One Step at a Time... KOTLC One-shots

Six (Tiana)

(At a sleepover, from "Just Maybe")


   The group wandered around Everglen, searching for something interesting to do. They trudged aimlessly for about ten minutes, until they walked by the kitchen.

"I don't know about you guys, but I'm hungry." Biana said, strolling into the huge room, and grabbed a nearby plate of a kind of crispy, crunchy cookie-cake. Tam was secretly starving, but didn't want to ask for the wrong thing. He shrugged, following Biana up the twisting stairs to her room.

Tam wandered around the room, looking at all the bright colors of pink, teal, and purple dotted with gold coming from the oversized windows. Then he noticed Biana taking a step outside to a covered balcony. Not that he'd been watching her, or anything. Not at all. He blew out a breath, making his bangs fall into his eyes as he tried to walk casually her direction.
"Hey," She said, leaning against the railing. He joined her, looking out at the view of rolling hills lit by the soft pinks and oranges of sunset. He tried to ignore her stares.
"Hi." He tried not to sound shy, but his voice was softer than normal as he nervously fiddled with the silver in his hair.
"You good?"
She sighed contentedly, "now I am."
What does that mean? He thought, surely she can't mean because I'm here, can she?
She turned to him, and Tam swore he saw her eyes brimming with unshed tears.
"Hey, what's going on? Are you okay?" he asked gently, taking a hesitant step towards her.

She sniffled, her eyes wet, "Tam, oh, I can't! I just can't anymore!"

"Do you mean the Neverseen?" He asked, seriously worried now and sad at her grief.
"No," she cried, "I mean you. Us. I know it's not possible, it's stupid, since I'm just me, only a Vanisher and all that, but, oh, I...I don't know. " She sobbed, and Tam wrapped his arms around her. He knew what she meant. He felt the same way, being a wayward of Exillium, a Shade, a twin. How could a girl like Biana possibly feel the trust he did for her? He was so unworthy of her, this incredible elf. The unspoken words tugged at his lips, his mind, trying to get him to confess. He expected someone to ruin the moment, gosip to start about them, but no one came.
"Biana, I...".
"It's okay. I knew it was impossible. Maybe in a different time or place-" she trailed off, a sob catching in her throat.
Tam swallowed hard, interrupting her by cradling her cheek in his hand, and her eyes widened slightly as she looked up, but she didn't pull away.
"Biana, I..." His voice broke, and he sighed. "I've liked-loved you for a long time, Biana. And I know you probably don't-"
She leaned in, silencing him with a kiss, soft and warm, leaving him breathless. Finally he pulled back, feeling a pang of disappointment and regret as he did it. "I still have to breathe, you know." He laughed slightly, and Biana looked at him. "Were you just doing that to try not to hurt my feelings?"
Tam shook his head. "Of course not, Bia."
She smiled slightly at the nickname, giving him a big hug, resting her head against his chest.
"Can we start slow?" She murmured, and Tam smiled. "Definitely. And I absolutely don't think you being a Vanisher changes anything. You're perfect." He turned red at the confession, but Biana didn't seem to notice.
Tam's chest felt lighter at the confession, and he knew Linh would be proud at what he'd said. He hadn't told her he liked Biana, but she being his twin gave it away. She knew him too well.
He caught Linh giving him a small, approving smile, and he flushed, turning back to Biana.
"Should we join the others?" he asked, grabbing her hand.
"Maybe in a minute. Let's have a 'us' moment."
Tam smiled. "That sounds good."
As they soon returned back to their friends, Tam didn't want to let go of her hand, and Biana didn't seem to mind. Prepared for more fun and games, they enjoyed the rest to the sleepover that had shown them just how far they'd come as friends. 

        (Sorry that was kinda short, but I'm proud of it :)
       --TianaSokeefe42