Written by: One

Rated: PG

~*~

I don't know if th' rest o' th' gathered ones were findin' their way through th' maze o' rooms an' corridors that made up this ramblin' mansion, but me? I was doin' just fine.

'Course, I wasn't tryin' t' find anythin' more specific than m'mate, an' I'd know 'er scent anywhere.

Followin' th' trail she'd left, I slipped int' th' grand ballroom where most o' th' guests were gathered. Keepin' t' th' walls, I made m'way t' a large column 'idden by a huge, potted palm. From there, I could keep an eye on 'er an' begin t' make good on m'promise.

She smiled up at Poetry as he drew 'is coat around 'er shoulders. Stern, admonishing lines creased 'is features as 'e tried valiantly t' cover 'er up. Focusin' on their lips, I strained m'ears a bit t' listen in on them from across th' room.

"Milady, you will take my coat."

"Why?" 'Er expression was a cross b'tween amusement an' confusion.

"Because." 'e huffed, tryin' t' get 'er arms in th' sleeves an' button th' front.

She was havin' none o' that. 'Er arms danced away from 'is reach each time 'e got close. "Because why?"

I almost snorted. Playin' th' innocent with our mate when she stood there in a net o' chains an' crystals an' nothin' else...

"Simply... my mate." 'E gave the bottom edge of his coat a yank, makin' sure it covered 'er backside an' then tried again t' get 'er arms in th' sleeves so 'e could button it.

She smiled an' leaned up on 'er toes, kissin' th' underside o' 'is chin. "Yes darling, I am your mate. And what will you wear if I am wearing your coat?"

'E gave 'is vest a tug an' puffed out 'is chest. "My shirt and vest will do nicely." 'E scowled at 'er an' crossed 'is arms.

Th' coat almost slipped from 'er shoulders as she reached up an' rubbed 'er 'ands up an' down 'is arms, tryin' t' uncross them. "You don't like my outfit?"

"T'is not a question of like, milady."

"No? What is it a question of?" She smiled softly an' managed t' get 'is arms uncrossed, pressin' 'erself against him. 'Is hands darted out t' grab either end o' th' coat as it started t' slip from 'er shoulders, pullin' 'er in tight. 'E visibly relaxed when 'e realized she was covered in th' front by 'im an' in th' back by 'is coat.

I tuned out, leavin' them t' their banter as I slipped m'hand in m'pocket, fingerin' th' device nestled there. Slippin' m'finger over th' button, I watched as Red jolted a bit in 'is arms, 'er soft moan carryin' on th' air t' tickle m'ears.

//Bastard.//

I grinned. //Aye, love.//

Poetry was leadin' 'er int' a dance, 'is arms kept firmly around 'er. 'E tilted 'is head curiously an' arched one o' those soft brows at 'er. She flushed an' ducked 'er head, restin' 'er cheek on 'is shoulder as he leaned down an' whispered in 'er ear.
Satisfied with m'task, I looked 'round th' room for m'next prey an' noted 'er slippin' carefully from th' ballroom.

M'lips curled up an' I pushed off from th' column, movin' after 'er slowly.

She dinn't know it yet, but th' hunt was on.