A/N:Here's the last and FINAL chapter for this idea. Again, the song idea and extra chapter goes out to Eidolon Twilight Princess. Anyway, PLEASE lemme know what you think; good, bad, w/e, I just wanna know :)
Disclaimer:Do not own BB or any character (besides Ilenna) OR any of the songs fore-mentioned in this story.
I've got no reason to lie to you.
She never felt like you do.
If not me, there'd be somebody else in my shoes.
The words of a once-heard song kept playing over and over in Oliver's mind as he thought of Enrique and his colossal mistake. He'd warned his best friend, told him what would happen, explained to him how he'd been there for Ilenna when she needed the love and support, given her exactly what Enrique wouldn't and couldn't. She was his now.
Looking to his right, the green-haired teen couldn't take his eyes off of Ilenna as they quietly ate their ice cream outside the redhead's favorite parlor, a quiet, modest little place in the middle of town.
"You know what's funny?" Ilenna asked after a while, finally turning away from people watching to look at Oliver.
Amethyst eyes blinked for a moment, being shaken form his thoughts, before he eventually smiled at her.
"What?"
"All that drama with Enri... yea, it sucked and everything, but... I'm kinda glad it all happened."
Oliver tilted his head to one side in confusion, waiting for her to continue. Noting the questioning look on his face, the redhead spoke again.
"I mean, I was hurt for a while but really it was my own fault; I knew from the beginning what he was like; it wasn't really his fault, that's just the way he was. But see, that's the thing; it seems like he's changed since all of this crap happened. Now he takes things more seriously and watches what he says. And he's... we'll I don't need to tell you, you know what I mean."
Oliver nodded in comprehension and Ilenna licked her ice cream to hide a slightly shy smile.
"And plus..." She continued slowly. "If it wasn't for him, we probably wouldn't have gotten together... I definitely wouldn't have been able to appreciate you as much, that's for sure."
Oliver starred at Ilenna for a moment, then finally smiled, feeling greatly touched. He switched his ice cream to his opposite hand and reached his free one up to wrap around the redhead's shoulders. Ilenna leaned into him happily, her head resting on his shoulder and her own free arm slipping around his waist. Oliver turned his head to press a kiss to the top of her shimmering head before finally speaking.
"I suppose I do have something to thank him for then, mon cherie." He said softly. Ilenna beamed and gave Oliver a gentle squeeze before finally turning back to her ice cream
Oliver looked away from Ilenna and up at the night sky, absently observing the brilliant stars as more words of the familiar song came to him.
I'm not the reason why you broke up.
So quit leaning, I am not your crutch.
This isn't about me and it never really was.
She deserves more than you gave her.
She was always looking for somebody to save her.
That was certainly true. For the past few months, ever since the first day of the Russian tournament, the blonde European had been calling Ilenna, visiting her, talking to her every chance he got. When finally she got annoyed and upset with his constant pestering and sent him away for a while so she could breathe, the blonde turned to Oliver. And what did Oliver say?
"Why you trippin' on me?
I was only givin' her what she needs.
'Cause You were never there.
She needed someone there.
And So now that she is mine, why do you care?"
Oliver sweatdropped at this thought. OK so, maybe he didn't say those exact words, but that was the general idea. Enrique had turned to his best friend for support, asking him to talk to Ilenna for him, to put in a good word, to explain things, let her know the blonde was ready for a second chance, was going to do better this time.
The french-bred teen scoffed at this. Why the hell would he do that? Ilenna was his now; after so long of shyly watching her from afar, never knowing what to say or do to get her attention, then after watching her painstakingly be woven into another intricate web of Enrique's only to be hurt while he stood helplessly by and let it all happen, waiting to pick up the pieces. Why should he tell her after all of this that she should give Enrique another chance, even if everything was true, why should he jeopardise his own happiness for someone who he thought didn't deserve a second chance.
Oliver snorted humorlessly.
"I love you Enrique, but I love her so much more and I hate what you did to her... I won't let you do it again."
Again more words came to Oliver and he couldn't help but be astounded at how well it fit their sick love triangle.
I know I didn't miss a thing.
'Cause her finger didn't have no ring.
So, get on with your life.
I don't wanna fight.
'Cause I know she wasn't your girlfriend last night.
"Hey. . . what's wrong, love?"
Oliver shook himself from his thoughts and looked down to see Ilenna starring up at him worriedly from her spot in his lap, where she had managed to in-situate her head once she'd finished her ice cream. Never wanting to see anything but a smile on her face ever again, Oliver smiled down at her and reached a hand up to tenderly caress one of her cheeks with the back of his hand.
"Nothing, I was just thinking. No worries my love."
Ilenna's worried expression didn't disappear until Oliver laughed lightly and lifted one of her hands to his lips for a soft kiss. She then smiled warmly up at him.
"Alright, if you say so. I don't wanna see anything on your face besides a smile."
Oliver laughed again and tilted his head to one side as he observed her with both amusement and tender affection.
"Funny," He said with a smile. "I was just thinking the same thing."
Ilenna furrowed her brows questioningly, still smiling, but Oliver smiled back at her and moved his hand to the side of her face.
"No worries." He said again, leaning down then into her face.
I can't believe you never got a clue.
She was always gonna ex you.
Now you got the message,
Can't you handle the truth? No.
Ilenna smiled while new lines played through Oliver's head, reaching up to place a hand on his face too as his drew closer to hers.
Their lips brushed and silver and amethyst eyes slid shut, but before anything more could happen, a familiar voice made the two pull back from each other with a start.
"Oh, hey! I was looking for you two!"
Ilenna sat up from Oliver's lap on the bench they occupied and both teens gave the blonde before them a weary expression.
"I'll bet you were." Oliver mumbled a little irritably.
Ignoring him, Enrique grinned at the two, but his eyes were locked on Ilenna.
"You look beautiful Ilenna, as always."
Ilenna frowned.
"Enrique.." She said wearily. "All I asked for was one night, just one night so I could spend my birthday alone with Oliver. Maybe it's just me but, I don't think that's too much to ask..."
"Oh come on!" Enrique replied with a cheerful smile. "Why be alone on your birthday? You're supposed to be surrounded by friends on your birthday!"
"Enrique..." Ilenna said wearily again. The blonde's smile now dropped completely from his face and he reached up to rub his arm unconsciously.
"OK, I get it, I just... please, can I talk to you for just a minute? Then I swear I'll leave you alone."
Ilenna frowned at Enrique for a moment, then finally sighed in defeat.
"OK." She said simply. "Just a minute."
The redhead turned to the side then and placed a hand on the side of Oliver's face before leaning into the other side and pressing a lingering, tender kiss to the pale cheek. The affectionate gesture was both to assure the green-haired blader of her feelings for him, and to remind the blonde of them.
Enrique was frowning when Ilenna turned back to him, but he said nothing as she stood from the bench and followed him a short distance away to stand under the light of a nearby street light.
"Ilenna I... I know I messed up." Enrique began slowly, looking at his shoes as his hands clenched and unclenched in his pockets. "But... I swear, I'm different now. I haven't been with anyone since.. ya know, and you're all I can think about."
Enrique looked up at her now and pulled his hands from his pockets to take hers in his, holding them tightly as if afraid she'd disappear if he didn't. She was frowning at him but still he continued.
"Those things you said, they... really got to me and you made me realize how wrong I was and I know what a huge mistake I made. Please, please! Just give me one more chance. I can be better, I am better! I just need to prove it to you... let me."
Ilenna was frowning deeply now.
"Do you really think you deserve a second chance?" She asked softly. Before he could answer, she spoke again. "Enrique, you had your chance. I warned you -- Oli warned you! -- from the beginning what would happen. You didn't listen. It's too late now, I told you that... I'm with Oli and I really lo-"
Ilenna bit her lip then, unable to say to someone else what she had yet to admit to the amethyst-eyed blader.
Elrique's eyes glazzed over then.
"But.. you don't understand..." He whispered softly, barely audible. "I-.... I love you Ilenna."
Ilenna's eyes widened as wide as saucers as she starred at the blonde in utter shock, unable to believe she'd just heard the European blader confess something she didn't even knew existed in his vocabulary.
-;-
I think I know wrong from right.
And I think I know what she likes.
You're on the dark side now that she's seen the light. Yeah.
This scene is over.
Exit on cue.
You gotta let her go when there's nothing left to hold on to.
These words came a little bitterly to Oliver as he watched the pair some feet away. What was Enrique's problem? Oliver was the one who had taken the time to get to know the redhead, had fallen for her before the fact, had drawn her up off of her knees when she couldn't stand on her own after being beaten, bruised and scarred so badly she couldn't do it alone. Why couldn't Enrique just take the hint, and shove off?? Why couldn't he just accept that he'd blew his chance and finally let Ilenna be happy. Even if he did, by some miracle, really care about her and her happiness, then the best and right thing for him to do was to let her go and be happy, even if that meant without him.
So, Why you trippin' on me?
I was only givin' her what she needs.
'Cause You were never there.
She needed someone there.
And So Now that she is mine,why do you care?
Why was Enrique so desperate to have Ilenna now when he'd so freely given her up before? Why now when Oliver had patched her up and repaired the damage and nursed her back to health. Why now??
Was it one of those 'want what you can't have' things? Was it just to prove he was still the ladies man and could have any girl he wanted? Was it some sort of macho thing? What the hell was his problem?!
I know I didn't miss a thing.
'Cause her finger didn't have no ring.
So, get on with your life.
I don't wanna fight.
'Cause I know she wasn't your girlfriend last night.
Oliver heaved a heavy sigh as he looked away from the pair and looked up at the sky.
"It's time you gave up Enrique." Oliver thought sourly. "I won't let our friendship be ruined over a girl, but I won't let you hurt her again either. She doesn't want you. Just give up and accept it."
Could be that you were only dreaming,
If she ever said that she loved you.
Why should you waste your time on something she ain't feeling?
It's no good, but there is nothing you can say or do.
As if to prove the fact to himself; that Ilenna did, in fact, feel nothing more towards the blonde except perhaps a small form of friendship, Oliver looked back up at the two under the nearby streetlight. He smiled at the deep frown on Ilenna's face and watched Enrique's lips moving, lip-reading a scatter word he said and guessing what the blonde was telling her. It wasn't until a few moments later, when Oliver was sure Ilenna was going to push him away at any moment, that the green-haired teen's heart stopped and dropped into his stomach.
"NO!" He gasped to himself.
"He didn't! That.... that.... I can't believe he just said that! That lier!!"
Obviously the three intimate words had shocked Ilenna as much as it had Oliver and she was standing with her mouth agape, apparently speechless. The Green-haired teen kept waiting for her to snap out of it and reject him, but that never happened. Instead, Oliver's heart twisted painfully as the blonde smiled and slipped his arms around her waist before pulling her close to him. The smaller teen wanted desperately to pull his brilliant amethyst eyes away, not too look at the scene, but he couldn't manage the feat.
"Push him away Ilenna..." He found himself queitly pleading. But again, this never happened.
Oliver's heart wrenched torturously as the blonde's lips moved in and his hand moved up to gently place on the side of Ilenna's face. But was at the moment, when Oliver thought his poor little heart would twist and mangle itself to the point of killing him, that Ilenna finally seemed to snap out of whatever trance she was in and turn her head just before Enrique's lips brushed hers, causing him to kiss her cheek instead.
Ilenna frowned deeply. She didn't push Enrique away but she pulled out of his arms and took a few measured steps backwards. She said a few things and Enrique frowned too, but she continued speaking nonetheless. When she'd stopped, he seemed to consider what she was saying for quite sometime until eventually he reached up to rub the back of his head absently as he spoke with a sheepish smile. Ilenna smiled too and spoke once more. This time Enrique nodded, seeming to agree with her. After all of this, the both of them laughed and Ilenna leaned in to give Enrique a hug, one he returned happily, but it didn't seem quite as desperate as before.
Finally the two pulled away and Ilenna gave Enrique a kind smile, one that was gratefully returned. The blonde the turned towards Oliver then and gave him a wide grin.
"See ya back at the hotel Oli!" He said with a wink.
Oliver blinked at him a few moments, then smiled and gave him a small wave, feeling a little confused. With that Enrique turned and walked away.
Amethyst eyes blinked after the blonde in confusion until he was almost out of sight, and was only shaken out of his trance when Ilenna's face once more appeared before him from the bench beside him.
"So? How did it go?" Oliver asked politely, though he was dying to ask something else.
Knowing him all too well, Illenna gave him a small laugh and tilted her head to one side as she spoke.
"We've deicded, for real this time, to be friends."
Oliver blinked at her, silently asking her to elaborate. Ilenna grinned and continued.
"He told me-"
"Yes, I know." Oliver interrupted with a frown. Ilenna gave him a warm smile and took his hands in hers before speaking again.
"After that I told him he's not in love with me, he's in love with the idea of me."
Oliver raised an eyebrow at this but said nothing.
"I told him he was infatuated, that he liked that I was the one who finally stood up to him and that he was attracted to the fact. There was also the fact that he couldn't have me because I was with his best friend now and that only fueled the flame. He thought about that for a while and I guess he realized it was true and said as much. I told him then that I'm sure he really did change and that I hope he never slipped back into his old ways, that when whoever was meant for him came along, she would be a very lucky girl and if he wanted, you and I would still be here to help him be a good boy."
Ilenna laughed at this but spoke again.
"He agreed and said he'd like that very much. He also said he wasn't so sure if he'd ever be a 'good boy' but at least he knew how to and not to treat people now... that's what we were laughing at."
Ilenna finally stopped and took a deep breath.
"So, that's the end of that." She said with a smile.
Oliver starred at his girlfriend for a long time before he finally burst into laughter and reached out to pull her tight to him.
"You really are something, mon Cherie!" He said with a laugh. Ilenna grinned and wrapped her arms around him as her head came to rest on his chest.
"I could say the same for you love." She said with a smile.
Oliver smiled too and pulled back just enough to look down into her face. His hand lifted up to place a finger under her chin and encourage her to look at him. When she did, he smiled again and spoke one last time.
"I'm very glad you came back." He whispered softly. Ilenna's heart skipped a beat at the tender expression and she leaned up until the space between them was almost non-existent.
"I'll always come back." She replied with her own whisper.
Feeling a little giddy with delight, Oliver's heart soared and he smiled happily before finally closing the distance between them. The words to the song previously in his head re-appeared and quickly faded away as Oliver's lips finally met Ilenna's for a sensual kiss, a sweet reward for having been oh-so-patient all along.
Wasn't your girlfriend
Wasn't your girlfriend
Wasn't your girlfriend
Last night.
