Ch. 12: Stars

He wanted her touch. He did not know how they got to where they were but she leaned up to him and kissed his lips softly. For a moment, he thought that he was his dream self with no scars but when he felt her hand trace the scars on his face, he felt fully alive. There was no judgment in her eyes as he pulled back but pure love. He wanted this so much and now here she was.

She brought his lips back to hers as Tristan deepened the kiss. She tasted so sweet and as his hands moved to her waist as her arms wrapped around his neck. Slowly his kisses began to descend her neck and her jaw line. She then pulled back with her eyes locked on his, backing toward the bed pulling him with her. She kissed him softly before they slowly fell back into the bed.

"I love you," he whispered to her.

She smiled up at him whispering back…

B&B

It's a dream, Tristan…

His eyes snapped open fast as he quickly sat up. He touched the side beside him seeing that Gabriella was not there. "Hello Tristan," he looked up to see Zelda sitting in his chair at his desk, in her hand was his letter.

Tristan groaned as he yawned, looking over at the balcony to see dawn barely arriving. "That was cruel," he accused tiredly.

Zelda shrugged as Tristan stepped out of his bed but he simply raised an eyebrow. "I thought that was what you wanted, Tristan? You want her touch," Zelda questioned. Tristan shook his head, "Tristan…"

"You going in my head, doing that, is not funny. I doubt she would want me like that, Zelda." The witch nodded before looking down at his letter than back up at him, "Is there a reason why you are here?"

Zelda placed the letter down on the table, "Just checking on you."

"Just go away and stop messing with my dreams," Tristan ordered.

"So there is a lord under all of the frustration," Zelda commented before standing up. She went to the balcony but turned around to look at him. "I'm sorry about Sofia, Tristan," she told him. Tristan looked at her for a moment then he gave a small bow to her before she disappeared.

"Tristan," Luka called out as he ran into Tristan's bedroom with Snowball chasing behind. Tristan was sitting at his desk staring at the paper before him; he had been working on the letter.

He looked up from his desk to look at the little boy who entered his room, "Hello Luka."

"Tris are you busy tonight," the little boy inquired. He squirmed and jumped on the bed as the young man looked at him curiously.

"Why do you inquire, Luk?"

"Because…"

"Because?"

Luka stopped jumping and sat down while Snowball jumped into Tristan's lap. "So you are not. Okay. Good bye," suddenly Luka ran out leaving the small wolf pup in Tristan's care.

Tristan gave a confuse look at the wolf. "Do you know what that was about," he asked the pup. Snowball simply barked before licking Tristan's face.

Unknown to Tristan, there was a purpose for Luka's inquiring. The little boy noticed how Tristan and Gabriella looked at each other, most of the Castle did except those two. Luka decided that he was going to do a small surprise for both Gabriella and Tristan for tonight.

He ran down the hallway and up the stairs to the art room, opening the door to see Gabriella sketching inside. He quietly walked in before he sat next to her, "Hi Gabby."

Gabriella jumped slightly before laughing lightly seeing the little boy beside her. "Luk," she smiled, "don't scare me like that."

He blushed before looking at the drawing. It was a small drawing of a wolf walking in the snow, the wolf almost looking like Tristan. Nevertheless, the little boy soon remembered that he had a job to do, "Gabby, are you busy tonight?"

Gabriella looked up, "No, Luka. Why?"

"Oh nothing."

Gabriella was not convinced, "Oh really?" Luka nodded and Gabriella placed her utensils down before quickly tickling Luka on his tummy. The little boy laughed as Gabriella said, "Tell me."

"It's…nothing…Gabby…stop," he giggled in between breaths. Gabriella stopped as Luka smiled and hugged Gabriella before running out of the room.

I have to make sure the Castle prepares everything for tonight. I need to run faster right now.

Tristan and Gabriella received notes later that afternoon saying that dinner was being move to a certain part of the Castle. Tristan was actually unsure of this location for it was at his side of the castle and yet, he did not know where it was. He looked at the back of his note seeing no signature but only told that he told him to dress nicely.

He looked down at his clothing, which was his light brown shirt and black pants. I thought I dressed nice already, Tristan wondered as he touched his shirt.

B&B

Gabriella walked down the staircase, reaching to the location. It was far from most of the castle in the isolated area of it, she wondered why dinner was move here before she felt two arms cover her eyes. She giggled, "Tristan…"

Tristan removed his hands as Gabriella turned around to look up at him. She looked in awe seeing Tristan's hair being neater and slightly shorter; he wore his light blue dress coat over his white shirt while his pendant was out of his shirt. To Tristan, Gabriella looked gorgeous than ever. She wore a light blue gowned that hugged her body nicely while she wore her pendant also.

She lifted her hand, running through his hair, "You cut your hair?"

"I asked Abby to cut it. It has grown since you came here," he told her.

Gabriella pulled her hand away. "Do you know why dinner is here," she asked him.

Tristan shrugged before they heard a throat being cleared. They both looked down to see a well dressed Luka whose hair was combed back a lot as if he was acting like a servant. He tried to look proper but suddenly a strand of hair popped out which Tristan immediately pushed back, chuckling. Luka blushed before he fixed his jacket then waved, "I moved dinner here." He went to the door before pushing it open, walking inside. Tristan placed his arm out to Gabriella, who took it and followed the little boy out. As they entered, they both suddenly stopped in amazement.

It was a small room that had multiple windows showing the beautiful evening sky. There was a small table with only two chairs, which caused Tristan to raise his eyebrow curiously. They walked in with Tristan pulling Gabriella's chair out before he sat down. He looked at the little boy who smiled brightly, "What is this about, Luk?"

"Nothing. Mama and Papa already ate and I'm going to bed soon but I wanted you and Gabby to have a nice dinner together," Luka answered.

Gabriella smiled at Luka, "That's thoughtful of you, Luka."

The boy blushed before he went over and kissed Gabriella's cheek before walking to Tristan hugging him. "I hope you don't mind but I wanted to help you. Mama told me you should show her something that you never showed anyone," Luka whispered to his best friend's ear. Tristan gave an amazed look at the boy before he waved and run out of the room, saying good night.

Tristan gave a light shake of the head before he looked up at Gabriella. "I guess it is just you and I tonight," he told her.

"I guess so," Gabriella smiled back, giggling.

Dinner was simple and Luka was sweet enough to have desert made for the two. Afterwards, Tristan stood up, taking Gabriella's hand pulling her out of her chair. Gabriella looked at him linking her arm with his. "Where are we going," Gabriella asked him quietly. Tristan did not answer but smiled at her as he guided her out to the balcony of the room. He unlocked the window before letting her walked out first; Tristan closed the window before looking at her. "Why are we out here, Tris?"

"Trust me," he simply asked.

Gabriella looked up at him, her eyes locking with hers. She smiled at him before answering back, "Always." Tristan gave a wolfish grin before he lifted her up bridal style, she gasped loudly before wrapping her arms around Tristan's neck. "What are you doing," she questioned.

"Hold on."

Suddenly he jumped up, landing on the roof. He began to climb slowly up before they reached a certain height. He placed Gabriella down before he sat down on the roof then Gabriella sat beside him. She looked down seeing how high they were before moving closer to him. He chuckled lightly, "You okay?"

Gabriella nodded, "Never been this high before." She suddenly felt Tristan's arm wrapping around her, she leaned into his touch as usual before she rested her head on his shoulder, "Why are we out here?"

"Look up," he whispered to her. Gabriella looked up as told, gasping at the sight. Above them were millions and millions of stars with the moon shinning down at them, Gabriella quickly looked at him to see him looking up at the sky. He glanced at her as he lay back, holding her still.

"Why are you showing me this?"

"When I was a little kid, my mother used to take me out of my bedroom sometimes when I couldn't sleep. She would take me to the roof, climbing up the ladder and we would lay here watching the stars," he explained. He looked at her, "I wanted to show you this."

"Why?"

Now this is your chance, Tristan. You can tell her. Get some courage and tell her you are in love with her. "Well…you see-"

"Tristan, a shooting star," Gabriella pointed out. Tristan looked up, watching the star fly across the sky. She smiled before looking away, sighing.

The sigh caught Tristan off guard. "What's wrong," he quietly asked her seeing the sad look that was in her eyes. He gently touched her cheek, having her to face him. "Gabriella, tell me please," he told her.

Gabriella nuzzled closer, "Do you think it's a bit wrong to worry about my father?" There was a strong silence from Tristan as she continued to speak, "He's horrible yes but he's still my father and I feel so responsible for making him the way he is." Suddenly she felt, Tristan shake his head, "Why are you shaking your head?"

"Gabriella," his voice almost a whisper, "I understand a child's loyalty but it is not your fault for the way he is. He was his own person and you told me that he was doing this prior to your mother's death."

"But-"

"Nope," Tristan stopped her. His eyes seemed to sink into Gabriella, seeming to almost look at her without judgment. It was the only eyes that she would ever look at her without judgment, these eyes saw her pain and sadness but saw her personality, knew her likes and dislikes. "Gabby," he whispered, "maybe it's time that you let someone be there for you. You've done so much for him but when has anyone done anything for you?" Gabriella did not reply but continued to listen, "Let someone be there for you, let someone catch you when you fall."

"Let someone love me?"

"Yes," Tristan answered quietly.

Gabriella shyly looked away before sitting up, separating herself from Tristan's warmth. "It's getting late," she told him softly as she stood up. Tristan felt slightly hurt but nodded before he stood up also and lifted her up, carrying her back down to the balcony. They walked silently down to Gabriella's room with their hands touching lightly when they stopped at the door.

They looked away from each other for a moment before Gabriella said softly, "I had a wonderful night."

Tristan nodded, "So did I." Slowly Tristan leaned in, kissing Gabriella's cheek for a moment before pulling back. He then bowed to her. "Good night," he whispered.

"Good night." She watched as he slowly walked away, she then entered her room sighing. She touched her pendant softly as she walked toward the bed noticing a small white rose on her bed. She picked it up, smelling it softly before seeing a small paper still on the bed. She picked it up, opening it up.

There will always be someone there to catch you…

Gabriella wiped the tears in her eyes, kissing the note and pressing it against her heart before preparing to sleep.

Happy Valentine's Day! This chapter is more romantic and also I wanted Luka to play matchmaker for a moment. What to do now? *chuckles* You know the drill my favorite people in the world: Review, PM, etc.