Authors Note: I'm glad that you guys liked the first one as well as you did. Thanks to the three of you that commented, and to those that faved/alerted it. =) Here's the second one, which I wrote in one sitting while I was supposed to be doing my homework. Hope you enjoy, and please don't hesitate to give me advice.
Alek looked slightly forlorn at his friend's outstretched hand. After months on the Leviathan it was hard to believe they were really saying goodbye. His eyes glanced back up at Deryn (only mildly annoyed at this point that the girl was taller than him) and she just continued to grin. Finally he sighed.
"Are you sure that you can't stay?" he asked.
Deryn scoffed. "You've asked me that five times already! Yes, your archdukliness, I am positively sure that I don't want to stay in Vienna, stuffed into a room that stinks of politics." She was still grinning as she said this, and Alek had to give in to her attitude. He took her hand to shake and was immediately yanked into a bone-crushing hug.
"Fix this," Deryn whispered, "and maybe I won't punch you next time I see you." Alek laughed, suddenly feeling the stinging bruise on his arm with more force. After a week it had begun to heal over, and his shock and anger after learning Deryn's secret had gone with the healthy arm.
She let go of him and glanced around the streets. Alek watched her odd behavior with a raised eyebrow, knowing that she should be leaving soon but wanting to put it off as long as possible. Apparently satisfied, Deryn did the last thing that Alek would have suspected, in any circumstance. Snatching a fistful of his shirt, Deryn firmly planted her lips onto his.
Shocked beyond all comprehension, Alek stood there paralyzed. Merely seconds later, Deryn released him and laughed at his wide eyes, and having heard the horn from the Leviathan, signaling her time for departure, rushed off to her ship.
Paralysis evidently gone, Alek blinked before running after here. However, by the time he reached the Leviathan, the bridge had been drawn and Alek was left staring at the retreating fabrication. Deryn, however, was quick, and just before she would have been too small to detect, her blond hair appeared on the ratlines. One hand clinging to the rope, she waved. Alek smiled and returned it. He swore he could almost hear her laughing from there and had to chuckle himself. Just asking her to stay was pure foolishness. It was obvious that she wouldn't give up flying for anything, not even for him.
Shaking his head, Alek turned away from the monstrous aircraft and tread his way back to Vienna's castle. He didn't look back, not because he wanted to forget, but because he knew he'd see her again.
If he was lucky, he might just get to return that kiss.