First chapter takes place at an outdoor café in Paris. This fanfic will have a lot of Fraph, and maybe some Shelma if anyone asks for it, and, to Daphne's irritation and Shaggy and Scooby's horror, there's a mystery afoot. And apparently there's already been a Scooby Doo episode in Paris, but I've never seen it so let's just pretend it never happened shall we? Bold is Freddie's POV, normal is Daphne's.
"Freddie, I swear, if we have to solve one more mystery…" I started warningly as Velma turned the page of the thick book that hid her face.
I was so sick of solving mysteries. Don't get me wrong, I loved it, but after a while, a girl just got fed up with having every vacation ruined because some monster interrupted any chance of her having fun, or ended up kidnapping her again. They never did anything to me besides tie me up and the gang always found me before anything bad happened. I was used to it, not even the least bit afraid each time it happened. Though poor Freddie always had a heart attack. The fear that overcame him each time I disappeared might just kill him one of these days. Nothing felt worse than knowing I put him in pain, but there was something absolutely wonderful about each time he rescued me, even if it did make me look like some danger-prone, helpless, pathetic damsel in distress…
I just wanted to go on one vacation without having to solve a mystery.
"Relax, Daph," Fred Jones said, smiling that smile of his, the one that made his eyes sparkle and my heart stop, leap, inflame, and melt all at once. "We're on vacation. No mysteries."
He turned to Shaggy and Scooby as Shaggy tried to swallow at least twenty five crescent rolls in one gulp. Scoob snatched them away the instant Shaggy blinked and wolfed them all down, along with three baguettes. Freddie rolled his eyes, half smiling at their familiar antics as Shag glared at his overgrown puppy.
"Promise me, Freddie," I made him swear, giving him a look across the table.
At the sound of Daphne's clear, flowing, enchanting, sweet, heart melting, pure, hypnotic voice, I turned back to the fiery red head.
I rested my hand on hers, trying to reassure her, and she blinked her long, thick, luscious, black lashes, looking at my hand on hers, emotions flashing by in her beautiful eyes too fast for me to make out what they were. Shock? Contentment? I reminded myself that I need to reply to her.
"I promise, Daphne. No chasing monsters, ghosts, myths, or unraveling mysteries of any sort," I said with a wide grin that probably made me look like an idiot compared to this beauty's perfect, breathtaking smile.
She looked away and I instinctively, if reluctantly, took my hand off her long, thin, graceful, elegant fingers.
I had to look away; Fred's smoldering, piercing, glowing eyes were smothering me, his impossibly handsome smile making my knees weak as my melted heart. I pretended to look at the view of the Eiffel tower as the young, handsome Freddie quickly lifted his hand from mine. Inside I screamed, my heart aching for the soul meltingly warm, gentle touch of his strong, smooth hand.
I cleared my throat to say something more, though I had no idea what I was going to say. Velma cut me off to suggest we visit some castle or museum or maybe it was both… I was grateful to her though, my throat was suddenly too dry to speak to Daphne anyways and I couldn't bear the humiliation of looking like an idiot in front of her again.
How could he be so blind? After all these years, he still didn't know… Fred Jones had been my best friend since we were kids, but I'd give anything to be something more. I'd give anything for him to see me as something more than just Daph. Freddie made me laugh through tears, Freddie always knew what to say, or when to say nothing and just be there, his presence, his arms around me all I could ever need. Freddie knew me, understood me more than anyone. He knew I wasn't a snobby, shallow, superficial rich girl, he knew I wasn't an air-headed damsel in distress, he knew who I was, deep down. He would do anything to rescue me, or just help me; he'd die to save me. And I'd do anything to help him. I'd die for him in an instant, without a first, much less second, thought. I'd do anything for my Freddie.
He was far from that same silly, proud, foolish, bossy, cocky little boy whose plans never worked, who always messed up, who was always wrong, who was always blushing and embarrassed every time he made a mistake, was being flirted with, was given praise, or was around me. He'd grown up, mature, clever, fearless, brave, always right, thoughtful, attentive, protective, strong, humble, knowing, patient, wise, cool, calm, collected, controlled, hilarious because of his jokes, clever remarks, and perfect comebacks, not because of his mistakes.
The waiter came over again and we ordered dessert, or rather I ordered dessert for everyone after I translated what was what to them. French was practically the only foreign language Velma didn't speak, though she was trying to learn as much as she could on this trip. Shaggy and Scoob had always been too busy using their mouths to eat to learn a second language. And Freddie… smart, clever, kind, sensitive, thoughtful, fearless, brave, compassionate, strong yet gentle, loving, protective, understanding, forgiving, bold, loyal, giving, and serving as he was, he couldn't speak another language to save his life. Even equipped with a French dictionary, there'd probably be an international incident if he was allowed to open his mouth just once.
Daphne placed the order in her flawless French, speaking rapidly, the words she spoke as flowing as water, sweeter than a harp, richer and more beautiful than a million precious gems, more enchanting than any creature every imagined, the reason sounds and ears where invented. The way her smooth, glossy, full but not too plump lips moved made it difficult for me to breathe, but then again, each blink of an eyelash, each twitch of a finger made me forget how to make my heart beat.
"Well, where should we head to first?" Velma asked as I brought a spoon of chocolate mousse to my mouth. "The Louvre? Arc de Triumph? Notre Dame? Eiffel tower…?"
"I was hoping we wouldn't see the Eiffel tower until tonight," Daph admitted with a shrug, trying to go for casual nonchalance. But then she looked up, eyes shimmering. "It's most romantic with the stars out and the lights of Paris shining…" she gushed with a sigh.
I smiled, she was still a sucker for romance. But if you told her that, you'd get a taste of her black belt in action.
Proud, fiery, stubborn, outspoken, passionate, obstinate, headstrong, reckless, rebellious… I thought, still half-smiling at my beloved redhead.
"What?" she asked, lips pouting in a scowl, just daring me to try and tease her.
She had no idea how desperately I wanted to grab a hold of her and kiss her in that moment.
We're in the most romantic city in the world and you STILL can't tell her how you feel? What's wrong with you, Freddie? I cursed myself.
"Nothing," I said, shaking my head. Everything.
I brought a spoonful of mousse, my favorite dessert because it was Daphne's, as the girls discussed what we should see first and as my thoughts drifted.
I had grown up with this woman and somewhere between all our laughs, inside jokes, pranks, long talks, games, and stupid little fights, I realized I had fallen in love with her the moment I first saw her and that I had just been too young at the time to realize it. She was no spoiled, vain, superficial, stuck up Daddy's girl as I had thought so many years ago. She never had been a little rich girl, and she never would be. And she was no longer a girl. Now, she was kind, compassionate, caring, more understanding and knowing than anyone I had ever met, passionate, steadfast, loving, protective, fearless, bold, outspoken, fiery, strong, gentle, independent, pure, good, brave, sacrificing, generous, thoughtful, sincere…
Daphne Blake always knew what to say to anyone and everyone, when to say nothing, could make anyone's heart lighter without ignoring their pain or burden, without making it seem any less significant than it truly was, she gave people hope, love, she listened without any prejudices, bias, or assumptions, trusting, forgiving, she found good in everyone, she'd do anything for those she loved, and she loved everyone. She was steadfast and immovable in her morals and beliefs, and she was fiery tempered and outspoken protecting them, never afraid to stand up for what she believed in no matter the consequence. And her temper and wrath were even more fiery than her curls.
She was always there for me and would do anything for me, she made me laugh, she made me forget all worries, all cares. She was the most important thing in my life, my only reason for living. She gave me purpose. When all I could see was darkness in the world, she was my light, brighter than the sun, a constant reminder that there was good. She held me through tears, she was there whether everything was going right, or going wrong. She inflamed my temper like no one else could and our constant fiery, yelling, shouting arguments filled me with fire, passion, and contentment. All I needed was her next to me. She made everyone feel better. She believed in me, encouraged me, kept me going when I doubted myself.
She was as smart as Velma deep down. Daph had gotten all A's all her life without trying, and she used those brains to help people. Velma had spent most of high school studying, Daphne always there to help her if she needed it. Yes, Velma knew more about math and science, but science didn't interest Daph and she hated math, even if she was good at it. She was hilariously clever, always saying the perfect thing, whether it be comeback, insult, or words of comfort or encouragement or praise. Daphne spent most of her free time, and money, helping those less fortunate then her. She connected with and loved everyone, whether hurt little girl or bitter old man. She made me laugh and smile like no one else could. She lived for others. She filled me with contentment, joy, peace, and love in just one look. She made me want to be who I was meant to be. She was bold and brave and fearless and more breathtakingly, enchantingly, and heart meltingly beautiful than anything in the world and she would die for those she loved…
And she had no idea I loved her.
It was just as well, I reminded myself. If she knew, she'd laugh at me. No, Daph was too sweet for that. She'd be terribly embarrassed and afraid of hurting me, try to let me down easy. I clenched my spoon tighter at the thought. I was still just little, silly Freddie in her eyes. The kid whose plans , for all his cockiness, always failed. The kid whose guesses were always wrong. The blushing goofball who always made a fool of himself, always made mistakes, was charmed and flattered far too easily…
"Freddie?" I said, snapping him out of whatever his daze.
"Yeah, Daph?" he asked, looking up.
"We're gonna head to the Arc de Triumph first," I said, rising and slinging my black purse over my shoulder. "Then we're going to meet up with a friend of my dad's…" I added as I reapplied my red lipstick.
Freddie readjusted my black beret without thinking, tilting it the way I meant it to be tilted, and dragged Shaggy and Scooby away from the table. They were still trying to scarf down as many pastries as they could.
He turned away from them for one second to help Velma with her massive pile of books on Paris. I looked down, smoothing my black, pleated skirt.
"Scooby! Shaggy! No!" I yelled as I saw the Great Dane chasing his best friend, trying to get the slice of cake Shaggy held.
We all winced as the two knocked down five tables in their chase. Fred yelled after them as Velma scolded them, trying to chase them but dropping a book at each attempt.
"Ooh, that had to hurt," Freddie grimaced as Scooby crashed into Shaggy, a table, and a brick wall.
"Uh, sorry, sir…" the tall, broad shouldered blonde then apologized to a man who had a glass bowl on his now soaking wet head. He tried to help him up and sent me a pleading look.
I apologized to him in French and then told the waiter that I'd pay for the damages. I was grateful that Fred couldn't understand me because he'd protest as usual despite the fact that I really did have too much money on my hands anyways. He'd insist on paying, even though we both knew he couldn't afford to pay for any damage Scooby had inflicted.
Fred, glowering, grabbed the two by their collars, or rather, the collar of Shaggy's wrinkled, oversized green tee and Scooby's actual collar. He dragged them and threw them into the mystery van with a deadly, cold as ice glare that made the two gulp simultaneously. Not even they'd talk at one of those looks.
I helped Velma pick up her books and got into my usual seat, next to Freddie. He drove in silence, still furious with Shaggy and Scooby, fists clenched so tight on the steering wheel that his veins popped out. But I couldn't be more content.
Please review. Next chapter will actually have the mystery surfacing. Oh, and does anyone know what color eyes these guys are supposed to have? And sorry this was so long, I promise, no more page long, rambling gushings on why Fred and Daph love each other.