Chapter Text
– I'm not going anywhere!
Hamish is almost ready to dodge a vase, that Vera's is so close to throw into him. Some doubts about his solution made start to crawl in his head, but he stubbornly keeps to drive them away.
Since the woman has lost her magic and decided she should be more carefull, Hamish in his turn has realised, he's done with being Grand Magus' lap dog. For now he completely takes the lead.
Giving that her own house is not the safest place anymore, the young man makes a decision to get Stone to the den. The more people are around her, the safer she is. And the less he will worry about her when he's out for some reason.
– Stop acting as you're in charge, Hamish, - does the constant first name basis mean they took another step in relationships?
– I am in charge.
The woman tries to takes her suitcase back from the Duke's firm grip, but in the end his knuckles turn white in attempt to hold it tighter. The thought of them both looking like two dumbheaded children makes him smirk.
He has another four of those with plus-one Nicole, but this one is funnier.
– Just look at you. In those two minutes, you’ve had more initiative than you’ve ever had in your life.
Hamish frowns mistakenly pretending her words don't hurt him this time. One of the young man's flaws is that he can never keep the face with this woman around.
But with her special humilating routine he will really get used to poker face sooner or later.
– I am in charge for my friends, and you know this.
— But I'm not one of your pack, - she gets her hand on her hips standing on his way to her closet.
– You are. Even if you don't want to admit it, - he turns his back to her indicating the conversation is over. – Do you want to pack your things, or should I do this for you?
The woman holds back the urge to roll her eyes, when finally takes the bag from the boy. If he wants it, then let it be. But she'll make a living hell in the den if he tries bossing around one more time.
When Vera realises her den room is the one that doesn't lock, she wants to run away from this place and never come back again. Even it includes never ever meeting Hamish.
She spends most of her lifetime amongst teenagers to give a damn about these downstairs, but the constant buzzling in the back of her head, that these teenagers are not the same thing, doesn't give her a rest.
When the five of them decided to throw a party the woman didn't even want to ask about the cause. They actually don't need a cause to turn the place upside down.
Making herself busy with her chancellor paper work, Vera tries not to pay attention on breakmindedly loud music and shouting crowd somewhere in the living room as nothing of it is happening.
She surprisingly even doesn't feel offended when Hamish came to offer her a drink only once that evening. That one drink that she refused in her usual proud manner.
At 3 am it's finally over and Stone finds herself trying to fall asleep as soon as possible before another crazy party would break in this house.
That is the time when she hears someone crawling silently into her room. Recognising that she's not asleep yet, Hamish comes in freely, holding a paper box in his hands.
– Guys left you some pizza.
Vera doesn't know why, but this fact almost makes her smirk, but she instantly supresses it. She raises her head from the pillow looking down on the box, when she notices five different slices of pizza.
– Well...I appreciate the sacrifice.
– You'd better do, it was hard to get Randall away from it.
– Enjoyed the party?
– It would be funnier with you.
– You would be at least twice sober, if you were with me.
Hamish stares at her, keeps smiling from ear to ear like an idiot. The woman catches herself thinking about how much drunk the young man is.
But when his hand appears right next to her face tucking the strand of hair behind the ear, Stone can't make a single move. And she hardly wants.
Blue eyes keep Vera hypnotized, his half broken whisper hits the air out of her lungs.
– If you knew how much I want to start this properly.
The woman doesn't need refining to know what 'this' means.
Their relationship is so abrubtly and chaotic in its beginning. It also goes on in such manner, and Vera starts to think more about if two of them could have another chance. That one where they both take things slow; where they don't need to rush somewhere to save lifes.
She wants some peace time to enjoy them fully, but the Universe is unlikely interested in her wants.
When Stone closes her eyes without any response almost leaning into gesture Hamish moves closer to her inhaling her scent, that he now can sense anywhere she is.
– Good night, Vera - the woman freezes sitting like this as his soft warm lips touch her temple. For a couple of seconds Duke stays in place before moving away, it's even fast for him giving how many cups of beer are in.
Not that she's not familiar with such sudden gestures of his, but this time it is another Hamish sitting in front of her.
He's more relaxed and calm than there in the temple. In the place where he is under constant danger, trying to guard her and his own people.
But at the same time he is still that guy who always cares about her, not minding when the woman pushes him back.
She wonders if she get used to this 'homey' Hamish, but secretly hopes she will. All his words about letting someone care about her don't want to leave her head. But something still keeps her inner guard up to him.
The door shuts with a soft click after the boy and Vera feels guilty, almost defeated by his never-ending worry for her and the desire to protect. Hardly she will ever let him to stand alone, she is that person who always protected herself on her own.
But when the woman hears muffled steps in the next room, she realises Hamish set her next to him. The small grin appears on her lips as she feels herself safer, finally getting under the soft covers, feeling already sleepy.
Anyway, what could possibly happen in the house full of werewolves?