And I'm late again. For, what, the third time in a row? You never know when writer's block can strike...XP
RAMP UP THE ROMANCE WOO
Review! :D
He exhaled. I can't tell her. Not the truth. I'm a coward, I'm horrible, she doesn't deserve me but I will keep her forever...
"You passed out after drinking the wine. I brought you to my room, since I don't have the key to yours, and then I tripped and knocked into my nightstand, breaking this vase." That part was true enough. "And then you woke up." He crouched down next to her. "Are you feeling any better?"
"My headache's gone away a bit...but you're bleeding!" The concern in her voice made him feel horrible for hiding the secret from her. But she wouldn't ever love him with something like that on his record.
Before he could stop her, Elizaveta slid out of his bed and was at his side in an instant, cradling his bleeding hand in both of hers. "What did you cut yourself on this time, clumsy one?" she chastised teasingly.
"My vase," he said softly.
"There's glass in your knee, too! What did you do, roll in it?" One of her hands plucked the crescent out, clicking her tongue at his apparent lack of care for himself. "You should be more careful."
With her help, he was cleaned up with startlingly white bandages spread across his hand and his knee. "Thanks," he said, somewhat awkwardly. "And, now, uh, you could go back to your own rooms if you're sure you're feeling more awesome."
Elizaveta grinned at him. "And why would I want to go there? It's so cold and far away, and I'm a helpless little female." She turned a pair of big doe eyes on him, and he chuckled. "You're about as helpless as a rattlesnake."
"That's true," she allowed, and absently pushed her hair back over her shoulder. "But it is cold in my room."
"And it's warmer in mine?"
She sidled closer to him. "I don't know," she said in breathy tones. "Is it?"
And that just about wreaked havoc with his heart, not to mention another vital organ.
Mercifully she stepped away and turned the charm down until instead of being a goddess, she was simply Lizzie, Elizaveta Hedervary, his best friend and possible lover.
"But I am tired, through," she said, "and I'm not about to stay in my room all night. But I'm not about to sleep here in this dress, either. Be right back. Stay." She kissed her finger and put it to his forehead and left.
Gilbert sat there in sort of a paralyzed state, staring into the pile of damp glass while his thoughts rolled round and round. It was a repeat of the entire conflict of Tell her! Don't tell her! and he didn't know which side to pick. It was a mess. Soon this whole thing would implode with him at the middle of it, and then-
He roused himself when Elizaveta walked back in the door, resplendent in a plain green nightgown. "Sexy, eh?" he joked, and she laughed, a sound like bells. "It's only a sleepover," she responded. "Not some grand masquerade ball."
She plopped onto the mattress and snuggled against him immediately. "Gah! Your feet are like ice!"
The brunette smirked. "Cons of having me here with you. You'll live."
And as she lay curled up next to him, making soft snores an hour later, he at last decided.
By the way, fabulous people, I'm not going to be here for the rest of the month. I'm going to Taiwan! Yay! :D