Anna giggled at him and then yelped as he tackled her into the water again. As they went under she got him in a headlock and rubbed her knuckles against his skull before releasing him and breaking the surface for air with another laugh. She looked around for him under the water but it was too dark to see him under there.

~*~

Seb smiled, "Old man! I'll show you old man!"

He picked her up bridal style and hauled her to the water. He pretended like he was going to toss her in before he jumped in with her giving a whoop that could rival Anna's earlier one. As he tugged them both up for air he kissed her again with another soft laugh, pulling her close and leaving his hands on her hips.

"I'm glad to see you having so much fun...."

Gunner pushed out of the head lock as she broke for air. He swam around a little long before bursting up in front of her. Not going to attack her but going for the movie moment of the hero breaking out of the water. He always thought that was pretty cool. He looked at her and laughed before pulling her into her own headlock.
~
Anya yelped a little when Sebastian picked her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck tightly, "No, no, no! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Sebastian!"

However, he wasn't having any of it. She clung to him, hoping she'd able to hold on if he tossed her. Instead, he let out of a whoop and jumped in, still holding her. She yelped again and quickly held her breath as she went under. She felt him tugging her up for air but her legs were free from his hold. She laughed but it was cut off slightly by Sebastian pulling her into another kiss. She placed her own hands on his neck as his rested on her hips, "I'm glad to see you aren't off moping," She ran her fingers through his hair and smiled, "I'm really, really glad... That you decided... this."

He smiled, "Yes well... so am I."

As Gunner broke the surface Seb and Anya got hit with the water too and he laughed, shaking his head at them. As her hands moved through his hair he closed his eyes comfortably before opening them and kissing her lightly again. "Those two look pretty occupied, and this water is pretty damn cold... do you want to take a walk with me?"

He wasn't trying to get her back to the room or anything, he just wanted to spend some time with her with it just being the two of them. He loved the crap out of Anna and Gunner but... not the way he loved Anya and he wanted her to himself for a little while.

~*~

Anna laughed and shielded herself as Gunner came up. When he caught her in a headlock she flailed a little. "Nooooo not my gorgeous hair! Release me you tyrant," she said in an overly dramatic manner.

Anya smiled as he closed his eyes, at ease. She closed her own when he kissed her again. At the suggestion of a walk, she looked over at Anna and Gunner before she looked back at Sebastian and nodded.

She got out of the water and quickly ran over to her towel, wrapping it around herself. She shivered slightly, being out of the water always somehow managed to be colder than in it. She dried off her face and some of her hair before looking at Sebastian. She grabbed his towel off the ground and handed it but did not waste the opportunity to kiss him again. She felt like there was going to a lot of that. The two of them had liked each other for so long and wanted to kiss each other for so long, now to be given the chance... It was clear neither of them were wasting it.

She took his hand in her own and started to walk into the forest with him.
~
Gunner laughed maniacally and rubbed his knuckles against her head, "You must pay! Pay for your crimes against the earth and all that live with on it! For questioning with my manliness!"

Anna nearly died with laughter, "You are mad sir, completely mad. I yield! I yield!"

She finally broke free of his hold and laughed good naturedly as she pushed her messy hair from her face. Then she blinked, "I think Anya and Seb sneaked off while we weren't looking."

~*~

Seb walked hand in hand with Anya for a while without saying much of anything, he was trying to figure out where to go from here. He had never attempted a serious relationship, all his romances had been confined to a single night... flings. He found he like holding her hand and kissing her even better than that... but he wasn't sure how far to take things. He paused and glanced over at her, "I have to admit something... uncomfortable for both of us..."

He ran a hand through his hair, "My past relationships were all one night stands... I'm not sure how to pace things in a relationship that I actually... care about lasting." He looked at her, "More than care... I want this to work... I want to take my time so you see you're not just another..." He grimaced, "I've done stupid things... I don't want you to think you're another notch on my belt or something."

Gunner laughed as she yield and flexed in his victory. He dropped his arms when she pointed out that Anya and Sebastian snuck off on them, "Well, it isn't any fun when no one is around to hear Anna Ross yield!"

He looked at her and smirked, "Do you think that they are actually off making out somewhere," He thought about it, "It's weird... To think that that is actually a possibility."
~
Anya looked at him when he stopped walking and looked at him curiously. She gave him a small smile when he finished his schpeel. She released his hand and moved her hands to his waist, "Sebastain... You've been chasing after me and pushing me away for years. All because you liked me but didn't want to hurt me. I don't think you would now."

She moved herself a little closer to him, "Besides, if you really wanted me as a notch on your belt.... You would have tried along time ago."

She kissed him, "I say... we go at the speed that this takes us... Every relationship is different and," her smile grew little, "We both want this to last... So there isn't anything to worry about.... Right?"

Seb smiled and nodded, brushing his lips against hers in response to her kiss. "That's a very good point..." He hesitated for a moment and then placed his hands on either side of her head on the tree behind her and leaned in to kiss her again. This time though, he took it slow... deepening the kiss when before he'd pulled away. He ran a hand through her hair as one of his free hands slid down from the tree and down her arm to catch hold of her hand... He gave it a squeeze before he playfully pulled her against him and gave her a little spin before setting her back down on her feet.

He tucked her hair behind her ear, nipped her lip, and then kissed her again.

~*~

Anna grimaced, "I'd rather not think about it... thinking about it leads to picturing it in my head and that is not an image I need."

She laughed at Gunner's flexing, "I'm glad they're both happy now though... I thought they'd NEVER get together."

Anya was taken back a little when he basically trapped her against the tree behind her. She leaned against it, keeping her hands on his waist. Anya looked at him as he ran his hand through her hair, she could see the adoration in his eyes and it made her just want to melt into him. She laughed as he pulled her against him and spun her around. She just barely touched the ground before his nipped lightly at her lip, surprising careful with this fangs and kissed her again.

She was slightly curious as to where he learnt to work around his fangs so perfectly, then remembered his earlier mention of his one night stands. She wasn't bothered by it, she couldn't be. Besides, he was with her now and unlike with those girls, he intended to be with her. However, it did make her curious as to what else he'd learnt. They were kissing again, of course they were. She was pretty sure neither of them wanted to do anything else. She leaned into him, her hands having moved from his waist to his chest and finally rested with her arms wrapped around his neck as they stood in the forest alone.

She couldn't even fathom a more perfect moment.
~
Gunner looked at her, "What you haven't always imagined the two of them sneaking off together? Don't lie to me, Anna, I know how much you wanted them together."

When she mentioned never thinking they'd be together, Gunner smiled, "You're welcome."

Anna laughed, "I wanted them together... even hoped Seb would get over his issues... but I was never positive that they'd get past their walls to do it." She floated over to him and glanced up at the sky, it was brightening.

"Wow... we killed a lot of time..."

~*~

Seb drew away from the kiss, his breath fanning her face and smelling a little bit like the cloves from his cigs... When he finally spoke, his breath was husky and his eyes were closed. "I should take you home... before I do something I'll regret. You're testing my restraint and I have to admit..." He opened his eyes with a sheepish smile, "I'm only a C student."

He ran a hand through her hair and took her hand, "Shall I escort you back to your quarters m'lady?" He winked at her roguishly.

Gunner floated on his back beside her and looked up at the sky. He nodded, "So it seems...." He pursed his lips, "Should we try and find our wards... with no knowing what we will interrupt... Or take advantage of the fact that they aren't really our responsibility right now and hightail it back to the dorms?"
~
Anya's eyes opened slowly when Sebastian pulled away, breaking the kiss. They were still close enough that she could feel and smell his breath. She had gotten used to the smell of cloves on him, that was the smell of Sebastian. Did she mind it? No. Could she do without it? Well... She laughed a little when he suggest that he take her home as she was testing his feeble control.

She closed her eyes for a moment as he ran his hand through her hair before he took her hand. She cocked an eyebrow, "Oh, I'm testing your restraint in forest and yet you want to go back to my room? Do you really think you can handle that?" She teased him.

She looked him up and down, "How about we go fetch your clothing first. Unless you want to make this harder on yourself."

He actually blushed as he realized he HAD in fact forgotten all about his clothes. He grinned, "A-hah-ha... Oops..."

He nodded back in the direction of the lake, "We should grab my clothes and the towls... besides... Anna and Gunner will be wondering where we slipped off too. Getting back with them will help me behave when I take you home."

He took her hand once more and led her back to the lake, "Hey you two... miss us."

Anna grinned, "We were getting ready to leave without you..."

She climbed out of the water and teasingly pushed Gunner back in once he tried to do the same before grabbing a towel and wrapping up in it. "I'm sleepy..." She yawned deeply and rubbed her eyes.

Sebastian shook his head, "Well, we should separate... Moroi with Moroi so that we can get back, MAYBE undetected... you two are so loud when you're joking around."

Anna arched a brow, "Trying to get some alone time with Anya?"

Seb smiled, "I've had my chance and I behaved... Now that I'm clothed I think I can get her home without risking her virtue." He hugged Anya against his side to keep her warm in the chill.

Anya laughed a him and walked back to the lake with him. She rested her head against his shoulder, smiling up at him. She felt a little silly but she was just beyond happy to be with him and actually be with him. To sneak of into the forest and make out. It sounded kind of weird but it had been wonderful and she had loved it. She grinned, "We'll just have to train you... And good boys, get treats."

When they got back to the lake, Anna was climbing out. She laughed a little when she pushed Gunner back it. He emerged from the water a moment later. He looked at Anna as she stated that she was sleepy, "You're an ass too," He said, quickly ducking away and grabbing the last towel.

She listened as Sebastian suggested that they separate. Anya couldn't disagree. Their dorms were on opposing sides of the campus. If Anna and Gunner walked them home, they'd surely get caught on the trek back to their dorm. Gunner pulled on his own clothing, leaving his shirt off and draped over his shoulder, not bothering to attempt to put it on his wet skin, "He is definitely wanting time with Anya," He chuckled, "A chance in the forest is far different from a chance in a bedroom," He teased, then looked at Anna, "But he is right. It is the best way to avoid us all getting caught."

Anya blushed a little but didn't move away from Sebastian as he held her against his side. She hadn't realized how cold it was. Of course, moments prior they were... heating things up a little. She smiled at Anna, "Don't worry. We won't get caught, you guys have more to worry about anyways. They'll be harsher to you if you get caught," She laughed a little, "So you better run."

Gunner nodded, "Again, they are right," He grabbed Anna's hand and started to run, pulling her through the forest back toward their dorm.

Anya turned into Sebastian and shivered slightly, "Lets go too... It is freezing."

Anna laughed and nodded her agreeance at Gunner's comment then laughed again as he pulled her off into the woods. She waved at Anya before being dragged away and Anna paced Gunner easily. As they neared campus they slowed, keeping eyes out for Guardians. Once they reached the dorms Anna gave Gunner a loose hug. "Night pretty boy. Don't get caught going to your room," she teased.

Once back in her own room she took a shower and redressed before collapsing onto the bed. Within moments she was asleep...

~*~

Sebastian chuckled, "As I said, I am attempting to behave myself... have a good night you two."

He watched them go and then glanced down at Anya as she told him they should go, he agreed... it was cold. He grabbed his clothes and tossed them over his shoulder, wrapping up in the towl. If he got caught he could just compel them to forget, he'd done it before. His main concern was getting Anya back and warm. He held her hand as they headed back to the rooms. "How much do you want to bet Anna and Gunner end up together next," he asked her playfully.

He opened the door to the girls dorm when they got there and ushered her in, planning on walking her to her room to make sure she didn't get caught. When they reached her door, he leaned in and kissed her again... his hand running through her wet hair as his other pulled her body closer to his. He deepened the kiss a moment, his fingers toying against the skin of her back before he pulled away again and smiled slightly. "I should let you sleep..." He gave her a flourish of a bow and straightened, "Good eve m'lady... I must adjourn to my own quarters a'fore I risk thine virtue by succumbing to my rakish nature." He gave her a wink, "But really though... Goodnight..." He gave her another light kiss and smiled.

Gunner ran with Anna to her dorm. He was sure that she could manage to get to her room without being caught. After all, didn't watch over their halls too well. He wrapped an arm around her when she hugged him and grinned, "Have faith, Anna Banana."

He opened the door for her and closed it quietly before he snuck back to his dorm. It was pretty easy getting up to his room. Gunner was slightly curious at how good at sneaking around his was getting with Anna being his friend. He walked to his room and got changed into dry boxers before he fell back on the bed and fell asleep. They hadn't stayed out terribly late but he was indeed terribly tired.
~
Anya walked with Sebastian back to the dorms. She pushed her lips when he asked about Anna and Gunner, "Hm... twenty bucks?"

She laughed a little. Those two were perfect for each other however, they let their duty get between them it was sad. She slipped through the door that Sebastian opened for her and quietly thanked him before walking with him to her room. Anya smiled as he pulled her into a kiss. She placed her hands on his chest feelings his fingers in her hair and against her back. He broke the kiss shortly after, suggesting that he should allow her to sleep. She nodded and laughed quietly when he bowed in almost a Shakespearean like English. He broke it a moment later to wish her good night. She accepted his light kiss as she opened the door, "Good night... old man."

She grinned at him before slipping into her room and closing the door behind her. On the other side of the door, she did a small happy dance before she went in search of dry pajamas. She curled up in their cozy warmth and collapsed, happily onto her bed.

The next two weeks flew by in a blur. For Anna it was all classes and training and the same teasing with Gunner as they'd always done. For Seb well, it was a bit different but in a way he'd never trade. He and Anya had finally gotten comfortable with the change from friends to relationship material. Seb had made it a point to be seen walking the halls holding her hand and kissing her before class, within the first week the girls he usually had flitting around him took the hint and found someone else to flit around... namely Rae who obviously would not mind the extra attention.

Seb was struggling a bit though, he knew that he liked being with Anya and knew she felt the same about being with him. They'd decided to make it work... but her parents weren't going to be happy. Seb had already decided he was taking Anya to meet HIS family, HIS father would be thrilled with the relationship... Anya was from a Royal family and her parents were well off and had good standing in the courts. To his father, it would be the only thing Sebastian had ever done right for his family... but he hadn't done it for them and the idea of his father seeing it that way infuriated him. Which made it difficult because he knew conflict with his family in front of Anya would upset her since she didn't get along with her own family she'd want to get along with his... and he couldn't deny her that. His parents would love her, his younger sister would adore her... she'd fit in his family where he didn't. He wanted to take her to meet them this coming weekend while classes were out... but he wasn't sure how to broach the topic.

So, as usual... he used Anna and Gunner as his excuses and brought it up at lunch. They were all setting together, Anna between Gunner and Seb and Anya on Seb's other side.... all of them joking and laughing as usual. "So... I have a request... of all of you actually."

He gave Anya's hand a squeeze, "My parents want me to visit them this coming weekend, my younger sister's birthday is coming up and so they want to have a party for her at home... Since either Anna or Gunner will end up being my Guardian, more than likely, they should come and... Well... I wanted you," he looked over at Anya, "to meet my old man."

He grimaced a bit, "I don't really get along with him but I know he'll like you and I know my sister will adore you... Maybe it'll prevent a fight this time? Who knows..."

Anya had been beyond happy the last few weeks. The first week had been a little strange, Anya could see girls giving her less than kind looks and heard talk about bets of how long Sebastian was going to keep her around. It might have bothered her, if it hadn't been for the way Sebastian always looked at her. In his eyes it was clear that she was the only girl he was thinking about and he wasn't planning on dropping her for sometime. She had been in such a good mood, even Oliver and Jenna couldn't bring her down. There had been a few run ins with the two of them. It was always worse with Jenna, as she had also taken a liking to Sebastian. However, whatever they pulled, she met it with a smile. None of it mattered, she had two wonderful friends and a fantastic boyfriend, life was really good.

She was in the midst of eating a piece of garlic toast when Sebastian started talking about a request. She looked at him curiously. She felt his hand squeeze her own and placed the remaining bread on her plate. She rose her hand to her mouth as he explained, trying to swallow her food as quickly as possible. Her eyes were wide and a mixture of giddiness and complete terror swirled inside. She wanted so badly for his family to like her, with her own issues within her family, she'd love to be liked by his. She leaned over and kissed his cheek, "It will be fine," She tried to reassure him. As excited as she was to meet them, she was almost positive that he was dreading seeing his father again.

Gunner was playing with his apple, "Sounds fun. Although, I have a feeling we are just there to make," He pointed a finger between Anya and Sebastian, "this a little more comfortable," He chuckled, "I'm all for anything that gets me off this campus."

Seb gave Gunner a look and then ran a hand through his hair, "Anyway... thank you..."

Anna arched a brow, "So formal... you really are nervous huh?"

Seb huffed, "I swear... between the two of you it won't be spirit that sends me mad, it'll be you."

Anna grinned, "We love you too Seb...."

~*~

Again the week flew by and when the end of classes rolled around on Friday Seb waited nervously for the others to catch up to him out in the courtyard. They'd be staying with his parents till Sunday evening, which meant they'd had to grab a few sets of clothes. He watched his father's driver pull in and grimaced, asking him to pop the trunk so they could toss their bags in when they came out.

Anna was first, she tossed a small duffel into the trunk and then happily bounced into the seat in the back. "Don't look so happy Seb."

Sebastian sighed, "I'm just... nervous."

Anya stood in her room rifling through dress to pack. She'd been packing and repacking every time she walked into her room. It was needless to say but she was nervous about making a good impression. Gunner, who had offered his services in carrying her bags, was pounding his head against the wall. Anya held up a dress, "Do you think Sebastian's dad would like this?"

Gunner looked at her, "Shouldn't you be trying to impress your boyfriend... not his dad?"

Anya shook her head, "Impressing Sebastian would be wearing a dress that is a little too revealing and I don't think his family would approve of that."

She finally ended up tossing a few dresses too many into her bag and decided she'd enlist the help of Anna when they were at Sebastian's. She snuck off into the bathroom and changed out of her school clothes into a simple white dress. She pinned a piece of her hair back with a gold dragonfly pin before she walked over to Gunner with her bag, "Okay, we can go."

He took the bag from her and picked his own off the ground, "Finally!"

They walked out to the courtyard and Anya immediately spotted them. Gunner walked ahead and threw his things into the back, "Never again," He told Sebastian before climbing into the back next to Anna, "I believe I seen enough dresses to last me a life time."

Anya walked over to Sebastian and smiled. She straighten his shirt a little and kissed his, "Don't you look dapper."

Seb smiled as she kissed him and he kissed her back, "I try... you're beautiful as always." He toyed with the pin in her hair a moment before glancing at Gunner and chuckling, "I pitty you."

Anna scoffed, "Oh you'll live. What are you going to do if you don't get Seb for a Ward and you end up with some prissy girl?"

As Gunner climbed in she bumped shoulders with him as per her usual and then began tugging her hair up into a tight bun. If she was going to do this, she was going to look professional about it. The clothes she wore were all practical even if they were her best outfits, all of them good to fight in and easy to move around in... She'd packed one simple black dress that wasn't really anything fancy, just something to wear if the need arose to be formal.

Seb had decided that he was actually going to endeavor getting along with his family this weekend so he'd actually tucked in his dress shirt, buttoned up his vest, and combed back his hair... and hadn't worn faded blue jeans with holes in the knees. It was really the best he was willing to do. He held the door open for Anya and took her hand and kissed it before closing the car door behind her after she got in behind Gunner. He got into the front passengers seat and the ride was about an hour... of stiff stuffy classical music.

Once he got out he felt like he'd escaped a torture chamber, and he opened the door for Anya and took her hand again to help her out. "Here we are... home sweet hell... I mean home..."

Anna laughed a little and shook her head before looking at Gunner, "I'll grab Anya's bags you big baby, if you grab mine. It's just one duffel."

Seb's home was basically a mansion... marble with a wrought iron gate and tall green hedges serving as a fence. He led Anya up, still holding her hand and was about to push the door open when it swung wide to reveal his mother who immediately hugged Anya.

"Oh welcome dear! Finally! It's so good to see Sebastian with someone who is good for him."

Seb grimaced, "Mother... she hasn't even been introduced to you yet..."

His mother smiled, "Oh nonsense... She is Anya Badica and I am your mother. What else does she need to know aside from that I already like her."

Seb bit his tongue to keep from saying it was only because her family had money... This was proven when she looked at Gunner and Anna, "Oh... you brought... them I see. Well... we should get them to their quarters."

Anna waited till the heavier set, auburn haired lady turned around and then made unflattering faces at her back before heading up the stairs behind Anya and Seb.

Seb turned to Anya, "Sorry about that... she's... excitable?"

Gunner looked at Anna when she said she was going to take Anya's things. He laughed and shook his head, "I can carry her things. .. it is going through all the dresses I can't do."

He climbed out of the car thankful to get away from the classical music. He grabbed his and Anna's things before following Anya and Sebastian to the door. Anya squeezed Sebastian' s hand as he went to open the door. She yelped a little when the door flew open and a woman was pulling her into her arms. Anya gave Sebastian's mother a small hug while she looked at Sebastian confused.

She took Sebastian's hand again when his mother released her and looked at Anna and Gunner. She pursed her lips, not liking the way the woman spoke to her friends. She didn't say anything, not wanting to anger the woman. She looked up at Sebastian and gave him a small smile, squeezing his hand as they walked up the stairs.

Gunner nudged Anna when he saw her making faces, "Behave," he said quietly.