#oddly enough we spent so much time together i dont particularly know more about them than i know about them prior

[roguestarsailor]

wow i really look insane after an intense bike ride! i did 20 miles today and of course as soon as i get home and look at the mirror i see how pale and blood shot my eyes are. i feel like a vampire fr

my sunscreen left a huge white cast so im hella pale along w my lips and then my eyes were soo red like my nerves in my eyes couldnt handle the wind and altitude it seems ??? i look crazy and i cannot believe i socialized w this face klfjsdklfdjskldfdsk

[ruritto]

Hello ahhh I know everyone is on the prisoner felix bandwagon but but omg I found you when you posted about the jealous sylvain and everyone loving felix and thats just ahhhh perfect!! And I cant find any good fics like that and just if you are still doing prompts I would love to read more about it or if you want to expand on that or just SOMETHING I would love you I mean I already love you with all the sylvainxfelix you post but anyway I'm sorry to bother you and or if I dont make sense sorry

Skdlnglag anon please come to me any time you want to talk about that cause Jealousy fics are *chef kiss* anyway lemme try

~~

Sylvain isn't gonna lie. When Professor Byleth chose their class he was very happy. The professor was unbeliavably attractive after all. Not to mention she really is an amazing teacher and a kind person. So yes, Sylvain was happy, the whole class was, so he was even willing to look pass the whole crest thing. Particularly Dimitri, who Sylvain is amused to see looks absolutely smitten with the professor, and even Felix who proceeded to ask for a spar everytime they had free time (Sylvain has needed to patch up his friend more time in the last few months, proving the professor's skill).

When students from the other Houses started transferring in, well, sure it was surprising but hey, they all got along and the girls who transferred were all beautiful women he was more than willing to get to know.

But then...

It starts with Dorothea. While his interactions with her haven't quite been... positive, he finds himself wincing as he watches her approach Felix while his training. He has to appreciate her guts. She may be husband hunting and the Fraldarius might be a good snag but to actually approach Felix...

Huh.

Sylvain pauses. Somehow... the thought doesn't sit well with him.

'It's just, I know Felix. It's not something he'd want' He thinks to himself with a shake of his head. And knowing his dear friend he'd offend Dorothea.

Grinning he enters the training grounds in time to watch the show. Felix of course rejects her invitation and outright shoos hee. He winces but can't help but snicker at the expected outcome, earning a frown from Dorothea as she passes. He's about to apologize for his friend and offer his own company when a noise of disgust from Felix stops him from following her,

"Must all of you interrupt me?" He demands.

Sylvain is chuckling and approaching before he even realizes he's doing it, "Aw, come on. And here I was being a good friend and inviting you to dinner,"

Rolling his eyes, Felix turns away to continue his training but Sylvain throws an arm over his shoulder, "Hey!"

"Come on! I'm hungry and I know you actually want to try the dish at the dining hall," he says physically dragging his friend, thankful for the height advantage and the fact the training sword is blunted. Felix still punches him in the side though, but only to demand he return his equipment and shower before their meal.

He winks at Dorothea as they pass, feeling oddly smug.

~

He'd thought that would be the last of it. After all, Felix is prickly and harsh at the best of times, outright cruel sometimes. But apparently the new students of their class are as immune as the rest of the Blue Lions.

He watches as both Annette and Mercedes spend more time with Felix, Mercedes actually once petting the swordsman's blue hair (The sight made him clench his fists to stop from grabbing Mercedes's wrist, the urge surprising him into inaction long enough for the two to walk out of sight).

He's seen Lysithea trying to force cakes at Felix and had considered warning her off only to see the two actually enjoying the sweet treats together a few weeks later. (He was honestly so surprised he could only stand there, eyes transfixed on Felix eating the cake)

Even scared little Bernie who had ran from Felix the first few weeks she'd joined their class now approached him to chat happily! (Something in his gut twisted horribly as he watched Felix listen to her attentively. It's odd... Usually Sylvain would be the one chasing down Felix not Felix chasing someone else)

Something snaps (and even he isn't aware what it is) when he goes to the training grounds to join Felix, knowing the other would be the only one crazy enough to start training this early. He can't help but shake his head in amusement because really? Did he miss Felix that much that he's waking up to train???

Except his plans are ruined as he comes in to the sight of Felix and Dorothea, already about finished sparring.

Felix had an amused smile on his face and Sylvain feels like someone poured freezing water on him. He plasters a smile on his face and makes his presence known.

"Well well, this is a surprise," he says, strutting forward, "Didn't expect you to get caught up in this guy's insane training,"

Dorothea shrugs, "We've come to an understanding,"

And what? What did that mean? He almost wants to ask but Felix butts in.

"Are we getting tea or are you two continuing to flirt?"

There's something in the way Dorothea glances from him to Felix then back that he feels he should worry about but he shakes it off raising an eyebrow at his friend. Felix wasn't really a tea person, as far as Sylvain knew he's only ever joined when it was the professor that asks, but those tea sessions were special. Odd but he could go with it.

Then the girl is wrapping her arms around Felix's surprising even him. "Fine, fine, you're right. See you Sylvain,"

Sylvain blinks. Oh. Them. The two of them were having tea. Not including him.

Felix shrugs and allows Dorothea to drag him away to tea.

"What.." he mutters as Dorothea throws a wink at him over her shoulder, just before the door shuts behind them, "What in Seiros' name!?"

Sylvain stands there for what feels to him like hours, confused. The twisting in his gut is uncomfortable know and Sylvain's brows furrows in confusion. Anger?.. No it wasn't that..

Then...

Jealousy??

But, he wonders, what is he jealous of??? That Felix got to have tea with Dorothea??? Why would he be jealous of that???

The answer hits him like one of Dimitri's over powerful punches.

Oh. He's jealous that Dorothea got to have tea with Felix. He's jealous Lysithea got to share her cakes with Felix. That Bernadetta cuaght Felix's attention enough to be chased down by Felix.

He can practically hear Felix's scoff of 'Moron' as his knees fold on him and he buries his reddening face in his hands.

When the hell did he fall for Felix!?

~~

Confused and despodent Sylvain spends the day in the bar. Both he and the barmaids are shocked he barely pays them attention but he's too busy thinking about his revelation. What exactlt was he supposed to do after realizing he's probably in love with his best friend!?

Same best friend that ladies were now realizing was a catch.

The thought frustrates him because he's always known Felix was kind behind his cruel words. Always known Felix's training was to be strong enough to protect. He was the one Felix used to run to...

'Used to...' he groans and decides wallowing here drinking is doing nothing for him, making his way back to the monastery.

Of course, karma is out to get him and he bumps into Dorothea and Felix on his way back to his room.

Did they spend the whole day together??

The thought brings back his annoyance even as he watches Felix's expression go from flushed and surprised to confused to annoyed.

"Really, Sylvain? The bar? You really spent the whole day chasing skirt-"

Oh! Oh that was it! Sylvain did not spend the entire day in an existential crisis to be told that.

He scoffed, "Do you really have room to say that, Felix?"

Confusion before Felix realizes Dorothea is right beside him (the girl has smacked a palm across her face, which what??), and then Sylvain isn't even going to blame it on being drunk, as he stands there and does nothing as Felix's fist meets his face.

He groans, the force knocking him down.

"You!" Felix growls, "You utter imbecile! You're the one I-"

Biting down on his words Felix glares at him before stomping off, grumbling under his breath.

Well... fuck. He's really messed it up hadn't he?

"Well fuck Sylvain, you've really messed it up," Still clutching his cheek he looks up at Dorothea, "And after I've set it up perfectly too!"

What?

Sylvain is slightly drunk, and Felix's fist might have caused temporary brain damage but he's fairly certain the girl isn't making sense.

Crouching down before him, Dorothea gives him a look that tells him she thinks he's an absolute idiot. Which... okay fair. But nothing was making sense!

"Felix is in love with you, dummy," she sighs as if it's the most obvious thinf in the world (It is not! He would notice!), "I finally managed to get him to think it's a possibility considering how you reacted earlier when I asked him to tea,"

Oh.

"You boys are pretty dense," Dorothea states then thinks it over, "Well you are. Felix just follows your lead to much on this."

He flushes at the thought of Felix liking him.

And then promptly blanches.

Oh!

He's stumbling up, managing not to knock Dorothea over as he takes off running after Felix.

"Thanks Dorothea!" He yells back, "FELIX!! FELIX WAIT UP!!!!"

~~

Catching up to Felix is a pain, and Sylvain is fairly certain he's dying.

Bent in half and panting, he's thankful he's stronger than Felix as the other tries to pull a bony wrist free from his grip.

Frustrated with the struggling, he takes one last gulp of air before throwing himself forward to catch Felix by the waist and hauling him up, face buried in his shoulder.

"What the hell, Sylvain!? You brute! Let go!" Felix demands.

Ignoring the slaps to his head, Sylvain tightens the hug, "I'm so so so sorry Felix," he starts, "I was being a jealous idiot. And then I was too dumb to even realize I was being jealous," Felix's stopped struggling now, looking at him in surprise, "And then I didn't know what to do and said that just cause I was jealous you were with Dorothea,"

He must look pitiful enough because all he earns is a light headbutt, "Yes you were being a moron. Why would you think I'd be interested in her anyway?"

Fair question. Felix has never shown interest in a woman. Which considering all that was revealed makes warmth bubble in his stomach.

His hold has loosened now allowing Felix back on his feet. The other stays close though grumbling against his shoulder, "It's always just been you... Our promise..."

Ah. That promise..

"I'm dumb," he says again, "I'm sorry,"

"Hmph, you're lucky I love you..." was said quiet enough he almost missed it, and then a louder, "I'm still going to kick your ass in training for being an imbecile,"

~~

Uh. So yeah. Idk???? Hope you like it????

[rallis-fatalis]

Little Moments

Life's all about the little moments. It's about playing with friends, and watching sunsets, and being with someone you love. It's about living in the moment and loving it too. Even a rambunctious blue dragon and a hopeless Fremennik bard can have such moments. Though for Rallis and Olaf, their pile of little moments would eventually lead to something maybe not so little.

It was a particularly quiet day in Relleka, the last solemn days of Winter fading away into Spring. Most people were huddled somewhere warm or passed out drunk in the Longhall. There was a line between how much alcohol kept a person warm and got a person drunk, but it appeared some people never bothered to learn. Active and moving unlike the rest of the people in the hall was Olaf. He was lost in his own little world as he walked the length of the room, back and forth, trying to figure things out. He grew antsy when he stayed still for too long, especially when he was trying to think.

"What the hell are you doin', bard?" a man with a half empty tankard called to him from a bench. "With all that pacing, Yrsa'll have to make you new shoes again!"

"I'm just thinking," Olaf said without stopping his march along the room.

The man snorted into his tankard. "Dont hurt yourself now."

"Thanks, I'll try," Olaf replied with an equal amount of snark. He stopped his pacing in the center of the room, directly across from the man. "You know the dragon that visits every so often? Rallis? Or Denkir I suppose."

"Kinda hard not to know her," the man said between drinks. "She's a bloody talking dragon!" Rallis had been visiting often since her completion of the trials six months ago, using the town as a sort of home base. The dragon made her rounds enough for everyone to get to know her whether they wanted to or not. She had especially become fast friends with Olaf, at first just having a nice time talking the day away, but soon evolving into lunch dates, duet performances, out of town adventures, and more. There wasn't a day that went by where he didn't wish she could stay forever or he could travel alongside her.

"She's so interesting," the bard started, already completely enamored. "And not just because of what she is. She's so sweet and kind too. I want to get to know her better, like really know her, but I want to do something nice for her as well. I just don't know what! What do dragons even like?"

The man looked at him oddly. "You sound like a boy trying to plan a date. Don't get too carried away now." The bard would think that notion idiotic. A date?! You don't date your friends! And that's all she was! The man put his drink down. "Wait a minute, you mean to say you heard nothing about dragons on all your trips around the world?"

Olaf thought about it for a moment. "Hmm... I suppose I did hear things. Not much though. I'd love to know more." He really only had a few myths and hearsay to go off of. Not many people were willing to tango with dragons in any part of the world, and the lack of information showed. Most he had were old stories and tales of mass destruction. Not like that applied to Rallis! "I suppose I'll work with what I've got," he mumbled to himself and ran off with a noncommittal thanks.

The man raised his tankard to the bard as he dashed out the Longhall. He shook his head when he was sure the bard was gone. "What a hopeless romantic."

A few days later, Rallis came to visit. She bounded into town with a smile, waving hellos to everyone. She still wasn't quite used to being called Denkir yet, forgetting to greet some of the people who said hello to her using that name. She caught up with Askeladden by the market square, threatening to smack a gull with a giant fish he had presumably stolen. Rallis barely spoke to him when she did her trials, but she became fast friends when she learned how much he loved to play around. Rallis laughed and joined him with a fish of her own (though she actually bought hers) and the two laughed like idiots as they chased each other with smelly beatsticks. Everyone watching rolled their eyes and ignored them, save one person who couldn't help but stifle a snort of laughter as he watched Rallis trip and fall, fish bat sent flying into Askeladden's laughing face. The bystander walked over to help the dragon up.

"Hello, Rallis. Welcome back."

She turned to the voice and smiled, taking its owner's hand. "Hi Olaf!" The bard pulled her off the ground. "Nice to see you again!"

The boy ran off, realizing his playmate was off to talk with boring adults now. "How have things been?" Olaf asked as he walked her to the Longhall.

"Alright I guess. Been helping my new friend out in Ardougne lately. She's so nice! And her family is too! Though it's been one crazy adventure. How about you?"

"It's been alright," he said. He smiled down at her. "Better with you here though." Rallis giggled at the comment and all but bounced into the hall with him. Some of the people inside waved hello, more than a little red in the face and tipsy. Rallis smiled and waved back. Olaf pulled up a seat for her and sat across the way, waving down Thora for a drink and food. She scoffed something about a tab not being paid and walked off with a glare. Olaf rolled his eyes and turned back to Rallis. "I'm glad you came by. I actually had some questions for you if you'd be willing to help me."

"Sure thing! What's up?"

"Well, I've been wanting to learn about dragons," he started. That immediately got her interest. "I've heard some tales here and there over my travels but I wanted to make sure they were correct and learn anything else I could."

"Of course! I'd love to help!" Rallis said cheerfully. "What do you want to know?"

Thora came back carrying two glasses of ale and two plates of roasted chicken. Rallis couldn't help but drool. If that was the same chicken that was roasting over the fire not a minute ago it was bound to be amazing. It certainly smelled incredible. Thora muttered something about not being able to leave until she was paid to the bard and flashed the knife she used to cut the fruit for her drinks at him, making his face grow pale. She left before he could reply.

He would think about that later, though. "I've heard this one a lot," Olaf continued as if nothing had happened. "Is it true dragons collect treasure?"

Rallis was already stuffing her face with chicken. She was not wrong, it was amazing. "Well, it's treasure to us," she said between mouthfuls of food. "Not all dragons collect gold or gems or what humans think of when they think treasure. We collect what we consider treasure. For example, I collect woad leaves not gold."

He took a sip of beer with a thoughtful hum. "So it's different for every dragon. How interesting. I wonder why all the stories only ever portray them as gold hoarders." Rallis shrugged. "Is it true they like music just as much?"

"Oh yes!" she nodded. "You can calm nearly any dragon with good music. Dragons are beautiful musicians themselves if you listen too. Mom sings so nicely." She smiled as she remembered her mom singing her and her brothers to sleep when the nights were rough. She missed her mom. She'd have to pay her a visit soon.

'Oh I know how beautiful a dragon's music is,' he thought with a blush. He dared not say that out loud. "So they like music and treasure, but is there anything else?"

She had to think for a moment. "They love to fly high in the sky, where there's no limits." Her ears drooped a bit. "I wish I could fly... I like to walk instead." Olaf frowned at that. He supposed you'd need something bigger than deformed bird wings to lift off the ground. 'Must be frustrating having wings but not being able to fly.' He chewed on a chicken wing, not missing the irony in that. Rallis gave her glass a sniff and recoiled with a grimace. How anyone could drink such foul tasting and smelling stuff, she didn't know. Her face lit up as she thought of something else. "If they trust you enough, they love to be pet too. Behind the ears or between the wings and they'll just melt. And warm places are the best!"

"I see," he said, making sure to remember everything she said. "That makes them seem so adorable! Not like the monsters the stories make them out to be. This has all quite fascinating. I can't thank you enough."

"Despite what human stories say, we aren't monsters! And any time! It's nice to see someone interested!" She grinned ear to ear. "If you ever want to know anything else, let me know!"

They finished up their discussion and food, Rallis' plate picked clean. It was just so good. Her drink remained untouched and Olaf couldn't help but chuckle. "A Fremennik not into ale? I afraid that's cause for exile," he joked.

Rallis wrinkled her nose in disgust. "No way! That stuff is gross! You know what's good? Fruit juice! It's sweet and good and doesn't taste and smell like old burnt sock!"

"You mean this gross stuff?" he teased as he slammed back her entire drink. He wiped his mouth and laughed at the face she was making, something between  impressed and horrified. "Oh that's nothing. You should see how much Manni can drink. Speaking of, how did you even get his vote if you don't drink?"

"Oh, you know! I just did!" she said nervously. "Anyway! Was there anything else you wanted to do?"

"Yes, actually. Come on!"

The two left money behind on the table and ran off. They spent the entire time together, nearly five days, and made every moment wonderful. When it came time to leave, he felt sad to watch her go. She was so charming and entertaining and really brought life to this dreary fishing town. It would be all the more quiet and drab without her. They waved goodbye and she ran off in search of another adventure. Now armed with information, Olaf got to planning. He'd have to have some surprises ready for the next times she came back! Friends did nice things and surprises for each other after all! And friends were all they were!

Winter was finally coming to a close the next time Rallis visited. The season gave one final hurrah and covered the town in ice and frost and cloaked the forest nearby in a blanket of snow. Rallis slunk into town with a shiver. It was much colder where her new kyatt friends were, but for a reptile even this lessened amount of snow was dangerous.

Few people were insane enough to stand out in the cold doing nothing all day, but that certainly didn't stop Sigli who was stood like a statue at the entrance to Relleka. His hooded head was topped with a pillar of snow. He had to have been standing still there for a while for all that to pile up! Rallis waved hello and trudged over to knock the snow off, frozen unicorn horn decreasing to a more large forehead shape. Sigli pat her head with a smile to which the dragon purred and bounded into the Longhall. She could feel the ice melt off her scales instantly upon entering, warm fire and smiles greeting her.

"Hello~!" Rallis trilled.

A group by the entrance raised their drinks to her in greeting before continuing their conversation. Manni sauntered over, red-faced and drunk, and plopped a tankard into her hands. "Hey Denkir, buddy!" he drawled. "Here have this! It'll keep you warm."

"Thanks..." she smiled. As soon as Manni turned around she slid the drink across a nearby table. She'd rather freeze to death than drink that swill.

Rallis spotted familiar faces closer to the fire in the center of the room. Brundt was chatting with a small group, fully engrossed in his chat. With a devious smile, she crept behind the Chieftain and covered his eye with both her hands. "Boo!"

The man laughed. "Hello Rallis!"

Rallis' ears drooped. "Aww you knew it was me so quickly!"

She let go and let him turn around. He tapped his eyepatch. "You covered the wrong one. The four-fingered blue hands are quite a giveaway."

She pouted for a moment, but quickly began to giggle as he pat her head. Then suddenly something cold exploded against her back with a poof. Bits of snow flew off her wings as Rallis spun around to find Askeladden with the most devious grin on his face and snowball in hand. "Welcome back, dragon!"

The boy threw his last round of ammunition, snowball missing Rallis and exploding against some poor soul farther away from her, and ran away with mischievous laughter. Rallis grinned and readied to run after him, but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder. She turned around with a questioning chirp before smiling again, this time hiding a snicker. It was Olaf, face serious and head topped with freshly thrown snow. She couldn't hold her laughter in, giggling as she pointed at his snow covered head. "Snolaf!"

Olaf's serious facade melted into a smile as he laughed and rubbed the remainder of the frozen fluff off his head. "It's nice to see you again, Rallis." He placed a dollop of melting ice atop her nose. "I didn't expect you'd be here again so soon! But the surprise is a pleasant one indeed. How are you?"

"Cold and ready to play!" she shouted. "I must strike back!" She pointed to the entrance of the Longhall where Askeladden was sticking his tongue out at her, more snowballs at the ready.

"You can't go out in the snow like that!" Olaf exclaimed as he motioned to her light attire. "You're not even wearing shoes!"

Rallis scowled at the idea. "Shoes... are awful! I refuse!"

"You don't even have appropriate clothing! No cloak or hood or anything! Even your playmate has at least that much." Rallis side-eyed the taunting boy to see Olaf was correct. The kid was bundled up like an overstuffed pillow. "Come on, if you want to go in the snow you need more than a scaly skirt," Olaf told her as he dragged her away by the arm. He knew just where to get her some clothing.

Yrsa threw shirt after shirt, glove after glove, every article of clothing and more at Rallis. At this rate she was going to be buried alive under all of this! She groaned at Olaf as the pile of clothing in her arms grew larger. "Do I really need all this? I was in the snow with the kyatts just fine earlier."

"I may not know how dragons work, but I'll assume it's a miracle you didn't get sick then! I know enough to know reptiles shouldn't be in the snow."

Rallis rolled her eyes as Yrsa threw one final piece of clothing into her arms, a thick white cloak. "Just return it all when you're done," she sighed. "And preferably not torn to pieces like last time."

"Can do!" Rallis chirped. Two more shirts, an extra pair of pants, one more pair of gloves, and a cloak later, Rallis was bundled in an embrace of fluff. On a normal day, she would've been itching to get out of so much clothing, but she had to admit it was pretty cold and this felt nice. None of them could figure out how to get the earmuffs to stay on and a hat would just be ripped from her horns. Rallis sprinted out with a thank you as Yrsa brought over a pair of shoes to try on, eager to play and be far away from those evil foot contraptions. Olaf ran after her with a thanks as well, followed by shouts for the dragon to slow down.

Yrsa groaned and began to fold and put away the extra discarded clothing when she saw a small pouch left on her table. Curious, she opened it. Inside was a small note with some of the worst handwriting she had ever seen.

"I said I'd pay you back for the clothing for my trials. Thank you so much again! Rallis."

"That's sweet." Yrsa looked back into the pouch, expecting maybe a hundred gold at most. It only felt like a hundred pieces after all. But when she dumped the pouch onto the table, her jaw dropped and her eyes went wide. She looked back to the note, then the pile of money, then out the door, back to the note, back to the table. It wasn't gold pieces that fell out of the bag.

"FIFTY BLOODY PLATINUM?!"

Maybe Agnar was on the right track thinking the dragon was rich.

Rallis sprinted after Askeladden, pelting snowball after snowball at the boy. The two howled with laughter as they ran through the snow covered forest and played. Olaf huffed as he trudged along after them at a much slower pace. Leaving those two unattended in the frozen forest probably wouldn't be a good idea so he followed behind. Or he would have if he could keep up. How those two were moving so well in the thick layer of snow he had no idea! Every step felt like a chore for him. He was already tired! Though, he supposed watching Rallis' smiling face and hearing her adorable giddy laughter was worth a tiring trek in the snow.

Olaf had been following their footsteps in the snow, but one incorrect step had him falling into a pit with a yelp as the snow fell away. Rallis and Askeladden stopped horsing around at the sound of their tired ward crying out. At first they were worried, but their worry melted to mischief when they found the man simply sunk into the snow up to his waist. He couldn't move an inch.

"A little help would be grand!"

Rallis and Askeladden looked to their trapped companion then to each other and both came to the same conclusion with a devious smile. The two scrambled to make as many snowballs as they could and pelted the trapped bard with them.

"How unfair! How cruel! I can't even fight back!" he yelled with feigned hurt. The snow stuck to his clothes as the snowballs exploded on impact and Rallis and Askeladden quickly decided to have a competition on who could cover the man in the most snow faster. Askeladden had a far lead with how good his aim was, but Rallis was not about to lose! While the boy was busy focusing on trying to get snow to stick to Olaf's cloak, Rallis snuck off to climb a nearby tree. Askeladden hadn't noticed her absence until he realized her laughter was gone.

The boy looked around for his friend. "Where did you go, dragon?"

The two heard a snicker above them and looked up to find Rallis perched on a snow covered branch directly overhead. It looked ready to snap from the weight of all the compiled snow and the dragon. She grinned wickedly and started to make the branch sway.

Olaf realized what she was doing quickly. "No no no! Rallis please don't!"

Too late. The branch creaked and dropped all its snow. Askeladden and Olaf's yells were cut off with a muffled thwump as they were buried under a mountain of fluff. Rallis bounced on the branch, laughing like a maniac. "I win! I win! I--!"

SNAP!

Already weak from Rallis' shenanigans, the branch could no longer hold her and her energetic bouncing. It broke with a loud crack and sent her plummeting to the ground. She disappeared into the fresh fallen pile of snow, leaving a hilariously dragon shaped indent in the ground.

Askeladden popped out of the snow and laughed at the dragon. "Serves you right! And that was cheating! I still win!"

Rallis groaned as she crawled out of her snowy cushion and flopped on the firmer cold ground. Olaf shook the snow off his head with a brrr. He looked like a gopher with just his head sticking out of the snow like that.

"Well I don't think it was cheating," Rallis said. "We should let Olaf decide!"

The man in question was now freezing and even more trapped. Outside of his head, he couldn't move at all. "I say it's a tie," he told them. Both of them immediately opened their mouth to argue but Olaf quickly hushed them. "So I have a tiebreaker in mind! Whoever can help me out of the snow fastest wins! Get to it!"

More focused on beating the other, neither of the two realized their competition was a ploy to release their living target from his snowy prison. The two dug as fast as they could, but Askeladden was no match for a beast with claws. He couldn't keep up if he wanted to. Rallis stood triumphantly as she hauled Olaf out of the snow, an explosion of powder puffing up as he shook the snow off. The boy huffed but smiled.

"That was a lot of fun!" he said. "I need to go home, but we need to play more often!"

Now that they bothered to notice, it was starting to get dark. Nightfall certainly came quickly in Winter, and they had left to play late into the day as well. Rallis frowned at the setting sun. Now she wished she had come by a lot earlier. It would be wise for them all to make their way home before growing lost in the forest at night. However, Askeladden was running off before either of them could offer him an escort back. Hopefully the boy wouldn't get lost.

"He gonna be okay?" Rallis worried. "It's getting really dark."

"Yeah, he'll be fine. He knows his way around." Olaf looked over at the dragon and realized just how tired she was now. She was so energetic and excited just a minute ago, yet now she was shivering and swaying as if ready to fall over. "You okay?"

Rallis nodded slowly. "I'm just really tired all of a sudden."

He put a hand to her head. "Maybe because you're ice cold! You really can't be out in the cold, can you?"

"It's not a good idea, no. When have you ever seen an ice dragon after all?"

"We need to hurry back then. Once the sun is gone completely it gets freezing out here. Come on, let's get you out of here."

Olaf led Rallis through the forest, setting sun turning the snow to amber. "It's so pretty out here," Rallis whispered as she trudged along.

"Mhm. You should see the swaying tree when the sun sets. It's like it's made of fire and the river turns gold. That old tree makes everything around it enchanting."

"That does sound pretty. I'll have to see it when I visit again. I didn't hang around when I made my lyre there."

"Next time we'll go! It's a dat-- uhh... day! It's a day... we'll spend there!" Olaf sighed and shouted in his head. 'Good job, dumbass. Real smooth.'

Rallis was none the wiser. "I'd love to! Maybe when it's not so cold."

The two made it back to Relleka as the final rays of sun faded under the ocean to the west. Rallis was ready to fall asleep the cold was making her so tired. "You really aren't doing so good, are you?" Olaf worried. Rallis whined and shook her head. "Come here, let's get you out of the cold."

Olaf pulled her along to the edge of town, far from where she though they were heading. "Isn't there fire in the Longhall?" she asked

"Yes but by now everyone's going home. It won't be as warm. I've got blankets at my place too and you can sit right next to the fire if you like." They came to a small home at the edge of town, close to the back entrance to the stage. He opened the door and held it open for her with a smile. "After you."

Rallis shuffled inside, Olaf followed behind her. He lit the lanterns hanging by the entrance and got to work on a fire. Rallis looked around with interest. It was so much different from her house, so much smaller and less colorful, but still charming. The house itself was really just one giant room, a fireplace against the far wall lit up the entire place nicely. A worn rug sat in front of the fireplace for anyone to lay on, a nearby table was covered in papers and ink bottles and books, a knife acting as a paperweight for one of the larger paper stacks. Another table sat to the other end of the room, this one much more clear. All that sat on it was a piece of bread on a plate from earlier in the day. Bookshelves, drawers and cabinets, and shelves lined the walls, most topped with some kind of wood carving. Rallis hid a smile when she spotted her silly drawing from her trials framed and sitting on one of the bookshelves. An unmade bed sat in the corner hidden away from everything else, blankets trailing onto the floor and on top of a pile of clothing. Olaf groaned at the sight and walked over to take care of the mess.

"Sorry, it's not usually this messy," Olaf apologized. "My brother was staying the night and he forgot to take care of this before he left I guess. He's always forgetting things." He sorted through the clothing pile and frowned at a shirt. "I don't even think this is mine. He can't even remember to take his own laundry with him."

Rallis sat down by the growing fire and watched her friend. "You have a brother?"

"Yeah. His name's Falo. He doesn't live in Relleka anymore. He has his own place near Seer's Village. He comes up here to say hello every now and then though. And he leaves at least one thing behind every time."

"Falo? Isn't that just your name but--?"

Olaf sighed as he tossed the clothing into a closet. "Yes, yes it is. Our parents weren't exactly creative. They came up with one name and couldn't think of another. So they just did the same name but backwards. Ridiculous, I know."

"I think it's adorable," Rallis laughed.

Olaf pulled some blankets out of the closet and draped one over his guest. "This oughta help." He sat down next to her and wrapped the other one around himself. "I can get more if you need it."

Rallis shook her head. "No this is fine, thank you." She snuggled into the warm blanket. "It's so soft." The fire melted the cold away, and combined with the blanket Rallis started to feel better immediately.

"You look better already. Hope today was fun for you."

"Are you kidding?! It was so much fun! I wish we could do it again! But I really have to go tomorrow... I just came by for a day to say hi."

"Doesn't mean next time won't be fun as well." Rallis smiled and started to nod off. "So do you have any siblings?" Olaf asked. "I've just got the one brother."

"Yeah, I've got two brothers. They're blue black dragons and super fun and silly."

The two chatted the night away in front of the fire until Rallis fell asleep against Olaf's arm, snoring away under the blanket. He carried her off the floor and tucked her in bed. She probably needed the warmth of the covers a lot more than he did after today. He grabbed more blankets for himself and lined the floor with them to sleep on and hid under another. Olaf smiled as he started to drift off thinking about the day. Rallis really was a ray of sunshine, cutting through even the drab grey boredom Winter brought. Just another boring day changed into a snowy day of fun and he couldn't have been happier. She was just so cute when she smiled and laughed, he couldn't help but be happy around her. Next time they would definitely have to have another play date. And that's all it was! A play date, not a date date. You can have play dates with your friends and think about how cute they are as they have fun in the snow and how pretty they look as the sun sets on them in the most beautiful way. Friends can totally think about stuff like that! And that's all they were.

Rallis thanked Olaf for everything the next day and went to get her clothes back from Yrsa. Rallis didn't understand why the woman hugged her and was on the verge of tears when she came in, but she seemed happy at least. The dragon smiled as she hopped off toward adventure. She couldn't wait for the next time her travels brought her back.

It was the heart of Spring the next time he saw her, a beautiful sunny day that brightened everyone's mood. Rallis bounded into town with a smile and a fistful of flowers. She had picked them on her way to town and handed them to everyone she saw. She handed one to Sigli who smiled and knotted the stem around his bow, Askeladden who gave it to his pet rock, and then bounced inside to run up to Brundt with a hug and slipped one under the strap of his eyepatch, flower curling half around his ear and half around his face from its awkward pinning. They chatted and caught up with a smile and a laugh before Rallis moved on, slipping a flower into Manni's drink. She handed one to Thora and spun around to find Olaf cheerfully watching her hand out flowers.

"Olaf!" Rallis bounced over and grinned.

"Rallis! So good to see you again! I see you're a flower lady today."

Rallis nodded and slipped a flower behind his ear. His face dusted pink at the gesture and played with the little white daisy. "White because of your cape!" Rallis stated proudly. "There are so many flowers out! It's so pretty!"

"It is indeed," Olaf said as he admired the other flowers in her hand. "How have you been?"

"I've been good! Was doing some work in the area and wanted to stop by. I should be here for a couple days before I have to head back out."

"We should make every day count then! It's Spring! Let's have some fun!"

Rallis jumped with an excited chirp at the prospect.

The two spent the day being goofs, playing and singing and dancing and acting out stories. They even began to attract an audience and had story time around the Longhall fire by nightfall. Soon half the town joined in with food and drinks and laughter as people got on stage to act out hilarious tales. Rallis told the story of her trying to fly off Eagle's Peak with nothing but gnome glider wings and dramatically jumped off the stage like a bird fully expecting to flop on the floor, but Olaf caught her. The two laughed as the others howled over her silliness. It was a lively night, one Rallis was glad to be a part of.

The next day, Olaf woke up early, long before most everyone else. He was packing something, looking over his shoulder every now and again as if worrying someone would see. It was a basket, and a reasonably sized one at that. He stuffed it full and ticked off every individual item before nodding. He then grabbed a blanket and folded it around the top. With another nod and a smile, he made sure he was presentable and strode over to where his dragon friend was resting.

After much hemming hawing and yawning, Rallis woke up and was practically dragged out of town by Olaf. She quickly perked up at the sights and smells of Spring, happily skipping along with him. They chatted and laughed as they walked the dirt path heading east. The man soon strayed from the road and led his companion up a small hill. A giant winding tree sat atop it, radiating magic. Bunnies hopped around its base, butterflies fluttered overhead, and birds sang in its branches. With the way the sunlight shimmered off the tree's falling magic, it was like something out of a fairytale.

Rallis gave Olaf and the tree a nervous smile. "I'm not making another lyre, am I?" she joked.

The man laughed as he put the basket down. "Hahaha, no! No I'd say not!" He flipped out a fletching knife. "Unless you want to." He smiled jokingly and she snorted at his jest. He put the blade away and unfolded the blanket with a flourish. He put the basket on it and motioned for her to join him as he sat down.

Rallis cocked her head. "What is this?"

"A picnic!" he said and patted the blanket once more. "Come!" She chirped curiously and flopped onto the blanket. "The town can be rather drab, don't you agree? I thought going out and away would be a nice change of scenery." He flipped open the basket and started pulling out an assortment of goodies. Rallis was practically drooling. Cheese, bread, apples, and more came out of the box, as if it was bottomless. Olaf pulled out a bottle and handed it to her. "Thought you'd like this a bit more than 'burnt sock juice.'"

Rallis undid the cap and gave it a sniff, ears perking up in delight. "Fruit!"

"Mhm. Got it from the gnomes. I think they called it lemonade? It's really sweet."

Rallis took a sip and fell in love with the stuff, tail wagging happily. The two snacked and chatted and laughed the day away, lost in their own little world. It was like the rest of the world didn't exist. No one else was around, no one to bother them, they could be as loud or as silly or as dumb as they wanted. Rallis managed to lure a rabbit out of its hole and the two watched with a smile as it ate a piece of apple they tossed it. Rallis played around, hopping around the tree like the rabbit, and ultimately tripped over her own feet and rolled down the hill. Olaf laughed and slid down the grassy slope to join her, offering a race back to the top to which she eagerly complied. Olaf lost. As a reward, he played and sang for her. Rallis chimed in as well, making it seem like the wind itself was singing alongside him.

The day was starting to come to a close, sun beginning to set and cast the world in a pale orange light. It made the river in the distance shimmer like glass and the tree behind them look like it was made of amber. Rallis was curled up on the blanket like a dog, eyes starting to close. The food, the playing, the sun, it was all starting to make her sleepy. "You were right," she started quietly. "It is pretty here at sunset. All bright and orange..."

Olaf smiled. "Told you. It's probably the prettiest thing for miles in the boring north. Well, almost the prettiest." He glanced over to the dragon at the last comment and couldn't hide the blush creeping along his face. The sky and river and trees weren't the only thing made more beautiful from the sunset. The dying rays almost seemed to make her glow like fire, her own scales and the ones of her outfit shimmering like jewels. He shook his head to get his mind off such things and fiddled with a flower he picked nearby. Even still, he couldn't help but smile as he saw Rallis close her eyes, content.

He stopped toying with the flower. He didn't know if this was overstepping a boundary, but...

He slowly reached over and timidly scratched her behind her ear. Her head shot up in an instant. Olaf pulled his hand away. Why did he just do that?! Did one pretty sunset make him lose all sense?! "I'm sorry!" he apologized. "I just-- I mean you said before how dragons liked to be pet-- And you were tired so I thought--"

Rallis snorted at his blubbering and rest her head back on the ground. She said nothing, just went back to semi-sleep. He thought about doing it again. She didn't say not to do it, after all. While one part of his brain shouted to not be an idiot and the other part screamed to just do it, his hand had a mind of its own. He cautiously scratched behind her ear again and this time she didn't jolt up. Olaf grinned as he continued to pet her, scratching behind her other ear next. He almost stopped when she started to growl but he quickly realized she wasn't growling, but purring like a cat! The idea that she was like a pet cat that loved scratches and pats and treats made him chuckle to himself.

Remembering what else she had said, he traced his hand to her back and scratched between her wings. They flared open as he scratched and Rallis couldn't help but let out a happy growl. That wasn't an easy spot to reach and it felt great. The man couldn't help but find this all rather hilarious. Were all dragons like this? He pictured a giant beast threatening to burn the lands only to be taken down by a well-placed back scratch.

"You are funny, you know that?" he said with a laugh.

Rallis cracked an eye open to look at him. "So are you. I haven't had anything close to a picnic since I was back on the other side of White Wolf. It was fun, thank you."

"It was fun. When you come back, let's do it again."

The two packed up, wanting to be back in town before nightfall. Rallis trotted alongside Olaf, grinning like a fool over the events of the day. "You know," she started. "I used to be scared of humans. I thought they were all mean and scary. Guess I was wrong, huh?"

Olaf understood the sentiment. Being a monster in this world probably wasn't the most ideal situation, what with all the monster hunters out and about.

"I've found lots of people are nice." She bounced in front of him. "You're nice! Super nice! The nicest human!"

He bashfully rubbed the back of his neck. "I guess. That's just what friends do. And you're the nicest dragon."

Rallis grinned a toothy grin and giggled as she hugged the man. His face turned pink as he hugged her back. Rallis started to skip ahead of him, humming a tune without a care in the world. Olaf trailed behind a little more slowly, thinking about things. Mainly just how silly Rallis was and how he hoped she'd be back soon. It really was painfully lonely without his new friend here. And that's all she was! A friend! Friends went on picnics and sang for each other and spent every waking moment thinking about each other and how beautiful they were, right?

She left the next morning promising to return soon.

Months passed, then seasons. Spring ended, Summer came and went, Fall was starting up. Olaf was growing worried. Rallis came by to say hello very often when first exploring the north, and she continued to make time to come back even when exploring farther and farther away. Even when her trips took her long distances away, she would come back once or twice a month to say hello. But for two whole seasons to pass without a word... it felt wrong. The others told him he was being stupid. She was an adventurer after all. She traveled far and had things to do. It didn't comfort him any more though. Something really did feel off.

Rallis did come back one Fall afternoon. She shuffled into town, tired and dragging her feet, no usual chirp and cheer. Some of the residents gave her an enthusiastic hello, wondering where she had been, but she just gave them a silent wave and walked on, not speaking a word.

Footsteps rushing her way made her turn around and find her bard friend running over to say hello. "Rallis! Oh it's so good to see you!" he said as he hugged her. He could feel her tense from it and mentally slapped himself for rushing in like that and making her feel uncomfortable. He immediately backed off with a nervous cough. "Sorry! I just missed you. It's been a while. Oh wow nice scarf! Is it new?" She looked at the ground nervously as she pulled at the white scarf around her neck. Something wasn't right. "Hey, what's wrong? Is everything alright?"

Her ears drooped, her eyes turned red, she tried to hide her face and a sniffle. Olaf put a hand on her back and coaxed her out of the open. "Here come inside. It's warm and quiet there." He led her to his place and sat her down at a table, ensuring no one else could spy. "No one can hear us now. Why don't you tell me what's wrong?"

Rallis swallowed and shook her head no, trying not to cry.

Olaf went to a knee and tilted her head up, forcing her to look him in the eye. She looked so sad, and so worried and conflicted. "You can tell me anything," he whispered. "I won't hurt you. I promise. Whatever's on your mind, I'll help however I can."

She watched him, as if assessing the validity of his statement, and ultimately relented. She motioned for paper and something to write with. Olaf grabbed some nearby and handed it her way. She only wrote four words, messy and barely legible, like chicken scratch.

'Throat cut. Can't speak.'

Olaf didn't understand what he read, didn't believe it even. "W-What? No, that can't be right!" It was just four words but they didn't make sense, it just didn't compute.

Rallis fiddled with her scarf, scared and nervous, before pulling it off. The sight it hid made Olaf's heart stop. Long and wide across her throat was a long nasty silvery mark, like an evil grin. A darker deeper slit ran perfectly around her throat while paler jagged silver marks bordered it, like the scales had been torn off violently. It was a nasty sight to be sure.

"Oh my god..." Olaf gasped as he looked it over. He gently reached out to touch the mark but she pushed his hand away, putting the scarf back on. "Oh my god... Rallis... I'm so sorry."

Now he was almost crying. He hugged her again, not ever wanting to let go, like if he held her tight enough she'd never leave and get hurt again. 'How could this happen? How?!' his thoughts screamed. He started to tear up and held her tighter. 'I don't want to let go. Not ever. I should have been there. I should have protected you. Damn staying here if it means you getting hurt like this!'

All he could mutter were sorrowful apologies as his thoughts raced with what ifs and reprimands. Rallis gave him a comforting nuzzle and pulled back to see his face, giving him a confused look as if to ask if he was okay.

Olaf couldn't believe her, worrying about how he felt when she had nearly died. He shook his head with a smile as he wiped a tear away. "You nearly died and can't even speak and yet you're worrying about me? Don't. You're the one who's hurt." His frown returned. "God Rallis I'm so sorry. I should have done something..."

'It's not like there was anything you could do,' she wanted to say but couldn't.

"If I wasn't here! If I stayed with you, I could do something! If I went with you when you left, maybe it wouldn't have happened! If--"

She shushed him with a finger to his lips. She sighed, wishing she could tell him it wasn't his fault, there was nothing he could have done, that his place was here and he did nothing to feel so bad about, but she couldn't speak a word. She was happy he cared, though. She was happy to have someone worry about her and want to stay by her side. It was nice. Getting attacked and nearly killed was horrible, but at least the aftermath wasn't all bad. People cared about her, and after what had happened that meant a lot.

At her behest, Olaf stopped his fretting and rambling. "You'll get your voice back," he said, as if trying to convince himself as well. "And that will heal, and everything will be fine, and no one will ever do such a thing again. Everything will go back to normal! Right?"

Rallis nodded and smiled for the first time that day. Everything would be fine, he was right! Maybe it would take a while but everything would work out in the end. She felt a lot better now after spending weeks moping about and feeling betrayed and disowned. She gave Olaf a thank you smile and a hug.

He returned the favor but he still felt awful. He felt like he could have done something. Maybe he should convince Brundt to let him leave again and follow her on her adventures. Maybe he should try to convince her to stay here. Surely there was something! But he didn't know what. Every idea had double the flaws. All he knew was he never wanted to see the friend he'd grown to love with all his heart ever hurt again. Well, okay, maybe 'friend' wasn't all she was.

[pinkwatchblueshoes]

Garvez Fluff

Just a little quick fluff that I desperately need to see but wont. Margaritas and Mix Ups Penelope Garcia told herself not again. After an intense but platonic relationship with her best friend Derek Morgan, she knew she couldnt care so deeply for another person when they could, and eventually would, just up leave her. Penelope often beat herself up for feeling this way because she loved Savannah and little Hank but her heart could only take so much after all the losses the team had gone through. She already had enough worry for her family and team as is. Newbie was trying his hardest to chip away at her "fluffy armor" as he called it. What killed Garcia was that she found everything he tried so endearing but she always stopped herself before she got in over her head. On top of everything SSA Luke Alvez was another gorgeous strong superhero, just like Derek, yet totally different. His smile knocked her off kilter, but a man like that would never look at a woman like her she lamented. After a particularly hard case Garcia was staying late to finish paperwork so she could spend the entire weekend focused on de-stressing and relaxing, NOT thinking about the young women of this case. She was pulled away from her computer screen with a knock on her lair door. "Still here?" A familiar deep voice asked. "Obviously." She snarked back but Luke only smirked at the feisty blonde. "I would ask if I could join you but you'd just say no so I'll just take a seat anyway." Penelope only snorted knowing he was just as stubborn as she was. When she finally finished up and shut down her computer and its many screens she found him intensely studying one side of her office that held pictures of friends and family, even hand drawn pictures from Henry. Garcia could see the sadness behind his dark eyes. Was this case just as bad for him? Or was he missing someone, his family? The offer flew out of her mouth before she could stop herself. "Do you want to go get a drink?" Luke turned to her surprised. "Really? I-I would love that." "Good lets go." Penelope grabbed her purse and Luke followed closely to the elevators. As they descended to the garage level in the elevator Luke's stomach growled loudly. "I'm sorry about that." He said embarrassed. "Do you think we could go somewhere with food also?" "Soo needy Newbie." Penelope groaned but smiled letting him know she was kidding. Little did he know she was starving as well. "Well lucky for you I know a little Mexican joint with the best margaritas and they serve dinner late." When they arrived the hostess recognized Penelope right away. "Oh Miss Penny!! So good to see you. Your table is available." Penelope blushed. "Come here often?" Luke chuckled quietly. Once seated the server arrived right away. "Your usual Miss Penny? Peach Margarita and the veggie fajitas?" Penelope's face got even redder but nodded yes anyway. The server turned to Luke expectantly. "You know what? That sounds delicious. I'll have the same." Luke turned to see Penelope's shocked face. "Hey it must be good if you come here often and have a usual. I trust you." Penelope couldnt stop the warmth that the statement "I trust you" put through her, even if it was just a food choice. Plus she knew Luke ate meat and drank beer so he was going outside his comfort zone for her. "So how is miss Roxy?" Penelope started with a subject she loved. "She's good. I'm leaving her at the sitter's tonight since its so late. She misses you though. I swear she knows who the dog cookies are from when I give them to her." "Well as long as she enjoys them I'll keep making them." Penelope said with a smile. There was a silence but Luke was just smiling at her, then the food arrived breaking the moment. The conversation was surprisingly easy and comfortable for Penelope. She laughed hard when Luke told her about helping out a older neighbor with some chores who then came on to him. Being the nice guy Luke was he was stuck dodging her advances until all the chores were done. "I think I like Mrs. Corgin." "Of course you would. You'd love anyone who gave me a hard time." "True." The teasing was light and fun. Penelope appreciated his sense of humor. But what really touched her was when they accidentally got on the topic of work and this last case, he listened patiently as she described having to go through the victim's lives intimately to only see them dead in the crime scene photos feeling like a failure for not saving them. Luke reached over and held her hand as she wiped her tears with her other hand. "Its never easy when we lose victims but I know those women will be remembered because of you Garcia. You are the most caring person I know and the heart of the team. You keep us going time and time again." Penelope just stared at him with awe. After a few minutes she realized they were still holding hands and oddly she didnt want to let go. As it got later the pair reluctantly parted ways. She left him with a quick hug because if she held on longer she might not let go. Penelope spent the rest of the weekend replaying the night and actually looking forward to Monday morning. When she arrived at work she put down her purse and coat in her office and headed to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. She saw Luke talking to JJ and Spencer but as she approached with a smile Luke's eyes grew wide. Even before Penelope could say good morning Luke mumbled gotta go and quickly left. Penelope visibly deflated but quickly recovered so JJ and Spencer wouldnt ask. The snuff hurt her more than she cared to admit. "How was your guys' weekend?" JJ told her about Henry's soccer game and Spencer rambled on about a new book he read and wrote a paper on for fun. Later that morning JJ visited Penelope in her office, she leaned against Penelope's desk and asked how she was. "Fine." "Uh huh." JJ wasnt convinced. "And how was your weekend? You left before I could ask." "Fine." "Okay spill." "Its nothing." "Its not nothing." "Oh yes it is. Clearly from Luke's reaction this morning, the completely meaningless dinner we had together was nothing." "Oh sweetheart." "Please dont oh sweetheart me JJ. I know. I know that I got my hopes up and I knew it was stupid to do so yet here I am again. A guy like that would never be interested in a girl like me. Dont worry JJ, I'll be fine." "You need to talk to Luke." Before Penelope could respond her computers and her phone chimed indicating a case. Penelope gave the team the details of the case. Prominent local figures were being kidnapped, killed, and left in public areas in Phoenix, Arizona. Penelope managed to ignore Luke, even when he asked a question she answered addressing the group rather than him. Prentiss closed the meeting with the traditional order of 'Wheels up in 30'. Penelope quickly headed back to her lair but with the high heels she was wearing Luke easily tracked her down. "Hey can I talk to you real quick?" "You're on limited time Newbie." She replied not looking him. "Garcia stop. Stop please." Luke gently put his hand on her elbow halting her. "Please listen. I want to apologize for this morning." "Why? Nothing happened." "Penelope look at me." Penelope did but showed no emotion except annoyance. "I, uh, well I just wanted to say." Luke stumbled over his words and rubbed the back of his neck. "Damnit I wanted to do this better." Penelope was now confused. "Luke its fine. You better get to the jet." "No its not fine. Let me explain. I ducked out this morning because you walked in on me talking to JJ and Spencer about our date." "Our date?" "Yeah well, no I mean it wasnt a date per se but I was wondering if we could go on one? Together I mean. A date." Penelope's confusion faded away to giddiness. She'd never seen Luke Alvez so inarticulate and it was because of her! "Are you asking me out, Newbie?" "Yes." Prentiss appeared down the hall. "Alvez, let's go." Luke looked bummed but moved towards the elevators. "Dont answer yet, just think about it." Penelope was sure she looked like a fish with her mouth gaping open. Later in the day after the team landed in Phoenix she got a text from JJ. -Told you. What are you going to say? -I'm so confused. -Why? Dont you like him? -Well yes but what was going on this morning? -Penelope you're a smart girl. He was embarrassed, nervous to talk to you. Now call him and tell him you'll go out with him when we get back. Even though Penelope had trouble believing that Luke Alvez was nervous around her she took JJ's advice, well sort of. She didnt call him, but he called her pertaining to the case. After she finished answering his questions about the victims' backgrounds she stopped him from hanging up. "Wait Luke." "What no newbie?" Luke chuckled nervously. "Were you serious?" "Very serious Penelope. Why do you think I've been trying so hard to get you to like me? I loved spending time with you just us Friday night. I have to admit I wish I wouldve been much more smoother with it all." Penelope finally let out a breath and laughed. "Well that was pretty bad." She teased. "Yes it was, but I'm glad you know now. Anyway I better get back to the team." "Hey Luke." "Yeah?" "I can't wait till you get back." Penelope couldnt contain her smile. "Is that a yes?" "See you soon Luke Alvez." "See you soon Penelope Garcia."