The Peacock And The Bee (Chloe Bourgeois × OC)

~10~

"You're kidding." I stared at Robert Matthews with wide eyes, unable to muffle the soft chuckle that left my lips when I noticed how pink his cheeks were as he grinned at me. Even his NASA cap couldn't hide that. Folding my arms, I muttered, "what?"

"Oh, nothing. It's just incredible, is all. My bee-autiful queens, one and the same." I rolled my eyes and scooted back, my chair scraping against the tiles. I stood up and walked over to my balcony, placing my head in my hands. I wasn't even sure what to feel, in all honesty. My emotions were all over the place. "Aren't you supposed to be fixing me, Chloe?"

"Do it yourself, peabrain." He placed a hand on his heart, feigning hurt and winced slightly because he moved his shoulder. I glanced at him, my forehead creasing for a fleeting moment before I rolled my eyes once again and folded my arms.

"I'm hurt, my queen."

"You realise that I don't care, right?"

"You can't lie to me, my queen. I know you care about me and I'll prove it. Duusu, where are you?" Duusu popped up out of nowhere, whizzing around her owner's head. Her eyes glistened with tears and his eyes widened.

"What's wrong? You didn't have another nightmare, did you?"

"No, I just... Pollen took me to the storage room. There was so much food and... So... Much... Candy..." Tears ran down her cheeks and Chloe snorted when Rob stroked her head, successfully holding back a chuckle as she sniffled a little more.

"That sounds delicious but please don't cry."

"But... It's so much... food..."

"I know, Duusu and I hope you ate coz I need to transform for a minute then you and Pollen can get back to it." I froze at the name of my kwami and turned to Pollen, sending her an awkward smile and receiving the silent treatment in return. Two can play at that game. He yelled 'Duusu, feathers out' and transformed. I watched him pull a blue feather out of the hand fan in total silence, wondering why he was Steel Peacock when it was supposed to be a girl for probably the hundredth time. Suddenly, I heard a voice in my head. His voice.

Chloe, I know what you feel for me. You do care. Don't be afraid, this will be good for us both, my queen.

Before I could protest, the feather landed on me and a huge, yellow bee-like monster rose from my consciousness. I let out a gasp but he lay down in complete silence and let it touch him. I couldn't see what was happening but when the bee pulled away, Rob was on his feet, a smirk on his face. The bee nuzzled against him and disappeared. My mouth hung open. "What did I tell ya, Chlo?"

"Excuse me. You're telling me you could've done that this whole time... And- wh- boys." I rolled my eyes when he sent me a heartwarming grin, clearing my throat and raising a hand to my head. I felt so drained, I couldn't even look at him. I felt tears in my eyes and groaned, walking over to the balcony again. The sun was setting over the beautiful streets of Paris. He detransformed and joined me, opting to sit on the bannister as he watched me.

"Now, on to serious business. We are partners. Yes or no?" I nodded, sighing when he put his hand to his ear and sent me the look an old man without a hearing aid would.

"Yes, Steel, we are."

"And we're friends. Very, very good friends who would look great together, by the way-" I giggled, happy the darkening sky was covering up my pink tinted cheeks.