Arianell opened her eyes, suddenly and abruptly awake. She blinked sleepily and sighed. There was a light pressure on her stomach. Frowning lightly, she glanced down. Instantly the frown disappeared to be replaced with a small smile. Orion's arm was draped over her side.

She was lying on her side and could feel his chest against her back. They hadn't changed position since she woke up to take the pill.

Rolling over onto her other side, she smiled. His arm was in the same position, and he was still asleep. Now's a good time to study…she thought. Smirking slightly, she started to re-memorize every detail of his face.

Suddenly he frowned. He was still asleep, for his eyes remained closed, his eyeballs moving under the eyelids. He squeezed his arm, unconsciously pulling her tighter against him.

He whispered, still asleep, "I love you. You can't die…don't leave me, yet. I know you will sooner than normal because of—."

She silenced him by kissing him lightly on the lips. He kissed her back, beginning to wake up.

When she pulled back, his eyes were open. He raised an eyebrow.

"Why'd you wake me up?" he asked sleepily.

"You were talking in your sleep," she said softly.

He smirked, "Oh? What about?"

I can't tell him the truth! she thought and quickly lied, "Your size."

His eyes widened as his ears went a dark red. "Oh…" he mumbled.

He sighed and got out of bed. Ari smirked as he stretched, showing the faint lines of a six pack. Lowering his arms, he yawned.

She blinked and got out of bed, too. She yawned, imitating him.

He glanced at her, "Hungry?"

"Yep," she relied, heading for the door.

"Good, me too." He muttered, following after her. He rubbed his eyes. It was a good thing his eyes were never red after he cried, which wasn't common. Last night was the first time since…he stopped his thought and winced.

"Are you coming?" came Ari's voice from somewhere downstairs.

"Yeah!" he called, forcing thoughts of last night away.

                                                                               ***

When they were done, Ari got up to head back upstairs.

"Whatcha doing?" Orion asked, eyebrow raised.

"Taking a shower," she replied, continuing up the steps.

"Ah…" he muttered. Smirking, he got up and ran up the stairs after her.

He hid around the corner as she carried some clothes to wear after the shower, in with her. Once the door was closed, he put his ear against the door and listened. He could hear him humming to herself. Probably a tune to a new song, he thought. The sound of water filled his ears and he, silently, opened the door.

Sneaking in, he quickly grabbed her shirt. Then he turned and left, shutting the door just as quietly behind him.

                                                                    ***

Ari stepped from the shower, towel wrapped around her. Her dark hair hung straight down her back, black from the shower.

She grabbed her clothes and quickly got dressed. Or tried. Where's my shirt? she wondered, glancing around. She didn't see it and crossed her arms. Orion!

Opening the door, and wearing only a strapless bra and baggy pants, she shouted, "Orion Eryx Anselm!"

She ran into his room. He was lying on his bed, reading The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. He would have appeared innocent, except for the growing smirk on his face.

"Orion Eryx Anselm," she hissed, her arms crossed under her breasts. "Where is my shirt?!"

"I dunno," he said, staring at her crossed arms.

She growled and uncrossed her arms. "Where's my shirt?" she asked again.

I don't have any idea what—."

Whatever he was going to say was cut off as Ari jumped on him. She pushed him down on his back and sat on his stomach. "Where—did—you—put—my—shirt?!" she growled.

Smirking, Orion simply shrugged his shoulders.

Getting an idea, Ari sighed and got off both him and the bed. Out of the corner her eye, she saw him sit up. She pretended not to notice, and walked over to her backpack. Picking it up, she slung in on her shoulder.

"Alright, whatever. I'll just walk home like this, then," she said, heading for the door.

"Or…" She turned to look at him. He was standing in front of his closet, a shirt in his hand. "You could wear this…" He threw the shirt at her and she held it.

She didn't look at it, just rolled her eyes and threw it back at him. "Um…no I'd rather wear this."

He held it up. On the front of the black shirt were the words 'The child I carry belongs to…' and on the back 'Orion'. The font was very fancy, and the colour azure. Her eyes widened in horror, and then she glared at him.

"I'm not pregnant!" she hissed.

"Yet…" he said, smirking.

She rolled her eyes and threw the shirt at him. Glancing at the bed, she saw half of the shirt she'd brought. Smirking, she grabbed it and pulled it on.

It was black, skin tight, and ended a couple of inches below her bra. The neck was low-cut, showing little of the crack between her breasts.

Orion scowled, "You look like you are searching for a guy. They all stare at you already, even the jocks. That shirt's going to make them want you more."

She shrugged, still smirking, "All the better."

He stared at her in surprise, then scowled. His eyes burning with rage. "Fine. Go make them be all horny. Let them rape you, for all I care. I'm obviously not enough for you…" he said, his voice low and dangerous.

Although he was trying to be pissed, Ari knew him too well. She could hear the hurt tone in his voice. He must have known, for he leaned against the wall behind him and crossed his arms. He glared at the floor.

Sighing, she walked over to stand in front of him so that his eyes were staring down her shirt. His frown lessened a little and he looked up into her eyes. His scowl reappeared as soon as he saw the amusement in them.

Ari pressed herself against him, but didn't kiss him. Smiling, she backed up.

"So far, you're the only one horny," she whispered.

His ears reddened and he sighed. "Yeah, so?"

"So…if you're horny, you still like me. I'm content with you, I don't want anyone else," she said, smiling softly.

He sighed again, "I know…but I don't like you."

She stared at him, the smile instantly gone. Her eyes filled with tears.

He saw the change. "I love you, Ari. There is a difference. I love you and I always will."

She nodded and looked at the clock. "I love you, too, Orion. I really do. But…I have to go home. I've got a lot of packing to do. I have a feeling my parents are going to make us move before school…"

"That's only a month!"

"I know…" she sighed.

She walked over and kissed him gently. Then she smiled. "See you later."

"Yeah, later…" he muttered, forcing a smile.

She nodded and walked out, heading home.

                                                                       ***

Orion stood at the window, watching as she walked down the street. The forced smile long gone from his face. It had disappeared the moment she'd looked away. It was replaced with a sad, almost depressed, look.

Resting his head against he glass, he sighed, "Later…How many more 'laters' do I have until the final one? The one when you can't reply…"