Night Watch I: Eliza, Ward of Andrew

*Andrew’s POV*

As I watched Eliza literally throw Robin into the air, nearly hitting the vaulted ceiling, then scream possessively about the bulge in my pants, I realized I had never been so mortified in my life. Eliza started ‘choking’ her, demanding that Robin had to look at the ceiling instead of at me, her man! The Second Officer of the Night Watch! It was horrible!

Then everyone was laughing, the majority of the Guild of Assassins was cackling and staring at me! I felt my whole face burning with mortification and struggled to hold still and say nothing, to keep my dignity as much as I could. I resolved to try and change my ways and be less of a jealous man. But to say that I wished Eliza had a less humiliatingly flamboyant way of proving her point would be an understatement. At the very least, I was grateful we had come here off of Watch time. Ugh.

I overheard Mick revealing to Eliza that it had been he who had told the Guild not to stare at her chest, and was pleased he had gotten me off the hook. Mick was a good man. Though I then heard him remark that I had an ‘infamously jealous temper!’

Gods! I was really having an off Night! I had just wanted to spend time with my woman, introduce her to some key people, show her a cute little surprise, and this kind of bollocks was what actually happened? I hadn’t missed Eliza’s googly-eyed appearance, she clearly admired Mick, and now he’d just told her I was an notorious loony!

My train of thought was broken when someone abnormally tall sat next to me on the bench. I turned and my pulse sped up: it was Chris, accepted leader of the Motionless. It was a rare Fae that didn’t require me to stoop a bit for conversation. I made an effort to keep a neutral face as I nodded a greeting. Would he rub my degradation in my face? Had I gone too far during my desolate isolation, did he truly hate me now? Did they all?

I noticed Chris had a very impassive expression, impossible to read. “Andrew, it is good to see you aside from a mission, just out and around in the Village.“ Had I really been that bad? Chris half-smiled, and I thought I sensed a bit of anxiety. “Know that, no matter how tight your pants become, I and all the Motionless are ready to follow your lead. You’ve seen Ricky’s trousers; he swears they are assets for stealth. Now, not only can we be completely confident in your leadership, but you’ll have that extra boost during covert operations, eh?”

It took me a little bit longer than it should have to realize Chris was making a joke, I had been focusing on the fact that he apparently was comfortable working with me after all. I laughed, as it really was a decent one, and Chris joined me, snickering quietly.

I had to stop myself from messing with my hair, lest it be received as some sign of weakness or nervousness. I had to be quick on my feet, converse like lightning, to show Chris I was worthy of his trust, that he had mine!

There was no point in attempting humor, I wasn’t in the mood and couldn’t think of anything. I’d just been humiliated, and would likely hear about it all Night… unless… I proved myself a changed man. I shot a glance at Eliza, and saw she was making small talk. Hmm. I needed to be quick.

I turned to Chris. There was no point beating around the bush. “Chris, I’m asking you, man to man, to do me a favor, off the record.”

Now Chris was definitely nervous! His foofy painted eyebrows went up, looking concerned. I knew Chris, much more so than I, tended to follow protocols to the letter, so doing anything off the book probably set his alarm bells ringing. He spoke softly. “Gods, Andrew, is everything all right? What do you need?”

I made a discreet gesture all around us, then pointed at Eliza. “You saw that display, the mess about the ceiling. I will never hear the end of it. Unless I can prove, posthaste, that I can hold my temper, that I’m not some sort of slavering lunatic, I’m afraid Eliza will think ill of me.”

Chris looked at me with sympathetic eyes. “Honestly, if all you did was frown at Vinny, that’s hardly the same as tossing him into the air and screaming about the, uh, parts of your ward that you are afraid others might find desirable.” Chris swallowed as I stared, hard, at him. “Because she is probably very beautiful, but I wouldn’t really know, because I wasn’t looking.”

The irony of the situation hit me. That Chris, a deadly Assassin who was lending a sympathetic ear, was not even willing to directly state he knew, firsthand, what Eliza looked like. Because I was being an asshole and glaring at him. Because I hadn’t learned a thing, apparently. Shit.

I grasped Chris’ forearm. “Chris, it’s plain to me that I need this favor even more than I thought. To be a better man, a better partner to Eliza-”

Chris turned the deepest red I had ever seen him, from hairline straight to his chest. “-Oh, gods, Andrew! I, uh, you really should ask Eliza about that sort of thing! And I don’t, I mean, missions would be awkward-“

I wasn’t following what he was prattling on about. “-No, Chris, focus! I need you to ogle Eliza’s bosom when you are introduced! Just as a man normally looks at a woman’s chest, so I can test myself, and Eliza can see that I am under control, when I don’t overreact.”

“-Oh.” Chris nodded. “Sure, much… Sure, sure, Andrew. Is that really a good idea either? You know what, it’s ok, don’t worry, I’ve got it covered, sure.” Chris spoke rapidly, seemingly relieved. He ran his hand through his hair, taking big breaths, and letting out one, nervous, chuckle.

I beamed at him, grateful. I saw, out of the corner of my eye, that Mick and Eliza were approaching. Before they were in earshot, I turned to Chris. “What did you think I meant?” Chris just shook his head and stood. I rose to follow him, curious, but steeling my will for the test to come.

Notes

hrmmm... wonder how smoothly Andrew's ingenious plan will go. poor Chris!



yeah, it's happened. not seen often together publically since they toured, though: