The Girl in Purple (Pietro Maximoff) #Wattys2015

The Boy Who Wanted Happiness

A/N: JUST A QUICK NOTE TO SAY THAT THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER HAS BEEN REWRITTEN!

Pietro stared mournfully at Arrabella, there was just no life in her, no spark.
She just lay on the sofa day and night, always sleeping and occasionally waking up to eat.

This was not how things were supposed be. Arrabella but she acted like there wasn't even going to be a wedding. Things had to change, Sebastian needed her back the way she was and it was up to him to help her.

As he sat next to her silent form, he knew what he had to do. With a determined look on his face and a plan brewing in his mind, he picked up his mobile and dialled a number. Doctor John's words echoed through his mind:

"You have each other," the doctor assured him. "try to remind Arrabella of those snippets of happiness."

"Hey Pepper?" he whispered into the receiver. "Sorry, I know I'm not supposed to call you while you're at work but- No! No, nothing's wrong but I need to...no, Tony hasn't done anything stupid. No, Pepper, I need to know- Yes, I'm sure! Look," he hissed, infuriated. "I just called to ask where the copy of Love Actually is?"

XOX

It was midday when Arrabella finally rose from her deep and uncomfortable sleep. Her whole body seemed to ache as she moved, probably the product of sleeping all day and night. She felt like a total wreck (she probably looked like one too). She glanced around the room and found Pietro was no where to be seen. He probably can't even stand to be around me now, she thought bitterly, I'm a muzzled mutt. Arrabella moved into a sitting position, sighing. She hated being conscious at the moment, it just reminded her of how much her life had fallen apart. Who would want to stay conscious for that?

She was about the lie back down and sleep again when Pietro walked into the apartment, he noticed Arrabella gazing at him and he smiled. Genuinely smiled at her. Why was he smiling? There was nothing remotely nice to smile about. With a DVD in one hand, Pietro put his other hand on his hips and just stood there staring at her. It was so weird, he was acting like everything was normal. Maybe he had hit his head and caught amnesia or something.

Arrabella arrowed her eyes, not liking his quiet happiness.

"Oh...nothing, I'm just glad to see you're awake."

Maybe he was taking drugs? Which would be really stupid of him but would explain his sudden change in mood.

"Right," he clapped his hands together. "itinerary for today. In ten minutes you're going to have a shower and get dressed in the clothes I've set out for you-"

What fresh hell was this?

"And then we're having a date."

Wait, what?

Arrabella looked doubtfully at him and remained seated.

His smile widened. "Come on," he took hand hand in his and pulled Arrabella to her feet. The first real bit of physical contact they had had in weeks, since they had wept together in bed. He guided her towards the bedroom with the en suite.

XOX

Pietro and Arrabella were curled up together in the entertainment room, watching Love Actually. The female was happily sat on his lap, encircled by his arms . She rested her head upon his right shoulder, the soft material brushing against her cheek. Tears still falling down her face. She closed her eyes, listening to the dialogue to the film, instead of watching it.

"Just like the old times, huh?" the male whispered to her, happy to see Arrabella more relaxed and content.

They settled back into the sofa but Pietro couldn't focus on the television screen, he was too absorbed in Arrabella's content expression...