Hey guys, this is Kelsey (klcthenerd)! We had some trouble getting documents to upload, but we are ready now! This is a collab fic between Kristina (pearlchavez) and myself. It's rated T, so please be aware of that. It deals with some mature elements, but not enough to be M. In this story, Sonny is 21 and Chad is 22, so they're older than on the show. We really hope you enjoy this! Please, please, PLEASE story alert, favorite, author alert, all that jazz. And don't forget to REVIEW!

Disclaimer: We own nothing!

Well you built up a world of magic,
because your real life is tragic.
-Paramore

Ripping Wings off of Butterflies

"Taxi!" A leggy brunette called, thrusting her hand into the street, trying to wave down one of the yellow beasts. Her black strappy heels were grasped in her left hand, her right waving around in the street as she attempted to balance on the curb.

"Whoa," a male's voice sounded as an arm reached out and grabbed the brunette's wrist, pulling her away from the curb she was unsuccessfully balancing herself on. The girl looked up and grinned.

"Why thank you Chadford, I was beginning to get dizzy."

The blonde actor laughed. "Sonny, you had about four drinks, I think you're gonna be dizzy no matter what."

This caused the brunette to roll her eyes.

"Oh yeah, well you had five drinks!" she accused, holding up six fingers to prove her point. "You're just as drunk as me!" she smirked in triumph as a taxi pulled up next to the curb. Though tipsy, her male companion remembered to open the door of the vehicle, sliding in after her.

The blonde gave the taxi driver an address before settling back into his seat. He looked down at the humming brunette next to him.

"D'you have your key?" He asked her.

"Why yes, Chad, I do!" an exasperated Sonny Monroe retorted, reaching for the clutch she had forgotten to bring. Her features set themselves into a grimace. "I guess I don't."

Chad Dylan Cooper, Mackenzie of Mackenzie Falls for eight years, laughed at the antics of his best friend and roommate. "Luckily, I have mine," he told her pulling a tiny silver key out of his jacket pocket and brandishing it before her eyes. Both looking at the key, they met eyes.

Brown was melting into blue, and blue was pouring into brown. The corner of Sonny's mouth hitched up into the beginning of a smile.

And then the two burst into hysterical laughter, much to the dismay of the cab driver.

The laughter subsided a few minutes later when Sonny rested her head on Chad's shoulder. The blonde rested his head atop his friend's, ignoring the warm sensation flooding his stomach.

These were the moments Chad Dylan Cooper cherished. These moments when he thought about him and Sonny in the privacy of his mind. These moments when he thought of all that they had the potential to be.

Back in the days of Condor Studios, the two had gone about a year hating each other, before they began getting closer. By the time Sonny had left So Random! and Condor Studios behind, the two had parted as best friends. It wasn't until two years later, at ages 20 and 21 did they decide to split a penthouse apartment on the outskirts of Hollywood. After nearly a year of living together, Chad realized that somewhere along the way, what everyone said would happen…did. He had fallen in love with Sonny Monroe. His best friend.

However, Sonny was oblivious to this fact, and Chad wasn't sure how long he could go on pretending things hadn't changed. To hear Sonny talking about all these Hollywood guys was like throwing his heart into a blender and putting it on the highest setting.

Sonny was a girl who gave her heart away too easily. Or, at least she used to. After James Conroy, she had learned to guard herself. Chad felt his body stiffen as he remembered the James Conroy debacle.

About eight months before, Sonny had reconnected with James Conroy after bumping into him at a casting call. They went on a few dates here and there, and in about two weeks, the press knew all about "Monroy"… James and Sonny's relationship. The press had had a field day with why the good girl of Hollywood was dating someone with Conroy's reputation, topped only by the scandalous rumors surrounding the break up.

Chad had warned Sonny against James, reminding her of the time the latter had guest starred on The Falls, only to have Sonny reprimand him, talking about second chances or something.

Two months into Sonny and James' relationship, Chad noticed a change in Sonny. She had been very quiet and cheerless. She would lock herself in her room every day, and Chad heard her sobbing on more than one occasion.

After a week of this behavior, the blonde actor confronted her. What he found out, he was not nearly prepared for.

For on that bright, sunny Wednesday, Chad felt for the first time that he might murder someone. On that bright, sunny Wednesday, Sonny told him something that made him want to kill James Conroy. On that bright, sunny Wednesday, Sonny, tears in her miserable brown eyes, confessed to her best friend that she had lost her virginity to her boyfriend, James Conroy. And she hadn't heard from him since.

After repressing the urge to throw something against the cream colored wall, Chad had spread his arms open, inviting Sonny into a comforting hug, both of their hearts mourning over such a devastating mistake. Chad had cancelled all plans for the rest of the week, intent on comforting his best friend and teaching her how to guard her heart.

The heartthrob was torn out of his reverie as the cab came to a stop in front of their place. He nudged Sonny, who was sleeping lightly. Paying the driver, he opened the door and grabbed Sonny by the hand, helping her out. She blinked a few times and swayed, trying to remember where she was. When she realized she knew the building, a grin broke out across her face.

"Chaaaaaaaaaad," she sang. "We're hooooooooooooooooome!"

The blonde laughed as he took her hand and wrapped her arm around his neck, setting a protective arm around her midsection and ignoring the sparks shooting throughout his body. The two fumbled to the elevator and sat down once inside.

"You ever wonder what the surveillance camera's catch going on in here?" Sonny asked, swinging her head over to face her roommate. He shrugged.

"Sometimes. Must be a pretty boring job. The dudes that have to sit and watch those screens all day…they should get a pay raise. That just sucks."

"What if they catch people havin' sex in an elevator, Chad?" Sonny asked, her eyes shining with alcohol and mischief.

"Well, uh, I guess their job would suck a little less." He shrugged, searching her eyes, wondering where she was going with this. Sonny's lips turned into a smirk as she scooted herself closer to Chad.

"Let's make their job suck a little less, then," she whispered, not giving Chad a chance to respond before placing a hand on the side of his face and capturing his lips with hers.

Chad didn't really have to think about it. His body acted for him, his lips responding enthusiastically while an arm snaked around her waist and pulled her closer to him. When the elevator signaled the top floor, Chad could only think that elevator rides should be longer. He and Sonny parted, looking at each other.

Sonny's expression had changed from one of mischief to one of wonderment as she looked at her best friend. Her eyes seemed to be searching his as he stared back, mouth agape in shock.

"Shit, Sonny, what did we just d-"

His question was interrupted as Sonny once again attacked his lips with her eager kisses. Chad, clearly the more rational of the two, pulled away.

"Sonny…we can't," he said, standing up. Once he was steady on his feet, he took her hands and pulled her up on her feet.

"Why not?" she asked, following Chad out of the elevator and to the door of their penthouse. He unlocked the door and forcefully pushed it open, frustrated with the world. Sonny was drunk, and throwing herself at him. Most guys would have taken this opportunity in a heartbeat, but Chad just couldn't do it morally. After how broken she was with James, he couldn't take advantage of her like this.

"Chad?" She asked again, throwing her heels on the ground, hands on her hips.

"Sonny, I can't."

Sonny looked taken aback.

"And why not?"

"Because."

"Because why, Chad? Am I not good enough for you?" She asked, her arms folded now, her delicate features folded into an expression of confusion.

"No! God, Sonny, no!"

"Then why, Chad? If it was any other girl right now, it would be different, wouldn't it?"

"You're overreacting."

"I'm not good enough for you! Just admit it Chad! We may be best friends, but I'm still that girl from Chuckle City and I always will be."

"You know that's not why-"

"Oh! You're right, because if Tawni were to walk through that door right now, you wouldn't have a problem with sweeping her off into your room!"

"Stop it, Sonny. That wouldn't happen," Chad insisted, trying not to lose his cool.

"Then why, Chad? Why are you so against this?" she asked, walking across the room and reaching out for him, only to grasp air when he turned and walked even further away from her.

"You're drunk, Sonny. You need to go to sleep."

"And you need to stop fucking ordering me around like you're so much better than me!" she shouted at him.

"Sonny, that's not how it is!" Chad pleaded, hoping she'd drop the subject. He grabbed her by the shoulders, looking into the eyes of his best friend, trying to make her understand.

"Then please, Chad?" she whispered.

"No," he firmly replied, his patience running out.

"Why not?" Sonny demanded, ripping away from his grasp.

"Because I love you!" Chad yelled at her. "I'm not going to be some sick jerk who takes advantage of a girl when she drunk, only to have her regret it the next morning! Sonny, you don't want this, it'll fuck everything up when you realize what you did; what I did!"

Sonny stared up at him, brow furrowed in confusion.

"You…love me?" Chad nodded. "Since when?"

"About a year?" he told her, sighing. Hopefully she wouldn't remember anything in the morning.

"Hmm. You love me." She played with this thought for a while. Chad stood in his spot, feeling very uncomfortable.

The brunette walked over to him, slowly wrapping her arms around his neck. Her eyes bore into his blue ones, as if making sure he was telling the truth. When he didn't move, she slowly pressed her lips to his, her fingers playing with the baby hairs at the nape of his neck.

This kiss was different from anything Chad had experienced that night. This was different, as it they were testing the waters for something more. The kiss was slow, causing so many simultaneous explosions inside of Chad, his mind was no longer in control of anything to do with Sonny Monroe.

When Sonny pulled away, she looked up at Chad, her eyes wide with amazement. With that kiss and that look, Chad felt that he knew. He knew what Sonny didn't say.

"I love you," Chad whispered again, kissing her lips tenderly before pulling back and looking into her eyes.

And for the first time she could remember, both eyes were sparkling.

The rest of the night was a drunken blur.

What'd you think of chapter 1? I really hope you liked it! Pleaes REVIEW and let us know! And also, feel free and check out our personal accounts: klcthenerd and pearlchavez for more! :D

-Kelsey