The door of the Lantern closed quietly behind him as Ryan ventured back in the spring air, failing to keep the grin off his face, thoughts focused solely on the woman he'd left to get dressed upstairs. When Alex had held out her rose, Ryan had not been modest in his response, he truly had not thought, had only hoped that she had feelings anything other than just friendship for him. Even Steph despite her indignant outrage at not being picked for the 'Diane situation' had admitted that his hopes did have solid foundations.

'And that citizens of Haven, brings this year's exceptional festival to a close, and what a year! The Jellybeans were finally counted, I mean someone was going to guess 731 eventually, right? Although Hector does wish to send his thanks to our very own Haven rock star for her help, well done Alex for bringing this to a close after 5 years! Can't not mention yours truly and the singing muscle that is Miss Alex Chen, even if I do say so myself but think we can all agree that our set was the best part of the night – '

Ryan laughed gently to himself as he listened to Steph close down the night, unable to completely agree with her that watching her and Alex on stage being the BEST part of the night. When he'd told Alex that they'd all earned the right to enjoy themselves tonight, well safe to say they'd all listened to him. With grin still in place, Ryan looked down to see if he was suitably re-dressed; jeans not tucked into boots – check, buttons correct – check, collar scratching ear - 'Opps'. Chuckling slightly, he adjusted his collar, then winced as his fingers brushed the side of his neck 'What?'. Turning round to check his reflection in the Lantern window he could just make out a not to subtle bruise on his neck, partially hidden by his t-shirt. 'Shit, when did she do – ohh'. Ryan's face reddened again as he closed his eyes, gripping the window frame tightly as he recalled just how Alex had left her mark.

'Ryan, oh god, don't stop. Please!' He groaned into her neck as she begged, promising to do just that. Alex's hips rocked against his thrusts as he moved her leg allowing him to thrust in deeper. She pressed a hand to his back, the other buried in his hair urging him to go faster as she whimpered beneath him. 'Fuck, Ryan – harder!', her gasp in his ear and the feel of her warmth around him spurned him on as he answered her demand; a hand joined and rubbed at her clit heightening the moans at his neck; nails digging into his skin and a tug on his hair tore a deep throated groan from him as Alex bit into the crook of his neck -

Vibrations from his pocket bought Ryan back to himself as he spun round, pulling the offending item to his ear answering with a gruff 'What?'.

'Stand down Frank, the rock star is down for the night so relax!'

Ryan looked confused into the early morning light searching for Steph's teasing voice as he put a hand to his chest attempting to calm his racing heart rate and laughed softly as he spotted Steph still in the park beside the trailer. He'd obviously missed the end of her set when his mind wandered back upstairs as she had closed the trailer and had left the early morning music in someone else hands as gentle sounds reached him along with the low buzz of those still enjoying the festival.

Leaning back against the Lantern, hand dropping to his pocket, he felt himself calming down as his brain ran through the plot of the Bodyguard, remembering this was one he hadn't hated but then it had been Charlotte's choice rather than Steph's.

'Wait, does that make you Nicki?'

'Please, like Alex needs another sibling to die to trust you anymore than she already does. Also not sure Nicki wants to bang her diva sister'

'Steph!'

He could hear her laugh echo through the still air and in his ear as he tried to keep the flush from his face. He may have done exactly that but Steph did not need to know that. Telling people had not been high on their conversation as he'd held her cooling body close enjoying the afterglow allowing breathing and heart rates to return to normal both in awe and comfortable silence.

On mutual agreement they'd decided in between soft kisses and roaming hands that he would leave first to avoid the Haven rumour mill kicking into overdrive. This would also give Alex time to compose herself before meeting Pike, time which she was determined to not need based on her reluctance to leave the bed and had instead been far more content to watch his every move from behind her hair, with a sly grin on her face as she leant on her elbow as he'd wandered between the roof and the bed looking for missing items of clothing.

He'd struggled to start the walk to the door as she'd sat up, the covers falling to her lap, showing off her decorated chest and neck with tiny scratches and bites. Having caught his attention, he'd become concerned when Alex started fiddling with the rings on her fingers and biting her lip just in the way that could drive him mad very quickly. She'd obviously picked up on his worry as she had taken a deep breath before looking him squarely in the eyes and calmly telling him that she wanted to keep this just between them for now but that this was not just a one-time thing, nor a trauma based shag or any other reason he could come up with to think that this was not a big deal for her. That had almost derailed their entire plan as he'd launched himself back at the bed to pin her beneath him kissing her again, hard. He'd managed to finally leave the apartment on the promise they'd talk, properly talk, later; after Alex had first met Pike and then met him back at the festival to enjoy the rest of her 'normal people' evening. His earlier promise of funnel cake still on the cards.

Realising he'd been silent for too long, he let out a deep breath to calm his thoughts and shook his head knowing Steph could see him.

'Do you always have to be so crass?'

'Just honest Lucan. While it's fun to see you blush from here, we've got celebration drinks to down, so re-join the party mountain man, even Duckie has joined in.'

Taking another deep breath and running a hand through his hair to ensure it was presentable, Ryan checked his phone. The thought that Pike had been waiting far longer than the hour Alex had mentioned at the start of the night crossed his mind as he saw it had just gone 1am. Shaking his head, hoping Pike would still be up and still ready to hear what she had to tell him.

Leaving the comfort of the Lantern's porch Ryan made his way towards the small crowed that was still up and having a very good time if the raucous laughter and clinking of bottles was anything to go by. Ah, the after-party Eleanor had asked about. Steph reached him before he could feel the warmth of the flames and passed a beer his way with an accompanying eye roll as he tuned into his dad's voice and joined in with Steph's eyeroll, adding a grin, he remembered this story.

' – probably around 10 or 11pm, and he was already drunk as a skunk. Boy – '

Laughing at Steph's unimpressed expression, he nudged her shoulder gently and lead her to join the small crowed, taking empty spots around the fire.

'Ah and the youngsters have decided to join our little gathering, and where is Alex, I may have suggested to her that there'd be body shots!'

The splutter from Steph as she wiped beer from her chin and the heat rushing to his face that was clearly not from the fire made the older group laugh as Eleanor waited patiently for an answer on where her body shots buddy was as she swayed gently next to Duckie drink in hand.

He could easily get addicted to the sounds making their way out of her throat as she writhed beneath his hands, legs open for him as he gently worked a finger, then two in and out of her, coaxing low moans and slick juices from her; his tongue teasing one nipple then the next as he leant over her, kissing and nipping his way across her chest, down her sides, taking note of where she sucked in a giggle that turned into a loud moan as he twisted a finger inside her, tasting her skin, kissing the bit of rib that made him think he'd needed to learn something new to feed her on; the hollow of her hip too tempting not to gently bite as her hips rose in a gentle demand on where she really wanted him. Giving into her was easy especially when she gasped as his beard scratched her sensitive skin from her hip to her lower stomach, legs opening further pulling a rough groan from him as he gave into her bucking hips and kissed and licked at her clit roughly, fingers pumping harder as she cried out 'Jesus, Alex – '

' – upstairs, just needed a little quite time after that epic show!'

Taking a deep swig of his beer, Ryan tried to bring his mind back to Steph's voice and away from the taste of Alex; the feeling of her small hands threading her fingers through his hair as he ran his own hand through the blonde locks taking a shaky breath before realising there was a pregnant pause and a group of crinkled eyes all staring at him with varying degrees of hidden laughter.

Sighing in resignation he looked to Steph for help, 'What did I miss?'

Tapping her beer against his in a mock cheers, she smiled widely and opened her arms wide indicating the whole group in front of them, the fire crackling gently for background noise, letting Duckie take to the stage.

'As someone who has also had the pleasure of our young Alex's company this evening - , 'She gasped into his mouth as he pushed her hard against the wall, hand on her hip and her neck pulling her closer '- quite the surprise I do have to admit. She truly is a remarkable young lady, I cannot imagine the hardships she must have endured before, or since arriving in Haven, but she is a true example of showing kindness gives you the same.'

Duckie took a moment and looked down at his hands before he set his back straight, keeping his gaze on the flickering flames.

'I do not know how she could know, and I feel that today is not the day to be sorrowful at wondering on the why she is so tuned to the emotions of others, but I could not be more grateful for it today. '

Ryan swallowed the lump in his throat, and he took a mouthful of beer before asking the older man, his voice cracking, 'What did she do?'

'She made the world a little less troublesome. Without a care for her own priorities to what I saw was to enjoy her own first Spring Festival, she took the time to care about me as I lingered on my own past. She is a beautiful young lady, inside and out and I do hope that there will be many more roses given between you both in times to come.'

His boots were suddenly very interesting as his heart hammered in his chest, the lump in his throat back bringing tears to his eyes, the heat of the fire burning his cheeks. All he could do was nod his agreement, rubbing his neck not sure if embarrassed or relieved his feelings where that obvious.

'And that is why we were waiting for the details of your post show hook up. Now none of this 'a gentleman doesn't –' crap, spill!'

Pushing Steph away with a gentle shove, Ryan lifted an eyebrow at her teasing. Taking his time to empty his beer and keeping the group waiting, he shook his head and stuck his tongue out at the annoyed DJ, keeping his promise to his young lover 'Ok Duckie may have had an influence on that thought!' 'We just talked, sorry to disappoint.'

Steph stared at him in open irritation as disappointed groans echoed from the group, Eleanor the loudest; Duckie sent him a sly wink and a smile that had Ryan looking to his boots again, Mac sent him an eye roll and shook his head muttering something about blind idiots under his breath.

'It's spring fest, you obviously like each other, just make out already!'

Steph's outraged support made his stomach flip and the nervous that had battered his ribs from the moment the girls had finished their set, all while he'd hauled the tree up the stairs making sure Alex was pre-occupied with Charlotte, trying to calm himself as he'd dug into the dirt, it all dissipated the second Alex had stood on her tip toes, hands warm on his waist and pressed her lips to his and he'd lost himself in the feel of her, how he just had to bring her closer as he tilted his head to deepen the kiss letting his hand tangle in her hair. As they'd eased apart, breathless and wanting, holding hands contently he'd had a moment of terror thinking of what Gabe would be thinking that Ryan had just kissed his little sister, and very much wanted to kiss her again.

Realising his beer was empty, Ryan left Steph to huff her frustration and to no doubt plan a course of action with Eleanor (who Ryan wasn't sure he wanted to know how many drinks she'd had) to get them to see the error of their ways and end Spring Fest in a way it should end when one receives a rose. He past his unusually quite dad who gave him an strained smile before patting him on the shoulder with a gruff well done. Ryan smiled back, Jed could be rough at times but he knew his dad was glad he'd finally been given a rose this year and even better Ryan knew just how much his old man already liked Alex, no awkward meeting the parent situation for her – well either of them presumably.

Steph though, he wasn't sure if Steph would have been so supportive if she did know how they'd truly spent their 'post show hook up'. Sure she wanted them to realise they both had feelings for each other, but for them to act on those feelings without a second though? He'd never been one for one-night stands, even at college, and the girlfriends he'd had it had taken him a while to take their relationship to the next level. He'd never been sure on what had held him back, but after tonight and based on the last month, it was clear it was because they'd just not been Alex. Making her come undone had quickly become his new favourite hobby and he hoped she was looking forward to allowing him make her fall again and again.

' – he fell to his knees in front of her, hands on her waist to steady her as they'd fumbled their way down the stairs from the roof, landing against the wall opposite the stairs. He looked up with a smirk as her eyes closed, waiting for his next move. Hands slid down the thick material of her skirt and he waited as her breath hitched when fingers met bear thighs. Swallowing thickly, his hands continued travelling down her legs and gently lifted one then the other taking a shoe off each side. Reaching forwards, he kissed the inside of her knee, fingertips soft on her skin as they moved back up and under her skirt moving it up her thighs as his kisses along her inner thigh had her widening her stance, her breathing ragged until he reached his prize. Groaning, he rolled his tongue against until she's shaking and panting above him. Before she could catch her breath he was pulling at her underwear and urgently sliding them down her legs, stepping her out of them a foot at a time. She squirmed in front of him, seemingly unsure suddenly laid bare before him, skirt bunched around her waist. He took in a deep breath and thinks as loud as he can hoping she'll hear him 'You are amazing, let me make you feel as fucking good as you make me.' He assumes she does hear him as her movements still and she lets out a low moan. Gently stroking her leg, to calm her or him he isn't sure, he places her leg over his shoulder and gently fingers open her up to him. His voice strained, he asks if she's okay and her response is to pull on his hair and moan his name in warning 'Oh, he could get far too used to hearing her moan his name like that'. Her juices covering his fingers and the heaven smell of her was enough to drive him lightheaded and he could only pant against her leg, nipping at the sensitive skin before licking and sucking at her clit, fingers pumping in and out of her. The pulling on his hair only urged him on as she whimpered out quiet oh my god sounds as he added a third finger, his tongue sweeping across her folds until he felt her whole body stiffen and a sob tore itself from her throat as she lost all control – '

Blinking, he found he'd made his way to the swings, new beer in hand and on his own, Steph's voice loud in the background excitedly mixed with that of Eleanor. The clear night allowed for the moon to see across the calm lake to the Lantern with its lights on from the bar, to Gabe's – 'Alex's' - apartment to those on the roof giving off a gentle glow into the sky. From here he could just make out the top of the magnolia tree he'd planted for her, he had meant it when he told her he hoped the roof, more Haven to be honest with himself, would be a special place for her. His mum had loved the magnolia tree in their back garden and he'd spent many a sunny afternoon sitting outside with her under the tree; he shook his head hearing Alex call him a 'dork' in her soft voice, the way she tilted her head, nose crinkled in amusement at him. Man had he fallen hard. He'd tell Alex more about his mum someday, and hope she'd see what he wanted to say by giving her her own magnolia tree.

Looking back to the fire it there was just Steph and Eleanor left, even Duckie had seemingly backed out of the same day hangover those two were heading into with great gusto. Frowning, he looked for his dad and Alex but found neither. Pulling his phone from his pocket he saw it was almost 3am and instantly his stomach dropped – nothing from Alex.

Forcing his gaze back to the Lantern, he scrutinized the building; his dads car gone, but Jed has also left the park and so had Duckie. He hadn't been that drunk but even so Jed had probably driven Duckie home; so that left Alex. The bar was dark and the only lights still on where in the apartment and the roof. Two hours; he'd left Alex and the Lantern two hours ago. She'd promised she would meet him back here in the park once she'd spoken to Pike, and he'd learnt that she didn't take promises lightly.

'You're doing it on purpose aren't you?' Smiling down at Alex as she knelt on the bed still naked before him, sheet forgotten around her legs, he received a teasing smile back as Alex leant forwards to give him a lingering kiss hands on his waist. Moaning, he tilted the kiss as he moved closer to the bed, bending her backwards slightly, enough to make her gasp so he could deepen the kiss further hands cupping her cheeks. Breaking apart panting he moved them both upright and slide his hands down her arms to rest on her waist, hers had found their way to his chest and where grasping his blue plaid tightly. Looking up at him, she took a calming breath and unfurled her hands to rest them flat against his shirt, 'It's not like you won't see me again, I meant what I said, this is not a one-time thing Lucan. I really like you – I like you a lot.' Letting her twist her head to hide behind her hair, he tightened his grip on her waist and kissed the top of her head, giving them both a moment to enjoy her confession and control their own heated cheeks. 'Well, hmm, I'll – huh – have that funnel cake waiting for you. Meet you by the fire pit? You can take a turn at telling a story round the fire, Haven tradition.' 'That is a total lie!' 'Fine, not quite a Haven tradition, seems to just be my dads' thing – please stop him this year?' He'd managed to get that soft laugh from her that melted his insides, the laugh that he knew he was one of the lucky few to hear. Emerging from behind her fringe, she'd nodded and gave him the shy smile he'd first seen in the record store 'I promise, I'll see you soon'.

Ryan sat on a swing heavily, phone still in hand. Taking a deep breath to steady his racing heart he opened his messages to Alex, hoping he'd missed something, but there in black and white at 11:03pm was his last message to her to meet him on the roof.

Shaking his head, Ryan pushed down the fear that had settled in the pit of his stomach. 'It's only been two hours, it took us longer to go through the USB on its own, let alone to believe it! Pike will likely take some convincing too, Alex can manage that – the evidence speaks for itself, and Pike can't deny that Gabe made the call and Diane clearly buried this. Relax Ryan, she is fine, she's with Pike, there's only so much trouble he can get her into and I'm not sure the station would have that much alcohol!'

Messages still open, he repeatedly typed and deleted messages to Alex in attempts to not come across as worried as he still felt. 'Hope Pike is taking this well, got that funnel cake ready and waiting by the fire.' Feeling better he looked back to the fire and found it empty. Frowning, he stood up and looked around but heard only the crackling of the fire and the sounds of hidden insects. Sighing, and taking one last look across to the Lantern, Ryan moved back towards the warmth of the fire, keeping an eye out for any funnel cake.