Chapter 5

I saw Cal as soon as I stepped out of the portal. He was doing his usual garden duties, bringing flowers back to life. Weird how the portal brought me back here, as I went in through a different wall. I shrugged my shoulders. I can't really question magic. And I really don't like to question my own magic.

"Sophie. Where did you come from?" He thought for a moment, and then answered his own question. "Teleported, right?"

I thought about telling him where I'd actually come from- one of the brighter parts of the underworld (long story- tell you later), but I remembered my dad not long explicitly telling me not to say anything. "Yeah, sure," I replied. I don't know why I'm such a pathetic liar around him.

"You wanna help?" He gestured towards the plants.

"I'd rather not," the task in the underworld had been rather draining, "but I'd love to watch."

"Sophie, I'm sorry about earlier. I don't know what came over me. I know I'm attracted to you – by now YOU know that I'm attracted to you – but for some reason, I couldn't control my feelings…"He started

"I know what you mean." I said, simply. I'd just strolled through the underworld carrying an object that made a load of demons more aggressive. It didn't go down well.

"So…will you help me with the flowers?"

"It's not that I don't want to do it with you, I'm…just not feeling up to it." I said. Again with the awful lying abilities.

"Is that what your dad wanted you for?"

"To tire me out? Nah, we were just practising control." He smiled at this awful joke. I laughed after a moment.

"What?"

"Nothing. It's just that even when my jokes are lame, you still manage to smile."

"I liked it. It was different from the usual you. You no longer have your great wit to hide behind."

"Damn it! The wit was all I had! Now how am I going to keep you interested?"

"Oh, I'm sure you can think of a way."

He stepped towards me. He moved a stray lock of hair away from my eyes, which kind of gave him an excuse for resting his hand on my cheek (smooth, right? The stuff guys have used on girls for centuries). He was about to kiss me, so I went up on tip-toes. I felt his lips brush mine…and then my dad cleared his throat. Cal and I can not catch a break!

"Sophie, Cal, can we talk?" He asked. I don't know why he asked. It's not like I can refuse him – he's my father. Couldn't hurt to try, though.

"Can we talk in a moment?" I replied, gesturing to Cal and me, implying that we were trying to have a moment.

"No. What kind of dad would I be if I let my daughter have moments with boys?"

"We are betrothed." My dad smiled at this. Cal smiled too. He didn't seem to mind that I had stolen his joke.

"Nice try. See you both in the library." He turned around and walked away, though I could tell that he was smiling.

I turned to Cal, hoping to pick up where we left off, but Cal had moved away whilst I was distracted. I moved closer, in a way that I thought was seductive, though I probably looked like I had a limp or something.

"They'll be time for moments later." Cal said, understanding how I was feeling. Then it occurred to me.

"What if there aren't? I have to save the world soon and…I don't know what's going to happen…"

"Just know that I have faith in you and we'll both get through it."

Then I kissed him. Operation: 'Get Cal Back In The Mood' was a success. I smiled at my powers of deception. Finally returning after taking a minor detour. Cal smiled back, though not for the same reason I did.

xXx

In the library, dad was sitting in a leather chair, with two leather chairs opposite, one for me and one for Cal. He poured himself a glass of whiskey and handed one over to Cal. Putting his whisky down on the table, he lit up a cigar and gave one to Cal.

"You know we always do this when we talk about you, Sophie," Cal said, with a smile.

"How did you know about that?!" I asked. This was the image I had in my head when I found out we were betrothed. I don't remember mentioning it to anyone. Though I might have told Jenna.

"That is a secret we promised to take to our graves," dad said.

"Was this what you wanted us for?"

"No, we do genuinely have to talk. Can I offer you a cigar? Some whiskey, perhaps?" Dad offered.

"No, thanks. I've been trying to cut back."

"What can we do for you?" Cal asked.

"I can see that the two of you have been getting close…" Cal blushed. I'll be honest, I blushed too.

"I couldn't tell you this before because, well, I didn't want to and it makes me uncomfortable, but…"

"You want us to refrain from sex?" Cal asked. My dad and I stared at him in shock. Neither of us knew Cal could be so frank about anything. It took him a long tie of smooth talking to ask me out, for crying out loud!

"Err… Yes." Dad just about managed to reply. I just stared at him.

"Why?" He asked. My mouth fell open.

"I can't risk Sophie getting pregnant. It's often the cause of the… you know… transformation."

"I can assure you that I will not impregnate your daughter." I feel as if I've gone the most unattractive shade of purple. My body is beyond blushing. My dad didn't quite know how to react. I didn't know how to react. How can Cal be so calm about this? How can he talk to my dad like that? I barely know the guy and I can't talk to him like that! I can't talk to anyone like that!

"Thank you…?" My dad said.

"I'm a sensible guy – you know I wouldn't do that sort of thing." Dad looked visibly relieved. I wasn't as relieved. I was still convinced he was subtly worming his way out of telling my dad that he was not going to take my v-card any time soon.

"Good. Now, if you excuse me, I need more whisky." Dad got up and practically ran out of the room. Cal turned away from me in his chair.

"You do know that that was my father."

"I'm…aware." He was having trouble getting his words out for some reason.

"How could you just SAY that?!" I looked at him. He wasn't saying anything. In fact, I noticed his shoulders shaking. I couldn't believe my eyes. Cal – CAL- was pissing himself laughing.

"You rat bastard!" I magicked a load of water to send his way. More than I expected, but the effect was still the same.

"I'm sorry. I just couldn't miss the opportunity."

"So, does that mean we are going to have sex?"

Cal looked at me, deadly serious. "Sophie…I…well…"

"I thought so." I burst out laughing. "I couldn't miss the opportunity."

"Don't we have a romantic meal to be getting to?"

He took my hand and we both disappeared.

xXx

A/N: How as that. I thought I'd skip all the boring bits because this is all about SophieCal (I'm not good at shipping names). Sorry it took ages to update. I had a little writers' block.

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