Sorry it took forever and a day for me to update! Writers block is awful!
This chapter was requested by ADangerousPastime, and it focuses on Landon/Isabelle.
It's really long, and I think its a bit dues ex machina, but my fingers hurt and I'm tired of typing and I think it's cute, so I hope you guys like it!
Enjoy!
"Um... th-thanks for dancing with me."
"Thank you for asking me," Isabelle blushed.
They swirled around the room with the other couples, neither quite able to meet the others eyes, each wrapped in their own nervous thoughts.
"Um..." Landon began as he spun Isabelle out. "Sorry. I-I can't think of anything to say... I-I'm not very interesting."
"Tell me what spacing's like!" she suggested eagerly as the music carried her back to him.
"Oh," he said, shocked by her sudden brazenness. "Um, o-okay..."
"I'm sorry," she quickly apologized. "You don't have to if you don't want to. I-I've just always been interested... I didn't mean to sound so - "
"No, it was fine," he smiled. "I'm actually glad to find out I have something to talk about that actually interests you." They both laughed lightly. "Spacing is... well, I don't exactly know how to explain it. It's alright, I guess. My dad's a professor at the academy, and - "
"The what?" Isabelle asked.
"The Interstellar Academy."
"Oh, right, of course. Sorry."
Landon smiled. "No problem. Um... but he went out on voyages with the students a lot, and sometimes I went with him. I... I don't know. I don't think I feel the same way about it that most spacers do..."
"What do you mean?" she asked curiously.
"Well, I enjoy it well enough, I suppose, but I went to the academy more for my dad than because it was what I wanted to do."
"Oh. I understand that."
"Yeah... Whenever I hear Jim and Tabitha and Graham and the others talk about it, they always get this certain... glow about them. They're in love with it. It makes them feel free, exhilerated. I... I just don't feel that way. Like I said, I enjoy it, but... it feels like something's - " He abruptly stopped when his gaze unexpectedly locked with Isabelle's. Her eyes were so green... "Something's missing."
Isabelle gulped. Why was he looking at her like that? No one - and especially not a man - had ever looked at her like that. What did it mean? And why was she enjoying it so much?
Suddenly, Landon stumbled forward against her with a small yelp.
"Oy, if you're on the dance floor, then dance!" a random dog-like alien shouted at them.
"I-I'm so sorry about that," Landon stammered in embarrassment, blushing as he realized how close they now were. "Really sorry. I-I didn't - "
"It's alright." She giggled as they retook their dancing positions. "Had we truly stopped moving?"
Landon chuckled. "According to him, yes."
"I hadn't even realized..." She grinned at him, but her smile quickly faded again as her gaze became far off and distant.
"I-I really am sorry. I'm such a clutz," Landon began apologetically, blaming himself for her sudden change in demeanor. "I didn't mean to upset you. If you'd like to stop - "
"What? Oh, no! No! I'm not upset," Isabelle explained. "I was just thinking about... about what you said. How space made them feel free..."
"What about it?"
"I was... wondering how it would feel to be free."
Landon's brow furrowed. "You don't feel free here?"
Isabelle blinked, then met his gaze and flushed a bright pink. "I'm sorry. I've said too much."
"No, it's alright, really. But what - ?"
"Isabelle!"
The couple abruptly stopped dancing and turned to face a young man, probably in his early twenties, with jet black hair that was slicked back. As he approached, Isabelle abruptly let go of Landon and stepped back a bit.
"Isabelle," the man repeated. "Where have you been? I've been looking all over."
"Well clearly you weren't looking very well," she retorted. "I was with my friends until a few minutes ago when Landon asked me to dan - "
"Landon?" the man repeated, glancing to her dance partner for the first time. "Well, care to introduce us, my dear?"
"Oh," she said dejectedly. "Landon, this is Thomas Ellery - "
"Sir Thomas Ellery," he corrected, taking over the introductions. "And you are?"
"Landon Gallagher," Landon stated simply.
"What? No title?" Thomas laughed.
"Uh, well, I - "
"Landon just graduated from the academy," Isabelle covered. "H-He's going to be a spacer."
"Hmm," Thomas said, eying Landon disapprovingly. "Yes, well, Isabelle, I need to have a word with you. If you'll excuse us, Landon."
"Oh, um..."
Before Landon had time to answer, Thomas had whisked Isabelle away, barely even giving her a chance to glance back apologetically.
Isabelle finally managed to escape from her suitor's rather touchy-feely grasp, and set off in search of Landon. She quickly spotted him loitering against a wall, drinking a glass of punch and idly observing the couples dancing. Isabelle had the fleeting thought that maybe he was looking for her as well. With a relieved smile, she quickly made her way over to him and tapped him lightly on the shoulder.
Landon started, but a smile quickly stretched across his face when he turned to see who was trying to get his attention. "Isabelle! I was wondering where you were."
"Yes, well, I'm very sorry about earlier. I realize that I was quite rude about the whole thing and I didn't mean to be, but I was caught off guard, and, well, I was just wondering if maybe you'd like to try again?"
He blinked at her ramblings before laughing and holding out his hand. "I can't think of a better way to spend my time."
Isabelle smiled and allowed herself to be lead out to the dance floor, her heart jolting a bit when Landon put his hand on her lower back and pulled her closer. They waltzed and spun; he'd catch her in his arms only to spin her back out so he could do it again. She was enjoying herself, but the back of her mind was just waiting for it - the moment that always happened sometime mid-dance. Whichever 'gentleman' she was dancing with would undoubtably lower the placement of his hand on her back again, pull her closer, hint at some innuendo... Sometimes, all it took was a smart comeback or an insistent move to reposition their hand to stop them, but sometimes, nothing you could say or do would change the way they were looking at you or the thoughts you knew were running through their mind that were evidenced by their suggestive comments, as was the case with Thomas.
But that moment never came. Landon remained perfectly gallant through the whole dance, and the next one, and the one after that, and all the ones that followed. When she realized that Landon had no intention of using her or causing her any harm, she couldn't help but laugh a little.
"What?" he smirked, having lightened up a bit through their small talk.
"I was comparing you to the other gentlemen I've danced with."
"Oh? And how do I stand up?"
Isabelle giggled as the song came to an end. "You exceed expectations."
"Isabelle!"
She turned around. "Oh, hello Clarice."
"I'm sorry to interrupt you and... Landon, right?" Clarice asked.
"Yes, this is Landon Gallagher. Landon this Clarice De La Cruz," Isabelle introduced.
"Hello," Landon nodded cordially.
"Pleasure. Isabelle, would you mind joining me for a minute?" Clarice questioned.
"Oh, I would, but, you see, I've already - "
"Go on," Landon encouraged. "Don't stay only on my account."
Isabelle smiled. "Don't... go anywhere. Please."
"I wouldn't dream of it."
With a light blush, Isabelle and Clarice left, leaving Landon alone, sporting a ridiculous smile. Quickly, he realized how peculiar he must look and headed back over to the punch bowl, meanwhile his entire body seemed to feel... lighter. What had gotten into him? Him, the level-headed Landon Gallagher.
He'd liked girls before. He'd had his fair share of dates and even kissed on a couple, but this wasn't the way he'd felt with those girls. He'd liked them, enjoyed their company, had fun, but Isabelle sparked an entirely new realm of feelings within him. He found himself hanging onto her every word, electrocuted by the smallest touch, overwhelmed with the desire to pull her closer, to kiss her, and though she was only a room or two away, he missed her terribly.
It was just... odd. Not that he didn't enjoy the feeling. He did. Immensely. It was more uplifting than anything he'd ever felt before. He felt the way Jim and Tabitha looked when they talked about spacing, as if they could spend their entire life with it and never need a thing anymore, as if they were - What had he said earlier? In love with it.
Landon's own thoughts startled him. In love with...
He quickly shook his head. No, the idea was completely laughable. Love at first sight? Who would believe such a thing? This wasn't a fairytale. He wasn't a prince and she wasn't a princess... No, it just went against all logic.
But when had love ever been a logical thing?
Landon debated back and forth in his head for stars knows how long. Love seemed so... rash, so sudden... but if this wasn't love, what was it? He had to put a name to it, to why he so badly wanted her to be nearer to him, to why he believed she was the most beautiful thing in the whole Etherium...
Finally, he spotted her again, and a strange sort of serenity seemed to flow through his entire body. She really was gorgeous...
"I'm sorry to keep leaving you," Isabelle apologized.
Landon shrugged. "Don't worry about it. Perhaps another dance before someone else can steal you away?"
"Oh, yes, please," she smiled as they once again joined the couples on the dance floor.
Landon couldn't take his eyes off her. She was... enchanting. Her eyes were a green he didn't even know existed until tonight, her hair the orange-red color of fire, her skin pale and blemish free, save for freckles that lightly dusted her nose and cheeks.
"What is it?" she asked, questioning his silence.
Landon shook his head to welcome himself back to reality. "Nothing. I... " he laughed nervously. "Er, would it be too forward of me to say that you're stunningly beautiful?"
Her cheeks darkened to a rosy hue. "No. It isn't. Thank you, Landon."
Once again, their eyes caught each others. Landon was suddenly stuck with only one thought in his head - kiss her. Isabelle's lips were parted in an inviting way, her eyes practically glowing with expectation. He leaned in -
And quickly jerked back. It wasn't proper. He hadn't known this girl for more than a few hours, and they were in front of practically the entire population of the planet. He couldn't... yet.
Isabelle kept her gaze lowered. She understood, and she was glad he'd realized that it was much too soon for them to be kissing, because she'd been too overcome by desire to care. Hesitantly raising her eyes back up to meet his, she felt her body melt beneath his gaze. His eyes were a soft brown, trusting and sincere, his hair the same color, but naturally highlighted from spending so much time outdoors. His skin was a dark tan, a color that normally only farmers or other lower class workers would possess, but it fit so nicely on him. From what little she'd been able to tell from being held in his arms, he had to be quite muscular. If his strong arms were a reflection of the rest of his body, she was in for a treat.
Isabelle suddenly felt the heat rise to her face and avoided his gaze once again. In for a treat? What was she thinking? As if she would ever see Landon in anything less than his uniform. As if she should even be thinking such things...
"Landon!"
The couple jerked around to see Graham and Commodore Aldamae approaching them. "Yes?" Landon asked, more than a little annoyed at having been interrupted again.
"We have to go," the commodore informed him.
"What?" the couple said in unison.
"Tabitha and Jim are gone," Graham added. "We don't know where they are."
Landon knew that wasn't good, especially not with everything that had been surrounding Tabitha recently. "But - "
"Oh no..." Isabelle spoke up guiltily.
"What is it?" Landon asked worriedly.
She wrung her hands nervously. "I know where they are."
"You do? Where?" Graham asked curiously.
"Well, one of the other girls, earlier, stepped on Tabitha's dress, and it ripped. She was quite embarrassed, so I helped her and Jim out a back door," she explained. "I'm sorry, I didn't know it would cause problems."
Commodore Aldamae smiled. "It's alright. We just need to find them. Landon?"
"But..." he began disappointedly.
The commodore began walking away in a manner that made it clear he should follow. With his heart sinking all the way to the floor, he turned back to Isabelle. "I'm really sorry. I... I wish I could stay..."
"I understand," she said quietly. "They're your friends."
"Yes. Well, um... goodbye," he mumbled.
"Goodbye, Landon," she returned in a sad whisper.
Landon started to follow the commodore, but Graham lingered for a moment longer. "Listen, I've already asked your friend Clarice, and August and Theodore have already asked their dates, if they'd like to join us for lunch tomorrow. We hadn't told Landon yet, but I'm not sure he'd get up the courage to ask you anyway, so would you like to join us? He'd love it, I know. He really likes you."
"Oh," Isabelle gasped. "Um, well, yes, I... I can try - "
"Great! Got to go!"
Graham rushed off in the direction that the others had left moments before, leaving Isabelle to replay that one line in her head:
He really likes you.
"Isabelle, my dear," Thomas suddenly interrupted her from her happy train of thoughts. "What are you doing?"
"Oh. Nothing. I was... distracted, I suppose."
"Yes, well, now that that Landon boy is gone, perhaps you'd be willing to dance with me?" he said in a tone that suggested this was more of a command than a request.
Isabelle's entire posture fell. "Of course, Thomas."
"But why didn't you tell me you'd invited her?"
"Because then you would have been acting like this all night and all day," Theodore stated.
Landon stopped his incessant pacing across the floor of the restaurant and turned to look at the others. "What is the matter with me?" Landon begged.
"I imagine that you fancy her," Cason smirked.
"Thank you, Captain Obvious," Rylee rolled her eyes.
"Relax. She likes you just as much," Graham said.
"What?" the love-sick boy gasped. "She does? How do you know?"
"Because when I invited her to join us, her face lit up," Graham smiled. "You could have told her she'd won the Interstellar Lottery, and she wouldn't have looked that happy."
They laughed lightly just as a group of girls, escorted by a couple of adults, entered the room. The boys all stood up and addressed their respective dates... except Landon. He stood back, surveying the group in search of the red-head, but there was no sign of her. Just as his mind began to ramble off explanations - that she was about to walk through the door, that he'd simply overlooked her - Clarice walked over to him.
"Landon?"
"Yes?" he answered warily.
"Isabelle couldn't come."
Landon's heart sank for the second time in under 12 hours. He should have known it was too good to be true.
"She's very sorry. She wanted to come, truly," Clarice consoled. "And she asked me to give you this."
Frowning, a solid lump forming in the back of his throat, he took the small envelope from her. Reading over the outside, he saw it was stationary from "Lady Isabelle Fontaine"... and realized he hadn't even known her last name until that moment. He'd fallen for a girl he knew only the first name of. Sighing at his own hopelessness, he opened it, fearing what he was about to read...
1415 Sycamore Lane
Tonight.
Don't knock.
He read it three times before looking back up at Clarice. "What does this mean?"
"I don't know. I didn't read it," she answered.
Landon nodded confusedly and, quickly dismissing himself from the rest of the group, headed back to the ship to work things out on his own, or try to at least.
It was not easy to discretely try to find out where someone lived, especially when you were a male from out of town asking about the residence of a female after night had already fallen. He'd waited, albeit impatiently, all afternoon for night to fall before he set out to find her. Little did he know how much trouble he would have trying to sneakily ask for directions to this address. Eventually though, he managed to wheedle an answer out of the same innkeeper that Tabitha and Jim had talked to just days before and set off to find it as quickly as he could. Even at a run he didn't get there until well after dark. Silently cursing himself, he tiptoed up to the house, the realization of just how dangerous - and possibly stupid - this was hitting him.
"What now?" he asked himself. Don't knock. Then how was he supposed to see her?
It was only a moment before he saw the silhouette of a girl, of Isabelle. He had no idea what made him so certain it was her; it could have been any girl. He wasn't even sure he was at the right house, but something told him it was her, and that he had to get her attention somehow.
Shuffling his feet anxiously, he noticed the pebbles that littered the ground. He picked one up, fingering it against his palm and tossing it up and down a couple of times before sighing.
"Stars above, let this work," he prayed quietly.
And with that, he tossed the rock up to the window. Landon winced, waiting for the sound of broken glass or yelling, but instead he was greeted with a soft, "Landon? Is that you?"
His heart did a summersault as he stepped out of the shadows to look up at her. "Isabelle... I - "
"Oh you're here!" she smiled happily. Just as Graham had mentioned, she seemed to light up at the sight of him. "I thought you wouldn't come."
"No, no, of course I would! Er, I did. It just took me some time to find your house and get here," he explained. "Why couldn't you have just come to dinner?"
"Oh," she sighed. "I couldn't."
"Why?"
"Because..." Isabelle trailed off, glancing behind her shoulder.
"What is it?" he asked nervously, taking a step back in preparation to run if need be.
She turned back to him. "Turn around."
"What?" Landon chuckled. "Why?"
"So I can climb down," she answered matter-of-factly.
"Why not use the door?"
"I'll explain after I'm down there."
Raising an eyebrow, he turned around and waited. It wasn't a minute later before she was tapping him on the shoulder. "Follow me," she whispered as she grabbed his hand.
Landon's heart leapt at the touch and he felt his face warm when he noticed she was in her nightclothes. She had a robe on, but it was still probably less than he should be seeing her in. "Wh-Where?"
"The garden. No one will see us there."
They made their way around her house and sprinted out into the gardens, ducking behind a hedge at the first chance.
"Sorry about that," she panted. "But if I get caught with you, it's... going to be a problem."
"What... do you mean?" he breathed.
She sank down onto the grass and Landon took a seat beside her.
"I'm sorry..." she said, her voice closer to normal now. "I... I should have told you. Though, I don't know when I would have..."
"What?" he asked anxiously. "What is it?"
"Well, it's... it's Thomas."
"Thomas Ellery? Oh, sorry, Sir Thomas Ellery," Landon mocked bitterly.
Isabelle laughed lightly. "Yes. You see, he's my suitor. He's been courting me for several months now and, well, to everyone here, it's rather serious."
Landon observed her warily. She was picking at the leaves on a nearby bush, not making eye contact with him. "That's why you couldn't come to dinner?"
She nodded. "My father didn't think it was appropriate to be seen with you. It would cause quite a scandal. Though not as much as if I'm caught out here with you now," she laughed in embarrassment.
"But I'm glad you're here," he told her, reaching out for her hand. "I-I'm so glad you sent that note. When you didn't show up with the rest of your friends, I was... disappointed, I suppose. Possibly more than I should have been..."
"I so wanted to come," she said apologetically.
Landon smiled. "Don't worry about it. I'm just glad I get to be with you now." She smiled and looked away. "So... Thomas Ellery?"
She sighed. "I don't like him, if that's what you're concerned about."
"Then why don't you break it off with him?"
"I wish it was that simple, but this relationship was arranged by our fathers."
"Then tell your father - "
"I've tried," she sighed. "He doesn't understand. The word 'love' means nothing to him when it comes to marriage. I know he's just trying to take care of me, and Thomas would certainly be able to provide for me, at least materialistically, but..." She bit her lip to hold back tears. "I don't love him, and he doesn't love me. It's only lust that's kept him around this long, as he's made clear on a multitude of occasions." Silent tears began to stream down her cheeks. "But I don't want to marry him! He isn't kind or respectful or anything... anything like you..."
Landon's jaw dropped at her statement. "Wait, marry him? Are you... betrothed?"
She shook her head and sniffled. "No, but naturally an engagement would be the next step in our relationship, and the way everyone keeps hinting about it..."
"I see," he said seriously.
"I'm sorry," she sobbed quietly. "I shouldn't have done this to you. I knew that nothing could happen between us, but I lead you on anyway. I couldn't help it! You're the sweetest man I've ever met. You were so considerate and kind... a-and gallant, and I just couldn't bring myself to step away from you. I know I probably sound crazy for saying this, but... I-I've never felt this way about anyone but you, Landon, a-and Graham said that you liked me as well, and... And now I'm crying like a child in front of you! I can't imagine what must be running through your head right now. You must think I'm - "
Landon kissed her. For once, he ignored every logical part of his mind, every part that told him this was wrong and dangerous and improper, and listened only to the part that had been telling her to kiss her since he'd first laid eyes on her. He waited, to be slapped, to be pushed away, to be shouted at... but Isabelle did none of these things. Instead, she sighed and seemed to melt against him. Landon's lips curled into an unstoppable smile, unable to imagine a more perfect moment.
"I-I'm so sorry, Isabelle," he apologized when logic once again took control. "You're dating, practically engaged to someone. I shouldn't have... I'm sorry, but I... You're just so... P-Please forgive me."
"Forgive you? I should be thanking you," she said breathlessly. "No one's ever kissed me like that. Landon, that was... you are..."
Landon chuckled. "I'm glad I'm not the only one at a loss for words."
Isabelle giggled and launched herself into another kiss, running her hands across his chest. Landon eagerly pulled her closer, unashamed that this was without a doubt the most scandalous thing he'd ever done. If she didn't care, he didn't care.
"I-I'm sorry to say this, really," he laughed when they finally pulled apart. "But I should probably get back to the ship."
"Oh, yes. Heavens, what time is it?" she asked in a panicked voice.
"Uh... quarter to midnight," he answered, checking his watch. "Wow, I really need to go."
"Me too," she said as she stood up. "But, Landon?"
Something told him he would never get sick of hearing her call out his name. "Yes?"
"Tomorrow?"
He smiled. "Same time, same place?"
She nodded. He placed a quick kiss on her cheek, then rushed off. Heart racing and cheeks undoubtably flushed, Isabelle wandered dreamily back to the house.
"Are you just eager to be the talk of the town?"
Isabelle gasped and looked up to see her older brother reclined on the front porch swing. "Wh-what - "
"Stars, I hope you like him, Izi," he sighed. "You have no idea what you're getting into."
She frowned. "Christian, I'm not a child. I know perfectly well what I'm doing."
"Really?" he raised his voice. "Because it seems to me like you're about to get in way over your head. You know that Thomas in due to propose to you, and yet you're sneaking around in the gardens in the dead of night with a boy you've known for a single day."
Isabelle flushed and looked down guiltily. "Christian..."
"Whatever you're going to ask me to do, the answer is - "
"Please, Christian," she begged. "Just listen." He sighed and crossed his arms expectantly. She trudged up the few steps so that she too was on the porch, then took a deep breath. "You know how I feel about Thomas."
"The same way I do. You hate him, and I don't blame you, but Izi - "
"Stop! I know! I know how scandalous this is, but please, just - " She walked over and sat next to him. "His name's Landon Gallagher and I've never felt this way about anyone else in my entire life. Don't you dare try to tell me that this is because I'm young either, because I know that I am, but I also know that this isn't just some crush or a need to do something daring. I... I truly care about him."
Christian searched her eyes before finally sighing and shaking his head. "You know he won't be staying long. He's a spacer. He'll leave."
"I know," she said, placing her hand on her brothers arm. "So please just let me enjoy this while I can."
Christian debated for a moment, then smiled and held out his arms. Isabelle laughed and fell gratefully into his embrace.
Landon made it to her house and the garden much easier the next night. Whistling quietly to himself, he stopped dead in his tracks when he found, not Isabelle, but a man waiting for him. He froze, unsure of what to do or say. He really had no way of explaining why he was there.
"Relax, Landon," the man said. "I know why you're here."
"You do? I mean, who are you? How do you know my name? Where's Isabelle?" he demanded.
"I'm her older brother, Christian. I know the whole story, and I've agreed to let her keep seeing you, despite the fact her reputation is on the line," he said darkly. "She'll be out here momentarily, but I needed to talk with you first."
"Oh," he said lamely. "Um, o-okay. What - "
Christian stepped forward, until he was looming over Landon. "What exactly are your intentions?"
"My intentions?" Landon gulped.
"I've seen how your friends treat the other girls. It's clear what they've got on their mind, and that's between them, but if you're after the same thing with Izi - "
"Wait, what? No! No, I'm not..." he sighed. "I'm not after a one night stand or something, if that's what you're asking." Christian eyed him disbelievingly. "It's true! Look, I really care for her. I have no intention of hurting her in anyway, I swear it."
"But you'll be leaving soon, correct? And then what?"
"I... I don't know, I hadn't actually thought that far ahead yet..."
"Landon, this can't escalate. You know she has a suitor. The two of you can't be a couple, and you're going to leave, so what exactly are you getting out of this?" Christian demanded.
Landon looked away guiltily. Her brother was right, so what was he getting out of this? "I don't know..." He glared back up at Christian. "But I swear on my life I'm not using her, and I'm not interested in ruining her life or her reputation in any way."
Christian suddenly smiled. "I can see why she likes you so much."
Landon grinned just as another voice spoke up. "Thank you, Christian. Now can we please have some privacy?"
"Of course," Christian laughed, kissing her on the top of her head before walking away.
"Sorry," Isabelle laughed quietly. "He's very protective."
"Don't worry," Landon grinned as he took her hand. "I'm just glad you're here."
That's how the couple spent their nights. Every night he could, Landon would leave the ship and his friends behind to spend time with Isabelle. Isabelle would sneak out of her house after quickly making sure that Christian would cover for her if it came up (though thankfully, it never did). Then the two of them would talk and laugh, holding hands, exchanging quick (and not so quick) kisses. With every new detail he discovered about her, every secret she disclosed, Landon became more and more convinced that this actually was love... but there was always that logic that tugged on him, reminding him that it couldn't be. That she could never be his.
"What is it?" Isabelle asked one night when Landon has seemed especially moody.
Landon looked down to where she was laying against his chest, fingering the buttons on his shirt. He ran his hand through her auburn curls and sighed. "You know how much I care about you, don't you?"
She turned and looked down at him. "Of course I do. I care for you just as much."
"Right," he laughed nervously. "Well, I was wondering - this is only theoretical, of course, but... what if... we got married? So that you wouldn't have to marry Thomas?"
Isabelle's eyes widened. "What?"
"I-I just mean... could we? If I was to talk to your parents - or ask your father, I suppose - a-and ask to marry you... i-is it possible?"
She smiled sadly. "It isn't. You're..." she sighed. "Don't take this the wrong way, but you're... not exactly of the same social class as me. I'm a 'lady' and, well, as Thomas pointed out, you don't have a title." She brushed his hair away from his eyes. "If you were to talk to my father, he would not only refuse to let us get married, but he'd make sure we never saw each other again. He's very... particular when it comes to who I should be seen with. That's another reason I'm with Thomas - social status."
"Oh." Landon laughed uncomfortably. "I'm sorry, I... probably sound completely insane."
"No," she giggled. "You sound completely adorable."
"I'd just been thinking about how, you know, pretty soon, I'm going to have to - "
"No, please don't," she begged, shaking her head. "Please don't talk about what we're going to have to do. I know, and I don't want to think about it."
"But, Isabelle - "
"Please..." she whispered, squeezing his hand tightly. "Please don't. Not right now."
Landon closed his eyes and sighed. "Alright, love. Alright."
She lay back down against him, savoring every moment she got to be this close to him, to hear his heart beat, to feel his fingers gently skimming across her skin. Landon just felt guilty, for both of them. He knew this couldn't last, but he couldn't tear himself away. He wanted to soak up as much time with her as he could so that he could remember the sound of her voice, the smell of her hair, the feel of her lips on his, even if all he would walk away with was a memory...
"Landon!"
Only when he was jolted awake did he realize he'd fallen asleep. "Huh? What?"
"You have to go! I have to go!" Isabelle said hastily.
Why was it so hot? And so bright? Why was it... daylight? "What? We - "
"We fell asleep! It's morning and Thomas is - " She froze. "Oh no."
"What?" he asked anxiously, but then he heard the voices to.
Peering carefully around the hedge, they were able to see Thomas and another man, presumably his father, approaching the door to Isabelle's house.
Landon turned to her. "You have to go."
"I know that, but how - ?"
"I'll boost you up to your window," he volunteered, dragging her sneakily to the side of her house.
"But what if they catch you?" she whispered.
"I can get out of it. I'm worried about you."
Isabelle nodded thankfully and allowed Landon to boost her up through her window. "See you tonight?" he asked.
"Same time, same - oh!" she gasped, turning away from the window. "Hello, Margaret."
Landon knew Margaret was Isabelle's lady's maid and knew that this was his chance to get out of there; he wasn't going to get to say anything else to her until tonight. Staying flush against the side of the house, he snuck around, avoiding windows, and peered around to the front of the house to see if the coast was clear. Thomas, the other man, and Christian were standing on the porch. Christian caught a glance of Landon who silently pleaded for help.
"Ah, yes, come in, come in," Christian said, welcoming the men into the house.
"Thank you, Christian," Thomas said as he stepped indoors.
Christian turned to look at Landon. 'GO!' he mouthed.
'Thank you!' Landon silently returned before taking off down the road.
That day was the most stressful day so far for both of them. On Landon's side, Rylee had been captured and he and the other boys had all been injured. On Isabelle's, Thomas had finally done what she'd been dreading since the night she met Landon.
It took all her efforts not to cringe when Thomas wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her much closer than she was comfortable with. With their engagement now definitive, he seemed as amorous as ever. She tried to focus on something outside of her house - on Landon, pretending she was in the garden, laying side by side with him, listening to his amusing anecdotes about he and his friends at the academy...
But when Thomas kissed her, she couldn't withdraw from it. She was flooded with remorse, apologizing inwardly to herself and Landon that she would ever let this happen. She knew it would, but she'd been praying for a miracle, that something would go wrong, that something would change...
"Izi?"
Isabelle owed her brother so much. Silently thanking him for interrupting Thomas before his hands could begin to wander, she turned to look at him.
"Are you feeling quite alright now?"
She blinked, but quickly caught on. "Oh, I'm afraid not. I still don't feel quite like myself."
"Whatever is the matter?" Thomas asked, sounding almost accusatory.
"Isabelle slept in this morning because she wasn't feeling well," Christian snapped. "Maybe you'd like to lie down?" he hinted.
"Yes, that would be nice," she sighed. "Goodbye, Thomas."
As soon as Christian had escorted her out of the room and into the hallway, the tears started. She kept them to a minimum until they were upstairs and in her bedroom, where he finally embraced her and held her close as she began to sob.
"I don't want to marry him," she cried against his chest.
"I know, Izi. I don't want you to marry him, but there's no other choice," he said solemnly.
"Christian, I need you to do something for me."
"Anything."
She looked up at him, her eyes focused and determined. "When Landon comes tonight, send him away."
"What?" he gasped.
"I can't do it anymore!" Isabelle practically shouted. "It's hard enough already. I can't tell him that I'm engaged. I just can't. I don't want to see him that heartbroken. Please don't make me..."
"Okay, okay," he agreed, pulling her back to him. "I'll tell him you aren't feeling well tonight, but you're going to have to tell him at some point. He needs to hear it from you."
Christian gently kissed her temple before dismissing himself. Isabelle choked on a sob and sank helplessly onto her bed.
"Isabelle isn't feeling well."
Landon blinked. "What? But she was just fine this - "
"I know, but something overcame her during the day, and she's not up for company. She asked me to tell you," Christian explained matter-of-factly.
Landon was tired, covered in dirt and sweat and blood, and he'd run all the way here. "Well, why can't... I mean... " He sighed heavily. "I really need to talk to her."
He'd been thinking a lot, and finally made the decision. He had to tell her the truth about why they were there, about Tabitha, about the fortune... about why he could have died.
Not only that, but he had something he was going to ask her...
Christian smirked. "You look like you took one hell of a beating to get here."
Landon laughed breathlessly, placing his hands on his knees. "Yeah, well, I kind of did."
"Well, I'm sorry," he said in all seriousness. "But she simply isn't up for it tonight. She's resting in her room as we speak. Perhaps the breeze from her open window will help her feel better and she'll be well enough tomorrow."
Landon squinted at the man in confusion. Christian stared at him pointedly and Landon's eyes widened as he caught on.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I'm supposed to join our parents for dinner at the Ellery residence. Goodnight, Landon."
"Yeah..." Landon mumbled. He waited until he could no longer hear Chrstian's horse's hoofbeats before rushing over and scaling the wall to her room. He didn't stop, or pause long enough to let himself think about what might happen, he just climbed. He had to see her.
When his boots hit the hardwood floor of her room, Isabelle jumped off her bed with a loud gasp.
"I'm sorry," he immediately apologized.
"L-Landon? What are you doing here?"
"I... I-I had to see you. If you don't feel well, I understand, but I - Have you been crying?" he questioned.
Isabelle lowered her gaze, but couldn't deny that she had. It was so blatantly obvious. "Landon... You can't be here."
Landon started. "Well... I know it's not exactly proper, but we've kind of been doing improper things for a while now, and the rest of your family's at dinner, so there's no risk of us being caught... I-I didn't think you would mind."
"No, it isn't that," she choked. "Landon, I... I can't see you anymore."
Landon was certain that his heart stopped, that time froze, that he was hallucinating... "What?" he asked so quietly that he almost didn't hear it himself.
"What happened to you?" she whispered, forgetting his question when she noticed his disheveled appearance.
"Our ship was attacked," he explained flatly.
"Attacked?" she gasped. "By who?"
He sighed and rambled off a short explanation that ended with Isabelle gawking at him from across the room. Neither of them had moved. They couldn't, because they didn't know which direction to move. Closer, farther apart...
"That's why I had to talk to you," he explained earnestly. "I realized that... I could have died tonight, and you never would have seen me again. And I couldn't risk that happening again without telling you that... I love you."
Isabelle's reaction was not the one he'd been hoping for. She sank down onto the bed and started to cry, "Landon, please. Don't do this."
"Wait, please," he said kneeling in front of her. "I... I think I figured out how to get you out of this... relationship thing you're in with Thomas." Isabelle's eyes widened and he smiled at her. "Isabelle, I... I know we haven't..." He sighed. "This is harder than I thought..."
"Landon, what - ?"
He stopped her with a finger to her lips. "Okay, I'm... I'm just going to ask it and I'm - wow I can't believe I'm doing this..." Landon took her hands in his and looked up at her. "Isabelle, we haven't known each other that long, but I've never felt this way about anyone. I'm in love with you. Completely. Head over heels. I know it sounds crazy, but I can't imagine being with anyone else. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me and I would do anything not to lose you. I can't bear to think of you married to someone else, so I..." He shifted nervously. "Well, I don't have a ring or anything, but I... Isabelle, will you - No?"
Isabelle was shaking her head insistently, pleading with him not to ask her. "Don't. Don't say it. Please. I can't - "
"What is it?" No answer. "Are you saying that... you don't love me?" No answer. He softly turned her face back to look at him. "Look at me. Look me in the eye and tell me that you don't love me."
"I can't!" she cried, jerking out of his grasp and standing back up. He followed, watching her pace around the room. "I can't because I do. Of course I love you, Landon. I love you more than anyone else in the Etherium. I've loved you since the moment Tabitha asked me to dance with you." The both laughed lightly. "Landon, I don't want to do this, but I just..." Isabelle met his gaze. "Thomas proposed. I'm engaged to be married."
All he could do was stare. He knew this day was coming. He'd known it all along, but now that it was here... he thought it might kill him. How was it possible to love someone this much, but not be able to be with them? No. It just couldn't be. This was a dream. A horrible, horrible dream, but one that he would wake up from. He'd find out he still had more time to spend with her, that he had time to come up with a way for them to be together. No, this wasn't the end.
"Well, we could run away! We'll leave. We can travel to the other side of the Etherium if we have to, where no one will ever find us. I'll protect you. Just forget about Thomas and come with me."
Isabelle swallowed and shook her head. "I can't Landon. I can't leave. You know I would if I could, but it simply isn't possible. I'm 16. I can't leave the planet or get married without my father's permission, and he would never understand."
Anger and love and disappointment all fought for a place, but one look at Isabelle on the verge of tears again replaced it all with the need to comfort her. Landon carefully walked over to her and ran the back of his hand across her cheek.
She looked up, tears streaming down her face. "I love you, Landon. I love you, I do, I swear it - "
"Shh, I know, love. I know," he calmed her. "I love you, Isabelle."
Landon held her. He held her until she stopped crying and was able to take a deep breath. He held her even after that. He wouldn't let her go. He would fight for her. He would do whatever it took to make sure that she never left his arms, unless she wanted to leave them, witch he prayed to the stars would never happen.
"You would marry me, just to make sure I didn't spend the rest of my life with Thomas?"
"Well, not just for that." Landon pulled her back and looked down at her, smiling. "Isabelle, I... I'd give anything to be able to say that you're mine."
Isabelle smiled for the first time that night. "I am yours, Landon."
The kiss they shared was bittersweet. They had every reason to believe that this was the last night that they would be together. Landon had to go back to his friends and help solve the clue, and Isabelle was... engaged. The word tasted like vinegar, to both of them, and sent a strange chill of distaste through them, but they didn't focus on that. They focused on each other, on this moment, on the way they felt together, on the contradictory feelings of peace and excitement that flooded them when they were near.
As the kiss escalated to something more, Landon found himself throwing caution to the wind. He didn't think about the possible repercussions; all he could think of was how right this all felt, of how even logic now was telling him that she should be his. Isabelle no longer cared about her reputation or her family's name or anything. Let them be ruined - she didn't care. She cared about Landon, about how tender and caring and gentle he was towards her. He would never do anything to hurt her. He loved her, and she loved him.
"Isabelle?" Landon breathed, carefully pressing kisses against her neck.
Isabelle closed her eyes, grasping tightly onto his shoulders. "Yes?"
"Promise me something."
"Anything."
He pressed his hand against the small of her back, just as he had when they were dancing, and looked deeply into her eyes. "Promise me that you're doing this for you. Not for me, or anyone else you know." He moved his other hand around the back of her neck. "Promise me that you won't regret anything."
"I will never regret a single moment spent with you," she said quietly.
That was all the incentive he needed to pull her passionately into the next kiss of the night.
That was the last night the two of them spent together. Isabelle kept her promise and didn't regret a single thing. How could she? It had more perfect that anything she could ever imagine happening with Thomas. She smiled wryly when she thought back to the night she thought she'd never see Landon in anything less than his uniform. She still couldn't understand how someone who looked to be so tough could be so... compassionate. He was muscular, toned, not to mention handsomer than she thought possible, but when he held her, she'd simply felt... safe, and the closer he held her, the safer she felt. There was no intimidation factor with Landon, no worrying that he might her, no concern that he was simply using her. He was tender, and passionate, and everything she knew Thomas would never be toward her. It was something she would never experience again, and so she committed it all to memory, from the deep sound of his voice to the way his hands had felt as they caressed her body. She'd memorized everything down to the tiniest detail. She didn't want to risk forgetting a single second of that night. When Landon left, it would be all she had left to remember him by.
She almost didn't go to the spaceport to see him off. She was perfectly fine with having her last memory be of that night they spent together... but she soon realized she shouldn't throw away the last chance she would have to see him. Besides, it would break his heart if she wasn't there, and she couldn't do that to him again.
Despite himself, Landon found his heart racing when Isabelle arrived with the rest of her friends to see them off. He raced down the dock to her, having to physically restrain himself from kissing her there. He pulled her away from her friends and launched into the speech he'd been running through his head for days.
"I don't want to leave. You know I don't want to leave. Isabelle, I can't live without you. I... I want so badly to be with you, forever. Please, love... come with me."
Isabelle swallowed and shook her head. "I can't Landon. I can't leave. You know I would if I could, but it simply isn't possible. A-and besides, there's Christian, and my friends..." She was simply grasping at straws now, and they both knew it.
Landon's shoulders slumped. "No, I know. I just... thought I'd ask, one more time before I..."
Isabelle choked. "I'm so sorry. You have no idea how much I wish I could... I love you. Please, please understand. Please, don't be mad. Please..."
"I'm not mad, love. I could never be mad at you." He cupped his hands over her cheeks and wiped away the tears with his thumbs. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
He placed a short, sweet kiss against her lips before anyone could notice then pulled her into a hug. She threw her arms tightly around his neck and returned it gratefully.
"I'll come back, Isabelle," he whispered into her ear. "I'll figure something out and come back. I swear it."
Isabelle returned home that afternoon, only to be greeted by, not her parents or her brother, but Thomas.
"Oh, Thomas, I... didn't expect to see you here," she said, discretely wiping at her face to make sure there were no visible tears.
"It's a surprise, my dear," he said with a smile that made her cringe inwardly.
"It certainly is, but... Wh-Where is my family?"
"Out for a walk in the park. We have the place to ourselves for a little while," he said suggestively.
Isabelle blanched. "Yes, w-well, I-I'm afraid I'm not feeling up to par, so if you'll excuse me - "
"Nonsense!" he cried, grabbing her hand as she tried to walk out of the room. "We have wedding arrangements to make."
Isabelle fought back more tears and turned to look at him. "I understand that, but right now I - "
Thomas pulled her to him harshly. She gasped at the force of it but he only smirked at her. "I am exceedingly excited about our wedding." He twisted her fingers through her hair. "Or, more importantly, our wedding night."
Isabelle blushed and ducked away from his hand. "Thomas, I'm - "
"You don't know how long I've had my eye on you," he said deeply, kissing her neck. "It's taken all of my restraint not to ravish you so far."
"Y-Yes, well, I - " she stammered nervously, trying to pry herself away. "I-I'm afraid you'll have to keep restraining, until we're married."
"Oh, but why, my dear?" he asked slyly. "You are mine, now."
That was it.
She pushed him away. "I am not yours! You do not own me!"
His eyes pierced her. "I would not speak so brazenly. You should show your future husband some respect."
"I'm showing you all the respect you deserve! And I'd rather die than have you for a husband!"
Isabelle didn't care anymore. She was tired of bowing to the will of everyone around her. If she was going to have to marry this man, then she would kill herself before she let him put a finger on her. She wanted him to know just how much she loathed him.
Her will seemed iron strong until Thomas stepped forward and grabbed her wrists, making her cry out in pain.
"Stay quiet," he demanded as he pushed her onto the couch. She tried to get up, but he held her down.
Isabelle's screams were interrupted when he kissed her. She turned her head to catch her breath and smacked him. Thomas glared at her, pinning her down beneath his body and covering her mouth with one of his hands. Isabelle tried to scream, to cry out for anyone, to take a breath, but he was too strong. This time, she didn't withdraw herself. She didn't think of something else and ignore what was happening - she fought. She fought with all she had, kicking and punching and anything she could to get him off.
Suddenly, the weight was lifted off her and she was able to gasp in a deep breath. She looked around to see what had happened and found Christian holding up Thomas by the collar, wearing a look of hatred that frightened even her. Without a word, Christian punched him and Thomas dropped to the floor.
"Christian!" she gasped, rushing to him.
He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "Are you alright? What happened? Did he hurt you?"
Isabelle shook her head and Christian sighed, but kept a hold of all the angry tension in his body.
"Oh my!"
The couple looked up to see Margaret standing in the doorway observing the scene that lay before her.
"Margaret," Christian began, not pausing for a moment. "Go to Isabelle's room and pack up her clothing and any other necessities."
"But where is the lass - ?"
"Go! I shall explain later, but time is of the essence."
Margaret jumped a little at his tone, but nodded and left the room to obey.
"Where am I going?" Isabelle asked quietly.
Christian smiled. "We've got to get you to the spaceport."
"But... why?"
He raised his eyebrows with a smirk. "You do want to see Landon, don't you?"
She sighed. "Landon's already gone."
"Exactly. Which is why time is of the essence. We have to get you on the next ship to Montressor, or as near as we can get."
Isabelle blinked. "Wh-what? But I-I'm only - "
"16. I know, Izi. I am your brother after all," he laughed. "I did my research on this, unlike you."
"What are you talking about?"
You are allowed to leave if you have permission from a parent - " He grinned. " - or a relative over the age of 21."
Isabelle gaped at him. "Christian, you - "
"I'm 22, aren't I?" Christian smiled and pulled out a document from his inner coat pocket. "Here. It will get you onto any ship in the port."
"But... mom and dad. What will they say?"
"I'll explain everything and take the blame," he assured her. "You have nothing to worry about except getting to Montressor as quick as you can."
Isabelle threw her arms around her brother. "You're the greatest. I'll come back soon, I promise."
"I know you will, Izi, but you had better be Mrs. Landon Gallagher when you do."
Landon lay awake in his bed at the Benbow. He was at his wit's end. He'd believed that anything could be done if you put you're mind to it, but this... this couldn't. He had no way of gaining Isabelle. He'd gone through every plan, every scenario, every possibility, and there was nothing. And it didn't help that his parents, or his father at least, hardly believed him. He understood where they were coming from - young love was a temperamental thing - but this wasn't just young love. This was love, in all senses of the word. This would not fade - that he was absolutely sure of.
For the first time in his life, Landon felt completely hopeless.
Which is why when Cason came bounding into his room, waking up his entire family, he hardly even listened.
"You have to get down here!" he'd shouted, shaking Landon.
"Ow, stop shaking me!" Landon cried, throwing the covers back and sitting up.
"Come on!"
Cason had pulled the stumbling Landon down the hall to the steps. "What is it?" he yawned. "What is so important that it can't wait 'till - "
He froze.
He was dreaming. He had to be. Isabelle wasn't at the Benbow. What would she be doing here? No, this was a dream, a hallucination. Could heartbreak make you hallucinate things?
But she looked so real... even in the dark, her hair radiated like heat and her eyes seemed to sparkle. She was disheveled and shaken and... and still the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
"Isabelle?"
Isabelle gulped down her fears. She had not traveled for two weeks on a ship of strangers to lose it now. "L-Landon... I - "
She was real. He knew it as soon as he heard her voice. No dream could sound that sweet. All his fears seemed to melt and cool his body and for the first time in as long as he could remember, he felt relaxed. He didn't care why she was here, only that she was.
The next thing either of them knew, they were kissing. Isabelle wanted to cry from joy. His hands against her face, his lips, the way he smelled - it was all a thousand times better than she remembered. She knew she must look horrendous - her hair was tangled, her face dirty and tear streaked, and she was in need of a shower - but Landon didn't seem to care. Landon didn't seem to care about anything but the fact that she was there.
"What - what are you doing here?" He grinned, running his fingers through her hair.
"I made a huge mistake. I should have just come with you. I'm sorry I - " But before she could explain that she hadn't known about the 'relative over 21' rule, they were interrupted.
"Landon?"
Everyone in the room turned to look at the man and woman standing on the stairs, whom Isabelle presumed were his parents. Isabelle felt her face warm at the inquisitive gaze they were sending her.
"Dad... this is Isabelle," he explained, wrapping an arm around her waist in a way that suggested he had no intention of ever letting her go.
"I figured as much, seeing the way you just kissed her," his father returned. Isabelle noticed that she wasn't the only one blushing anymore; Landon's cheeks were just as pink as hers. "Would she care to explain why she's here?"
Landon did a double take of Isabelle and his parents, unsure of what to say. The rest of their friends quietly dismissed themselves, leaving the couple alone with the parents.
"Stars above, Landon, what do you think you're doing?" his father questioned.
Landon stiffened. "I'm kissing the girl I love, dad." Isabelle turned to look up at him in surprise, but didn't speak. "I'm in love with her. I am. I know you think I'm too young, but... Jim and Tabitha are the same age, and everyone knows that they're in love. Why is it so hard to believe that I feel the same way?"
"Because Jim and Tabitha have been together for 3 years. You and Isabelle haven't even known each other 3 months. Landon, you're 19, and - "
"Honey," his wife said, gently laying a hand on his shoulder. "Let me handle this." He sighed but gave in. His mother stepped forward to the couple, observing them. "Kiss her."
Landon blanched. "Wh-what? But, mom - "
"Do it, Landon," she said in a warning, yet still caring, tone.
Landon looked back down at Isabelle, then back up to his mom. "Do you have to watch?" He laughed awkwardly. His mother raised her eyebrows and Landon sighed. "Okay... Isabelle?"
Isabelle nodded. Landon grinned and leaned down to kiss her, placing a hand on the back of her head and pulling her to him. Isabelle placed her hands on his sides, enjoying every second of this kiss she never though she'd share.
When they pulled back, both smiling, his mother grinned and turned back to his father. "They're in love, sweetheart. A boy would never kiss a girl like that in front of his mother unless he truly cared about her."
Landon's face reddened brightly, but Isabelle just giggled. Landon's father shook his head. "Alright. You win. You're in love."
Landon turned back to Isabelle, wrapping his arms around her waist and staring into her eyes. "You bet I am."
That was the explanation everyone found the next morning. After looking around for them for a little while, his mother had finally spotted the note on his bed, that explained the whole story, for his friends, and apologized, to his parents, for running away with Isabelle. As he said in the note, he 'didn't want to risk anything else coming between them.' And who could blame him?
His father just shook his head and chuckled. His mother got all teary eyed at the thought of her baby eloping. Jim, Tabitha, and the other teens were all in complete shock.
"Three engagements in under twelve hours," Jim laughed. "I think that's probably a record."
Mrs. Hawkins laughed. "But how did they leave?"
"Oh, I'm sure they just hopped on the next ship out of here," Landon's mother had said.
"Nope," Tabitha laughed as she skimmed over the note again.
"How then?" Jim asked.
Tabitha simply grinned and handed him the note, pointing to the post script:
Thanks for the longboat, Jim.
Remember that? How Jim said he could take the longboat and fly back?
Yeah, okay, this chapter was ca-ray-zee long. Sorry about that. I get carried away (as I'm sure you've noticed). But I don't even care because I just love this so much! It's cute, no?
This was requested by ADangerousPastime. I hope you like it as much as I love those sketches you did! I can't even tell you how much I'm in love with them!
Reviews are super awesome! Thank you!
-Emily
+Responses to Reviews+
NeverTooLate03: Glad you liked it! And your last chapter was AWESOME!
Tsukasa-kun: Haha Yeah Cason could come across as a bit of a perv, but he's really a gentleman.
anon: I did consider having him walk her back to the dorm, but then I figured that he probably wouldn't since they were on campus, so she's safe, and they don't really want to be seen together yet. Thank you so much for all your compliments!
23jk: Thank you :D
MistressTaco: Aw, how cute! Glad you liked it!
Horsygirl 96: Thank you!
ADangerousPastime: Bam! Two chapters for you! And both made of awesome, if I do say so myself. I hope you like this one as well! Actually, I am working on making this a book... trying to figure out how copyright applies and such... :D
CMR Rosa: Thank you! Yes, I think that it will show how they all met as the chapters go! You'll see what I mean.
S.A.M. Foneca: I'm so glad you liked it! Thank you for your reviews! It's so great to see a new reviewer!
malisa: Haha I don't blame you! Glad you liked it! Thanks!
