What Love Hasn't Conquered

Lucky

Lucky I'm in love with my best friend

Lucky to have been where I have been

Lucky to be coming home again

Lucky we're in love in every way

Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed

Lucky to be coming home someday

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Stephanie POV

I wake up on Oliver's couch with a massive headache and a busted lip as a reminder of the night before. I stretch and swing my legs off the couch to find something other than the floor underneath them. Looking down I find Xavier on the floor. As I move to step over Xavier's body Oliver comes into the living room and walks straight into the kitchen motioning his hands for me to follow him.

I knew at some time Oliver was going to ask what happened last night and who the strange guy I brought to his house is. I halfway expect him to rush me into the conversation but he does just the opposite, "You don't have to tell me now. Whenever you're ready." I smile silently thanking him.

Oliver turns to me then, "And by the way, good job." I stifle a laugh and watch his face light up. "He's cute. Toned, nice face," I shush Oliver but he ignores me and continues on, "slept on the floor like a gentleman." Oliver moves around the kitchen grabbing eggs and chopping peppers. "Listen," Oliver points a green pepper at me, "either you get that or I will."

I feel my face flush in embarrassment and remember the kiss I almost had with Xavier the night before. A muffled sound from the living room brings me from my memories, "Steph." It's Xavier and his voice is deep and laced with sleep. Oliver turns and looks at me.

"Who the hell is Steph?" I remember Oliver behind me and realize I now have some explaining to do.

I twinge slightly and look to Oliver, "I'm Stephanie."

"Oh." Hurt flashes in Oliver's eyes and he turns around once more to chop the peppers. "You should check on him. Breakfast will be ready soon." I take my dismissal and walk into the living room and over to Xavier.

He smiles when he sees me and I sit beside him on the floor. "How did you sleep?"

Laughing, Xavier looks around before answering my question, "For being on the floor, really good." He looks towards the kitchen and then back to me, his face now serious. "How do you know this guy?"

"His name is Oliver, and I met him after I--" my voice goes soft and Xavier seems to read my thoughts.

"After you left me." I lower my head and study the patter on the wood flooring. Xavier clears his throat, "Did you... sleep with him?" I can feel Xavier's eyes on me and I look up to him.

"I can't believe you." After how sweet Xavier was all this time, my anger builds up at this one question. Xavier watches me as I stand and walk away. For a moment I think about walking back over to him because I don't know where I'm going, but instead I go into the bathroom and lock the door behind me.

I try to busy myself and turn on the sink. I watch the water flow out of the faucet, around the sink, and finally down the drain. The water mesmerizes me and become a metaphor.

A knock at the door calls my attention. "Go away."

"Do I have to? I live here." I hear Oliver chuckle outside the doorway and turn the sink off before opening the door. He looks me over, "You okay?" I nod and Oliver steps aside to let me out of the room. "Breakfast is ready and your friend is brooding on the couch. I guess something happened." I glance at Oliver and he holds his hands up in defeat. "Like I said, whenever you're ready."

I walk down the narrow hallway towards the living room and Xavier stands when he sees me. "Can we talk, please?" I have no energy in me to go through a conversation about my relationship with Xavier.

"No time for that," Oliver cuts in and look silently thanking him with my eyes, "you're omelets will get cold." Xavier looks as though he wants to say something but Oliver stops him again, "march mister."

I laugh at Oliver's choice of words and follow him and Xavier into the kitchen.

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I take a seat on Oliver's couch and watch as he and Xavier converse on the other side of the room. Oliver turns and looks at me. "Hey I'm going out to the market down the street. You need anything?" I shake my head no and watch as Oliver disappears out the front door. Xavier moves towards the couch and takes a seat beside me.

"About this morning, Steph, I'm sorry. I know you're not that type of person and you wouldn't do anything like that with someone you just met. I've just been so confused about you lately."

I see the confusion clear on his face. "X, I forgive you, and I know you're confused. I am too."

Xavier scoots closer to me on the couch and places my hands in between his. I stare into his eyes and find myself leaning into him. He reaches up his hand and runs his thumb across my bottom lip. "Does it still hurt?"

"No." He leans in further until I feel his breath on my face. Our lips are only inches apart when the front door swings open and Oliver burst in. He looks at Xavier and I and swings his hands over his eyes. "I didn't see anything, but before you start fornicating on my couch I need to get my wallet."

Oliver walks over to the coffee table in front of the couch and grabs his wallet before turning around and walking out. The moment gone with him. I look at Xavier and then back at the door before standing. "We'll figure something out." I smile and walk down the hallway and into the bathroom and wait for my heart to stop beating out of my chest.

We'll figure something out