• The Stars Stay Up •

[Romeo Jackson Jervis]

Romeo feared the day that Ellie announced that she was going on a date with a boy. He had heard the phone calls where she squealed with her friends over the simple fact that the boy she liked had smiled at her in the halls and he knew that teenage boys were probably already looking in the direction of his little sister, but that didn’t make it any easier for the older brother to accept. He had been a teenage boy once and he knew exactly what they could be like and what they could try to do. In his eyes, Ellie was still the little girl he took to the park on weekends or when their parents had been fighting again and every morning when she came from her room with a little more make up on, or a tighter fitting outfit, he realised that one day Ellie would be old enough to look after herself and wouldn’t need her brother playing the superhero anymore. Whilst he’d probably never tell her, Romeo had always enjoyed being the one who wiped away her tears and who solved her problems, no matter how little they were, but things were slowly starting to change for his little sister and she was able to solve most things on her own now; she didn’t even need Romeo to fix the pipes when the shower wouldn’t pump out the hot water fast enough!

His baby sister growing up was a scary thought, but Romeo knew that he’d be even scarier to the poor boy that was lucky enough to capture the heart of ‘baby Jervis’. Romeo could be terrifying when he wanted to be and that would be the one time he’d push it to the maximum, because if he ever saw Ellie crying over a broken heart or some jerk of a boyfriend…well, the results wouldn’t be pretty and Romeo feared what he may do to the scumbag who dared to cross that line. Hell, Ellie could be in her old age and Romeo would still be racing to protect her like some knight on a royal zimmerframe.
The only downside to their arrangement and the lousy excuse that they had for a father, was that whilst Romeo was always around to solve the problems of his sister and mother, he had no one to turn to when he needed to talk. For example, this situation right now. He liked Zoe and to deny that would quite possibly be the biggest lie the Scouser could ever tell. However, he had no one to discuss his feelings to; Ellie would tease him about it and most of his friends were “the guys” who he drank with and joked with and acted far too perverse with for any of the females in his life to ever witness. So, things had to be bottled up until he found the best way to deal with them which was usually via the assistance of a slot machine and a few pints of beer down at a bar in the city.

Romeo smirked down at the confident country mouse and then shook his head. “Nu-uh. I take offence to me offers bein’ declined and I’m not fine with y’ takin’ the couch and I’ll be childish and refuse to sleep until y’ take the damn bed. I don’t ‘ave cooties or anythin’, y’know?”

[/color] He told her firmly, refusing to give into her, no matter how polite she tried to be about it. “Plus, the couch may smell of smoke, me bed doesn’t.”[/color] Whilst as happy a smoker as he was, Romeo hated it when his sheets smelt like stale smoke and so made a point of never smoking in his bedroom. The sofa would probably have lingering traces of his habit from when the wind worked against his fire escape routine.

He watched as she walked to the bathroom, smiling softly to himself as he pulled the containers from the kitchen and placed them on the coffee table before walking towards his room, stripping off his shirt before he even reached the door. Usually, he’d sleep and lounge in a pair of shorts, but with extra company, he slipped on a shirt too; his entire now completely brandished with the sport team he loved more than any. He grabbed the duvet from his bed, piling the pillows on top too before marching back to the living room, dumping them on the couch, taking care to not disturb the cat. Then, he picked up his cigarettes and moved to the escape for one last smoke, pausing only to knock on Ellie’s door and call to his sister, “El, come on, we’re watchin’ a film. You pick one, kidda.”[/color] He instructed her, not quite believing that his movie choice would quite be Zoe’s cup of tea. His sister yelled something back that he couldn’t make out before emerging moments later as Romeo perched on the escape, taking a long drag from his cigarette. Zoe emerged too, and Romeo couldn’t hide the boyish smirk from his face as he noticed her attire. She looked so damn cute! “I thought the bath ‘ad swallowed y’ up or somethin’”[/color] He teased, looking at the half cigarette he held in his fingers.
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• • •

TAGGED! Romeo's little country mouse
WORDS!914
OUTFIT! sexy PJ’s!
LYRICS! Lonesome Swan - - - Glasvegas
NOTES! <3

[Zoe Diana Tylers]

While Zoe feared the growing up of her younger siblings, especially little Andrew, she knew it was inevitable. They'd all get older, graduate high school, and leave the nest just like she herself had done. Though, all of them were planning on staying a bit closer to home than she was. Or, as far as she knew, they were. Really, though, Zoe wasn't scared of it. She knew it was happening, though she could hardly say "before her eyes" as her eyes hadn't truly seen her siblings in god knows how long. But, from the photographs she was constantly being sent, she knew her "baby" siblings wouldn't be babies for much longer. It would only be a matter of months, maybe a year at most, before Frankie would most likely be engaged and getting ready to settle down with some handsome farmboy who'd keep her happy. And then, Hannah and Maddy would follow as Andy matured into what would no doubt be a strong, hard-working lad who'd have his own girl in less than the blink of an eye. Between the four sisters though, his chosen lass would be in for a bit of a tough time.

Zoe gave Romeo what could only be called a playful glare as he continued to protest against her sleeping on the couch. She would be sleeping there, no matter how much he talked. Even if she zonked out and he carried her to the bed, she'd eventually wake up and kick him off the couch, sleepily yelling at him for not listening to her and probably crashing halfway through doing so. "Yer sleepin' in yer bed and I'm sleepin' on the couch, and that's the end of it, darlin'," she said matter of factly with the best "mom" voice she could muster up. When he pointed out that the couch would probably smell like smoke, Zoe's nose crinkled in defeat. She could tolerate the smell of smoke when it was just on him, but sleeping in it all night and then proceeding to smell like it herself? Zoe would need a seriously long shower after that. "I thought ya said ya only smoked on the fire escape," she scolded, narrowing her eyes at him jokingly as she walked into the apartment behind him.

As she came out of the bathroom, Zoe couldn't help blushing under Romeo's gaze. She was suddenly very aware of just how much of her legs were exposed, and of the tank top she wore hugged her body in ways most of her clothing didn't. But, usually, she was just sleeping in these and the only person who saw her was either Ember or her cat, neither of whom she felt the need to look good for. Romeo was a different story entirely.

Trying to shrug her insecurities about not looking nice enough off, Zoe finished putting her things away and walked out to the fire escape where he stood. Giving him a clearly disapproving look, she took the cigarette from between his fingers, putting it out in the ashtray she'd noticed from when he was over here before. "If anythin's killin' or swallowin' anyone, it'll be yer cigarettes and you, not me and a bath tub," she said, giving him a small smirk before stepping back inside the apartment and going over to her kitten. Zoe turned her attention to Ellie, scooping up Tess and running a hand over her fur. "This is Tessie, my darlin' little kitten," she smiled, kissing the kitten's head. "Her food is in'er crate and I threw a few toys in for you two," she finished, setting her beloved baby down and opening up Tess' crate for Ellie to dig through as she pleased. Maybe, if the younger Jervis got distracted by the cat, Zoe and Romeo might get just a little more alone time.

• • •

WORDS: 700!
TAG: Wherefore art thou, Romeo?
LOCATION: Romeo's Couch, Jervis Apartment
OUTFIT: CUTE PAJAMAS!
LYRICS: "Twisted" by Carrie Underwood
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Romeo Jackson Jervis]

Maybe Zoe didn’t quite understand that when Romeo was stubborn, he didn’t let up. That was how he had ended up with custody of Ellie, how he’d stood up to his father and how he’d gotten to this place in his life. In case she had already forgotten, Romeo was ready to remind her that he had been the guy only a few hours ago who was singing outside of her door until she would open it again. That was just Romeo playing nice too, there were so many more lengths that he would go to in order to get his own way and get Zoe into his bed! Without him in there, of course. “That’s what you think, love.”

[/color] He told him, raising his eyebrows in a challenging manner as he met her gaze. There was no way he was letting this one slide and he would eventually get his way, even if he had to lock Zoe in his room by barricading the door from the outside. A little extreme maybe, but it would be worth it, knowing that she would have a decent night of sleep. “I do, but the wind isn’t always on me side and it blows some of the smoke back in and, well, you can see the couch is right in the target line of that.”[/color] He explained simply, smirking softly. “My bedroom, on the other ‘and, is a no smoke zone entirely and the sheets are fresh.”[/color] If he kept piling on the positives about his bed, then maybe she would come around to his way of thinking.

The small blush that filled her cheeks was adorable and only made Romeo smile more. She was in her pyjamas and more bashful than she had been all night, which was even cuter to him considering everything they had been through in less than twelve hours. Plus, Ellie was wandering around in a similar style of pyjamas too and she walked like there was nothing wrong in the world. Maybe it was a country thing that made her more bashful about her sleeping attire, but it made him feel a little better that he had opted for the t-shirt and the shorts tonight; Ellie moaned enough when he wandered around in just the shorts, although that was mainly when she had friends over and peeking out of the bedroom door at Romeo as though he was some rare species that was hardly ever seen.

He blinked as she took the cigarette from him, stubbing it out in the ashtray. He still had another two good drags on that which he wanted to make use of! He frowned slightly, not angry at her, but more frustrated; there was something amazing about the final drag of a cigarette and she had ended it completely prematurely for him and he still craved the nicotine he hadn’t touched all evening. “Not if y’ keep doin’ that.”[/color] He mumbled, smirking as he picked it back up and struggled to relight it quick enough. He took another drag from it and held it high enough out of the escape so that she couldn’t reach it. “Let me finish this while El picks out a movie and you get settled on the couch.”[/color] He whined softly, really just wanting to enjoy this one more time before he finished for the night. It wasn’t like he smoked a lot anyway.

He watched as Ellie and Zoe looked over the cat and Ellie instantly thanked the country mouse and then began to fuss over Tessie. He shook his head, amused by how simply his sister could be entertained, not that he was complaining. If she was preoccupied with the fluffy pet then he’d probably have more peace to relax with Zoe in the fort of duvets on the couch. “Zoe, pick between The Matrix and The Wedding Singer.”[/color] He said, mentioning the first two DVD’s that happened to catch his eye on the shelf as he closed the fire escape over and stepped back into the apartment.
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• • •

TAGGED! Romeo's little country mouse
WORDS!714
OUTFIT! sexy PJ’s!
LYRICS! Lonesome Swan - - - Glasvegas
NOTES! <3

[Zoe Diana Tylers]

Zoe shook her head stubbornly at Romeo. "I'm not takin' yer bed, Romeo, no matter what ya say or how long ya talk. I'm sleepin' on the couch. Ya need the rest fer work and such tomorra," she defended, trying to bring up the best logic her exhausted mind could throw together on the spot. Even if he talked himself blue, Zoe would not be sleeping in his bed. It was his, afterall, and she knew his considerably tall form would not be comfortable on that couch. Her with her tiny frame would be absolutely as comfy and cozy as possible. And, with her quilt, a pillow, and Tessie, Zoe would be right at home in seconds. She'd be completely fine. "All the more reason for ya to be sleepin' there. My lungs can take'a nighta inhalin' smoke. Yers, on the other hand, need the fresh air," she countered, smirking back at him in triumph. Zoe didn't mind sacrificing her lungs... not really. Besides, it'd do less damage to her than it'd do to him.

Typically, Zoe wasn't wearing short-shorts in public. Heck, she rarely even wore them in front of Ember when the girls would have a movie night, brought up by Zoe to try and keep her friend out of the bars for an evening and away from her brother's trying clutches. Having them on in front of Romeo was making her cheeks burn bright red, though she could hide most of it behind her thick curls that she'd thankfully left down. Not like she'd be able to pull them up anyways; that involved two hands, something Zoe did not have the luxury of at the moment. But, she'd make use of it and continue to try and shield her flushing face.

Zoe scowled at him as he picked the cigarette back up out of the ashtray, giving him another glare that held some truth to it this time. She disapproved of his smoking more than she let on and, as long as she was staying here, he wouldn't be hearing the last of it. "Romeo Jervis, put that back this minute," she scolded in her mom-tone, her good hand resting on her hip in a very defensive stance. "Ya've already reached yet limit of those while I'm 'round. One's anough," she continued to lecture, fully prepared to climb onto the windowsill and grab the cigarette back if he didn't put it out. Before she went back to Adams, Zoe was determined to get him away from those death traps. Even if it took more nights of her being attacked and staying at his apartment to scold him, she'd do it. If those stupid things did lead to him dying and she'd had the chance to stop him but didn't, you wouldn't be able to imagine how bad and guilty Zoe would feel about it.

Handing Ellie a brush and pulling out a few more toys, Zoe left the girl to her own devices with her kitten, smiling at the purrs she could already hear coming from a very content and spoiled Tessie. Her attention flickered back to Romeo again when he spoke and she shook her head. "Uh-uh. I told ya yer pickin', not me," she reminded, plopping down onto the couch and spreading her quilt acorss her legs, trying to hide them some. Zoe winced as her bruised fingers moved, biting her lip sharply as her brow furrowed from the intense pain. How could it hurt this badly? She tried to push the thoughts away again, giving Romeo another weak smile and curling up in the corner of the couch.

• • •

WORDS: 700!
TAG: Wherefore art thou, Romeo?
LOCATION: Romeo's Couch, Jervis Apartment
OUTFIT: CUTE PAJAMAS!
LYRICS: "Twisted" by Carrie Underwood
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Romeo Jackson Jervis]

He wouldn’t back down still. There were plenty of flaws in her argument for him to exploit and he would do just that until she was too tired and fed up to fight him anymore. “I ‘ardly ‘ave a stressful job that requires me to sleep eight hours a night.”

[/color] He told her, not ready to admit that most of the time he slept for less than eight hours because he simply hated sleeping for long periods of time; he felt like it was such a waste and so usually only slept what he felt was necessary. “Look, I’ve fallen asleep on the couch plenty of times before and I really don’t mind, love. The bed is more spacious and y’ prob’ly won’t crush your ‘and in there. If you take the couch then you prob’ly will. Plus, there’s room for Tessie t’ curl up with y’ if y’ like. And, I’m sure a night on a smoky cough won’t do anymore damage to my lungs than ‘as already been done.”[/color] Surely Zoe knew that the furniture wouldn’t do even a fraction of harm to his lungs after eight years of smoking cigarettes sporadically! “Love, I want y’ t’ take the bed. Please? For me?”[/color] He threw on the irresistible puppy dog eyes for added effect.

He smiled, amused by Zoe’s scolding tone. He knew that she hated his habit, but Romeo needed this right now and he wasn’t about to quit cold turkey, or even quiet period, for her. It may have sounded unreasonable of him, considering her opinion on the matter, but it was just one small cigarette that would be gone in a matter of seconds. He had planned on finishing it before she came out of the bathroom, but something had to go wrong, obviously. Well, not so much ‘wrong’ as ‘not according to plan. “All that you’re missin’ now love is me middle name.”[/color] He winked playfully and took another long drag of the nicotine stick in his fingers. It was almost all used up now anyway and he kept his eyes on Zoe as he exhaled out into the night sky. He chuckled softly at her again and finished off the cigarette, stubbing the butt out and then closing the fire escape, locking it, although he highly doubted anyone would scale up four floors just to get to his apartment. He picked up a stick of gum from the table that was at one end of the sofa and popped it in his mouth, chewing quickly to exorcise the smoky residue from his mouth, replacing it with minty freshness that tickled his tongue and throat in such a cooling manner.

He pushed his hair back from his face and crossed the room in a few short steps, grabbing the DVD box from the shelf, tossing it in his hand as he moved to operate the DVD player and turn the small, but perfectly working television on. “Weddin’ Singer it is then. The Matrix will only lead to me wantin’ to watch ‘em all and I ain’t stayin’ up all night for Keanu Reeves.”[/color] He explained, grabbing the remote controls, popping the disc into the slot and adjusting the channel. Romeo flopped back onto the couch near Zoe, the grimace on her face not going unnoticed by the Englishman who pulled the duvet over his own body before taking her injured hand ever so gently in his and kissing each of her bruised knuckles in turn, hoping that Ellie was too busy playing with the cat to realise the affectionate move her brother was making on the couch as they settled to watch the movie.
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• • •

TAGGED! Romeo's little country mouse
WORDS!648
OUTFIT! sexy PJ’s!
LYRICS! Lonesome Swan - - - Glasvegas
NOTES! <3

[Zoe Diana Tylers]

Zoe gave him another look as he spoke, raising one blonde eyebrow at him. "Liftin' books and rememberin' all the titles, locations, and whatever the heck else it is you do is definitely stressful. Much worse than waitressin', I'll tell ya that. 'Sides, I'm off tomorra anyways, so I'll be fine," she continued, though she hardly remembered if she was in fact off or not. Either way, she wouldn't be going into work, not with her hand this bad and unable to lift trays of food or write down orders, which was basically her entire job. Though, Zoe did pride herself on being able to deal with the people part of it, as well. She liked waitressing for that reason. Each time she worked, she got to meet new people and do the thing she loved best: help them. Even if she was getting paid for it, but still. It was what the country mouse lived for, serving and helping others instead of herself. That was why she was so insistent on not taking Romeo's bed. He needed the sleep more than she did, anyways, and it wasn't like she'd be able to sleep unless heavily drugged. "If ya haven't noticed, Romeo, I'm a bit smaller than ya. I'm sure you could use the space more'n I could. And don't worry 'bout my hand. It's perfectly fine," she defended, still not ready to drop this. Zoe didn't want to sleep on his bed. Period. He would be sleeping there, even if she had to groggily get up in the middle of the night and kick him off the friggin' couch. "I still think you oughta have it," she grumbled as he gave her the puppy dog look, one she was defenseless against with anyone, but especially with him. It made him look way too adorable for one guy to possibly be, and Zoe had no guards to save her from that. But, man, did she wish she did.

"I'm sure I could git it from Ellie if I really wanted to," she answered, sticking her tongue out him childishly. But, Zoe was up for the playful banter now that she wasn't either keeling over in physical or emotion pain or getting high off the sparks his mere touch sent rocketing through her entire body. She wanted it, actually. It was a piece of normal between them and it was helping to rid her of those self-loathing thoughts that kept springing up every time she remembered she had on those stupid, yet way too comfortable, shorts. "But, then, y'see, we'd be on uneven playin' ground 'cause nobody 'round here knows mine," she smirked up at him, though it turned to a light scowl as he contined with the cigarette. One day, he would find that all his cigarettes would be missing. And that he'd have a constant Ellie and/or Zoe watch on him at all times, keeping him away from drug stores so he could get more. But, of course, none of it would be Zoe's doing. Of course not.

Zoe smiled as he moved aroundthe apartment, kind of enjoying the relaxed atmosphere they were now in. It was nice, really. Much better than the semi-crowded rows of books at Borders where anyone and everyone could hear the playful conversations occuring between them. "We could both just stay up and sleep on the couch," she joked as he sat down near her. Almost automatically, Zoe inched a bit closer to him on the couch. She bit her lip as he grabbed her hand, trying to hide the huge smile that was trying to consume her face as he kissed her tender knuckles. Even if her fingers hurt like living hell, the pain vanished for a moment as Romeo's lips touched them. What could she say? He really was a miracle worker.

• • •

WORDS: 698!
TAG: Wherefore art thou, Romeo?
LOCATION: Romeo's Couch, Jervis Apartment
OUTFIT: CUTE PAJAMAS!
LYRICS: "Twisted" by Carrie Underwood
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Romeo Jackson Jervis]

He quirked his eyebrow at her. “Zoe, love, I’m the supervisor and I’m on the back shift. I’ll prob’ly be in me office highlightin’ order forms and other such mundane tasks. Plus, I was a Lit major not so long ago, books come naturally to me.”

[/color] He smirked, catching her in another Romeo net. “Good, if it’s your day off then a good nights sleep in me bed will prime y’ for whatever exciting Tylers adventure you may decide to go on, if hangin’ out with me isn’t quite good enough.”[/color] He teased, still armed with a handful of ways to catch Zoe out. She would have his bed, even if he had to resort to tying her wrist to the post or something...Romeo paused, realising just how wrongly that could be interpretated. Better just keep that thought to himself than voice it. “Alright, if your hand is so fine, then toss that football my way.”[/color] His lips turned upwards, knowing that it was something she probably couldn’t do without being in excrutiating pain. He kept the puppy dog expression on his face, his lips forming the cutest pout a grown man could muster with a busted lip. “Come on Zoe, just take me bed. It’ll make me ‘appy and you sleepin’ on the sofa could be this Superman’s kryptonite.”[/color] He noticed Ellie throwing him a ‘what the hell’ look, but he ignored it. Ellie had missed out on far too much this evening for him to even attempt to explain it to her again now, this late in the night anyway. Maybe tomorrow, once Zoe was home, he’d sit the little Jervis down and answer her questions with as many vague answers as the tall Scouser knew how to give.

Romeo laughed heartily, loving the fact that their banter seemed to be back on top form again. He was glad that Zoe wasn’t dwelling solely on what happened and what could’ve happened, had Romeo not been fated to be on the sidewalk at that exact moment in time. “Me middle name is amazin’. Besides, our El knows be’er. I know far more embarassing tales and memes of ‘er life than she’d ever dare to chance.”[/color] Ellie nodded her head furiously behind Zoe, pausing only to flip her older brother the middle finger. He laughed, amused by their relationship at siblings. He never scolded her for doing something like that, feeling rather hypocritical when his language could be more brash and vulgar than he ever cared to publically confess too. He stepped closer to Zoe, miming reaching for her bag with a sly hand. “Ah, but I bet your drivin’ license holds all the answers.”[/color] He teased. He never understood why middle names proved to be such amazing banter, but they were always the best thing to use when it came to modest flirting or friendship building. Biggest mystery to remain unsolved to this very day, at least in his mind.

“Now, whilst I won’t stay up for Keanu Reeves, you are another matter.”[/color] He confessed flirtatiously.Romeo did not care about the sixteen year old set of eyes peering over the top of Tess at her older brother on the sofa. It was rare for Romeo to have a girl around the apartment and Ellie had never actually seen her older brother in this light before. She knew he had a heart of cold and openly cared for his friends, but she had heard plenty of stories from their distant mother to know that they were the two things that could make Romeo vulnerable. She wasn’t blind; she could tell Romeo liked Zoe more than he let on to her, but at the same time she suddenly understood what it was like to be Romeo when she admitted to hanging out with some of the guys from school. Whilst her first date had yet to happen and prom was another few years away for her, she saw the overprotective spark ignite in Romeo more often than not and right now, it was doing the same, but in her. She liked Zoe; she liked having an older sister figure to talk about the things she couldn’t discuss with Romeo, but if Romeo ever got hurt by her, she wouldn’t hesistate to tell the wonderful country girl exactly what she thought.
If Romeo knew what was running through Ellie’s mind, he’d probably laugh at her and mess her hair up.
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• • •

TAGGED! Romeo's little country mouse
WORDS!779
OUTFIT! sexy PJ’s!
LYRICS! Lonesome Swan - - - Glasvegas
NOTES! Random Ellie moment >.< <3

[Zoe Diana Tylers]

"Well, ya never know how much energy ya might need for that," she answered, narrowing her eyes playfully at him again. "I was under the impression you were the one decidin' if and when I left." Zoe smiled softly up at him, "'Sides, I'd rather muck around Borders with you than sit in my apartment with a cat." She'd rather spend the time with Romeo than be left to her own terrible thoughts, and she only hoped he knew that. Besides, she was getting used to this whole "being kidnapped" thing. It was sure changing the relationship between the two, and, in her mind, that was something worth sticking around for. "That ain't fair, Romeo, and you know it," she pouted back at him. Zoe would not be throwing anything for at least a day or two. And, even now, she was hoping for a bit more ice to help numb the pain that was screaming louder and louder at her. Those pain killers were sounding pretty darn good, too. "But I won't be happy knowin' you're cramped out here while I'm loungin' in a big bed," she answered, turning her face away from him. "Stop with that look! Yer not winnin'!" she laughed, bumping his shoulder. Zoe was slowly giving in, mainly because she didn't want to argue with him. But, she'd still keep this up in hopes he might change his mind, like she really wanted him to.

"Mhm, and how many secrets can she dish 'bout you?" Zoe rose an eyebrow at him, her hand still on her hip defensively as she looked up at him. She'd never take advantage of Ellie that way, though. Only talk to her so she could discover more pieces of the puzzle standing before her. It was shallow and low, two things she did not do at all. Besides, talking to Ellie was fun for her. She got to interact with another high schooler who a) didn't have a country twang thicker than hers and b) who could help explain that confusing language to her that she was gradually beginning to pick up. "You wouldn't dare!" she glowered at him, the playful sparks in her eyes ruining the expression entirely. Zoe really didn't like her name on occasion; or, rather, her full name. It was different, sure, but it was one more thing for people to laugh at her for.

The blush darkened on her cheeks as he spoke and Zoe couldn't hide a smile now, even if she was overly aware of the teenager sitting on the floor with Tess. "I'd gladly stay up for you, too. But, I'm only stayin' up this time ta make sure you can't carry me off somewhere," she smirked in return before running her hand over her quilt again, smoothing the blanket against her shivering legs. Zoe didn't mind that Ellie was here at all, but, she had this strange sense of it being Frankie or Hannah sitting there, watching their big sister miserably fail at flirting. And, to say the least, it was a bit nerve wracking for her.

• • •

WORDS:
TAG: Wherefore art thou, Romeo?
LOCATION: Romeo's Couch, Jervis Apartment
OUTFIT: CUTE PAJAMAS!
LYRICS: "Twisted" by Carrie Underwood
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Romeo Jackson Jervis]

He rolled his eyes and scoffed in a lighthearted fashion. “Oh please, I know exactly ‘ow much energy it takes t’ tell one of the employees to stack some shelves while I rest in the office.”

[/color] It pretty much was part of his job and his boss would probably prefer him to keep on top of the paperwork a little more rather than venturing onto the shop floor itself to do the job that the general assistants were paid to do. Romeo enjoyed the socialising though and loved finding out exactly what books everyone purchased, besides, he never knew when he may bump into Zoe and that was incentive enough to keep him from the dingy little office he shared with Simon. “You’re right; I am. And I’m kidnappin’ y’ and holdin’ y’ hostage ‘ere forever more.”[/color] He joked, adding a slight cackle to the end of his words. He sat down, after popping the DVD into the player and smirked. “Forget about me workin’ tomorrow. I’m big enough and ugly enough t’ take care o’ that meself.”[/color]
He laughed softly, amused by her little pout. “A lot o’ things ain’t fair, love. Now, I won’t be cramped out ‘ere and you’re takin’ the bed.”[/color] He intensified the puppy dog look and moved so he was back in her line of vision.

Romeo flashed his green eyes in the direction of his little sister. “None that don’t also implicate ‘er in such shameful shenanigans.[/color] Truthfully, Ellie only knew a few tidbits that Romeo had shared with her. He didn’t really like the idea of Ellie knowing exactly the intimate details of his life away from their cosy little set-up. The rest of the secrets were family related and the kind that the female Jervis liked to avoid. She didn’t want to drag up the past and she didn’t want to be reminded of the kind of life she could have lived had Romeo not been such a caring older brother who was always there for her whenever she needed him.
He laughed and cocked his head towards Ellie who looked up for a second before deciding that she wasn’t interested in whatever Romeo was going to say next. She knew it probably wouldn’t be of any real importance to her. “Not a wise idea to dare me. Ask our El’ she’ll tell y’ that I’m a right geg when someone dares me.”[/color] If she pushed it again, Romeo would be hunting down the telltale card in seconds.

He smiled a lopsided smile and then moved a little closer to his beautiful country mouse. “What’s the matter? Don’t you trust me?”[/color] He asked, his voice quiet and deep. A soft chuckle emitted from his throat and he leaned back on the sofa, his arm draped over the back, almost resting against Zoe’s shoulders. He didn’t want to freak her out though and so kept it firmly on the back of the fabric, rather than moving it around her, despite how much he wanted to do it. Plus, Ellie was here and she was being quiet for a change; Romeo didn’t want to do anything to disturb this rare moment, even if he had to mind his manners more than normal because of the nosy sixteen year old who would recall all of this on the next phone call or trip to their mam’s apartment just a few streets away. The two Jervis women seemed to love discussing Romeo’s personal life whenever he was or wasn’t around. It was a little unnerving, but at least they didn’t go around trying to play cupid and set him up with every pretty, single girl in New York.
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• • •

TAGGED! Romeo's little country mouse
WORDS!658
OUTFIT! sexy PJ’s!
LYRICS! Lonesome Swan - - - Glasvegas
NOTES! <3

[Zoe Diana Tylers]

Zoe was going to have to start getting crafty with the excuses here. She really didn't want to steal his bed from him, knowing he had to work in the morning and that she probably wouldn't get too much sleep, anyways, no matter where she was sleeping. Why not have him be comfortable and actually asleep? All she'd be doing was trying to run from her own thoughts most of the night. "Then you'll need the energy fer lookin' after Ellie'n me," she defended again. Zoe would definitely be out of ideas for excuses soon. "I ain't playin' princess fer that long! One night'a doin' nothin' is anough!" she laughed softly, shaking her head at him. Zoe liked having him do things for her, she did, but she also hated feeling this useless. If she was staying forever, you could bet she'd be earning her keep in some fashion or other. "Big anough, I'll agree to. But not ugly," she smiled back shyly before pretending to be interested in her quilt once more, just to hide her darkening cheeks from him. "I ain't takin' the bed, Romeo! Ya can lock me in there, but I'll just sleep on the floor instead," she said, sticking her tongue out at him as he continued the puppy dog look. Zoe playfully turned his face away from hers again, laughing to try and hide the smile that was fighting its way onto her face from the sparks errupting in her fingers.

She smirked up at him as his eyes moved to his sister. Zoe hadn't exactly heard anything about Romeo, but she had heard plenty about Ellie's school life, boys, friends, and such. Trivial things that only brought back memories of her own time in the dramatic world of high school. For her, that was plenty, though she could remember tiny tidbits Ellie had dropped about her brother. Zoe was starting to think the teenager was discovering the secret hiding in her heart. "Ya'd laugh if ya found it out anyways, though I just dared ya not to," she answered, trying to keep her playful sirk from faultering. Many people had laughed at her full name, which was why she went by "Zoe" instead. Especially back home, where uncommon names were reason for ridicule, Zoe'd had to hide behind the nickname in order to keep from being made fun of. It was more common to have unusual names in New York, but, still, many people had questioned her, especially her professors who she had to politely beg to call her "Zoe" or "Miss Tylers".

The smile reappeared on her face as Romeo leaned closer to her. Zoe could feel her heart pounding in her throat, and the sparkle in her eye brightened more. "On most occasions," she teased back, keeping her voice low, as well. Zoe knew Ellie could still probably hear the subtle flirting, or whatever this was, going on between the two on the couch. It was that reason why she didn't cuddle into Romeo's side more or move so his arm could wrap around her tinier frame. Zoe didn't want to upset Ellie, so she was trying her darnedest to behave.

• • •

WORDS: 580!
TAG: Wherefore art thou, Romeo?
LOCATION: Romeo's Couch, Jervis Apartment
OUTFIT: CUTE PAJAMAS!
LYRICS: "Twisted" by Carrie Underwood
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Romeo Jackson Jervis]

She was really looking for the smallest excuse to get Romeo to change his mind and he could see that with the argument they were still having. He was refusing to give in easily and he needed Zoe to see how much it meant to him that she was comfortable tonight, during her stay here. Romeo turned to face her and took her sore hand in his, being careful not to put anymore pressure on it; the last thing he wanted was to see her in anymore pain. “Look, Zoe, love, I’m not offerin’ y’ me bed because I feel like I ‘ave t‘. I’m doin’ it ‘cause I want t‘.

[/color] He brushed some blonde hair from her amazing eyes and smiled softly. “I’ve been through a lot worse than a night without me bed and this time I’m willin’ t’ do it. So, trust me and make me ‘appy by takin’ the best bed you’ll ever sleep in.”[/color] His bed was dangerously comfy and on cold winter mornings it was almost a life altering challenge to pull himself from the warmth of the duvet and do what needed to be done that day. “I refuse to sleep anywhere, until y’ agree.”[/color] He didn’t want this to carry on for much longer, but he knew that he wouldn’t be able to sleep in the bed if Zoe was out here and like he said, he’d been through worse. Most nights when they were younger, Romeo would sacrifice his bed for Ellie, whenever a bad dream had plagued her slumber or when their parents were fighting downstairs again. He had gone days without sleep in the past, but had plodded on regardless, for Ellie’s sake.

He waved her suggestion away with his hand and then looked at her with raised eyebrows. “Me parents called us Romeo. I think me right to laugh at other people’s names died that day!”[/color] He might have enjoyed his name, but that didn’t mean that he was able to make it through his life without silly comments, Shakespearean quotes (which he didn’t mind, so long as they were right), and people not believing that Romeo was his real name. He stretched out, his arms cracking at the joints as the day began to take its toll on his body. “Whatever it is, I bet it’s just as unique and as incredible as you are.”[/color] Maybe he exposed a little too much of his emotions in that one sentence, but it was the truth. He had lived in cities his whole life but never met someone who was as amazing as Zoe was, and not just after the events of tonight, but in general. She was always surprising him with her insight and opinions, not to mention the differences between him and her and their lifestyle choices. Even her scolding him for his bad nicotine habit was cute and refreshing, considering he got it most days from his mother.

Romeo glanced slyly over the back of the sofa to see what Ellie was doing and sure enough, her green eyes were fixed on the couple whilst her hands cuddled and stroked the cat lovingly. She caught Romeo’s gaze and winked, giving him a quick thumbs up before scurrying a little further away from the pair. He rolled his eyes; no doubt she’d tell their mam by lunch time tomorrow and then he’d be getting interrogated by them both. At least now that they had a bit more privacy though he could relax a little more, this time slumping in his seat slightly, his fingers now skimming across Zoe’s shoulder as he focused as best as he could on the screen without blurting out his feelings to her. So, instead, he chose to try and make a flirtatious comment about the movie. “Maybe we should do that some time; taste some cake…maybe get dinner first.”[/color] He bit the part of his lip that wasn’t split and hoped that he hadn’t ruined something here.
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• • •

TAGGED! Romeo's little country mouse
WORDS!722
OUTFIT! sexy PJ’s!
LYRICS! Lonesome Swan - - - Glasvegas
NOTES! Yes, I brought the date request forward a little, but we‘ll be here until next Christmas! XD <3

[Zoe Diana Tylers]

Her big blue eyes looked up into as his hand captured hers, and Zoe couldn't help herself from a very tiny smile. She still didn't feel okay with taking his bed, not after everything he'd already done for her this evening. But, he was making such a big deal out of this and she guessed... "Fine," she sighed in defeat as his fingers brushed her loose hair from her face. Zoe smiled back at him, shaking her head. "I'm only agreein' 'cause yer bein' stubborn as a mule," she said with a smirk. "And I'm cookin' breakfast tomorra mornin', with or without two good hands." Zoe didn't require two hands to cook an amazing country breakfast and, besides, she could probably enlist Ellie to help while she forced Romeo into playing "princess" for an hour or so.

Zoe could feel her heart pounding harder against her ribcage as Romeo spoke. He didn't even know her actual name, and he was already saying it was incredible just because she was. He really thought she was unique? And incredible. She couldn't believe it... was she already asleep next to him, dreaming all of this? No, she couldn't be. She couldn't be. It was all too real and too amazing to be imagined. "And what if it don't measure up to yer standards?" she questioned, tilting her head up to look at him with a shy smile on her lips. Zoe didn't tell people her real name because she didn't like getting laughed at, not by anyone. Especially not by Romeo.

She couldn't stop herself from cuddling into his side more as he settled in. The temptation was irresistable for her, even if Ellie was still sitting within earshot. It was so comfortable, sitting and watching a movie together, ending a hard day with just a teensy bit of perfection... all of it was absolutely impossible. And, yet, it was too wonderful to even slightly mistake for imagination. Zoe kept her eyes on the screen for awhile, feeling the exhaustion seeping in around her. It was pulling on her eyelids, making her long for the bed she still wasn't entirely okay with taking. She really needed some sleep; actual sleep, where she hadn't fainted previously.

All thoughts of sleep fled her mind as Romeo's voice caught her ear again. What had he just said?! "You mean... like... like a-a date?" she blinked slowly, almost hesitantly, her breath sticking in her throat as she looked up at him. There was utter shock written across her face, along with confusion and all the things she couldn't say to him right now. All the things that could probably be said over a date.

• • •

WORDS: 500!
TAG: Wherefore art thou, Romeo?
LOCATION: Romeo's Couch, Jervis Apartment
OUTFIT: CUTE PAJAMAS!
LYRICS: "Twisted" by Carrie Underwood
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Romeo Jackson Jervis]

He grinned after finally winning the battle about the bed. So long as she was comfortable, then he would be too, not to mention it made him infinitely happy. “I did warn y’, I’m sure I did. I blame ‘avin’ a li’l sister, it brings out the stubborn side of any guy.”

[/color] He joked, putting the blame for that on Ellie too. It was a good thing she could handle it and throw it right back at Romeo if she wanted to. “Fine. I can live with that deal. T’was a pleasure doin’ business with y’, love.”[/color] He said, smirking playfully as he offered his hand to her good hand for her to shake, like they were closing a business deal over something much more important than just a bed. Truthfully, Romeo was just glad that Zoe would be tucked safely away in his room tonight, where nothing could get at her. The pro to living near the roof of a building was that the windows were always out of reach to any burglar and Romeo would be closer to the front door than she was, so she wouldn’t have to worry about anyone trying to come in either; she had already seen was the Scouser could do with his fists when he needed to defend someone and that really was only the tip of the iceberg!

He studied her for a few moments, smiling affectionately down at her. She really didn’t see what he saw. She didn’t see just how beautiful and incredible she was to him. He could sit there all day just looking at her, listening to her and simply enjoying her company. Romeo really didn’t think that there was a thing in the world that could make him think less of Zoe, especially not her name. He reached out, moving her hair again, but this time leaving his rough palm to linger on her cheek for just a little longer, before dropping it into his lap as he spoke. “No matter what it is, love, you’ll always be me little country mouse.”[/color] He confessed in a soft, delicate whisper, saying words that were only ever meant for her and her alone.

Romeo’s attention on the movie waned as she relaxed against his side. His eyes kept flicking to her and subconsciously, he began to run his fingers through the loose strands of hair that danced around her shoulders. He watched her reactions, her smiles and the moment exhaustion began to creep in, her eyes blinking much more slowly as she fought to keep them open. He planted a soft kiss to the crown of her head and then leaned a little closer to her. If she fell asleep here then he would carry her to bed and tuck her in there, save disturbing this moment of silent perfection after a day that was like something out of a movie itself.

He was slightly panicked by her reaction and took a few seconds of gaping fish impressions to pull himself together. “Um, yeah? Like a date, yeah.”[/color] He paused again and then smiled awkwardly, the dork in him breaking out as he realised just how silly he must look to her right now. “I kinda like y’, a lot.”[/color] He confessed quietly, figuring she needed to hear those words now more than ever, just to cement what he was saying into her head.
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• • •

TAGGED! Romeo's little country mouse
WORDS!606
OUTFIT! sexy PJ’s!
LYRICS! Lonesome Swan - - - Glasvegas
NOTES! XD <3

[Zoe Diana Tylers]

Zoe rose an eyebrow at him as he blamed his stubborness on his younger sister. She happened to have three, which was definitely two more than he had. Plus she had a younger brother! "I believe I'm tha one with more siblings, thank ya very much, and I still ain't as stubborn as you," she smirked at him as she shook his hand just to please him. She'd make all of this up to him someday; she'd already promised herself that. And, whatever it took, she eventually would, someway, somehow. But, for right now, she could content herself with just snuggling up to him and pretending that this could actually lead somewhere, even if it was only for a little while.

She leaned her face into his touch as his fingers touched her skin once more. Zoe wished he'd keep doing it; the butterflies it resulted in were too intoxicating to not want more of. It had only been a few hours, and it was like she was already addicted to it. "I like that much better," she smiled softly, whispering back to him. Zoe loved the new nickname more than she'd let on to anyone else, or even to him. Nobody gave her petnames like that, unless it was the "babygirl" her Mama or Daddy often called her over the phone. But, she also liked this one because it wasn't used in a taunting way at all. It made it seem like being the country mouse in the big dazzling city didn't make her so drab and boring.

So, why shouldn't she tell him? Zoe wanted to confess her one little secret to him, but she just didn't want him to snicker or look at her weird like so many other people. Even Ember had blinked a few times when she'd heard it at first. And, right now, Zoe was trying to prove that she wasn't weird because she wasn't a city girl. Did her "unique" name make her better or worse in his eyes? She hated it, that was for sure, and she only told it to the people closest to her. But, truly, didn't Romeo count as one of the few on that list? "Zoraline," she mumbled a few moments later, biting her lip harder the moment the word had left her lips. "Zoraline Diana Tylers." The name sounded so much better with her country twang than it did with the New York accent. Or, at least, to her it did. Then again, it may've just been the fact that she loved her country dialect more anyways.

Any idea of sleep she had was very much washed out of her mind as Romeo looked down at her. He was asking her out. On a date. A real date. Her heart was skipping beats in a dangerous way, and it was taking all the strength she possibly posessed to not fly at him in a way that would definitely alarm Ellie. "Yes," she smiled at him, her eyes skimming over with happy tears. All this time... he'd been talking about her. All those nice things, they were about her. Romeo actually liked her.

• • •

WORDS: 570!
TAG: Wherefore art thou, Romeo?
LOCATION: Romeo's Couch, Jervis Apartment
OUTFIT: CUTE PAJAMAS!
LYRICS: "Twisted" by Carrie Underwood
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Romeo Jackson Jervis]

He chuckled warmly. Zoe definitely did have the upper hand on him when it came to the size of their families. He always had this small, insignificant opinion though that it was different - completely different - for older brothers than it was for older sisters, also depending on the gender of the younger siblings. “Aye, but y’ ain’t a guy, love. I think it works a li’l differently when I’m trapped mainly with women.”

[/color] His life had been spent defending himself from the gang that consisted of his mam and Ellie. It was all friendly, but still, there was a need to be the man, stand up for his beliefs and stand his ground whenever the need arose. “And maybe country stubborness is different t’ city stubborness.”[/color] He added as an afterthought, playfully as he raised his eyebrows and grinned down at her.

Nicknames, pet names…Romeo believed that if you cared about a person, then these were the way to really let them know and they sure as hell beat PDA when you were out and about. Not many people these days got the affectionate nicknames like country mouse, or in Ellie’s case (when they weren’t playfully arguing) jellybean. He smiled at her, definitely feeling the sparks coursing through his body when Zoe leaned into his touch. “I’m glad.”[/color] He responded almost silently, his lips barely moving as he resisted the urge to lean down and kiss her at that very moment. No, they’d already come close to that earlier this evening and he didn’t want to do it now, not yet.

He studied her expression carefully, wondering about what she could be thinking when she opened her mouth and spoke softly he almost didn’t catch it and it took a few seconds for his mind to process her quiet words. Zoraline Diana Tylers… She gave him her name, willingly, without him needing to tickle her or plead with her. He smiled softly, warmly, before speaking, this time leaning in a little closer and gazing lovingly into her mesmerising light eyes. “Beautiful, just like me li’l country mouse.”[/color] He spoke so quietly that anything passing by would have drowned out his words easily. He sat up a little straighter, pulling himself together before he gave in and kissed her. “Romeo Jackson Jervis. And you’re one o’ the elite five in this city who knows that now.”[/color] He told her with a smile. Not many people ever asked about his middle name and unless it was vital, he never gave it out. So only Ellie, his mam, his dad, his boss and now Zoe knew it.

He thought he would cheer right then and there when she agreed to a date with him. This wasn’t the typical way he would ask a girl out on a date, but it just seemed so perfect, so ideal for their quiet friendship which now may blossom into something much more. He grinned and then noticed the glassy look in her eyes that only came with tears. “Zoe? Are y' cryin'?”[/color] He panicked slightly, scooting closer to wipe her dry cheeks with his thumbs. “If y’ don’t want t’ go out with us, then just say it, please don’t cry ‘cause of us.”[/color] He didn’t want to upset her and he didn’t want her to think that just because of tonight’s events that she had to go out with him.
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• • •

TAGGED! Romeo's little country mouse
WORDS!609
OUTFIT! sexy PJ’s!
LYRICS! Lonesome Swan - - - Glasvegas
NOTES! XD <3