My Arms Were Always Around You [For Scanlan]

[st_ealthless]

Even though the whole date thing had been her idea, Pike was incredibly nervous now that the day had arrived.

She tried on every dress in her closet, twice, but nothing felt 'good for dancing' like Scanlan had instructed. Taking a leap of faith, she went down to the shop and to her immense surprise, there was a perfect, sexy blue dress that actually fit. But after three failed attempts to get the laces on the back right, she was forced to cast a Sending to Bo for help. Thank the gods her friend wasn't busy and agreed to help her sort out the finishing touches. Together they got her dress in place, make-up applied and hair arranged in tousled waves with only a little bit of panic from the gnome.

It wasn't until she was on her way to the garden that she realized what had her on edge. Unlike every other date she'd been on, she wasn't worried about doing something embarrassing or saying something wrong. She wasn't worried that he wouldn't like her or she'd have a bad time. No, she knew she was going to have a good time and that's what unnerved her most of all. She wasn't sure if she was ready to deal with what it would it mean if he finally convinced her to let down the few barriers that had kept her from letting him into her heart, but she wasn't going to shy away from it anymore. 

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[st_ealthless]

"Oh shush," she swatted lightly at him as he bowed her through the door. Why couldn't she stop touching him?

Even after a year at the Inn, she was still impressed at the grandeur of Scanlan's mansion. The massive painting of Pike and Scanlan caught her eye first and a huge grin spread across her face. It was the most ridiculous thing she'd ever seen, but it reminded her so much of home. She glanced around but nothing else seemed that different from the other times she'd visited, except that there were no spectral servants around asking if she needed anything. "Alright, where to first?"

[st_illsinging]

"I thought maybe we'd have dinner." He had a special place that wasn't the usual dining hall. He took a chance and placed his hand lightly on the small of her back to guide her to the new room he had put in place. Inside there was a set up for two and candled on the floor. The whole thing was luxurious and so over-the-top, but it was definitely Scanlan.

[st_ealthless]

"Dinner sounds lovely." With his hand on her back, she barely noticed that they were heading in a new direction. The laces on her dress meant that there were little points of heat where his fingers met her bare skin.

By the time her thoughts caught up, she was surrounded by candles. A little laugh bubbled up because it was all just so Scanlan. Which was, she decided, a good thing. "Has this room been here the whole time?"

Her smile faltered just slightly as an unspoken thought followed. And how many other women have eaten here?

[st_illsinging]

"Nope. I made this room and a few others just for tonight." He was well aware of her bare skin against his fingertips and had to work hard not to let his hands wander - old habits die hard, after all. He inhaled softly. "Do you like it?" He was sure some would say it was over the top, but he thought maybe it wasn't top enough.

[st_ealthless]

“That must be so fun, getting to think up rooms and have them exist,” she reached out and ran her fingers over the closest candle, feeing the heat from the flame. Her magic could do a lot of things, but nothing like this. “I love it. Though, I am surprised. It’s actually fairly restrained for you.”

[st_illsinging]

"You think so?" He asked about it feeling retrained. "I was trying to think about something you might design."

He moved over to the Gnome-sized table and pulled out her chair for her. "Maybe it's cheating, creating rooms for you." It's why he gave her the option. "But... I told myself if I ever got this chance, I'd go big or go home."

[st_ealthless]

"Definitly," she glances around again, "For one, there are only two bouquets of roses. I feel like you put at least that many in my sleeping quarters upstairs automatically."

She took the offered chair gladly and gave a sigh of relief when she didn't have to climb into the seat. "I don't think making rooms for a special occasion is cheating, you're just being resourceful. You've been through a lot to learn and develop your magic. Why not use it to it's full potential." Pike wasn't quite sure how Scanlan learned now spells, but either way, it was impressive. "That, and we can't go home...so going big is your only option."

[st_illsinging]

Scanlan felt another surge of confidence run through him when she confirmed she liked some of the 'go big' aspects. He was glad because after dinner that was sort of what he had fallen back on.

He took a seat across from her, the food already hot on the plate, though covered. Scanlan had asked around and several people had suggested 'Italian' and so he found out what that was an replicated it. Best of all, it was vegan friendly.

"How do you feel about that now? Not going home?"

[st_ealthless]

"I still don't really know. There is just so much we don't understand, it's hard to know how to feel." She started to swing her legs and was shocked when her feet actually scraped on the ground. Gods, she was so used to being in big chairs. "But I have decided that all we can do is live our lives the best we can. Make the most of this place, whether we're here for the rest of our lives or end up forgetting it all."

[st_illsinging]

"Live in the moment. I like that." And he did. Scanlan tried desperately not to think about all the crap back home. One day he really wanted to tell Pike, but it was always at the wrong moments. A first date was definitely not the time to bring up Vax or how he might have let Vecna win. "And if we do forget, I'd like to think that if I was able to get you to forgive me enough for a date here, one day you might do the same back home." He smiled warmly across the table to her.

[st_ealthless]

"I thought you might," her eyes sparkled as she smiled back at him.

She thought about his comment and the answer was apparent to her, especially after her conversation with Zahra. "Considering that kiss when you arrived, I'd be willing to bet that a date would happen back home as well."

[st_illsinging]

He smiled warmly at that, almost relieved a little bit. "That's good to know." It comforted him in a way he hadn't actually expected it too. "But I'm thankful that I showed up and have the time to spend with everyone here. Almost like I get the chance to make up for lost time."

[st_ealthless]

Pike's eyebrow raised just slightly. They hadn't ever really talked about the kiss and she had expected him to take the opening to ask her about it or maybe make some sort of quip. Scanlan wasn't usually one to let her off the hook so easily.

But his smile pushed the thought from her mind. "Then let's get started," she took her fork in hand and tried a bite of the pasta. It was delicious, as she knew it would be, "Tell me, how have you been using all the extra time this place has given you?"

[st_illsinging]

As they ate dinner, Scanlan told Pike about helping Hurley out both with learning drums, but with trying to date Xavin. How he was playing with Miguel, the talented human boy with a guitar. About his various writings. He asked her similar questions too and by the time they were finished with desert - something called 'milk shakes' - Scanlan was feeling pretty good about the date.

"If you're ready, I have something else I'd like to show you." He stood up and moved around the table, extending his hand to her.

[st_ealthless]

Pike listened and didn't hide the smile that continued to grow as he spoke. Then told him about her friendship with Bo & Jag, reopening the bakery, working the clinic, training with Piotr, and the other little parts of her day. There were a few things she left out, just to make sure the mood stayed light throughout dinner.

When the time came, she happily took his hand and stood up. "Alright, lead the way."

[st_illsinging]

He did a flourish movement that hand him holding up her hand in the air like royalty did at parties when they walked about. It was only for a moment as they exited the room and he winked at her, but he didn't want her arm getting tired so he lowered their hands.

He navigated them to a new room. There was a door and it was closed. "Alright, here you need to close your eyes and trust me."

[st_ealthless]

She laughed at the ridiculousness. Well, in truth, it was more of a giggle. With just the two of them around, there was no reason to stifle it.

As he lowered their hands, she pressed a quick kiss to his knuckles as they passed.

Trust. The word caught in her mind. While she still had doubts about whether to trust him with her heart, she could at least trust that he was going to try to impress her...not do something nefarious.

"Alright," she closed her eyes, "But don't make me regret it."

[st_illsinging]

When Pike's eyes were closed, Scanlan waved a hand over her face for a moment. On discovery that she was, in face, not peeking, he took her by the hand and slowly led her toward the door. He opened it with his free hand and pulled her further in. The air seemed to get a little cooler somehow. Inside the room was an exactly replica of the temple they had to Sarenrae at their keep in Emon. Scanlan had taken a lot of time designing it.

"Okay... open your eyes."

[st_ealthless]

Pike walked forward slowly and strained her ears for any hint of what was coming. But she hadn't needed to try so hard. Once upon a time, she had joked that she could recognize the temple at Grey Skull with her eyes shut. Apparently, that was still true.

"Oh Scanlan," she murmured, free hand coming to rest on her heart, "You remembered."

Everything from the stones under her feet, to the shine, to the garden in the corner with their traveling tree was perfect. She didn't even want to blink. "Thank you."

[st_illsinging]

He beamed, feeling pretty proud of himself. Scanlan remembered the details because he had come down to visit her enough times that he could remember the small things. Even at the beginning, Pike had been more than just a playful quest.

"I know it's not exactly the same as having a real one, but until you get yours finished..."

[st_ealthless]

"It's perfect," she breathed. Shaking herself from her revelry, she wrapped her arms around him in a big hug. "Even when the temple is finished, can I still come back here every now and then?"

[st_illsinging]

"Of course." He hugged her back, taking in her scent and her warmth for a moment, eyes closed. "This is a permanent room, and you're always welcome here. Always, no matter what."