The Curious Cast of Coney Island

Chapter 9- Anxious Aftermath

It was an hour later that Fleck tapped lightly on the door.

"Aria, dear, it’s dinner time. Do you need me to bring something up for you?"

Gustav sat upright in bed, his eyes filled with a mix of amusement and panic as he waited for Aria to say something, gathering up his clothes as quietly as he could manage.

"No... I'll be down shortly." She called out, blushing brightly as she looked at the door, then looked at Gustav. "Thanks for letting me know. I must have lost track of time." She moved slowly and gently touched Gustav, watching him gather his clothes.

"Are you feeling any better? Can you walk alright?" Fleck asked through the door as Gustav pulled on his clothes, shooting Aria a devious smile and darting out the window to the balcony. With a wink, he climbed out of sight, just in time for Fleck to walk in.

"Don't know why we have locks on these doors anymore. They’re useless."

Aria was hiding under the blanket and smiled. "No, no. I'm perfectly fine. I just... Was trying out the new bed." She let out a soft laugh. And, since it was Fleck, she grabbed her underclothes and dress, rubbing her eyes with a soft yawn. "Let's get going." She smiled, getting dressed as quickly as possible.

"You look relaxed. Have a good rest?" Fleck smiled, glancing around the room. "Was Gustav in here? I thought I heard his voice."

"No. If he was in here, he's a pervert." She told her, shaking her head as she finished dressing up. She brushed her fingers through her hair, trying to make herself somewhat presentable as the two of them made it out the door.

“Glad to see Mister Y moved you to somewhere more comfortable with your own bath. Now you won’t have to keep borrowing the key when your legs give out.” Fleck grinned, giving her a slight tease as they made their way down the hall.

“Yeah. It’s really nice in there. Roomy. And my lock does work, you know.” Aria grinned. “In fact, you’re just the right height to look in the lock and pick it!” She teased her friend, only to get a slap on the leg from the tiny performer.

“You’re lucky I like you! Otherwise, you’d get a throw down missy!” Fleck spouted at her, a big grin on her lips.

Gustav casually met them down the hall on the way to dinner. "Good evening, ladies." He grinned. "Are you feeling any better, Aria?"

Aria nodded and smiled. "I'm feeling much better besides the new bruise on my leg from Fleck here.” She grinned, playfully pushing her friend before skipping a few feet in front of them, only to stop and look back at them. “That room is absolutely amazing. Thank you for showing it to me." She told him, hiding how her heart raced around him. "I really can't thank you enough, Gustav." She said softly.

"Don't thank me. You earned it." He patted her arm gently once he got closer to her, a smile playing on his lips as well. Fleck glanced between the pair skeptically but didn't say anything. Not yet, that is. She wanted to win the bet, and she was going to do all she could.

Aria smiled softly. "Yeah, but you helped to pick my room. You admitted that to me." She told him, holding the key to her new room. "I really appreciate it." She told him, smiling up at him.

"Well, you're very welcome, Aria." He rushed ahead of her, opening the door for her. "After you."

"Gustav, when did you become such a gentleman?" Fleck giggled, raising her brow as she teased the youngster.

Aria let out a soft laugh and softly poked at him as she walked past. "Thank you. Yeah! Where's that troublemaker we all know?" She teased, blushing softly.