Chapter 1:
Disclaimer: I OWN EVERYTHING AND MY PET BUNNY (WHO DOESN'T EXIST) RULES THE WORLD!! Not.
"Hey, Em?" Tancred began nervously. From across the room, Lysander paused from making out with Olivia to nod encouragingly. Emma turned to face her crush and mentally crossed her fingers.
Maybe he'd finally make a move, she was tired of flirting. She hid her thought, smiled and tilted her head to one side, hoping he hadn't noticed her staring at him.
Tancred gulped. She was so amazing. He had to do something before he lost her. He needed to confess the crush he'd hidden for over a year know, confess that he stared at her as often as he could; explain that whenever she walked by, his mind went blank; tell her about the things he dreamed of; tell her that every time she looked at any other guy, he felt like killing them.
"I saw the dress you're making, can you help me with the costume I have to make." He eventually came out with. Hoping to somehow mend the situation, he made an awful puppy-dog expression and Emma laughed out loud.
"Course. You didn't have to ask." She smiled. I'd do anything for you, she added silently. "When?"
Tancred almost did a victory dance. At least he could tell her later, he hadn't completely ruined everything. And she'd said he hadn't even needed to ask, that meant he meant something to her, right? That was good. Damn it, he needed to check whether Lysander had got anything out of Olivia. Wait! He needed to say something…WHEN?
"Uh… After torture in the kings room? In the sewing room?"
"Cool." She grinned and retuned to her book. Tancred flopped down next to her and enjoyed one of the rare moments when he could just study her. Hell, he knew her by heart.
The way she hummed when she read. She hummed Beatles songs when she read fiction and Eurythmics songs when she read non-fiction. It was adorable. He loved the relaxed way she acted around everyone even if it made him jealous of everyone who came within a metre of her. The way she'd tilt her head at things she didn't quite get yet.
The way she sang when she thought no one was listening.
The fact that her favourite colour was blue but she liked pink skies more than blue ones. He always tried to keep them pink in the evenings and his Dad was catching on that something was there.
The way that she always tried to catch rain or snow on her tongue and the way she'd always get distracted when there was a thunderstorm and, even though he knew she loved them, she'd always check he was alright before she enjoyed them.
Oh shit, he was in deep.
TETETETETETETETETETETE
Emma tapped her foot and tried not to dwell on the amazing things about him. The way he was late to everything; the way he ruffled his spikes when he was embarrassed and the way he got tongue-tied when she or Livvy mentioned the female anatomy. She loved doing that. And the way he'd call her duck in his old biddy impression.
The contours of his face.
The way he laughed with Lysander, as if a dam was bursting, brightening everything around them.
The way he liked to shock people and irritate them but how sweet he was when he knew no one would find out.
The way he couldn't keep a secret for anything.
The way he set people up into brilliant relationships.
The way he seemed to know more about her than anyone else. But maybe that was wishful thinking. Suddenly a hand waved in front of her face. Finally!
"Dreaming of Prince Charming?" Emma heard the laugh in his voice as he gather the costume he'd made so far but she didn't see the tears he blinked back.
"Uh huh. But I don't have to now." She flirted. Tancred dropped the bundle he was holding, hissing as a pin stuck in his finger. Was she telling him she liked him? She couldn't be, there was no way someone as perfect as Emma could ever like that, she was just being nice; just trying to boost his ego.
"Are... do you...uh...I mean...oh." she laughed at the lame end to his burbling. He evidently didn't like her and was trying to find a nice way to let her down gently. He was so amazing and there was no way she could be good enough for him. She'd started though and she had to finish.
"Yep. Do you think I'm his princess though?" She asked softly, attempting to muffle the tremor in her voice.
Tancred stared at her. Was she crying? She wasn't looking at him, her head bent, gathering up the costume. She did like him. She thought that he didn't like her. Him not like someone as amazing as her. How could she doubt herself like that?
Tancred placed his fingers under her chin and turned her face to look at him. She closed her eyes. She wouldn't cry. She could get past this. Tentatively, he slid his arms around her waist.
"I think you are. I hope you are." he whispered. As she opened her eyes, her arms looped around his neck. Gently his lips slid over hers. They never did finish the costume.