The Royal Romance - What nearly happened...

All the good weirdness

Today had been... intense, and Maxwell had decided the best use of what was left of this evening was to get some space from everyone and everything. Well, except Chance, of course. Poor little guy didn't care about all the drama that was kicking off around him, he just wanted some fresh air and a chance to stretch his little canine legs. So, after an awkward dinner with Jen, Hana and Drake, he'd grabbed Chance and taken him for a long, long walk along the banks of the Seine.

They were almost back at the train now. Chance had loved every minute, his little tail was wagging proudly, but Maxwell couldn't even look at the Eiffel Tower right now after yesterday's events. Still, today's events had been just as challenging. Drake now hated him. Savannah... well, she'd hate him as soon as Bertrand found out he'd been effectively hiding her from him, and it went without saying that Bertrand would hate him then too.

He wasn't sure where Jen stood in all this. She was very close to Drake right now, so she probably hated him too right now. And that was the absolute worst.

Once back at the train, he realised he'd rather helpfully left his room keycard in the room. Good job Drake would be in there! He knocked on the door. "Drake, bud..."

No answer.

He tried again. "Draaaake... it's your train roomie...."

Still no answer. Aw, crap.

So he called Drake, but it went straight to answer. Uhhh.... He sent him a text. DRAAAAAAKE! LET ME IN!! He heard the ping. Nothing.

He considered his options. Sleep in the corridor? That wouldn't go down well with Bertrand. He could try and wake Bertrand up, and kip on his floor. But Bertrand might ask too many questions. Plus, he wouldn't take too kindly to having a canine companion

But what about Jen? What about her floor?

**What nearly happened**

Plus she'd be happy to see Chance, right, even if she wasn't so happy to see him?

He sighed, and tapped on her door.

He didn't have to wait too long before she answered it with a smile. "Maxwell? You okay?"

"Locked out of my room," he explained. "Drake's not answering."

She cocked an eyebrow. "Oh man, he really is being petty. Well, you can kip on my floor if you like." She headed back into the room. "And you, Chance Jones, you can share my bed! Yes you can!"

He sighed with relief, and followed her inside.

Half an hour later, Chance was asleep on the bottom of Jen's bed, and Maxwell was awkwardly laid out on the floor, fully clothed, one of Jen's pillows underneath his head, and one of her blankets over him. Trouble is, he was far too nervous to relax. He kept inadvertently looking across at her in the dark, all those amazing curls on clear display, as she lay all snuggly in her own bed. He wondered what she was thinking.

Then, there's the other issue. What I'm thinking. As per usual, I can't get her out of my head. This whole room smells of her and I can hear her breathing and it's stupid, but I just wish I was in that bed with her. Just to be closer to her. That's all. Nothing more. Obviously.

Then she turned. he thought she was turning in her sleep, but he gulped when he realised her eyes were wide open.

"You don't look very comfortable, Maxwell."

He grinned. "I'm fine."

"Come on." She edged away from him, and patted the mattress next to her.

His mouth fell open. "But.."

"Don't make this awkward," she told him.

So he didn't, and hopped in. She smiled, and closed her eyes.

But it was only now he realised how small this bed was. His leg was touching her knee, her face was practically on his shoulder..

Oh crap. I should've been careful what I wished for. This is... not easy.

He lay perfectly still for a few moments and not at all aroused by the situation. Not. At. All.

Then he heard a little snigger, and she was looking at him again. "What is wrong with you? You look so... scared!"

"Aggh! Who, me? Scared? Of... you? Don't be stupid. You're not even slightly scary."

"Just relax," she told him. "You should probably take your shirt off, you know. That'll help."

So he did, closing his eyes in concentration as he unbuttoned it.

"And your jeans."

Oh, no. "Can't do that."

"Why not?" She placed her arms around his back. "You'd be more comfortable, right? Oh.." Her eyes flickered underneath the duvet. "I get it. Involuntary reaction to being this close to someone. Don't worry. I know you don't want to have sex with me."

Ermmmm. He laughed nervously, but he could already feel the heat emanating from his cheeks. "That's helpful."

"Just get them off, Beaumont. And your socks too."

He did as instructed, and actually, yes, she was right about one thing, he was starting to feel more comfortable, and more relaxed.

When he laid back down, she placed her arms around him again. "This okay?"

"Yes," he said, because it was and his brain wasn't braining enough to think of another response.

"Drake did come and see me earlier," she said.

His ears perked up. "Is he still mad at me?"

"Yes." She laughed. "Know what though, I think he'd be really mad if he could see you now."

"Why?"

She sighed. "Doesn't matter."

No, he needed to know what she meant. He sat up, evading her tender hold. "Am I here so you can make him jealous?"

"No, you're here because you got locked out of your room, you numpty."

"Oh, okay."

"Maxwell?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm really glad you're here though," he heard her whisper.

Ohhh, what the hell. Seize the day. And the girl. He decided not to ask any more questions, and let himself settle back down next to her, this time wrapping his arms around her and squeezing her tightly. "Yeah, me too, Jen. Me too."

She giggled. "Yeah, I can tell." Then she looked at him, thoughtfully. "Would it be weird if I kissed you?"

His heart jumped out of his chest. "Good or bad weird?"

"I dunno, either, I guess?"

What the hell do I say to that? "I guess then it would be weird. But, definitely a good weird."

"Okay." And with that, she moved in closer. He could feel her smiling at first as their lips met, and then they parted and here came all the good weirdness in the world, and he wanted more, needed more.

**What really happened**

No, he shouldn't wake her up. She probably hated him anyway. Worse still, he might even discover Drake was already in there with her, which was why he wasn't answering their door. Maxwell shuddered at the thought, and went to tap on Bertrand's door.

Bertrand soon came to the door in his pyjamas. "What do you want at this hour, Maxwell?"

"Locked out of my room," he sighed. "Can I crash on your floor?"

Bertrand sighed, frowned, and held his door open wider. "If you really must. Oh, and the mutt too? I despair, sometimes, Maxwell, I really do."

Yeah. Me too, Bertrand. Me too.