Awkward Conversations

After the mess of a meeting last night, Killian knew that the next morning was going to be awkward to say the least.

But Killian was determined to make it as easy for Belle as possible. Killian was sitting with a piece of toast and his phone, skimming through his email when the brunette walked in.

She came out properly dressed in a nice sundress, and went to make herself some breakfast with a firm expression on her face. No, not firm, determined, she looked determined.

"Good morning Belle." He greeted casually, hoping to get her to lighten up. He tried to avoid looking at her directly, or referencing anything about last night. He knew it was best to just let things happen.

"Morning." She replied.

Just as he expected, the morning was going to be awkward.

"Did he stay over?" He asked, trying to address the elephant in the room.

"No." Belle replied in an emotionless voice.

"Oh." Killian replied surprised. He'd thought they'd have spent all night talking about things.

He watched Belle prepare herself some tea and toast, her honey wheat bread was placed into the toaster and she was boiling some water. Her movements were methodical.

Belle didn't even look at him; it went as far as her purposely not looking at him.

"Hey Killian?" Belle asked suddenly, still not making eye contact.

"Yes Belle?" He replied casually.

"If you had a girlfriend would you tell her you were rooming with me?" Belle said suddenly. "Do you think this is going to be a problem?" She turned around to face him.

He could tell she had been crying.

"Do you think we should try to find a way to get a different room and same sex roommates?" She asked anxiously. He hadn't known her long, but she seemed troubled.

"If I had a girlfriend, yes." He replied. "I'd tell her." He replied honestly. "But no, I don't think this would be a problem, it shouldn't be." He insisted. "You and I barely know each other, and even if we did know each other, if we were the best of friends, any girlfriend I have should be secure enough to trust me to share a room with a female." He said, rising to offer her a tissue.

She thanked him with a smile, dabbing her eyes lightly.

"He was pretty pissed wasn't he?" Killian asked.

"Yeah." She replied. "He's the jealous type." She whispered. "Always has been, but it's never bothered me before, I thought it was kind of sweet." She admitted. "Ruby says that it's a red flag."

Ruby, her friend, Killian assumed that she'd been on the phone with her friend about all of this. Belle was watching him, almost as if she was waiting for him to say something.

"Are you asking my opinion?" He asked. "I barely know you or him." He reasoned.

"You're a guy." Belle countered. "I'm not friends with many of those." She admitted. "And you seem to get me pretty well without knowing me." He was just a perceptive person.

"Honestly?" He asked. Belle rolled her eyes.

"No Killian lie to me."

"If he's the one for you, then let him know about this." He said gesturing to her crying eyes. "Tell him you're having these types of feelings, that his jealousy is a concern for you." He insisted. "Maybe invite him over, I can invite some of my friends over and we can sort of clear the air about everything." He suggested. Killian knew that Marian would be dying to know Belle when he told them about their situation.

Belle looked down thinking, so Killian continued. "But if he wants you to make things difficult, if he's making you feel bad about something a silly as this, than I think it is a red flag." He said. "But I don't know the guy, so I don't know how he treats you, take my opinion with a grain of salt."

Belle still didn't speak. "And most importantly lass," She looked up at him, more tears were building. "Don't let him make you cry Belle." He insisted. "Gassy's not worth it."

That got a laugh from her. It was small, but it was a laugh. Killian took it as a win. "You seem pretty knowledgeable about relationships." She said. "Have you ever had one?" She asked. Killian shook his head.

"Not a one, but I've watched my brother screw up enough to learn a thing or two." He explained with a chuckle. "Trust me, if it's anything my brother excels at its certainly not talking to the fairer sex."

She looked surprised. "What?" He asked.

"I'm just surprised you've never been in a relationship." She admitted. "You're so-" she cut off blushing. Killian chuckled.

"I get that a lot, lass, I've had dates, had relationships, but nothing serious, nothing important enough to even mention." He explained. "I tend to isolate myself pretty easily, get lost in my own head; it takes some getting used to for most."

Liam called it brooding, no one besides Liam ever bothered pulling him out of those fazes he's had. He always thought that when he meets the one, he would know it in an instant, he'd just feel it.

"I bet she's out there somewhere." Belle insisted. "But I think having that group meet up thing would be nice, maybe give Gaston a chance to see you're a decent guy and I'd get to meet all of your friends." She said with a smirk. "You already know my best friend."

He nodded. "We'll start comparing dates as soon as possible." He promised.

Belle looked down at her food eating it slowly.

"Belle, now that we've cleared the air a bit, I think we might need to add to our ground rules." He announced. She looked up at him skeptically. The ground rules were mostly the 'we're not going to get emotionally involved with each other and make this all the more awkward' rules.

Killian wasn't going to bring it up, but after the depressing conversation, Belle deserved a bit of laughter.

"When you're going to have sex in the apartment, please try to be quiet." He insisted. "I heard you two loud before Gassy spotted me." He insisted. "Especially at night, when I get home from a long and tiring shift the last thing I need to know is to hear that."

Belle blushed immediately. "It'd been a long time since we saw each other." She whispered in an attempt to explain.

Killian rolled his eyes. "I'm sure you both enjoyed making up for lost time." He teased, making her blush deeper.

"Another ground rule: No discussing each other's sex life." She said. "What happens in our apartment; stays in our apartment."

Killian nodded in agreement. "Only if you're quiet lass, otherwise I hold the right to tease you in the morning." He countered.

"Fine. Just the mornings, when Gaston goes." She thought for a moment. "And I get the same allowances when you bring a girl over."

He smirked, "When?" He asked. "I don't plan on bringing anyone over-"

Belle rolled her eyes. "I'm in a relationship, but it doesn't mean I don't have eyes, Killian, eventually you'll find someone worthy of your time. Trust me."

Killian chuckled. He'd believe it when he sees it.


Sorrry for the large delay, my life got hectic. It's still hectic but I finally got this ready for publish!

I'm glad people liked that last chapter. I'm trying to portray some real likely circumstances in this type of environment. I also put in a few of my opinions in what makes a stable or unstable relationships. So keep that in mind when things happen that are a little odd, like Belle forgiving Gaston so quickly.

Next chapter is hopefully coming out next week.

~Luna