Fly Away Home (Louvel)

[Leonie von der Marck]

Leonie leaned back into the plush seat, her dark hair tied in a messy, though chic bun as she relaxed as much as she ever could while riding in a plane. Lithe fingers slid around the far more tanned ones beside her, the move instantly calming her as she drew in a deep breath of the canned air and let her mind drift a bit as her free hand adjusted the sunglasses she’d donned. Old habits died hard, and she had no desire to be recognized, though that was happening far less often of late, thank goodness. To her mother’s great shock and Leonie’s amusement over her extremely snobby distress, the Lioness had not opted for the von der Marck’s private jet to spirit herself and Louvel to the estate in Germany. Still, she’d reasoned, there was nothing stopping her from springing for first class on the commercial flight...

The visit had gone well. Dare she say perfectly, with the exception of her grandfather ending up in the hospital again for yet another scare. Despite his failing health, though, Falken was a tough old bird and Leonie’s heart had long since softened for him again, forgiveness seeping in for him and Oskar both and allowing her a modicum of peace where her family’s dark secrets were concerned. The past was past, and both men had mostly entered retirement.

Still, that sentiment didn’t extend to her mother, now firmly re-installed in the estate at Oskar’s side. Not yet. Possibly not ever. The Lioness sniffed slightly; perhaps menopause had finally mellowed Lena out and allowed her to act more like a human than a reptile, but Leonie couldn’t say for sure. Especially not with the open, shameless flirting she’d attempted, directed right at the golden-haired male who had joined Leonie to at last be introduced as someone very important in her life. More important, even, than the distant blood-tie that almost always took precedence for the likes of the von der Marcks, no matter how diluted it may be. A frown creased her brow and a set to her jaw was present as her mother’s voice echoed in her head. ”Well now, you could certainly do far worse, Leonie, darling,” as she eyed Louvel up in that awful way of hers.

Jealousy didn’t factor in... more like a vague sense of outrage, not to mention sheer irritation at her mother’s forward, obvious ways. The woman was otherworldly in her beauty, even now. To be her age and appear to have been living in a refrigerator was quite a feat, too, though the Lioness knew, probably better than most, that it wasn’t a natural state by any means, rather one that had cost well into the 6-figures by now. And it was, to her, a highly unpleasant effect. Pushing sixty-five and looking not a day over thirty-five just didn’t sit right.

Oskar had been delighted by Lou’s presence, a reaction that had only confirmed Leonie’s long suspicion that it was a pairing he’d been quietly pushing for for longer than she could remember. Nor was there any surprise for Falken, and it was a question that would furrow her brow often in solitary moments, but in the end, it didn’t matter. She was happy. A long-missing feeling of being home, where she belonged, while at Lou’s side had set in with a sneaky air of permanence when she wasn’t even looking. Of course, Leonie being Leonie, she hadn’t given those thoughts a voice, not yet... but she knew the growing feelings behind them to be there all the same.

Her hazel gaze slid over to eye him up, the wonder of it all still a surprise to her every now and then, one that smacked her square in the chest with a giddy excitement she’d never known before. A half-smile tilted the corner of her mouth as she took in his profile, before she slid the sunglasses up to rest at the top of her head. There was a lot to say, she knew, but even she didn’t know where to start.

Small, she finally decided.

“Thank you... this week... well. It went far better than I could have hoped for.”

[Louvel von der Marck]

Louvel wasn’t sure exactly what to say to that. It definitely exceeded any expectations he had when they first took off. Then again the Lioness beside him and everything that had to do with her generally did. Leonie von der Marck was incomparable. Always had been, forever would be. He stretched his legs beneath the seat in front of him. The closer they were to home the more he was making sure not to tap the heels of the one in the seat just above like he did for the last several hours.

As he outlined her silhouette with his gaze part of him felt as if he was sitting in a seat reserved for someone else. Not that he was so much imposing but dutifully there until he was given his cue to stand and step aside. She had not given him any reason to feel such. He was just that humble in her presence during moments like this. Wasn’t that what it was about? The fact she was still leaving him in awe at random moments was confirmation.

Nearly a year later he was still experiencing those moments where he wondered how it came it came to be that they shared all of this. A drop of his mossy orbs had him taking in the visual confirmation of what he easily felt within his own palm. He curled his fingers around her hand applying a firmness at each fingertip that wasn’t fully in place before. He lifted his hand and in turn hers as well. Bringing it to his lips he finally looked back to her delivering the softest kiss to the surface of her skin. The scent of her filled him as he inhaled slowly. A deep draw in like one who seeks to absorb every note possible of the one who has all but consumed them.

“I should be thanking you, Lioness.” He finally found his voice despite all the distraction she presented. Cradling her hand in his he brought both down to rest on their shared armrest. His shoulders neglected to even back flat against the seat behind him. He opted to have his body closer to leaning into hers than to be resting. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” A smile that was as genuine and soft as the first rays of sunlight in the early morning found him. She had the ability to summon forth with her mere presence a few reactions he had little control over. That was one of the more respectable and honorable ones. The well meaning expression shifted into something a little more sinful as he gave it some thought. “I look forward to…” He ignored the leather covered hand rest between them. A little closer and he found her ear with his lips giving it a brush as he whispered his intents towards her as soon as they were on solid ground.

The response he anticipated was interrupted by the sounds of the pilot announcing their impending descent. He released her hand and felt the cool air find the center of his where hers was originally keeping him warm.

“Lena was so kind as to give me a bit of advice before we left.”

He wondered if that was all that it was because when Lena said it. Mostly because when she did it was marked by the absence of one of her typical hand maneuvers to somehow make it seem okay that her bejeweled tight dermabrasion skin was perfectly fine sliding into the space between his mid-thighs. With a click of his seatbelt he was fastened in and glanced down to her lap to make sure she was secure as well. He wondered if she would be curious at all as to what he was advised to do.

[Leonie von der Marck]

At the tender kiss, Leonie could not help the little thrill that made its way down her back, washing over and warming her, cutting through the climate controlled chill they currently sat within. “Thanking me? Ha!” she replied with a light laugh. “They’re all insane and you were more than a good sport. But my dad is pretty thrilled. So is my grandfather... they both said as much, and more... so.” She shook her head slightly. “Not that I give that much of a **** what they think, but it helps immensely that they approve.”

She sighed then, about to sink back with her shoulder deliberately resting against his, before that look crossed his face and a slow, answering smile took her lips as she pressed gently against his mouth whispering in her ear. When he pulled away, the little thrill had grown to a full-fledged stab of plain, good old lust and the Lioness had to grin as a soft giggle rose in her throat. But just as she was about to whisper back something equally, deliciously naughty, the voice of the pilot sounded from somewhere overhead and she’d had to instead let another sigh leave her lips. Was the flight over that quickly, she wondered? Not that she wasn’t happy to return to the gentle rhythm of their routine, but it had been wonderful to have their own little, private bubble for awhile. Home wasn’t necessarily there in Harper Rock... it was where they made one, together, and while the week had been tumultuous in some ways, in others it had been amazing with just the two of them. A taste of everything she wanted and more.

She latched her seatbelt once his hand had left hers, and sat back to stare up at him, pleased to simply look at him and let the tantalizing little suggestion he’d made swim around her mind before his next words had her stiffening. A blink, then another, and one more after that were her only movements for a moment. That set to her jaw was back, chasing away the lazy, pleasant feeling that had been working its way through her.

Finally, she drew a breath, trying her damndest to stuff the sheer wretchedness the mention of that blonde harpie raised within her.

“Dare I so much as ask?”

[Louvel von der Marck]

“Yes, you may.”

As soon as the words slipped from her mouth the delight of her reaction found his as he answered. Reflecting on the advice and the tight skinned woman who delivered it had him back in the moment. It was worth revisiting.

Lena made a point to take him off to the side after one of the many gatherings where she invited people purposely to check out what Leonie brought home this time. There was a hidden amusement in presenting Leonie’s relative as a current suitor. Even he had to rub fingers over his lips watching those who stared rather dumbfounded while she explained there wouldn't be two heads or tails if the stork managed to drop something off. They were far enough apart on the family tree and permitted to mate. She wanted to make sure she had his undivided attention which was generally a difficult thing to obtain with her daughter in the same room. He learned something about the woman who offered the unsolicited advice. Even a grand old bird like Lena could still have her feathers ruffled.

“She told me if I was truly a glutton for punishment I should tie you down and be done with it.” His eyes were on hers at first then drifted down to the two natural lips that looked like they had been stung by something more invasive than his own.The flames of hell had nothing on the heat that could be found behind them. “I told her I already have.” A stewardess passed by pausing only long enough to check that they were buckled up as expected. “She wanted to know how... so I told her.” He smirked. “Once I was done it was clear by her expression that we were thinking of two entirely different things. Looks like I have some work left to do.” His eyes searched her own as he leaned in and kissed her before she could say a word.

[Leonie von der Marck]

The Lioness could scarcely hold back the laughter that bubbled up, and if she were honest, even with his lips against her own, distracting her far better than anything else, she hadn’t exactly tried that hard to stop it, either. “God, I loathe that woman,” she exclaimed quietly to his mouth, a hand cupping his cheek as she looked up at him with pleading eyes. “Please, please tell me you said to her what I think you did...” she laughed again, positively gleeful at the thought of a legitimately shocked Lena. That it would have been purely truthful only made it that much better. Leonie couldn’t help but hope every new bomb dropped on her erstwhile mother might eventually take her down a peg or five.

Lena could be counted upon to create drama, make people uncomfortable, and generally keep herself at the center of attention in just about every way, at every event. As long as her friends and those who hung on like leeches were entertained, it never really mattered how. As much as Leonie loved her father, she couldn’t help but feel more than mildly disgusted with his refusal to rein in or curb his wife’s absolutely outrageous behavior, if only when it was pointed at her children and those associated with them. The dark-haired Lioness could have almost forgiven the rest. She was well used to her mother’s antics and had long since learned to let them roll from her even if she would never admit that some still cut like broken shards of glass, but to have them turned on Lou was altogether different and something she found she could not simply swallow or explain away. Those instances were unforgivable, more to add to the ever growing pile of offenses, for sure, but somehow irked her in a far different manner than most of the others. There had been a few moments where she wasn't sure she'd be able to keep it together, had been ready to let loose with both cannons on her, but somehow Lou had sensed each and managed to pull her back from the edge.

“Tie me down... glutton for punishment. Well, **** her, too,” she murmured quietly as she pulled back the slightest bit, with a shake of her head before another thought crossed her mind and she eyed him up with a sharply raised brow. “Wait... what exactly did she mean... did she say? And what kind of work are we talking about here?” The thought of Lena having anything to do with her life or future beyond the absolutely necessary was enough to make her skin crawl and the ‘advice’ she’d given Lou had the Lioness instinctively turning toward the exact opposite direction without much prompting or thought out of sheer rebelliousness, an old habit that was hard to break, no matter how deeply she cared for the man beside her. But she drew in a deep breath and centered herself, pulling back from the automatic reaction and refocusing on the feel of her arm against his. It centered her, letting her breathe again, letting her remember that her mother, in the long run, didn’t matter one whit.

She sat back then with a slight huff before her fingers stole around the sapphire ring she hadn’t removed since the night he’d given it to her, still eyeing him, mostly in curiosity by then as some of the quiet anger cleared. “At least we each ended up with one good parent,” she said with a slightly bitter edge to her soft tone. Though in her case, ‘good’ was a relative term at best.

[Louvel von der Marck]

“I would rather not.” Louvel would hardly call what he did to the woman’s daughter ******* but it was worth the look on her face to put that out there regardless of knowing what she meant. “Seriously. You have no idea how honest I am in saying that.” He shook his head. His expression spreading over his face felt like he was contemplating eating a week old egg salad sandwich left out in the sun. “I am pretty sure the tying down part meant far different to her than what we did at Soul Creek.” He smirked a little at the flash of memory bursting through for reference. “Lena likely was thinking of us getting set up with more than the same last name and blood under our belt. You know the deal where you walk down some long aisle while everyone stands up and all eyes are on you and I somehow am able to find you even more ravishing than you are right now.”

His mossy orbs settle on hers as he encapsulates what usually is involved with marriage. The grand shindig that explodes into a three ring family circus. In a von der Marck’s case it was more like twelve to fifteen rings depending on how much of the world arrived for it. He had seen it happen countless times. Not that he had actually ever done it before. He came close once. So damn close. A sun drenched finger was at the back of his neck scraping at the bronze flesh on his nape without him realizing it.

Martin. Rings, invitations. Personal vows written and memorized. It was too good to be true. Then the proof came in a note on the mantle saying Dear Lou. Forgive and forget for the most part is in effect for that fiasco. Louvel forgave what he could and the rest he did his best to forget. Martin was living proof karma bites back damn hard. The dark maned blue eyed god had himself the penthouse in the sky, two kids wrapped around his ankles and his wife’s fingers at his throat squeezing anytime he tried to pull a fast exit. It was fitting that she was a Daddy’s girl and that Daddy just so happened to own the company he was appointed CEO of. Martin dodged the bullet narrowly missing marrying a von der Marck which he once said was far too ‘heavy’ of a gig to buy into. No less than two months later Martin was so over his cold feet that he was wearing a gold band and finding out he ended up booking himself for a life sentence for banging the boss's daughter. He by passed the comment that at least they both survived it all in stride with a couple good parents. The mere mention brought Mara to mind. He knew what his mother would be saying if given half a chance.

“You ever think about it?”His face leaned closer to her ear and whispered. “Tell me, Lioness. Do you?”

[Leonie von der Marck]

Leonie couldn’t help but wrinkle her nose even as another laugh sputtered forth at the very idea of his literal slant on her backhanded insult to the woman she was supposed to call ‘mother.’ She hefted a bit of a sigh, though, as Lou confirmed just what she’d assumed. “I’m sorry… she’s the worst. I don’t know… or want to know… her end game.” Her mouth settled in a firmer line as she leaned back in her seat, the plush leather doing little to cushion the pressure changes as they steadily changed altitude on the way down to the airport’s landing strip. She never did mind flying in general, but takeoff and landing were her two least favorite parts, no matter how she traveled.

What the hell was that all about, she had to wonder? What gains, beside the obviously huge attention-grab, could that horrid excuse for a parent be after?

And as she pondered just what Lena could be thinking with the marriage of her youngest daughter, he wasn’t pulling away as she almost expected as he asked those questions, given the sheer level of crazy her mother exuded, a level she had long ago decided would likely keep almost anyone away. The Lioness reveled in the feel of his whispering voice tickling her ear, before the actual words finally registered. Her eyes widened slightly, involuntarily, brows rising before she could stop them. It wasn’t a question she had expected, knowing a good part of his past and all of her own. Neither would ever be expected to be the marrying type after… after all of that.

“I, um… I…” she mumbled, having not expected the words that had her almost flustered and caught off-guard. Her, Leonie, flustered… really? She drew in a deep breath, giving the words some thought before a nod was given, silently. “Once before, I did,” she conceded, as she chewed the inside of her lip, thinking back to the childish naivety that had been her hopes for Judah. She’d been mistaken, she learned, as they’d grown older and apart. “And then I ran in the opposite direction. Fast. But… I didn’t know much of anything then. Now though?” A slow smile crossed her lips as she latched her gaze to his, not quite willing to admit just how often she thought about it. “Let’s just say… I wouldn’t be opposed.”

Her gaze stayed on his, her fingers stealing around his again. “What about you?”

[Louvel von der Marck]

“Me too.”

Two words formed such a simple answer to the question that ran far deeper than the truth between them. Before it was a no brainer. He let his heart lead him only far enough that he had enough left to save and take with him when he made the usual detour. He had so few relationships that would really stick in his mind, even less that involved any sort of commitment. He could count on one hand those he shared a night with and even less than that a few weeks. Of those that stood out only one brought him to a point of consideration as to what his future held, if it had potential shared with another. He was good with it. The lesson may have been harsh but it was effective. It afforded him the freedom to fly away when he wanted to and land when it felt right. Or so he thought. The warmth of her fingers forming a connection around his reminded him how much that had changed.

He couldn’t take his eyes off hers. In that moment there was a sense of responsibility to Leonie even more than there was to himself. Especially now with the way things were. Perhaps that was something they shared. The two of them above the clouds descending towards the place that always called them back no matter how far they drifted away. Home. Blood. Family. All of that was part of it. But there was more. Somehow it became so much more than that. He was finally seeing it for what it was and more importantly what it could be.

“I really think after Martin I was set on the idea that it wasn’t for me.” He was rather content with what life had to offer going at it on his terms. It was apparent on how he had lived up until the last year. “A lot of that has changed with Alaric coming home. I see things differently. It is selfish but at first part of me was glad to not have to worry about experiencing the losses that he did. I was proven wrong when I had time to talk with him.” He glanced up as if his next words were floating somewhere above him and all he had to do was summon them to him. “I realize that even with such loss that he was more alive than I was. He had lifetimes he had to bridge over and essentially was fresh from the grave.” He turned his head as he rested against the back of the seat. “Well, you know what I mean.” Once again he found her face with his eyes. “He had lived all that. He was isolated for centuries but he was more alive than I ever felt all within the first seconds we stood in that room with him. I see so much of the world but what do I really take with me when I finally go from one place to another, Leonie? It didn't matter before but now I think about it and feel like it is time to do something about it.”

He watched her quietly. Not for answers or understanding. He expected nothing but to witness the eyes that were looking back at him. It was more than he had shared since could remember. It was never really a thought until a series of events changed the lives of the von der Marck’s in ways none were likely prepared for.

“I want those roots that come from me and travel deeper into the legacy of the family. I want something to come back for. Not just something but someone, a family, you know? I want it to be so amazing that it inspires me for centuries if need be to find my way back home.” The announcement that they had arrived was followed by the glide of the plane touching down and racing over the runway. “I am closer to that than I ever thought I would be. That scares me to admit it but isn’t that what it is about? For the record it feels great.”

[Leonie von der Marck]

The dark-haired Lioness kept her gaze on him, even when his wavered, absorbing every word like a sponge. It was often that way when he spoke, she’d soon come to realize, because it wasn’t often they discussed things of such a heavy nature and she was almost compelled to hear every single thought he crystallized into spoken word. They knew almost everything there was to know about one another; growing up together often had that effect on people, but rarely did that spill over into the more adult sort of relationship they currently enjoyed. In Leonie’s estimation, it only leant a different perspective on things, a better one in many instances. One thing had certainly never changed, though, and that was the depths of strength, character, and self-awareness Louvel possessed. Spades more than she, if she were completely honest.

She cleared her throat, softly, before shaking her head. “There’s nothing selfish about it,” she said in a quiet tone, wondering just what Alaric had told him during their talks. Nothing she and the elder had ever shared came close to evoking such a response, and a natural curiosity curled within her. “You got screwed over. So did I. Its sort of natural to want to pull in the opposite direction for awhile.” She nipped at her lower lip, her fingers staying linked with his as she recalled the vague hinting over just what had happened in one of Mara’s letters. One moment there was a wedding being planned in earnest and the next... there wasn’t. If she had wanted to avoid anything smacking of commitment after her own broken heart, when nothing had ever so much as come close to that stage, she could only imagine the effect upon him.

They had both run, in their own ways, it seemed. Maybe that’s why his mother had understood so well, without Leonie having to say much about it. Though, of course, that was Mara to a ‘T’ in the first place. She had just understood things, without judgment. The Lioness twisted the ring on her finger again, listening to the rest of what he had to say, ignoring the pilot’s voice and the rough bounce of wheels on tarmac. But just as she was opening her mouth to reply, a flight attendant was already at the front, ready to see them all off. One of the perks of first class was deplaning first, after all, so she resolutely snapped her mouth closed and stood to help with their carry-ons.

--------------------------

She had stayed mostly silent throughout the rest of the process of getting home, collecting their checked luggage and making their way to the hired car waiting for them in the slowly darkening evening outside. They had decided it was better, considering the length of the stay and the amount of baggage, though Leonie had for once packed light, to hire a driver to the airport and back. She hadn’t had to insist, either, and for that she was grateful, figuring they’d both be tired and not in the mood to make the lengthy drive home.

And now, settled in the back of the comfortable luxury SUV (that she had insisted upon), she finally drew a breath and cleared her throat again, in that nervous habit that had stayed with her long past her severely asthmatic childhood. She latched her gaze upon him once more, studying his profile again. She’d thought quite a bit over the last half hour or so about what she might say in response to all of that. He’d been so open... more so than usual, she thought... and that had warranted some thoughtful reply rather than something off the cuff. She picked at some imaginary fuzz on the oversized sweater she’d donned over leggings for the flight, somehow stalling even though she knew what she wanted to say... sort of. Even though he’d spoken freely... she hadn’t exactly factored directly into his train of thought, either, and Leonie being Leonie, with some harsh lessons of her own under her belt, never liked to assume.

“So... what do you want to do about it, then?” She finally spoke the words that had been floating, in some semblance or another, around her head. It was a valid question, she figured, though a loaded one. A make-or-break sort of one. She held her breath for a moment, all of a sudden coming to the realization that she had been living in the manner of one waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop, and uncertain what to do about it. That he was Lou, her Lou, had little to do with it, nor that as far as she knew they’d tacitly agreed that it was a monogamous sort of thing between them. Rather the insecurities of the past had come to rear their heads and magnify themselves as she realized, along with her baited breath, that she had precious little experience to draw upon. That the natural course of things might lead them here, to this conversation, to set the path of their outcome. Maybe she wasn't the best candidate for his desires, or maybe he assumed her party girl lifestyle was simply put on hold. That she was a version of her awful mother in the making and an unfit partner in his vision of his future. If he was scared, then she was utterly terrified, but she tamped that down in favor of a tightening of her jaw, waiting on the reply that may or may not come.

[Louvel von der Marck]

Louvel had been thinking of the answer to the question she finally asked the whole time they both had been quiet. Perhaps more than the hour that had passed since they gathered their luggage and even before they took off for the trip. He was ready to make steps in his life to share the future, whatever it would be. A reach for her hand had his fingers curling loose to cradle her own. The contact did not hinder her movement or pressure her to stay still. The pad of his thumb brushed over the top and the warmth that was found settled into his skin. What if what he wanted was vastly different than what she needed or was truly ready for?

“I want to settle down, Lioness.” Of course it didn’t mean he wanted to settle into a comfortable chair and stay there as the seasons came and went. And he didn’t want to watch someone else do that either. He wanted to share life and whatever it brought. “I want to take those steps forward and build a future.” He realized that was what he said before she asked so it was up to him to clarify and get to the point. “If I asked you to do that would you be ready?” His eyes found hers. “I know that is a serious question but I want to know.”

His hand released hers and he straightened up. Something in his gut stirred and he felt like he was on a ledge and needed to be prepared to act if he lost his ground. She could say she was unsure, not even close to what he was suggesting and he would understand. Of course he would. Part of him expected it. It wouldn’t change what he wanted. It just would mean he would be taking those steps later than he hoped. Which was reasonable. He couldn’t make it happen alone that is for sure. Adoption was great but not exactly what he had in mind. He also had not even gave children a thought until Leonie. She was the only one he could imagine doing it with. He wanted to share all that went with it with her. But that didn't mean she was ready or even interested in the same. If she wasn't then it wasn’t going to happen.

“It means more than sharing a family name and a bed to me.” Maybe he should stop there but he figured it was only fair to add what he had in mind. “It means being linked by more than the family history. It is sharing the offspring that comes from that. Being responsible for nurturing those kids, the relationship they will depend on with their parents while growing. I won’t be the father I had. I refuse to settle for seeing my kid on a weekend here or there. I know that means compromising, trust, commitment and if need be sacrifice to make sure that doesn’t happen. And I love you.” With those three words he realized he did more than he had admitted and felt guilty for holding back. “I do. I want you for better or worse and all the calm and chaos inbetween.But that's me and really is unimportant. What I want is second in importance to what you need and want, Lioness. All I need to know is if you are even in the same space or ready for something like that. Take your time to think on it.”

Maybe he shouldn't feel so comfortable with the relief that washed over him but he did. It was out there now, between them. It was not held back or shoved out of reach. He felt great and he settled back in the seat behind him and let the effects take over. No matter what it was going to be okay. He was a patient man. He just bared his soul and nothing could change the fact that it felt damn good.