~One Week Later~

"Garroth, are you sure we weren't followed?" You asked with a grin, jogging side by side through the woods, holding Garroth's hand.

"We're fine. No one even will notice we're gone." He smiled mischievously.

Once he slowed down to a stop, you leaned forward and pressed your forehead up against his for a surprise kiss. His wide smile was the last thing you saw before you closed your eyes. When a pair of soft lips connected with yours, you instantly felt weightless. Your lips moved in perfect sync with Garroth's as he moved his arms to grasp your waist. You wrapped your arms around Garroth's neck and held on tight, never wanting to let go.

"Ew! Uh..." Travis shook his head. "You- you- and he- and it-" Travis closed his eyes momentarily.

Garroth was caught off guard, and he gently let go of you, blushing madly. "I- uh... You know... Gotta... You didn't see anything, right?" He asked facing Travis.

"You can't suck her face off!" Travis stepped forwards, but quickly cowered down when Garroth gave him a challenging look.

"What...? But-" Garroth tried sticking up for your relationship, but Travis cut him off.

"No! Her curfew is 9:30! Have her home no later than 9:00!" Travis's emerald eyes shifted towards you, but quickly refocused on Garroth.

You decided to speak up. "Travis! Don't you-" Your voice gradually got quieter until you just stopped talking all together. Travis walked away, stealing the last word in the argument for himself.

It all had happened so fast. You hadn't had a part in the 'negotiation'.

Garroth looked at you when he knew Travis was out of sight, out of mind. "Are you really going to let Travis boss you around like that?"

"Nope. Not at all."

Garroth moved closer to you. He lifted his arms, but never got to the point where he made any contact with you.

Leaves rustled and Travis fell out of one of the many treetops above you. "Keep your hands where I can see them!"

Garroth tensed up, but relaxed his hands on your waist. Only a nanosecond had gone by before Travis slapped Garroth's hands. "What did I say?"

"Sorry, it was just instinct..."

Travis gave Garroth a disapproving look. "Instinct? So you've done this to her before, eh?"

"No! That's not what I meant... I-" Garroth's fists were clenched so tight, that if a small animal was placed in the palms of his hands, it would be dead. But that was the only sign of his anger, his facial expression was straight.

"So you meant that you've done this with plenty of other women? That's the kind of instinct?" Travis shook his head back and forth, clicking his tongue. "Can't believe you're even near her. You don't deserve a sweet person like ____."

You glanced at Garroth, who wasn't slightly flattered, like you were. "Travis! Can you go already?"

"Fine. I'll take my leave. I'm obviously not wanted here." Travis turned around sadly, then trudged his feet away.

"You're not." Garroth mumbled.

You felt bad for Travis. Maybe it was the way he acted, maybe it was because of the way you acted, maybe it's Maybelline... "Do you think we hurt his feelings?"

Garroth leaned back and propped his foot up against a tree. "Nah." He looked at you, and noticed that you were pondering. "Don't feel bad. That's what he wants. That was Travis's plan all along. He's just pretending."

"What if he wasn't pretending though?"

"Then he deserved it. We need to stand up for each other." Garroth paused and tilted his head. "Come here."

You walked towards Garroth glumly, and he quickly wrapped his arms around you, engulfing you in a hug. You leaned into his chest, and he never let go. He just sat there holding you for a while.

Maybe that's what you needed. Just like Lamby says, cuddles are the best medicine.

"Why is this upsetting you?" Garroth asked gently, still holding you in his arms.

"I don't know." You said emotionless, like a robot.

Garroth tipped your chin up. "Yes you do. Come on, you can say it. What's bothering you?" He asked in a nurturing way.

You rolled your eyes, but you weren't sure why. He was being nice. "I just want someone's approval now. Travis doesn't want us together..."

Garroth countered your statement. "I want us together."