Excerpt: Phoenix Penna

Tristan just grinned at the first comment. He knew his habit for appearing perpetually amused could get annoying, but he liked aggravating Abi. It got a response out of her, didn't it? He liked knowing he could get under her skin.

"How do you know what would or wouldn't be too traditional for me, considering you never bother to get to know me?" His tone was light, and his expression played up just the right about of mock hurt.

"But yes. It appears I have settled down." He did lean back just a little to glance around the room. Christmas decorations. In what he assumed to be October, judging by the calendar. And when he saw her stiffen, he followed her gaze. There was a wedding photo up...

The woman in the picture only caused him to grin more. "I didn't do anything to experiment, love. We're just really in the future. But I really don't think I can leave you out of my future, seeing as you're so clearly destined to be in it, Mrs. Carter," he teased.

Oh, this was too amusing.

Abira had rolled her eyes at the first comment, getting more and more aggravated by how evidently amused by this he was. Wasn't he always, though? "That's your own fault." She honestly was trying to keep the sweet smile on her lips, but it was damn hard when he wasn't moving. "It's hard to get to know someone who won't stop flirting."

Actually, he hadn't been nearly as bad the last few weeks. Sure, they'd only run into each other accidently, and sure, he'd start off the same annoying way each time, but he'd actually really helped her on that Transfiguration essay she and Em had been struggling with. And she supposed she couldn't argue with his recent win at Quidditch. Damn her for being such a fan. (Of the sport! She swore.)

Even so, though. Her comment stood. Except for one thing, and she pointed it out quickly, "Not that I want you to talk about yourself more."

His ego was ridiculously large enough, wasn't it? And that was evidenced as he continued. She shuddered a bit against him still, naturally ignoring the fact that it actually wasn't in disgust, at the use of the word 'love' and 'Mrs. Carter'. Mrs. Carter? Of course, at that moment, he appeared to be right.

"Who says the future's set in stone?" She grumbled slightly, casting her eyes up at him. She supposed she could tease back. Taking her hands and bringing them up to his cheeks so she could hold him looking at her, she said very firmly, "Read my lips. I'm no 'Mrs. Carter.' Not going to happen, love."

Her eyebrow arched as she clarified, "Understand?"

She was entirely ignoring how close he was, or the fact that his skin was warm to her touch. She certainly ignored the fact that his smirk and remark had caused her to shudder.