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

Nine (Tiana) Winnowing Galas

 
        "Linh, you better promise me --that if you're in Fitz's top twenty contenders of the match, and you're invited to the Winnowing Gala-- I'm going with you. I. Will. Come. Too. It's my job as your over-protective brother. Alright?"
       
Tam Song sprawled out on Linh's bed in Solreef, staring at his twin sister. Linh rolled her eyes.

"I seriously doubt I'm in his top fifty, but fine. Are you sure you don't just want to go to see Biana?" Linh smirked, and Tam felt his ears go red. 

"Nope! Kinda. But if you ever tell anyone..." He mimed slitting his throat with a finger, and Linh giggled. 

"Fiiinnneee, Tammy. But where's the fun in that? Nowhere!" 
Tam scoffed. "You find fun in anything, Linh. Especially thinking about Marella..." 
This time, it was Linh's turn to blush, and she smacked him with the back of her hand. 

"You wanna talk about crushes?" She asked, tilting her head in mock innocence, and Tam flushed. "Why are we even talking about this?"

"Because it's fun," Linh grinnned. "Anyway, even if I am in Fitz's top twenty, I don't like him that way. Not anymore." 

Tam shrugged. "He seems to like you, though."

 Linh scrunched up her nose. "I don't know about that." 

They continued the playful bickering and talking until Tam zoned out, his thoughts drifting to a certain pair of teal eyes.

"TAMMY. Listen to me!" 

Tam jerked back to reality as Linh waved a hand in front him, a sly smirk creeping across her face. "You had this dreamy look in your eyes, and you were smiling slightly, so I had to make sure you were okay. You never smile. So I'm assuming you were daydreaming about her? Bi-ana!"  She said the last word in a sing-song voice, and Tam slapped her playfully. 

"Hey, you don't have to worry about who and if  I care for someone like that." He said, giving her a look. 

"But it's my job as your over-protective sister," she replied, throwing his own words back him. He hated when that happened. "Anyway, I told Marella I'd head over to Fluttermont pretty soon, so I should get ready. Byeeeee!" She said, strolling over to the closet. Tam took the hint, and slipped out the door. 


            *This next scene happens in a few hours, after the whole match list thing where everyone shared their lists. Tam and Linh are standing at the bottom of the stairs at Solreef.*

            "I still can't believe you were number seven on Fitz's list," Tam grumbled, not exactly thrilled at the revelation. 

"Well, I guess that means you'll be going to the Winnowing Gala with me!" Linh grinned. "I'm not interested in seeing Fitz, only watching you and Biana make out!"

Tam was sure he was bright red, but he maintained his composure and kept a straight face. 
"We don't 'make out'." 

Linh giggled. "Suuureee you don't. Don't think I'm not watching you two. Anyway, come on!" She cried, pulling him up the long stairs to Solreef's front door. "Keep up! I'll give you some tips on making Biana fall for you! With CLOTHES!!! Seriously, you need to wear something other than black sometime."

Tam scoffed. "Black suits me better. And do NOT insult the 'emo-ness'!" 

Linh laughed, giving him a playful shove. "I'll beat you to the house!" 

Linh took off to the large house, and Tam sprinted to keep up, smiling despite himself. 


         *A few days later...* 

"Tam, if you want to impress Biana, you'll have to look nice," Linh insisted, searching through Tam's closet while trying to find some 'decent' clothes. 

Tam groaned. "Linh! I look fine in black! It suits me way better than other colors!"
 
Tam sat on his large bed, watching his sister from the corner of his eye. He heard her mumbling to herself, pulling aside jerkins and tunics and other clothes Tam didn't know the name of. All he knew, was that he was terrified for whatever Linh had in mind. Yup. 

After an eternity, Linh finally picked out a navy-blue and gold jerkin, some black pants, and some nice brown boots. 

"Here, change into this. She'll love it." She said, holding out the outfit for him. Tam took it, still grumbling, and walked to the bathroom to change and do his hair. He re-entered in the clothing, and Linh squealed. "You look AMAZING!! Perfect!!" 

Tam rolled his eyes, and he peeked into the mirror. He begrudgingly admitted that he actually didn't look too bad. 

"Black is still better," he insisted stubbornly, and Linh laughed. 

"Come on," she said, "let's go to Everglen." 

They walked down to the Leapmaster, and Tam took Linh's hand at the base of the stairs. 

"EVERGLEN!" He shouted, just as the light whisked them away. 



          
          Tam and Linh were greeted by Sandor and Grizel, who showed them the way to the ballroom. Tam's mouth fell open slightly at the shear magnitude of the place. Long tables covered in food lined a whole wall of the space, and large curtains framed the huge windows. Bright, sparkling glass chandeliers lit up the area like glowing suns, giving the room a magical feel. Too bright, Tam thought, feeling uncomfortable and awkward as he just stood there.  Linh had disappeared somewhere, likely searching for any animals and plants. She loved naming things, especially plants and pets. 

I wonder if Biana is here--

"Fancy seeing you here," 

"GAH!!" Tam jumped, whirling around to see Biana, looking stunning in her silky purple dress, and her chocolate-brown hair in an elaborate bun on the side of her head. She had a hand pressed to her mouth to suppress laughter, and Tam couldn't help but smile. 

"What are you doing here?" He asked, trying to sound casual. 

"Oh, I'm just here for the food," she grinned. "You?"

"I made Linh promise me that is she was in Fitz's top twenty contenders, than she would have to take me to his Winnowing Gala. So here I am." 

"You sure that's the only reason you wanted to come?" She asked, a sly grin on her cheerful face. Tam felt himself blush slightly, but refused to admit she was right. He was hoping she would be there, too. 

"I'm hungry," Tam said instead of replying. "Want to go get food?" 

"Sure." She shrugged, leading the way through the crowded ballroom. Tam struggled to keep up as Biana flickered in and out of sight to go faster. He eventuality pushed through the large group of elves to the long, colorful tables filled with mallomelt, custard bursts, fluffcreams, sugarknots, frostblossom crumbles, moonlit truffles, and countless other sweets and treats. Tam took a large, elaborate plate from the tall stack, and handed one to Biana. She smiled at him, and Tam's heart did a ridiculous flip that he chided himself for. He didn't see the point of crushes. Not that he had one. Not at all. He sighed. That was the biggest lie ever. 

"Tam? Here, want some crumblecream?" Biana said, shaking him back to reality. Tam blinked. "Sure," he said, holding out the plate for some of the tropical, creamy cake, and Biana gave him a generous slice. 

They continued down the line, each picking things that they thought the other would like, till the plates were loaded. 

"I should have gotten more of what you got," Tam laughed, observing how Biana's 'meal' only consisted of sugary things, whereas Tam had gotten some real food. 

Biana grinned back at him, leading him to a quiet corner in the edge of the room. She sat crisscross on the marbled floor, and Tam followed suit, cringing as he heard the tight pants' seam made a sound that was anything but good. The couple sat in silence for a while, each munching until Biana broke the ice with a joke, and soon they were talking joyfully. 

Biana flushed slightly as she said, "so, uh, wanna dance?" 

Tam froze for a moment, startled by her invitation. "Uh, s-sure." He flushed, silently praying Linh wasn't around to tease him about this. Although, if she was, he was sure that she'd be thrilled. 

Tam felt determined and nervous at the same time as Biana took his hand in hers, and he put a hesitant hand on her waist. She put her other hand on his shoulder, and they started dancing along with the music. One, two, three. One, two, three. One, two, three. Tam worked up the courage with each step, the fearlessness overtaking him until he blurted out, "Biana, I'velikedyouforalongtimeandit'sokayifyoudon'tlikemeback,butIthoughtyoushouldknow." He let out a long breath, waiting for rejection. She flushed adorably before admitting, "I've liked you too, Tam. Like, more than just a friend, um, yeah. Like, maaybeee more than a friend friend, like--"
He silenced her by taking her chin in his hand, cradling her cheek. She looked up at him, eyes widening slightly, but she didn't pull away. He closed the distance between them, and she sank into it. It was a sweet kiss, and Tam felt truly happy for the first time in a very long time. He  didn't want to leave, wanted to be with Biana forever. But it was a little hard to breathe, so he did, laughing slightly. Biana grinned back at him, her sparkling teal eyes full of joy. She gave him one more quick kiss, and Tam grinned like an idiot. 

"So...will you be my boyfriend?" She asked, and Tam nodded eagerly. 

"If you'll be my girlfriend," he replied, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. She smiled up at him, and he smiled back at her. Linh would be proud, he thought, mentally preparing for all the teasing. But hey, he'd live. I think. He grimaced inwardly. 

"Thanks," she whispered in his ear, and Tam smiled.

"You don't have to thank me, you know." Tam said, and suddenly, a flash of silver caught his eye. "LINH!! Why?!"

His sister emerged from behind the plant she'd been hiding with, and she ran over and gave Biana and Tam a big hug.

"YAY! I'm SO happy for you guys!!" She exclaimed, giving Biana a extra big squeeze. Biana grinned, and Linh leaned over to whisper something in her ear. Biana raised an eyebrow in response, glancing between the Tam and his twin.

"Is that so?" She asked, a smirk on her beautiful face. Tam decided he didn't want to know what horrendous thing his sister had told her. It likely had to do with the fact that he'd been in love with Biana since the moment he'd met her. Not that that was something he'd brag about.

The trio continued laughing and playful bickering long through the night, and when it was time to leave, Biana gave him an especially big hug and a peck on the cheek, before whispering,
"I miss you already,"

Tam gave a small smile. "Me too," Then he took Linh's hand, held up his home crystal, and was whisked away by a beam of glittering light.

           (I know this doesn't really sound like Tam, but I thought it was cute. Sorry it's so long ;). BTW, Just Maybe just hit 1.1K Views!!!!! That is HUGE. Thank y'all so much!)--TianaSokeefe42