A/N: Sorry for the wait. I have had a very busy week - summer birthdays, what are you going to do?
x
Of All the Lovers
Dance.
I'm standing here with you,
Why won't you move?
I'll get inside your groove,
Because I'm on fire, fire, fire…
Lilly held the door open for Miley whilst they stepped into the bar she had chosen for their 'date', as Miley had so warmly called their evening together. This club was the place she had selected for their night because it had a friendly atmosphere and she had come here often before. Other women, from about the age of thirty and more, sat around drinking cocktails in the ladies' Happy Hour which was the most attractive feature of the bar.
"What would you like to drink?" Lilly asked once they had selected a quiet table in the corner. The place had a small dance floor at the opposite end, which was currently deserted but Lilly could feel the appeal of the music calling out to her already. They would have to dance later.
Miley shrugged and perused the cocktail menu that was already placed on the table. After reading the list over she set it back down, "I'm thinking we should go with the classic mojito tonight."
"Yes?"
Miley nodded, "I went to Barcelona once and became a little bit addicted."
"I know." Lilly confirmed, "I was with you."
Miley laughed, "I know."
"I also remember that I had to clean you up after you overdosed on rum-based drinks."
Miley winced, "I'd forgotten about that part."
"It still haunts me to this day." Lilly replied with a twinkle in her eyes, "But I won't deny you your preference. Two mojitos it is then."
Lilly stepped up gracefully and made her way over to the bar where she placed their order with a bearded man who smiled at her warmly, "How are you tonight Lilly?"
Lilly smiled in return, "I'm fine thanks Kyle."
Kyle swept his eyes over to the table in the corner, where Miley was lingering once more on the menu, to give herself something to do whilst she was waiting, "Is that your date for the evening?"
Lilly blushed, "I don't know if you can call it that exactly."
Kyle looked Miley over, and then returned to Lilly, "She's a pretty lady and you've brought her to your favourite bar, I only assumed what I've seen in the past Lilly."
Lilly grinned, "Look at you getting all arrogant over this being my favourite bar." When the man shrugged Lilly continued with a sigh, "We'll just have to see where the evening goes. It's kind of complicated."
Kyle passed Lilly two icy glasses with a wink, "Good luck."
Lilly smiled as she walked away, returning across the dark room to join her best friend once more.
"I have to apologise for being late." Miley began when Lilly returned to their table and set Miley's glass down in front of her.
"Late?" Lilly repeated and confusion quickly found its way into the creasing of her brow and the pout in her lips, "I don't understand…"
Miley smiled knowingly back at her friend, "You must remember Lilly."
Lilly shook her head, "I still don't know what you're talking about."
Miley laughed and the sound shocked Lilly, sending a bolt of pleasure through her body, "I'm not talking about tonight – I was hideously early. I was mentioning the pact we made. Back when we were still in college?"
Lilly smiled shyly, "Oh, that."
"I'm forty-two now Lilly, we're two years overdue for our civil partnership."
Lilly choked against her straw as the liquid she had been taking up into her mouth had been forgotten on the way to her lips in response to Miley's reflection. "A-are we?"
Miley swirled the straw she held between elegant fingertips around her glass, stirring up the ice and brown sugar in the bottom, before she sipped, "Yes."
"I'm sorry about that." Lilly apologised.
Miley grinned, "I never imagined I would see Lilly Truscott fall apart over some simple flirting with another woman." Miley chided, "I thought you always had to be in control?"
Lilly shook her head, "I'm never in control when you're around, Miley."
Miley was watching her intently, "I love what you've done with your hair tonight."
"What a good way to change the subject."
Miley laughed, "No, seriously, I do! It looks lovely. So…tame."
"I'm glad you approve of my grooming efforts."
"Any burns?"
"What are you talking ab-… Oh."
"It's good to know you still remember the night we spent in the accident room of hospital."
"So burning my ear whilst I was attempting to straighten my hair wasn't the best idea."
Miley shook her head, "Right before Oliver's nineteenth birthday party as well. Poor guy, we only got back during the last hour, when everyone was either passed out or looking after those who were emptying their insides."
"And I had a great big bandage on the side of my head." Lilly sighed, "Those were the days."
"The days of waiting in the emergency room for five hours before actually being seen by any of the doctors, followed by being laughed at when we told them how the accident happened."
"I hadn't even been drinking beforehand." Lilly groaned, "What a dork."
"You always were - my dork." Miley teased with twinkling eyes.
"I think it's safe to say, now that we've spent the majority of our lives together, that I have been and will always be your dork." Lilly replied sincerely.
Miley smiled and then surprised Lilly by reaching across the table to take her hands in both of hers, "Until death do us part, I hope."
Lilly swallowed and looked down at their joined hands. Hers were beginning to get very warm from where they were cocooned within Miley's grasp. She could feel the softness of Miley's palms pressing down into her fingertips and the backs of her hands. The cool metal of the ring which Miley always wore on her right hand was pressing into Lilly's left hand and Lilly didn't know what to do.
I've been in a rut, back and forth enough, heart like a wheel…
A new song fired up from the sound system as the DJ flipped the tracks into something very familiar to Lilly and Miley. It was one of Hannah Montana's old songs and they met each other's eyes in recognition.
Without you around so uncomfortable is how it feels…
Lilly's heart rate was frightening her. She knew she had to take things slowly with the woman before her, but everything within her being was sparking forward into the place where their hands were tied on the surface of the table.
Every time you're near trouble disappears under the ground…
Miley's eyes were burning into Lilly's own and for a moment Lilly forgot that they were in the middle of a bar, surrounded by strangers. She also misplaced the fact that they were both in their forties with different lifestyles, one of which included a sixteen-year-old to take care of and the other… Well, Lilly had her friends and the children in her class.
But when you go too far silver clouds will start hanging around…
Lilly was in her teenage years again, sitting close to Miley and there was no distance between them. They spent everyday together and whenever one had plans, the other was sure to be included. For this is how it had always been between them.
And I know I try to run, but I keep on coming back full circle and I can't jump the track…
Lilly squeezed Miley's hands tightly and she heard the other woman sigh.
Can't let you go…
"Do you want to dance?" Lilly asked, feeling suddenly bold.
Tied to one, so I keep on coming back full circle…
Miley's eyes darted over to the floor where a group of female friends were bobbling along to the music. She bit down on her bottom lip for a moment, slowly debating over what would be the best answer to give to Lilly.
Because I know you'll come around, you'll come around…
"Yes. Of course." Miley replied brightly and began to rise from her seat.
Skipping down a broken path, how long can I last? Please let me know, oh…
They were still connected with Miley's right hand clinging onto Lilly's left as they walked towards the dance area together. Lilly could feel her pulse in her throat now and she swallowed, wishing for the stamina to get her through one dance with Miley Stewart without being too forward, or collapsing from the exhaustion of controlling her desires.
Where's the finish line? 'Cause I got to find somewhere to go…
They were standing opposite each other on their own patch of the dance area and the other ladies had shuffled over to give them their space. Lilly's cheeks were stained pink as she felt the judgemental eyes on her. The other women were watching, slyly, and ready for the gossip they could take home.
I don't wanna hear those people interfere, what do they know?
It was then that Miley caught her eye again and Lilly could see the glint in them, it was one she recognised all too well. Miley wanted to dance and she was beginning to sway her body. It was just like prom; a stuffy space with music blaring everywhere, and two young women were timidly taking to the dance floor.
What I feel inside when I'm up all night needing you home…
They were connected since Miley had taken both of Lilly's hands into each of hers once more. She was smiling shyly at Lilly again, acting as if they hadn't danced a hundred dances together before this night, or maybe this one was the only one that really mattered? It did to Lilly.
Miley lifted her arms up and Lilly twirled beneath them, taking Miley's outburst of laughter as her encouragement. She stepped into the song and let the rhythm flow through her. Her hips were moving in time to the beat of the music and Miley was dancing with her. "I can't remember the last time I danced to a Hannah Montana track." Lilly said above the blare of the music.
Miley grinned, "Me neither. Maybe it was when we were painting my kitchen? A couple of months back?"
"Oh yeah!" Lilly chirped, her face flashing up a brilliant smile. "But it wasn't just one Hannah song."
"Nope, it was pretty much all of them." Miley concurred.
"We didn't get a lot of decorating done…" Lilly mused, thinking of the harmless paint battle that had gone one between the two women. She had only accidentally flicked her brush, but white gloss had gone in Miley's perfect hair and the brunette called war. They had only been stopped when Emily had stepped in and called them off one another.
"It's all your fault." Miley dictated.
"What is?" Lilly asked.
"Everything." Miley's eyes had flickered down to the floor again, but then they lifted back up and she gave Lilly the same demure look she had greeted her with when Lilly had found her on her doorstep earlier that evening.
Lilly lost her breath and in the same moment, Miley stepped forward and shattered the distance between them. She looped her arms around Lilly's neck, until they were just swaying in place together.
I'll keep on running till we meet in the middle…
Miley's darkened eyes were gazing into Lilly's and the blonde felt the pink stain in her cheeks spread out until she was certain her entire face was burning. She licked her dry lips but kept her sight level on Miley, who was smiling coyly once more.
I'll put right aside and I'll give just a little…
"We've always danced together like this, haven't we?" Miley asked, and Lilly felt her heartbeat jump erratically in her chest.
"Yes." Lilly agreed, unable to think of any more answers and Miley placed her curly-haired head onto her shoulder.
There's miles to go but we both know that we'll make it…
Lilly inhaled deeply and then found her nerve to pull the other woman tighter to her. She held Miley's torso closely against her own, whilst tilting her head to press a soft kiss into Miley's hair. They remained practically still on the floor and completely unaware of anyone else but each other.
And I know I try to run,
But I keep on coming back full circle
And I can't jump the track,
Can't let you go…
Miley lifted her head away, but kept her arms bound around Lilly. She was looking into Lilly's eyes with such intensity that Lilly knew if it had been any other woman but Miley, she would be kissing her by now.
Then Miley's eyes were closing slowly as she leaned closer to Lilly, her lips parted invitingly and Lilly knew she had only to take her chance.
Tied to one,
So I keep on coming back full circle
'Cause I know you'll come around
You'll come around…
Lilly stayed still, she was frozen by nerves, trepidation and a sudden feeling of disbelief that this could actually be happening to her. Miley's breath was warm against her lips and Lilly found instinct was taking over her body, her own head gradually closing the distance between them.
Miley turned and her lips swept over the corner of Lilly's mouth to brush up against her cheek instead.
Yeah, I know you'll come around, you'll come around…
"Thank you for the dance." Miley whispered, so that only Lilly could hear her.
Lilly opened her eyes and found Miley's locked instantly with her own once more. Miley's sapphire orbs were round, filled with apology and Lilly knew she was cursing the lost chance, perhaps even more than she was. Yet she also saw uncertainty in her best friend's eyes, and Lilly did not want this to grow.
Instead Lilly smiled and reached up with a hesitant hand to brush a little of Miley's hair away from her cheek, "You're welcome."
Miley smiled back and Lilly could see the vulnerability within the other woman's face, for she felt it too. There was so much to say, and Lilly had lived for too long without mentioning anything already.
x-x-x-x-x
The Month of July in the Year 2013
"Da na na na na na na na na, da na na na na na na na na…"
Lilly was singing out the credits at the end of one of her favourite television programs. It was a habit that had started from when she had got into Friends from a young age and now, whilst she was at college, she found it difficult to let this one die.
Her singing was so exuberant that she failed to hear the door of the flat she shared with Miley swing open and strike the wall. Lilly's eyes remained glued to the screen whilst Miley stormed into the room, so it was only when the other girl switched off the television that Lilly noticed anything was wrong and turned to regard a rather disheveled Miley, "Are you okay?"
Miley tossed her hair, "I think I will be now."
The brunette proceeded to march into the kitchen where she pulled a bottle of beer from their fridge. Lilly watched on, "Miley? It's four in the afternoon…"
"Do you want one?"
Lilly shrugged, "Okay…" Lilly reached out and took the bottle and the opener that Miley handed to her. They both returned to the lounge where Miley spread out on the couch and invited Lilly to sit with her. "Are you going to tell me what this is all about?"
Miley nodded adamantly, "Yes. Lilly, I've finally done it." Lilly quirked an eyebrow and Miley turned to her with a smile of triumph on her face, "Jake – he's out of my life for good."
Lilly choked on her drink, "W-what?"
Miley's face was filled with pride while she took another mouthful of beer, "I've finally given him directions to the town of Dumpsville, Population – Him."
"I hope you didn't use those words?" Lilly mumbled as she continued to watch Miley closely, scanning for any signs of weakness.
Miley laughed, "Don't worry darlin', really I was very mature."
"What happened?"
"I've had enough Lils. I can't do anymore of this long distance crap. I don't want to only see him for casual flings whenever he's in town. I can't stand to be the girlfriend who is told where and when her man is going to be around. He's not allowed to mess with my heart anymore Lils, and to be frank I think my heart gave up caring a while back. I feel fine."
Lilly smiled at Miley's buoyed sense of elation and found her own growing, "I'm happy for you Miles. He wasn't good enough for you."
"You have to say that because you're my best friend." Miley smiled.
"I know." Lilly grinned and received a slap on the thigh for her presumptuousness.
"Anyway," Miley put her bottle down on the coffee table before them, "tell me about your day."
Lilly shrugged, "Nothing much happened. Just had my usual Friday classes and then got in to watch an episode of Friends."
"Oooh, which one?"
"Well, we're at the part in the series where Monica and Chandler are going to get married."
"One of the best bits." Miley confirmed.
"Indeed. It was the one where Rachel and Phoebe are fighting over which guys they want to be their back-ups." Miley was taking another gulp from her bottle and Lilly continued, "Because Chandler and Monica are getting married and the rest of them are in their thirties and think they'll be alone forever. So, they all make a plan that if they're not married by the time they're forty, they'll pair off and marry their best friends. Rachel ends up with…"
Miley's bottle hit the table with a thud, "But that's a brilliant idea!"
"Hmm?"
"Having a back-up plan for when you're older. No one wants to live life alone…"
Miley was on her feet now and pacing the room, and Lilly could only watch in disbelief. "Are you serious?"
"Well, yeah, of course."
"Miley, we're only twenty. It's not exactly the right time to be thinking of such things."
Miley swiveled around on the spot and stared directly at Lilly, "Now is the perfect time for this type of planning Lilly." Lilly looked confused and Miley came to sit beside her once more, "Lilly, if we don't act now then all the good ones will be taken by the time we're forty."
"Miley, you only know one guy suitable for that." Lilly insisted and Miley cottoned on at once.
"Oliver?" Miley stuck her tongue out, "Ew! I mean, seriously Lils. I love the guy like a brother. But I could never see myself marrying him."
Lilly smiled, "If we're going on that logic then I couldn't have anyone either."
Miley frowned, "We know more girls than guys on a closer level… What about Sarah or Joannie?"
Lilly scowled, "Erm… Not gay?"
"Oh." Miley pouted, "Problematic."
Lilly smiled amusedly at Miley's sudden deflation, "It is."
Then Miley paused and Lilly could tell that she was thinking about something, and that it was taking a lot of contemplation. Her brow was creased into little lines of thought whilst she chewed methodically on her lower lip. Her arms were crossed over her stomach and her eyes had grown darker.
"The only guy I have is Oliver. But that's a definite no…" Miley began to clarify, "And you don't have any girls because you have no close gay friends."
"True." Lilly admitted, "And please don't try to throw me on some man when I haven't found my life partner. I would probably hate you forever."
Miley only smiled at Lilly mischievously, before suddenly turning shy, "What about me?"
"You?"
"Could you make the pact with me, Lils?"
Lilly smirked, "You're joking."
Miley shook her head adamantly and her response was soft, "No, actually, I'm not."
"You, and me, married?"
"Only if we've found no one else by the time we're forty." Miley insisted.
"That's twenty years away. Like, our lifetime lived again!" Lilly explained.
"Plenty of time to find the one." Miley put simply, "But if you don't want me as your back-up, I would understand."
Lilly looked Miley over and tried to imagine herself married to the girl. It wasn't impossible to picture Miley in a white dress, her face alive with love and devotion as she waited for Lilly by the altar. Lilly smiled to herself because, really, waking up to see Miley every morning with the sun painting shadows on her cheek and the steady rise and fall of her chest whilst she breathed, was looking quite desirable. She always knew she would end up on a porch somewhere with Miley, rocking on their chairs and discussing their grandchildren, yet had never quite considered it in this context. They were bound to each other anyway, since they were best friends, but suddenly their story became that little bit more special. It wasn't impossible now. It was so very real.
"I want you as my back-up." Lilly said, and a brilliant smile spread across her lips, "There never could be anyone else I would rather have."
"And I'll go gay for you." Miley assured with sparkling eyes and Lilly laughed.
"I would never ask that of you. But, just a little fooling around here and there would be in keeping with the vows I'll have you make. Plus, you need to have a maid's outfit." Miley raised an eyebrow and Lilly explained, "So I can perve on you when you're cleaning the house."
Miley laughed radiantly, "It's a deal."
Both girls sat still on the couch, with identical smiles glowing as they grinned from ear to ear. Lilly suddenly extended her hand, "Shake on it then."
Miley reached out and took Lilly's hand into her own. Her fingers wrapped tightly around Lilly's as they shook up and down once, twice and thrice.
"And now, we really seal the deal." Miley said and scooted closer to Lilly, until their knees were touching.
Lilly's eyes widened as Miley's hands reached up to touch her, and her fingertips splayed out from Lilly's jaw and up to her cheeks. Miley was warm against Lilly's skin and Lilly found her pulse falter, "Miley…" Lilly murmured, "What are you doing?"
Miley smiled, "Trust me on this one; I think you'll like it." Miley wet her lip, "Now, answer my questions honestly."
"Questions…?" Lilly stumbled, yet wavered when Miley frowned dramatically at her.
"Lilly, I need your concentration. And, I also need your hands on my waist."
Lilly's breath staggered as it voyaged into her lungs, "You… W-what?"
"Just do as I say."
Lilly reached out and placed her hands timidly on Miley's sides. When Miley cleared her throat, Lilly inched her body a little nearer and wrapped her fingers more firmly into Miley's shirt.
Miley smiled again, "That's better." Then Miley winked before her tone became serious, "Do you, Lilly Truscott, swear that you will take me, Miley Stewart, as your back-up should you have reached the age of forty with no marital partner?"
Lilly rolled her eyes, but quickly adopted Miley's formal stance, "Yes, of course."
"And will you proceed to engage in a civil wedding with me, if we should reach our middle ages as two single women?"
"I will." Lilly smiled and Miley's lips grew into a small smile of their own.
"You know, you don't really have to do this." Miley said, and Lilly caught in her best friend's eyes a flash of fondness which was kindled with yearning. It was then that Lilly felt her heart leap forward in her chest as it called out her answer; to fulfill her best friend's wishes.
"I want to do this, Miley. And yes, I will marry you if we should have reached the age of forty with no other marital partners. And I shall honour our marriage until the day my heart stops beating." Lilly's hold on Miley tightened, "I love you Miley."
"I love you too, Lilly."
Then Miley leaned in slowly and Lilly's eyes fluttered shut as she awaited Miley's promise. Warm breath brushed against her skin and Lilly parted her lips, in anticipation of Miley's own. They came timidly and with such a sweet softness that Lilly thought she should melt right there on the couch where they were sat. She pressed her lips back against Miley's fervently, putting her love for the other girl and their friendship into the ardour that her lips created.
Both girls drew away slowly and two pairs of blue eyes fluttered open. They were both smiling.
"You're stuck with me now." Miley stated.
"Damn." Lilly answered, she felt overwhelmed and giddy, like she needed to lie down.
"What do you want for supper?"
Miley's question was irregular, and probably prompted by the gurgle that was emitted from Lilly's belly, which the blonde had failed to notice in light of recent events.
"Erm… Pizza?" Lilly answered and Miley rose at once.
"Coming right up. I'll just go shove one in the oven." Miley winked and then she was gone.
Lilly sat in the quiet for a few moments longer. She did not feel entirely herself and a sudden pang of longing jolted within her when Miley left the room. She wanted to be with her and it was almost unbearable now that Miley had left her side after all that had happened in those last few minutes.
Lilly raised a shaking hand to her mouth, where she pressed her fingertips into her pink lips, very much aware of the tingles that were spreading from the place where Miley had kissed her.
Everything was different now, though Lilly wouldn't notice the change for at least another year. It started off so small, within this single afternoon, that Lilly was able to brush it off each day as a silly crush. Yet as the years passed Lilly Truscott began to realise that her affection towards Miley Stewart would grow to be even bigger than her own existence.