Unknown Beauty | ✔️

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Parents

[Fairytales are more than true: not because they tell us dragons exist, but because they tell us dragons can be beaten]
-G. K. Chesterton

Asher watched as Fallon finally managed to finish her last set of chin-ups on the bars and let go, adjusting her shirt. She had managed to change into more suitable clothes in the rooms in the back of the gym, and her wedding dress was currently sitting in the bag next to Asher. He sighed, resting his head on his hand in boredom.

The first practice had been fun to watch, seeing her revisit her chilhood and show off her flexibility, but now it seemed to be more mundane. Watching her on floor was more intriguing than the other events though; she didn't seem as shy and timid as she usually did with her practised salutes after every skill and proud smile at the end of her routines.

Once the two hours drew to a close, Asher stood up, greeting Fallon as she walked towards him, pulling out her hairtie and shaking out her hair, "Hey," he said, handing her her jacket as they headed out, bracing the cold.

"Hi," she returned the pleasantry as Asher rolled his eyes at her stroppy behaviour and pulled her towards him, "Kiss and make-out," he said, making her sigh and push the side of his face with her palm.

"That's not the expression, Asher," she stated as they started to walk home, "And I'm not mad at you for that anymore. You looked so bored on the bench watching me, you can go home during my practice - you do realise that, right? I already know the way back."

Asher instantly rejected her offer, "No way, I'm not letting you go home in the dark with mobsters lurking the streets," he shook his head, "Not again..."

He murmured the last part quietly but Fallon heard it clearly. She knew he was referring to Sky and halted in her steps, turning to Asher and frowning, "It won't happen again, Asher. And it wasn't your fault."

"It was. And it might."

He took her hand in his, as if afraid of losing her, and turned the corner as they walked in silence for a few minutes. Fallon sighed, "I... I know I've been acting up lately with me seeing Brooks a-and then thinking it was dark outside, but everything is going okay now. I'm fine," she said, feeling as if she had to reassure him from the way he was silently shaking.

"Wait - when did you see Brooks?"

Fallon's blood ran cold.

"O-oh, never mind," she spluttered out her frailly-constructed excuse and cleared her throat, looking away as he tightened his grip on her hand to stop her crossing the road.

"Fallon," he said tenaciously, tugging her towards him, "Tell me."

She cracked like glass at his words and swallowed. Her throat ran dry as her pleading gaze met his obsidian one. He held her captive in his determined eyes as she squirmed to get away. Why did you let that slip? He's not meant to know, her mind screamed at her angrily as she felt frustration build up inside her.

"N-nothing," she attempted desperately as he forced her to look at him.

"Fallon. I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere. You may as well tell me now. "

She shook her head frantically, as if she could make her thoughts scurry away. Everything was perfect and then you went and ruined it, you idiot! Her brain sighed in disappointment.

Shivering from the cold eating away at her, she caved in.

"I'll tell you when we get home."

When they stepped into the apartment, Calbee was sitting on the couch, watching the TV and sighing in boredom. They entered and she immediately switched it off, beaming at them, "Hey! I cancelled on Chris so I could get Fallon to spill the beans on your relationship," she confessed, unashamed and smiling widely.