Starlight

XVIII: Once Upon Another Time

Once upon another time
Our story had only begun
You chose to turn the page
And I made choices too

- 'Once Upon Another Time', Love Never Dies

xx.xx

"What about this one?" Finn pulled out a short pastel pink dress, adding it to the growing collection of outfits hanging on his arm without waiting for an answer.

Robbie didn't really look at it, instead focusing on her phone. "Hmm? Uhhh, yeah, sure."

He sighed. "Are you paying attention? This is your dress we're buying; the award ceremony is in two days."

"Sorry." Robbie locked the phone but her thumb twitched over the button, ready to turn it back on as soon as possible.

The dress really wasn't her colour; she was pale enough that anything light made her look sallow and exhausted, she thought. But then again, she really wasn't in the mood to go clothes shopping - nor to think about the ceremony.

"Yeah. It's nice."

"Oooooh, and this one..." Finn spotted another dress, floor-length black velvet. "This one is sexy. I bet the Professor will love to see you in this."

I'm sure he would.

If he was planning on coming.

"Finn..." She rubbed her face, trying desperately to wake herself up a little. She had barely slept since Christmas. "There's something... I need to tell you. About Professor Hidgens."

Finn shot her a playfully suspicious look. "Did you not tell me everything that happened on Christmas?"

Oh God, I'm going to have to tell him now.

It's time. You've put it off all week.

And he's going to find out anyway...

Slowly, gradually, she shook her head.

"Oh my God, what did you two do? And how haven't you told me?" Finn looked so excited that his face seemed an exaggeration of excitement, his eyes wide, smile broad and his hands clapping. "I need details. NOW!"

"Well... We... Uhh..."

She cast her mind back to that kiss.

...And the disaster that followed.

~~~

Henry leaned in to her, and their lips met.

Whilst Robbie's mind screamed obscenities, her body shivered and quaked; her stomach churned and her lips burned. His kiss was so light, so gentle, that it almost seemed ethereal.

Then, suddenly, it wasn't so gentle.

Not because of the Professor - Robbie pressed harder on his hand, reaching up to hold his face too, her fingers slipping into his hair and knitting themselves there, eager to do something more.

It was as thick and soft as she had always imagined it to be, and she felt him begin to grin as the kiss grew more intense.

"Robbie...."

He pulled away, and she gazed at him through her eyelashes. His hair was ruffled now, lips parted, eyes closed. He looked more boyish than ever, more handsome.

He sighed a long, weary sigh, then rested his forehead against hers, their breathing becoming synchronized.

She touched his cheek and leaned in again; after spending so long imagining what it might feel like, she was in a hurry to kiss him again, to make sure that she hadn't been dreaming.