WHAT UP!

RANT TIME:

Okay, so has anyone ever been severely pissed off at something? Because I'am. The KCAs were complete crap this year! Laura was way in front of Zendaya, A&A beats out The Thundermens and Ross…well…there was no doubt he would win. Anyway, I know that Zendaya is a great actress, never really been a fan though, and The Thundermens is probably good as well, but I just feel like Laura and A&A deserved it more!

To each his own I guess. On the plus side, HOW AWESOME IS BOOMBOX?! I swear I play it every time I go to the gym and I just LOVE it! Makes me even more excited for her full album!

Anyway, here's the new chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Austin & Ally

Chapter 23

Hear Me and Listen!

Ally could feel Austin's warm tears fall onto her breasts as he let his emotions loose. He tried to hold back, to keep his manly composure, but nothing seemed to work. All that pent up rage towards his father, the sadness of his mother's death and the helplessness he felt towards it, all of it just came out.

He never told anyone that story, not even Jacek or his trusted advisors knew about it, but with Ally it was different. He didn't feel like she would judge him for it and look down on him for showing weakness, but she didn't. Instead, she offered comfort and a long overdue shoulder to cry on. She truly was a gentle soul.

Feeling his head lift from her chest, Ally watched and listened as Austin gave a sniffle and rubbed his reddened eyes.

"Wow," He said, his voice a little rough from his crying. "After that, I feel like a whole weight has been lifted from my shoulders."

"Really?" Ally said. "Well, I'm glad that you could finally get it off your chest, holding a secret like that for so long... How is it you haven't fallen over from grief?" Austin stared at her before getting up, taking her with him. His hands gripped her by her elbows and then slowly rose up her arms, his touch leaving goosebumps in their wake, until he gripped both of her hands in his.

"I'am a king," He said as he turned his head towards the vast sky, stars gleaming just above them. "As king I cannot show weakness before my subjects or my advisors, lest they lose faith in me as their protector. In times of need, one must swallow their own pain to protect those that truly need it. I put my people before myself; it's as simple as that." Ally stared at him as he talked, taking everything he told her and she could understand how he felt. On the other hand, however…

"What a load of crap." That stunned Austin a little.

"Huh?" He said back, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open in surprise.

"Yes, a king must give his people reassurance that he can protect them, but let's not forget that, like everyone else, you have emotions. Emotions can cause damage, Austin, and if you dropping to the floor and crying your eyes out isn't a sign of that, then I don't know what is." Ally said. Austin's surprised look turned into one of annoyance as he thought about what she said.

"Well then, what would you have me do?"

"Talk," She said. "Talk to someone who will listen and not judge you like Dez, Jacek or…" A faint blush colored her cheeks. "Me."

"You would listen to me?" He asked as she shook her head, her blush getting darker. Now, you would think that Austin would leave it at that, take her kind gesture, but then that wouldn't be Austin. No, he had to do a little something to test the waters.

"Of course," She said, a cute little smile appearing on her face.

"No matter what I have to say, you'll listen with an open mind?" Ally noticed that Austin's left eyebrow had lifted in that curious, yet mischievous nature that most boys often possessed. However, knowing Austin, it wasn't the good kind of mischievous.

"Uh, sure, whatever you have to say, I'll listen to with an open mind, anything to help relieve yours."

"Then," He said as he leaned back against the windowsill. "The one thing that's really been bothering me…" Ally waited to listen, her eyes presenting her curiosity. "Is that, you never seem to wear any of the sexy sleepwear or underwear I put so much time and effort into making."

Ally felt her blush darken to almost 20 times the normal shade it should have been when she heard that.

"That's what's been bothering you?" She said as she tilted her head down, feeling as though smoke was coming out of her ears from the heat she was feeling.

"Yep, I mean, you have a great figure, not mention the greatest pair of breasts I've ever seen in my life." He then brought his hands up to his chest as he made a cupping motion. "Perfect size, shape and perkiness, I couldn't imagine anything more sexy. Well, maybe if you wore the underwear more often, you would see that too." He smirked down at Ally as he saw her face darken with every word he said. "But," He said with a sigh. "I guess that will never happen-"

"Alright," He stopped talking when he heard her soft voice ring. With wide eyes he looked down at her in surprise. "If it means that much to you, I'll wear them more often."

"Wait, are you being serious?" He said, his voice giving away his disbelief in what she had told him.

"Yeah," She said in a strong, more confident voice. The blush had begun to dissipate from her cheeks as she did. "I mean, it's not like I hate them, in fact, I kind of love them. They're easy to sleep in and comfy to wear, so I don't see any problem with them."

There was a moment of silence as Austin continued to stare in disbelief at Ally. Did she really just agree to wear the sexy underwear and sleep ware he had made? Even though, it was originally meant to punish her, Ally will admit that she did quite enjoy them. In fact, on days that Austin left her alone, she would entertain herself by trying on the various styles and modeling them in the mirror.

"Wow," Austin said as he gripped the windowsill for support. "I guess talking really does work wonders." That caused them both to laugh as a knock against the door sounded. They both turned their heads as Jacek poked his head in, asking if they still wanted dessert. They both looked at each other before shaking their heads in a 'yes' and returning to the small table.

After they had finished, Austin informed Ally that they would be meeting the Morgenstern family tomorrow. She immediately felt a small bubble of dread form in the pit of her belly as she thought back to what had happened before with the Starr family, but Austin had reassured her that the Morgenstern's were a peaceful bunch. That did help to ease her nerves a little.

With that finished, they both decided to turn in for the night and this time Ally wore a bright yellow, lace teddy nightgown with matching lace panties. Let's just say Austin went to bed a very happy man.

*NEXT DAY*

The next morning found Ally alone in bed and awakened by her group of maids. They informed her as she bathed that Austin had a meeting to go to and would meet her after her morning lessons to depart for the Morgenstern household. She understood and continued with her morning ritual.

The maids had decided to dress her in a light peach floor length gown that hung off her shoulders with long sleeves that pointed at the end. Her hair was pulled back into a long braid as a gold circlet was placed on her head. She slipped on the matching colored slippers and then left to meet with Avion.

Once she reached the library, she saw that Avion had compiled a large amount of books on the table. He sat at the end with one in his lap and his reading glasses on.

"Studying for your own exam?" Ally asked as she looked down at him. He lifted his head to meet her gaze, his reading glasses perched firmly on the bridge of his nose.

"I was told that you were meeting with the Morgenstern family." He said as he closed the book and put it aside. "So, I thought I would teach you some things about them." Ally nodded her head in understanding and she grabbed one of the large books and began reading. Though, if she was being honest, she would rather be reading something else.

"Um, Avion," She said, trepidation in her voice as she did. He raised his head again towards her. "You wouldn't happen to have any books on Lacrima would you?" He raised an eyebrow as he gave her an apprehensive look.

"He told you, didn't he?" He said and Ally's face morphed into one of surprise.

"You know about what happened to Austin?"

"Who do you think his father came to for the spell?" Now that was a shocker to hear. It was Avion who gave Austin's father the spell to almost kill his son?

"Why did you give it to him?" Ally asked. "Knowing what it could do to his son?"

"I didn't know at the time what he wanted to use the spell for. I knew that he wanted to cure Austin, but I had hoped he would have waited until Austin was older and able to handle it."

"But, he didn't," Ally interrupted. "He didn't and it resulted in him almost killing his son and as a result, he lost his wife. How could someone do that?" Ally could feel the tears beginning to prick at the edge of her powdered eyelids, trying her best to keep them in.

She just couldn't understand how and why someone could go so far, knowing it could result in the death of someone they love and care about? His own son, his only heir and his beloved wife, who he vowed to protect as well? It just didn't make any sense to her.

"Love makes people do crazy things." Ally looked at Avion as she began to grasp that statement. "King Michael wanted the best for his son, even if his body wouldn't allow it. Since that day he came into this world, His Majesty believed his son to be the greatest achievement he could've made. When the boy's body began to weaken, he searched high and low for a solution to help him regain his strength and, seeing no other way, decided to go through with the Lacrima spell." It finally sunk in for Ally. A parent, be they royal or common, always wants the best for their child, to keep them safe from harm and help them live a full life.

"So, Austin's father only wanted to help his son?" Avion nodded his head.

"Yes, and for his wife, Queen Mimi. She agonized every day to keep His Majesty alive and it was weighing heavy on her. Healer after healer told her to take a rest, but she never left her boy's side."

"She really loved Austin."

"Yes, more than anything in the world."

Ally began to think about how Austin's parents were very similar to her own. Her father went to great lengths to give her to her mother, asking for the help of a wizard to give her the child she longed for. That really spoke volumes to how far someone is willing to go to prove their love for someone, even at the risk of their safety.

"So then, do you know what happened to Austin's father?" Ally asked. Avion's face dropped to a somber look as he answered.

"No, unfortunately no one knows where the former king went off too. Some say his grief finally got to him and he ended up going mad, dying shortly thereafter, others say he now lives in the forest as an apothecary to the humans." He gave a sigh as he placed his book down and showed Ally the book she needed to read. "Look, I will show you the Lacrima books after you've studied and gotten back from your meeting with the Morgenstern's, alright?"

Ally smiled as she sat at the table and opened the book in front of her, coming upon the crest of the House of Morgenstern. Avion continued to quiz her throughout the morning and into the early afternoon until her maid came and told her to meet Austin at the carriage. She thanked the maid and, before leaving, turned to Avion.

"I can't wait to read that book when I get back." She said as she lifted her arms up to wrap around his neck in a hug. Avion, slightly taken aback, returned the hug and with a wink, sent her on her way.

If there is a way, Ally began to think, I'm going to help Austin and bring him the closure he needs. After all, he'll be very happy with what I have to tell him. Her thoughts stopped as she looked at Austin leaning against the carriage and a smile appeared on again on her face.

That I…love him

I'm just gonna leave you with that because I'm evil that way.

By the way, are there seriously no Fairy Tale fans here? If you love anime, you need to check this one out because it is awesome! I'am total Nalu trash, by the way.

Also, remember to promote and buy Laura's new single!

Thanks and remember, stay ROSSOME!