*Andrew’s POV*

I stared at Blasko. He stared back, totally unapologetic.

I knew by the set of his dark, brown eyes that I had no way out of this. But there was zero chance I was going to go down without a fight! “So, instead of sending me to treat with the meliai and dryads, to sway them to join us in the fight to protect the Soul of the Forest, to unite with us should there be war, you want me to dance around and auction myself off like a piece of meat?”

Blasko didn’t bat an eyelash. “Yup.”

Desperate times called for desperate measures. “But what about Eliza, she’s my ward-“ I heard Eliza shift uncomfortably at my attempt to use her as an escape route.

Blasko cut me off. “-She’ll be up for auction too. Those codpieces won’t fund themselves, kid.”

Eliza snorted, amused, but I was instantly filled with rancorous jealousy. Blasko expected me to let the Watch auction off a dance with my woman to fund a bunch of gonad armor!?! Eliza was-

Blasko ignored me and looked at Eliza. “Do you mind, Watchman Eliza, helping to support the Watch and the Armory with a dance?”

I looked at Eliza and tried to send her the mental instruction that she, of course, minded terribly! Our fate was in her- “Not at all, First Officer.”

I winced as if struck. Blasko nodded with satisfaction, returning his gaze to me. “Very good. I’ll send Doyle out to rendezvous with the tree spirits. The hamadryads are virtually unable to leave their trees anyway, so expectations are low. You and Eliza can go hang up leaflets to advertise for the auction-“

A Second Officer, reduced to putting up fliers!?! I sputtered, my ego damaged. “-But they still need to be printed! Surely there’s time-“

Blasko laughed. “I sent the orders last Night to Brian for the paper, and Tobias to press. They should be ready for pickup by the time you get to the Library.” I scowled at the revelation. “As soon as you two are finished posting them, and I mean all over the Village, you can take off early. Get some rest, I’m hoping to wrangle the remains of that sniffle out of you. I need a Second Officer that’s in tip-top shape.”

As though I wasn’t in excellent form, hmph! Further irritated that Blasko had sent the order for flyers about the damned auction out before even talking to me, I stood and bowed stiffly, being unnecessarily formal on purpose. Bastard.

Blasko sniffed at me. “Get over it, Andrew! The Watch will be putting up several Watchmen that have graciously volunteered, like yourself, and there are other guilds trying to raise money as well. The festival isn’t for a week, you’ll survive.”

I just turned and left, assuming Eliza would follow me, which she did. I took off at a fast pace, trying to get the wrath out by being active, doing something assertively (in that case, walking). But I only succeeded in aggravating Eliza.

“Hey, slow down!” She huffed a little as I stopped and waited for her to catch up. For a time, we walked in silence towards the Library. I wasn’t really in the mood to talk ab- “It’s just a dance, Andy. It’s not like everyone will be bidding to sleep with-“

I snapped at Eliza a bit. “-But what if they think it gives them a chance?!? There will be some other man drooling all over your chest! I just-“

She cut me off! “-You’re assuming a man will win-“

So I cut her off! “-I’m not a bigot! I know a man will win, because I will fucking well win, mark my words! You’re my girl-“

Eliza muttered under her breath, “-this again…” I quickly lost steam and trailed off.

After a moment, my bruised self-esteem was writhing too painfully to ignore. “I’ve never even danced with you. Do you really want to dance with someone else first?” I hesitated, insecurity nibbling at me. “Am I not… satisfying? A good partner?”

I should have known Eliza was up to something when I saw her look behind us on the path, but I was too worried about my bloody masculinity being in question over the possibility of preferring another dancing partner. Which made perfect sense to me, at the time.

Eliza shoved me against a tree! She smooshed me with her boobs! It was the best thing ever! She was going to say something, doubtlessly sarcastic and cocky, so I cut her off with a kiss.

Shit! Instantly I knew my mistake when I caught the hint of blackberries. I pulled away sharply, but not before ‘Big Johnny’ got an idea… “You’re fucking randy! Eliza, you kissed me-“

She just grinned up at me. “-You kissed me!”

I couldn’t help but grin back at her. “But you were going to, I know it! You taste like blackberries…” I found my hands had started to wander of their own accord. “The shelter is on the way, you know. We could stop in to… check on the cats.”

Eliza blushed a little, and I felt my whole body tingle with anticipation. We would definitely need to stop by the shelter either way, I’d passed my tipping point. “Maybe I’ll help you with that strange swelling in your pants too. Sound good?”

In response, I just kissed her. The warm, wet, fruity taste was overwhelming. We didn’t make it to the shelter, needless to say.

Notes

comments, votes, etc. are always appreciated!

and, of course, happy belated birthday to the man himself: real-life Andy Biersack! best of wishes, sir!