Run Away From The Pain

Birthday Blues, in Steven's Style

"Guys, we're here." Roger, who was driving the bus, called back to us. 
"Ahh! Italy!" I giggled and popped up from my seat, practically sprinting off the bus.

It was slightly chilly in Italy, considering it was still mid-March. 
I pulled on the sleeves of my cardigan, shivering slightly as a cool wind swept by me. 
The warm sunlight, warmed my delicate skin, fighting against the cold that was threatening to seep through the fabric of my jeans. 
The second I stepped off of the bus, the wonderful smells of Italian cooking, and the bright colors of foreign fabrics swirled around me, exciting my taste for adventure. 

"Hehe, this is so awesome!" I giggled, hopping around like an excited teenager at her prom. 
"I know, this is fucking amazing!" Joe grinned, carrying Claudia off of the bus. "I love Italy, it's one of my favorite places ever." 

"It's gorgeous!" Claudia gasped at the sight around her. 
Though we were only in Caserta, the architecture was similar to that of acient Rome, with old crumpling buildings, and open, outside markets throughout the large cluttered streets. 
There were beautiful fountains at almost every corner, with large streams of water flowing through their pipes. 
My eyes finally rested upon a little shop on the other end of the market we were standing in, which had tons of colored fabrics, and clothes, and even a few guitars. 
As I walked closer to it, I noticed it was a record shop, that also sold miscellaneous scarves and stage clothes.

I ran into the store, and instantly found a beautiful pine-wood acoustic guitar, with little emerald leaves embellishing the smooth wood of the neck.
I picked it up, feeling the silver coils buckle underneathe my fingertips. 
I noticed the strap on the guitar was made from the finest silk scarves I've ever seen, in bright reds, purples, blues and greens.
With a satisfied grin, I brought it up to the register.

"Ma'am, I think I'll take this." I smiled, and held out the 250 Euros it took for me to purchase the magnificent item. 
The old woman had long dark brown hair, with grey streaking it, defining her age. 
She looked at me with a puzzled expression, until she saw the guitar in one hand, and the money in the other. 
Clearly, she didn't understand my English. I barely understood Samarinian, nevermind Italian; yet, she nodded politely and took my money. 
Just before I gave her all of the money needed, I noticed a bright blue t-shirt, with a red circular logo on it. 
In wavy-bubbly letters, 'Aerosmith' was scrawled across the top of the circle, and a picture of a jet, and the band were dead center. 

"I'll take that too!" I smiled, pointing at the t-shirt behind her. 
She turned to see what I was pointing at, and nodded taking the t-shirt off the hanger. 
She added it to my purchase, and then completed my transaction.

With a grin, and shopping bags in hand, I walked back to the tour bus, where the rest of the band was, no doubt, waiting for me; finding solace from the hot sun, in the cool shade of the bus.
I walked up the small steps to reach the living quarters, and found everyone peacefully waiting. 

"Finally," Steven smiled, standing up from the couch as he noticed me. "Where've ya been?"

"Well," I grinned and pulled the bag, and the guitar out from behind my back. "Happy Birthday!" 
A smile spread across his lips, and the light was gleaming in his eyes. 

"Thought I forgot, didn't cha?" I giggled, handing him the guitar first. "I know you like to play guitar a little, and I know that you're a nature boy, so I thought this was perfect when I saw it… Also, well, I thought the scarves were perfect for you too, I mean, considering yo-"
Steven abruptly cut me off with a kiss filled with fire. 

"I love it so much," He smiled, pulling away from the kiss. "Thank you."

"What's in the bag?" Joe peeked around me at the brown paper bag in my hands, which was stuffed with fabric and tissue paper. 

"Ohh, look how fuckin' cool this shirt is!" I gasped, tearing the bag apart, frantically trying to get the shirt out to show everyone. "I've never seen this before, is it a new design?"
I held it up for everyone, as they all grinned, proud of their success. 

"I've only ever seen the design drawn out once, but I've never actualy seen the shirt.." Steven chuckled. "It looks good though."

"Good, I'm glad you like it," I plopped down next to him, with the fabric still in my hand. "Because it's your other present… Happy birthday, baby."
I thrusted the fabric into his hands, and kissed him feverishly. 

"Woah, thank you, babe!" He grinned and ripped his shirt off, throwing it on the floor of the bus, and pulling the new shirt on over his head. 
It looked good on him, and I was proud I made the discovery. 

"I can't believe you're already 28, do you feel like an old man yet?" I giggled, resting my head on his shoulder as he strummed the guitar quietly. 

"What are you talking about? I thought I was only 7.." He smirked. 

"We're talking about your chronological age... not your mental age, jackass." Brad laughed leaning back in his bunk. 

We laughed and joked for a little while longer as we drove to the hotel we were booked to stay at.
When we finally got there, it was magnificent and almost as luxurious as a palace. 
There were tapestries hanging off of the walls, and the red carpeting gave the entire lobby a feel of royalty. 
It was stunning. 

There was a chrystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, which was as grand as the one hanging in the ballroom of the Samarinian palace. 
It took a few minutes, but we checked in, got our room keys, and headed upstairs toward the penthouse suites. 
As usual, Steven and I were sharing a room, Joe and Claudia were sharing a room, and Brad, Tom and Joey each got a room to themselves. 

"Wanna do the honors, birthday boy?" I winked, as Steven grinned and put the key into the tumbler of the lock on our door.
When the lock clicked open, and the cherrywood french doors of the luxury sweet swung back, revealing a room fit for a king.... "Ha! If only dad was here." I thought to myself. 

The floors were a pristinely polished white marble, with gold accents fitting in between each block. Large golden curtains draped down from gold and silver plated curtain rods above large sets of glass french doors, that visibly lead out to a 'Juliet Capulet' looking balcony; The sunlight peeked through the doors, illuminating the dust dancing through the air.  

"This is amazing." I giggled, as I nose-dived into the royal blue sheets of the california king bed. 

"It definitely is." Steven laughed, jumping onto the bed with me. 
I smiled widely and rolled ontop of him, flipping one leg over the both of his, so I was straddling him like a horse. 

"Happy birthday." I leaned in and kissed his lips lightly. 
He grinned and returned my kiss, putting his hand on the small of my back, and pushing my body closer to him. 
Our tongues did the tango for a few minutes, before things began to heat up. 
Steven's hand traveled down my torso, unbuttoning each little button that closed my silk shirt; he slid it off of my shoulders, letting the cool fabric pool behind me, leaving me in just my bra, and jeans. 
I did the same to him, leaving us equally exposed. 

Steven rolled over, so he was now on top of me, as he began to suck on my neck lightly, leaving little love bites everywhere he could. 
"Mmmmm." A soft mean escaped my lips, as his hands traveled south, unbuttoning my jeans, and sliding them down my, now, exposed thighs. 
With his help, I too, pulled Steven's jeans off, exposing his boxers.

He grinned wildly and flexed his hips, pressing his desire into me. 
With a swift movement, his silky draws were off and he was in. 
"Ooohh." He groaned softly, nibbling on my earlobe. "I really do love you, my Alexandra." 

His velvet voice sent shivers up my spine, and goosebumps rising up everywhere on my skin. 
"Ohh Steven." I giggled a little, as my insatiable need for him grew larger and larger. 

As usual....
*knock knock* "Hey guys, it's Tom, we're gonna go explore the city"
Steven and I paused, putting a hand over eachothers mouths, snickering lightly. 
"Are you coming?"

"Shhhh!" I whispered to Steven, with the light gleaming in his perfect chocolate eyes, which were only inches from mine. "Yeah, we'll meet you guys there!" I called back through the door. 

"Where do you want to meet up?" Brad answered this time. 

"Uhh... Wherever..." Steven called back, while playing with me, trying to make me moan for more. "Just go, and we'll find you guys!"
The excitement of getting 'caught' was looming over us, making the experience all the more pleasurable. 

"Okay, well.. use protection, and just come find us in the lobby when you guys are done." Joe's, and the rest of the band's, laugher faded as they walked past the door and over to the elevator. 

"Now where were we?" I asked, kissing Steven. 
He grinned, and continued where we left off, quickening the pace.
This time he succeeded, as a loud moan escaped my lips, begging him for more. 

"Ughh... yes, Ace." He grunted, clutching me close. 
"Steven..." I gasped. "Steven! Ugh!"
I groaned as he held me close, releasing all of his love into me. 

We fell back on the pillow, just holding eachother for what seemed like ages. 
"We should go get ready, and meet the guys.." I smiled, kissing his nose. 

"But the birthday boy wants to stay here with you.." He sighed, sticking out his lower lip adorably. 

"You'll still be with me," I laughed, getting off of the bed, tugging on his arms lightly pulling him off with me. "Come on!"

"Fine." He chuckled rolling out of bed. 

We both got changed back into the clothes we were wearing before. 
I slid my darkwash jeans on, and buttoned them up, then slid the light blue silk sleeves on over my shoulders, and buttoned up each little button hanging off of the fabric.
I tied up my little white leather boots, and turned to Steven, who was fully dressed, sitting on the bed watching me. 

His black jeans clung to him, leaving little to imagination. Luckily for me, I didn't have to imagine, because I knew exactly what my sex-god boyfriend looks like, and exactly how he feels. 
His massive heart was covered by his black t-shirt, and a cheetah print silk blazer. 
He pulled on his black cowboy boots, and moments later, we were out the door. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We strolled down the sunlit cobblestone streets, hand in hand, taking in the scenery around us. 
The antiquity of the buildings around us made me feel safe, and at home. 
I loved it. It was almost something right out of a story book, making me feel... welll... like a princess.

We neared the end of a long open market, like that of the boardwalk in Samarinia, before we saw the rest of the band.

"There you guys are!" Claudia giggled, bounding over to us, as we took our sweet time getting to the rest of the group. 

Joe just laughed and tucked her under his arm, rolling his eyes at Steven and I. 
"So what's there to do around here?" I asked, looking around the group of rock gods before me. "I mean, you guys did look around, right?"

"Yeah, your majesty." Brad snickered. "While you two were off having fun, we looked around for a bite to eat, and we found this really awesome pizza joint, if you wanna go check it out."

"You guys didn't eat yet?" I asked, amazed.. Usually, if Joey has a say, there will always be food involved in the day's activities. 

"Nope, we were waiting for you guys." Tom smiled kindly. 

"Awesome, let's go!" Steven grinned, wrapping an arm around my waist as we made our way to the little restaurant at the other end of the strip. 

As we walked through the door, the delectable scent of dough, and cheeses and pastas and sauces floated around us, filling our nostrils.
Instantly we were seated at a large round oak, with read leather cushioned booths circling 3/4th of the table. 
As we all slid into our seats, 7 menu's were passed around, and we all got a good look at what was being offered. 

"What are you guys thinking of ordering?" Claudia asked us all. 
"Well, I'm starving so I'm thinking a large pizza with sausage." Joey rubbed his rumbling stomach, as we all laughed. "Oh... I want a glass of red wine too. I'm feeling fancy."

"What about the rest of you guys?" She asked. "Tom? Brad? Steven and Ace? Babe?"

"Large cheese pie." Brad announced, putting his menu down. "And a coke."
"Same." Tom grinned. 

"Wanna split something?" I turned to look at Steven, who had him arm drapped over me, and was intently looking over my shoulder at the menu we were sharing. "Or are you starving?"

"I'm kinda starving," He smiled apologetically. "But we can split something if you want."

"Fuck no, I just wanted to make sure you didn't want to," I laughed. "I'm absolutely famished... Claud, I think I want the Chicken Alfredo Pasta, and a glass of white wine." 

"Mmmm... sounds good... I think I'll have the Chicken Parm." Steven announced triumphantly. "And I'll have a glass of wine too... Red."

"Okay, gotcha." Claudia smiled, then turned to Joe. "Babe?"

"I'll have whatever you're having." He grinned. 

"I'm just gonna get the pasta Carbonara, and a small house salad, and a glass of white wine." She smiled like a teenager falling in love. "That wouldn't be enough for you."

"Oh... Damn, then I'll just get a cheese pizza, and a beer." He nodded, as though he was agreeing with himself. 

A tall, skinny man in black slacks, a white long sleeve shirt, and a black vest come up to the table, with a notepad and pen in hand. 
"Posso prendere il vostro ordine?"

"Oh... shit... none of us speak Italian." I looked around the table to see a very perplexed group of people.

"Don't worry, I got this." Claudia grinned and cleared her throat. "Si. Vorrei ordinare quattro grandi pizze di formaggio, uno con salsiccia, un pollo Alfredo pasta, una pasta alla carbonara con una piccola insalata di casa, e un pollo parmigiano. Inoltre, si prega di portare fuori due bottiglie di vostri migliori vini uno rosso, e uno bianco. Inoltre, vorrei una birra, e due Coca-Cola. Grazie."

"Molto bene, signora." The man's smooth Italian accent swept over us, and in an instant, our menu's and the waitor, were gone. 

"What the fuck...." I gasped. "Claudia, how come you never told me you spoke Italian?!"

"Cause I don't." She chuckled. "I'm not fluent, anyway.."

"You sounded pretty damn fluent there!" Joe scoffed, kissing her cheek. 

"Well, it's another popular language in Samarinia." She smiled, her already rosey cheeks turning a bright shade of red. 

"Another?!" I gasped, "How many are there?!"

"Well," She paused countin on her fingers. "Four, I think.. There's Samarinian, English, Italian, and French.. Those are the only one's I'm familiar with."

"I only know a tiny bit of French, thanks to my mother forcing me to "train" to become a princess, but that's it." I laughed a little at my own ignorance. "Do you know all of them?"

"I'm fluent in Samarinian, English, and French, and only partially fluent in Italian." She grinned tiumphantly. 

"Why though?" I asked, really interested in her extensive knowledge of languages. 
"Yeah... what? Do you just have too much time on your hands or something?" Brad giggled a little. 

"Well.... Actually, Princess, it's a long story." She looked down at her hands folded in her lap, and blushed. 

"We've got time." I rested my elbows on the table, and put my head in my hands, staring at her from across the circular booth. 

She gave me a look, like she really didn't want to talk about it infront of the guys, but then sighed. 
"It's for your benefit, I guess.." She mumbled, then spoke up. "Well... I've been in the palace with you since we were little. When you were gone, I was raised to be everything a stately 'maid' should be." She raised two fingers and put a sickening emphasis on the word maid.

"Well, I was trained in multiple languages, mathematics, arts, sciences, literature of every kind, and one more thing." She took a deep breath.

"What?" I asked, so eager to hear more. "What was the last thing?"

"Physical combat." Her peircing blue eyes dug holes into my brain, ensuring that they would be able to haunt me until the day I die.

"W-why?" I asked, almost breathlessly. 

"I'm not just your maid... Not just your best friend..." She replied camly. "I'm your body guard. I was specially chosen at a young age for this position, by Commander Cooly Sr... You know, before he retired and all. His son is the Commander Cooly you know now."

"So..." I paused, trying to process all this information. "You're my body guard..."

"Yes."

"And.. you've secretly been protecting Ace this whole time.." Joe asked, appauled.

"Yes."

"That is so fucking cool!" Joey gasped, as the tension everyone was filling up with, instantly dispersed.
"I call bullshit." Brad scoffed. "You're so tiny, you couldn't hurt a fly." 

"Don't test me." She hissed, with an earth shattering, Ice cold stare. 

"If looks could kill..." Tom sighed, almost reading my mind. 
Suddenly, the waitor brought out our food, and drinks, interrupting our conversation. 
The delicious smells intangled themselves in eachother, and silenced us all for a few minutes as we dug in, shoveling mass amounts of food into our mouths. 

"I still don't believe it.." Brad mumbled with a mouth full of pizza. 

"Well, for some reason, I do." I muttered, taking a gulp of the most crisp wine I've ever had in my life. 
"Holy shit, this wine is fantastic.. What did you ask him to bring out?"

"I just asked for the two finest red, and white wines he could offer us." She grinned, obviously pleased. 

"Next time he comes over, can you ask him what he brought?" I asked, finishing off my drink. 

"Here he is," She paused, as he strolled over to check on us. "Scusi, quale tipo di vino bianco hai portato?"

"Un Gravner, Sauvignon Blanc, 1962, signora." He paused, looking at my empty glass. "Volete un altro bicchiere?"

"Want another glass?" Claudia looked at me, obviously translating. 

"Uhh.... sure, it's delicious!" I smiled, and handed him the glass. 

"Si, E 'delizioso!" Claudia laughed, mimmicking my excited tone. 
Clearly it was funny, because the waitors sweet little laugh faded as he walked away with my now empty wine glass, only to return moments later, with a full glass.
Another waitor dressed identically, was carrying a large silver bucket filled with ice, and the bottle (I'm assuming) of the same wine. 

"Grazie." I grinned, mimmicking Claudia's flawless italian accent.

The waiter grinned, and mimmicked my flawless English. "No, no, no. Thank you."
With that, he walked away, with a smug grin on his face. 

"Wait... did he just speak English?" A baffled Joey asked, with a mouth full of Pizza and coke. 

"Yeah.. I think so." I sighed, finishing off my food. I turned to Steven to see him leaning back in the booth, just staring at me, with a grin on his face.
His plate, of course, was completely empty, and he looked quite content with himself. 

"So does the birthday boy want dessert?" I smiled, resting my hand on his knee. 

"Yeah... you." He whispered into my ear, softly resting a hand on the small of my back, and running it along my spine softly, sending chills along my skin. He grinned and leaned back, announcing to everyone else. "Only, if anyone else wants it.."

"Yeah, let's get you some cake or something!" Claudia smiled, taking another swig of her wine. 
We continued our conversation for a few more moments, until the waitor interrupted us once again. 

"Would, you like anything else?" He said in broken English. His accent was so difficult to understand, I would've rather he just spoke to Claudia in Italian. His broken english is adorable, but his fluent Italian is completely attractive. 
He must've read my mind, because he winked at me, and then turned to Claudia. "Volete altro?"

"Sì, vorremmo caffè e alcuni dolci. E 'il suo compleanno oggi, quindi una torta sarebbe bello." Her Italian was so perfect it made me jealous. She turned and smiled at Steven and I.
"You guys like Tiramissu, right?"

"Never had it.." Steven and I responded, simultaenously. "Is it good?"

"Yeah, you'd like it." She smiled and finished off the order. 
Minutes later, multiple waitors brought us each a decorative cup of coffee with a biscotti, and multiple pieces of Tiramissu.
They lit a few candles on top of the desserts, and began to sing melodicaly in Italian, as the band, Claudia and I chimmed in... attempting to keep up with the Italian.

"Buon compleanno a te! Buon compleanno a te! Buon compleanno caro Steven! Buon compleanno a te!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Well that was awesome!" we all grinned, waddling out of the restaurant full beyond belief. 

"Definitely." I grinned, grabbing Steven's hand. 
Now that I now of Claudia's little 'secret', I'm becoming more aware of her positioning around me. 

She always tries to be no farther than 10 feet from me.
She and Joe were walking hand in hand, probably 5 feet behind us.

We slowly walked through the busy streets, back towards the hotel, as the moonlight poured over the old cobblestones.
Within 10 minutes, Steven and I were curled up under the royal blue covers of the king bed in our hotel room. 

"Goodnight birthday boy." I smiled and kisses his adorable little nose, making him laugh.
"Goodnight, Princess." He grinned and kissed me lightly before pulling me into his arms, and lulling into the land of unconscious delights.