….
Thanksgiving in Bosco…Lucy turned in front of the mirror, beautiful music was playing softly. They were at the Palace itself, and she was wearing a pale blue and silver ball gown that hugged her curves in all the right places and felt incredible against her skin…tailored to her…and she had never owned such a beautiful piece of clothing before, she loved it…loved how her hair looked piled atop her head with tendrils hanging down, how the silver and blue stone choker made her neck look, how her brown eyes sparkled…
Preparations for the party had started with a fantastic brunch at the Palace and then the women had been whisked away to spa treatment while the men had gone to pretty much the same. They were all meeting at the party and Lucy twirled again smiling. Kaleb had not seen this dress and she was loving that she was going to get to make an entrance…and knock his socks off.
She glanced over to where Cana was doing much the same, turning before a mirror in a sunshine yellow and gold gown, occasionally rolling her eyes at Levy…
"It was just sex…drop it." She snapped when Levy looked at her again.
"Did you talk to Zen about it?" Levy persisted.
"NO, look…he's Boscan…he won't care and I'm tired of this Levy, quit giving me so much shit, I don't roast you over your choices on how you live your life…even though Cristoffs balls have to be five shades of blue by now with you as a girlfriend. I bet he's had a few rolls at the Bathhouse." Cana said tightly.
"He hasn't, I ASKED, Cris and I actually communicate Cana…you came back from that whole…bullshit and the first thing you did was drag Zen to the bedroom instead of talking to him." Levy snapped back
"I…just…fucking drop it Levy. Let me enjoy the party." Cana hissed, glaring at the bluenette who glared right back. Shy as she was…Levy stood up for things when she believed in them…
"Ladies." Lucy tried.
"Can it…your boyfriend is suffering from Laxus being a chastity belt and I don't need shit from you either Lucy." Cana snapped at her and Lucy narrowed her eyes.
"Hey…" Kagura growled toward them, the woman stayed to herself…and she didn't appreciate anyone talking about her boyfriend.
"For your information…Cana…Kaleb and I talked just like Levy and Cris…he agreed with what Farron said, if he felt he wanted sex? He'd talk to me first. He's happy…and…we've done some things…I've made sure he's…gotten off." Lucy sort of stumbled through the last bit…not intending to share so much but for whatever reason unable to stop herself once she got going and Cana and Levy both stared at her.
"Lucy…you and Kaleb…since we've been here?" Levy breathed
"Alright blondie! Fucking finally! Did you tell Laxus he could stop being the virgin police?" Cana laughed
Lucy blushed, immediately regretting letting her mouth run.
"I'm still a virgin Cana…we…just…you know never mind I'm sorry I said anything." she said, turning to look at herself in the mirror again, trying to reclaim some of her excitement.
"But…you've gotten your boyfriend off…and just how did you do that?" Cana grinned at her, grateful beyond all reason for the subject change. She was just…over it all, so tired of so many feelings being pushed around, she felt like she was loosing herself to it all and didn't want to talk about it…ever…if she could help it.
"None of your business…" Lucy turned away, fussing with her dress
"Lucy…when did you…" Levy just couldn't make the timing work, Lucy was sleeping in the room with her and Laxus had been hovering worse than ever since Lucy had so loudly declared she planned to sleep with Kaleb while in Bosco.
"It was that first night, when everyone went their own ways…after Laxus and I argued…and it was…really nice and I don't want to go into details." Lucy said firmly offering Kagura an apologetic look but…Laxus was her brother and she felt if anyone could say things about him it was her…
Levy pressed her lips together, blushing a little. Lucy and Kaleb…had gone farther. She smiled then, looking at herself in the mirror, the deep red dress had been Xallys idea…they hadn't met Emzadi yet, she was due in some time during the party…but Xally…she was beautiful, and not much taller than Levy. Her diminutive size though hid a fiery spirit, the girl had no issue at all standing right up to her massive brothers, even Vander unable to get away with anything with her. They all loved her though, that much was very very clear. The Pradesh family was loving toward each other and it had made the vacation so special, seeing that, Levys tall powerful boyfriend among them…and Cris was sort of…a teddy bear among his siblings, she'd seen it at school and now even more at his home. The man was so gentle, and so sweet and caring toward his siblings…toward her.
She'd gotten to see the scrap book Arman had, of Cristoffs modeling shoots and fashion shows and it had…blown her away, just how stunning he really was and how good at that work he'd become…and in spite of that…he was in school…becoming a doctor because…helping people was what he wanted to do.
She turned, looking herself over, she had really nice legs…and the dress showed them off, slit to the hip on her left…it was a bold dress, and she'd been so unsure about it…lacking the bust Lucy and Cana had to really deliver the hourglass part of things but…it didn't seem to matter to Cristoff and…she really did look great in the dress…
"Ladies…if you're ready to be announced?" A woman stood at the door to their dressing area smiling at them.
"Yes." Lucy said, eager to get away from any more talk with her friends…ready to be at Kalebs side and enjoy the music and a fancy dinner and dancing and just…let Cana do Cana and move on.
"Come with me please." the woman said, and Levy chewed her lip, moving with Cana and Lucy to follow the woman, Kagura silent behind them in a beaded black gown.
They were led to the top of a grand staircase…where men in brilliant uniforms stood on either side. Below was a massive ball room with…hundreds of people milling about, all around it were ornate tables set opulently and at the head of the chamber was a long table where the King of Bosco would be seated with his family.
An orchestra played music…and that softened when one of the men lifted a microphone.
"Miss Levy McGarden of Fiore." came over speakers, eyes lifted to the stairs and Levy…shrank back until Lucy and Cana shoved her forward.
She had…never…had so many people looking at her…and doubted she had ever been so terrified…what if she tripped? The silver shoes she wore were soft and comfortable for the dancing ahead…but…what if they snagged? What if her dress fell off? What if she fell down the stairs and killed some important diplomat?...her mind raced until she met dark blue eyes.
Cristoff stepped from the crowd to the foot of the stairs to wait for her…stunning in a tailored tuxedo in a deep dark blue that matched those eyes. He smiled up at her, holding out a gloved hand toward her and she just…went to him…keeping her eyes on him as he took her in, those dark eyes moving from her feet to her hair and then locking with hers until her hand slid into his and he drew it to his lips, bowing before leaning forward, touching his forehead to hers in a very Boscan greeting.
"You look amazing." he said softly and Levy was just…floating, smiling up at him and everyone else in the room was just…forgotten. Let women look at her boyfriend…he was HER boyfriend, she was who he took on dates, it was her dorm room he hung out in, her he studied with…they could look, but she was the one he was with.
"Miss Lucy Dreyer of Fiore."
Kaleb was at the bottom of the stairs, pushing past a few people he knew, one of whom was a known rogue where foreign women were concerned…Rushay DeLacroix, handsome, enigmatic…the son of the Duke DeLacroix even had Vander beat when it came to racy reputations and Kaleb saw his eyes light when Lucy started down the stairs so he pointedly stepped past him.
"She with you, Pradesh?" Rushay chuckled at the move, good natured and Kaleb knew he would be, Rushay did respect relationships and…unlike Vander…had never been the cause of a break up or scandal in a serious way.
"Yes, she is." Kaleb responded and Rushay nodded, immediately stepping back so Kaleb could be there when Lucy reached the bottom of the stairs. He forgot all about the man though…Lucy's eyes on his, moving over him from his polished shoes to the blue and silver cravat he wore with his tuxedo. She looked radiant in the gown she'd picked and her smile made all thoughts of anything but her leave Kaleb's head.
As Kaleb was walking Lucy toward the dance floor he was aware of the attendant calling out Canas name, knew Zen would find her, though he saw Zen was currently tied up bowing to the Princess of Bosco with Farron and Cobra…Cana would reach the bottom of the stairs without him right there but he'd not leave her standing for more than a few seconds, already looking toward the stairs, so he kept his hand in Lucys and took her to get in some dancing, and he and Lucy were not there to see what happened next, neither were Cristoff and Levy, Cris having already swept Levy onto the dance floor, both couples focused on each other and the beautiful music and everything that made this Ball so special every year.
Cana felt like a Princess really, coming down the stairs in that gorgeous dress, she knew she was killing it, she was…a little surprised that her partner in the bar was at the foot of the stairs…looking gorgeous in a perfectly tailored black tux, his tri-colored hair pulled back into a low tail and his very wicked smile centered on her. She beamed when he took her hand and bowed over it, kissing her knuckles.
"I am pleasantly surprised to see you." Rushay said when he straightened, warm smile on her and Cana smiled back.
"How would a barfly like you get an invite to something like this?" She asked, raising a brow giving him a look like he'd snuck in through a back door.
Rushay smiled "Maybe I snuck in through the kitchen and stole a suit." he said and chuckled at her scandalized look that was too dramatic to be more than funny.
"Or…my Dad has a title and it won me an invite…wanna dance?" He asked then blinked "Unless…are you here with someone?" he asked, he did try to be careful about that, his father demanded he respect that line and he always had…he'd fuck around with about anyone, didn't give a shit where they came from…he lived life to the fullest, was Boscan to the bone…but some lines you just respected.
"I came with a bunch of people…" Cana admitted looking around, not seeing Zen and frowning a bit at that, feeling a little wounded he wasn't there…Cris had gotten Levy, Kaleb had been there for Lucy…shit she was watching Laxus walk toward the dance floor with Kagura. Things had been….tense…since she'd been caught by her friends and Zen's brother with the handsome man before her now…and she hadn't talked to Zen about it, refused to apologize for being herself and he knew she was like this, he KNEW, and he was Boscan, it shouldn't matter anyway if she fucked another guy. Or…danced with him when Zen wasn't going to be bothered to be there when she arrived…
Rushay was still looking at her questioningly and she smiled at him "Let's dance." she said and he grinned, leading her away from the stairs to the dance floor.
It was several minutes before Zen managed to get away from the Princess of Bosco…she had a crush on his brother Farron, and was trying to get him to dance with her…and Farron had informed her…he had a date, his hand going to the small of Cobra's back…and Cobra had given…the Princess of Bosco, a "Bitch, what you gonna do?" look that had almost started something until Zen had greeted her…she'd then been trying to convince the brothers that Farron's date could dance with Zen while Farron danced with her at least once. It had been…awkward…and he'd struggled with the whole situation and Farron, usually so amazingly graceful in all social situations…hadn't really been that graceful there..reminding the Princess he had told her, he preferred they NOT be friendly in any sort of romantic way…
So he'd been trapped, saved by their Father coming over (Arman had seen Zens alarmed look, Cobras Murderous one and Farrons openly defiant one) Arman had taken the Princess to the dance floor finally, Farron and Cobra had gone to the buffet and he'd finally been able to look for his girlfriend. Not finding her by the stairs he frowned, feeling truly bad he hadn't been there when she had come down the stairs…he'd seen her and she looked amazing and he'd been confused by her…almost frigid demeanor since the shopping trip. She'd come home well after everyone else…Lucy telling him she had decided to get a few drinks and would probably come home in a cab…which was what had happened.
Farron had told him he needed to talk to her and when he'd tried she'd been almost hostile.
"You need to stop…you're smothering me, Zen, I swear, I need space, I'm not like the other girls ok? I'm not a play house type, you KNOW that about me." She had snapped at him when he'd asked if something was wrong. It had utterly confused him because…she'd come home, had a shower, and had tackled him…they'd had sex and she'd immediately left the bed as soon as she'd caught her breath so…he'd followed her to the bathroom asking what was wrong and…she'd just been…angry.
"I'm not trying to…why are you angry?" He'd asked in confusion and she'd hissed.
"Stop, just…stop with the sweet boyfriend bullshit ok? I'm not used to this shit…I'm not! I don't know how to deal with it!" She'd almost yelled at him.
"Cana, what the fuck is going on? You've been hounding me about sleeping together…having sex again…I made it clear that wasn't why I wanted to date you, you said it was driving you crazy…so…we're having sex…JUST had sex and now you're all pissed off? I don't understand." Zen had growled back at her anger, he didn't feel he deserved it, at all, he was trying his damndest to make things work, to show her he appreciated HER not just her damned body but she kept circling back to that…pushing him away, he'd thought once they started sleeping together that distance she always kept would decrease…but instead…Gods it wasn't even great sex…she'd ridden him like a mad woman..and yes he'd let her but he thought she wanted that…she'd shoved him on his back and climbed on top of him for fucks sake!
She had screamed in frustration then "I can't…I just fucking CANT, just…give me space ok?" She'd yelled and that was it…she'd stormed out of his room and apparently gotten Mrs. Elan to help her settle into one of the guest rooms.
That morning she'd been awkward…had come to him after he'd come back from a run on the beach with Cris and Vander and he'd been wary.
"I'm sorry I yelled…everyone apparently heard us and I'm sorry. I…just need more space…you keep going for feelings and I don't know how to handle it." She said.
"I'm sorry I'm making you feel so pressured…I don't mean to, I've never meant to make you feel…suffocated. Shit Cana, people get after me for not showing enough emotion…I've never dealt with this sort of thing before. I'm sorry too, I don't want the Ball to be uncomfortable for you…I want you to have fun tonight…ok?" He'd said and he'd meant it and she'd smiled and they had kissed and Cris and Vander had left them on the beach…and…they'd had a damn good time there because she'd been quick to get him out of his shorts…or so he'd thought…he felt they had worked something out…been ok.
He stood a moment, deciding she might have gone to the buffet and headed that way. Farron and Cobra were just leaving heading to find a table, plates full of delicious things in their hands. Farron frowned "Where's Cana? I heard them announce her."
"I don't know…I didn't make it there because…" Zen rolled his eyes and Cobra snorted
"Because the Princess is a hungry bitch drooling after your brother."
Zen chuckled, "Yeah…that."
Farron sighed "Sorry you got pulled into that."
"It's alright, I'm just not sure where Cana ended up now…I was hoping she came to the buffet table." He said looking and not seeing her he turned to the dance floor and saw Cris almost immediately, smiling, dancing with his little girlfriend, both looking very happy…and Kaleb was dancing with Lucy, the two with their heads bent close, clearly comfortable and enjoying themselves…he was happy for them…would be happier still if he could be like them…a scan of the dancefloor though didn't produce Cana and her dress would have been hard to miss.
"Well…I hope you find her…dance?" Farron asked Cobra, who blinked, swallowing a little thickly. Here it was…the moment he'd been worried about. Yes there were male couples dancing, female couples too…but Farron was dressed in a flawless suit, with a consulate dignitary band on his arm, catching looks, hell he was being chased openly by the Princess of the fucking nation and he…was holding his hand out to Cobra.
suck it up buttercup, he's your wet dream in a designer suit…dance he thought as he slid his hand into Farrons. Loving when he was pulled in against the taller mans body and felt a hand at his waist, Farron took the lead and Cobra let him have it…but….then he showed Farron he wasn't the only one who knew how to fucking dance…
Farron was soon having an amazing time…Cobra could dance…he was graceful, his body was agile, responsive, and damned if he didn't feel amazing moving against Farron, their thighs rubbing along each other, both holding distance enough there was no foot stepping, no mistakes…just flawless, graceful…dancing…
With the movement to focus on, Cobra relaxed a little, but found himself still over-aware of the man holding him, his cheeks warmed and he firmly blamed the dancing, if Farron claimed he blushed he'd deny it. He didn't notice getting strategically danced away, or Zen giving them a small knowing smirk before turning to resume his search for his own date. His eyes were on the blue summer sky that was Farron's gaze
.
The couple somehow ended up out in a terrace, and it took a few moments for Cobra to realize that was where they were…and they were there alone.
He'd been alone for a long time, isolated, at first unwillingly then after a time, Cobra made sure nobody got close to him, he didn't want it, didn't trust it, but having a friend again, someone to laugh with, talk to, be himself with, who understood him and honestly enjoyed his company as much as he enjoyed theirs, it was a gift he was not too stupid or prideful to see clearly. In Farron he had something he'd not realized he'd been missing until they were working on homework together exchanging barbs…well..Cobra was being a prick and Farron was amused and unfazed and tolerated it all and even gave as good as he got at times. A person Cobra could just…be himself with….he had never had that if he thought about it, never…and as he realized they were alone on the terrace, music still clear, but their steps had slowed and Farron was pulling him in closer he tried so hard but couldn't find the will to stop his hands from sliding behind the mans neck…when Farron leaned in he couldn't stop meeting him halfway…and when those warm lips slid over his he had no will anywhere to do anything but just revel in the intimacy, the closeness…the feel of the blonde who he trusted, the knowledge Farron was pursuing him…honestly…truly…pursuing him, wanting him as more than a friend.
He wanted the same thing…he did, Gods why wouldn't he after a lifetime of old men and sloppy one night stands…crappy one sided relationships where the man just wanted his body and he just wanted money, this wasn't that…this was Farron, his friend…who could beat him at chess (rarely but it had happened) who never got upset by his tongue, who covered for him with their professor, pulled his own weight on projects instead of making Cobra do most of the work, would sit and watch rom-coms and anime with him and even could discuss which series he liked with real insight because he actually paid fucking attention.
Farron was his age, had a fucking amazing body, a face Cobra could stare at for hours, silky soft honey colored hair he wanted to feel again….his fingers moving into the lustrous strands as soon as that thought crossed his mind.
It felt so good, being held, pressed against a hard muscled body, feeling warm soft lips on his, a tongue gliding along his, hands on his ass molding him even better against the other as music played by a live orchestra wafted over them. It was like a fucking scene from one of the movies he liked to watch. As the music faded with the end of the piece he and Farron pulled apart to breathe, panting softly for air, hazy eyes on each other and Cobra just let his forehead fall against Farron shoulder…how could he handle this…he just didn't know how…
"I'm…overwhelmed…" he whispered, unable to prevent being starkly honest and Farrons hands slid up his sides, arms around him, just holding him and standing there and asking nothing more from him.
"It's alright…we can just stand here…get some air. We don't have to talk about anything, or say anything…just…let me hold you…" The blonde said softly and to his surprise and delight, all he got was a nod and the redhead pushing in against him better.
The song being played came to an end, dancers bowing to each other and that was when Zen saw the flash of Canas distinct dress leaving the main hall going out onto one of the garden terraces.
"I think I saw her…" He muttered and hurried to make his way around the dancefloor that was filling again as music began again, almost running into Princess Kurino.
"Are you Pradesh men always in a hurry?" She chuckled and Zen managed a smile, eyes darting toward the terrace doors.
"May I have this dance?" Kurino smiled at him and inwardly he just cringed. He wasn't sure why Cana had gone out on the terrace but…he couldn't have someone from his family refuse the crown Princess of Bosco again tonight…so…he bowed, pasted on a smile and hoped Cana was alright.
"It would be an honor." He said, taking her extended hand to lead her onto the dancefloor.
Farron was watching from the terrace and frowned, Cobra following his line of sight shook his head, reluctantly leaving the blondes arms but catching his hand and tugging him to the impressive Buffet.
"He's not gonna change her…that womans got some deep issues, and before you say shit…I can say that because I have deep fucking issues and I know that look on other people." He said, stuffing a crab cake into his mouth and making a lewd sound that had a woman at the next table looking over with interest. Farron was unphased…Vander as a younger brother had him pretty resistant to things like that. He was upset Kurino had caught Zen and was getting a dance…and worried that Cana and Zen hadn't sorted things out…everyone had heard them arguing…
"He doesn't want to change her…he wants to understand her…love her even." Farron protested and Cobra shrugged, enjoying his food, the spread was impressive and he was getting his fill before he was back to ramen, chicken nuggets and sandwiches out of a vending machine.
"Look, some people don't want to be loved, she may not be ready for that shit." Cobra said with a non-committal tone.
Farron frowned "Then she shouldn't have agreed to a relationship. Zen was celibate for a long time for her…he's Boscan, not used to that…at all...but she just didn't believe him, that he wanted to spend time with her, not just fuck her."
Cobra eyed Farron and raised a brow "It ever occur to any of you that maybe she agreed because Zen has got a body that could be in a Magazine…that women think about when they masturbate in a bathtub…and she wanted back into his fucking pants?"
Farron stared for a moment, drawing a breath and taking a deep drink of his wine. "No…" he admitted then leaned closer to Cobra.
"You think that's it? She's just…playing along for sex?" He asked
Cobra shrugged, "I don't really give a shit…I don't like her…I don't like anyone."
Farron smiled then "You like me." he said in a teasing tone and the redhead narrowed his indigo eyes.
"Only one at the school who speaks sign…I have to like you." He countered.
"I am, but that won't last, you have our professor trying to learn it." Farron said lightly, sitting back to eat again. His brother had an uphill battle it seemed…but…Zen had chosen it…and it was far from his first. Zen had always seemed to take the hard way forward in most things, never sparing himself, always working hard and always brutally honest, blunt…and normally a serious hardass. Cana was the first woman since early in high school that he'd taken an interest in. Farron wasn't stepping in…Zen would just resent it.
The Palace had beautiful garden terraces, white marble, lush exotic plants, there were even exotic birds about, walking among the plants or perching on them. The moon was up, it was warm with a sweet breeze coming from the sea and Cana was in her element…flirting with and making out with a hot guy she knew would put out.
She couldn't blame alcohol…but then when had she needed alcohol? She did this sort of thing drunk or not because she fucking liked it. She was young, beautiful, had a great body she tortured herself through pilates for every day and she just enjoyed reeling men in…it was such a thrill, made her feel good…and Gods were Rushays lips ever nice…his hand up her skirt felt damn nice too…
They had found a shaded spot under some cherry trees, not easy to see from the walkway, had danced a little…but mostly just groped each other as soon as they were out of sight. In the back of her mind she knew she should be looking for Zen but…he'd sort of become conquered territory…sure he had a great body, he was handsome, and he was nice, had a great family…she realized now though…he wasn't what she wanted. She wasn't ready for a boyfriend, she was having way too much fun playing the field…
Her friends would be upset…but they'd forgive her, they always did, and she'd find ways to make it up to them…she'd even find a way to make it up to Zen…but right now? All she wanted was the thrill of fucking a guy out in the semi-open…a guy who wasn't worried about how she felt, who would walk away after and leave her to go hunt her next thrill…
Rushay was perfectly fine with this, their tryst at the bar had been brief and sloppy because she'd been drunk…but the woman was pure excitement in his arms now…kissing back…hand down his slacks rubbing his hardening cock while he had a hand in her underwear a finger pumping into her while his thumb toyed with the bundle of nerves at the apex of her womanhood. She tugged the front of the strapless gown down, breasts coming free for his eager mouth and moaned "Fuck…Boscan men…shit you're all such beasts in the sack!" she laughed breathlessly, more than happy about it…
Did she love Zen? Gods she didn't know how…and she was done trying, done…he was great in bed,she kept going back to that because it was what she knew best, what she understood easiest the best she'd ever had and she'd freely admit that…even the hot thing pushing her to a bench, laying her down and settling between her legs…fucking her just like she wanted him to…wasn't as good as Zen was…he lacked the body…the size…sure he had a nice body, he was proportional…but Zen was also…vigilant, watched what she liked, made sure he delivered, and when he did…his touch was so good it made her body just explode with feeling, Rushay wasn't giving her that…but he wasn't asking her to think either, wasn't trying to understand her when she couldn't even understand herself.
Here she was, Zens date for this event…and she'd snuck off to the terrace to fuck another guy..but he hadn't been rushing to take her hand at the bottom of the stairs had he? Something else had mattered more…so…she didn't feel all that bad about it and Levi could huff all she wanted…Cana was going to live her damned life.
The music changed but neither she nor Rushay heard it, all they could hear was each other, soft pants, moans, whispered pleas to go harder, faster. Cana came and dug her nails into Rushays ass as she did, the man grunting out his own end a couple of thrusts later, having the grace to pull out of her and spill his seed into the flowerbed.
"Fuck that was decent." The man chuckled and Cana patted his stomach as he moved so she could stretch and get up.
"I really needed that." She laughed.
"Your guy didn't do it for you huh?" Rushay smirked and Cana smirked back.
"Oh don't go that far…he's great in bed…I'm just…done with the feelings and the understanding and all the…romantic bullshit…when I want to be fucked…I just want to be fucked." she chuckled, starting to put herself back together.
"I'll remember that." Cana sucked in a breath and Rushay jerked to look over to where Zen Pradesh stood beside his brother Vander. Rushays eyes widened then looking between Cana and Zen as Cana stared, her mouth open but no words coming out.
"Good to know where I stand…I was looking for you…got caught up with the Princess for a dance I couldn't get out of…you found some fun and I…wanted you to have fun tonight. I didn't realize how much you didn't like our relationship." Zen said…his voice so…calm, his deep purple eyes hard to see in the low light of the garden.
"I…Zen…I didn't mean that." Cana said and Rushay looked…horrified.
"I thought you weren't IN a relationship…" He said, looking at Cana, narrowing his eyes. Zen was the son of Arman Pradesh…a friend of his father…and a respected man, he'd never, ever…do something to interfere with a relationship…but he honestly thought Canas boyfriend was past tense…
"I…I never said I wasn't." Cana tried.
"You never said you WERE either, not when we fucked at the bar and not when I asked you if you were with anyone here tonight." Rushay countered.
Zen drew a breath…holding onto his calm…it wasn't that she slept with someone else really that bothered him…he was Boscan, pleasure was pleasure…but he hadn't been with anyone but her since they had started this relationship, going for a long time without sex at all something he'd done out of respect for her and her culture…and it seemed…he was the only person who appreciated that…or…appreciated a relationship at all…and he was the Boscan who didn't even really value that sort of thing much. To him until promise rings were on fingers and paperwork for it was done…you weren't IN a committed relationship. The values and demands of Fioran culture was confusing to him…now more than ever. If she wanted no relationship…she could have told him to stop trying to build one…but she'd never said she didn't…she'd complained about him not having sex with her for that stretch but…at no point did she tell him during that…that she didn't want a relationship…that he was trying too hard…he really would have been ok with with walking away from it if she'd just told him. He knew it was as much his fault though…the signs were there…their last sexual encounter had been anything but tender or romantic.
"So it matters that little. You never said you didn't want a relationship, Cana…" Zen said.
Cana stood now…guilt burning in her, guilt and a deep seated pain rising inside her because she knew exactly what she'd just done and anger more at herself than anything else adding to it. Her pride though, was massive and dominating. She had low self esteem…but that didn't mean she'd crumble just because she knew…she'd just betrayed a man who…had only ever tried to be good to her.
"I told you over and over I didn't know how to be in one…that I didn't know how to be a girlfriend." she countered
Zen blinked, looking at Vander who was just frowning…upset because he knew Zen was but Zen just…wouldn't show it, that wasn't how he was…
Zen nodded "Alright…I'll stop. You don't want that, I'll stop trying to build one with you." He said simply and turned away from her, his own hurt, confusion…all of it…something he needed time alone to sort out.
"FINALLY! Shit Zen, you're a great lay but damn…you were just suffocating me!" Cana called and Zen stilled, glaring at the dirt. Struggling with anger for a moment…he'd messed this up…he'd tried to act Fioran…to be someone he fucking wasn't and this was the result, it was a painful lesson but he was learning something significant here…the only problem he saw was…he was the only one between himself and Cana who was learning a damned thing and it felt unfair.
"That's all I am? A good lay?" He asked without looking at her.
Cana knew there was no saving this…so she made a choice…one that she felt would make it easier for Zen.
"Yeah…shit…I had to get the whole thing, you've got a rockin body and a nice big dick and I didn't remember enough from the first go…so I had to ride it out…get to where you'd let me back in those pants…fuck you made it way more work than it should have been too!" she laughed.
Rushay cringed…clothes straightened out he backed away from the woman in disgust. Pleasure was pleasure but playing games with feelings and relationships was just…revolting.
Zen just nodded "Good to know." he said "You're fine to come back to the estate…I won't do some vindictive shit and leave you stranded here...guest room is still yours and I won't bother you. And for the record?" he said looking at her now. "I didn't know how to be a boyfriend…that's not even a word in the Boscan language…I tried to give you what you said you wanted…someone to care about you for more than sex, someone to be more than just a good lay…I tried to give you that because you said you wanted it…if you had said…ever…that all you wanted from me was sex…I'd have left things there and never done more." he said firmly and walked away.
Rushay shook his head "That was…cold." he said before he hurried away, leaving Vander staring at Cana while she straightened out her hair. He narrowed his eyes and walked to her and Cana braced herself…not sure what to expect Vander was…fun, a great time, friendly and easy to get along with…but he had an edge you'd have to be stupid not to notice…of all his siblings…he had the hardest edge to him, impossible to really know because his easy smile worked as a handsome and unreadable shield. He was in the Rangers program she knew…and had apparently tested the highest of any cadet ever in the University programs in physical evaluations…but also in ALL of the other fields, strategy, hand to hand combat, firearms, the highest scores ever…so while he came across as a devil may care type…he was immensely formidable and she had no idea what to expect but she knew…he loved his family…and Claire had…had something pretty rough happen to her recently when he'd caught her spying on Kaleb..few people knew about that…but Cana knew…she heard things easy working part time in the admin offices…but she made sure there was nothing but amusement on her face when she met his gaze.
"Zen won't be a dick…but I will. Go back to the estate…pack your fucking shit…get a cab and go to the airport…I'll have a ticket back to the U waiting for you by the time you get there…I don't want you anywhere NEAR my brother…understand me?" He asked in a dangerous low tone. Cana snorted, acting like she couldn't have cared less about his anger…inside though…she did…she really did. Vander was not someone she wanted as an enemy…and she'd never ever wanted to hurt Zen…Zen was handsome and kind and patient and…had never deserved the mess that she was…
"Fine, whatever…Bosco isn't all it's cracked up to be anyway..a country full of prudes who pretend they aren't prudes." she said waving a hand and walking very quickly away from Vander, breaking into a run as soon as she knew she was around some brush, she ran down the pathway away from the music, the ball, her friends…ran to the car area and asked the attendants to get her a cab. Keeping herself together the whole drive to the Pradesh estate.
She ran into the house and up the stairs, packing in record time, determined to be gone before Mr or Mrs. Elan came and found her…she called a cab…and even held it together all the way to the airport…a ticket waiting for her just like Vander had said… she didn't cry until she was dropped off at the University….and had made it to her dorm room…then…the tears came and threatened to never stop…