I brought you a souvenir! (L.C.)

[Zachary LaRousse]

Just a little fast forward to the 31^st of July, since Zac's trip'll last until the 29^th.^^.

Despite missing almost a month of schooling due to the annual out-of-the-country (now around-the-world) trip he organized, Zac didn’t go back to the dorms once they reached Pilot Ridge. Had he been a model student, he would most likely use the weekend to catch up on the lessons he’s missed – read his books, make some notes, call a few classmates (or even his teacher) for some pointers about the stuff he didn’t have a change to get through.

As it was though, Zac is the definitely not the epitome of a good role model (quite the opposite really), so instead he just dropped off his friends to their dorms and stayed in his Pilot Ridge home to sort his stuff out. He bought a whole lot of stuff after all; he needs to decide which to send to their house in Virginia and which not to (which is why he constantly asks his father to buy a bigger house in Pilot Ridge for him, or at least build improvements on their current one).

He’s already spent the whole day yesterday sorting through his things – putting those he’ll send elsewhere in plastic bags and stacking those that’ll remain properly in his wardrobe – and yet his room is still quite the mess, the sheer magnitude of which is making him a whole lot less motivated than yesterday. He was just about to give up and take a nap (leaving his stuff on the floor and all that) when Pete called him, saying he has a lady visitor at the door.

“Just tell them to go up my room,” he shouted back, flopping on his bed with his arms behind his head. Did he arrange to meet up with anyone today?

ooc:
A bit crappy. Sorry. ;P. If L.C. needs a visual, pictars are in the board description. Heehee. -huuug-
- Jam

[L.C. Milliner]

*-outfit

L.C. had been settled into her apartment with Amelia for some time now- all the physical scars left from the carnival visit were gone after some major healing, but she could still feel the mental weight of all that transpired during her visit weighing down on her. She had left the apartment and her flat mate that morning and wandered around town for the better art of the day looking for some peace, until she realized Zac was back from his journey around the world. He had asked her beforehand if she wanted to go, but she had to work out the aforementioned problem with Amelia, not to mention she had no passport. For now, her feet would stay firmly planted in the country she was born in.

Never having been to Zac’s house before, one would think it would be hard for her to find, but honestly all she had to do was look for the most preposterous house in Pilot Ridge. She found it- a sparkly white house that reminded her of some polished ivory palace. It was ridiculously shaped and even more ridiculous to get into- she had to get through the gate, then through the old guy at the door. She wasn’t expecting Zac to have a chaperone, but she supposed that being rich had drawbacks as much as it had its privileges.

The man showed her to the staircase and L.C. heard Zac yelling from she guessed to be his room. She made her way up with a faint smile on her face before popping her head in through the open doorway, moving in to lean against it as she checked out her boyfriend lying down in bed.

Yes, boyfriend. That much she had been sure to finalize, after she had kicked his ass in paintball, of course. Yet another skill she had developed in the carnival- the ability to shoot a gun- at least, one that wasn’t real anyway. The way she saw it, a paintball gun was a lot like a cork gun, just with more of a mess and less of a pain to reload. “How was your trip?” She asked, raising an eyebrow as she looked around his room at all the bags. “I see you brought half of the world back with you.”

[Zachary LaRousse]

Zac played idly with one of his pillows as he lay on his bed and waited for whoever it was that came to visit him. Quickly his brain racked through all that knew he had a house in Pilot Ridge. JD and Robbie were just with him the other day, so they couldn’t be it. Luke’s in Greece and Anubis is…somewhere else. So that leaves him with Stephen. Maybe he’s back from one of his recruiting trips.

Awesome. Now he can finally bug him about the rumors of his new boytoy.

He almost fell off his bed (the pillow falling landing flat on his face) when he heard a different voice. Not that the source of the voice is unwelcome mind you, it’s just that it’s quite the stark contrast from his expected big, burly Scottish dude. “L.C.!” he exclaimed, throwing the offending pillow away and jumping off his bed. “Why didn’t you tell me you’re visiting? I would’ve cleaned my room a bit if you did.” Normally he would chuckle a bit to act as if he’s embarrassed of his mess, but he was deprived of the Iron Maiden for almost a month that he just wrapped his arms around his girlfriend and planted a chaste kiss on her lips. “Did you miss me? I did. Miss you, that is. So much.” He sneaked in another peck on her and grinned smugly, then went on to rub his nose on her neck soon after.

Oh how he missed his girlfriend’s scent. And yes, girlfriend. He doesn’t care that he got owned by L.C. during that paintball session, and that he only landed a hit because she let him. Nope. Especially since it cemented their relationship as far as he’s concerned.

“Where do I begin? In Robbie’s accident while skiing down the Alps? Or how JD scared all the fish away due to his flailing back in the Barrier Reef?” Going to her side, he promptly led her through the mess maze that was his stuff and made her sit with him on the bed. “Robbie forgot his passport too you know. Silly blonde left it in his dorm room. But he’s been with us the whole trip. Told you it wouldn’t be a problem,” he pouted and puffed his cheeks, looking like a five year-old denied of candy from the candy store. He would’ve gone with L.C. to grab her own passport too if she wanted, but she’d been insistent. Insistent that she can’t go because she had something else to do and all that.

“By the way, what’s the thing you did anyway? Turn out well I imagine?” He felt a bit bad that L.C. decided not to include him in her quest back then, but hey, girl’s got to have her secrets and all that right? “Love the shorts by the way,” he teased, his hand playfully touching her legs then stopping when he reached her hemline.

[L.C. Milliner]

Laughing at Zac’s expense always made L.C. feel better, so when he all but shot up out of bed she snickered and smirked. The weight on her chest was lifted slightly, and as he jumped of his bed, her arms uncrossed and she shifted her weight off the doorframe and dropped her bag just inside so it wouldn’t get in the way. “I wasn’t planning on it, so I didn’t call ahead.” She said, running hand through her hair before he managed to get a hold of her. She rested her arms on his shoulders and cross them behind his neck, since he already had a firm hold on her waist.

His kiss sent her head reeling, not that she’d ever tell him that. The second one made her brain even foggier, and it took her a moment to respond to his question. “Yeah.” She said, her tone almost sounding like she had fallen into a dream. He pressed his face into her neck and she let out a content hum, patting the back of his head. “I missed you too. Of course.” She wasn’t lying either, because she really did. She just didn’t show it by throwing herself at him the moment he stepped off the plane. She wanted to let him acclimate a little bit before getting in his way.

Debating his choice of stories to tell her, L.C. shrugged and smiled. “Whichever one you think would make the better story. Robbie’s okay though, yeah?” She only knew the boy’s name through Estelle, and she was pretty sure they had the hots for each other. She all but fell onto the bed, automatically laying back and stretching her arms above her. Her shirt slid upward and exposed her navel; she yanked it back down again before resting her arms behind her head. She waved off his pouting and smiled, shaking her head. “I wasn’t meant to be a world traveler. There’s something unnatural about flying in a plane.” That was her newest excuse for staying home, anyway. She had looked into airplanes and, rather than hearing good things, had read about accidents and planes exploding in the air and whatnot. All in all, she was not keen on flying.

The mention of her expedition to the carnival made L.C. worry her lip and she sighed, ignoring the question for the moment as she felt his hand traveling up her leg. “Hey. No.” She waved his hand away and sighed, kicking off her shoes before resting her feet on his bedspread. “I went to the carnival.” She muttered quietly, looking away from him as soon as she said it. The truth would come out eventually- he’d be meeting Amelia soon enough and she would surely tell him where she was from and how they knew each other. She just didn’t want him to worry about her.

[Zachary LaRousse]

Zac didn’t bother the big smile that crept on his face when he heard that L.C.’s visit was more of a spur-of-the-moment decision than a planned one. (I know, I know, a huge assumption here, but then again this is Zac we’re talking about). Considering how reluctant she was in accepting that his affections for her are true and not just some sly plot to manipulate and hurt her, every little thing that that L.C. does for the mimic is magnified tenfold. From the way she instinctively (in the Prince’s eyes) wrapped her arms around his neck, to her not resisting his kiss and down to that pat on his head – the pompous teen was in heaven. They were small victories, but victories nonetheless.

“That just means you’d be coming along with me in come the last week of August then?” he asked brightly, enjoying the feeling of her body pressed next to his (and not fearing of spikes appearing shortly after), “There’ll be a gala for the unveiling of a new product Dad’s company will be releasing. A new diabetes medication, I think.” Zac does try his best to be updated with the things happening in his soon-to-be company, but between partying and, well, partying, he says he doesn’t have the time. Poor boy. “Anyway, I need a trophy girlfriend. A pretty blonde arm warmer. You up for it?” He added a mischievous wink, hoping the Maiden wouldn’t take it all too seriously.

The mimic stood silent for a bit, debating which story to tell, since both were equally amusing in his point of view. “Fine, I’ll just tell you both,” he said after a moment of deliberation, “Robbie’s fine. Dad wouldn’t let me go somewhere else without top-notch biomanipulators in my staff. And besides, the blonde’s skull is so thick your spikes won’t even pierce through.” Sure he fractured an arm and broke a few ribs after rolling down around fifty feet or so down the Alps, but he was fine. The doctors actually had to sedate him to make him rest; he wouldn’t stop talking even after his accident.

He promptly followed suit and laid down as he told her about Robbie’s accident, his eyes shamelessly looking down as he saw L.C.’s shirt come up. “Oh. Was that a navel piercing I see?” he teased, playfully poking the Maiden’s sides. He knew he’s very transparent with what he’s doing (there wasn’t anything; it’s just his ploy to see more skin) but he doesn’t really care.

“So a cruise ship would be ok with you then?” Zac prefers flying ‘cause it gets to where he wants to be faster, but if L.C. feels the water would be more romantic, then he’s all for it. His smile turned into a pout however when his girlfriend chastised him. “Why not?” he asked despite knowing full well why. He was a bit surprised when the carnival was mentioned, considering how sensitive she seemed to be regarding that topic. Normally he would’ve pressed further, but fortunately decided not to. Instead he simply rolled to his side and hugged L.C. once more, his hands defiantly snaking their way up her legs and to her waist.

Aren’t you being a little too cheesy for your tastes Zac?

[L.C. Milliner]

The thought of a night on Zac’s arm normally would thrill lesser girls, but L.C. was never one for parties, especially rich people parties that she would have to behave for. She liked dressing up, of course- what girl didn’t- but that didn’t mean she wanted to be ‘the girlfriend’. Plus, she didn’t really want to meet Zac’s parents at a party; that seemed way too formal of an event, yet way too informal of an introduction. No, she’d pass on this one. “Nah, I’m good. I’ve got work.” Not a lie, she wasn’t going to drop out on Kali for a week. That was another reason for her staying behind for the month. She didn’t want to bail on the place she just started working at. “Maybe I can meet your Mom and Dad some other time.” She tried to remember if Zac ever said anything about his Mother before, but she couldn’t recall hearing anything. She wasn’t going to ask at the moment though.

Listening to Zac describing Robbie’s accident, or the aftermath of it, anyway, L.C. rolled her eyes and snickered. Of course, Zac’s Dad was taking optimal care of him, as usual. Even when he was halfway around the world, there was no end to the lengths that man seemed to go through to ensure his son’s safety. Paranoid? A little. After all, Zac was willing to hire her on as a bodyguard for some time. “Is that a challenge?” L.C. said in retaliation to Zac’s comment about Robbie’s skull, grinning to signal she was joking still.

Waving his hands away, L.C. frowned at his brazen attempt to get another look at her torso. “You didn’t see anything, you perv.” She commented, poking his side in retaliation. She considered threatening to get up and bend backward if he kept it up, but that would re-expose her bellybutton again, and she wasn’t sure how much of her contorting Zac would take without fainting. She refrained, for now.

A cruise ship was a worse idea then a plane. “Knowing my luck, I’d fall off the boat.” She muttered, sighing as she rolled onto her side to get a better look at him, legs curling up so they weren’t falling over the edge of the bed. He reached out to hug her and she leaned forward, forehead resting on his collarbone. She slung one arm over him, realizing only afterward she had missed a very important detail since she had come in.

“...Where is your shirt?”

[Zachary LaRousse]

“You sure? My arms would be very very cold and I might be inclined to find another arm warmer you know,” he teased, tracing L.C.’s nose bridge and stopping to pinch the blonde’s nose once he reached the end. Not that he’s actually considered cheating on the Maiden anyway; he might be a flirt, but once he’s in a relationship, he does try his hardest to reel his eyes in and prevent his hands from wandering.

At the mention of his mom however, his grin vanished. He didn’t frown, no, but instead his face became blank. Despite having no closure at his mom’s death yet, it’s already been ten years; being all moody about it is rather useless in his book. “I don’t think you’d be able to meet Mom in the party anyway. I can possibly bring you to her grave if you want,” he shrugged, and decided to leave it at that. “I’m sure Dad would love to meet you though. Anyone who can control his wayward son is a jewel to him.” And his father would be delighted that he’s finally introducing someone to him. While he has been in a number of relationships over the past three or so years, none of them coincided with a big party – he’s always single whenever they get to meet in such occasions. Oh how the older LaRousse would enjoy such a change in pace, he thinks.

“Depends on how you look at it,” laughed the mimic, happily snuggling by his girlfriend’s side. He wouldn’t allow her to pierce his friend (and he doubts she’d do it anyway), but how he’d love to see Robbie flail at the thought of someone doing that to him. He could honestly say that there are times that the boy’s a lot more squeamish than him. “Is Estelle telling you anything about him anyway? Robbie’s denying anything between them, but I know better.” He just knows they’d make cute babies together.

Zac flinched slightly when L.C. poked his side, but that didn’t stop him. If anything, it made him push further. “So what if I’m a perv?” he asked as he rolled to his side, putting his elbow flat on the bed so he can hold his head up, “Can’t I perv to my own girlfriend now? Or should I just direct my urges to someone else?” Sure he wasn’t getting any from the Maiden, but he’s trying his best not to be bothered by it. L.C., by far, is very much unlike anyone he’s dated before anyway. He’d allow her if she’s ready. He hopes.

And besides, she’s not depriving him of cuddles so he thinks he can live with that. When L.C. put her head on his collarbone, he instinctively curled an arm around her head, happily caressing her hair as he held her hand with his own. “Hrm? Well I just woke up, of course I haven’t had a shirt on.” Summer nights aren’t as cold as they should be after all. “Just be glad I remembered to wear these pajama bottoms. Or would you rather I take them off?”

[L.C. Milliner]

Shooting Zac a look, L.C. sighed. “I’ve got work, Zac. I need money to live, you know.” She had an apartment to keep, not to mention that she was feeding two with Amelia in the house. At least her friend was looking for a job though, L.C. was proud of her for taking the time to think about people other than herself. Amelia was so thoughtful like that. “How about next time?” Something in the back of her head whispered something about making promises she couldn’t keep, but she shooed it away. She doubted Zac would remember anything about it.

There was a sinking feeling she said something wrong as soon as Zac’s grin fell of his face, and when he brought up his mother and said something about a grave, L.C.’s face blanched. “Oh. I didn’t know...” She muttered, looking toward her shoes as she bit her lip and cursed her stupidity. “I’d love to meet your Dad. I mean, sometime. I’m sure he wouldn’t like me though.” If it wasn’t his Dad, then somebody in Zac’s clan of a family would probably dislike her. She was, after all, only a poor carnie. She doubted that fact would make a good impression on them.

L.C.’s subconscious made her automatically want to shove Zac away when he started cuddling (Ugh.) but she kept herself in check and allowed herself to be hugged, wondering if she was the only girl in the world that didn’t like cuddling and was stuck with a cuddling boyfriend. Well, not stuck, per se- she did like Zac, after all. She had to admit he was hot, even though most of the time his personality was, well, less than optimal. She’d see if she could work on that. She shrugged at the mention of Estelle. “We went shopping the other day at Victoria’s Secret...” Oh crap, she shouldn’t have mentioned that. She was wearing what she bought. “And I told her she should buy some lingerie for Robbie to see. She got a bit defensive, but that’s it. I swear.” She neglected to mention her also buying some panties as a gag gift for Robbie- he’d likely find out about it soon enough.

He rolled closer to her and she literally almost got a face full of his chest. Not that it was a bad thing, mind, but still, she had to move back a bit in order to see anything. “No. No perving.” She joked, smirking as he commented on venting onto someone else. “ And I don’t think any girl would even look at you now, Zac. After all, most of them know who I am by name alone.” She tried not to worry about it, even if it was the one thing that worried about while he was gone. How was she supposed to stop his ‘urges’ when he was halfway across the world? She felt clingy thinking about it, but she reasoned that, with Zac, the feeling was warranted. She should trust him more, but she honestly didn’t. That worried her.

His hand in her hair made her forget that though. It felt so nice, though for the life of her she didn’t know why. She sighed contentedly, closing her eyes and squeezing his hand lightly. This was the most susceptible she ever let herself be, and even then she tried to keep herself guarded. “Pants stay on, thank you.” She muttered, smirking as her free hand left its resting spot on his back and traced a line upward to the back of his neck. She rubbed her nose against his collarbone before smiling. This was the side of her no one saw- the side that remembered watching shows on TV and reading books about these sorts of moments. All she could do was copy them and hope the feedback as good. “So, what’d you get me?”

[Zachary LaRousse]

When he heard L.C.’s sigh, he couldn’t help but reply with a playful and teasing sigh of his own before breaking into a chuckle. Not that he’s trivializing his girlfriend’s struggles or anything, it’s just that he still can’t see why she couldn’t just accept his help. “I know. Why else would I make a bank account for you in the first place?” he grinned as a buried his nose in her hair, rubbing it for a second or two, sneaking in a kiss on her forehead as he pulled way. “I’m your boyfriend remember? Not some creep who just likes rubbing his luxury on your face.” He was almost a year ago, but he insists that he’s then changed. “Please? I promise it doesn’t have a million in it.” Just a little over half. “Or do you want me to give you a cheesy and incredibly embarrassing pet name?”

“Pinky swear on that?” chuckled Zac at L.C.’s promise. There’ll be lost of next times after all. His uncle’s 39_th birthday’ll come by September, his dad’s annual Halloween gala by October and a company Christmas party on December. And a few more unplanned events here and there. The mimic’s rather certain that he has plenty of time. “Eh. My fault. I don’t think I’ve told you about her anyway,” he shrugged, squeezing L.C. to tell her that it’s really a non-issue. It isn’t for him, it shouldn’t be for her either.

Though it did make him realize how little they both know of each other’s backgrounds. He only knows that she came from a carnival; he’s not quite sure if she mentioned anything about her parents to him yet.

There’ll be other times to talk about that, he thought.

He didn’t bother hiding the delight in his face when he heard the words Victoria’s Secret. “You went to Vicky’s Secrets?” Forget Estelle and Robbie; his L.C. went to a lingerie store even without him goading her to go. “This should be put down into the history books!” laughed the mimic loudly. His grin turned into a smirk as his laughter died down, his index and middle finger playfully ‘walking’ up from L.C.’s waist up the hemline of her top. “That’s it? I don’t believe you,” he as he shook his head, “Please don’t tell me you’re already wearing it. ‘Cause then I’d be forced to rip these off just to see.”

And no, he’s not joking. Seriously.

“Aww shucks,” he mused, as if really thinking about what L.C. had just said, “I didn’t know my association with you would bring my want-ability go down. You think I should dump you to bring that back up again?” Clearly he was joking. He was arrogant and mean, but definitely not cold like that. And besides, he likes L.C. A lot. Why else would he tone his partying ways down if he didn’t care about how L.C. felt. He isn’t dumb, he knows how shaky his reputation for being ‘loyal’ is. He’s determined to prove to the world that he can control his urges, no matter how satisfying they may seem to be. “I’m only kidding!” added the Prince, just so everything’s clear, “I love you too much to do that, I promise.”

Dundundundun.

L.C. should know then that the feedback is more than good. If it wouldn’t destroy the moment they’re having, Zac would’ve squealed like crazy already. The hand on his neck was wonderful enough as it is, her nose on his collarbone almost made him explode. He promptly reciprocated by pulling her closer, his hands firmly on her thighs and behind her head, then rolling them across the bed until they fell down on the pile of discarded clothes on the floor. (Him first, obviously). “Well, you said pants. But you’re wearing shorts. Does that mean I can take these off for you?” Nope, he just won’t shut his mouth about the topic just yet. Sorry L.C.

“Get you something? Was I supposed to do that?” he said, trying to keep a straight face on, “Well, I have some spare Leaning Tower of Pisa snowglobes downstairs. You want one?” His façade only lasted a few minutes before he finally broke out laughing, pushing L.C. gently to his side as he stood up and walked towards his closet. “I’m not really sure what to get you, so I just grabbed anything I thought you’d like. Like this one for starters,” he grinned as he took out a hanger with a red dress hanging from it.

He knows how his girlfriend likes red. Or at least he thinks he does.

ooc:
Sorry if it took a while. And I apologize for the over-fluffiness. Zac loves fluff. XD.
- Jam

[L.C. Milliner]

There was one thing L.C. wanted to stop, and that was him trying to give her money all of the time- even though her inner carnie child was angrier than hell that she wouldn’t take it. She liked Zac; she wasn’t going to be wooed by his money like some cheap prom date. If she wanted Zac for his money, she would’ve taken that check he offered her at the fall dance a lifetime ago and ran with it. “Zac.” She muttered, clearly not amused. “I’m only going to say it once. No money.” There wasn’t even going to be a dispute about it, except for maybe the pet name thing. “I swear, if you even try to call me something you’d say to a toy dog...” There was no need to finish the threat, he knew full well what would happen to him.

Sighing, L.C. took Zac’s finger and rolled her eyes. “Pinky swear.” She grumbled, realizing she wasn’t going to get out of it so easily. She’d try to avoid the subject of parties around him, but eventually she’d have to go to one of them. Oh God. She avoided his statement about his Mother entirely, deciding there was nothing more to be said on the matter.

Realizing her error too late, L.C. felt a slight blush creeping onto her cheeks as he teased her. “I had some money, so I figured...” She bit her lip and wondered how much trouble she’d be in if she told him she was wearing what she bought, and when he jokingly said something about ripped her clothes off, she decided not to take any chances. “No. I left it at home.” It was only a bra anyway, but letting him see it could lead to other things... And she wasn’t quite ready for that.

Raising an eyebrow at the obvious made up word ‘want-ability’, L.C. couldn’t help but snort and push him playfully. “Yeah, whatever. The only way to bring that up is to kiss orphans, go into the Peace Core, and sell your ego to charity.” The last part would help him out more than the first two parts, but she liked making him think of work and the awful, horrible things it could do to him. She was snickering so much that when he muttered those three important words, she almost missed it.

Almost being the operative word.

The blonde’s snickering stopped immediately as she froze, and as he went on she tried to reason with herself- he didn’t mean it like that. They probably just slipped out. He didn’t mean that he actually ‘loved’ her, he just meant he was rather fond of her, that was all. He didn’t like her like that, not after only one month. No way. She gulped, feeling her throat run dry, and tried to pretend nothing was wrong.

The rolling off the bed made her forget about her predicament in a flash as she yelped, feeling him hit the floor as she held on. She realized she was laying on top of him, and when she fell her legs had splayed apart- now she was straddling him. Great. She blushed and bit her lip, trying to fight the urge to bolt. If she made a big deal out of it, he’d make a bigger deal out of it. “Psh. You wish.” She mumbled, shooing his hands away from her thighs.

Going on about her gift, L.C. tried to push away the thought of the three words earlier. She’d work out that problem in a bit. She rolled off him more than gladly and sat up, sitting on the edge of the bed as he wandered off to get her gift. When he came out with the dress, L.C.’s eyes brightened for a moment before she smoothed out her expression. “Looks good.” She commented, an edge of an excitement in her voice. She wanted to try it on. She really wanted to try it on. “Is that from Paris, then?” She joked, standing to take it and run her hands over it. Ohhh, it felt so nice. She really had to go try it on.

[Zachary LaRousse]

Zac grumbled under his breath when L.C. insisted on the whole no money thing. True, the whole thing was getting old, but that doesn’t mean the heir will submit to her will already. “Fine. No money,” he repeated with such disinterest, mentally willing himself not to roll his eyes in case that’ll infuriate her more. “Please don’t get mad at me. Offending you is so not in my agenda.” He knows she has that in mind, but he feels like he just has to clarify. “I mean, I’m your boyfriend. I just want to help.”

If that won’t change her mind, then he’d just have to sneak into her apartment one day and put a stash somewhere in her closet. Or maybe slip the debit card on her bag sometime. Hopefully he’ll be sneaky enough though.

“A dog name? Why would I call you something like that, my dear L.C.-poopiedoopiedoo?” he said with an impish grin, holding L.C.’s head firmly in place by putting both his hands on her cheek, playfully making her cheeks go round and round with his palms. And to add further insult to the injury, he brought his face close, rubbing their noses together not unlike what most people would do to their puppies. “Who’s the good girl? Who’s the good girl? Yes you are!”

Goodbye baby goodbye?

Happy with the pinky swear, Zac decided to prod the Maiden more about the whole Victoria’s Secret issue. “Well, that just tells me that I need to give you more extra money then,” nodded the pompous teen, not an ounce of mischievousness in his face, only pure determination. And as it was, L.C.’s blush proved more than enough of a motivation for the boy to push further. “Not buying it,” said the boy, wagging his finger as he shook his head, “I know you’re wearing it right now. You’re not fooling anyone.” Nope, Zac did not know she was wearing it. If anything, it was a bluff. He just hopes she’d take the bait.

“Hey! No pushing! I call domestic violence,” laughed Zac, his stern look vanishing when he was pushed. He went from laughing so hard to making a ‘herpderp’ face when she mentioned the three things, his dumbfounded look going worse and worse through each suggestion. “Not gonna happen,” he playfully protested, wrapping his arms around himself and wiggling about, “Take away my ego and I become a zombie. A zombie I tell you!”

I could say that Zac truly meant those three words. That despite the short time they’ve been together as partners, he’s truly smitten in a way he’s never been before. That the mimic has been changed by such a relationship. That fairytales do happen. But then I’d be lying.

Unfortunate as it was, it is as L.C. has said it – a slip of the tongue. Zac liked L.C., yes. Extremely fond of her at that. He’s trying his best to rid himself of his flirty ways so as to appease the Maiden’s inner worries. But he could honestly say that he’s not there yet. In the future maybe, but currently? Not quite.

Lucky for him L.C. was more than understanding of everything.

A smug grin crept on his face as he saw how his girlfriend liked his gift. He knew it the moment he saw the dress in display really. One of the few things he remembered from their first meeting together. He’s got a few more in the closet behind him (not just dresses, but pants, shirts and more), but he’d just deliver them to her apartment next time. No need for her to go all ‘I don’t need your money on me’ twice in a day.

“Want to try it on?” he urged, putting the hanger on her hands, “My bathroom’s over there. I can help you change if you like.” And as expected, Zac sent his trademark sleazy wink soon after. “Paris? No,” chuckled the pompous teen, shaking his head, “That’s from Milan. This is from Paris.”

“Want me to help you change into this too?”