A/N: I did it! This is from Rafael's point of view, so I'm sorry if anything is majorly out of place!

Raf stared at the portrait hanging on the wall next to his bed. The next morning had come quicker than he'd have wanted. If he had the option, Raf would have stayed in the moment from the night before for as long as he could.

He and Hope were talking and sitting side by side on the floor against his bedpost. Even though having her in his arms felt so right, this was their thing. It felt just as special and intimate as the other stuff.

She leaned her head on his shoulder, and he took her hand in his. Their actions were so simple, yet he couldn't be happier.

"This is nice," Hope said.

"Yeah," Raf replied, "is it."

Hope sighed and shifted her head on his shoulder so their eyes would meet. Her smile was somber; Raf wasn't sure if it was dread or anger simmering in his chest.

"It might not be after I tell you something." She squeezes his fingers, and he felt reassured that it wasn't something between them.

Nothing to feel dreadful for.

"There was a reason I arrived as angry as I was," Hope began to say. "Admittedly, I wasn't going to tell you...but, you know, I learned the hard way about honesty in relationships."

Anger it was.

What he was told did make him mad, but ultimately his emotions pulled him at all sides. As a brother, it hurt him to know Landon was going to be that selfish. It wasn't right for Hope to keep the secret, but her reasons came from the heart. Raf was stubborn, but even he wouldn't have stayed mad at her for long just because his feelings for her were stronger than that.

It was that realization alone that kept Raf from finding Landon and saying something.

"I shouldn't have said anything," Hope said, shaking her head quickly. "I'm s—"

Raf twisted his body so he was facing her, and he took both of her hands.

"Please don't say you're sorry," he said. "You don't have anything to be sorry for when it comes to us." Raf shrugged lightly as he swallowed the irritation bubbling in his chest. "Besides, isn't one of your favorite pastimes proving people wrong?"

He hoped he came off as teasing, and he felt relieved when the corners of Hope's lips curved up.

"Referring to the multiple times I beat you in the gym?"

He snorted. "Please. I let you win."

Her brow quirked. "Is that a challenge?"

"Think you can handle that?"

Raf smiled fondly as he thought about the short punch and dodge dance between them. It ended in them both on the floor laughing. Seeing that shine in her eyes made it so worth it, especially with the sucky reality around them.

"You're up early," came a groggy voice behind Raf.

Hearing the voice made Raf's jaw clench involuntarily, and he had to mentally fight himself. Landon was his brother, but Hope basically had his heart at this point. He had to handle things the best way he could with the least amount of complications.

"I had an early night," Raf replied, glancing over his shoulder at Landon. He was sitting on the side of the bed, rubbing his eyes with a yawn.

He was telling the truth; after Hope left, Rafael didn't take the chance of seeing Landon with his aggravation fresh on the brain. He had lain in his bed with a grin until sleep overtook him.

"Right…" Landon scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, I noticed after I came back from hanging with the twins…"

Rafael gave Landon a look. "Both twins, huh?"

Landon flushed and coughed nervously. "It wasn't anything like that," he said.

'I know. I know exactly what it was like,' Raf thought, that irritating tick resurfacing quickly. It pained him to feel at odds with Landon; he should be man enough to confront him about it. As much as it was burning him to do so, it wasn't the right time for it. Raf could pat himself on the back for such restraint; he didn't have the best track record.

Forcing a small smile on his face, Raf pretended to be amused. "Of course it wasn't. Both Saltzman twins having your attention?" The werewolf snorted. "Crazy stuff."

Landon grimaced, placing a hand on his chest. "You really know how to hurt a guy," he said as he tossed a pillow towards Rafael.

'So do you.' Raf caught the pillow and tossed it back. In Landon's effort to catch it, he flopped on the floor. It made Raf genuinely laugh.

Raf was stronger than he thought he was. He managed to survive the morning without questioning Landon or blurting out the advancement in he and Hope's relationship. He was going to meet up with the tribrid later to hang out. Until then, Raf was going to go about his day with prepping for classes and being around his pack.

The day was going plain and well. Too well for Raf's paranoia. When it was all good and grand, something was bound to happen that caused some kind of drama—especially with the announcement of the Renaissance Dance to give a 'festive and sophisticated' vibe for the new term. Though, Hope hadn't sent him a message or gave him a signal that something was up. That meant it would be fine, right?

Nope.

Raf was making his way towards the fields to meet with some of the pack members when he bumped into MG. The vampire blinked in surprise when he looked at Rafael and he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Hey, um, Raf..." MG said looking anywhere but directly at the werewolf.

Rafael raised a brow skeptically and cleared his throat. "Uh, hey? You okay?"

"Don't worry. He's just feelin' a type of way cause he knows what's worth it around here," said a voice from behind.

Kaleb walked over to the other vampire, leaning on MG's shoulder with his elbow. He had a knowing expression on his face, and it clicked in Raf's mind what he was referring to.

He knew the day had gone too well.

Raf looked around quickly since enhanced hearing appeared to be an issue for this subject, and when the coast was clear he faced the two in front of him.

"So you guys heard that, huh?"

Kaleb shook his head. "Nah," he replied and nudged MG with his arm. "This guy heard it and literally ran into me afterward."

Panic seized Raf's body. He trusted MG and Kaleb, but he couldn't help it.

Kaleb must have read the panic because he held a hand with another head shake. "No worries, my man. No one's going to hear anything from us."

Relief replaced the panic, and he gave the vampires a nod. "Thanks," he said.

MG managed to relax through a smile, and Kaleb tilted his head slightly.

"Between us guys, I do have two questions." Kaleb held up one finger. "One, it happened during break didn't it." He held up a second finger. "Two, are you going to take her to the dance?"

"That first question was technically more of a statement," MG remarked.

"Whatever. Potato, potahto," Kaleb said waving his hand dismissively. He shifted his attention back to Rafael with a quirked brow. "Well?"

Raf felt the heat rushing up his neck to his cheeks; he didn't feel completely comfortable answering. This wasn't just a crush or longing for a girl anymore; he had the girl, and he wanted to hold onto her as long as he could. That meant respecting her just as he did as her friend, which included her privacy.

There was also the fact that the person he usually confided in for things like this was the last person who'd really want to hear about it right now.

His words from the day before rang in his ears; she was worth it. Some might say he's childish or stupid, but he felt stronger with Hope. The joy and serenity he felt just being around the tribrid—even if they were only friends—helped Raf know it to be true. He refused to turn it away; he silently prayed that he'd be forgiven in the long run.

Clasping his hands together with a deep breath, Rafael nodded towards the young vampires.

"Yes," he answered before nodding again with less hesitation, "and yes." After all, he couldn't just assume she'd be his date, and the werewolf would be lying to himself if he said he didn't want to see her dazzle in another dress or dance with her again.

Kaleb and MG shared a quick glance before they both looked at Rafael. Kaleb gave Raf an approving thumbs up and grin.

"My man," he said chucking.

MG's expression was soft but cautious. "Landon's cool, but so are you so...be careful, Raf."

Rubbing his hands one over the other, Raf's focus began to drift. "Yeah," he replied in a soft tone. "Thanks."

After the encounter with Kaleb and MG, Raf had moved on with the rest of his schedule for the day. He spent time with the pack and made sure it was known clearly that Jed was the Beta. Raf had things to figure out still, and despite the past hostility, Jed was one of the best werewolves to learn from. Rafael liked to believe he'd want to do right by the pack as well, and the other boy respected that.

The accomplishment made Raf feel good, and it was probably the boost he'd need if he wanted to ask Hope to the dance Renaissance Dance.

When he finds the brunette, she's sitting in the library and writing in a notebook; naturally, he made his way over to her and sat down next to her. Perching his elbows on the table and weaving his fingers together, Raf glanced curiously over at Hope's notebook.

"Whatcha working on?" he asked casually.

The tribrid hand paused over whatever she was writing and tilted her head to face his. She had a gleam in her eye, and her smile grew as their eyes lingered on one another's a moment longer.

As they did, she expertly closed the notebook without him noticing beforehand.

"Just some spells I needed for the new term," Hope said.

It sounded genuine and logical, and Raf knew better than to question it. "How's your day been overall?"

Hope shrugged lightly. "Surprisingly quiet," she replied. Then there was a more thoughtful expression on her face. "Well, other than the occasional sideways stare from Josie and MG if I passed by."

Hearing MG's name and knowing the reason he might have been staring at Hope—even if a small part of his wolf side wanted to feel possessive—Raf chuckled lightly to himself.

Hope quirked her brow playfully and suspiciously. "What?"

Rafael shook his head. "I mean, I couldn't blame either of them looking in your direction," he said, a soft smirk forming, "though we know why Josie might be." Raf sucked in a breath. "As for MG, that might be because he heard what I said."

Her brow was still raised, but it appeared less playful. Hope swallowed hard and nodded to herself. "Okay," she said. "So he knows."

"And Kaleb, though we kinda already knew that would happen." He recounted what Hope told him of Kaleb's thoughts from the day before.

She nodded absentmindedly once more and grabbed Rafael's hand. Just like that, his heart beat a little faster. He had to get a hold of himself if he was going to survive himself.

"It's okay," Hope said. "It'll be okay. We knew this would happen. I knew it."

Raf had an idea as to why she was reacting the way she was. She might be feeling the rebellion about her choices—hell, he was feeling everything about his choices—but feelings didn't disappear, no matter how deep they were. Going too fast would leave one unprepared; the apparent theme of his life.

Before he could make a complete—and idiotic—thought to suggest slowing things down, Hope squeezed his hand and stopped all thought processing.

"We can handle this. It shouldn't be this big a'deal; we're supernatural teens, not a soap opera."

Hope snorted at herself for her statement, and Raf could only watch her. He nearly backtracked so quickly with doubt, but this was proof he didn't have to, right?

He really didn't want to.

Raf squeezed her hand back and offered her another smile. "We will handle this. Together."

Their eyes met again, and she smiled. "Together."

That moment could have lasted forever between Rafael and Hope; it felt like it had for Raf.

Hope broke contact first and shifted her gaze towards their adjoined hands. "There's something else we could be doing together too," she stated, grinning mischievously.

He pushed the hormonal side of his mind down with a bit of difficulty. "Oh really? What's that?"

Her only response was a laugh.

"I know discussing our first official date shouldn't be the last thing I thought you meant," Raf said as he leaned against the side of his bed, "but it's the last thing I thought you meant."

He leaned his head back and watched as Hope laughed once more on his bed. She laid on her side, leaning against her arm perched on his pillow.

Landon wasn't due back til much later, and she'd made sure to cast a privacy spell on a candle so there weren't any more accidental eavesdroppers. It was only him and Hope, and nothing else mattered.

"Let me guess, the first thing was a bit more physical?" Hope said.

Rafael grinned and scratched behind his ear. "Possibly."

Hope clicked her tongue. "Too bad. Now, back to that planning."

What Hope didn't know was that the werewolf had time before to think of dates when things were only 'what could have been' between them. "I don't have to plan. It should be a surprise."

Hope pursed her lips. "I'm not a big fan of surprises," she said.

Rafael shrugged cheekily. "You'll just have to trust me on this."

She hummed in response, tapping her chin. "I guess I can attempt."

"What's it gonna take for more than an attempt?"

"Come closer and find out."

Rafael didn't need to be told twice. He turned around swiftly, rolling to his side to match Hope's position on the bed. Memories of New Orleans flooded his mind, and he pushed his urges away until he felt her lips against his.

It was short, sweet, and amazing.

Hope pulled away, her thumb ran across his chin. "I think that helped," she whispered.

Suddenly, Rafael remembered what he meant to do when he saw Hope in the library. "I know what else will help," he said.

Hope pivoted to her back on the bedsheets and turned her head to his. "Oh?"

"Yes ma'am." Raf lifted himself up and looked down at the brunette underneath him. He took in her relaxed expression, the vulnerability she revealed. Not many were privileged to see this side of Hope, and Raf was honored to be among the few.

"Hope," he started to say, "will you be my date to the dance?"

Her smile was deep and bright when she brought a hand to his face and caressed his cheek. "Yes."

He couldn't help but grin widely; she laughed with an eye roll. The happiness he felt couldn't be said in words, so he leaned forward to kiss her and show her.

It would've happened if a voice didn't cut through the moment with a samurai sword.

"Oh...my god."

Word Count: 2600