angry
A/N: To make up for last week's later post, you get this story early! It is pure fun with a mischievous Georg thrown in for good measure.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, just having fun!
Maria had no idea what had gotten into her fiancé the last few days. He seemed set on doing all that he could to provoke her.
It began after they were engaged, which marked the most significant transition in Maria's life. Immediately the house became flooded with chaperones – both from the Abbey and Georg's close friends – and she was getting a crash course in becoming the next Baroness von Trapp. She found all of that relatively simple to manage compared to the odd behavior her fiancé had been exhibiting the last few days.
He would challenge her over the silliest topics – mostly having to do with the children – even if he ended up agreeing with her in the end. Sometimes the arguments would become so heated, their chaperones and children would excuse themselves to the other room to give the affianced some privacy. Everyone knew nothing untoward would be happening when the couple was verbally sparring.
That was why Max made a quick exit from Georg's study when Maria, visibly frustrated and annoyed, announced she had a question for her fiancé – one that she had been trying to get an answer for all afternoon but annoyingly kept avoiding her. He stepped out from behind his desk and met her with a winning smile that did melt her heart for a moment, but she knew she needed to stay focused.
"Georg," she stated warningly.
"What, darling?" he asked, feigning innocence and leaning back on the front of his desk.
"Can you please answer me?"
He smiled teasingly and folded his hands together across his chest. "You haven't asked me a question, my love."
Maria took a breath, trying to have some semblance of patience. He had been doing this all morning. "What time are we leaving for dinner?"
"Oh, that's what you wanted to know," he said, as if he didn't already know, demonstrated by the self-satisfied grin on his face. "Around 6:00. I trust you will be on time?" He raised his eyebrows.
Maria set her jaw and rolled her eyes. "Now, I might not be since you took so long to tell me!"
He ignored her comment and became lost in his thoughts for a moment before suddenly asking, "You are wearing that new dress that was delivered last week?"
Maria smiled mischievously and nodded. "I plan on it."
"Excellent," he rumbled, and Maria's breath caught in her throat when she looked in his eyes again.
"I am happy you answered me directly this time," she sighed. "What has gotten into you the last few days?"
He feigned confusion, though the smirk on his face gave him away. "What do you mean?"
"You are obtuse, Georg! You know exactly what I mean! You have been trying to get a rise out of me ever since we got engaged!"
He gasped disingenuously and settled his hands on her waist. "I would never."
"Yes, you would," she huffed, placing her hands on his chest and pushing him away.
"Name one time I tried to make you irritated," he challenged.
Maria raised an eyebrow. "Besides right now?"
He smiled and nodded.
"Well, the first thing that comes to mind is just yesterday you were against the children having a day off from their lessons even though you had already agreed to let them have a break before our engagement."
"You still won the argument, though, didn't you?"
"Only because you knew you didn't have a real reason!" she exclaimed exasperatedly. "And then, the discussion we had about the children singing at the festival, which again, we had already discussed at length before, but you suddenly seemed set against it."
Her fiancé only leaned back on the edge of his desk and smiled infuriatingly at her. Maria was beginning to lose her patience again, and she huffed.
"And now you're so proud of yourself with whatever little game you're playing with me, even though I don't know why you are doing this! You can be so annoying, Georg!" she exclaimed.
At that comment, the former naval captain burst into laughter, unable to contain his poorly hidden amusement anymore.
"See?" she yelled. "You like making me upset, and now you're laughing at me!"
Maria turned on the ball of her foot and began walking to his study door when Georg quickly followed her and grabbed her hand.
"Oh, I think that's rather unfair, my love. I don't like making you upset per se…."
Maria rolled her eyes and turned around at him. "Then why do you insist on being so impertinent?"
Georg suddenly looked far too much like Friedrich as he gave her a boyish smile and innocent shrug.
"I just love the indignant expression on your face when you want to challenge me."
Maria furrowed her brow and folded her arms, confused.
"What?"
"Your face becomes a lovely shade of red, and you practically glow. Not to mention you are quick as a whip with how fast you defend yourself. It's… stimulating."
"I'm don't understand," she slowly said, her expression becoming more incredulous with every word. "Are you telling me you think I'm attractive when I'm arguing with you?"
Georg shrugged adorably, and his face became a bit red at her assessment.
"It began the day we argued out on the terrace."
Maria's mouth dropped in surprise.
"That was, er, stimulating for you?"
A smirk formed on Georg's face, and he ran his thumbs up and down her waist.
"How could it not be, my love? You were soaking wet, and your dirndl clung to your body so nicely," he practically leered at her as he splayed his hands around her waist.
She blushed prettily and played with his tie to avoid his gaze.
"On top of that, you were a veritable opponent. I hadn't argued like that with someone since before I retired."
Maria proudly nodded. "I figured as much since you called me 'captain.'"
Georg raised his hand to cup her cheek and gazed at her admiringly.
"You gave me a dressing down not unlike my commanding officer when I was a cadet. Besides, no one had spoken to me like that since before I was decorated by the emperor. I have to admit; I was caught off guard there for a moment, but then… I realized it was one of the easier ways to get your attention."
Maria frowned again. "My attention?"
"Yes, it's why I always teased you and gave you a hard time. You are much too expressive, my love. It's something I find incredibly captivating. Your eyes flash, your face glows, and your voice somehow becomes even more musical." He leaned in closer, and his baritone voice dropped an octave as he whispered in her ear. "Most of the time, I want to reach out and kiss you senseless. You have no idea the power you hold over me."
Maria's breath caught at the simmering passion she saw in her fiancé's eyes. His eyes became so dilated that his irises seemed to melt in with the molten blue. The only thing she could do was smooth the invisible wrinkle in his tie while he pulled her closer. When she didn't respond, Georg continued.
"Arguing with you is also the easiest way I can have you to myself without arising suspicion. The moments we share alone are few and far between with the children and our party of very dedicated chaperones."
Maria's mouth dropped open again at that concession.
"So this is just a ploy to get me alone?"
Georg gave her a boyish shrug and smiled again, showing off his dimples.
"It worked, didn't it?"
Maria raised an eyebrow and peaked out the study door. Everything was quiet out in the foyer except for one of the maids hurrying up the stairs. Satisfied, Maria walked back into the study and closed the door with a broad smile on her face.
"Is it safe to come in now?" Max inquired, peeking his head through the doorway.
"Yes, we have settled our differences," Georg answered good-naturedly from his desk. "I need to go and get changed, however. Maria will be ready shortly."
The naval captain reached over and turned off the lamp on his desk.
"I see," Max mused, a slight smirk on his face as he opened the door wider for his friend. "Oh, and Georg?"
"Yes?"
"Next time, make sure to leave the door open, or at least yell a few times at each other in between whatever you're doing. Sister Berthe became awfully suspicious."
Georg chuckled and nodded as he closed and locked the study door.
"Duly noted."
There it is! I hope you enjoyed it, please share your thoughts. x