This is my take on what should happen after S 5x05... SPOILER ALERT if you aren't up to date with the show.
XXXX
She pats all around the mattress, trying to find a trace of her bed mate. All she finds as she opens her eyes is brightness. There doesn't seem to have been a struggle so she throws a shirt on as she listens for any sign of activity. She hops out of bed after hearing a noise from the hallway. She heads down the stairs as she follows the sound of movement and enters the rarely used kitchen.
The sight of Alison greets her and she finds it easier to breathe. It seems the blonde is making it her hobby to scare the brunette to death.
"You really need to stay put." Emily states, voice gruff from their activities.
"I was hoping I'd worn you out enough for you to sleep in today." Alison confesses as she stands over the hot stove. "I wanted to surprise you with breakfast in bed." she glances over to the brunette, flashing her an alluring smile, and notices Emily looking as though she's trying to decipher another difficult math problem.
"I see that." the swimmer stares with an unreadable expression as she looks between Alison and the kitchen.
"What?" Alison asks, knowing Emily couldn't possibly be that upset that she'd left the room. Yes A is still out and about but she doesn't think the bitch would be stupid enough to attack her in her own home in broad daylight, especially not with her father and her swimmer at home. "What is it?" she repeats.
"You're cooking." she does nothing to hide her astonishment.
"I worked at a diner for a couple months and they were always shorthanded so sometimes I'd have to help out in the kitchen." Alison explains easily as she turns her attention back to the frying pan. "It was fun so I decided to expand my knowledge a little." sharing these little bits of information makes her feel closer to Emily.
"So you learned how to cook." the brunette processes this particular detail.
"Is it that impossible for me to want to learn how to make food?" she isn't annoyed, just a little intrigued that the athlete seems to be having such a hard time wrapping her mind around this fact.
"No," the response is accompanied by a grin as she walks over to the blonde. Strong arms wrap around the runaway's waist as she stands behind the cook. Alison looks over to her shoulder as Emily leans in to show just how much she approves of the skill that the blonde has picked up."I think it's," she presses their mouths in a hungry kiss. "Incredibly sexy." she breathes against the blonde's lips.
They stand there satiating their appetite until the runaway reluctantly breaks away, the heat from the stove reminding her of her current task at hand. Alison shakes her head, blue eyes twinkling with mirth as she realizes what Emily's thinking about.
"Save it for later." she suggests, rather regretfully.
"Maybe after your dad leaves?" Emily propositions, knowing the fact that her father's home is the only reason they aren't indulging their more carnal appetites. Alison wearing nothing but an apron will certainly be appetizing but she'd rather satisfy their needs without an audience. "He is leaving today right?" the hopeful tone in her voice is rewarded with a small nod.
"For now maybe you can help me." she suggests.
"Cook?" Emily looks at her like she's grown a third head. "You know I don't know how." her mother doesn't trust her with the family recipes, often only letting her help by cutting the vegetables.
"I can teach you." Alison offers.
"I'd like that." the pair smile, looking forward to trying something new together. "Now, what do you need me to do?" the athlete presents herself eagerly.
"Get the eggs from the fridge?" she asks.
Emily does as she's asked. They set out to make breakfast with Alison giving instructions, telling her which spices to use, which vegetables to cut. Before she knows it she's standing over the stove beside Alison, pouring the ingredients from the bowl onto the sizzling frying pan in front of the blonde.
"I gotta say," Emily states as she watches the blonde in utter fascination. "I never thought I'd see you looking so domesticated."
"It's not a bad thing right?" she asks though she knows how much Emily approves.
"It isn't," it's just more proof that Alison really has matured over the years. She smiles, falling for the blonde just a little more. "It's just surprising." she explains. "It's a pleasant surprise though." the athlete assures.
"Well, now we know which one of us is butch." bright blues twinkle impishly.
"Just because I'm athletic doesn't mean I'm butch." Emily certainly hates the generalization of gay people. "Stereotype much?" she rolls her eyes but grins to let Alison know she isn't offended that she's being teased.
"Just calling it like I see it, Em." she flashes a roguish smirk at the brunette. Emily glares playfully at the shorter girl who releases a small chuckle. "At least we know what roles we'll be playing when we host a barbecue." Alison reasons, placing a chaste kiss on the athlete's lips before settling the plate of food in front of the brunette.
"Fine," chocolate brown eyes flicker with glee. "But I draw the line at wearing Birkenstock sandals."
"Damn," Alison feigns a sigh of disappointment as she puts their food on a serving plate. She leans up, the lack of heels making their height difference that much noticeable, and pecks the taller girl's lips. "There goes your Christmas present."
"Just for that, we're going to build up your gay-ducation." Emily chuckles in amusement.
Alison smiles before grabbing forks from the silverware drawer. In all honesty, the meal isn't complicated or grand but Emily eats as though it's the first time she's ever had breakfast and the blonde feels she can breathe a little easier as warmth floods her chest. It's a momentous occasion. Not only is it yet another step in their relationship, it's another first for them seeing as Alison has never cooked for anyone save for customers. They also both know what the menu items represent.
They begin to spoon feed each other, Emily offering forkfuls of cinnamon french toast whilst Alison does the same with the omelette.
XXXX
By the time Kenneth DiLaurentis decides to go to work, the girls have already settled themselves on the couch. Neither feel like moving, both too comfortable to consider even venturing outside where peace will surely be unattainable.
There isn't much incentive to go out anyway. Reporters are still lurking around the corners. It seems as though they've made interrogating Alison their life's pursuit. They wait, ready to pester her with questions, hoping that she'll finally answer. Of course, there's also the incessant whispering and stares that they have to go through whenever they walk through town. They get enough of that at school.
They deserve a couple of days off from feeling like fish swimming around a cramped tank so they've settle for a day in.
The athlete sits on the family room couch with the blonde, Emily's arm draped around Alison's midsection as the blonde's back leans against her side. The runaway traces her fingertips across the back of Emily's hand as it's splayed out on her stomach.
Emily makes good on her word about expanding Alison's gay-ducation so they're comfortably seated watching Netflix.
To be more accurate, Alison's eyes are glued to the screen as she watches with genuine interest. Emily knows because she's kept her gaze on the blonde's face, mindful of the shorter girl's expressions as the show progresses. The swimmer observes the way the runaway's forehead crinkles when she dislikes something going on. She notices how the right corner of the blonde's upper lip tweaks upward when she finds something amusing. The movement is usually followed by a small breathy laugh.
The episode ends and Alison turns her head to face the brunette who she knows hasn't really been paying attention to the show.
"I thought you wanted to watch." she reminds teasingly.
"Yes," Emily grins brightly as she leans in to give the blonde a kiss that does well to show how much she appreciates being able to watch the runaway. "But you're definitely more interesting." she whispers breathlessly.
"I'm glad you find me so fascinating." the blonde licks her lips.
She turns her torso slightly as she raises her head to meet the brunette's lips in yet another kiss. The blonde basks in the warmth of the athlete's embrace. A comfortable familiarity washes over the pair. It feels as though they've done this before, like they've spent many afternoons lounging about the couch swapping sweet kisses.
They could definitely get used to spending their days like this. Emily runs her hand underneath the blonde's shirt.
Before they're able to be complete lost within themselves, they hear the door opening and a very familiar voice screaming Alison's name and Emily expects the blonde to scramble out of her arms. The runaway merely sighs, pressing their lips together in a promise that they'll pick up where they left off as she pulls away slightly.
Emily moves to take her hand away but Alison just drapes it across her shoulder. The space between them is nonexistent as the runaway positions herself.
Alison goes back to leaning with her a portion of her back pressed the swimmer. She doesn't question the movement and neither does Aria who comes into the family room. She sets her bag on the coffee table and heads over to the empty chair which matches the leather couch the pair are currently seated on.
"Seriously with everything that's going on you leave your door unlocked?" Aria asks as she comes into the room.
"Hello Aria, please come in." Alison replies dryly.
"You weren't answering your phone." the petite brunette explains. "I'm sorry Mike went out with my dad this morning and I just can't take being home alone." the declaration makes the blonde feel guilty for snapping at her troubled friend.
"It's fine." the runaway assures comfortingly.
"Emily," the writer greets her friend. "I didn't know you'd be here." she states.
"I stayed the night after I helped Alison put up new locks on her bedroom." the tallest girl informs her friend who gives a small nod.
"You can change locks but you can't change tires?" the potential literary major teases, not thinking too much about the fact that the pair have been staying over each other's houses a lot lately.
"I never said I couldn't change tires." Emily clarifies. "I just don't like adhering to stereotypes."
"For the last time, we looked at you because you're sporty, not because you're gay." Aria defends. "Besides, it's not a stereotype if it's true." the petite brunette debates whilst Alison chuckles. The swimmer merely rolls her eyes in defeat. "Spencer's on her way by the way." Aria remarks as she tucks her legs underneath her, making herself more comfortable on the leather recliner and they hear the door open once more.
"You really need to lock your door." Spencer states as she files in the living room.
"Trust me, I know." Emily makes a mental memo of double locking all her doors in order to prevent this sort of intrusion from happening once more. As much as she loves her friends, she finds herself wishing her moment of peace with Alison can last just a little longer. "What brings you here?" the athlete looks to the genius.
"Melissa's home." Spencer says, earning an understanding nod from the swimmer and the blonde. "Em, you stayed over again?" she asks with a hint of accusation.
The question is rewarded with a relaxed nod. Both of the shorter brunettes know that Alison and Emily spending copious amounts of time together has little to do with the dangerous encounters the runaway's been having. They understand that it isn't really safe for the former ice queen to be by herself but they also know the runaway and the swimmer have their own issues to sort through. They haven't felt the need to interfere.
Too bad the same can't be said for their other blonde friend. When Hanna arrives she immediately sends a disapproving look at the couple cuddling on the couch.
Everyone is too busy to notice the flash of green in Hanna's usually blue eyes.
XXXX
What's supposed to be a quiet day in turns into a sleepover as all the girls decide they want to spend the night at Alison's.
The genius and the writer don't even think to look at how close the runaway and the swimmer are sitting but Alison can feel a pair of blue depths darker than her own watching the lack of space between them. She turns to meet Hanna's accusatory glance with a raised brow. Their eyes meet briefly but before the runaway can read her friend's intentions, Hanna turns her attention towards the television screen.
"I can't believe we're watching this." the black and gold haired teen remarks in distaste and everyone in the room is wondering why she would be averse to watching seeing as she clearly isn't homophobic.
"It's a good show." Spencer defends.
"I feel like I'm staring into my impact future." Hanna's dislike stems from the fact that they're watching a show set in prison.
They're already in trouble with the law. She doesn't need to see what her life will be like once the police catch on that Alison's been lying about being kidnapped and who knows what else the runaway's been lying about. Also, all the moaning and groaning is getting on her nerves. It's not the two girls getting it on that's bothering her or the fact that she's watching soft core porn with her friends. It's just that she feels there's enough sexual tension in the room.
"Immediate." Spencer corrects automatically, always ready to correct. The sarcastic blonde looks at her in confusion. "The word you're looking for is immediate." she explains, earning a roll of the eyes and a scoff from the resentful blonde.
"Whatever," she turns her attention away from the human dictionary.
"It's nice to know we'll be in jail together." Aria jests, trying to lighten the mood which Hanna seems to be intent on dampening.
"If we do go to jail together, dibs on Emily." Hanna states and the two shorter brunettes look at her incredulously. "What? Just because I'm going gay for the stay doesn't mean I'm not going to be picky about what goes into my vagina." she notes the steely look on Alison's face.
"Why Emily?" Spencer asks, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"She's very experienced." Alison answers easily, the other girls looking at her curiously, wondering why it sounds like she's the one speaking from experience. "Why Spencer? Are you jealous?" the blonde is quick to turn the tables before any of her friends can form the question in their minds. "I'm sure Aria would love to travel down the rainbow brick road with you, you know Team Sparia and all that." everyone except Hanna is amused.
"Well if Aria gets Spencer, I get Emily, who do you get, Ali?" Hanna challenges as though she's goading Alison to confirm her beliefs about the change in her relations with the swimmer.
"Who says you get Emily?" the runaway questions, not willing to back down from whatever game Hanna's playing. She matches the intensity of the other blonde's stare and all she sees is anger. Alison finds herself a bit confused because they'd had a heart to heart the other day and while she didn't think it would mend all wounds, she thought they were on their way to healing their unstable friendship. She doesn't understand why the other blonde is looking at her with such resentment. "I don't remember her agreeing."
"I guess that means I'm the one that's going stag to the gay parade since we all know who Emily's going to choose." Hanna remarks dryly.
"I'm sure you'll pick up your own stud." Emily assures, not really sure why the grunge looking blonde feels the need to constantly bring up this whole thing.
"Maybe it won't be so bad having a bitch." Hanna's eyes spark with mischief as she turns her full attention to the blonde that's using Emily's lap as her pillow. "Alison, care to share what it's like to have one at your back and call?"
"Beck." Spencer corrects before she can stop herself.
"I wouldn't know." she answers feigning disinterest, knowing the sarcastic blonde is merely trying to get a rise out of her. Plus, she's established the fact that she doesn't think of Emily as her bitch. "Hanna, care to share what it's like to be a bitch?"
"I don't know Ali, you have more experience with that than I do." just then the doorbell rings.
"You're right," the runaway concedes with a bitter smirk on her face. She knows she'll never escape her past misconducts, but having them brought up by her friend sends a stabbing pain through her chest. "I do." Alison gets up without another word and heads over to the door, leaving the others to stare at her retreating form.
"Ali," Aria calls before jumping up from her seat and following the sullen blonde to the door, throwing Hanna a look of annoyance before exiting the room.
"Hanna!" Emily scolds the bitchy blonde, wondering where the animosity is stemming from since the two blondes seemed to be on the path to mending their friendship. "What the hell is your problem?" while she clearly disapproves of her scornful friend's behavior, she can't help but question Hanna's sanity at the moment.
"I thought you and Alison were alright." Spencer questions.
"We are." and it's clear to the girls that she isn't lying to them, only to herself. "It's just that," she begins hesitantly. "Caleb's been on my ass about A and Alison." Hanna explains.
"I know he's concerned about you but he has no right to pass judgement on Alison especially since he doesn't know the whole story." Emily says as she gets up from the couch and begins to head over to where the distraught blonde had gone.
"What a surprise, Emily's going after Alison again!" the resentful blonde sneers as she throws her hands up in exasperation, tired of witnessing the lengths Emily go through to protect Alison. "You really need to stop letting your vagina do your thinking for you." the swimmer just throws her a look of disappointment and displeasure before exiting the family room.
"Ok, you need to calm down with that." Spencer recommends. "I get it, you're angry at Alison but do you really need to take it out on Emily?"
"Why shouldn't I?" the question is accompanied by her frustration over the situation.
"Maybe because she hasn't done anything?" Spencer points out. "It's not like she's taking sides." the scholarly brunette debates.
"Isn't she?" Emily's quick to throw barbs at Hanna for the runaway's sake.
"You're attacking Alison, of course she's going to defend her." the genius rationalizes. "Even Aria went after Ali." Spencer reminds. The resentful blonde's actions toward the runaway clearly have them all curious. It also makes them more susceptible to treat Alison as a victim of Hanna's seemingly unjustifiable ire. "Are you still mad because Alison was flirting with Caleb?" the scholarly brunette asks, determined to get to the root of the blonde's indignation.
"No." Hanna replies. She finds herself shocked by how truthfully she answered. "I thought her being here would make things easier but now everything's different." she hates the way things are changing.
"I understand Caleb being pissed because he wants to blame the whole A situation on Alison." Spencer deduces. Caleb has a very cut and dry opinion of Alison. "That explains why he's peeved with her, but what about you?" the genius raises the question Hanna's been fighting herself to answer. "Why are you so angry with her?"
"Why aren't you?" she deflects.
"I don't have the time to contemplate how I feel about Alison right now." the genius is already torn between her parents divorce, worrying about Toby, and wondering if her sister is A.
"And yet you have time to question me." she bites back.
"I'm not the one who's majorly wigging because Alison's back." it's clear Hanna isn't ready to talk, let alone think, about why Alison being back bothers her so much. "Look, I'm not telling you how to feel." Spencer remembers how horribly the runaway treated the once overweight blonde. Alison playing nice with Caleb is certainly a cause for concern as well. She's not disregarding Hanna's feelings, knowing the bullied blonde is entitled to be angry and suspicious. "I'm just saying you need figure out whatever issues you have with Alison." the genius advises sagely. "And try not to drag Emily into it." she can't think of a reason why Emily deserves such antagonism from Hanna.
But Hanna can't make that promise because it's becoming clear to her that aside from her identity crisis, Emily's the reason why she's so troubled by Alison's return from the grave.
XXXX
Aria reaches the door before Alison who seems to be lost in her thoughts. The sight of the delivery man greets them and she can't help but feel thankful. The writer quickly takes the packages of food while the runaway pays for their dinner.
"You okay?" the petite brunette asks as they haltingly make their return to the family room.
"I get it, she doesn't trust me." the blonde remarks. She doesn't blame her but the runaway wonders if that's the only reason why Hanna's treating her like a social pariah. "None of you do." except her mermaid of course. "But why does she keep hauling Emily into it?" it pains her to know that the swimmer is suffering as she's being targeted by their friend for Alison's mistakes.
"I don't know." Aria answers with equal confusion. "I think she's just lashing out at every one."
"I'm sorry to be throwing you into yet another one of my messes." the runaway whispers, her breath heavy with regret and sorrow.
"It's okay," hazel eyes widen with shock. She clearly wasn't expecting an apology from the former ice queen. She certainly wasn't expecting Alison to look so sincere whilst she was saying it. "It's not your fault Hanna's about to have a meltdown." because really, the angry blonde should know by know that her friends will be willing to drop everything and listen to her yet Hanna seems content to just attack Alison.
"Hey," Emily meets them halfway, eyes trained on the pensive blonde.
Aria takes the hint and proceeds back into the family room with the food in tow, ready to prove to Hanna that she doesn't have to carry her burden alone. Alison's back but they're all in this together.
"Is there something I should know about?" Alison asks.
She recalls all her arguments with her resentful friend. The more she thinks about Hanna's words and actions, the more she realizes that the hateful blonde's attitude has less to do with her return and more to do with her current relations with Emily.
"What do you mean?" the swimmer's clueless.
"You and Hanna." the runaway crosses her arms as she waits for the brunette's explanation.
"We're best friends." she doesn't know where Alison's going with this conversation.
"And what were we before now?" the blonde clues the swimmer in, trying to provide a connection between their past and Hanna's current behavior.
"We've always been more than best friends."
Emily answers honestly and Alison can't help but smile at her sincerity. The brunette closes the gap between them, placing a comforting kiss on the runaway's lips. The blonde eagerly repays her affectionate actions by brushing her tongue along the roof of the athlete's mouth. The swimmer moans and it almost makes Alison want to drop the interrogation.
"Are you sure there's nothing going on between you and Hanna?" she gets straight to the point after they break for air.
"Wait, you think she's acting like this because she's into me?" the brunette laughs at the absurdity of Alison's insinuations. "I mean, we did make out once but other than that, we're just friends." Emily recalls and bright blue eyes flash dangerously as they demand an explanation. "We were drunk and Katy Perry was playing." the confession only supports the runaway's theories. "It was just a little too much vodka and some friendly experimentation." she takes Alison's hand into her own, interlocking their fingers as they walk to the family room.
Alison decides to drop the subject for now, opting to investigate further. Things between her and Emily are complicated enough without having to add Hanna's issues. The blonde sighs as she runs her thumb along the back of the swimmer's hand.
"Next you're going to tell me you kissed Spencer." she wonders just how close Emily has gotten with all their friends.
"No." Emily declares. "But she did kiss Aria though."
The brunette laughs at the wide eyed expression on the runaway's face. They head back into the family room where Aria is busy handing food to Spencer. She sits with Emily and when the lights are turned off, their hands automatically clasp together. Hanna's glaring at them, they both can feel the heat of her disapproving gaze but as Alison traces lazy circles around the back of the swimmer's hand neither of them can really find it in themselves to care.
As Alison processes the newly retained information she watches the television screen before her, the theme song blares after Aria presses play.
Apparently gay is the new black.
XXXX
Thanks so much for reading my previous fic! I hope this lives up to your expectations!
Alright, who else thinks Emily's getting back together with Paige? That "i love you" slip is too telling. Plus the fact that Alison's still sneaking around doesn't help. Did the writers just fool us into believing there's hope for Alison and Emily to be endgame?
What do you think of PLL current season and my fic so far?