This is probably my favorite chapter so far. I had a BLAST writing it. If you read it, feed it with a little review! If you're still following this, I love you.
The graduating class of the Tin Man Academy was a highly guarded secret. Traditionally, the graduates were announced at the Solstice ball, having only been told minutes before that they had successfully passed their evaluations. No one, except for the board members, knew who would be descending the grand staircase and receiving their badges until the announcement was made. Because of this, DG spent many hours trying to convince Jeb to tell her if his father would be graduating.
"You know that the identities of the graduates are not revealed until the Solstice ball, Princess. Even if I wanted to tell you, I could lose my rank for even telling you what he's had for breakfast this morning," Jeb said. He clicked a pen, signed a form, and handed it off to a page. "For Major Stone."
The page saluted and left the office. Jeb sat back in his chair.
"You don't have to tell me, you could just give me… a thumbs up, or a wink or something," DG said.
Jeb raised his eyebrow.
"Is that—"
"No, that's not a yes. And it's not a no. It's a go away and leave it alone! You get to be surprised, just like everyone else in the OZ," he said.
"Come on, Jeb! Can't you give the poor injured princess a break?" DG asked, sliding further down in her wheelchair and trying desperately to look pathetic.
"No way. I'm sorry you haven't seen him in a while—"
"It's been two months, Jeb! Two freakin' months!" DG exclaimed. "I probably won't even recognize him by the time I see him next because you'll have turned him into a super soldier. And I have no doubt that you did, because Wyatt Cain does not fail at things. He is going to be graduating."
"That is not in your power, DG."
"Ugh," DG huffed. "You know he deserves this."
"Speaking as his commanding officer, I have no comment. Speaking as his son, I agree with you. But it's not solely up to me, and in fact, the board has taken my opinion into account very little." Jeb ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, DG. This is not something I am in the position to talk about. After the Solstice ball, regardless of how it goes, I would be happy to discuss it with you. But until then…"
"I know," she said. "I'm sorry, I just feel like I should be able to do something for him after all of this."
"You can go to the ball and support him, whether or not he earns his badge."
DG sat silently for a moment. It truly wasn't Jeb's fault that his father was being put through the ringer.
"I guess I better go talk to the seamstress about a dress that would go with my wheelchair," she grumbled.
"That's the spirit," Jeb smiled. "Save a dance for me, Princess!" He laughed when she scowled at him.
DG left the office and wheeled herself past the training facility viewing area. She came every day to see Wyatt Cain, but he hadn't trained there for a few weeks. She figured he was probably in the midst of tactical training, but still. DG felt like she knew so little about him, and she wanted to know so much. Why was he retraining? What did he want to do with his life, now that he was free from the suit? They had never spoken about it during their time before the witch was beaten. She freed him, he agreed to escort her and Glitch, and they beat the witch. And then he stuck around the palace, avoiding her. Until her accident, she hadn't spent two moments alone with the guy, and he definitely wasn't going to open up around Glitch. For such a good man, because it was clear to her that he was the best, he was very closed off.
She wasn't fully healed yet, but DG felt pretty good, considering. Raw suggested she remain in a wheelchair until she could stand unassisted on her leg. The bone growth was slow and DG was very impatient. Being left to her own devices for most of the day didn't help either. Azkadellia was swamped with princess duties and Glitch was out of the city researching brain transplant possibilities, so DG spent most of her days completely alone. Not being able to walk added insult to injury.
The royal seamstress fussed over DG like nobody's business and she barely got a word in edgewise as the woman fretted about how to design anything decent for DG to wear in her wheelchair. She didn't appreciate when DG joked about showing a lot of cleavage to make up for not being able to see the back of the dress.
Finally, DG convinced her to make something out of a wrinkle free fabric and she escaped to the library. Azkadellia sat in a plush chair with a giant book in her lap.
"Hey, Az," DG said. She pulled up next to her sister.
"Hi," the elder princess smiled.
"What are you up to?"
"Some light research," Az said.
"That's light?"
"Compared to some of the stuff I've been reading, this is a breeze. I feel like every waking moment, I am burying my nose in a book! There has to be an end to Ozian diplomacy someday, or I'll go crazy. Again!"
"Seriously. I can relate, except my equivalent would be this chair, and the fact that I am alone all the time." DG sighed.
"I'm sorry, Deeg, I should've been there for you—"
"You were. You sat with me all that time, and I don't feel like you deserted me," DG said. "It's just that I have only been in realm for a few months and I have no idea what to do with myself. The first people I got close to had to go back to work, so I really don't have any friends… God, I'm sorry. I know I should be thankful to be here and not be stuck in Kansas, but I am so BORED."
"Does this have something to do with Mr. Cain?" Az asked gently.
"What is his deal?" DG said, huffing.
"I have no idea," Azkadellia laughed. "I'm about 90% sure it has something to do with you, but I don't know anything on the matter. He begged me to sit by your side while you were unconscious and he did, for three weeks."
"Jeeze. He really did guard my body, huh?" the younger princess sat back against her chair and crossed her arms. "What do you mean, it has something to do with me?"
"He feels responsible for you, Deeg."
"But why? He knew me for like… three days before we got to the tower."
"I can think of… three possible scenarios. A. You're the youngest princess, and he promised the Mystic Man he'd protect you. B. You're like the daughter he never had—"
"He's not that old, Az." DG protested. She didn't look Az in the eye.
"Okay, I didn't say that was my favorite scenario," Az said.
"What's the third scenario?"
Az raised an eyebrow. DG looked up at her when she didn't speak. She squinted her eyes, while Az nodded.
"No… you don't really think…"
"I'm just saying, it would make sense."
"But—He's known me conscious for threeish days!" DG said, putting a hand to her own cheek.
"Stranger things have happened, DG. I mean, think about it. Sure, he gave you a lot of space once the witch was beaten, but he still stuck around. And he was the first one there when you fell, he practically beat up the entire palace trying to make you heal faster, he begged me to look after you… It makes sense. He's in l—"
"Don't say it! If you say it, it'll be true, and I can't believe that." DG covered her ears. Az grabbed her wrist.
"Why not?" Az asked.
DG sighed for the fifth time and rubbed her eyes in frustration. She looked up at her sister.
"Because he left the second I woke up. And you don't leave people that you lo—you know." DG looked down at her lap.
"Well, if he does you-know-what you, is that really such a bad thing?" Az asked. She clasped DG's hand.
A few days later, Azkadellia and DG sat side-by-side in the grand ballroom as the Solstice ball kicked into high gear. The room was filled with dignitaries, foreign royals, and distinguished guests, including Raw and Glitch. Across from the four thrones of the house of Gale, a table stretched. It was covered in a dark grey cloth that approximated the color of the standard Tin Man uniform, and behind it sat the entire Tin Man board. They were ten men and women of distinguished rank who would be awarding badges to the latest graduates of the academy. There were also three empty chairs placed at the end of the table.
The graduates had yet to be announced and DG was on pins and needles about it. That also may have had something to do with the tight corset that was cinching her in, but it was largely due to the anticipation of hearing Wyatt Cain's name called. It was tradition that the graduates were announced at ten, and as such, DG asked Az every few seconds what time it was.
"9:53, Deeg. Relax," Az whispered.
"God, I swear, time is standing still!" DG looked across the room and tried to catch Jeb Cain's eye, but he seemed to be purposefully avoiding looking in her direction.
"Seven minutes and then we'll get the ball rolling," Ahamo said as un-annoyed as he could possibly muster, but that was difficult, considering how often DG had asked for the time. He was a patient man, but even he had limits.
"What could possibly have you so impatient?" Her mother asked.
"Nothing, I'm just bored. Balls are boring," DG replied.
"At least pretend like you're having a good time," The Queen said. "Who knows? You might find a husband here!"
Az elbowed DG in the ribs and did her best not to laugh.
"Ouch," DG whispered.
"What?" Az said innocently. DG shot her an angry glance but couldn't help herself; they both started to giggle. "9:59, Deeg."
"Thank god," DG said.
The royal trumpet trilled. The ten members of the Tin Man board stood and the ballroom hushed as the attendants parted to allow the graduates to enter down the grand staircase. A page entered with a metal chest and placed it on the table in front of Jeb. He and a woman crossed around to the front of the table and stood at attention. The woman picked up the chest and walked to the Queen's feet. She bowed.
"Your majesties, we would like to present to you the badges of this year's graduating class for your blessing," The woman said. She was named Command Sergeant Cara Seraph.
The Queen took the chest and handed it to a page that stood beside her. "We accept them. Call forth the graduates," she said.
Command Sergeant Seraph saluted and returned to Jeb's side. They exchanged a salute and she returned to her place behind the table. A page brought Jeb a scroll, which he unfurled.
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the OZ. It is my honor to present to you the graduating class of the Tin Man academy, presented in order of rank. Private Lawrence Collins."
Private Lawrence Collins descended the stairs to an appropriate amount of applause and saluted the Queen. She pinned a badge on his chest and he stood at attention in front of the board's table. Jeb continued to call names and the more he called, the more impatient DG became. There were thirty graduating privates, fifteen private first class, five specialists, eight corporals, three sergeants, and still Wyatt Cain's name had not been called. DG chewed her lip.
"This concludes our under-ranking graduates," Jeb said. The attendees began to clap, but another page descended the stairs and handed the Queen a new chest after removing the old one.
"Now we shall name our three graduates who have gone above and beyond the call of duty," Jeb said, "Exhibiting grace under fire and a work ethic that has not been matched in the history of the academy. In ascending order of rank: Staff Sergeant James Julie."
The giant man DG had seen wheeled out of the weight room now descended the stairs, looking formidable and stoic. Unlike the privates, his uniform was white with charcoal piping. The Queen pinned a gold badge to his chest and he saluted.
"Staff Sergeant Michelle Cooland."
Staff Sergeant Cooland descended the stairs in her white uniform. She was a legend amongst women of the OZ for her incredible feats as a nurse for the rebellion during the witch's reign. She joined the academy to prove what women were capable of, and she was just as mighty in person as DG imagined. Cooland saluted the Queen, was awarded her badge, and took her place beside Sergeant Seraph.
"And now, for the most outstanding graduate the academy has ever seen."
DG's stomach was doing somersaults.
"He has set the bar for what is achievable in our field. I am proud to introduce to you Sergeant First Class Wyatt Cain." Jeb couldn't help himself. He was beaming.
The youngest princess held her breath as Cain appeared at the top of the stairs. The attendees clapped in an uproar, but DG didn't hear it. She just saw the glorious man, absolutely resplendent in his dress whites. He saluted the Queen and she pinned his gold badge on his chest. He made eye contact with DG for a split second and she nearly fainted. She must have looked gobsmacked because Cain smiled slightly as he turned to face his son. Jeb saluted to his father and Cain returned it. Then Jeb embraced his father happily.
The ball continued, in spite of DG's sense of time stopping entirely when Cain entered the ballroom. Her eyes were completely drawn to him as he took his seat at the board's table. He looked… incredible.
As for DG, Cain thought she had never looked better. It was all he could do not to sneak out of the academy to check on her but he had resisted the temptation and it was worth it to see the look on her face when he descended. She was in a purple gown that just kissed the tops of her shoulders, but she wore it as if it was just a plain old t-shirt. She had color in her cheeks too, which was a vast improvement from the day he left her side to join the academy. Cain looked up and she was watching him. He couldn't decipher the look on her face; she was surprised, to be sure, but it wasn't merely shock that he saw there. DG blushed and looked away.
He knew she wouldn't be dancing tonight because her leg was still healing, but he wanted to dance with her more than anything. It was like a compulsion, like he wasn't even in control of his own body, and he stood. The rest of the ballroom was in full dancing splendor as the small orchestra played a waltz and many of the graduates were dancing with ladies, so no one questioned Cain when he left the table. As he approached the royals, Cain attempted to squash the pirouetting butterflies in his stomach.
"Sergeant Cain," The Queen beamed as he approached.
"Your majesty," He smiled, bowing.
"We are overjoyed for your success. You have overcome a great deal of obstacles to get to this place," Ahamo said.
"Thank you," Cain said.
"Are you a dancing man, Sergeant?" Azkadellia asked. DG attempted to discreetly shoot her a look. Granting Az time to talk to him privately was not a safe idea.
"I'm not," Cain said, to DG's relief.
"That's a pity," Az said. "DG can't dance anyway."
DG turned bright red and stared at Cain's feet. Cain turned bright red and stared at DG's hands. Az sat back, satisfied with herself.
"You're welcome to remain here and observe the dancing, Sergeant," The Queen said.
"Many thanks," Cain said. He sidestepped DG's chair and stood beside her at attention.
Many songs came and gone and they didn't speak. Jeb asked Azkadellia to dance, as did Glitch, Raw, and several graduates. DG was so happy that her sister was being treated like the beautiful and eligible princess she was, rather than the witch. As the ball was winding down, Azkadellia rarely returned to her seat as the graduates all tried to get in a dance with the princess. Ahamo even swept the Queen into a dance and left the wheelchair bound princess and the Sergeant alone.
"May I?" Cain asked softly as he stood beside DG.
She looked up at him, unsure if she had even heard him speak. "What?" She asked.
"May I—ahem—have this dance?" He asked.
"I'm not supposed to stand, you know that," DG said. "And you don't dance."
"That's true. I guess I'll just have to hold you up… and get over myself."
Before she knew what was happening, Cain snaked an arm around her waist and lifted her straight out of her chair like a feather.
"Oh! What are you doing?" she whispered as he took her hand.
"Dancing with you," he said.
"Oh God," DG said, turning bright red. She didn't have to wonder if the entire room was looking at them; she could feel the eyes on the back of her neck.
"Did I embarrass you?" he asked in her ear.
"Thoroughly."
"I apologize. I can put you back if you'd like."
"At this point," she said, "I don't think you could embarrass me any more than you would if you put me back in that stupid chair after pulling me out of it, so, dance on, Tin Man."
"I can think of a few ways," he murmured, but he didn't elaborate and DG didn't question him further.
The dance itself was a waltz and Cain sure knew how to do it. DG felt dizzy as he twirled her around the room. She was sure that if she could stand, her feet wouldn't have touched the ground anyway. She couldn't look at him without blushing, so she stared at the badge on his chest. The new, shiny, Sergeant First Class badge that he had spent the past two months proving he was worthy of wearing.
Something was very different about him. For one thing, he didn't run the opposite direction when he saw her, which was a change from the way things were before her accident. He was a pillar of strength and pure muscle, remarkably more so than he had been before. And handsome… well, she couldn't deny that. Wyatt Cain was attractive in a way none of the Kansas Joes were, in a way that went so far beyond looks. Just this proximity, being held against his chest with one hand around his shoulder and the other clasped in his, this was comfort.
DG didn't realize that she had laid her cheek on his shoulder, or that he held her hand against his heart.
A/N: To quote Despicable Me: IT'S SO FLUFFY! :) I hope you enjoyed! More to come...