Chapter 11: So it's Settled

Tense was the way Weevil would describe the atmosphere in Veronica's tiny apartment if someone had asked him. Since their fight that's how things had been; he was trying to forget the reason they had argued but a part of it lingered in the back of his mind. Made him think about when Lilly had hidden what little relationship they'd had…That was years ago, but Weevil still remember the feeling it had given him. That feeling of not being good enough, and while people back home knew about them and she seemed to like being with him a part of him was torn by the idea that maybe. Just maybe, being surrounded by people who would achieve great things, or already had. Who had the same passion for the things Veronica did made her embarrassed by her ex con boyfriend?

Toying with the key he was going to give her; at this point he was worried that it wasn't the right time…Weevil closed his eyes and leaned on his elbows head hung down in thought as he tried to sort everything out, he didn't hear Veronica come out from the bathroom and was startled slightly when she sat beside him on the couch. "Weevil?" Veronica's voice was soft as if she was worried. "Eli, talk to me what's bothering you?" He was stupid to have thought that she wouldn't notice that he was being distant, that she wouldn't notice how tense it felt between them now.

"You've been quiet since I left this morning…"Weevil couldn't look at her, if he looked at her; he knew he'd start talking and just make things worse. "It's nothing." "It's clearly something." Veronica countered. "We have two days left together, before you go back home and I'm not going to spend them like this." The stern note in her voice made him bite back a smile; her feisty attitude had always been a turn on for him. Pushing the thought aside because now was not the time for it. "And how do you want to spend them?" Weevil asked, his own tone was rough like he was fighting back something.

"I want to spend it with my boyfriend, with his perverted sense of humor and tough guy attitude." Veronica reached out running a hand along his shoulders. "You're moping and I want to know why." "I do not mope." "Sulk, mope, brood. Take your pick because babe you're doing it." Weevil grunted at her and almost said he was not; but stopped when he realized it would be buying into it. So he reached into his pocket and pulled out the key he had planned on giving her on his last night there.

"Here." He said as he put the key in her hand and then got up pacing the small space between the couch and her bed. "What's this?" Veronica asked but didn't give him time to reply. "If this a key to your apartment, I made a copy of it months ago…" She said not even sounding guilty; looking at her he raised a brow. "Why does that not surprise me?" Weevil asked more to himself than her. "Because it's totally something I'd do?" Veronica said with a smile not ashamed at all. "It's not a key to my apartment, it's part of that surprise I told you about."

Veronica narrowed her eyes at him before studying the key in her hand. "Not a pony?" She asked teasingly looking back at him, Veronica's blue eyes sparkled with curiosity; shaking his head Weevil leaned against her wall. "No pony." Holding the key up Veronica looked at it closely then looked at him again. "Well? What's it for?" Trying to act as nonchalant about what he was about to say. "It's a key to my new house…" She gave him a puzzled look, probably because he never mentioned moving to her. "House?" Veronica asked and he smirked at the fact that she was using one-word sentences.

"I'm renting a house, well renting to own…it's in the Barro and I've been fixing it up for the last six weeks." The smile that spread across her lips sucked the air from his lungs. "And you're giving me a key?" Veronica's voice was a mixture happiness and bewilderment, sucking in a breath he decided to get right to the why he was giving her the key. "You mentioned that you were thinking about living on residence next semester…and I know that the Barro is a bit further." Weevil trailed off, not sure how to ask her or if after their last argument asking her was even a good idea.

"It's like this, you tend to spend 90% of your time at my apartment and you'll probably be at my house the same amount of time. So why not just live with me." There he said it. It was out there. Veronica stayed silent and Weevil looked around the room looking everywhere but at her. "You don't have to answer now, just promise you'll at least think about it." Weevil said after a minute of silence. "I promise." He'd take that as she needed a little time to think about his offer; after all it was a big thing, moving in together.

Later…

Weevil and Veronica had gotten all dressed up to go out for dinner, he'd put on the dress pants he had promised Veronica he'd bring and deep red button down shirt he'd gotten for Christmas one year from a family member, Weevil had been ready to go for a good fifteen minutes before Veronica even exited the bathroom. The wait had been worth it when she came out in a black dress that hugged all the right places, it accented the curves he knew by heart. "What are you thinking?" She asked catching him staring at her.

"That I'd be okay with skipping dinner and getting right to desert." Weevil said as his eyes swept over her, from her head all the way down to her pretty pink toes. He knew she was rolling her eyes at him, after all she's heard all his lines before. "Perv." The term was almost a form of endearment now. "I can't help it, you bring out the animal in me." Weevil stated as he took her hand in his pulling her against his body. "So what do you say, we stop talking and fill the room with a bunch of ooh's and aahs?" Laughter filled the room as she pushed away from him. "That didn't work in high school it's not about to work now vato."

"Worth a shot." Leaving the apartment he did his best to act like a gentleman, opening doors and pulling out chairs wasn't his strong suit…Weevil wasn't a prince or a knight in shining armor; but he always made the effort when he was out with Veronica. "I can open my own door…" She said as he opened the car door for her, making him raise a brow at her. "Humor me." Was all he said before he rounded the car and got into the driver's side. While she'd been out doing her intern thing he'd made plans; again not his strong suit, but it was their anniversary and she wanted to dress up. Weevil was satisfied that he had met that need.

"Where are we going?" Veronica asked looking out the window into the night.

"To dinner." Weevil said then winced when she smacked his arm. "Where."

"Tony's I found it in the phone book." Not a lie, but he'd called around before picking it.

"How very much something you would do." Veronica said smiling at him. "What? It's worked before."

"I know."

The drive was done in near silence, with nothing but the sound of the radio playing softly to fill it. When he looked over at her, Veronica seemed a million miles away and Weevil could help but wonder what she was thinking about; however he left her alone, taking the time to do some thinking of his own.

The food had been great, and they'd taken the time to really catch up. He even told her about the house when she asked. "It's not much, nothing huge." He'd said frowning a bit. "Don't do that, just tell me about it. What's it like?" She'd asked and Weevil had shrugged. "Two bedrooms, decent bathroom and good closet space." He smiled at her. "Do you remember my abuela's kitchen? It's got one just like it, open's up right into the living room but I added a small island…" He fell quiet for a moment before continuing. "It had carpet but Angel and I tore it up and there was wood under it. I've still got some painting to do and all that…but I think you'd like it."

"You've really been working on it for the last six weeks?" She asked softly, waiting for his nod. "Yeah, well almost seven. I moved in a couple of days after you left and have been working on it since." Veronica seemed to take in everything he said. "But that means you've been working with dad, Angel and on the house…Weevil." He raised a brow at her. "What?" "When do you have time to sleep?" Shrugging he smiled at her. "It's worth it, I wanted it finished before you got back."

Just in case she took him up on his invitation to move in; but Weevil didn't say that, he left it unspoken between them knowing she'd be thinking the same thing. They changed the subject, talking about Wallace, Keith and even Alicia before the meal was finished and they were heading back to her small apartment. Changing into sleep clothes Weevil laid in bed while he waited for Veronica to come out of the bathroom, eyes closed he sighed when the door opened and the light momentarily filled the room before it off with a click.

Veronica was silent as she padded across the floor and moved to get into bed; her small body nestled into his and Weevil grinned at how well she just fit against him. "Ready for bed?" He asked as she turned off the light on her small night stand. "I guess." Opening his eyes he looked at her in the darkness of the room. "What's on your mind?" "How do you do that?" Veronica asked as she rested her head on her hand looking at him. "Magic, so?" "Do you really want me to move in with you?"

"I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't V." Silence filled the room and he sighed. "You don't have too, I won't be mad." She nodded her head. "I think I want too. I mean I'll be there almost all the time anyway…" Veronica said and he knew she was just trying to down play it so it didn't seem so big. "Make's the most sense." Weevil said in agreement. "So it's settled, when I get back to Neptune I'll be moving in." Heart racing Weevil nodded. "Then it's settled." "Good."

He echoed her words before pressing his lips to hers, whispering goodnight against her lips Weevil fell asleep with a smile on his face. He'd been worried to ask her for nothing.