"After all, we are nothing more or less than we choose to reveal." - Slyvia Plath

BOOK I: The State of Dreaming

Part III: Valley of the Dolls

Chapter XXV: But for One Brief Moment

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"Hey, Dio, where's your little pet today?" Gabe asked, head tilted, and a finger poised at his bottom lip. "Don't think I've ever seen Evelyn miss one of your boxing matches."

Unconcerned and uninterested in where exactly his "pet," as Gabe had put it, was, Dio pulled the laces of his gloves tight using his teeth, eyes sizing up the boy opposite him that was slated to fight next. His name was Franz Ferdinand, and he had a height advantage on Dio by at least 8 centimeters. But that didn't concern him either. Dio was quick, lithe, and precise. Few could match his prowess in the ring, and even fewer had ever even beat him. Distractedly, he answered Gabe, "Likely with Warrant, I imagine. She's always with that uptight bint." Rolling to his feet in one elegant motion, Dio began limbering up his shoulders and back.

"You sure about that, mate?" Pete butted in, and by the shit-eating grin on his face, Dio got the feeling the others knew something he didn't. Dio's face turned stony.

In all honesty, Dio had not kept such a close eye on Evelyn recently now that he felt confident in his influence over her. They had moved past what he assumed would be the biggest hurdle when they discussed the events of Erina's disgrace. Therefore, there was little need to expend so much effort on her, and beyond that, she was always twittering about him, there even if she didn't speak that much. It hadn't crossed his mind until now, but he had seen little of her since the end of summer. Thinking over their recent interactions though, he couldn't place any changes in her behavior towards him. They hadn't argued. In fact, she had seemed rather happy… She was always happy around him though. She adored him.

Cracking his neck and rubbing at it to clear some of the tightness, Dio made a derisive noise and let a dark smirk curl his lips. "Something you'd care to share with the class, Petey-pie?" Bogs and Gabe let out a bark of laughter at Pete's expense, and his face grin melted into a scowl.

After a moment though, he shrugged and let it go. "Just thought you'd be a little more upset about all the time she's been spending with that Yank bloke."

The amusement bled out of Dio's expression, and the silence hung around them.

"Explain."

Pete started to laugh nervously, and Gabe spoke up for him with a roll of his eyes. "Surprised you don't already know. Everyone at school was talking about it all the goddamn time." He huffed. "Damn annoying if you ask me. Who gives a shit?"

"Not what I asked," Dio reminded him, crossing his arms and leaning his weight into his hip.

"They started this stupid note thing a few weeks back," Bogs told him, sinking back against a tree near the edge of their makeshift arena. Dio's eyebrow arched, prompting him to continue. "Then me and Pete and Gabe found 'em all over each other by that creek outside of town." Bogs shrugged. "Seen them together a few times after that, not much more to tell. Seems like they're pretty close though. She's always leading him around by the arm."

"I'll bet that's not the only thing she's leading him around by," Pete cackled, ignoring the sharp look Gabe and Bogs shot him.

"Shut it, will you?" Gabe ground out, eyeing Dio nervously to gauge his reaction to the news.

Eyes are hard as ice, Dio remained completely composed and gave off an almost disinterested air though his little possy wasn't fooled by his calm countenance. "I see."

Inside his gloves, his fingers clenched and unclenched, testing the grip. Possessiveness welled up in him at the thought of another fool trying to lay claim to his things. Though he did not exactly go around preaching that Evelyn belonged to him, it was damn well known to the others in town that she was off limits. Joestar heirs did not share; and especially not Brandos. Everyone in town knew not to cross Dio, and that very fact had prevented similar situations from arising in the past. However, it seemed one bloody country fuck came bumbling into the picture and saw fit to dabble in Dio's domain.

Darkness crept into the corners of his mind, and his mouth tightened as an emotion cropped up in him he hadn't felt for a very long time – doubt. Despite his previous thoughts, he began to doubt the strength of his hold on Evelyn. She loved him, worshipped him. He was sure of that, and he certainly didn't doubt her validity. However, all Evelyn ever wanted was to be loved in return, something Dio was either incapable of or undesiring. If the Yank was offering that, would she take it?

Swallowing, he released a deep, measured breath. No… He would not allow this to come to pass.

Evelyn was his, to discard, to keep, to use. Whatever she was for. She was his.

A breeze rolled in and tousled his long blond locks. Overhead, the sunset clouds rolled in off the bay and cast the yard in a queer orange light. It suited Dio just fine as the whole conversation had sparked a queer anger in his belly. Stepping out into the area that they designated as their ring, Dio ignored Pete's concerned glance and assessed his opponent once again. The two began moving in slow circles, their hands raised to defend their faces. The question was, how to deal with the useless idiot. It would be easy enough to bring Evelyn crawling back to him to lick his boots for daring to defy him. Really, she only required a few honeyed words. Similarly, it would be equally easy to send the American boy, whose name he had not cared enough to learn yet, scurrying back to the colonies… However, Dio's aim rose a little higher than remedying the current situation. Indeed, it would not do if such a situation were to repeat itself. Therefore, he had to ensure that Evelyn would never let her eyes stray from him again, never trust another with her heart beside him. He would have to shatter that too-big heart of hers.

The beginnings of a plan had already taken root in Dio's mind, and ambition lit a flame beneath him.

His anger at the country fuck had hardly faded, though. Luckily, it seemed Franz had volunteered to help Dio relieve a little of that anger – it wouldn't do to lose his temper after all – and he channeled it into his boxing. To no one's surprise, the match ended within seconds. The cheers and worship of the crowd washed over him as he stalked back over to where Pete was waiting, looking a little green after witnessing how he obliterated his opponent. Likely, he thought he was next, but Dio did not care to shoot the messenger so to speak… Not yet, anyways.

"What is his name?"

"What, Franz?" Pete asked, confused.

Gabe slapped the back of Pete's head with a roll of his eyes. "Such a fecking idiot. He means the Yank."

Dio made a twirling motion with his finger signaling them to get on with it.

"David," Bogs revealed finally, eyeing Dio with some anticipation. He likely had an idea already what Dio was thinking. Out of the three of them, Bogs always was the smartest. "David Bowen. He lives near the old stockyard."

Surprised by how much Bogs knew, Pete gave a whistle. "Seems like ol' Evelyn might have some competition, eh—" His words were silenced with a glare from Dio.

"I think we'd better have a little chat with Mr. Bowen," Dio said, removing his gloves with a decisive motion. "He needs to learn how things work around here."

With one eyebrow raised, Gabe shifted his weight back. "D'ya wanna go now?"

"That's not necessary," Dio assured, a cold smirk creeping across his face. "I'm certain the opportunity will arise soon enough. Besides, I need them to spend as much time together as possible for now."

"What are you thinking?"

He ignored the question and headed off in the direction of the manor, tucking his boxing gloves into a little duffle-bag which he tossed to Bogs afterwards. They hadn't quite followed his train of thought yet, and he would fill them in later. But for now, he wanted to hammer out the details in his own mind of how he was going to accomplish his goal. Dio was nothing if not cautious these days. "In the mean-time, tell me everything you know about David."

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More early-autumn sun beat down on Evelyn and David's heads as they lay sprawled on the banks of that same river where he had found her a few weeks ago. She had taken to calling it their spot in her head. Above her head, she held the stem of a dog rose and traced her fingers over the delicate petals. David was laying next to her on his stomach as he concentrated on a homework assignment he had yet to finish over the weekend. She felt completely relaxed. More so than she could recall feeling in, well, quite a few years actually. Sometimes, it felt like she was always on guard, like she couldn't be herself completely. It was absurd, of course. She knew in her mind that she had no reason to feel that way. After all, she was quite happy here.

No matter.

The point of the matter was a simple thing. Evelyn thought she was developing feelings for David. Oh, even the thought made her blush! However, it was peculiar. It didn't feel like it had to be some dark secret feeling. It didn't cause her stomach to drop or stab her heart. If anything, she felt excited. It was the truth, and she knew the truth twinkled in her eyes.

One thought, though, left a sour taste in her mouth. When everything was quiet, she could hear her mind whispering that she was betraying Dio. Were her feelings for him really so fickle that a few months with another man were enough to change them? She loved him, didn't she? But.. But that wasn't fair. Not at all. Dio had never cared for her in any such manner. At least, she didn't think so, and he had certainly never revealed it to her if he did. Beyond that, it wasn't as if Dio had not shown interest in other girls. People talked; and Dio's escapades were well-known in most circles. But Dio had assured her that he held no serious interest in anyone when she questioned him, and the relief she had felt at his answer sickened her.

Regardless, if he was allowed to chase after other girl's petticoats, why was she not allowed to be happy?

It had been months since she had first met David now, and Evelyn knew they got on well. While his blunt mannerisms had taken some adjustment, she grew to appreciate it. It was refreshing to be with someone so open, and it made it so easy to be his friend.

Fingers gently tugging the end of one dark curl drew her out of her reverie. "Penny for your thoughts," came David's kind voice.

Glancing over, she was mildly embarrassed to realize that he had apparently been watching her for some time now. She dropped the slightly drooping dog rose and rolled over onto her side to face him, propping her jaw on her hand. The sun warmed his blond curly hair like it was made of stars. With a small sheepish smile, Evelyn began, "Well, if you must know… I was just thinking of how glad I am to have met you." Her throat caught a little with her embarrassment over saying something so sappy, but when he didn't make fun of her, she forced the rest of it out. "You've made me so happy lately… Thank you."

Fondness softened his eyes. "Oh, Molls… You don't have to thank me… I care about you.. A lot." His too blue eyes stared straight into hers, shining with earnestness. "You know that, don't you?"

Unable to say anything, her heart beating faster, she felt her smile widen and watched his eyes follow the movement, lingering there before drifting back up to meet her gaze. And Evelyn suddenly realized how very close they were to each other.

"You've always had the prettiest smile," he told her as though it was one of the most obvious things in the world.

"And you're always flattering me."

He smirked with a self-deprecating huff. "Yeah, well, I've never said anything that wasn't true," David insisted. "Everything I've ever said to you was true… But your smile was the reason I wanted to talk to you so badly… When you smile, it's… it's like summer sunshine. And, it seemed so rare back then… I only wanted to see you smile more."

No one had ever said anything like that to her. Evelyn's heart stuttered in her chest, and she thought it might burst if he dared to say one more kind thing to her. Evelyn knew what it was like to adore someone, but to be treated with that adoration… It felt like she could fly, that she was Queen of England. And it stole any and all eloquence she ever possessed.

Then David did something she would remember for all her life.

Before time even had a chance to stop, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. It was brief, chaste, hers. The moment would forever be immortalized in time. The way the grass pressed against her side and dampened her dress. The sound of the cicadas crying in the trees. The scent of salt and dog roses and parchment and summer and him. And it would always be hers, she thought.

When her brain stuttered back to life, her lashes fluttering, she saw him studying her reaction intently, searching for any signs that she hadn't wanted it. However, she only smiled at him. With a relieved sigh, he laughed and gathered her up in an embrace. "You have no idea how much I care about you, Molls."

And for once, Evelyn realized everything in her little world could be almost perfect.

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A/N: To the guest reviewer today... Here's an update for you! It's been a busy year already, and I cannot believe it is already March. But I am trying to get into the swing of writing regularly. The chapter is smaller than my usual, but honestly, I felt it broke here pretty naturally thematically. So I figured why the hell not. And I know! You're mad because Dio didn't get Evelyn's first kiss. I'm sure he is too ;)

But hey! At least he's in this chapter.

Thanks so much for all the continued support. You guys are the reason this story is still going.

Next up: Chapter XXVI: And They All Came Tumbling Down

- Alyssa