Vampire Academy (tamaracorine & goldcat)

[tamaracorine]

"No. She could have been, if she didn't get help." Lukas smiled slightly. "She knows what's good for her and she's smart enough to know that sometimes she needs to give in an eat different foods, but she... she's really self conscious. She wants to be beautiful and she wants to do her job well, and the combination makes her brutal towards herself." he explained. "Anyway... be careful. She's giving you power over her. She wont tell you any of this because she doesn't want you to freak out."

 

[goldcat16471]

Nick looked up at Lukas. He muttered in response, "She's always beautiful," To one statement, then bit his lip. "Well, thank you for telling me, so I'm aware. Like I said, I'll see what I can do in getting her to loosen up." He thought for a moment then looked at Lukas curiously, "Can I ask you something? I thought you were... Mad at me for trying to get her to loosen up. I thought you thought I was taking her away from her training...?"

 

[tamaracorine]

"No, I'm not mad at you." Lukas told him sincerely. "I'm just an overprotective brother who wants to wrap his little sister in bubble wrap so nothing can ever hurt her. Sorry for coming across so harshly."


Anna approached the two with Serene, wrapping her arms around Nick from behind. "Stop sharing secrets, boys." she teased, grinning. "Got you guys your donuts, and got me some coffee."

 

[goldcat16471]

Nick smiled at Lukas understandingly, "It's okay. I get it." He chuckled, then smiled surprised from Anna. "Hey!" He turned to face her and happily took the donut, "Ohhh, thank you!" He chuckled and took a bite out of it.


Serene smiled at Lukas and went up to him, handing him a donut. "Here you go!" She told him happily. She looked around, "Are we all ready to get back on the road?"

 

[tamaracorine]

"Thanks." Lukas smiled, kissing her cheek. "Let's go." he went inside to pay for the gas, then climbed into the car and began to drive, heading onto the highway. "Thanks for the donut. Now, tell me some things I don't know about you..." he asked. "Come on, tell me things."


Anna sat down beside Nick in the back, sipping her coffee contently. "Is the donut okay?" she asked him. "I didn't know if you like chocolate or caramel or strawberry better, but I decided chocolate because I thought that made the most sense..."

 

[tamaracorine]

(You alive?)

 

[goldcat16471]

(yeah sorry, I had to eat dinner really quick. Working on reply right now)


 
Serene smiled and sat back in the chair, relaxing and nibbling on her donut. She laughed, "Tell you things? Hm... Well, I have curly nearly black hair, dark brown eyes, and fangs in my mouth!" She joked with him then grinned, "Is there anything specific you want to know or do you just want me to tell you things?"


Nick smiled at Anna and kissed her forehead, "The donut is perfect. Thank you again." He chewed a bite then hesitated before asking, "Are you sure you don't want a bite? Just one bite?" He looked at her.

 

[tamaracorine]

"I don't know..." Lukas laughed, "I want to know everything. Tell me what the first thing you remember is. Tell me your favourite smell. Tell me... tell me what you would do with your life, if you could do or be anything at all." he told her, turning a corner with the van and speeding up as the speed limit allowed.


Anna paused for a moment, looking down, then leaned forward and took a small bite off of his donut. "Happy?" she asked quietly as she chewed it and returned her attention to the coffee in her hands. Her cheeks slightly pale as she swallowed the donut and washed it down with a long gulp of coffee. "You know, don't you?" she asked. "About... about my problem with food..."

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene smiled thinking, "If I could do anything at all... Currently I would say successfully complete this little quest of ours. I hope to make a difference if I can. In the future I..." She pursed her lips in thought, "Well I told you before I really want to travel. I want to go to as many places as I can!" She smiled at him.


Nick watched as she took a bite, a small smile on his face. It faltered a little when she asked her question, "Food problem...?" He tilted his head in consideration, "Well... I know you don't like eating wonderful snacks such as donuts." He looked at her slightly joking. He didn't want to directly tell her that Lukas told him about the problem.

 

[tamaracorine]

"I'd travel with you." Lukas told her sincerely. "I'd love to see the world with a beautiful girl like yourself." he turned to smile at her for a moment before paying attention to the road again. "I really want to see other parts of the world... Like Europe and Africa and Australia. Apparently Moroi haven't set up any colonies in Australia. Too hot. But we could visit, right?"


Anna relaxed and laughed, leaning over to kiss his cheek. "I like you so very much." she told him, finishing the coffee and putting the empty cup in a plastic bag. "But... I... Okay." she took a deep breath. "When I first started at the academy, I wanted to fit in. I had a bit of... fat on me... and I lost it really quickly because I wanted to be popular and I wanted to be a good guardian, you know? So I got a bit obsessive about food. I would only eat when I was on the verge of passing out. Lukas noticed and we went to see the school counsellor together. I got it under control, but I'm still... I'm still pretty constantly on the edge of obsession again."

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene smiled and blushed softly from his compliment. Then she nodded, "Yes definitely. I'd love to go to Australia. And I would love to travel with you too by the way." She looked out the window and smiled more. "There's just so many places to go, so many things to see. I want to experience as much as I can, ya know?" She looked over at him.


Nick laughed softly when she kissed his cheek, and relaxed slightly. He listened as she explained the problem. He grabbed her hand, "I see... That's rough. Let me just say this first. You'll always be beautiful Anna. No matter what. Second, you're in such good shape, it's probably healthier to treat yourself to the snacks. Your body needs a little fat on it, everyone's does. And you use up so much energy when working out, you must get really hungry." He squeezed her hand gently, "What's important is that you understand not eating anything is a problem." Nick thought for a moment, "If you're willing, I could help you... Help you eat a healthier. Cause honestly, it would be healthier." He looked at her hopeful.

 

[tamaracorine]

"Life as a never ending adventure." Lukas nodded, "I know exactly what you mean. There's so much to see and not that much time, so it's hard to decide what to see when I want to see everything..." he laughed, "But we'll see as much as we can, Serene. You and me, and maybe even those two idiots in the back seat." he smirked at her for a second. "You're beautiful when you smile, you know?"


Anna couldn't look at him. She kept her eyes down as he spoke to her, but didn't try to pull her hand away. She thought about his words, forcing her head up a little so she could meet his eyes. "I'd like that." she whispered, a few tears falling from her eyes. She hadn't told anyone except Lukas about her problems, and it was scary to have told Nick. She looked away again quickly as she felt herself beginning to shake.

 

[goldcat16471]

(Sorry took so long!)


Serene smiled more from his words and laughed softly. She blushed and looked into his eyes for a moment, then turned away shyly, "Thanks..." She giggled then in response to his words before she whispered, "I'd like that a lot," She glanced at him, "More than anything. Do you really think we could?"


Nick gently raised a hand to wipe the tears away, then kissed her head and hugged her. "We'll get through Anna. I promise." He told her. He felt her shaking and he held her tightly, stroking her hair. "It'll be okay." He closed his eyes as he hugged and a soft smile was on his face. He would help her. He wanted to take care of her. She took care of him, each and everyday from strigoi and just being there for him, and he wanted to help return the favor.

 

[tamaracorine]

"Yeah, we could." he told her quietly. "I know we could. We'll get this done, and then we'll go travelling. We'll make it work." he wrapped one arm around her shoulder and continued to steer with just one hand. pulling her close against him. "We'll have the best of adventures together, Serene... the sort that people will tell stories about forever."


His embrace only made more tears fall. She buried her head in his chest and returned the hug, clinging to him. She eventually lifted her head and kissed him deeply, leaning back against the locked car door and pulling him towards her so that they were pressed as closely together as they could be with their seatbelts still on. "I just want to be alone with you, damnit..."

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene smiled dreamily from his words. She rested her head against him, and let her thoughts drift, fantasizing about the adventures they could have. They could go anywhere and everywhere. They could have the time of their lives on some epic journey around the world. Serene closed her eyes as she thought of this, and let the dream take over her. She muttered to Lukas quietly, "That sounds absolutely wonderful..."


Nick kissed Anna back passionately and gently leaned over her as she pulled him against her. He smiled from her words and stroked her cheek. Nick whispered in her ear, "I know Anna. I want to be alone with you. Once we stop at the hotel, we can be alone... Just wait a little longer..." He smiled more looking in her eyes, then kissed her deeply again. He stayed close to her and held her close to him as well.

 

[tamaracorine]

Lukas drove until they were a safe distance away from the academy. They stopped in a small town by a river, and Lukas went and spoke to someone about renting a place for the night. He was handed the key to a small cottage by the river by a sympathetic old lady, and he got back in the car and drove down to the cottage. "We can stay here for a day and get ourselves together... Map out a route, eat some food, then we'll be sleeping in the van for the rest of the trip." he told them as he opened the door. He wrapped his arm around Serene. "Want to help me make some breakfast? Pancakes? The old lady said there was food here."


Anna looked at Nick as they walked inside. Her arm was wrapped tightly around his waist. "We're, uh, going to... go take a nap." Anna told Lukas. "We'll catch up with you soon." she pulled Nick into one of the bedrooms and shut the door. "He doesn't believe me, does he?" she asked, laughing. "I'm a horrible liar."

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene walked into the cottage, then grinned at Lukas, "Sure!" She smiled, then watched Nick and Anna go into the bedroom, and raised an eyebrow at Lukas. She muttered, "A nap, huh?" once they shut the door. She walked to the small kitchen to start finding some ingredients then glanced at him.


Nick chuckled and grinned at Anna, "I don't know, we may not have fooled him." He laughed as well, then grabbed Anna's hand and sat on the edge of the bed, pulling her close to him. Nick looked into her eyes smiling, then slowly raised her chin, brushing his lips against hers.

 

[tamaracorine]

"I know they're not napping." Lukas told her. "But I need to trust them both. I trust Anna. I trust Nick. I need to show them that." he shrugged, helping Serene get the ingredients ready. He wrapped his arms around her as she stirred the ingredients together in a bowl, planting small kisses on the side of her neck. "Besides, I get to hang out with you."


Anna stumbled a little and sat on his lap, looking down at him. "Just so we're... clear..." she whispered, playing with his hair. "You're okay with this happening? I... I feel ready to... you know... with you... but if you're not ready..." she tilted her head and blushed. "Just tell me, yeah? Do you want to do this?"

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene nodded in agreement with his first statement then blushed when he wrapped his arms around her. She smiled and turned to face him, kissing him gently on the lips, and wrapping her arms around his neck. She said softly, "That sounds good to me..." She looked into Lukas's eyes, and her smile grew.


Nick blinked, then smiled softly at Anna and held her close. He spoke seriously, the smile staying on his face, "Anna, I want to do this, but I need to ask the same thing you asked me... Are you sure you're ready?" He tilted his head momentarily, "We are talking about the same thing, right?" He asked hesitantly, wanting to clarify what exactly it was they were thinking. He chuckled and looked down slightly.

 

[tamaracorine]

Lukas held tightly to her. "I like you a lot." He whispered. "You're just so damn beautiful, Serene." He laughed, kissing the tip of her nose. "I cannot wait to explore the world with you..."


Anna chuckled, "yes, we are... And yes, I'm sure." She rolled her eyes and ruffled his hair. "Wasn't that obvious earlier when I couldn't keep my hands off you?"

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene felt herself blushing more and she continued looking into his eyes, "I can't wait either Lukas..." She pressed another kiss to his lips. "Thank you for being here for me... I couldn't ask for anyone better." She smiled at him.


Nick laughed then looked into her eyes, "Yes. Yes, you're right." He told her, amusement lacing his voice. He looked at her smiling even more and stroked her cheek. "I think it's obvious we both really want and need each other..." With that he pulled her against him and kissed her passionately.

 

[tamaracorine]

"Let's make pancakes." Lukas kissed her quickly again. "Come here." He showed her the pan and began to cook. "I'm brilliant at pancakes. Anna loves them. They're the one treat she can't resist."


Anna was shy at first but became bolder as they went on, and eventually lay beside him, grinning stupidly. "Wow."

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene smiled from Lukas, and began to cook the pancakes with him as well. "Do you cook a lot?" She asked at one point.


Nick was slightly nervous in the beginning, but passion took over him, as they continued. Even though he did have a slight "party boy" stereotype, this was his first time, and he couldn't have asked to have done with anyone better. He kept his arms wrapped around her and smiled at her, gently stoking her, "You are amazing Anna..."

 

[tamaracorine]

"Only when we're on break." Lukas said simply, "I like to cook. People are complicated, you see... but cooking? It's not. It's calming and simple and I mean, as long as you know what works, it's easy to make something that tastes great." he leaned over and kissed Serene lightly. "So, I was thinking that maybe you could share a bed with me tonight..?"


Anna looked up at him and grinned, "As are you." she whispered, "But we should probably get out of this bed and get dressed before they realise that we weren't just making out..." she began to sat up, then flopped back and shook her head. "No. I don't want to be ashamed. We did nothing wrong, did we?"

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene smiled from his words, "You know, Lukas, you're very insightful." She laughed softly, and kissed him back then looked at him when he asked his question. She tilted her head shyly, "Oh! Uh, yeah..." She smiled at him, more confident, "Of course." She looked down, smiling.


Nick chuckled and looked at Anna, admiring her, "No. We didn't. It wasn't wrong Anna, it was completely right." He thought for a moment, "There's no need to be ashamed at all." He planted a kiss on the side of her head, and held her hand.