Had him for real and it was all her secret little fantasies coming true.
 He felt her moving towards him and he held her close to him as he continued to kiss her. He parted their lips to deepen the kiss further as his fingers started to lightly play with her underwear.
 She felt her breath quicken as she kissed him harder, feeling a weird new energy, she hungrily brought him closer though as they kissed.
 Her response to his kiss only made him want her that much more. As she hungrily kissed him, his hands started to go into her underwear.
 She pressed herself on his hand more, breathing heavily as she gave a smile when they broke away for air, Jason probably seeing a spark in her eyes that usually isnât there. (she is human. see. not just a murderr)
 Jason brought his hand around to the front of her underwear, allowing his fingers to feel more of her as he deepened their kiss fully once Emma caught her breath.
 She was moving more, forgetting what she was suppose to do and just getting over come by this feeling as she closed her eyes, putting her hand around his neck.
 He was getting a bit lost himself, not even thinking that just moments ago heâd been worried since Emma did not seem attached to her emotions. And now- well it was safe to say that tonight they were going to actually get somewhere. His hands started to pull down her underwear without a second thought.
 She was so nervous the last time then it felt impossible that this was the same act, it really was working the whole getting lost into this. âYoudonâthavetogoslow.â She said, too fast and softly, wishing that heâd go a bit faster.
 âHmm?â he said after he pulled down her underwear all the way and tossed them aside.
 âSlow!â She all but gasped. âYou donât have to go slow.â
 âOhâ he nodded, understanding. He looked down at her completely naked and then he looked at himself, still in his boxers. Heâd paid so much attention to Emma that heâd forgotten about himself.
 She looked down and gave a grin, putting her hand on his boxers and sliding them down for him quickly. She gave a laugh and looked up at him with rosy cheeks. âThis is fun?â She asked questionably, but she knew it must be true.
 âIf you have to ask then maybe we should pick it up so you feel the fun.â he teased, and kissed her sweetly. They were both now naked, which had taken them what felt like forever to finally reach this point. It was only a little bit further they had to go before there was no turning back.
 She smiled. âWould it be fun if we just stopped now? Or is that what Iâm not suppose to do?â She teased, bringing him closer to her, protectively as she returned the sweet and almost carefree kisses.
 âThat would be under the ânotâ category. Because if you stop now, or anytime after this- I am going to be beyond frustrated.â he said between all the kisses. As he kissed her he reached for one of the condoms on the bedside table.
 She went to wrap her hands around it, amazed at how hard it was as she slowly went up and down, looking at him while she did it. âSo you want me?â She said, more than pleased. âYou want me like this.â She said, a bit softer, looking up at him innocently.
 He shivered as she touched him, and he nodded his head. âYes, I want you. Just like this.â
 She kissed his neck, wondering if that made things better because it was actually turning her on- doing things to him. âIâm here for you.â She said, âI want you like this too.â She said shakily, her breathing slightly uneven.
 âGood. Because youâre not leaving my sight until tomorrow. Tonight youâre mine.â his breathing was turning ragged as Emma kissed his neck and he pulled away for a moment so that he could put the condom on before either of them got carried away any further.
 She let go of his member and began to focus on his neck, letting her breath trail against it as she smiled. She was beaming- truly and utterly beaming that her mind could completely ignore the âtomorrowâ thing because she was so wrapped up in his other words. Youâre mine. She was his! And not just as a friend- as⌠as a lover? She felt warm and shy and a bunch of things were bubbling inside of her that she hadnât felt in a while- at least to this degree although passion was clearly taking over. Youâre mine- youâre mine- she repeated in her head as she beamed at him. She can do this, this will be fine- hopefully she wonât be too tight.  Does that happen? She wondered. As if you donât use it enough it goes hard to do all over again. She nibbled slightly on his neck without realizing it- realizing instead how close she was to a main vein.
 He could feel her lightly nibbling at his neck and he returned the favor by kissing her neck as well. His hands were feeling up the sides of her curves, memorizing their shape and feel.
 She moved against his hand, swaying with him as if there was music and kissed him on the mouth, amazed at how much she wanted this, she was wondering if she was suppose to put on the condom for him- because she never had before.
 He kissed her back just as enthusiastically as he realized that they were going to do this finally. No more sickening dreams about Mexico anymore. It was going to be them here and right now. He kissed her deeply one last time before he looked at her. âYou sure you donât want it slow?â
 She chuckled and blushed, shaking her head. âCan you even do it slow at this point?â She asked, because she couldnât.
 âIf I really concentrated maybe.â he really couldnât do it slow though at this point. He wanted her now. In fact- he kissed her again. This time it was very deep, and very passionate. And while he kissed her, his hand reached down to part her legs gently.
 She parted her legs easily for him, kissing him as he deepened it - she tensed right before he entered, worried about if she was too tight but she felt so wet- could it really hinder this?
 As he entered her, he had to admit she was tight, but he didnât think it was a bad thing. In fact, he liked it. But he had felt her tense up, and as a result he entered her a bit slower. She really did feel great though, and he kissed her as he entered.
 She had forgotten how weird and wonderful this felt as she tighten around him more, kissing him on the lips passionately, feeling warm.
 Kissing her back passionately came easily to him. What he wasnât prepared for was how he felt a bit- different sleeping with her than he had the last time. In Mexico it had been a thrill, they were high on adreneline. Now they were both making this choice. Him to cheat, and her to allow him this amount of contact. He liked it- liked her. He wasnât sure what he could do with these feelings though. Deciding to act on his feelings wouldnât turn out well, he was sure of it. So he started a somewhat slow pace for them, only because she was so tight to him.
 She moved her legs somewhat more open, unsure if that was a good idea or not and kissed him back slowly. She let her fingertips touch his shoulder lightly as he continued, the soft touch being something she felt was right. She should be gentle and this would be sweet she was just worried she could be doing something wrong but she couldnât just ask him.
 When she moved her legs more open he felt himself slide into her more. It felt easier like this- but something in the back of his mind kept making him wonder why she could still be this tight. All his thoughts were washed away though just by her touch, and he trailed his kissed from her mouth down to the hollow at the base of her throat. His hands were holding her hips.
 She closed her eyes and exposed her neck more, pressing her chest into him as he trailed kisses down her neck. âYouâre incredible.â She mumbled out loud as she wrapped her legs around him. âI canât remember feeling this way before.â She said softly.
 âThen maybe you need something so that you never forget.â he said against her neck before looking back up at her.
 She looked at him, surprised and felt her heart quicken. This was already unforgettable. âWhat?â She asked softly, her breath catching.
 He proceeded to give her, what was unbeknownst to him, as her second time.
 She fell asleep on his chest, soundly, her hair sprawled all over him as she didnât even bother to put on clothes, just wrap herself around him.
 Jason couldnât fall asleep though. He had more questions for her, he wanted to ask them but thought it unwise to try and wake up someone with a knife in her hair still. He tried to sneakily wrap his arm around her and then pull the knife out, but their late night activities had mussed up her hair and he couldnât get it out. he laid back on the pillow and sighed, then gulped; realizing his chances of possibly dying while attempting to wake Emma up might be real. He wasnât sure what her sleeping patterns were. He hadnât had an opportunity to map those out. âM?â he said hesitantly. âYou awake?â he poked her shoulder.
 She blinked a few times. âMm.â She said, looking up at him and yawning. âAwake.â
 âI couldnât sleep.â he said, yawning even as he spoke.
 âAre- you seem tired? Why couldnât you sleep? Did I do something wrong?â
 âNo- no nothing wrong. You were great. I just uh- wanted to say...good night.â he paused and tried this again. âwell not good night. More of a- how was your night? Would you ever want to do it again?â
 âI- yeah I liked it. It was wonderful.â She said. She laid her head down. âDo you? Because I know that- she probably wouldnât like it.â
 âI do. I want to do this again. I canât explain why- I just- do.â
 âSo I did well?â She said happily.
 âYou did very well.â he smiled at that and put his arm around her again.
 She giggled. âI thought I would mess up so badly. I was worried about nothing it seems. I just- been so long.â She said without thinking, kissing his neck.
 âItâs been so long?â he looked at her questionably. âHow long has it been since youâve had sex?â
 âSix.â She said slowly.
 âSix...weeks?â he looked at her, wondering what six could mean to her.
 She shook her head. âLonger.â
 â...months?â he looked at her, dreading what he felt was coming next.
 She gulped and shook her head. âYears. Mexico.â
 He froze for a moment, knowing that he should have known, but understnading that he could have never known that! He took a deep breath in. âOh- so- six years ago...in Mexico. With me. Was the last time youâve had sex?â he looked at her still, fearing his next question. âAnd before then?â
 âTh- that was also my first time having sex.â She said, looking at him worriedly, as if he was going to be upset. She tensed up but stayed in his arms.
 âGod- damnit.â he looked down at her, a bit alarmed. âYou were a virgin in Mexico? A virgin? A real, honest to God, virgin? And- shit.â
 She nodded. âI never- I mean I just never felt the need to- I donât let people get close to me- and⌠I donât know what you want from me!â
 He took a deep breath in and let it out. âI didnât think I was taking your virginity in Mexico! Things would have been different if that were the case!â
 She frowned. âYou show that much attention to every girl you sleep with then? I- I thought it felt special. It was my choice not tell you and I didnât need flowers or anything.â
 âI wasnât talking about special. I was talking about being so rough- and- not using protection. And you should have told me!â
 âI liked that you didnât use protection- and you made me come⌠six times the first time, didnât you? It went on for a long time.â
 He had to smile at that. He did remember that night being- very good for both him and her. Heâd thought about it a few nights since. âIt was a pretty long time, yeah. It felt great- really. But never would I have been so stupid as to not wear protection. That was the only time ever in my memory that I went without.â
 She smiled at that. âIt felt better than with a condom.â She commented.
 âYes, but the condom is there so that nothing else comes out.â
 Emma nodded. âI understand but didnât it feel better without it?â She asked.
 âYes, it did...it felt amazing. But as much as I would want that feeling back, itâs not worth the risks.â
 âNot even for a moment?â She asked, looking at him now instead of laying down. âWe break the law constantly, we kill people- but without a condom-â She kissed him softly on the cheek. âIs way too much to think about?â She asked, trailing down to his neck.
 âI-I-â he couldnât think. Thoughts of Mexico were coming back to him again. He really did love that feeling⌠âHow long is a moment?â
 âA minute.â She said, letting her hands crawl down to his stomach as she kissed it again, the feeling of the blanket slightly falling off her bare skin as she sat up slightly felt really nice- and she felt powerful which was a good change and the only light was the mood- it felt fitting as she smiled at him. âLess than a minute. A couple of seconds.â
 â...no longer than a minute. You got that?â he was feeling- antsy and anxious for this.
 She smiled and went down farther as she wrapped her hands around his member and began to put her mouth around it, going up and down slowly to make it a bit harder.
 He felt the pleasure just from her touch right away, and laid his head back on the pillow, groaning just a bit. How could she do this to him? One minute she was naive and the next she was getting her way.
 She smiled at his groan and stopped to smile at him, she let go and settled herself on top of him, bringing the covers with her. âA minute?â She asked, wanting this more and more.
 âJust a minute. Alright?â he gave her a stern look. But really he was a bit too turned on by this prospect as he waited for her to go.
 âReady?â She whispered excitedly as she bent down to kiss him and then she used one of her hands to guide his member into her- just the tip. Then she smiled at him as she went down very slowly.
 He nodded his head, and when she went down on him, he could feel her. Really feel her, and how tight she really was. It was so different without anything in between, and he kissed her back a bit harder, as he was taking in the feeling of her still.
 âAre you going to be counting- or should we do it by thrust?â She asked, a bit fuzzy as she  tried to burn this into her memory. She kissed him harder, bringing him closer and not believing he would do this with her.
 âUh- I canât count- I canât think.â he said honestly. âThrust works...this is for you. Make them count.â he was underneath her, just wanting this to be fine without a reprecaution.
 âHold my hips?â She asked, breathlessly as she closed her eyes for a moment, letting her self go fully down, âOne-â She said softly, circling her hips slightly as she did.
 He put his hands on her hips, his head was laying on the pillow as she went down fully. He closed his eyes as the feeling took over. He couldnât get over the feeling of how warm she felt.
 She pushed her hips up again and then down again, her nails running against his shoulder as she tried to hold on to him. âtwo-â She said, gasping.
 âone or two more, thatâs it.â he said quietly. He knew that was all it was going to take for them to tip over into the dangerous zone of continuing like this.
 âDoes- does it feel good then?â She asked, closing her eyes as she slowly lifted her hips.
 âIt feels more than good.â he said, his eyes were closed as he tried to convince himself that just a few more and he could stop. But his voice was already strained.
 âSo what does it feel like?â She asked him, pressing her hips down a bit faster this time, her body controlling it more. âWhat-whatâs more than good?â She said, breathlessly. She stayed like that for a moment, grinding her hip against him.
 âIt feels like- itâs warm, and very wet. But itâs- tight. Not too tight though, it feels great though. Like a needed friction.â he wasnât sure if what he was saiyng made sense. âHow about you? What does it feel like?â
 She could barely breath properly and her voice came out strained as she lifted her hips up and quickly went back down- and then another. âIt feels like I donât want to stop- like itâs what weâre suppose to be doingâŚâ She paused and did it again. âYouâre really huge.â She said quietly, kissing his earlobe slightly, circling her hips.
 âM, we have to- youâve done two more than what we should do.â but he didnât sound like he was making a good enough argument.
âJ- you said you were mine tonight.â She said before she gasped as she did it again, circling her hips as she came down another time.
 âI know- but- tonight I might be yours, but weâre not making an ours alright?â he still didnât want to stop though. He couldnât convince himself this was a bad idea.
 âJ- how many times could we have died on our last mission.â She said, her hands steadying herself on his shoulders as she started going faster herself- his hands on her waist helping.
 âAt least seven times.â he said, knowing that number by heart since he liked to know he could beat death multiple times. âBut thatâs not the- the point.â he had to bite his lip to not moan out a bit. âDamnit- weâre going too far.â
 She started to go a bit faster, kissing him on his chin and near his mouth. She raised her waist again and went down a bit rougher but it felt good, really good. âCan this kill us?â
 âNo- but youâre not understanding. One time. thatâs all it- takes.â he couldnât concentrate. She was going rougher, and he was getting deeper inside of her as a result. Damnit.
 She pushed down more and tighten herself around him, her legs pressed against his thighs. âIâd get rid of it.â She said. âIf thatâs what you want.â She said, trying to breath steadily.
 âNo- thatâs not what I want. I want-â he couldnât think. Why couldnât he think? âFuck- I just want you.â
 She smiled but she started to groan. âMe? You want me like this?â She said, her nails slightly digging on the shoulder.
 âYes.â he said very strained. He kissed her deeply, trying to channel this energy somewhere else.
 She kissed him hard, falling into him completely. âI want you.â She said, softly in his lips. âI want you.â
 He kissed her back, and wrapped his arms around her as they continued like this. It felt right to him. But also wrong. It went against his nature to do something that could result in- well something permanent.
 She did more, trying her hardest to feel every second of this and before either of them knew it much more time past and Emma felt that build up. âShould- okay- should I stop?â She asked, a bit desperately. There was a pill she could take in the morning to stop this right- was this so bad⌠it felt so right.
 He was feeling himself building up as well, and he looked up at her, feeling frantic himself. âI- I can pull out just before..â but he knew it was still risky.
 âIsnât there a pill that stops this?â She asked, trying to think. âSomeone I knew use to take it- I just-â She kept going, herself tighten around him, kissing him hard.
 âAre you sure this pill exists? I can just- pull out.â he felt his heart beating faster. He was struggling between not caring, and really thinking about how this could mess both of them up for life.
 âPlan B- right? Plan B.â She said, closing her eyes as she stretched her back out for a moment and then back towards him, feeling sweaty. âI want to feel it- inside of meâŚâ She said, surpising herself. âFinishing and everythingâŚâ
 âAl-alright.â he said, letting her have this one. It was her choice, she knew of the pill. He was going to trust her. Heâd done this with her before, and nothing had happenedâŚ.but theyâd both suffered some serious trauma before and after that happened. He tried not to think about that too much. âIâll do it.â he gave in.
 She gave a smile, a real smile but it turned into a moan, a soft one right in his ear and she circled her hips around him again. âWant to finish this off on top of me?â She asked, wondering if heâd flip her over.
 He thought about that for a moment, he still felt off about this. âDo you want me to?â his arms were securely around her though, ready to flip her over if that was what she wanted.
 âPlease.â She begged.
 Her voice was so...he couldnât say no to it. Not like this- when both of them were too far gone. He gave into her demand though, and flipped her over quickly and with no hassle. He was on top of her within seconds, and his hands rested right in her curves perfectly. He bent down to kiss her deeply with his lips fully opened, as he drew himself out and then thrust back in harder than Emma had been doing it on top.
 She groaned against his lips, moaning as she brought herself closer, kissing him hard. âThis is the first time I ever let someone over power me.â She said softly, not believing how safe she felt and how much she trusted him. Hopefully he understood how much that meant.
 âThis is the first time Iâve let a woman be in charge this long.â he was amazed at himself. But he could feel that he was nearing the end of his tolerance of holding back. âI didnât want this to end- but it was just supposed to be a minute.â
 âI- Iâm sorry. I just- Iâm not use to controlling myself yet?â She tried to say as she wrapped her legs around him and kissed him back. âI really like you.â She whispered softly. Feeling her heart thud in her ears loudly as she admitted it outloud.
 "I really like you too." he said back quietly. He didnât think about it, he just said it. He really did like her- and there was something about her that was so natural and yet still challenging. For this moment he didnât think about Tori, he thought about Emma.
 âI- I mean it.â She said, her voice clearly scared. She felt herself almost on the edge, even though theyâve been at it for a while- she could feel the build up and how warm she felt and she kissed him, trying to show how much she really, really, meant it without words. She wasnât able to talk well as she laced their hands together, waiting for him to release.
 âI do too.â he assured her, really wanting her to know that he meant it in this moment. But as she kissed him hard, he could feel that he wasnât able to hold back anymore. Theyâd both spent far too long holding back though, but he didnât feel any inhibitions now as he felt himself release.
 âI-â She had wanted to say something else but she could feel him and she closed her eyes, tighten around him as she held him closer, kissing him hard trying to stop the moan until he relaxed on top of her and she gave a pleasant sigh.
 He was relaxed on top of her, his breathing still a bit ragged, but coming back to a regular level. âYou are going to be the death of me.â
 She laughed. âI donât want you to die.â She said, rubbing his arm. âYouâre- that was amazing.â She said, nuzzling her nose against his ear. âIâm sorry I got you to do that.â She almost purred.
 Jason yawned a bit- realizing that it was practically the middle of the night still. âIâll freak out about it in the morning. For right now-â he yawned again and then kissed her as he rolled off of her. â- I think we should both get some sleep.â
 âI donât mind staying up.â She said quietly, curling around him and assuming sleep was worth it to forget right now. If she only had him for a couple of more hours.
 He rested his head against her hair and put an arm around her as they settled in under the blankets. âYou might not mind, but I have a strict 10 hour sleep policy that I will one day achieve.â
 âTomorrow Iâll get the pill by myself.â She said softly, closing her eyes and tucking herself closer. âI donât think youâll ever.â
 âSsh, donât talk about tomorrow. Itâs still tonight.â he said against her hair as he closed his eyes. His voice was very quiet, and he did sound tired now.
 âA- and youâre mine?â She said, hesitantly. âEven if you are not mine, I donât mind being yours.â She admitted into his skin, sighing.
 âIâm all yours.â he said as his voice trailed off a bit. His breathing was slower now, more even as he rested against her.
 She gave a weak smile, weak because she was tired as she closed her eyes, trying to commit this all to memory but she was already going to sleep against him.
Characters: Emma Rosen, Jason Herbert, Wyatt Herbert,Â
Universe:Â Montreal Mafia
Time: After Jason is Engaged
All Mission F.A.T.H.E.R.
Jason was sitting at the table where he had called Emma to meet him. There was a cigarette in his mouth and he did not look happy. There was tension in the air as he waited to explain to Emma why she had been called in away from mafia business.
 She approached him slowly and she sat down, not looking at him and waited for him to speak.
 He set his cigarette in an ash tray and cleared his throat. "We have a job. It's nothing to do with our regular gig. This is for- a friend." He said it a bit bitterly. "He called us in for a job. You can say no, but I think you'll be interested." Jason handed her a packet of information. "It's one of your good friends" he said, meaning an enemy.
 âSure.â She agreed immediately. âFriends do that.â She said taking the packet, looking at it. She looked up though, âOh?â She said, furrowing her eyebrows. âThen Iâll be even more pleased.â
"Our employer will be sitting in in our job though, making sure we do it properly. But I'm the leader. What I say goes. Got it?" He looked at her and smiled. "And this one, is goin to require some fancy knife placement. We're going to a gala."
 She grinned. âThat sounds like a good time.â She finally looked at him. âAnything you say, right? Iâll follow your lead.â
 "We have been formally invited to a gala for the rich and elite of New York. Lawyers to be exact. One of them is laundering money through the firm and costing people millions. Our job is to collect the bank information and take down the target once information is received from our employer. We are a wealthy couple. I'm a son if a rich lawyer, and you are my fiancÊ." He handed her the invitation.
 She paused, her heartbeat fast as she took the invitation. She had never been to a party. Ever. âA gala- weâre going to get married?â She said, numbed. âI mean pretend married but for a mission? Do I get a ring?â She asked, surpising herself.
 "Our employer will supply us with anything we need. Your dress, your ring, styling. My clothes. Anything. He wants this business shut down without anyone knowing." He picked up the cigarette again. "We will meet him shortly. He is coming."
 âAre you sure Iâm the right one to do this?â She asked nervously. âIâve never been invited to a party- Iâve never had a relationship.â She said, âwhat if Iâm not convincing?â
 He smile at her and stood up. "Come over here."
 She walked over to him and put the packet down. âYes?â
 Jason out his arm around her and held her close. "Now look up at me."
 She gave a small smile as she looked up at him. âY-yes?â
 "Hold my gaze." He said smiling at her as he bent down to kiss her lightly.
 âHold it-â She started to say but he was kissing her and she looked at his lips right before and then remembered his words as she looked him in the eye as they kissed, but she was tense.
 He pulled away from the kiss. "Now- pretend that it was the best thing and only thing you can think of, and stay next to me. Always be touching. A newly engaged couple sneaking off to make out isn't suspicious. No one will care that we leave when the mission starts." He looked at her. "Think you can do that, Dear?"
 She paused and felt her heartbeat faster but her head is reeling- she can show him how she feels tonight! She can show it without it being a problem but just incase âYou donât want Liz on this case instead?â She asked but her hands are on his arm and she still close to him, her hand now trailing down his arm because theyâre suppose to be always touching.
 "If Liz knew about this she'd kill me. I'm doing this as a favor, not for the money. You're freelance, i can trust you." He explained.
 âYou donât think sheâd do a better job though?â She said, letting go of him but letting her hand fall into his but now looked away.
 "You'll do better. Besides, I need you to make the kill."
 âOkay fine.â She said, gripping his hand and then letting go. âIs that all, J?â
 "That's all-" he heard the door open and looked over to see Wyatt Blake walk into the room. He was tall with gray hair that was styled as if he was a very important business man. He eyed Jason and Emma and raised an eyebrow. "I hope I'm not interrupting."
 âNo.â Emma said, simply, not looking at Wyatt as she had a problem with looking at people directly. âShould I go?â She asked Jason.
 "No stay." He looked at Wyatt and nodded. "She's in. But we require some things from you." Jason tried hard not to glare at Wyatt.
 "Excellent. I have found your skills to be formidable miss Rosen." Wyatt gave Emma a charming smile, an almost similar smile.
 She looked at Wyatt and gave a tight smile. âYes, thank you.â
 "And if course I will give you anything you need. But know that if you turn your back on me at any point during this assignment, I will pull the strings I have to." Wyatt smirked at Jason. Jason tried to look unphased but he actually held onto Emma's hand.
 "We need an engagement ring, and a dress. Rosen doesn't attend galas much."
 âI have no reasons to in my line of work.â She said, feeling a bit uncomfortable under the gaze of Wyatt as he held Jasonâs hand back moving slightly closer to him, sensing danger.
 "Of course, anything she needs I will provide. As long as you can garuntee me that things will be cleaned up after they are done." Wyatt looked between Emma and Jason. Â
 âI never leave a trail.â Even when she was ten.
 "Good. Then Jason made the right choice."
 Emma looked at Jason, furrowing her brow. Why did he call him Jason instead of Mr. Herbert. âYes. Iâm the best there is.â
 âI made an account for you to access, it will have more than enough money for your funding for the mission. Just be sure to save the receipts.â Wyatt said a bit dryly. âThe gala will be tonight. You have until then to read through and form a plan. This must be quick and quiet.â
 Emma didnât respond and looked at Jason.
 Jason just nodded his head. âWe will make sure that everything is in order sir.â He then looked at Emma and shrugged. âWant to do a little shopping?â he had a smirk on his face again.
 She nodded and looked away, letting go of his hand to gather her packet.
 Wyatt started walking towards the door then turned around again. âOh, and if anyone at the party asks who you are with, you tell him that heâs my son. They will let him in.â he then walked out of the door and back down to a town car that was waiting for him.
 Jason just stood rooted to the spot, tense, but trying his hardest not to show it. He really wished that he didnât have to take this job. Wyatt was a manipulative bastard.
 âWeird.â She said. They did look a lot alike- it would pass she looked back at him. âShopping? We donât have to you can just get me anythingâŚâ She said.
 âNo letâs get out of here. Donât want to stick around long anyway.â Jason started to pick up his packet and put it in a bag. He then put on a more dressy jacket and looked at Emma. âYouâre going to need to wear something better than that.â he handed her some dressier looking clothes. âThis will get you anywhere. Put it on and weâll get going. Have to start the cover now if youâre going to be ready by tonight.â
 âStart it now? And I have to put on clothes just to shop?â She asked, confused.
 âIn order to buy fancy clothing, you have to look like you already own it. Weâre in New York, weâre working with Elitists. I know this scene, trust me when I say to put this on.â
 She nodded and started to take off her clothes in front of him, quickly changing into what she was given.
 Jason smiled as he saw her putting on the tighter fitting skirt and the flowing blouse that matched it. If he gave her a pair of sunglasses and she looked like she owned the place, then sheâd make a great fashionista in no time. âPerfect.â He offered her his arm. âI believe I have to buy you an engagement ring and a dress for tonight now, donât I?â
 Her face lit up as she giggled. âMaybe, yeah.â She said and she looked at the back and saw Sunglasses as well, and shrugged and put them on then took Jasonâs arm.
 âThen we canât waste any time.â he lead her out of the meeting room and out the door to the streets of New York.
 They walked for a while and Emma tried to imitate the women around them- the ones she should and she straightened out her back and tilted her head slightly up as if she was walking with a purpose waiting for Jason to stop her to pull her into a store.
 Jason was walking along with Emma, until he passed a high end looking jewelry store. He nudged her, and lead her into the store, ready to put their combined skill to the test.
 âHello,â the sales clerk said politely as the two of them walked in.
 Emma titled her head and smiled softly and pulled Jason closer, looking for him for guidance.
 Jason felt her pull him in closer, and he cleared his throat as he pretended to be interested in the jewelry before looking at the clerk. âIâm here to give my fiance the ring she absolutely loves. Can we see your choices?â Jason then added. âThe cost doesnât matter.â
 Emma looked at Jason, actually surprised. Shouldnât they be careful about how much they spend?
 The clerk nodded between the two of them and stepped behind a counter with expensive looking rings. âOf course sir. We carry up to a size eight in the store. Anything bigger will have to be resized.â but the clerk looked at Emmaâs hands and figured she would be safe.
 Jason just smiled and walked Emma towards a jewelry table. He nudged her. âDo you see anything you like?â
 Emma looked at all of them and wanted to say the one that had the smallest diamond but she knew that was probably not good for her cover. âNone of them are standing out.â She said, looking towards Jason and then back at the rings. Maybe the ones with the two smaller diamonds on the side but truthfully it was hard to imagine herself wearing one of these. âIs there one that you think would look nice on me, darling?â She said, trying to say it as naturally as possible with a smile.
 Looking at the rings Jason shook his head. âNo, none of these will do.â he looked at the sales clerk. âWhat else do you have?â he raised an eyebrow.
 The clerk faltered for a moment before stepping from behind the counter and walking to a special counter in the back. âHere is where we keep our vintage cuts. These are unsold rings that have started coming back in style lately. Very stylish, and all handcrafted.â he pulled out a few rings on a tray for them to look at.
 Emma gasped and pointed towards one of them that was very simple yet elegant with little gems on all the side with a nice square cut diamond in the middle. âThatâs beautiful.â She said softly, actually believing it.
 The clerk picked it up and held it out for Emma to see better. âThis is a lovely model. I just finished cleaning this one this morning. The band is a lovely touch too, if youâll see the sides.â
 She grinned, tilting her head examining the sides that curled nicely as it wasnât just a straight bond. âWhat was this made?â She asked. âMay I try it on?â She asked, looking at the clerk, taking her glasses off and on her head.
 âOf course you may.â The clerk handed it to Emma to try on.
 Jason stood there, looking at the ring and then at Emma, wondering if she really liked it or was just picking something out to humor him.
 She smiled and put it on, amazed that something this beautiful would fit her. She beamed and looked at Jason for approval.
 Jason saw the ring on her finger and smiled. It really did seem to fit her. The minute she put it on, he was nodding his head. âYou sure about this one? If so, weâll get it.â
 âI love it.â She said honestly, not being able to take her eyes off it. This was a promise ring. She thought. People wear this for promises.
 âThen I think if she loves it, weâll get it.â he said to the clerk.
 âExcellent. And how will you be paying for that today?â the clerk looked between Jason and Emma.
 Emma was too busy examining the ring and then she looked at Jason when there was silence. Was she suppose to pay for it?
 Jason gave a look to the clerk and smiled. âIâll put it on my tab. The name is Jason Blake. Iâm Wyatt Blakeâs son.â he said, and the clerk nodded his head.
 âOf course, your father is a very valued customer. We will add this to the tab.â he then looked at Emma. âI assume you want to leave with the ring on?â
 Emma smiled, her cheeks flushing. âYes, if thatâs okay?â She asked, taking a step closer to Jason.
 âIt is perfectly fine. I just require the ring so I can scan the diamond code quickly.â The clerk held out his hand for the ring back quickly.
 She gave it back to him.
 The clerk quickly walked to the back room to scan the diamond code, then placed the ring in a perfect black velvet box, and wrote down a jewelerâs receipt for Jason before coming back out and handing the box to Jason. âHere is the ring, and this is the receipt for your father. Give him my regards.â
 Emma was still smiling, unable to stop as she put back on her sunglasses as she sighed slightly.
 Jason took the ring and the receipt, placing it in his jacket pocket before turning to face Emma. âI guess I should do the honors of giving this to you myself.â he smiled at Emma, really hoping that she was good enough for this.
 âSo I finally get proposed to?â She said, in a teasing manner. âI mean I know we agreed to get married together but a little romance is good for a girl, yeah?â
 âThatâs my girl.â Jason was smiling more naturally as he opened up the ring box and got down on one knee. âWill you finally marry me?â he said, making it convincing enough for this store clerk watching them.
 She gave a soft giggle and smiled at him, trying to pretending that no one was watching him. âYes, Jason Blake. I never thought youâd ask.â She said, feeling a tug on her heart as she gave her hand to him, her cheeks flushed.
 Jason pulled the ring out of the black velvet box and held the ring up, taking her hand in his and sliding the delicate ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly, and he thought about how this was a bit more nerve wracking than when heâd proposed to Tori. He looked cool on the outside, but inside he felt a bit sick from some kind of nerves that just hit him as she said yes to his fake proposal.
 She almost felt like crying, not realizing how nice this actually felt and she whipped a fake tear off her cheek and broke out in a grin. âMiss Blake.â She said, chuckling because that wasnât his name she said, bringing him up with her hand on his.
 He stood up and then stepped in, holding her hand in his as he went to lightly kiss her, as was customary when youâve finished proposing to someone.
 She cupped his face and kissed him a bit harder as if she was running away with emotion- which she was. Hopefully she was doing a good job.
 Caught a bit off guard by the kiss, he kissed her back a bit harder, wrapping his arm around her waist.
 She melted into the kiss, pulling him closer, wrapping herself around him and then when she needed to breath- separated and gave him a sly smile, looking down.
 When they pulled away from each other, he started to think that maybe he didnât want the kiss to end so soon. but he smiled back at her and let go of her a bit. He looked back at the clerk who was discreetly walking away so as not to disturb them. âWe should go.â he said to Emma, holding her hand.
 She held his hand with the hand that didnât have a ring on it as she kept glancing at it, smiling. âSureâŚâ
 Jason lead them out of the jewelry store, and once they were down the street some, he stopped them and gave her a smirk. âThat was pretty convincing. Good job.â
 âReally?â She said but she knew it was and was proud of herself. âI had to pretend it be worth it to marry you- I should get an oscar.â She teased.
 âOuch, that really hurts.â he teased back but pulled her in a bit closer to him. âJust so you know, that ring is yours. You can do what you want with it after weâre done with this mission.
 Her heart was beating too fast again. Stupid heart. âI- okay. I can keep it actually? I couldnât wear it without people thinkingâŚâ She said, looking at it again and getting a grin.
 âYou can wear it whenever you want. Besides, you never know when we might need to be a couple on a job again. This could open doors for you in the world of espionage.â
 She grinned. âAlright, but I didnât think all couples had these amazing rings.â She giggled again and looked at it once more. âItâs perfect.â She whispered. âI never- hm.â
 âItâs pretty common for couples to have rings. When we go to the gala tonight youâll see.â
 She nodded. âAlright then, I guess a dress and then we will go thereâŚâ She said. âCan- Can I ask a question?â
 âYou can ask a question. I canât promise you an answer.â he said, wondering what she would want to know.
 âIs it normal for my chest to be beating so fast?â She asked, wondering if he felt it too and she was worrying for nothing.
 âYes thatâs normal.â he said, but it was far from normal. His chest felt like it was going to fly off without the rest of him, but he didnât want her to know that.
 She smiled and sighed in relief. âThatâs good to know. Now what kind of dress would you like to see me in?â
 Jason looked at her, trying to think about what people at this gala would be wearing. âSomething long, and fitted.â he nodded his head. âYeah- and...are you comfortable with showing skin in a dress?â
 âI can show skin for this as long as I can hide my knife right?â She squeezed his hand. âI have to look attractive to you so you canât keep your eyes of me- what do you like in Tori?â
 He faltered for a moment, not thinking she would ask something like that. âUh- well she wears more empire waist things. At least thatâs what she tells me. And strapless, always strapless.â he looked at Emma again. âBut you- Iâm seeing maybe one shoulder strap, really low cut in the back. Whatâs your favorite color?â he asked her.
 âGreen and gray.â She said easily. âWhy not strapless- is it because-â She looked down for a moment looking at her chest and back at him.
 âNo thatâs not why. These galas are all about poise. Strapless dresses are more high school prom for these people. Off the shoulder. Trust me.â Jason knew these people. He knew the business. âSo a green over the shoulder dress with a lower back. Shouldnât be too hard to find.â
 She smiled. âDo you really enjoy an open back?â She asked, thinking about the last time she had stayed over and his hands ran down her back very lightly- making her shiver then and now.
 âI like it more on you than anything.â he put his arm around her waist, letting his hand rest on her back and smirked. âCome on, letâs go find you a dress. And remember- when youâre in it, you have to sell it to these people that youâre not who you really are.â
 âSo youâre going to help with that, right?â She said nervously. âAnd Jason Blake? Why arenât we using fake names?â
 âI have an alias set up here already. Iâve spent some time in New York in the past. I hope you donât mind.â he held onto her, and looked around to see what was nearby. âWe need something high end, or at least looks high end.â
 âYouâre the expert.â
 âHmâŚâ Jason thought about this for a moment. Maybe it was safe enough for him to go back there. Sheâd probably be over it by now. Right? âcome on, I know where weâre going.â he started to lead her down an alley and along another street going to opposite direction of where they had been walking.
 She followed him and didnât ask where they were going.
 It seemed as if they were walking for a very long time. But in time Jason stopped her, as he walked down a set of stairs by a building, to enter a basement store. Inside though it was pristine white, and low key lights. The color in the room came from all the hand crafted dresses on the mannequins around the room. âSheâs still in business. Perfect.â Jason lead Emma in more until they came upon a woman about their age with a long burn scar along the side of her neck and shoulder.
 Emma looked between her and Jason.
 The woman crossed her arms against her chest and stood there glaring. âLook what the cat dragged back into my shop.â
 âNow, before you get like that, I said I was sorry.â Jason held a hand up defensively. âYou were the one who didnât listen when I told you that it might still be active.â
 âYou tried to blow me up, admit it!â she then unfolded her arms and a large smile came across her face. âCome here, itâs been forever since youâve been back in New York. Whatâs the occasion?â
 Jason looked at Emma and then back at the woman. âThis is my fiance Emma. Weâre going to a gala for Wyatt tonight.â he said.
 Emma smiled shyly, moving towards Jason. âCharmed.â She said, hoping that her glasses concealed her confusion.
 âFiance?â the woman looked between Emma and Jason but shrugged. âAs long as youâre here to buy something I donât care who she is.â she then turned to a mannequin and turned it around for Emma to see. âThis is my lastest design, what do you think? Or do you already have something in mind?â
 âI wanted something forest green, with an open back, one thick strap and long one that will flatter my thighs.â She said, with a smile.
 She nodded her head and thought of something. âIt might be in the back, but I think I have what youâre looking for.â she walked away back to her design studio.
 Jason looked around the shop and then back at Emma. âSo what do you think?â
 âWho is she and why does she know you?â
âHer name is Zoe. Sheâs...a- I guess you could call her my partner. At one point at least she was on a few jobs.â he pointed to his own neck. âShe got that from a rigged bomb site. It was filled with miniature mines. I told her I thought it wasnât deactivated. She touched it. Boom.â
 ââAh.â Emma said nodding. âSo why tell her we are getting married?â
 âBecause this alias is still active here, and the more people who know Iâm getting married, the less theyâll know about the hit coming later.â
 âOkay.â She said. âI hope I look nice in this although I bet you would have gotten better than me.â She said, laughing.
 âthere isnât anything better than you tonight.â he said it as a compliment and gave her a tiny smile.
 She smiled and laughed. âTrue- so donât take your eyes of me, mm?â
 âAt this party tonight, Iâm going to have more than just my eyes on you.â
 âOh?â She paused. âWill I be holding your gun too?â She said softly.
 âJust remember that the safety is always off.â he said softly back at her.
 She giggled and brought him closer. âAnd Iâm required to be this close to you- smiling up at you as if weâreâŚâ She paused, sucking in her breath for a moment. âLike weâre in love.â She said, searching his eyes.
 He put his arm around her again, liking that they were this close to each other. âExactlyâŚâ he looked down at her, feeling that these words were actually hard to say to her. âLike weâre in love.â
 She gulped. âAn-anything tips?â She said, not smiling because she was moving closer. âFor that whole ⌠love thing.â
 âYou canât stop looking at each other.â he said, not breaking away from her eyes. âEvery touch should make you feel on edge.â she was moving closer to him and there could only be so much space between them before they were on top of each other.
 She felt nervous again, the shiver she felt was more intense then usual with how he was looking at her - so focused. She touched his arm, moving her fingers  up his arm lightly not breaking eye contact. (Which was hard for her)
Her hand on his arm made the hair on his arms stand up a bit. He felt a bit tense, but it was a good kind of tense. âAnd you never want to stop touching them. Which will come in handy at the gala.â \
âIs that how you feel with Tori.â She asked softly, moving her hands to his shoulder as she gave a small smile. If this is how he feels with Tori- how she is feeling now- then he clearly loves her. Heâd be happy.
 âYes, itâs how I feel with Tori.â he smiled at that and then looked at how close they were. âYouâre doing well, not a lot of training needed.â
 She didnât like that answer and she couldnât help looking away. âThanks.â She said softly. âGuess Iâm a naturalâŚâ
 âYouâre a natural at a lof of things.â He pulled her face up so that he could look at her. âListen I-â
 âFound it.â Zoe said in a singsong voice as she walked back into the shop with a dark green dress in her hands.
 She pretended that they had got caught- which wasnât too far and she blushed. âOh lovely!â She said, excitedly.
 âGo and try it on. The dressing room is in the back.â she tilted her head towards a sign that said âfor customers onlyâ.
 âThank you.â She said, taking the dress and hurrying to the dressing room where she changed into the dress and strapped a few knifes in. She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled at her self- she really did look⌠beautiful. This ring just being the best part. She touched her neck and wondered if she should wear a necklace as well.
 Jason was waiting for Emma to come out of the dressing room when Zoe turned to face him. âShe seems nice.â she raised an eyebrow. âSheâs better than nice.â Jason assured her. âAnd thatâs all you need to know.â
 She walked out and waved at Jason, twirling.
 Jason nodded approvingly as Emma walked out. âNice, Zoe you have some great handiwork Iâll give you that.â
 Emma smiled. âSo it fits well?â She asked, turned away from them and looking into the mirror again.
 âI think I speak for all of mankind when I tell you that you look beautiful.â
 She giggled and looked back at them, walking closer. âWell thatâs certainly a big statement.â
 âItâs a very true statement.â he stepped forward and held out his hand for Emma to take. âDo a twirl.â
 She took his hand and easily twirled for him, trying to imagine it just for him instead of people watching.
 âI like it.â he pulled her in closer to him and then looked back at Zoe. âWhat do I owe you?â
 âThere are so many things you could owe me. But Iâll send the bill to Wyatt. I take it heâs still in charge of the funds?â
 âYou know me so well.â
 Emma took his hand and stayed close to him, squeezing his hand. âItâs truly lovely, thank you.â She said.
âI think that weâre good with this dress. If you want to take it off, we can go back to our hotel room for a bit.â because Wyatt would be waiting for them no doubt.
âSure.â She said as she went back into the changing room to change.
Zoe wrote a receipt for for Jason and handed it to him. âMake sure you get Wyattâs reaction to the bill. Itâll be priceless.â she gave him a small smile and headed back to her studio.
 Jason just held onto the receipt, placing it in his pocket along with the ring receipt. âYou almost done M?â
 âYeah.â She said, coming back out.
 âReady to go?â he offered her his arm again. âWe still have to get ready for tonight.â
Kathleen had been excited for Christmas for a while. She'd come to the Herbert apartment and never tired of seeing all the changes that seemed to take place in it. She hugged all of her grandchildren just the same, giving them each a kiss in their head. "Merry Christmas sprouts!" She said as she hugged her oldest grandson, Ben. "How are you doing sprout? Keeping your nose clean?"
He smiled. âYeah, I have been trying my best Nana.â As he hugged her back, grinning.
"Good, I like to hear one if my favorite grand sprouts is doinâ fine. Your mother tells me you've been a bit twitchy about college. Why are you gettinâ all worked up?" Kathleen out her arm around Ben and pretended to yawn. "Ben please show me to my room, like the good gentleman I know you are." She gave him a smile.
 Ben nodded and began to take her to her room. âItâs nothing.â He said, looking away. âI just donât know what to do⌠what if I pick wrong?â
 "Decision makinâ never came easy to your father either. But I know that you are goinâ to be great at whatever you do." She sat down in her bed and patted the spot next to her. "Come sit down next to your nana. I want to talk to you about somethinâ."
 He seemed to perk up. âDad had trouble?â He asked and he went to sit down next to her. âYeah, what is it?â
 "Your grandpa Wyatt, god rest his soul, wanted your father to be a lawyer. He lied and said he was going for law and changed his major the minute he got there." Kathleen put her hand on Benâs shoulder and patted it. "He didn't want to go Into the family business, and I supported him. But let me tell you, I had plans for your father that I don't think are suited for him anymore." Kathleen took a deep breath. "I'm gettin up in years Ben. I'm tired. I want to spend more time with your grandpa Paul. I want to spend more time with my grand sprouts." She looked at Ben. "Problem is that I don't have a successor. No one to run the plantation."
 Ben frowned. âI donât think father would like that- but heâd do it for you.â He said.
 "He's got his music. I don't want to ruin his business. And he's got all if you. To be honest, I'm looking for someone younger. Someone who can take care of the plantation for more than a few decades. It's a lot of work, but I'm hoping that I can keep it in the family." Kathleen gave Ben a smile and continued in. "You're goinâ to be a man soon, and a man can have any fancy degree he wants, what I want to give you is security. A fine payinâ job. What do you say sprout? Think you can take the plantation off my hands?"
 â-â He couldnât speak at all and just let his mouth open. âMe-e?â He said, nervously as if he couldnât believe sheâd entrust anything to him. âYou want me to run it?â A small smile spreading on his lips.
 âWell as long as you promise me that youâre goinâ to go to a college and get your degree. I canât have an uneducated man running the plantation. This isnât like when your Uncle Jeremiah had temporary run of the business.â she rolled her eyes and then looked sternly at Ben. âCan I trust you to get your degree and run the plantation? Itâs not a part time job, youâd have to live in Georgia. Think you can handle that sprout?â
 He nodded, vigorously. âOf course! Yes! Iâd- itâs something I always wanted to do!â He felt dizzy, not realizing how much this all made sense. It be something in the Herbert name as well. âBut are you serious?â He asked, panicked.
 âOf course Iâm serious sprout. I wouldnât pick just anyone to be the successor for me. I chose you because I think you have what it takes to be a fine business man. Talked to your brother, he told me you seem to have a way with people. He thinks youâre fit for the job too. So does your father, though your mother might need more convincinâ.â she hugged Ben with one arm though. âYouâre my oldest and one of my favorite grand sprouts. And I trust ya.â
 âAnd you didnât ask my brother first?â He said, grinning madly. âYes- thank you Nana Leen- I loved the place as a kid even more now- and that- wow thatâs perfect.â He smiled. âSo buisness! I guess Harvard it is then,â He said with a chuckle.
 "I talked to your brother about you gettin it. And your parents. But this doesn't mean you're garuanteed the job. If you keep messin around second semester of school, I will rethink my decision. It's time for you to show me what you're made of sprout." She was smiling though, the usual twinkle in her eyes. "And I expect ya to visit the plantation more durin the summers for internships."
 âI can show you! I promise and of course Nana- oh wow- you have no idea how helpful this been!â He said, hugging her again, laughing.
 Kathleen chuckled and hugged Ben back and kissed his forehead. "I know you will make me proud. Just promise me that one day you will fill that mansion up with sprouts if your own. Business isn't everything." Kathleen eyed Ben and smiled. "And this summer I expect ya and some friends to say with me and Paul. Your aunt Julie is bringing the baby."
 âRight- of course. Tons of grandkids for this.â He said laughing, his mind springing to Becca, again, but he tried to ignore it but he just smiled harder. âCou-could Becca- come?â
 "Some great grand sprout before I pass in would be preferred. So get on that." But Kathleen just laughed. "No you have time before that happens. But sure sprout, you can bring miss rebecca to the plantation. Just remember there is no funny business under my roof, God is watchin." She have him the "eye".
 He froze. âOh - Becca and I- arenât like that.â He said, blushing. âI -yeah no- I just- she never gets to stay with me for a long time so it be fun-fun to show her the plantation.â
 "Strange things happen on the plantation. Your uncle Ben didn't know aunt Bethany before they met there. I didn't know grandpa Wyatt before the plantation either. Keep your eye open sprout." She gave Ben a knowing smile.
 âReally?â He said, laughing slightly and looking away. âIt doesnât matter.â
 âWhy doesnât it matter sprout? Sheâs a lady isnât she? Youâre a gentleman. And Iâve seen the way you look when you speak of her. Reminiscinâ eyes is what youâve got.â she teased Ben a bit but then stopped, just so that he didnât hate her on this lovely christmas holiday. âIâm sure that youâll want to tell your friends and the rest of your siblins about this little business transaction between us. After all- Iâve just handed you a lifetime guarantee in cotton.â
 He grinned. âI can tell them all? Now? On christmas?â He said, after he thought of all the gifts theyâd get for their talents- but he got the best gift of all.
 âThis is my gift to you sprout. Iâm givinâ you land, a mansion, and money. I donât want ya to think of it in those terms, but I canât think of something better than a bright future for all your upcoming christmases.â She looked out at the walls, imagining the wrap around porch in the back of the mansion. âIt might never snow there, but the tea is always good, thereâs huntinâ season when the harvest is over, and a fine school for young sprouts to attend. And thereâs goinâ to be an office with a deed in the drawer with your name on it. Merry Christmas Ben.â Kathleen looked at her grandson, but instead of seeing him she saw her dear brother sitting there. They had almost the same smile, albeit her brotherâs was more leering from his alcohol. But she knew she was making the right decision.
 Ben started to tear up slightly and hugged him Nana harder, unable to say anything else.
 Kathleen hugged Ben back tightly and just kept rubbing his back lightly. âYou are such a grateful person sprout, never lose sight of that. Never forget that itâs a privilege to have the life you do, and the chances you have. I know that school you go to can limit your views, but always remember us and what weâve given you.â She let go of Ben and saw the tears a bit in his eyes. âNow give your Nana a kiss on the cheek and say thank you before you blubber all over my dress.â
 He shook his head and then gave a soft smile and nodded, sniffing. âI love ya, nana. I promise to make you proud.â He coughed and stood up straight.
 âWe might make a southern gentleman out of you yet.â she placed her hand in her lap and looked Ben up and down. âOf course youâre goinâ to have to wash your hands before dinner and offer up your seat for a lady. But weâll get to your ettiquette lessons again. For now I would like to be left alone, Iâm very tired. But you go share your news and perk up. I wonât approve of frowninâ on christmas.â
 He grinned. âYeah, okay. Thank you Nana. Iâll leave to rest.â He did a bow even though he didnât mean to he just wasnât thinking and went out of the room to tell his family the news.
Emma Vanity, twelve years old, was already extremely pissed off. She had lost her first game against them to that arrogant, self righteous, asshole of a boy - Potter. The worst, that most horrible person - and she lost to him. His stupid smirk was in her mind still as he threw the ball in the goal post because he faked right, and she had thought he was going to be a bad chaser. So now she had to walk around, clearly miffed.
James Potter, twelve years old, was on top the world. Reflecting happily, he realised that he would be hard pressed to find something to bring down this high. One moment that he replayed over and over again in his mindâs eye was the look on Vanityâs face. That one look, just after he had scored the winning goal (the snitch being caught seconds later) was worth all the galleons in the world, and more. As if she had drunk Buboteer Pus, he relished, glad that he had made sure to send his quickly-becoming-a-trademark smirk over his shoulder as he flew off. That feint had been rather brilliant - a trip down to the kitchens was definitely in order. But right then, as he strolled (without the faintest hint of a swagger, of course) down the corridor, just back from the changing rooms, he was ready for anything.
 Perhaps even...his eyes widened in glee as the idea came into his head. Yes. Today was a day of firsts, first win, and now⌠first kiss. A grin began to blossom on Jamesâs face. For, he mused, if someone could win that spectacularly, someone could pretty much do anything. And who would refuse him? In fact, he dared himself further, it would be the first person he would see in the corridor. Fitting and deserved. He raised his head higher in confidence, looking forward to it.
 Emma turned the corridor sharply, trying to find Steve to talk about the game today- to get some sort of help sorting through her thoughts and asking him- no demanding- that their seeker has more practice. She was fuming at the thought that she let Potter get in that last ten points- it was awful! She had almost bumped into someone as she wasnât watching where she was going and she looked up to see- Potter. She glared, hoping he wouldnât be smiling but of course he was. Smirking. That bastard.
 James neatly swerved to avoid the collision (his brilliant chaser skills no doubt, he thought smugly). Glancing down, for a moment all he could see was a tumble of brown hair. Aha. Time to put his money where his mouth was. But as soon as the girl lifted her face, his eyes widened slightly. Damn it - it was Vanity. Vanity giving him her most penetrating (I-would-Advada-Kedavra-you-if-I-knew-how) glare.
 For a moment, he considered stuffing the idea, in fact, stuffing the idea was a fantastic idea in itself. Retreat was merely advancing in reverse after all. But naturally, he did not let the smirk leave his face. For it was only a moment, and a moment of doubt quickly quashed. He steeled himself. Even if it meant kissing Vanity, he would not go back on his dare to himself. He had won a Quidditch game for Merlinâs sake, he could do anything. Suffering her (he shuddered) closer inside his personal bubble then Professor McGonnagall could ever condone was easy compared to that. He was James Potter.
 So he looked down at her and nodded in a mock pity manner, âTrying to hide your walk of shame Vanity? Happens to us all...well, except the best. Thatâs me.â
 âScrew you, Potter.â She said, shoving him lightly as she had to look up at him since he was taller than her. âI would just like you to know that I am prepared to be Captain and what happened today will never happen under my watch.â She crossed her arms.
 Stumbling backwards in an exaggerated manner, he shook his head, âYou Slytherins can never take a loss, can you?â He raised his eyebrow, âI thought you were trying to help them get better, Vanity.â Perhaps insulting her wasnât the best way to lead up to what he had planned, but he couldnât resist.
 She gave him a fake smile. âOh well, I am deeply sorry that I misjudged you today. I didnât know youâd get this much pleasure from winning just a single game-â She would have gotten the same amount of pleasure but it wasnât the time for him to know that. âbut apparently you will trip on your ego yourself, so maybe I wonât have to actually watch out for your talent.â She said, tilting her head, letting it slip that she thought he was good.
 âSo Iâm talented then, Vanity? Nice to see you admit it for once.â James smirked down at her, satisfied at the difference in their height - the way he could just tower over her. He thought they might go on and on in this battle of theirs. Time for action (and to wipe that look off her face).  And so without any preamble, as suddenly as the goal he scored, James leant down and crashed his lips onto hers.
 Her face flushed for a moment, not realizing she admitted to his talent but it was obvious he was good for their age. She took a deep breath, moving backwards for a moment- almost worried he was going to hit her as she gave him a look of surprise, âWhat are-â She started but he wasnât raising his hands to her it was just⌠his lips? Was he- oh gosh- no- and she felt herself receiving her first kiss- completely and utterly not how she had wanted it and she put her hands on his chest- about to push him off but then something stopped her. Shit, it was impolite to stop someone from showing you a romantic gesture- she knew that but surely Potter was teasing her. She paused for a moment, trying to think it over- I mean he was a pureblood but he was a blood traitor and she felt so confused on the feeling of lips on her that she lightly kissed back, pressing her lips against his before coming to her senses, and realizing that he was probably just being mean and pushed him off.  âPotter!â She said, her whole face now scarlet. âYouâre mental if you think youâre getting away with this!â
 At first, James almost broke the kiss laughing at the expression on her face as he met it. It briefly occurred to him the uncanny resemblance between that one and the one she had worn as he had delivered the shot earlier today. But to his utter disbelief she did not push away at first, so he didnât either for a moment, allowing himself to satisfy his curiosity of the experience. But when she pushed him abruptly away, he shook his head and wiped his hand against his mouth  (albeit  in an exaggerated manner). Kissing, the twelve year old decided, was not going to be a regularity. It was overrated and Quidditch gave all the thrills anyway - Vanity had set this resolution firmly in place.
The flush of her face made any lingering puzzlement over why sheâd kissed him back pale in significance to the smugness he felt over unsettling her, having that one up on her. So, smirk once again in place, he shrugged, âI already have.â Before waving mockingly over his shoulder and continuing his stroll down the corridor as if nothing had occurred between them. Allowing himself a victory grin, he knew that that conclusion would be the one to piss her off the most.
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Universe: Harry Potter / The Battle That Changed Everything
Time: Post Hogwarts
âI canât help it!â Emma said, grinning. One hand was placed on his leg to hold herself up, the other covering her mouth but the laughter still escaped barely muffled, she could barely breath she was laughing so hard. âItâs funny in retrospect- the thought of you and- them-â She continued laughing, trying to looking at him with squinted eyes. Â
 âWhy the fuck would I ever kiss a muggle though? I lowered myself so much for Woolland as it was.â Jason was gaining back his breathing, trying hard not to laugh anymore than he already had. His sides were beginning to hurt. âWe need to stop laughing. This fucking hurts!â he tried to sit up but felt a pain in his side from all the laughing and had to lay on his side on the couch.
 She grinned, almost wildly. Pleased that he had actually said that. If he was a spy and just trying to get on her good side, well, Emma barely cared now. She shifted closer to him trying to subside her laughter. âYou donât know how pleased I am at this.â She purred, letting herself go half on top of him still laughing hard. âI can make it stop hurting.â She tried to say this seriously but she broke out in giggles again, both her hands now on legs.
 Jason was just starting to get his breathing back to normal now, but the pain in his side was still there. âYou canât make it stop, youâre still laughing!â he teased as he continued to half lay on her. He laughed lightly, unable to help himself. How are we going to stop laughing? Itâs like I canât fucking stop he thought to himself. âVan-Vanity stop laughing. Youâre going to kill me.â
 Emma just continued laughing, holding her stomach slightly as it started to hurt her as well. Her laughter subsided as she bit her lip, watching him and then falling onto his chest, letting the laughter go into soft giggles. âNever.â But her laughter was slowing down as she sighed contently.
 Feeling her fall on top of him, Jason couldnât help but think of those time back at Hogwarts. Back when they were friends, and theyâd laugh this hard over something stupid that they did. It felt just like that now. It was like nothing had changed. Except now, everything had changed. After a moment, when he felt that both of them had regained their breathing enough, Jason smiled at Emma. âThat was fun..â In his mind though, he knew that theyâd probably never get a chance to laugh like this again. Given the fact that there was a war going on. âWish it could have lasted longer, but I think we would have passed out from lack of breathing.â
 âThat was fun?â Emma repeated, arching her eyebrows. âAs in weâre still not having fun?â She asked, half teasing but her heart was pounding and she might have really wanted to know. Her eyes lingered on his lips for a moment before looking back at his eyes, hoping she wasnât caught. âWell, whatever Ja- Herbert.â She said, pushing into his chest lightly and playful. âRemember youâre still my prisoner, no fun for you.â She flashed a grin, her teeth showing her smile was so wide.
 âI didnât mean that it was over, I just meant the laughing part,â he smirked at her. âWe can still have fun if we wanted to. No one has to know that the great and perfect Emma Vanity had actual fun.â he teased her again, just like he used to. It was always fun to tease Emma, it was easy too. He thought that he caught her staring at his lips for a moment, but he must have been imagining that bit. She was married, and he knew sheâd never do anything with him anyway. He was âfilthyâ. He had to laugh at that in his mind though, because of his recent decision to switch sides. âIâm still your prisoner? What are you going to do to me thatâs not fun?â
 âSure, try and get out of this but you canât.â She pressed her nose against his then backed up quickly. Nope, nope. Emmaâs mind warned her. Too close to Jason Herbert. âExactly.â She said, switching back to her more prim and proper voice that she used to use when hosting events. She smirked. âA hundred push ups or a thousand laps around the pitch.â She said, as if she was still captain.
 âI can try to get out this if I want to. I have my ways,â Jason said.
 Emma snorted. âI doubt it.â Then covered her face in horror after snorting, surprising herself.
 Jason couldnât help but laugh again. âYou just snorted!â He poked her in the sides to tickle her a bit. âI canât believe you just snorted, what is wrong with you?â he began to laugh harder again.
 âI grew up!â She tried to say seriously but once she realized that he wouldnât stop laughing, no matter how much she pouted, she started giggling as well. âI canât believe I did that!â Still feeling a bit horrified but the chuckles were helping.
 âYou snorted. Just accept it.â Jason attempted to control his laughter, managing to make it quieter. But as he laughed, he became more aware of how close Emma actually was to him. It was weird that they could still act like this even after everything that went down between them. Maybe old habits really did die hard. âIf you keep this up Vanity, I might never stop laughing.â
 âI canât! The horrors that I would be face with. The community would look down on me and Iâll be in shambles if I ever admitted⌠!â Emma let herself pause, her eyes growing wide for effect. âThat I snorted!â She sighed dramatically and fell on his chest, the smell of him being more welcoming than anything she had smelt for years, her smile was undeniable. âJust leave me here to die, Herbert.â She said dramatically, letting her hand casually go around his chest. âYour laughter is not supporting all this pain Iâm going through.â She said grumpily.
 âOh the horrors wouldnât be that severe. You could go into shameful exile thoughâŚâ he teased her. She fell onto his chest more, and he couldnât help but react by naturally putting his arm around her to keep her where she was. âExile isnât too bad though, as long as you have someone to share it with. Hell...maybe Iâll just go into exile with you so I can laugh at you to make the pain all that much worse.â Jason said.
 âEternity.â Emma whispered, serious for a second then looking at him her smile a bit sadder but she got over it quickly. Oh how quickly everything was coming back.
 Jason stopped talking though as he looked up at her and started to stare at her lips. He didnât know what was going on with himself. âBut itâd be a shame to leave you here to dieâŚyou didnât leave me, so I canât leave you. Even if you snorted.â he continued to look at her lips. he was beginning to think of things from their past, things they used to do...no! sheâs married! She. Is. MARRIED! he yelled to himself. ...but thatâs not going to stop me is it?
 She nodded quickly, agreeing with him. âWe have this under control, donât we? A bit of a wizardâs debt.â She said, tilting her head. âI barely feel tired anymore, these visits are better than I thought, when I first- I mean I thought this was a mistake and-â She giggled, covering her face acting like a little girl with a secret. âThis is the first time Iâm happy Regulus and I have separate bedrooms.â She said it quickly and peaked out.
 She asked if they had it under control. Sure...they did. Right? Okay, so no, he was starting to think about losing control. But at least he was trying to control his thoughts. âYeah...completely under controlâŚâ he nodded in agreeance with her when she mentioned not being tired anymore. He wasnât even sure what sleep was. Sleep what? Didnât matter. âWait...you and Regulus have separate bedrooms?â he had to smile at that.
 âI-â She said, unsure if she should defend herself or not but soon he started talking again.
 âThen I guess he wonât ever know about this,â and without even thinking, he lightly kissed her.
 She pressed her lips very softly against his unable to push herself off him, unable because she wanted this feeling again. This light hearted, tingling sensation that made her heartbeat sound like music and she didnât have to think about the war or the training. She clutched his shirt slightly and when she finally stopped pressing her lips onto his she looked at him, silence was between them and she knew she had to do something to show him that- she had no idea what she felt about this. But her lips curled into a slight smile. âHe wonât.â She said quietly, her hand not letting go of his shirt nor moving back any further.
 Theyâd kissed. Oddly enough though, it was different than when Jason and Dylan had kissed in the past. It had always been understood that there was an untapped heat , Jason and Emma. But right now, even with a simple kiss, he was soon well reminded of how heated they used to get with each other. When they stopped the kiss, she hadnât moved away from him. Her hand was on his shirt, she was still just as close. âAnd what he doesnât know, wonât hurt him.â he said before bringing his hand up to tangle lightly in her hair as he kissed her again.
 Oh, merlin. Oh, merlin. Oh, merlin. Her mind was a bit scattered but soon her thoughts went into nothingness and he brought her closer, kissing him in a way that Regulus never could. She pushed herself closer to him, letting her hand slide to his cheek and then to his hair. She pulled back very slightly and still on his lips she uttered, âThis doesnât hurt.â Because it didnât, it felt amazing. She could feel all the tension in her leave her body as their kisses quickened, happy it was staying light.
 âGlad to know it doesnât,â Jason said against her lips. He didnât want to stop kissing her. For years now heâd been with Dylan. But everything she ever did couldn't compare to this moment now. Jason knew it was because heâd been blinded by his supposed love for her, but how he could have ever thought that now was a mystery to him. He was enjoying just lightly kissing Emma, only slightly making their kisses deeper. He knew she was married, knew that this was wrong, but he couldnât help it. And she wasnât exactly pushing him away.
 They kissed for a bit longer, letting him deepen it slightly and soon when she had to break it off to breath, she put her hand on his chest, pushing him down but staying a close distance from him. âYouâve hurt me before.â She said carefully, but her emotions were showing through, she could hear a fraction of how upset she really was over this but with him kissing her it was hard for her to put her emotions in check. She looked down but clutched his shirt still, unable to give up this moment but with everything rushing back, the negative feelings rushed back as well.
 âI had good reasons before. And all the idiotic reasons are being repented for,â he put his hand on her cheek and kissed the side of her head. All his feelings were coming back to the surface. The reasons why he broke up with her in the first place. He feeling on anger he still got when he heard sheâd married, even though heâd left to be with Dylan by that point. And yet here he was snogging her. Her husband had no idea. They slept in separate bedrooms, she even admitted it. Jason thought about all the times that sheâd slept in the bed with him after theyâd done something intimate. Or just when she wanted to. Ha.
 âStop.â She said, not sure if she could hear anything from him. âJust tell me...â her voice quivered and she downcast her eyes, both clutching his shirt and breathed in deeply. âtell me you donât love her.â She said, breathing in and then holding her breath. She let herself look at him just so she can make sure it was true- no, she wasnât going to look into his mind even though she could she just wanted to trust, right at this second, that he could tell her this. Besides, if it wasnât true she still wanted him to say it. Her mind had tortured her for years on this and only in her dreams would he come back to her, holding her in his arms and she really didnât even want that! She hated when he appeared in her dreams wanting her just as much as she hated when he was in her dreams being a blood traitor. She almost felt like crying, she must have looked like it as well but she couldnât help it. She couldnât hide it. âUnless you⌠canât.â
Jason looked at Emma, thinking about all the time heâd had to reflect on his relationship with Dylan. To call it a relationship now seemed too nice. He had been thinking for the past three days, and knew that Dylan had only been stringing him along. Heâd gone with it, being caught up in his own feelings for her. Only now had he realized that he wasnât actually going to get her and that he didnât really want her. âIâŚâ he laughed. âI donât love her. I donât think I ever really did you know? I never thought about the future with her, I just blindly followed. I know that I donât really know what love is, but that wasnât it. She doesnât deserve love anyway. Sheâs too selfish to think about anything but herself and what she wants. I can do so much better than her.â
 Emma laughed and put her hand over her mouth, happy that it wasnât just and I donât love her (though that would have done as well). She nodded her head and grinned, closing her eyes tightly for a moment to stop her tears and then she hugged him, letting her head rest in between his shoulder and cheek. âYou can.â She said softly but the grin was clearly visible. âI donât even care if you donât mean it.â She said, chuckling and letting her nose rub against his cheek.
 He felt her hug him, and he couldnât help but hug her back. He was glad that they were doing this. He didnât care if she was married. She didnât care if he was possibly lying about loving Dylan. He knew that he was over her. Sure, heâd still feel pain over it, but he was done with her. One hundred percent done. âIâm not lying. If you donât believe that Iâm not being honest, then thatâs your problem,â he said teasingly and quietly. He kissed her ear lightly like he used to after they would talk about something serious. Â
 âWhatever you say, Herbert. Like I can believe a blood traitor like you.â She said as harshly as she could, which she was surprised with how sweet it really sounded. He kissed her ear and she smiled into his neck, closing her eyes, all their serious talks fluttering back into her mind and it was just- âIâve never felt so comforted.â She said quietly. Not realizing she said it outloud.
 âI wonât be a bloodtraitor for long.â Jason said softly. He could feel Emma smiling against his neck. It was oddly comforting to feel her like this again.
 Emma murmured an approval, loving that sentence from him.
 Everything just felt natural, and it was something Jason felt heâd taken for granted when he was with her. With Dylan, he had to try so hard to get her to see him. With Emma, it never had to be that way. The more and more time Jason spent away from Dylan, the clearer he could see that he had been stupid. âWhat about the last time we were like this..â Jason knew he was never to bring up that day ever. But with them being like this, it was hard to forget their last close encounter.
 Emma choked up a bit, her voice caught in her throat, she tensed noticeable, holding his shirt in crumbles then smoothing it out. He was talking about the morning of her wedding and how she apparated to him in tears. She wasnât even sure if he knew she was getting married that day but Emma was in the traditional lacy white virgin garments that you wear before a wedding and lucky Jason was alone otherwise Emma had no idea what she would have done. She cried a bit harder seeing him but also smiled it had just been so long. Luckily his arms were open wide for her and the first thirty minutes she was there, it was silent besides her tears and the sounds of them shifting.âWhat about it?â She asked quietly. Not going to berate him for bringing this up because she felt she can talk about it right now.
 Jason thought about the day that she came to see him. Heâd gotten in a fight with Dylan, and had been sleeping on his own. It had been one of those rare days where Jason just wanted to be alone, and not be with anyone. But then Emma appeared, and everything he thought about went out the window. He just held his arms open for her to cry into as she laid in bed with him that morning. It was a moment in time that Jason never admitted to anyone about. Sometimes heâd lie to himself about what had happened that day. He had mostly done that so that his mind wouldnât plague itself whenever he was with Dylan. Looking back on it though, that day was filled with more interaction and feeling than Jason had had for a while. âI remember that day...you said that you were so comforted. Asked me to not ruin the moment by talking. And then, you left and got marriedâŚâ Jason pulled back a bit so that he could see her. âbut for those few moments, it was really nice...kind of like now. Except...youâre married, and I almost died.â
 Her mouth twitched into a smile. âIt was⌠really nice.â She said slowly and she nodded, looking him in those soft blue eyes that she regretted forgetting. âIâm here and youâre alive.â She said sweetly, tilting her head and nudging him reminiscent of their time in fourth year when everything was a lot more playful and she kept him optimistic. She let out a small giggle. âI bet it was weird for you to see a girl in those traditional before wedding nightgown. Pure white and almost glowing.â She mused. âMust have been thinking how not a virgin I was.â
 âI wasnât really thinking about the nightgown. I was mostly thinking about how weird it was to see you in so much...cloth.â he laughed. He was used to seeing her in close to nothing whenever they were in bed. Or sheâd steal one of his shirts.
 She hit him lightly, pretending to be offended.
 âI thought it was a bit ironic that everyone thought you were a virgin. I always knew you werenât. Of course...your father would have killed me on the spot if he knew that.â Jason couldnât help but kiss her lightly again. It was just like he was reverting back. Returning to the ways things were...the way things should have been.
 Her heart felt thunderous and she couldnât help but a couple of light kisses to him as well. âRegulus never makes me feel like this.â She urged. Even the grip he had around her was different from Regulusâ hold on her. It was just enough that she could easily get off him and go do anything, run, skip or just get up but just enough force that makes her want to stay. She grinned at him and happily nuzzled her nose against his neck again just wondering at his bare skin. âI guess you really are my best friend.â She murmured close to his ear.
 âAnd what does the wonder virgin actually make you feel like?â Jason couldn'tâ help but laugh lightly at his nickname for Regulus. He smiled to himself when he felt Emmaâs nose against his neck. He used to like being this close to her, and a part of him still liked it. It just felt right. âI think youâre mine tooâŚâ he said softly. âYou saved me, youâre helping me, and youâre hereâŚâ
 She gave him that look as in play nice as she always did with the virgin comment. âHe makes me feel safe and proper. He gives me a sense of perfect and he⌠well he idolizes me. He liked me since second year and declared for me in third year.â She said. âHe makes me feel-â but her mind felt fuzzy she couldnât recall things she could have clearly told anyone a week ago. âIâm just happy you think Iâm your best friend. Weâve been awful best friends to each other if this is true. We havenât talked in years.â She slinked back down into him ignoring the pestering thought about Liz that always comes when she said the words best friend. âI told you I just had to.â She says softly, matching his voice. âIâm here and I-â She started but what could she promise to him? Nothing. âIf I knew the order was going to treat you this badly I wouldnât have allowed you to be out of my sight for even a second.â She put her hand up and took off the rings she had on them and put them on the floor. âI would have gave you one of our rings, years ago.â She said and she meant it.
 âHe gave you the world...and you appreciated it. Why not take him?â Jason couldnât help but see the parallels between her and Regulus and his situation with Dylan. He sounded a bit bitter about this, and was glad that he had at least not married Dylan.
 âI can hear how bitter you are.â She cooed unable to stop seeming happy about this as she settled in. âBut donât talk about me like that. Heâs my King. I was not passive in this romance he just understood it earlier then I.â
 âSure...heâs your king. Iâm sure youâre not passive at all in your romance. Tell me, when was the last time, if at all, that you did anything remotely passionate with him?â he raised an eyebrow at her. âHonestly, no one knows when theyâre thirteen that they want to get married. I donât even know if Iâm still ready to get married. Thatâs one thing I liked though about the order. There wasnât high society. I could just...be left alone. No need or pressure to get married. It was something you chose to do when you thought youâd found someone. And for those of us fine with a looser commitment, we were left alone.â
 She sighed. âIf youâre talking about sex we havenât for a good number of months.â Closer to a year she thought. âBut if youâre talking about passionate well⌠I donât know. We werenât that kind of couple. I-â She wasnât sure how she could explain this. âThe whole reason we got together was because of how I made him feel- we were talking about Sirius and we he couldnât stand seeing me with guys who would do nothing with my integrative and keep me safe so-â Emma felt a bit confused actually now. What was she doing? âRegulus and I donât have time to be passionate. Weâre in a war and heâs stuck in his study all the time.â Â
 âYou? Not have sex for months? Thatâs just sad,â Jason shook his head and smirked. âYouâre saying that you donât have any passion? No romance? Just him saying he didnât want a guy to hurt you? Any guy can say that, Iâve said that to girls before. Come on Vanity-â
 âBlack.â She corrected again.
 â-he talked you into a useless marriage. All itâs good for is money.â
 âNot useless. Heâs a Black.â She said weakly though because she knows Jason could never wrap his mind around that logic. âLast week we went to an adorable little restaurant and then afterwards we watched the stars on a quaint little hill.â She said.  Â
 âYeah Iâm sure that his boyfriend likes that too.â he scoffed. âYou know what I did last week? I tried to get Dylan to notice me. Really notice me. Maybe Iâm just too good at getting girls, or have too many ideas, or Iâm just kind of easily swaying. But- I didnât have to take her to a restaurant or see the stars. I made crappy toast in a dingy kitchen, and played one of my old records. It didnât work really well...but anyone can take you out. He could stay in, treat you, do something remotely nice besides hide in a study and work, leaving you as an afterthought.â Jason thought about how his mother had been treated by his father. Sheâd always been saddened by the neglect, and had always told him and his sister that she was blessed to get them. that sheâd put her life into them so that she had something.
 âHeâs been so busy, this isnât usually like him. Heâs been going into his study more and more and heâs been reading books that were clearly hard to inquire, Iâm actually a bit afraid to ask what heâs doing. And my duties with the Dark Lord take up a lot of my time so Iâm sorry he doesnât make me toast.â She said, a bit snappish. Regulus and her were nothing like that half veela and him. âWhat record?â She asked lightly. Does he write a lot of music for her? She wondered, possessively.
 âYeah, I was reading a book, and then we started laughing...and kissing...and talkingâŚâ Jason said and Emma nodded in agreement. Jason thought about that for a moment. this was probably the first time that both of them had any kind of semi-romantic moment in a while that was even remotely real. âThe Dark Lord takes up too much of your time? Then why do you seem to have so much time for me here? For three days youâve been here when you can be. Iâm not usually here, so what about that time? You could spend it with him. Why donât you? Donât you want to? Or does he not want it?â he questioned her.
 She averted her eyes and hesitated. âIâve been taking a potion so I can⌠stay awake longer⌠Iâve barely slept for these days I can only see you at night when I am usually asleep.â She admitted.
 â...the record was an old jazz one I must have written start of fifth year. It didnât have lyrics,â he knew it was a piece that heâd originally written for Emma.
 âThat one but thatâsâŚâ She started and looked at him not sure if she was right. She listen to that a thousand times in her lifetime but it could have been wrong.
 âShe doesnât like music by the way...I mean she does. But she has no appreciation for the art of it all.â he shook his head and rolled his eyes. Heâd definitely been blinded. Heâd been stupid. But it was stupid of Emma not to realize that in the past three days, theyâd probably spent more time together than she had probably spent with Regulus in a month. Maybe longer.
 âmine.â She said a bit more confidently then looked at him for confirmation.
 âyes...it was one of yours.â he nodded.
 âDo you do that often?â She asked, putting a strand of her hair behind her ear.
 âPlay records that were for you? Yeah...a lot of stuff I write now is shipped off to whoever requests it.â he smiled at her. âEven during a war...Iâm getting my music out there. Just like I wanted.â
 She couldnât help but grin. âNot what I mean but thatâs wonderful! People are listening to you just like you always wanted.â She teased but really she was proud. She assumed that Wolland would prevent him from doing that. âI mean play my things for her?â She really wanted to not sound jealous, she really, really, wanted to not but she could never phrase anything to make it sound not jealous when Jason was concerned.
 âI donât usually. She doesnât like music that isnât by these guys called The Beatles.â he shook his head again. Heâd listened to some of their songs, but he didnât like them as much as classical composers. âMost of the time I play them by myself when Iâm writing new pieces. They really help with inspiration.â
 She giggled very slightly. âSo Iâm still helping you write music?â She couldnât help but feel wonderful about this. âI guess youâll have to write something about tonight then.â And she looked at him for a long couple of seconds before talking again. âI am proud of you though. I thought you wouldnât because ofâŚâ She started but didnât finish and just gave a little shrug.
 Jason smiled at emma. âWell I donât know if Iâll write anything about tonight...usually when I write a new piece after seeing you, weâve had sex. Which is off limits, since youâre oh so terribly and inconveniently married.â He was teasing her once again. But then his voice got softer and a bit more serious, âBecause of what?â
 âInconvenient?â She asked, pseudo shocked tone. âDoes that mean what I think it means? That someone wishes he declared me in second year?â She said, clearly teasing as well.
Her face feel a little bit and she nodded, solemnly. âWoolland.â Emma offered gently.
 âIâm not saying second year. Iâm just saying that youâre married, and that I really shouldnât sleep with you.â he teased again. âOnly time I ever seriously considered marriage was fifth year. Which would have been too late. Regulus was just too eager to hop on board the Vanity train, and we...well I stopped thinking about marriage.â he sighed. When she mentioned Dylan though, Jason tensed up a bit. âIâm not going to let some selfish girl keep me from doing something that is my lifeâs pursuit. Iâm not that stupid.â
 Emma couldnât help the feeling of hope that rushed through her. Seriously considered marriage? Fifth year? âI heard that you were planning on proposing to Dylan!â She blurted out not even realizing she used her first name, feeling much more at ease with Jason.
 âWhy would I marry her? I was still trying to win her over every day. I wasnât thinking about marriage at all.â and he certainly wasnât thinking about marrying her now. He didnât want anything to do with her. She was stupid, sheâd made him stupid, and he was going to work on a plan to slowly make her suffer. âI donât want to talk about her anymore, please. Sheâs not worth it,â he wrapped his arms around Emma more and continued to tap out a random rhythm.
 She couldnât help but nod her head and agree. She hated talking about her. âAs your best friend, I shall stop.â She said as if she was doing him a favor. She stuck out her tongue at him, trying to defuse the sensation of her arms around him and make things feel less⌠heated.
 âBut youâre right. We are best friends. We fight, which happens, but we always are there for each other in some way.â he wrapped his arms more around her, and began to lightly tap something on her back. âThe order didnât understand. It wasnât anything I couldnât handle.â he saw her rings being put on the floor and looked at her. âI donât get a ring though. Thatâs fine. I can take care of myself..most of the time.â
 âI will get you a ring now. You deserve a place on my hand.â She laughed nervously at the implications. She took a deep breath. âIâve missed this.â She sighed happily. âThe tapping.â She said trying to clear up what she exactly missed.
 âWhat kind of ring should it be?â he teased her. He had to laugh at the thought of her having a ring on her hand for him. âIâve missed this tooâŚâ he didnât want to admit it, but he did. He missed the easygoing relationship he and Emma had. Even if they were fighting, they knew the limits of the fight, and could always apologize later. That was the beauty of the friendship they had. Â
 âA pretty one. One with an emerald!â She said, excitedly. Then seriously she added, âItâs a tracker so Iâll be able to find you and you me. I know aurors have a similar one but I carry three of them at all times although I donât wear all of them all the time although I should. I canât wrap my mind around it.â She closed her eyes and yawned her mouth getting his shirt a bit. âIâve missed the tapping, Jay andâŚâ She grinned. âand everything.â
 âA tracker? Yeah, we have things like that kind of in the order, but nothing like that. Would I have to wear a ring too? Or just you?â Jason heard her yawn, and couldnât help yawning either. âYou know what? I kind of have too,â he smiled at her tiredly. It was pretty late at night..they probably should both get to sleep. But that would mean getting up from their position on the couch. Unless they both just agreed to sleep on the couch together.
 âOf course.â
âReally.â She said but not as a question, she knew that he missed it just as much. She thought about getting up but she couldnât, her eyes wanted to close but then she remembered her soft and extremely comfortable bed upstairs and she wondered if she could ask him or if that be too forward. âTired?â She asked instead.
 âIâm a bit tired, yeah. Did you want to go upstairs?â he hadnât meant to ask it as if he was assuming he would go up with her (even though he didnât mind sleeping in a bed with her). He meant to ask it as if she wanted to just get up and heâd stay on the couch. âI think we could both do with some sleep.â
 âSure we can go upstairs.â She said, pleased he thought of the same thing. She looked at him happily but he seemed to look surprised⌠did he not mean them together?
 âoh...we?â  he chuckled lightly. âIâm good with âweâ. I can work with âweâ.â he kissed Emmaâs cheek before laying back on the couch more.
 She nodded pleased. âI might be too tired to go upstairs though. Itâs so comfortable right here. And you said earlier you didnât want to sleep on my bed.â She smirked. âWrong ideas or something.â
 âIt is pretty comfy right hereâŚâ he agreed. âBut I think weâre too tired to commit any wrongdoings.â  he yawned again.
 She grinned but then catching his yawn, she yawned as well then looked to face him, kissing him hard. Pressing her lips firmly but gently onto his quickly before he can react.
 He hadnât had time to react when she kissed him. But the moment he registered in his mind what she was doing, he kissed her back just as hard. Itâd been a while since heâd kissed her like this, but it was as if time hadnât passed between meetings. âYou want to...go upstairs now?â he said in a slightly strained voice after the kiss.
 She nodded, knowing that if she spoke as well that her voice would sound just as strained. She got up while maintaining eye contact with him and then looked to the stairs. "I'm not tired enough that I can't commit wrongdoings."She gave him a tired smirk and waited for him to follow her. "Besides someone has to celebrate you are alive."
 When Emma got up, Jason realized that nothing had ever really changed between them. It was as if they were back at school. Him teasing her about Regulus, and her telling him he was wrong about Dylan. And their constant arguments and romantic interludes to prove the other wrong kept coming back to him. Although this time was very different. It felt as if they both understood that this was a different time than before. Things had changed in their lives, but they could still fall back on this. Getting up off of the couch, Jason took Emmaâs hand like he used to. âAnd someone has to sleep in that bed with you,â he smirked back at her. âSo what are we waiting for?â
"Exactly." She said in an excited whisper, taking his hand and leading him to the bedroom. Not caring that he made fun of Regulus, not caring this all felt to easy, not caring this could be him faking she would honestly take one night of this right now then anything else.
 He walked up the stairs with Emma, feeling like this was going easily...but he hoped that after this night, sheâd see that he was being honest about everything. He was honest about not loving Dylan anymore, that he wanted to join the death eaters, and that he was done with the order. After they walked up the stairs, Jason pulled Emma into a kiss. He just couldnât help it. Emma was right though, they should celebrate that he was alive. It was lucky that they were both still alive really. Everyone around them was going to start to die. At least one person they knew wouldnât make it through this. War wasnât a place for love, but it was a time to celebrate life when you could.
 She smiled into the kiss and kissed him back harder but making sure it wasn't too heated.  She lead him to the bed, slowly and lacing their hands together she brought him down on the bed next to her and then pull away from the kiss. "I'm not sorry anymore that no one came for you in the order." She nuzzled her nose against his soft cheek and wrapped her leg around his and put her arm around his chest tightly. Closing her eyes because she was very tired.
 They were soon on her bed, and they were slightly entangled with each other. He let his hand go underneath her shirt slightly as he closed his eyes too. He was pretty tired, but probably not as much as Emma. âHmm? Why are you glad?â he said softly into her ear. This wasnât exactly what heâd thought of when they got up to her bedroom, but it felt right to just be like this.
 She could feel his fingers under her shirt and she didn't open her eyes she just grinned. "Glad that you're here.... where you're suppose to be." She pulled him closer, unable to leave him alone. This feeling of sleeping together was one that Emma missed greatly, war seemed so far away with him.  "How do you sleep with her?" She asked tentatively, almost sorry she asked but she did.
 âI wish I could go back so that I could have been there from the beginning.â Jason let his hand go up high under her shirt. He was just tracing random patterns on her back as she pulled him closer to her. âSheâs kind of...a bed hog.â he laughed at the irony. Him and Emma usually equally shared the bed, or were in the middle of it together. âShe sort of rolls over and sprawls out everywhere. Thereâs almost no room. Either that or sheâs very clingy and you canât move. Not at all like you,â he smiled at her and kissed her cheek.
 âSometimes we just have to start over in the middle. Better late than never.â She said but really it was bad, almost not worth it to switch sides in the war but Emma was allowed to be selfish sometimes. She shivered against his little patterns, loving the fabric and his hands tracing her skin. âShe is?â Emma giggled while he laughed. Pleased to hear these things, itâs like one more question lifted off her shoulders, one less question that plagues her. âIâm not clingy?â Emma asked, raising her eyebrows and bringing him closer, enough to kiss him but she didnât, just held herself barely touching his lips. âI guess Iâm more possessive.â She smiled and closed her eyes once more, letting her hand go under his shirt. âThe last person I slept in a bed was with Evan and that was during a mission and it was nothing⌠like this.â
 âI can start over in the middle. It might suck, but I think I can do it.â Jason smiled more as him and Emma talked more about Dylan. It was really helping him. The more he explained to Emma how different things were with him and her, the more he felt like heâd made the best choice for himself in not loving her anymore. âYouâre not clingy, but yes, possessive is a much better word. Itâs hotter,â he could feel how close she was to his lips, but he resisted the urge to kiss her. Instead he focused on how her hand was now up under his shirt as well. âUgh, Rosier. Like he can be better than me at this. Iâm the champion of sleeping in bed with you,â he teased. âBut honestly, I donât think anything can be like this.â
 âI believe in you.â She said hopefully. She did but it was going to be awful and if the Dark Lord didnât accept him⌠she didnât want to think about that. âPossessiveness is hot? Is that why we fought so much after we broke up?â She asked but she chuckled trying to show she wasnât very upset about their break up or even their fighting right now. She started putting her hand more up his shirt, reaching his spine and going up and down. âAre you?â She asked scoffing. âIâm pretty sure there are better people of sleeping in bed with me.â She paused as if she was thinking about it but she knew he made her feel the safest. âLike Liz.â She offered up but then frowned and shook her head, reminding herself again how hard it is to think about her. âNothing is like this.â She said, wetting her lips slightly, pleased at that sensation of his breath on her lips.
 Jason knew that getting to switch sides with the Dark Lord was going to be tricky in itself. But he did have information on his side, and his advantage of having been with the order could help put him in the position to be a spy. He could do that, he could lie. He used to lie to girls all the time. People werenât any different than desperate girls on a given day. âYes, Iâm sure thatâs the reason we fought so much after our break up. Your possessiveness was just too hot for me to handle.â he smirked. Although looking back at their fights now, he could see how that could be true.
âExactly.â She offered then chuckled even if she knew that her possessiveness started so many of those fights. How could he see anything in her?
 âIâm pretty sure that Iâm the best in bed with you. Donât tell me anyone can do this like I can, Vanity.â he stared at her lips for a moment longer before he lightly kissed her because he just felt like he should before one of them ruined the moment or fell asleep.
 She kissed him back lightly then said, âNo one, no one.â Against his lips, pushing up against him and letting her hand go to his sides so she can push more onto his lips. She repeated the words again as she kissed him a bit harder, her heart pounding fast.
 He knew that she was tired, but as they continued to kiss he could feel sleep leaving him. He was starting to focus more on her as he kissed her harder. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her onto him so that he could kiss her more effectively. âMerlin- itâs been a long time since weâve done thisâ he said against her lips when he pulled back after a while so that he could catch his breath.
 She was pulled onto him and by this time all logic thought left her brain and opened her mouth very lightly even though she knew that it be the end of them. âYears.â She replied back in a whisper against his lips as he caught his breath, Emma put both hands under his shirt, sliding her hands over his chest. W-hatâs that?
 He could feel her hands going up under his shirt. he wasnât even thinking until he felt her hands on his chest. He tensed up for a moment and put his hands on his shirt to stop her hands from touching him. âUh..just...please donât touch thereâŚâ he said quietly. He closed his eyes for a moment to keep himself from flashing back to the images that usually came when someone touched him there.
 âWhat?â She asked quietly, looking all around him trying to figure out what was wrong, her hands retracting them from his chest and letting him hold onto her wrist to move them away. His eyes were closed and he was clearly under stress so she pressed against his other side that didnât have⌠whatever that was and hugged him tightly with one hand, kissing his ear. âShhh. Itâs okay.â She whispered lightly, hoping it would help. âIâm here.â She offered.
 âItâs...itâs nothingâŚâ he tried to play it off. He didnât want to take the time to explain to her what had happened. It was bad enough that Dylan just blindly went along with it, not even asking him what had happened to him. âItâs not okay. Itâs notâŚâ he still had his eyes closed, trying to still suppress the memories that were sure to flood back. âJust...you can see for yourself..â he laid his head back, feeling shitty for the first time since heâd almost died.
 She tentatively pulled his shirt up, her hands shaking to see a scar that was clearly made with Dark Magic, as she had been studying it insanely since sixth year. âWho did this!â She said angrily and too loudly for their soft manners just second ago. She looked at him widely and got off him, unable to keep her energy down and she did wandless magic so that her wand came whirling towards her open and waiting hand. âIâll get them right now if you havenât already. It was one of ours wasnât it?â Her mind was racing.
 âEmma. No, you canât kill him. Heâs too powerful,â Jason sat up in bed the minute he saw her wand come into her hand. âHe did this. You know who I mean. I told you before, she doesnât know what I went through because of herâŚthis is why she has to pay.â
 She turned around, not fully accepting she canât apparate right now and kill him. âPlease.â She sneared. âIâm higher in the rank than heâll ever be.â She crossed her arms but her wand was still pointed. Then it dawned on her. âHim- your father- he did this to you because of - of- h-her.â That did it. That stopped her. She walked back a bit as if it was hard to stand and then let her hands try and invisibly steady her as she slinked to the floor, sitting down, putting her head on her legs and hugging them slightly. âDylan Woolland is the reason you got tortured.You got tortured for her and then⌠ran back to her. What I wouldnât do to have killed her when I had the chance.â
 âYou might be higher in the ranks, but you wonât be able to kill him. I tried already...itâs not something you can do alone.â Jason shook his head. He knew that what had happened to him was bad. Heâd almost died then too. He didnât let anyone know what had happened, and he had been keen to keep it that way. Easy lies to cover up the truth werenât ever questioned by the others when they saw it. It was just something everyone had known not to talk about. âI know that she was the reasonâŚâ he sighed. âBut you canât kill her. Thatâs my job. Okay? Donât deny me that.â He looked over at her on the floor, feeling like the moment had sufficiently been ruined by the new knowledge that had been displayed.
 âYou went back.â She said, softly putting her wand on the floor, losing the grip on it. âYou almost died for her and then you went back.â She looked over at him, putting on an unreadable expression. âDid she even⌠care?â She sighed and got up off the floor, picking her wand up with her.
 âI had to go back. He told me there was no use for me with him. He said that if I made it back, that I should just stay with the scum I left him for.â He looked down at the scar on his chest and felt so stupid. âWhatâs sad is that...she didnât care. She was horrified, but when I told her it was nothing she let me be. I couldnât tell her...I didnât want to tell anyone.â
 âYouâre suppose to be able to tell the person you love anything.â Emma said, trying to keep the emotion out of her voice but she laid back down in bed next to him, uneventfully, feeling a bit bummed that she couldnât go out and do something about this. She felt useless. âJason?â
 Jason couldnât answer that question to Emma. It seemed pretty explanatory that the reason he couldnât tell her was that he didnât love Dylan.
 âJason?â She asked again, as she turned herself away from him and curled up a bit. âCould you do me a favor?â Her voice was noticeably weaker.
 âWhat kind of favor?â
 She sighed. âPut your arm around me and hold me like you use to?â She opened her eyes but can only see the wall. âUnless you donât do that anymore.â
 Jason looked at her, smiling at her. âI can still do that. Itâs been a while, but I think I still remember.â he opened his arms for her to come back to him.
 âThanks.â She said. âMy head kind of hurts after all thisâŚâ She sighed but snuggled into him, trying not to let the thoughts plague her. âThe blankets, Jay.â She mumbled. She wasnât very mad at him if she used that nickname for him.
 He wrapped his arms around her protectively and didnât want to let go. He was happy that they were doing this. It was natural, and comforting. It was ironic though, that the one person Jason told about his torture, was Emma. And she had been the one to say that he could tell about what happened to the one he loved. No- he wasnât going to finish that thought. It was absurd. âI got them Em,â he used his nickname for her too as he reached down for the blankets and pulled them around to keep them warm.
 She smiled pleasantly and snuggled closer, pretending that they were in Hogwarts and this was reasonable, that they were dating but if she was going to be honest with herself, they didnât have to be dating to be like this. She laced their fingers together and kissed his fingers then closed her eyes still feeling horrible about what she just heard, unable to get her stomach to stop turning at the thought of her Dylan. âThanks.â she mumbled.
 He kissed the side of her head and felt like everything that had happened was just gone. He was perfectly fine now, forgetting things that werenât important right here and right now. All that mattered was the two of them. In this moment, no one was married, no one had almost died, there was no scar, no war, no conflict, nothing except them. âGo to sleep, Em.â
 She pulled his hand to her stomach, trying to help her feel better after feeling horrible and it worked. âMake me, Jay.â She said but she was about to fall asleep, she held him even closer, afraid he was going to leave in the night.
 Jason knew that she was probably going to fall asleep any moment now. But when she told him to make her, he laughed sleepily. âI have my ways,â he said before he kissed her one last time before they both fell asleep.