Hi there everyone ;) I can't help it. I had to write a sequel after there were people asking for it. This one might be not so funny as the first chapter but I still hope you like it.
If you are interested, I drew some Alvin/Leia fanarts on Deviantart. Check out my profile but beware of fluff :)
Enjoy!
Late night talk
„Can you toss me the ointment, please?"
"…"
"Hey, I apologized already, didn't I?"
"…"
"Who would have thought that your mother can be this frightening? I can still feel that murderous aura from before."
"…"
"Are you by any chance angry at me?"
"You still need to ask?"
Alvin shook his head in order to hide the smirk on his lips. He would not answer that question because he knew that it would definitely end in a fight. Here they sat, treating their wounds after a failed escape from her mother. If it hadn't been for her father, there would rather be a funeral than a birthdayparty taking place tomorrow.
After being scolded (that woman was beyond frightening, even the mercenary had to admit) she wanted to know who he was and what relationship he had with Leia. What should he have answered? "I was her friend, than I have shot her and now I am here to make it up to her." Sounded more like his last words considering how angry Leias mother had been.
He had decided not to mention her painful past but instead introduced himself as her friend. Was this even right? Leia had avoided his eyes the entire time while examining the top of the table as if it was a puzzle. No help coming from her side. (Great..)
Their scolding had been rather long and now, after cleaning the entire kitchen, they had decided to treat their wounds. Flying pans sure were dangerous. Examining one as if it was a dangerous weapon, Alvin wanted to call out to Leia to tell her about his joke, when he found her staring down at the table. There was no smile or another joyful expression on her face like it used to be but instead she wore a thoughtful expression that did not fit her personality. Maybe that was just his opinion.
"You okay there, kid? What's with that look on your face?"
Taking the seat across from her he had wanted to take a better look at her face but she avoided meeting his eyes. Alvin sighed deeply. It seemed as if they had gone back to that awkward silence again. Crap. All that hard work for nothing.
Not knowing what to say to break that tense atmosphere that threatened to suffocate them any second, he could only stare at the table. Normally he wasn't so talkative, it had all been an act to make her and the others trust him, but most of his big talk had been nothing but lies and right now he was no longer sure if that had only been a façade or rather his true self. Did he even have a true self? Something that made him ... Alvin? He had no clue.
Lifting his head to see if he could read her emotions, he was not surprised when he saw her still staring down on the wooden table. It was not difficult to see what troubled her and a part of him hurt when he saw uneasiness flash in her eyes. Was it still not over? He had gone through a lot of thinking about how to make it up to her, but nothing had seemed to work. It had all gone to waste. He felt as if he had to begin a race from the start, totally exhausted and tired of all this, but still with his eyes fixated on the price. Her trust. He wanted her to look at him again, but not with fear in those big green eyes but with her usual warm glow instead. Perhaps he asked too much of her and he knew that there would be no chance to forget about that incident completely or that she would open up to him a bit more, but he would try to make it happen. He wanted that price, no matter what.
"What are you thinking about?"
She was the one that finally broke the silence. He could feel the tension disappearing and took a deep breath. It was easier to breathe again. Should he tell her about his intentions? Would it scare her or make her laugh at him?
"About a race."
It wasn't a lie. Leia looked up in surprise. Finally he was able to look in her face. Those green eyes were watching him with suppressed curiosity and he had a hard time not smiling because of her expression.
"A race? Can I really believe that?"
"Will you believe me?"
Alvin cupped his chin in his hand while leaning forward. He noticed her flinch because of the simple question. They had always joked and argued about his sincerity on their travel to save both worlds, but this felt different. This was a very important question and she knew right away that for once he was being honest and serious. It made her even more nervous.
He could hear the ticking clock not too far away and in the back of his head he briefly wondered where her parents had gone. He watched her lower her head and biting her lip. His heart felt even heavier than seconds ago, just because of this simple question. Perhaps that had been a little too much to ask.
"Look I…", he tried to take his question back but she beat him to it.
"I will try."
She answered.
He could only gape at her. Was she serious?
"Are you.."
Leia avoided her eyes for a second before giving him an uneasy smile.
"Sure? No, I would have to lie when I say that I am sure about my answer…"
His heart sank and he couldn't blame her for her caution. He would not have done it any other way. Avoiding his gaze he nodded but she was not done yet.
"But everyone deserves a second chance."
She smiled.
She really smiled at him. It was honest and he briefly wondered when he had last seen her smile. It had not been directed at him but at Milla and Jude. It never been directed at him but that one time at the port when they had met. It felt so long ago.
Alvin felt a heavy burden leaving his shoulders. She was giving him another chance.
A relieved smirk crept on his lips and he did not bother hiding it. They had finally talked it out.
"You are one hell of a person."
She tried to imitate his hand gesture.
"The name's Leia."
If someone had told him that he would someday sit in Leias kitchen laughing their heads off for whatever reason, he would have punched him in the face for the stupid joke. But here they were. His sides ached because of the heavy laughter and he briefly wondered when it had been the last time he had laughed like this. Their laughing fits lasted for a while until it was Leia who got up from her seat.
"I think we should hit the hay. Tomorrow will be exhausting. I can't wait to see them all again."
A joyful smile appeared on her face and he had to agree. Even though the others still did not like him as before, he wanted to see them. Especially Elise. There were many things he had not told her and he wanted to make it up to her. Like he had done with Leia, although there was a difference in why he had done it and which feelings associated with his reasons. But that had to wait. He was tired and she was right. (Something he would never say out loud.)
Alvin got up to stretch his aching muscles while following her with his eyes. She took a couple of heavy looking books and tried to balance them in her arms. Shaking his head with an amused smile he took a few of them from her booktower in her hands. Giving them a quick look he noticed that those were cooking books. Dis she plan to read all of them in bed?
"Care to explain why you try to lift that heavy stuff at this late hour? I never imagined you to lift books in order to keep fit."
She stuck her tongue out, but tried nonetheless to take the books, he had stolen from her, back in her arms. She had an ego as huge as his height. Maybe even bigger.
"I did not ask for your help, mister mercenary."
He put a hurt look on his face that made her even angrier. It practically screamed: I am fake! But she knew him better by now, even if it was just a little.
"Come on, Leia. We mercenaries need tasks. Let me help you and we can argue about the payment later."
Leia gaped at his amused expression and she could have sworn that he had winked at her. He had dared to wink at her! Alvin had used her surprise to take a few heavy books but in his haste he had let a thinner book fall to the floor. They looked both down and suddenly Leia was beyond flustered. She would have thrown her other books away in an instant but luckily for her novels she had decided against it. Without wasting another second after placing her booktower back on the table, she had grabbed that book and pressed it to her chest. But it had been too late.
"Your diary?"
She felt herself on the edge of crying out in despair. Why him of all people!
"N-no. Just my favourite book."
What a stupid lie. He must have read the title. Why did she even write her name on it? Her stupidity really knew no limits. Alvin put his books next to hers before crossing his arms in front of his chest. Now, this was interesting. She had to admit that she did not like the look in his eyes. That was more than a simple teasing glint. More like an inferno.
But he would not take it from her. He had changed and he surely knew that this was something very important to her. He would not dare lay a finger on it. She was sure of it!
Before she knew what to do or say, he stood in front of her and took her diary out of her hand to run around the table. She was speechless. How dare he steal her most treasured possession from her!
"Give it back!"
It was no surprise that he did not do as she said. Alvin grinned at her before opening it to her horror.
"Now this is interesting. Let's read a few lines in order to get even with my little embarrassing story you heard from Balan."
Running around the table she tried to grab the book from him but he held it too high for her to grab it. All colour drained from her face when he read out aloud a few words she had written so long ago. Suddenly all her attacks lacked power and she felt all her strength disappear in thin air.
"I think it's the last time I will see Jude again. Maybe it's the best this way. He is constantly thinking about her that I don't know what to do and …"
Alvin stopped. Now this had not been something he had wanted to read aloud. The second he had wanted to apologize, he was greeted by an angry face that looked beyond pissed and a hand that snatched the book from him. He had expected her to slap him but nothing happened. In the back of his head he tried to ignore the pang in his chest when he read Jude's name.
Leia had pressed the diary against her chest and her back was now facing him. She did not cry and he had thought he had seen the date she had written those lines. If he was right, she had written that entry a year ago just after their journey.
Nervously scratching the back of his neck he sighed. Had he gone too far? This should only have been a game, nothing more.
"Sorry.. I, I don't …"
He did not know what to say, but she did that for him instead. He had expected her to cry but nothing happened.
"You and the others knew about my feelings back then didn't you?"
What should he say? Should he lie? But he had changed. He had to tell her the truth.
"It wasn't really hard to guess."
She laughed a little, but it didn't sound like her joyful one. Turning back to him, he saw that she was indeed not crying; just looking a little sad.
"It's in the past right now and I am over it. So are we even now?"
He had wanted to ask her if she was alright but giving her a last thoughtful look he came to the conclusion that she did not want to talk about it anymore. Instead he nodded and took all of her books on his arms.
"Let's get to bed."
She did not argue with him about carrying the books but led him quietly. They reached her room soon where he put that bookmountain on her desk that nearly gave in under the heavy weight. They had not talked again and just when he was about to leave (her room and that tense atmosphere that made it hard to breathe again) she called his name.
He turned back in the doorframe but before he could ask her what she wanted, he felt soft lips on his cheek.
Opening his eyes wide in surprise he was not able to do anything. The kiss was nothing more than a peck but he felt like they had stood ages in her doorframe. The only light source was in her room and it was difficult to see something but he had seen her flushed face and felt her warm presence. If he had not been so surprised, he would have taken her in his arms. Why? He did not know. This whole evening had been nothing but an emotional roller coaster ride. Anyhow he got no time to think let alone say anything. The last thing he registered in his mind were her lips that left his cheeks only to leave a burning sensation and her whispered "Thank you" before the door was closed in front of him.
Alvin just stood there for a few seconds unable to comprehend what had just happened. First she had been angry, than silent and now she was happy again. He could not quiet follow her emotional changes and even less think of a reason for all of it, but he would not argue. Why? Her pay for his help had been rather generous. A wide smirk crept on his lips while he walked to the guestroom. Being a mercenary sure had its advantages.
No, it's not finished yet. I want to bring Elise in as well, because I think she is an important character to Alvin. Be prepared for more fluff to come ;)
If you find any mistakes please let me know, my computer told me there were no mistakes but you know it goes ^^
Thanks for reading.
Your FMC
