Author's Notes: I've tried but I don't think I can do any better than this. Hope it doesn't drag too much.

For those who want a possible version of events directly after the end of the last chapter, 'Aftermath Of A Kiss' is an AU to this AU.

And, yes, I do know the meaning of the word 'frustrating'.

Chapter 6

Maeve transferred items from her bag to her locker and wondered for the umpteenth time since she had parted from her new boyfriend if she should have waited until after school before telling him and kissing him. She had felt Otis' reaction as they kissed – and after the pool she knew that was a very strong possibility and she should have been putting more emphasis on the actual timing of telling him and kissing him rather than simply the method – but she had been wanting to tell him and wanting to kiss him and when the idea of using Eric's presence to help calm Otis came to her she was too impatient for second thoughts or deeper consideration.

After she walked away, however, and she thought about the kiss and thought about his reaction to the kiss and she remembered his reaction in the pool when the touch of her fingers on his eyebrows and his cheeks clearly must have caused the same unbidden response and then remembered his horrified embarrassment earlier in the morning when he confessed through denial that he had dreamt about her in that way, she began to wonder if she had made a mistake and she wondered if having to deal with that reaction to their kiss while at school would only cause him more distress.

She hoped not. She hoped he had heard her tell him it was okay to think of her like that and that he realised that sort of reaction was normal and desired and nothing to be ashamed of and whatever he had to do to get rid of the evidence of his arousal was okay with her and she wished she had considered that the safe space with the four walls of trust needed to also encompass the aftermath of the aftermath.

She sighed, stopped her thoughts drifting through it for the umpteenth plus one time since she could not change anything now and put the last needed book in her bag and closed the door to her locker and recoiled when she saw Otis leaning against the lockers beside hers, soft smile on his lips, gazing at her with soft clear blue eyes.

"Shit," she said.

"Payback for all the times you did that to me, girlfriend," Otis said as she recovered her composure and warmth tingled through her at the sound of that word from his voice.

She smiled at him and studied him gently, noticing a confidence and ease she was not expecting. Perhaps she had been worrying unnecessarily and letting him know she loved him in return had allowed him to give himself permission to desire her that way. Perhaps Eric had convinced him it was perfectly normal.

"So, you didn't break yourself, then?" she asked, eyes flickering across his face.

"No," he murmured, frowning in amusement at the phrase.

"Sorry," she said softly, biting her lip. "I probably should have waited until after school but I wanted to kiss you so badly."

For a moment she thought he was about to lean forward to kiss her and anticipation soared but then he gave a small smile and slight shrug and she realized he would not yet be comfortable with such a public display of affection and the moment passed.

"Did you have a panic attack?" she asked, gently testing the waters.

"Sort of," he said, glancing slightly away from her and she knew that his confidence wasn't quite as secure as he was trying to project.

"What did you do to get through it?" Maeve asked, as innocently as she could.

"Oh, deep breathing exercises. Alphabetized my music collection. That sort of thing," Otis said, as airily as he could, glancing at her then away again.

Maeve nodded and pursed her lips in a gentle smile and wondered if it was only a nice euphemism. "Feel better?"

"I feel…" he began then looked directly into her eyes. "I feel as if I've never truly seen you until just now, Maeve."

Maeve felt her breath steal away at his tone and she was glad her reaction was not as visible as his and then he surprised her by revealing exactly how tissue thin his confidence and ease really were.

"Not that I'm reducing you to your physical characteristics, Maeve. I would never—"

She dropped her head and smiled softly to herself and found this side of Otis just as desirable as the new one he had been projecting.

"I mean, you're a complete person and I love—"

"Otis, Otis" she murmured, stepping toward him and placing her hand gently on his chest. "Don't overthink things. If you think I scrub up well then you think I scrub up well and there's nothing wrong with that. You scrub up well."

"I don't like the idea I might be objectifying you, Maeve."

She smiled fondly at him. "Otis, in all the time I've known you I've never once seen you objectify me."

"Maybe because I've only ever done it when you're not looking."

"You've heard the term, Otis, but I don't think you've ever truly understood it. But that can be a deep and meaningful for another day. Today, just go with whatever you're feeling."

She stepped back, removing her hand from his chest and watched him as he looked uncertainly at her.

After a moment, he leant back against the lockers, head raised toward the ceiling. "I don't know why people come to me for advice when I don't know anything."

"That's not true, muppet. You know so much, you understand so much. You just seem a little confused when it comes to yourself, that's all."

He snorted. "'A teacher teaches what they need to learn.'"

"What?"

"Something mum said to me once."

She studied him gently. "You need an Otis of your own."

"Do you think they sell me in Tesco?"

"They don't sell prize collectibles in Tesco, Otis."

"I'm sorry I'm so messed up, Maeve," he sighed.

Maeve leaned in closer, looking directly into his eyes so he could not escape her gaze and said, firmly, "Don't you dare apologise for being you, Otis."

He smiled softly at her and nodded and she could see the conflict between his desire to kiss her again and his concern that he would again have the same reaction to deal with.

"I've fallen in love with you as you are," she said.

Maeve saw his eyes fall to her lips and the nervousness she could see within him shifted and lost the battle with the desire and he started to lean toward her and she was amazed he was really considering such a public display of affection and she felt the anticipation rise within her and she ignored the guilty voice warning her to think of the possible downside for her new boyfriend and she lifted her head and her lips began to part.

"You sure you really want to do that, Otis?"

Startled, Maeve and Otis jumped back as Eric stepped up to stand directly beside them.

"Jesus!" said Otis.

"Christ!" said Maeve.

"You don't want to have another panic attack right here in the hallway," Eric admonished gently.

Maeve calmed her breathing and said, "Thanks for helping him through it, Eric, but your timing… Right now? Not the best."

"So, have you planned your first date yet?" Eric asked.

"Eric, give us a chance…" Otis said.

"At least it will be a definite date this time." Eric turned to Maeve. "Unless you let him down again."

"Eric…" Otis protested.

"What do you mean?" asked Maeve, puzzled.

"First time you asked him somewhere he was so expecting sushi and all you wanted was for him to carry a package for you. He was so disappointed."

Otis glanced between Maeve and Eric, horrified. "I was not. I was not, Maeve. Eric-"

"He got all dressed up in his best suit and everything. Looked like Jon Hamm," Eric continued.

Otis didn't notice Maeve hitch a deep breath and stare softly at him. Even back that far. Oh, you poor muppet, Otis.

"Maeve, don't listen to Eric…" Otis looked at her and stopped as he saw the gently adoring gaze in his new girlfriend's eyes.

"Casual Hamm," Maeve murmured.

Otis frowned slightly in remembrance.

Eric glanced along the hallway and saw the person he needed to see. "Oh, there's Mr Hendrix. Gotta go," he said, hurrying away, calling back, "Behave."

Maeve and Otis barely noticed him leave.

"That's not the day I fell in love with you, Otis," Maeve finally said. "But it's the day I knew I wanted you as my friend forever."

Otis could not bring himself to speak.

"I still have the flowers," Maeve said quietly. "Dried them out. Kept them."

Otis cringed at the memory. "I was an idiot."

"You were perfect," she whispered, stepping toward him, hand resting gently on his chest and she saw his desire for her once again defeat his caution and their heads moved closer together and their breathing slowed in anticipation and their lips parted again.

"Are you two an item now?"

Startled, Maeve and Otis jumped back as Aimee stepped up to stand directly beside them.

"Jesus!" said Maeve.

"Christ!" said Otis.

"You've got the vibe of being an item," Aimee said, looking wide-eyed between them.

Maeve calmed her breathing and said, smiling, "Yes, Aimee, we're an item now."

"Fantastic," said Aimee, looking at Maeve. "Well done, you."

Aimee turned to Otis. "Oh, and you. She's amazing, isn't she?"

Otis stared softly at Maeve and murmured, "She's magnificent."

"So you got rid of Jackson, then?" Aimee turned to Maeve and asked.

"We broke up. Last night," Maeve nodded, not taking her eyes from Otis'.

"And you didn't waste any time wallowing. Good for you."

"I've already waited too long," Maeve said quietly.

Aimee glanced around and noticed The Untouchables turning the corner. "Oh, better catch up before they notice I'm gone."

Aimee looked directly at Otis, smiling, then turned to Maeve and said, "Pleasure Master," before hurrying away.

"Well, she seems happy for us," Maeve said as Aimee disappeared around the corner following the rest of The Untouchables.

Otis glanced around then turned back to Maeve. "I don't understand her. She seems so nice but she hangs around with The Untouchables."

"Please don't say anything bad about Aimee. She was my only real friend until you came along."

"She sits there while they say those shitty things about you."

"She doesn't need to be punished for hanging around with me."

"I just think you deserve—"

"Please don't let our first fight be about Aimee."

"It wouldn't be our first fight," Otis said quietly.

"First fight as boyfriend and girlfriend."

"She did like my Hedwig outfit," he said after a pause.

"If you had kept the wig on she would have loved it. Like I did."

Otis smiled gently at her and again she could see his caution overpowered by his desire and he leaned forward and as his lips parted she tilted her head up to meet his.

"I need your help."

Startled, Maeve and Otis jumped back as Lily stepped up to stand directly beside them, staring at Otis.

"Jesus!" said Maeve.

"Christ!" said Otis.

"Who the fuck are you?" snapped Maeve.

"Can't you see I am with Maeve now?" Otis hissed, the angriest Maeve had ever heard him.

"Well, I hope she has better luck than I did," Lily said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Maeve snarled.

Lily ignored Maeve and kept her focus on Otis.

"I need your help," Lily repeated. "You know, your sex clinic thing."

Maeve said, "The clinic's closed today so get lost."

Lily kept her focus on Otis and said, "I didn't tell anyone. You owe me."

Maeve was about to say something more but Otis gently put his hand on her arm and she pursed her lips to keep the words confined.

"It's okay, Maeve. Lily's right. I owe her a consultation."

"What for?"

"I'll tell you later."

Maeve stared at him for a moment then pursed her lips in a smile and leaned in to whisper in his ear. "You better not tell me she's your bit on the side."

Otis' eyes gleamed mischievously and he whispered into Maeve's ear, "We've only been together half an hour so wouldn't that make you my bit on the side?"

Maeve gasped at his audacity and her eyes glittered as she said with a smile, "You are so going to pay for that, Milburn."

"This is all very sweet in a vaguely nauseating kind of way but when can we start?" Lily's voice interrupted them.

Maeve turned to glare at Lily and bit back her initial response. "Meet Otis in the old toilet block at lunch. Don't be late."

Lily nodded and turned to her. "You know, I'd really lower expectations if I were you. Like sub-sub-basement lower. At least."

"Push off," said Maeve, annoyed. "Before I change his mind."

Lily walked away and Otis turned to Maeve, face as bland as he could make it. "See, I said you were kind, Maeve."

"She scared the crap out of me," Maeve said, defensively.

"Welcome to my world," Otis muttered.

The Headmaster's voice came over the tannoy: Maeve Wiley and Otis Milburn to the Headmaster's office.

Otis and Maeve looked at each other, surprised.

"Do you think he knows about the clinic?" Otis asked, nervously.

"Maybe he's going to thank you for saving Liam's life," Maeve said.

"He's going to know I talked to Liam and next thing Liam is hanging off the moon."

"So? Sometimes when you talk to me I'm hanging off the moon."

"Maeve…" Otis sighed.

"Otis, the only time things have gone wrong is when Liam didn't listen to you and move on."

"And Adam."

"Not your fault Adam doesn't have a third brain cell to referee the other two."

"I don't know if I can do it anymore, Maeve," Otis said softly.

There was a moment, just a moment, that she hesitated then Maeve stepped forward and took Otis' hand and stared into his eyes. "Then don't."

"But, Maeve, that would mean—"

"Don't do it for me. I won't thank you for torturing yourself just for me."

Otis looked at her and thought for a moment. "How about we take a break this week? Start again next week. I can give you an advance of… four clients?"

There was a moment, just a moment, that she was tempted and then she swallowed and shook her head and said, "No, I'll manage."

Otis stared at her for an eternity then Maeve watched his eyes flicker to her lips and then he slowly leaned toward her again, lips parting as Maeve lifted her head to meet him.

"Didn't you hear the announcement?"

Startled, Maeve and Otis jumped back as Miss Sands stepped up to stand directly beside them.

"Shit!" said Otis.

"Fuck!" said Maeve.

"Go on. Get moving," said Miss Sands and walked away.

"I hate the Universe," muttered Otis.

"Let's just go see what he wants. Can't be that bad," Maeve sighed.

Otis sat on a chair outside the Headmaster's office, staring at what should have been Maeve's trophy and wishing he could be sitting beside her and a multitude of thoughts swirled through his mind from the clinic in general and Liam in particular and he kept thinking too many minutes had passed and when the door finally opened he rose to his feet as a subdued Maeve exited.

She glanced at him, eyes full of sadness.

"Maeve…?" Otis asked, concerned.

"Don't worry, you're not in trouble, but I don't think you want to be my boyfriend, Otis. I'll just drag you down into the shit with me."

Otis reached for her hand but she let her fingers slide from his grasp as she walked away.

"Milburn," said Groff but Otis simply stared after Maeve while sounds without meaning swirled around him until he heard the words "Get to class" and he hurried after her.

He found her sitting on their bench, staring at the wall, shoulders slumped, hands in her lap with her fingers fidgeting and it was the saddest he had ever seen anybody.

"Maeve…" he said softly as he approached.

She glanced at him and the bleakness in her eyes tore his heart out then he noticed her hand reaching out for him.

He sat beside her and gently took her hand and she latched onto his fingers and smiled sadly at him.

He sidled close to her and put his arm around her shoulders and felt her relax into him, leaning her head against his, letting their fingers entwine.

"What happened, Maeve?" Otis asked softly.

Eventually, Maeve quietly spoke, "My brother was selling drugs at the dance. I told Groff they were mine."

"Why?"

"Groff was going to call the police on Sean."

Maeve felt Otis' jaw clench but she was grateful he said not a word.

Maeve stared at their entwined fingers and used one of hers to gently stroke one of his.

"What did Groff say was going to happen?"

"Have to face an external tribunal. They'll probably expel me."

"You don't know that," Otis said and felt her tense slightly and he swallowed the rest of his words and after a moment felt her relax again.

"I knew the Aptitude Scheme was pie in the sky," she eventually said. "I knew I'd mess it up somehow."

Otis kept silent and hoped he had understood his mother when she talked about the time for listening and the time for speaking.

"I just hoped I wouldn't be living here in ten years."

Otis hoped that when the time for speaking came he would know what to say.

"Stupid fucking dance," Maeve said and the tears in her voice were clear.

Otis wished he could take her pain away.

"Stupid fucking dress," Maeve eventually spoke again.

After a moment, Otis said softly and cautiously, "I thought you looked really beautiful in that dress, Maeve."

She gave a small smile to herself. "Didn't scrub up too badly, did I?"

"You shone, Maeve," Otis said, quietly remembering seeing her in that dress for the first time.

"Jackson didn't even notice," Maeve said, flatly.

"He's a fool," Otis let slip free before clamping down on his tongue.

Maeve let an unseen smile cross her face and waited and finally said, "He's a fucking fool."

Otis bit his lip and sat in the silence with her.

Eventually, Maeve murmured, "Should have known it would be cursed."

"What do you mean?" Otis asked softly.

"Sean told people in the shop we were orphans so they bought it for me. Shitty memories from the start."

Otis closed his eyes and Maeve felt the tension as he struggled to keep quiet and she knew that her brother was never ever going to be worth anything in Otis' eyes. After a moment, she settled deeper into her new boyfriend.

"I was going to throw it away this morning but I forgot," she murmured.

She sensed Otis moving his head to glance down at her.

"Maybe I'll burn it. Go down the quarry and pour petrol on it and watch it burn."

She sensed Otis wanted to say something and moved her head slightly, trying to peer up at him.

"What?"

"Doesn't matter. I'll get the popcorn and we can watch it burn. But if the cops come, you're on your own, crazy lady."

She snorted a chuckle and asked, "What were you going to say, muppet?"

Otis paused for a moment, then began slowly. "I was just thinking… I know I'm part of the shitty memories you're associating with that dress-"

"Don't keep beating yourself up. You've made up for it, Otis," she said softly, shaking her head gently. "You and Aimee are the only bright spots in my shitty life at the moment."

He paused and swallowed then continued. "What if instead of burning the dress, we go somewhere fancy and… make some happy memories to associate with it. If you think that's possible, of course. Otherwise, just burn it."

She was silent for a long while, then asked, "Will there be dancing?"

Otis smiled softly to himself, relieved. "If you like."

"Slow dancing?"

"If that's what you want, Maeve."

"Will you be Casual Hamm?"

"Of course."

"Sounds nice," she almost purred. "Anywhere in mind?"

"We can google something later."

She settled even further into him and his arm around her shoulders felt like home.

Maeve gazed quietly at their entwined hands and at her finger still gently stroking his while Otis gazed across the field beyond the wall and reflected and pondered until a thought slowly formed.

"Would you like to come over for dinner tonight, Maeve?" he asked, tentatively.

Maeve raised her head from his shoulder and looked at him with mild curiosity. "With your crazy mum?"

"I'd like you to meet her."

Maeve pouted a smile. "I thought you liked me."

Otis smiled in appreciation. "I know I've gone on and on about her."

"And on and on," Maeve said, smirking softly.

"And on and on," continued Otis, smiling. "And she is annoying. And she does overstep. And I get really really frustrated with her sometimes because she doesn't seem to listen."

Maeve sensed a change in tone from the last time he had talked on and on about his mother and she wanted to ask but knew it wasn't yet the time.

"But she can be nice and funny when she isn't trying to therapize people," Otis continued. "I'll just tell her she's not allowed to pry and try to therapize you."

"Do you think she might want to adopt me?"

"God, no! I wouldn't inflict that on you."

Maeve paused and then smiled. "You just want her to see you have a girlfriend, don't you, so maybe she'll back off?"

"The thought may have occurred about that being a beneficial side-effect."

Maeve gazed at him gently for a few moments then murmured, "I'd like that, muppet. Thank you."

"Just… one thing…"

"What?"

"I'm not telling you what to do, Maeve," he began, cautiously, "but… when you went to dinner with Jackson's parents you looked different. Really nice, but not like you usually look. Whatever you choose I'm happy with, but I would like Mum to see the Maeve I know and love."

Maeve nodded in acceptance. "As long as you just let her be herself, too."

"You don't know what you're asking."

"I'm a big girl, Otis," she said. "I can fight my own battles."

"I know you can, Maeve," he said and hesitated momentarily before continuing. "I just hope you know you don't have to fight them alone."

Maeve gazed appreciatively into his eyes and when he started moving his head slowly forward she noticed there was none of the hesitation or nervousness she had noticed earlier and when they were finally lost in their second kiss and their third kiss and more kisses too numerous to count she was realising she was feeling a love for him that she was only just beginning to understand was already deeper than she had ever imagined was possible for her to experience.

Author's Notes: One of the saddest bits of the series for me was seeing how much Maeve needed her [lots of very unkind and judgemental words] brother and how down about herself she was during their conversation in the final episode of the first season.

I tried to capture that mood in the second half of this chapter only with someone who actually cared about her. I hope I succeeded enough.