Forever and a Day

The Dog House

The next day was tense, to put it lightly. Dinner would be at Sean's, but since I was no longer making dinner, I just pulled out the stuff that Nathan and Gabriel would need. Then I started to construct dessert, knowing that if I did it now, I could be out of the way for the other two to make dinner. Luke came by as I was putting the peanut butter sheet cake into the fridge to cool.

I knew he was here by recognizing his voice in the front room, but I didn't know North was here as well until his strong arms were wrapping around my middle from behind, and his face was pressed into my shoulder.

"Baby, I'm so fucking sorry we upset you," he said, right off the bat.

While I did relax in his arms, I was still mad, and he knew it. He rubbed his fingers over my sides and spun me around so that I was facing him. His dark eyes searched mine, and something in his looked determined, but at the same time respectful of the fact that I wouldn't totally be over it until they all apologized for it.

He nodded, his lips in a firm line, "Okay, Sang Baby," he said, and kissed my forehead with all the care in the world.

I closed my eyes, wanting to just give in and hug him, but I knew if I gave in now, before they all recognized and apologized for what they did, then my point wouldn't be made. I looked up at him, grabbing onto his leather jacket I had gotten him for Christmas.

"What are you guys doing over so early?" I asked, "You know Nathan and Gabriel have to cook, right?"

North's face screwed up, "I don't want salmonella or some shit, so I'm going to help them. They're supposed to be over soon, and Luke was going to help with dessert, but it looks like someone already did," he said, giving me a stern but loving look.

I nodded and stepped away, "I did, I wanted to read a book, on my kindle."

While my words were innocent enough, he got the picture. I didn't want to talk to anyone more than necessary until they all apologized, and while I felt bad for those who said sorry first, it was how I had to do things. Giving in to one of them, meant giving in to them all.

North didn't look happy but he gave me a warm hug and then turned towards the kitchen, getting into the fridge. I was nearly out of the room before he called my name, making me turn to look at him. I pushed a strand of hair behind my ear as he spoke.

"I love you, Sang Baby," he said, tenderly.

I couldn't stop the small smile that graced my lips, "I love you too, North."

In the living room, Luke was putting on a film, while Sean sat on his chair, playing my DS. Probably mario, but with Sean you never knew, I mean. He could be playing Tinker Bell for all I knew.

Luke looked up and caught my eyes, he smiled faintly and nodded for me to step into the hallway with him. It was on my way to the room with my bag in it, so I didn't deny him. We walked in silence together, and while I fished out my kindle, he spoke.

"Look, Sang, sugar," he started, sounding nervous, "I didn't mean to make you feel like that. I don't think any of us thought it was a big deal, which it is. We talked about it a lot last night, and all came to the realization that if you had sent us something meant to be sexy, and laughed at our reactions, we'd be hurt as well."

I looked up at him, any words I might have said were stuck in my throat. He gave me a pleading look, looking abosulutly regretful of his actions. I nodded softly and cleared my throat.

"I just," I said, finding the words, "I forgive you, I do. I just want everyone to apologize before I forgive you as a whole... you know?"

Luke's shoulders sagged in relief and he cradled my cheeks, leaned in, and place a delicate kiss on my nose. I smiled in return, and he winked, before walking with me back to the living room where Sean was complaining to Silas about how Tinker Bell doesn't have any doctor faeries.

The rest of the night was filled with apologies, and one on one forgiveness, right up to dinner. Mr. Blackbourne still hadn't arrived, and I refused to forgive everyone as a whole, until I got my apology. We all sat down to a dinner, that actually looked pretty good.

Gabriel grudgingly admitted that North did most of the work, while making him and Nathan do the prep and boring stuff. What counted as boring stuff, I wasn't sure, but I knew better than to ask or he would complained more than North did while shopping with Luke.

Mr. Blackbourne walked in, and sat down seconds before dinner was planned to begin and through his whole walk over, he didn't meet my eyes once. I looked down at my plate, second guessing my little plan of making everyone apologise. I didn't want them mad at me, but at the same time I needed to put my foot down on this.

Mr. Blackbourne cleared his throat, and I looked up with surprise, "Gabriel, Nathan I expect you to have at least had a hand in this meal," he said, letting the sentence trail off.

Gabriel and Nathan shared a look before slowly nodding. Mr. Blackbourne gave a nod, and then proceeded to eat. I was floored, all of the other guys had apologized upon seeing me. I didn't exactly know how to process this, and the others seemed to be trying to figure it out as well. Kota looked confused, while both Sean and North looked different shades of pissed off.

Victor was watching me, and then all of their eyes were upon me and I couldn't stand it. I looked down at my plate and played with my food. Everyone ate, although reluctantly apart from Mr. Blackbourne, who acted as if there was nothing wrong.

When I had noticed that most of them were done, and busy murmuring, I stood up.

"Dessert?" I asked, my voice was tight and shaky even to my own ears.

There was a chorus of yes' and I walked into the kitchen. Silas followed me in and helped me serve up plates, I had him deliver them to whom they were intended for, making sure to give North a smaller piece since it was not exactly the healthiest thing ever, and he probably wouldn't eat a bigger piece.

When I had eight of the boys served up, including Silas, I walked out with a plate in my hand. I lifted my eyes to meet the one boy who was sans their dessert. His steel grey eyes were intent on me, and I made sure to lift my chin a little bit higher before sitting in my seat, and proceeding to eat a large bite.

Stick that in your pipe and smoke it, I thought, almost sourly as I watched in satisfaction. Mr. Blackbourne's jaw clenched, but he didn't move.

I did not see that coming..