Title: All The Stars

Summary: A series of unrelated drabbles and ficlets based on the Lunar Chronicles.

Disclaimer: I am not Marissa Meyer and make no profit from any of what I am posting.


12. Jacinter: Tea Party

Their hideout is small and cramped, especially now that they've both grown. She's squeezed against Jacin, his elbow digging into her side and his knees bent at an awkward angle so as to avoid leaning against hers - not that Winter would mind if they did.

She reaches out, taking his warm, hand into hers and gives it a brief squeeze. Jacin huffs.

"It's not fair," he mutters, more to himself than to her. He doesn't sound angry, his voice sounds helpless and it makes Winter want to hug him.

"I could talk to her - "

He shakes his head, squeezing her hand as he does so. "Don't."

There's a moment of silence and Winter can hear his heavy breathing just as she can feel his chest rising and falling. Her eyes dart around the room, looking for something, anything, to distract him with when her eyes land on the small box she's kept her feet on.

All at once, she's dragged it towards them, placing it tenderly on her lap. Jacin frowns, giving her a questioning look but Winter doesn't respond.

She pulls out the teapot first (and Jacin's eyes widen in recognition), then she pulls out to identical cups, a cracked spoon. She slides that box so that it's balancing on both of their laps and blows at the teacup.

"Evening, Master Clay," she whispers.

Jacin hesitates, then tilts his head in acknowledgement. "Evening Lady Hayle."

A giggle escapes her lips at the sincerity in his voice as she picks up the teapot. "Tea?" Winter offers. "I was just making some for myself."

"I'd be honoured."

There's amusement written across his face but Jacin doesn't speak up as he watches her pretend to pour tea into each of the two cups and stir them gently with the spoon.

She gives him one cup and then presses the other to her lips and lets out a shudder. "Sugar?" Jacin offers and Winter nods. Then they burst into giggles.

Jacin sets his cup aside, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "You're the best, you know?" he mumbles, his breath tickling her ear. It's been weeks since he's hugged her, or been this close and it sends sparks flying through every inch of her.

"I'm afraid that's you," she whispers, but he doesn't reply.

Winter's not sure when Jacin falls asleep, or if he's only closed his eyes. She leans against him, taking his hand into hers. A doctor's hands, she thinks, strong and steady. She'll talk to Levana, Winter decides, despite Jacin's protest. She'll make sure he gets exactly what he wants; what he deserves.

The stars, of course, have something else in mind.


REPLIES:

Guest: Thank you soo much for your multiple super sweet reviews! I've been going back and reading them as motivation to write a bit more after multiple failed attempts at Kaider...

Guest2: Glad you liked it! Means the world to me :)

[btw if guests could maybe add a name or something so that I can no you as something other than guest one or two that'd be great...]


A/N:

So I'd originally written this for TLC ship week but never got to finish it thanks to exams... It's still a bit rough and short but I seriously hope you guys liked it! Am definitely trying to finish up requests but need to go back and reread the books because I can't get Cinder or Kai right and it's so frustrating!

Once again, thanks for your reviews, reads, favourites and follows... I've got 5k+ hits now and am soo close to 50 reviews... I swear I'd expected neither when I first posted this.

Also, set up a poll on my profile as to which characters you'd like to see more of so please vote there.

Thank you all! :)