So…I decided to start a series of one-shots dedicated to unsung pairings in the Charlie Bone Universe. I feel that most one-shots are focused on only a few couples, so I am going to try experimenting with some definitely non-canon couples…so, here for your benefit, is a little Lysander/Olivia (don't ask, just read…)

P.S. This fic occurs in the same realm as my other fic Of Flour, Love, and Blueberries, but you don't need have read that to get this…

Disclaimer: Charlie Bone, all characters, places and related terms belong to Jenny Nimmo

Pudding

"The worst kind of pudding is definitely chocolate pudding," Lysander grumbled, poking his spoon murderously into his pudding cup.

He was sitting on the steps outside the Pet's Café, waiting for Tancred. Ever since his best friend had started dating Emma Tolly, Lysander felt that most of his time was spent waiting for Tancred. Usually the storm-bringer would rush in late, his hair sticking up and looking idiotically happy. Then there would usually be a five to ten minute conversation about how great Emma was and how lucky he (Tancred) was. Lysander tried not hold it against Emma, after all, she was his friend, but he was beginning to get tired of waiting.

He'd begun to think his luck had changed when Mrs. Onimous brought him a homemade pudding cup, but the discovery of the flavour had sent him into an even deeper state of melancholy.

His melancholy was interrupted when the door to the café was flung open and Olivia Vertigo stormed out, muttering under her breath. At the sight of Lysander, she stopped and turned a deep shade of red.

"Sorry, I just…thought I was alone," she said, running a nervous hand through her hair, which today was an almost navy blue. Absently, Lysander wondered how her hair could look so shiny when she dyed it all the time. His thoughts were interrupted when Olivia suddenly plunked herself down next to him.

"You look thoughtful," she remarked, smoothing her yellow skirt as she made herself comfortable. "Contemplating the mysteries of the universe?" When he didn't respond, she continued. "I was waiting for Charlie. He said we were going to have lunch, but apparently he decided that lunch with Naren would be more appealing. I wouldn't have minded, if he had told me…but he didn't." she trailed off and looked at him expectantly.

Under normal circumstances, Lysander would have just nodded at her and gone back to sulking about his pudding, but for some reason, he found himself saying "I know what you mean. I've been waiting for Tancred for awhile. Ever since he and Emma started dating it's just…" He sighed, mildly surprised at how willingly he'd volunteered the information.

A fairly taciturn person, Lysander didn't really care to share his problems with anyone. However, there was something about Olivia's sympathetic face and expressive grey eyes that made him want to talk and, more importantly, say something she'd find impressive.

Olivia considered his words, and then nodded in agreement. "Sometimes it's hard being a you when all your friends have suddenly become a we. I mean, you want to be part of them, but at the same time, you wish you could go back to a time when everyone was just a you," she shrugged a little, and they fell into a companionable silence.

The lull in conversation gave Lysander took an opportunity to glance sideways at Olivia. She was dressed as outlandishly as usual, but somehow managed to look extremely fetching. Her dark blue hair framed her face, accentuating her eyes, and her glittery cardigan sparkled in the sunlight. He suddenly wished that he was better friends with the illusionist. Until today, he couldn't remember having any actual conversations with her. They were both endowed, but he was a year older and normally thought of her as Charlie's friend. He was surprised to find her so engaging and, well, attractive. He was finding he wanted to spend more time with her and find out what she liked to do for fun, how often she changed her hair colour, and if she preferred coffee or tea.

"What?" Olivia suddenly said, breaking his reverie. "Is there something on my face?"

Normally unflappable, Lysander found himself scrambling for an excuse. He didn't know what it was about Olivia, but she seemed to be able to take his normal life and turn it inside out. He couldn't remember a day when he had reacted so unusually to someone. He realised she was still looking at him, waiting for his explanation. He couldn't tell her he'd been staring at her, so he opted for the first thing that came into his flustered mind.

"I was just thinking about pudding," he said, thinking that, as conversation starters go, this was probably not the best way to begin. However, Olivia seemed to accept the change of subject, and produced, seemingly from nowhere, a cup of pudding.

"Mrs. Onimous insisted," she said, her eyes dancing.

"Is it chocolate?" Lysander asked, attempting to peer into her cup.

"No, tapioca," she responded, her expression going from sunny to morose as she glanced into the pudding cup. "I hate tapioca."

"Well, it could be worse," Lysander said, "it could be chocolate."

"Why would that be worse?" Olivia frowned in confusion.

"Because chocolate is the worst pudding flavour to ever be invented," Lysander responded flatly, glaring at his pudding.

"Nah, I would say tapioca," Olivia said, examining her own cup with dislike. "It's full of those weird balls, and it tastes all funny. Nobody likes tapioca, or if they do, they're probably lying."

"It's not for everyone," Lysander agreed, "but some people like it. Personally, I don't mind it. It's different, but good. But chocolate? Chocolate is just boring. Everyone knows what chocolate tastes like, and nobody is interested in it."

"I like chocolate pudding," Olivia said.

Something in the tone of her voice made Lysander turn to look at her. She was looking seriously back at him, her eyes searching his face. He had a feeling they weren't talking about pudding anymore.

"I…," he began, but before he could utter a coherent sentence, Olivia had leaned in and pressed her lips to his. Lysander's brain officially switched off. When they finally pulled back for air, he was aware that one of his hands was tangled in her hair, and her arms were hooked around his neck. He suddenly understood Tancred's expression. Looking down at Olivia's face, he noticed that she looked more surprised than a kiss instigator should look.

Pulling back slightly, he said "I don't normally do stuff like this…I mean, I'm not usually the…emotionally demonstrative type. I'm sorry if I…you know…offended you or anything."

Olivia's eyes widened. "Offended? Lysander, why would I be offended? I mean, I kissed you. I just wasn't expecting…" she broke off, grinning, "But I liked it. Two you's making a we."

Lysander pulled back the rest of the way, suspicion setting in. "Are you sure this isn't just to make a we since you are tired of being a you?" he asked, wondering why he felt as though he'd developed sudden heartburn.

Olivia gave him a confused look, but as understanding dawned, she scooted closer, placing her hand on his arm "I'm sorry, I tend to muddle things sometimes. I didn't mean it like that. Lysander, I told you, I like chocolate pudding. I have for a long time."

Lysander gaped at her.

"A long time?" he finally managed.

"Yeah. I mean, you're really clever and loyal to all your friends and I always thought that maybe if we got to know each other…we could be...friends," she said, blushing.

"Just friends?" Lysander asked, his heartburn inexplicably gone and a decidedly warmer feeling taking its place.

"Well, maybe more than friends…I mean, now that I've jumped you and everything," Olivia grinned, standing and brushing off her skirt.

Lysander stood up and grinned back, feeling better than he had in a long time. From what he'd learned about Olivia Vertigo in the past minutes, he had a feeling that life was about to get a lot more interesting... and he wouldn't be waiting for Tancred anytime soon. He reached out and took her hand, entwining their fingers. Looking down at the blue haired girl next to him, he remarked "Well, it seems I've also developed a fondness for tapioca."

Ok, so I know that in the books Lysander has a girlfriend…who I have nothing against…but I'm pleading artistic license…

So what did you think? Loved it? Hated it? Have another unusual pairing you'd like to see? Please Review or PM me and let me know!!