I feel like I owe you all an explanation for my very long abscense. It's not going to be an apology, because I couldn't help it, but it involved me on a bike with my computer in a bag, and a guy to drunk to drive properly on his newly aquired vespa.
To say it simply, it said crash and me and my bag (and my bike, bless the old sod) went flying one way while he just tipped over. My computer took such a hit that it was pretty much completely wrecked and I went to the hospital with sprains and a broken bone.
I feel terrible for not being able to update, even thought I updated 'Worth It' in the end, but it took a while untill I got a proper computer and my will back to write this. But as I have said; this is the one story I won't be able to abandon. For real.
To all those of you who faved and put me on alerts; I love you all for doing it and I appreciate it deeply.
CaptainElli: Oh, I will give you as many hugs as you want for reading the story so far! To have you say it's brilliant makes me feel all fuzzy and warm inside (and a bit nervous, because I don't want to dissapoint you) and I truly hope you'll continue reading even though it was a while ago it was updated. Thank you for the review!
Sakura Li-chan: And guess what? You were right! It's Felix turn in the spotlight, and he takes the place a bit reluctantly. He was such a troll to write but it was very educational to try to get under his skin. And yeah... my updates are a bit sporadic, I know. But here's one! Thank you so much for reviewing!
A Neverending Dream of Flight: (Before I say anything else; you have a very pretty pen-name.) Cue me blushing and making funny noises as I read your review. I'm seriously flattered by your words and I'm so glad that you enjoy the characters and their daily banter. And about Alex, well don't you just have to wait and see? The man is... very unpredictable, as you may have noticed. Trust me, Piers and his family is way shaky, and there'll be drama llamas everywhere, including the 'sneaky-stealy' bit. And yeah, I thought about your way of giving money too (it's one of my more shady plot-holes that I try to cover up) but Alex wants his money all at once. Thank you so so much for your nice and long review, and I hope you'll enjoy this chapter!
Kendecia: Oh fuck. You must be so mad at me now. I'll just throw in my answer to your review and get the hell away to find someplace to hide. I'm sorry that it took so long, but please enjoy, and I really do like you anyway so thanks for the review! Eeeek!
Bluberrybubblegum: My dear bluberry, don't apologize for making a review! It's never late or early for that, y'know? And I won't stop, it just took a bit of time this round. And yeah, the hair. It's amazing and I'd love to get my hands on it. Mia was tricky since I'm not a big fan either, but she's a really nice person who deserves a good reputation. As always, love you for the review!
XxStrawberryCheezecakexX: That's so sweet of you to say! And yes, here goes Felix into main-character mode and I really hope you'll like the chapter! Thank you for the review!
aubergine: ...I don't quite know what to say. You'r praise rendered me useless for half an hour, and I was happily smiling for the rest of the day. I'm so happy that you think so highly of the story so far, and that you like the names. I find it incredibly satisfying to try to incorporate the GS world into the modern day with such small things. And about Felix, he's a pain to understand but a good character because he makes me try new ways of conveying words and emotions. I hope you'll still like him after this chapter. As for the French, thanks for the heads-up, from now on I'll try different translators and try to make it better! Yet again, your kind words humble me and I feel like melting. Thank you very much for the review, and enjoy the new chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own Golden Sun or the characters in the games. Unfortunately.
"- and then, Garet said that Isaac and he was going to-"
Felix tuned in and out of his sisters seemingly endless dialogue (which by all means could've just as easily been mistaken for a monologue), as they took place at their table. The restaurant was busy, but the standards it held assured that every customer got their own space and so they weren't really bothered by the hustle and bustle, which Felix was thankfull for. It was one of the reasons he chose this restaurant. That, and the fact that it served a mean fillet mignon.
Turning his head to the nearby window, he kept an eye out for long blue hair.
"Felix, are you listening to me?" Jenna's voice cut through his silent musings, and he reluctantly turned his head back to face his sibling.
She seemed to be expecting an answer. "No." He said honestly, because if he said 'yes', she would probably ask him to recite what she'd said earlier. And he had no clue.
She sighed and rolled her eyes dramatically. "You're awfully air-headed to be such a smart guy, you know?" She turned to look out the window too. "Can you see them yet?"
"...no."
"Felix, when they come and join us, please say at least two or three words in one sentence. Minimum, okay?" She pulled a hand through her hair, removing her long red tresses from her face and shoulders. "I want to make a good first impression, after all."
"So do I."
He said nothing in response, but nodded to try to appease her. She seemed satisfied enough and resumed chatting about whatever it was that Garet and Isaac had done, while idly plucking with the tablecloth.
A couple of cabs went by without the passangers having turqouise hair, and Felix started to think he would have to send his own car to pick the pair up, but then a cab pulled up by the curb and long hair caught his eye.
But the person who stepped out was a woman, a very pretty young woman with light blue hair and-
"Mia Mercury."
He recognized hair almost immediately, not because he'd briefly known her, but because of her likness to Alex. Only thinking about the man made Felix unconsciously clanch his jaw and an array of razor-sharp feelings shredded his brain, in a way similar to a very nasty brain-freeze only with added acid that bubbled and tore through everything in its way. But then another person stepped out and the brainstorm was put on hold. Piers, who smiled that small not-really-but-still-a-smile that Felix had begun to think was permanently plastered onto his lips, stepped out while obviously thanking the driver.
"Wow... she's really pretty, but you should stop staring brother." Jenna's voice broke through to him again, and he jerkily pulled his eyes away from the pair. She giggled at his brief frown in her direction.
He looked at his sister, and was was suddenly glad that she was there. Sure, she could be impossibly demanding and childish sometimes, but... she was his sister, and when she smiled like she did now, he knew that she was the closest to a therapist he could get. She understood his general awkwardness around people, his lack of interest in fame altogether and when he fell into silence (that could stretch out for hours on end) she more than made up for it with her chattering and social mannerism. He gave her a tilt of his own lips. "I wasn't staring at her."
"But maybe staring at someone else."
He almost twiched in his seat when he heard Piers voice from the lobby, talking with the waiter that would take him and Mia to their table, and he reprimanded himself for being so jumpy. Felix fixed his sister with his eyes, and figured he should be a little appreciative. "Thank you for coming with me."
She seemed surprised, maybe at the number of words and maybe because of the meaning of said words, but then her eyes landed on the approaching pair and the fleeting expression vaporized. "Piers! There you are, come on! I'm starving!"
"Subtle as always, though."
Felix turned his head, and true, there they stood and Felix thought for a second, one eternally long sickening second, that they looked like a Disney-couple. Mia had always been very pretty (not cute, not quite the hot girl and not really the fashionista, but very pretty), and she did look beautiful right now, with her elegant set of clothes, natural smooth and pale skin and calm eyes. Her hand was loosely resting on Piers offered arm and, seeing as the marine biologist had pulled the sleeves on the shirt he wore up to his elbows, her porcelain skin and his caramel tone contrasted sharply, yet not disturbingly. Piers himself was...
"He's... very good looking."
Indeed, he was. But despite the clothes and the hair (braided, Felix noted, and thought that it looked very charming) that obviously fit right in in this kind of environment, Piers chewed lightly on his lower lip, as if he was nervous. Felix realized he'd seen that before, while he had... more or less spied on the Frenchman. He briefly wondered if he did that often, and couldn't really tear his eyes away from Piers mouth. It was unnerving that the young man had such effect on him.
But his silent train of thought was hastily put to a halt, as Mia gently held out her hand and said: "Oh, Felix Newvale. It has been quite some time since we last met, I suppose. Thank you so much for letting me join your dinner, and I hope I'm not intruding." She was so damnably polite (just like he himself was) and he stared at her for just a second.
Mia's open honesty and complete lack or sarcasm destroyed the veil of her and Alex being the same, and he took her hand without feeling like he wanted to puke. "Mia Mercury-" But the last name still felt like venom on his tongue. "-it's been a while indeed. There's no need to thank me though." He gestured at his sister and Piers. "You're welcome."
He let go of her hand and noted that she didn't look like she wanted to laugh or brag, so he figured she didn't know about the... incident a few years back. He suspected Alex had kept his end under wraps and for someone like Alex, telling his sister what he'd done would be very unlikely.
"Good."
Jenna bounced up and completely ignored Piers offered hand, and instead pulled him into a hug. "You look awesome, Piers! Is this your girlfriend?" She looked over at Mia with a mischeivous smile.
Although Felix didn't know why, a tight knot formed in his stomach at the question and he listened intently at the conversation.
"He already said they weren't a couple."
...
"Why would I care about that anyway?"
Felix blinked rapidly a few times to shut his head up and turned to the waiter and waved him over to order, while still keeping his ears on whatever Piers or Mia might say.
"Oh, no! He's like an older brother to me, but we're not involved romantically." Mia laughed and Piers smiled while nodding, and somehow the knot in Felix stomach dissolved. Mia took a step towards Jenna, and held out her hand to greet her. "I don't think we've met. I'm Mia Mercury."
"Jenna Newvale, Felix sister. It's really nice to meet you, Mia!" Jenna pulled her towards a chair, the one straight across where Felix was sitting, and then plopped down on a chir next to Mia. They seemed to hit it off immediately, and they chatted about something that Felix had no clue about.
"Hi, Felix." Piers voice stopped his observations, and Felix turned to face him fully.
He forced himself not to smile like an idiot, which was easier said than done when he was facing Piers-
"Why does he do that to me? Am I...?"
-and succeeded with pride. Although he did hold out his hand, and when Piers took it, he shook it warmly. It seemed inadequate in a way, and he wished he knew why. "It's good to see you, Piers. How are you?"
Piers grinned (and for a brief moment Felix wanted to touch skin and pull hair and taste lips and- nothing, he said to himself, empty your head and think of nothing) and slipped into the seat next to Felix. "It's good to see you too. I'm fine, thanks. And you?" He motioned with his head towards the girls. "Jenna sure makes friends quickly." He didn't seem to mind thought.
"I'm fine. And yes, she usually does."
The waiter managed to weave his way through the full restaurant and he took their orders with an experienced flick of the wrist, scribbling numbers on a piece of paper. They chatted, polite table-talk and get-to-know-everyone-things, which didn't really interest Felix if it weren't Piers who spoke up but he seemed a bit distant today and Felix wanted to know why, but he couldn't figure out how to bring it up in a good way. He wasn't good at things like talking, and although it hadn't bothered him before, it sure did now.
"So, guys, Mia said she hadn't seen the city yet, and that's kind of a shame isn't it?" Jenna said happily, after taking a sip of her drink (something fruity and disgustingly sweet, with a strawberry perched on the edge of the sugar-crusted rim of the glass). "And I was thinking that we could do a,little sightseeing after the dinner?"
Mia looked pleasantly surprised, and smiled bashfully at the attention she was given. "Oh, no I'm sure you have a lot to discuss! I wouldn't want your meeting to go to waste because of me!" She shook her head, and turned the smile to Jenna. "But thank you very much for your consideration."
Felix looked at them, and was hit by a sudden bout of inspiration. He liked his mind sometimes, even thought it could be a bit noisy. "You two go then. Piers and I-" He was minutely glad that Piers didn't seem to mind that Felix took the decision for him. Or perhaps he just didn't have time enough to butt in, and Felix wasn't going to give him the chance. "-will continue our arranged meeting here." He leaned back in his seat, feeling quite happy with himself for getting so many words out at once.
Piers looked at him from the corner of his-
"They are really yellow... they're beautiful."
...
"Shut up."
-eye, something strange passing over his features, but then smiled reassuringly at the girls. "That would be the best solution wouldn't it? Of course, that's only if you don't insist on our company."
"Are you sure? Because... I'd really like to go. And I'm perfectly sure that Jenna and I could... ehm..." Mia trailed of, looking to the side.
"Have more fun without you guys!" Jenna chimed in, just as their orders arrived. "I don't know about Piers though, but my brother can't keep up with my shopping for anything in the world!" She nudged Mia's shoulder. "Then it's decided. After dinner, we hit the city and leave them to the boring bit."
The air around the table was comfortably relaxed, something Felix was unused to in a group of people he hadn't known for very long. Not even his irritated glances at his sister when she jibed aboud his silence and rigid posture had the same bite as usual. The slight warmth radiating from the body seated beside him kept him anchored in the moment, kept him sedated almost and he blamed Piers mere presence as he found himself adding a couple of words now and then to the conversation. Mostly to something Piers had said, but beggars couldn't be choosers now could they?
The meal was delicious, as Felix knew it would be, and he secretly found himself incredibly pleased when Piers announced that he thought his taste-buds were in heaven. It was important to him for some reason, that Piers enjoyed himself in Felix company, and Felix also noticed that the young man had stopped chewing on his lip. Taking it as a good sign, he couldn't keep himself from smiling at the other, and he took part in the conversation with more confidence. He completely missed Jenna's increasingly suspicious looks.
The waiter came around a second time, routinely asking if the food had been to their taste, to which everyone gave their positive response, and started to collect the plates. Somehow, Felix didn't really see what happened, a few cutleries slipped out of the waiters grasp and clinked down on the floor between Piers and himself. The young man apologised profusely, and begun to arrange himself to pick up the dropped items.
"Don't worry, please. I'll get them for you."
"He could live with being a bit less courteous, really."
Piers, for that had been the person to speak up so merrily, bent down and started to reach for the knives and forks, while Felix got a good look under his shirt. The white fabric that was well fitted to the Frenchman's body was a bit looser at the top where a few buttons where left open, and when Piers bent down, Felix couldn't help but stare (subtly, since even his staring was subtle) at the tanned skin that stretched taut over well-shaped, lean muscles. He absently felt something stir deep in his belly.
And then Piers righted himself, face slightly flushed, and gave the somewhat shocked waiter the items and that was that. The primal thing, that thing that warmed and thrilled his insides, moved again but quickly faded with a harsh mental reprimand, and Felix didn't even move one muscle, much less changed his facial expression, as the waiter thanked the Frenchman with a grateful smile and Piers turned in his chair to face forward again.
Mia, who sat there just as calm and perfect as before, clapped her hands together lightly. "Now, then! I believe we should be going, and let you two have some time alone. There must be an awful lot of things you need to discuss."
"For her own sake, I hope she don't know how wrong that sounds in my head right now."
Apparently she didn't, and neither did his sister who, less subtle than Mia in her actions, slammed her palm against the table with a 'thunk'. "You're right! We should leave right now, but I just have to go to the bathroom first. Felix, join me." There was a minuscule stretch of time in which Felix eyes locked with Jenna's and he immediately began fearing for his life. Or sanity. Whichever would surrender first.
Before anyone could make any kind of argument, Jenna had grabbed her brother by the arm and dragged him halfway to the ladies room, leaving behind her a wake of confused waiters and waitresses, and a half-assed string of 'I'm sorry's. It was only when they were at the door that Felix remembered that he should probably not go in there, if not for anything but that he wasn't a woman. Technically he had no legal right to be in there. Logic would save his soul yet again.
"Jenna, I can't go in there." He said quickly, as she pushed the door open, hoping to somehow touch her partially sensible side.
His plan backfired as Jenna looked at him with a weird look in her burgundy eyes. "Yes, you can you idiot. One foot in front of the other. Get in here." And she hauled his sorry ass inside, without even bothering to check if anyone was in there. Thankfully, the bathroom was empty and Felix righted himself as much as he thought appropriate in such a place.
His sister moved to stand in front of one of the big mirrors that adorned the long wall, and fiddled with her hair for a minute before turning to Felix expectantly. "You like Piers, don't you?"
He stiffened for a second. "Did she pick up on that? Do the others know? Does Piers know?"
"No." He said. "He seems to be a likeable person enough, I suppose, but I don't know him that well yet." He decided to counter. "Do you enjoy his company?"
She huffed, clearly not impressed with his answer. "Of course I do, and I couldn't think of anyone who wouldn't enjoy his company. He's incredibly nice and calm. But you know I didn't mean it like that." Her foot begun tapping idly on the mosaic floor. She did that when she was irritated, Felix knew, and it wasn't a particularly good sign.
He glared at her nevertheless. "I'm not sure I get what you're at Jenna." It felt like he would be smothered by the bright white, shining ceramic walls. He did not want to have this conversation.
"Can't she just leave it at that?"
"You should know! After all, it would be impossible for you to deny that you actually have taken a liking to him. I first thought it was Mia you wanted to see, but it's was him wasn't it?" She smirked. "I saw you during the dinner. And I heard you."
He frowned darkly, feeling cornered. "What do you mean?"
She chuckled."You spoke up, you dolt! You actually talked to him, you relaxed around him. Face it, you have a man-crush on your new marine-biologist!"
Through his head went a million and one ideas on how to get out of this with his secret and his pride intact, and all of them were useless. He opted for shaking his head. "Have not!" He spat out, feeling childishly angry at his sister for pointing it out clearly for him.
"Do too!" She argued back with childish glee. "You checked him out when he bent down too! I know you did!"
His vision seemed to zoom in and out for a few minutes, making him dizzy and cold. What on Earth could he say to that? It was practically true. He'd been worrying over this ever since he'd met Piers in Alex' office, the feelings and random thoughts not really going away.
He realized that it was probably in all likeliness just what Jenna said. He was attracted to his newly hired marine-biologist, who was a man and a friend to Alex Mercury. And this was not something he should be right now. Not ever.
"But you are."
…
"This will not work out."
…
"I might be gay... for Piers."
"Do you have any idea how disturbing it is when you zone out like that?" Jenna's voice cut through the haze with razor-sharp precision, and he focused his eyes on her tense form. She had her arms crossed and her foot was still tapping, but she looked worried.
"She's your sister, of course she's worried. Like you are for her sometimes."
"Sorry." He croaked out. He took a few steps backwards and collapsed against the cool, smooth wall behind him. In the back of his mind, he knew that this was so wrong it could ever get; he was in the women's bathroom in an expensive restaurant, having a startling and somewhat world-altering revelation about the fact that he might actually be interested in his co-worker in more than friendly ways.
"I might be gay, Jenna." He whispered out, and he felt a headache build up. "For Piers." Wasn't spoken, but it hung in the air between them.
His sister smiled, and the tension evaporated as if it'd never been there at all. "That's a good start at least."
"So you're not upset... about this whole thing?" He hoped she weren't. But he knew there was a lot of different views on homosexuality, many of which he wasn't comfortable with, but judging from her face it wasn't going to be an issue.
She let out a short laugh. "With you for actually liking someone? Hell no! I was beginning to think you were asexual, so this is a great improvement." She sounded happy, and a bit teasing as she added: "Better late than never I suppose."
He didn't know what to say. Everything seemed very surreal at the moment, but he had to regain his control. So he nodded. "I suppose." He wasn't really looking forward going out in the restaurant again, having to face Piers with this new insight. But on the other hand, he couldn't wait to do it.
He sighed, the weight of the world settling nicely around him again, and he decided to throw a glare at his sister before letting his hand rest on the door-handle. "Tell anyone about this Jenna, and I'll never forgive you."
She smiled, serene for an unbelievable moment, and nodded slightly. "I know." She said calmly, nothing like the intense and boisterous sister a few minutes ago, and walked up to him. "I know when serious things need to be kept close to heart. Trust me, I did this only for your own sake. Denying things are bad for people."
He pushed the door open and they went out to the other world, of restaurant-people and the scent of delicious food and a table at the far end that hosted two blue-haired people, one of which had just begun to (unknowingly) change Felix life.
And for once, he trusted his sister to be just as right as she claimed to be.
There we go! A late update, and a hard update but I hope you liked it! I think Felix would be able to come 'round the fact that he might like Piers quicker than Piers doing vice-versa, since he's a much more straight-forward guy and won't try to delude himself. Although now, in the aftermath, I think it might've gone a bit too fast, but this was the way it was written and I can't bring myself to change it. It's pretty crucial to the plot anyhow.
Thank you all for reading (the one's of you who actually found it worth returning to) even though it was a long pause, and I love you all! And do I even have to say it? I adore reviews, and they're a treat to get and read. If you feel like it, please send me one! If not, I won't be mad at you anyway! Thank you again!