AND A THIRD MAKES IT EVEN (An Alex Turner Fanfiction)

Chapter 1-Meeting Place

August was coming to an end, with the summer blending into autumn and a perceptible change in the weather. It wasn't cold by any means but the evenings were pleasant, and even chilly if it had been raining. It truly had been the perfect time to visit London, thought Zia, as she stretched herself out on a garden bench. She'd been walking for over an hour and was knackered. Hyde Park stretched out endlessly in all directions around her, dark and desolate. It was late, perhaps one in the morning, she thought wonderingly. It was certainly reckless to be out alone in the Park this late at night, but it was something she'd wanted to do. She didn't know where she got the notion from, but she'd wanted to walk through the Park in the night, without a multitude of people, and imagine an earlier period, earlier romances. How many of her historical fictions had Hyde Park figured in? Plenty! And so she found herself looking at the periphery of dark trees in the distance. It really was more like mini woods, with small pockets of dense trees, a smattering of small clearings, and then the expansive lawns with their typically English manicured flora.

Zia sighed and closed her eyes. Tired, oh so so tired! And then her ears picked up upon something. She cocked her head, listening more keenly now. Had she imagined it? Nope! No, she hadn't. That was definitely the sound of music, a string instrument of some sort. A guitar, most likely. Before she knew it, she was up and walking in the direction of the sound. Was someone having a boisterous party? Or a clandestine lover's rendezvous? She really should leave it alone. Why poke her nose where it didn't belong? Hadn't she been reckless enough already? But despite these misgivings she carried on walking softly towards a small clearing hidden from the view by a cluster of tall trees. It was dark here too and she could only make out silhouettes. It was a couple of guys that looked to be fooling around with their guitars. Really, why the hell were they here at this ungodly hour? But then she chastised herself for that judgmental thought. She'd had the grand romantic notion to be here too, why couldn't others?

The taller guy said something to the shorter one, and they laughed, and Zia suddenly felt like laughing too. And again before she could stop herself she found herself doing something extremely foolish and dangerous. She walked right through the trees, and into the clearing, announcing herself to the men. "Hello there!" she said. The two seemed a little startled by her sudden apparition like presence but to their credit soon recovered. "Hey" replied the taller one. The shorter nodded in her direction. Zia walked closer, and promptly sat on a large boulder from across them. "Well...play us something then!" she demanded, her voice strangely low and husky. What was that about?

They looked at each other, the boys. A short unspoken conversation ensued, and Zia looked on, amused and curious. The shorter one nodded, and then strummed his guitar. The taller one followed, and they melded into a song.

As it came to a conclusion, Zia breathed out one word, "Fuck."

She hadn't known what to expect, but she certainly hadn't expected to be so...overwhelmed. What were these two? she thought as the song ended. They'd moved and played in tandem, almost as if they were a singular entity, alive and fluid. There was so much chemistry it was mind blowing and she almost felt like a voyeur. And the music, heavens the music was so soulful and divine and just...beyond words and expression.

"Fuck! What was that? What's that song, I've never heard it!" she exclaimed.

"It's called She Does the Woods." The shorter one explained before coming forth. "I'm Alex", he said, sticking his hand out.

Zia looked up at him, putting her hand in his. Calloused and warm, she thought as she said "Zia. I'm Zia." He kept a hold onto her hand and helped her up as they were joined by the other.