My original plan was to have each new date be a different chapter but September 28 is SO painfully short, it's almost pathetic, so I combined it with the next one. Thank you to everyone who has expressed interest in this story.

-x-

28 September 2010

Craig spent most of the time during Ellie's absence locked up in his room, concentrated on nothing but his music. In the span of four days, he'd written nearly a dozen songs, none of which he felt particularly proud of.

He contemplated (and only for the briefest of moments) on whether or not he should act on his newly resurfaced (or rather, newly acknowledged, as he was sure they had been there for quite some time) feelings.

Why was it, exactly, that he never really became consciously aware of these things until the worst possible moment? Why now? Why when she was hurting and vulnerable again? Time conspired against him and never quite played nicely with his heart.

In the end, he decided against it. It would have gone against their rules to do anything about them and things had been going so well for them thus far, so why ruin it by trying for something more? Besides. Romantically speaking, he knew that he was the last thing she needed (although in all honesty, all that really stood between their current 'friendship' and 'something more' was the lack of physical intimacy. Perhaps this was the actual reason why neither of their romances in the past year had worked out).

They just made more sense as friends, and that was something he valued more than anything, and so friends they would remain. No matter how much he thought about the way her mouth tasted, or wondered how her heartbeat would feel against his.

Their friendship alone would have to suffice.

-x-

14 February 2011

It was such a Marco thing to do, getting married (well, eloping, really) on Valentine's Day to a successful, geeky and equally adorable computer engineer that he'd met in one of his business classes his second year of university but hadn't given much consideration up until a year ago. A complete departure from all of the boys he had ever dated before, but he brought him more happiness than he had ever known before.

The occasion called for a select few of the couple's closest friends and family. Still not having completely forgiven him for their little showdown in Los Angeles, Marco only extended an invitation to Craig because Ellie had convinced him that they were good friends once, and that there was no reason they couldn't be again. It was his day, but she was his best friend and whether he liked it or not, Craig was one of hers (and despite her best arguments, he still wasn't convinced that that was all there was to their little living arrangement). Besides, he was almost positive that Craig would have turned up either way, as Ellie would have undoubtedly brought him along as her date.

Just friends his ass.

Ellie showed up looking all the more like the only woman he had ever even considered being straight for, a striking vision in a deep red, figure-flattering little number. Craig, not surprisingly, glued to her hip, dressed in very classic, basic formalwear. Marco noticed that as they walked into the restaurant where the reception was being held, Craig's hand rested protectively on the small of her back, where her dress plunged dangerously low.

He made a mental note to compliment Ellie on taking such a style risk. Maybe living in L.A. wasn't such a bad thing.

He watched as they approached him, both of them awkwardly overly aware of each other and careful to keep some sort of "buffering" distance between them.

"Marco!" Ellie rushed towards him, embracing the small man excruciatingly tight. "That was the most beautiful ceremony I have ever experienced!" She pulled away and brought both of her hands to the sides of her face, further expressing her overwhelmed state. "I'm so happy for you two! Where is Matthew?"

As if on cue, Marco's groom appeared beside him instantly.

"Ellie!" Matthew smiled brightly. "It's so nice to finally meet you in person!"

"Thank you! It's nice to meet you, too. And might I add, you are a hundred times better looking in person," she responded. She turned back and indicated to Craig. "Oh! And this is Craig," there was a very brief pause before hastily added, "my roommate."

Matthew extended his hand to shake Craig's. "It's a good thing that flight of yours was cancelled and you couldn't make it to the unofficial rehearsal dinner because I think I probably would have run off with you before it was too late," he teased with a wink.

Marco narrowed his eyes playfully scolded his new husband. "Hey, watch it! Don't think just because you make good money that I won't totally Kim Kardashian your ass because I sooooo will," he quipped. "Anyway, Craig is so obviously taken," he dramatically batted his lashes in the pair's direction.

"Shut up, Marco," Ellie rolled her eyes.

Marco resisted the urge to stick out his tongue at her and excused himself to go and greet more members of the newly merged Del Rossi-Harper clan, leaving Craig and Ellie to mingle with their guests.

Hours into the reception, as he slow danced with his man, Marco's eyes scanned the room in search of his best friend, wondering what she and her not-date were up to. He saw them seated at their assigned table; Ellie's eyes fixed on the napkin origami she was attempting to create in her hands, Craig's eyes fixed on her. He rested his head on Matthew's shoulder and watched their faces as they spoke, the smile on Ellie's face not once faltering.

Maybe he was still mad at Craig; he had every right to be. But he couldn't deny how happy Ellie looked and how long it had been since he could remember her looking so alive. He couldn't give Craig all the credit: she had been keeping in touch with her parents, making more frequent visits, and her career was finally beginning to reallytake off. But he knew Craig had played some role in her happiness, and for that he was undeniably grateful.