The Axis My World Turns On

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A/N: It's past midnight, so I'm super late to say this, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR FAVORITE BROODY VAMPIRE PLAYING ACTRESS, NATASHA NEGOVANLIS!!!

"What the hell did you just say to me?"

The brewing was done. It was subdued. Stable and quickly chilled.

"You heard what I said, Carm. Marry me. How many times do I need to say it? Marry me! And, please, the next time I say it, give me an answer! Sweet Hermione!" The only time Laura got this worked up was when she struggled with schoolwork or missed the latest Doctor Who episode.

One time she had the opportunity to do a story on the owner of the local grocery store and nearly flipped her lid when what she thought was a family oriented, caring grocery store owner turned out to be having relations with register 13's bag girl in the stock room every Thursday afternoon while his wife was home with their 3 children. Between all the times Carmilla had seen Laura like this, all full of pressure and frustration and determination, raising her voice because of the stress, she had never seen Laura raise her voice like this. Never saw her be so shrill. Never saw her have to compose herself just to have a conversation with her.

But there she was, adjusting her body, relaxing her shoulders like this wasn't a conversation in the living room of her own home. She crossed her legs and cleared her throat, hands on the arms of her chair like this was an interview- or a counseling session. Laura Hollis transitioning to Lois Lane. "So, marry me."

Was she serious? Carmilla had to scoff at that. She had to smile just a little, because she was...shocked. She had to.

"This isn't some kind of consultation, Laura! This is marriage we're talking about! This isn't even about the damn vow anymore! What are you trying to do?"

And here it was, a Laura she never thought could be aimed towards her that couldn't be calmed with some light flirting and a flash of teeth. Flared nostrils, hardened eyes, furrowed eyebrows that reminded Carmilla of Sherman every time she was in trouble for fighting at school and they called him because they couldn't find her mother. If only he knew why she was fighting in the first place, if either of them knew. But, no, she just let him be angry. She let him yell, something she never really had with her real father. Not really. So, she let him yell. Now she was here with this. Angry Laura.

The foot that was dangling across her leg smacked the floor with enough force to make her flinch, and Laura was staring her down; and she finally understood what a taste of her own version of that look could do.

"You said you would not propose to me again until you were sure I would say yes. You did not attempt to attract another woman since this stupid vow was made for me. You didn't even have a line of eligible bachelorettes banging on your dorm room door like you so flagrantly put it on graduation night at my graduation party! For me! Carm, you kept your V-card because of me! You haven't even kissed another girl- even Ell- aside from me!

"Did it ever cross your ego-driven, black-colored brain- because I know it's a real inconvenience for you when things don't come in black, so your brain should be no different- that maybe Danny Lawrence wouldn't be such an issue for you if you had stopped boasting about how many prospects you'd have and flirting with the waitresses at IHOP for free flapjacks and maybe just been honest with me, instead of making me believe that you would rather be my best friend and throw me a pity proposal than date me because I wasn't some busty blonde in fishnet stockings and black lipstick and actually marry me for more than just because I wanted you to? God, I wanted you to!"

"Laura, I didn't- "

Carmilla stood to her feet, arms reaching out to cup Laura's face in her hands. She was almost there, inches away, when Laura jumped up and shoved her away. Repeatedly shoving a finger against her chest accusingly. She had to press her feet flat against the floor, toes digging into the front of her shoe, to keep herself planted instead of being pushed across the entire apartment.