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i wrote the ... first part of chapter while listening to Judas by Lady Gaga. mmm, choreography. the second part with shake it off by florence and the machine. let's not talk about the third part.

broken up into two parts so i could get it out before vacation.

IV

Somehow, she pulled herself through that doorway and into his office. Fucker had the most beatific little smile on his face. She executed a perfect little bow, keeping her eyes trained on his face so that he couldn't look away. Bovril clung to her in a way only a loris can, and she ignored the little pinches from his paws as he held on.

Part of her was tempted to put that little feminine swish in her step that Barlow had taught her as she walked over to the side, and perhaps she would have, if Barlow and Volger weren't here. Most likely, Barlow would notice it and perhaps even wonder if Deryn was responsible enough to have been brought along. Volger would certainly comment on it, in private, assuming he hadn't changed. And Deryn would wage her right hand on that man's stubbornness still existing.

Alek, that stupid grin still on his face, waved off the guards, and indicated to Volger to close the doors. Once the office was nice and secure, he stood up from his desk, walking quickly over to Barlow and Deryn.

"Welcome It's so good to see you-"

Deryn kept her eyes on the portrait just above Alek. It must be his father, she decided absentmindedly, as Alek's words flowed past her and away.

Suddenly, Barlow said her name. She snapped back and smiled pleasantly at the others. Barlow knows enough about her that she assumes that Deryn was daydreaming.

"The Count and I were just discussing the possibility of introducing some fabrications to the Imperial Zoo."

Count Volger nodded, his amusement over Deryn being caught unawares very much present on his face.

"I offered to escort the lady, Mr. Sharp, so that you and ... Aleksandar would have time to catch up."

Deryn bit her lip as she tried to come up with a suitable excuse not to be left alone with Alek. She couldn't really find one that didn't sound silly, absurd, or strange. And by that time, Volger (who moved very fast for an old man) and Barlow had left, door closed behind them.

Shit.

Alek walked towards her, and Deryn held her ground as he reached out his arms, still smiling that content smile. He was too damn close for her comfort, and she leaned back nervously. His hand brushed her cheek and–

- Alek took Bovril with a smile, holding the loris against his chest as he stroked its forehead.

"Guten tag Bovril."

Bovril wriggled around in Alek's arms, content.

"His Highness," it spoke, in an almost perfect imitation of Volger.

He heard a slight choking sound from in front of him, but didn't bother look up, being much too occupied with the loris.

"Dylan, it's good to see you aga-"

He felt the sharp sting of a slap, and nearly dropped Bovril with fright. His first thought was that if any of the guards had seen, they would fall on Deryn in an instant. And then she spoke again, and he simply had to listen, because if she's doing something like this, it must be important.

"Don't call me that, you know my name. And six years- d'you know how bloody long six years is? How worried I was, you dummkopf-"

Deryn's voice cracked at the end, rose an octave or so. He realized that must be her real voice, not the one she used every day while she pretended to be a man. He didn't really notice it before, but he wasn't paying attention then. Alek gathered himself back together, dismissed the shock, and looked at her with concern.

"Der-"

She shook her head. And she was crying, he could vaguely see the tears sliding down her cheeks.

"I'm a barking fool. Look at me! Thinking you're going to- ... you're still a pr- emperor."

Alek walked to the desk, and set Borvril down while he took a handkerchief from his breast pocket. Deryn hesitatingly followed him over. Tenderly, he reached up, wiping her face off.

"You are, and will always be, my friend-" he choose to ignoring her blush at this, wrote it off to the brush of his fingers on her cheek. "I cannot tell how much I needed you aboard the Leviathan."

Deryn shook her head slowly, her hands bunched into fists. Alek ignored that and continued. He was selfish, but felt he needed to put everything out in the open.

"After Tes- ... after the incident in New York, I treated you very ... ungentlemanly, to be short, without the manners a man of my station would be expected to, to any lady."

He went ahead and emphasized the last part for her benefit. Alek allowed himself a glance to her face, wanting to know her reaction to the words he had planned out so long ago. He also gave her a chance to speak. If Deryn hadn't changed, she would be close to exploding from not having a chance to speak her mind yet.

"What happened in New York, I didn't regret it. I- it feels like flying, Alek." He watched as she nodded to herself. "It hurt, after, when you didn't barking say anything to me for so long."

He gazed at her, pulling the wet handkerchief away. Deryn glanced at it, saw the crest, and took the piece of fabric. She unfolded it, and turned away.

"... you're an emperor, Alek, and I ... I- I have no plans to be thrown away."

Slowly, he reached for her face, and cupped her cheek in his hand.

"I am still a gentleman."

He leaned in, catching the sent of her skin. In his peripheral vision, he saw Bovril jump off the desk and move into the dark corners of the room.

"Whatever may happen, you are still the middie that saved my life."

He felt movement as she suddenly turned to him, and began a kiss that caused Alek to rise up on his toes. Her hands wrap around his neck. Alek broke it to look at her, to hold her face.

"I will not hurt you."

Deryn nodded, and Alek gasped as she leaned into him and actually nibbled his neck.

He heard her laugh at his surprise, yet quickly leaned her back in his embrace to regain some control over their position. She sighed, relaxing

"Barking spiders, Alek..."

—

Outside, in the Imperial Garden, a passing hedge trimmer happened to look up and see his emperor in his main office with what looked like another man. He mentioned it to his sister, who said something to her family, who said something to their friends- and thus the story spread through Vienna.