The sun was shining in Mina's face when she woke the next morning. She yawned and turned to face Teague next to her, who was still asleep. She studied his face carefully as it glowed in the light streaming through the window. His eyes were closed lightly, and his dark eyelashes were impossibly long. His hair was in his face, but he obviously didn't notice. Mina absentmindedly brushed his hair out of his face, making his eyes twitch. Mina froze and smiled at his reaction. She continued to memorize his face for a few more minutes until he woke up.
His eyelashes flittered, and his eyes opened sleepily, crinkling in the corners when he smiled at her.
"Hey there, Grimm," he yawned and stretched his arms out.
"Hey, yourself. You made me wait thirty
minutes for you to wake up, jerk!" Mina punched his arm playfully, and Teague rose an eyebrow.
"I didn't hear you complaining thirty seconds ago," he cracked his neck. "Soooo...." He looked at her.
"Soooo, what?" Mina rolled her eyes at his lack of words.
"What do you really want to do about fireworks tonight?" Teague ran a hand through his hair and bit his lip.
Mina shook her head. She didn't know what she wanted when it concerned her people, but she was positive that she wanted Teague to see the fireworks.
"I just want to see them with you, if that's alright... Maybe some close friends?" Mina smiled and she knew Teague couldn't refuse her. Sure, it made her feel bad she held so much power over him, but she knew he had the exact same power over her.
"So, Ever, Nix, Nan, and that one servant that was here yesterday... Donna." Teague listed people on his fingers and nodded.
"Umm, darling, aren't you forgetting someone?" Mina looked at him pointedly and he rolled his eyes.
"Fine. Brody can come." Teague grimaced and Mina chuckled.
She threw her arms around him and he slumped over.
"I love you. Only you, my beloved Teague. You are my Fate-"
Teague snorted.
"And Brody is just a past relationship that was brought on because of my insecurities. Now I have you, and Brody is just a friend. Besides, Nan wouldn't leave him behind." Mina kissed Teague's cheek and got up and into the bathroom.
..........
He hated it. Even though Teague knew Mina loved him, the small sliver of Jared's soul burned with anger and jealousy at Brody's arrival.
"Hey, umm, your highness?" The blond boy ran a hand through his hair and smiled. The blonde girl at his side was hugging Mina tightly and wouldn't let go, so Teague couldn't intervene when Brody stole her for a hug too.
I hate this boy more than anything.
Teague smiled at his guests and Ever came in for a hug.
"Holy snicker doodles! You look awful! Has the gimp been bullying you?" Ever smirked and Mina gaped at her.
"I'm sure that's what it is. Mina was always a
bit violent... I wonder why she would hurt such a kind person as him." Nix shook Teague's hand and gave Mina a side hug.
"Alright, because it took all day to find you people, the fireworks are starting soon." Mina put a hand on Donna's shoulder. The small girl was ecstatic at all the attention the royals were giving her, and was honored that she was able to attend a party with them. The clear nighttime sky was breezeless, so it was very comfortable to sit outside.
"Okay... Mina? How do I work these?" Teague stared quizzically at the pile of fireworks he had morphed from something and Mina shrugged.
"Here, let me help." Brody walked over to
Teague and Mina and Ever shared a look.
After some bickering and forced calmness, the firework display was in full glory. With sparkles of green, and shimmers of red, and blazes of purple, Teague had never seen Mina so content. She had her head against his shoulder and her arm around Charlie. Amazement made her brown eyes glitter and a smile was on her face. He could barely keep his eyes on the explosions of color in front of him.
"It's amazing..." Mina whispered to him.
"Yep. Sure is." Teague sighed and put his arm around her. "I respect you, you know. And I love you." Teague kissed her head and Mina beamed.
"Ditto on that. Thank you so much for this," Mina gestured to their friends and the display.
"You bet, Princess." Teague smirked when Mina punched him.
"You know, some people are trying to enjoy
this, you guys!" Ever's voice called from beside them and they laughed.
"Sorry, Ever!" Mina laughed.
"Ever, it wouldn't be so bad if you were nice to me like that sometimes... You know... When it's romantic like this..." Nix was silenced by either a kiss or a punch. But Teague was too enthralled with his Mina to even care.
