Title: Parlour Games
Author: PokerKitten
Rating: G
Summary: Response to the 15 Minute Ficlet challenge, word #46. William believes he loves Cecily, feels they are different from all the others. But is she really just like the rest?
Disclaimer: Joss, ME, Fox, yadayada own everything. I just mess with it.
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Parlour Games
When their fingers had brushed, as they both leaned forward pursing their lips to blow, William had thought his heart would stop. Or melt. Or burst. And at the sound of her tinkling laughter, he had flushed gently and looked down, away, embarrassed yet.... secretly aroused. The fluffy white feather had fallen to the floor and the others had cheered, jeered, and suggested they play something else.
By rights, he and Cecily should have paid a forfeit for their failure, but he was relieved they had decided to move on instead. Cat and Mouse, silly game! But at least it meant he had a chance to sit quietly and just watch. Watch Cecily. Drink in the curve of her mouth, the dark curls in her hair, the swell of her.... William cleared his throat and helped drag the chairs into line, feeling out of place and yet grateful for this chance to spend time with his Venus, his Aphrodite, his..... Hmmm. Slipping into a seat, William surreptitiously removed his notebook and pen from his pocket. His.... delicate songbird.
Smiling in satisfaction at having captured this thought, William glanced up to see how the game was progressing. The blindfolds were already in place and Freddie seemed to be the Cat. William tutted softly. He had no liking for this man, he.... Oh! And Cecily was the Mouse! Sweet Cecily, whose colour had risen in excitement for the game, and whose lovely eyes were now hidden beneath the black cloth. Catching himself in the act of staring a little open-mouthed, William shifted uncomfortably in his seat, ink-stained fingers now fiercely clutching his pen.
The object of the game, of course, was for the Cat to catch the Mouse, as they moved in the dark around the rows of chairs and spectators. And if he did, that would mean Freddie touching his radiant Cecily. His love. Freddie! That, that.... midnight rake! William had to forcibly restrain his body from leaping to Cecily's defence as Freddie closed on her, as she half- stumbled in her haste to escape. Instead, he dropped his writing materials to the floor and caught her arm to steady her, confusing and halting her, allowing Freddie to pounce and whip off their blindfolds.
With laughter and applause ringing round the room, William tried to catch Cecily's eye. "I'm sorry" he murmured.
She regarded him quizzically. "No matter, William" she responded, before turning back to Freddie.
Cecily had spoken to him, and so kindly! And he had touched his little songbird not once, but twice! Flustered and happy, William bent to pick up his papers. And didn't see the raised eyebrow and rolling eyes she bestowed upon Freddie, mouth twitching into a smile of condescension at the silly poet.
Which was a pity, as it may have helped prevent much heartache and bitterness for William in his very near future.....
Author: PokerKitten
Rating: G
Summary: Response to the 15 Minute Ficlet challenge, word #46. William believes he loves Cecily, feels they are different from all the others. But is she really just like the rest?
Disclaimer: Joss, ME, Fox, yadayada own everything. I just mess with it.
****************************
Parlour Games
When their fingers had brushed, as they both leaned forward pursing their lips to blow, William had thought his heart would stop. Or melt. Or burst. And at the sound of her tinkling laughter, he had flushed gently and looked down, away, embarrassed yet.... secretly aroused. The fluffy white feather had fallen to the floor and the others had cheered, jeered, and suggested they play something else.
By rights, he and Cecily should have paid a forfeit for their failure, but he was relieved they had decided to move on instead. Cat and Mouse, silly game! But at least it meant he had a chance to sit quietly and just watch. Watch Cecily. Drink in the curve of her mouth, the dark curls in her hair, the swell of her.... William cleared his throat and helped drag the chairs into line, feeling out of place and yet grateful for this chance to spend time with his Venus, his Aphrodite, his..... Hmmm. Slipping into a seat, William surreptitiously removed his notebook and pen from his pocket. His.... delicate songbird.
Smiling in satisfaction at having captured this thought, William glanced up to see how the game was progressing. The blindfolds were already in place and Freddie seemed to be the Cat. William tutted softly. He had no liking for this man, he.... Oh! And Cecily was the Mouse! Sweet Cecily, whose colour had risen in excitement for the game, and whose lovely eyes were now hidden beneath the black cloth. Catching himself in the act of staring a little open-mouthed, William shifted uncomfortably in his seat, ink-stained fingers now fiercely clutching his pen.
The object of the game, of course, was for the Cat to catch the Mouse, as they moved in the dark around the rows of chairs and spectators. And if he did, that would mean Freddie touching his radiant Cecily. His love. Freddie! That, that.... midnight rake! William had to forcibly restrain his body from leaping to Cecily's defence as Freddie closed on her, as she half- stumbled in her haste to escape. Instead, he dropped his writing materials to the floor and caught her arm to steady her, confusing and halting her, allowing Freddie to pounce and whip off their blindfolds.
With laughter and applause ringing round the room, William tried to catch Cecily's eye. "I'm sorry" he murmured.
She regarded him quizzically. "No matter, William" she responded, before turning back to Freddie.
Cecily had spoken to him, and so kindly! And he had touched his little songbird not once, but twice! Flustered and happy, William bent to pick up his papers. And didn't see the raised eyebrow and rolling eyes she bestowed upon Freddie, mouth twitching into a smile of condescension at the silly poet.
Which was a pity, as it may have helped prevent much heartache and bitterness for William in his very near future.....