The Academy: Discovery

Welcome Home Parade

"You didn't enjoy it?" North ask me looking...vulnerable? Oh God I'm such a selfish girl. I've been so deep in my own head I basically missed my first motorcycle ride. I could tell it was something he was excited about. I was too, until about midway to the bike when North had to 'take care of' a couple of zombies who wondered into our path. I caught myself admiring Norths bad boy good looks as he swiftly and easily sent a blade into each of their skulls. I started to hope Mr. Blackburn's suggestion was possible. Then I wanted to slap myself for being so selfish. Thats when the freak out started. I've gone back and forth with the idea for the entire ride and still don't have answers.

And here I am back in my head again. "North I'm so sorry. Can we go again?" He lifts his chin toward the house showing me where the others are standing waiting for me near the door. I somehow manage to perk up and deflate at the same time. I want to go see the others but I feel so bad I've tuned out for most of my time with North. I rack my brain for the right thing to do. For a way to make it up to North all the while thinking this is exactly why Mr. Blackburn's idea would never work.

"It's alright Little Bit. Go put them out of their misery. We'll go another time."

I bite my lip not moving. "Um..do you think we could go tonight? Or is it too dangerous at night? Or maybe you're busy. We'll just..."

"Go tonight." he finishes cutting of my rambling. "You'll need a jacket but I'll make sure you have one by then."

"Are you sure?"

"It's a date." My eyes grow large.

"Oy, Beautiful are you fucking coming in or do I have to come throw you over my damn shoulder?" Gabriel calls from the house. I ignore him and continue to stare wide eyed at North, opening and closing my mouth searching for the right question to ask. Before I can get any questions out though Gabriel makes good on his threat and comes from behind to scoop me up and throw me over his shoulder. I use my hands to hold myself up looking at North. The look on his face can only be described as calculating. It's a look I see on Kotas face nearly constantly but it's new on North, at least to me. It's times like this I wish I was a mind reader. Unfortunately I'm not so I sigh settling with a wave which he returns with small lift of his chin. "I had no idea you were so fond of my ass Beautiful."

"What?" I ask confused.

'"You're fondling my ass right now, thats what." My first instinct is to pull away but Meanie would get a kick out of that so I take a page from his book and smack one of his cheeks hard. He yelps sounding a bit feminine and sets me down on my feet so he can properly rub the pain out of his rear. "Dammit Beautiful you've got a bite."

"I think it was you who told me just last week about paybacks being a bitch." I tell him feeling a bit smug.

"Then don't say I didn't warn you. I'll definitely be paying you back for this."

I pretend to pout something I think he has love/hate feelings about "Consider it my welcome home present?"

"You want slapping my ass to be your welcome..."

"Home?" I hear several voices call as we reach the porch.

I shrug. "If you'll have me back." I see several of them displaying megawatt smiles and others step closer to me as if to hug me but they all hesitate. It'll have to be me who hugs then because I want hugs. Even in just a few short hours I've missed them. I grab the closest one to me, Kota, and pull him in for a hug.

He's stiff in my arms but I refuse to let go until I get a good Kota hug. Eventually he relaxes and returns the hug whispering my name "sweetie" on a sigh.

"I missed you too Kota." I let that sink in before adding "but your in trouble"

There's snickering behind him from the others "He deserved it." Kota tells me without needing to ask what I meant.

"He was protecting you. I've seen North do that on several occasions over the last few weeks and nobody has punched him."

"Fair point well made. I'll go apologize if you let me just hug you for a bit longer."

I shake my head. "Don't go now. North says to make him grovel." His laughter joins the others and he releases me.

I'm immediately pulled into Nathans arms. "Um Nate. I know we haven't known each other that long or whatever but I feel like I wouldn't be a very good friend if I didn't tell you that you kind of stink."

"Shit sorry." He cringes starting to pull away.

"Have you been working out?"

He rubs at the back of his neck sheepishly. "Since you left until just a few minutes ago. It was pretty stupid actually" Sean says giving Nate a disapproving look.

I pull Nathan back into a hug. "You're in trouble too then."

"Elsie if I stink..."

"I was just teasing. You're a little sweaty so I tried to make a joke."

He pretends to be offended. "I'm with Gabe. Paybacks are a bitch. And you've been warned."

"I'll have you know my self defense coach is the best. It won't be easy to pay me back." I joke. He beams with pride then jogs off mumbling about a shower. "I was teasing Nate you don't stink!" I yell after him but its too late he's already up stairs.

"My turn Princess?"

My answer to is to pull Victor toward me. He surprises me by cupping my face and resting his head against mine instead of the hug I was expecting. It makes it nearly impossible not to look into his fire eyes. When I do my breath catches. "Victor?"

He closes his eyes and lifts his chin placing a gentle kiss on my head "Welcome back home."

He walks away and I'm left blinking rapidly wondering what just happened. I happen to be looking in Luke's direction and the blue spot on his cheek pulls my attention to him. "Luke is that icing on your cheek?"

"I made us cupcakes." He wipes at his cheeks but misses the icing prompting me to reach toward him and wipe at it myself before giving him a hug next.

I consider waiting to ask until all the hugs are out of the way but figure if I ask now he could have one ready for me and I'll get to eat cupcakes sooner. "Could I have one now?" His sheepish look returns and he turns nervous eyes on North. I wrap my arms around my belly to try and contain my laughter "You make us cupcakes but you ate them all? Should I add you to the list of people in trouble?"

"If you don't I will." North grinds out.

Sean standing next to Luke leans in so North cant hear "Dude, I saw you like an hour ago and that tray hadn't been touched. You ate that many cupcakes in that little time?" Luke shrugs and nods. "Wow. Props even for you."

I shake my head at them both but move to hug Sean next. I turn more serious talking to him "Thank you."

"I'm glad to have you back Watashinounmei" I lean my head back and look at him curiously. He winks at me. "Do want to have a date soon so we can talk?"

I can't help but glance at North before answering. "Are you busy tomorrow?"

"It just so happens I've got the next couple of days off. I'll see you then."

He doesn't even release me he simply passes me to Silas "Hello Poulaki"

Again I have no idea what he's saying but I catch the first word "Hello Silas" He smiles and says nothing else as he squeezes me tightly. I duck my head into his neck embarrassed by the little sound that escapes me. I can't help it Silas hugs are simply amazing. They always last much longer than other hugs and somehow manage to be just what I need even if I think I need nothing at all.

"First I didn't really get a hug. Two hurry the fuck up with the welcome home parade. The best part is upstairs in the form of your finished room." I squeal and squirm out of Silas hold running to give Meanie a hug then sprint for the stairs.