DIANA NOLAN

''Diana, what has happened to you?'' Atlas questions, a horrified expression in his eyes. No, not only his eyes. No, his whole face pulls a horrified expression. His eyes run me up and down, mostly fixing on my knee. Which was stretched forward like an imbecile.
"I finished my competition in style," I reply in a sarcastic way. A little self-mockery should be allowed, I mean, I need a way to deal with this. "And I tore my knee ligament, I don't remember the exact words Doctor Choi used-" "Anterior cruciate ligament," Cillian mumbles. "That and now I need surgery." I send him a smile but his horrified expression remains on his face. I see his desperate gaze shift to Cillian, to my Mom and Dad, and then back to me. He gestures for them to enter the plane.
     "Do you need any assistance getting into the plane?" he questions, regaining his composure. I shake my head and gesture to Cillian. "Even if I would try to go up these stairs myself, which I would, but he doesn't allow me to," I speak, glancing over my shoulder. I arch an eyebrow at him, only to receive a wink in return. Blood rushes to my cheeks as I turn back to Atlas, who seems a bit ... tense? Is he clenching his jaw?
     I rise from my wheelchair, which can be folded and used for traveling. I hop towards the stairs, but my desperate try to be independent has no use against Cillian. "I thought you were an intelligent woman," Cillian scolds before scooping me into his arms. I furrow my brows and look at him, offended. "I am an intelligent woman," I counter. Cillian raises an eyebrow and starts explaining why it is a dumb idea to hop up the stairs.
     "I am a high-performance athlete, Cillian. I don't inj-," I say, my voice lowering with each word. I in fact did injure myself. He raises both his eyebrows and doesn't need to say anything because I know what he is thinking. "Oh, fuck off," I scoff and turn my head the other way. His low chuckle echoes through my ears. I try my best not to shiver at the sound. I try my best not to fall in love that easily, but I just can't help it. He makes it so fucking easy to fall in love with.

Cillian puts me on my foot as I hop into my seat at the window. He takes the seat next to me, gesturing that I can lay my leg on his lap. My parents are sitting in the other four-booth with Flora.
     "Straight back to England, Christopher?" Atlas questions to be sure. Christopher nods and adds, "Christmas is around the corner, so we have the time off."
"If you wish to spend Christmas at House Nolan ... I mean, I would personally enjoy it if you would-," My voice fades away, slowly becoming flustered. I feel three pairs of eyes on me, but I look at Cillian. From the corner of my eye, I can see my father giving me the thumbs up. Thanks, Dad.
A huff of a chuckle ripples from his throat. "I would love to spend Christmas with you," he answers before glancing over his shoulder. My parents avert their gaze from us to anything within this plane, even whistling. "If they agree with me staying," he adds.
     "Hmm, what did you say, Cillian?" my father questions, pretending to be oblivious. I roll my eyes at him, causing him to chuckle. "I am only joking, princess. Of course, he can stay with us," he answers. Cillian turns back to me and fixes his eyes on me.
     "That's settled then," he says and leans closer to my ear. "Perhaps you will now allow me to take you on a proper date," he whispers, only audible to me. My heartbeat accelerates and my breath hitches. I find his eyes and an amusing look flashes his eyes.
     "Perhaps I will," I whisper. "Or I will not," I add, booping his nose with mine before pulling away from him. I can see him shake his head from the corner of my eyes. I don't miss the smile that is plastered on his face while shaking his head. It makes me feel warm inside.

I have my copy of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in my hands as my eyes read over the words. I notice some motion on my left side and as I look to my side, I see Cillian asleep. However, his head can't seem to find a comfortable spot to stay in. I smile at the situation and gently guide his head to my shoulder.
     The smile remains on my face as I continue to read. But I can't seem to focus on the words and decide to close my book. I glance aside, seeing mostly Cillian's hair. I can't resist the urge to run my hand through his hair.
     "How did you break through my defense?" I whisper. "The only thing you did was being gentle with me. I can't even imagine what I would be like if — I huff a chuckle — if we do take a step further into attachment." As I gently play with his hair, he stirs awake. He turns his head on my shoulder to look at me. My heart manages to skip a beat because he might have heard me.
"I didn't mean to stir you awake," I whisper. The corner of his mouth twitches in a smile and turns to his original position. My heartbeat seems to slow down, indoctrinating the idea that he hasn't heard me. "I hold high respect for you, my lady," he whispers. "I wouldn't dare break your defenses." My breath hitches, he has heard me. I wish to exit this plane now.
     "So, you have heard me," I whisper. ''You weren't supposed to hear me,'' I added, staring at his hair. ''How can I not listen to your angelic voice?'' he questions. I envy his ability to make me speechless. I do not know if he has his eyes closed or open. My eyes shift to my parents, who seem dead asleep. Good.
     ''You are exaggerating, Cillian,'' I imply. He lifts his head from my shoulder and turns to look at me. His eyes see right through me, making my breath stagger in its process. "Am I really, Diana?" he questions. The way my name rolls off his tongue sends shivers down my spine. I gather all my feminist dignity to prevent myself from kissing him right here and now.
"Don't tempt me, Cillian," I warn. My cheeks are burning hot while I bite the insides of my cheeks. He arches an eyebrow and tilts his head. "Into what am I tempting you, Diana? Please, use your words," he speaks nonchalantly. I close the distance between our faces and hiss: "For losing my self-respect and feminist dignity." My eyes are fixed on his eyes, watching them flicker to my lips for a brief moment. He gives in and leans in, closing the remaining distance between our lips.
     However, I pull away. Cillian opens his eyes and confusion flashes his eyes. The corner of my mouth curves into a devious smirk. "Oh, it will not be that easy, Mr Murphy," I smirk. He tilts his head and raises an eyebrow. "Very well, Miss Nolan," he answers courteously. "I accept the game of winning your heart." Besides my burning cheeks, I nod before cracking a laugh. He laughs along as he lays his hand on my thigh. ON. MY. THIGH.
Holy mother of Jesus.

"Family Nolan and Mr Murphy, I am here to inform you that we will be landing in the United Kingdom in thirty minutes," Atlas speaks through the intercom. I glance up from my book, seeing my parents stir awake from their sleep. Cillian squeezes my thigh, requesting my attention. His hand has laid on my thigh all flight. All. Flight.
     I shift my gaze from my parents to Cillian. "Hmm," I hum in response. "What book are you reading?'' he questions. My eyes widen at him, gasping. ''Have you never read Harry Potter? Cillian, you are missing out,'' I gasp. Cillian shakes his head and questions: ''But please, enlighten me.'' He is down for some serious information.
     ''Okay, Harry Potter is an orphanage boy, who is living in a broom cupboard with his uncle and aunt because his parents 'died' in a car crash. However, they were killed by the most powerful and evil wizard, Voldemort. Uhm ... You have two kinds of people, the muggles and the wizards and witches. The muggles are called the non-wizards. On Harry's eleventh birthday, he receives a letter to attend this magical school Hogwarts in Scotland and from there he makes friends and enemies. He learns how to do magic and every year, he has this problem he solves like every year,'' I speak. ''The first two movies are out, which are a masterpiece and I am now reading Rowling's latest book, which is book five out of seven.''
     Cillian raises his eyebrow. ''And you are going to force me to watch those films with you, aren't you?'' The corner of my mouth twitch before I maintain my calm self. ''If you don't want to-'' ''But I do want to,'' he interrupts. My heart flutters as I huff a smile. ''Then we should definitely do that.''

While my parents and Cillian are gathering our stuff, I hop towards the door. ''You just wait, Diana,'' Cillian mentions, stuffing my book in a bag. I avert my gaze from Cillian, looking at the stairs. I can do that. ''No need,'' I tell him. I place my hands on the handrails and I gently hop down each step. ''Diana!'' Cillian calls. He sounds in distress. ''I am fine, Cillian,'' I reply, close to snapping my reply. I hop back to earth and look at the top of the stairs. I smile and wave at Cillian, who doesn't seem that amused with me.
     He walks down the stairs, his eyes fixed on me. ''Oh come on. Don't be like that,'' I complain as he continues to glare at me. ''Soon I am put into surgery and then you can carry me everywhere you wish,'' I add. A sigh leaves his throat as he runs a hand through his hair. ''It is not that, my lady,'' he sighs. ''We cannot risk any further damage to you.''
     ''I understand you are concerned, I really do,'' I say, thinking of my next words but I don't have any words to say. Cillian crosses his arms over his chest, gesturing to continue talking. "I don't know what I wanted to say," I finish. "I just get that you are concerned, but I don't need you to coddle me." My last words seem to register in his mind before he nods.
"I will ease out on that," he replies. "But I will remain concerned about your safety." "Thank you. Can I use my crutches though?" I question. "I'm done being seated for now." He opens his mouth to argue but I think he realises my request. He closes his mouth and hands me over my crutches. "Thank you." It is somehow funny to me that Cillian seems not satisfied with me using crutches. He is not angry but he isn't happy either.

Back at home, I dialed the number of the hospital to call for my surgery. Luckily, the hospital in America has already transferred the needed information. "December 16th," the woman informs. "Ten o'clock for anesthesia and half an hour later, you are ready for surgery. And after an hour, you will be brought back in." I thanked the lady and then communicated the information to the family.
"That is ... tomorrow already," my mother gasps. Bloody hell, that is right. We skipped fifteen hours. "I forgot about time zones and travel time," Dad continues. Hearing those words, a nervous knot forms in my stomach. "The sooner the better," I imply. "However, it is scary nonetheless." "Yes, but we will be with you," Cillian reasons. "We will be the first ones to see when you wake up." I send him a faint smile, but that anxious feeling doesn't ebb away. "That feeling doesn't go away," I say.
I cup my face as my elbows rest on the counter. I feel his arms wrap around my neck, causing me to lean against him. My hands move to his arms as I lift my head to look at him. "You will be alright," he reassures, but how does he know? "I trust you," I smile.
     "That is an honor, my lady."

AUTHOR'S NOTE::
FYI: these are the looks of cillian i am writing about (:
take your time to stare at the gif.