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reifromrfa · 7 years

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Jumin x MC Week 1.4 - On the Line Chapter 4

Prompt: Alternate Universe

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3

Also posted this on fanfiction.net because I realized that the italicized words don’t always come out when you read using your phone so here it is :)

On the Line

A/N: This story is also not historically correct ^^;

Day 4

"Jumin...have you ever been in-love?"

"I have no time for such things."

She giggled. "What a serious person you are, saying you have no time for love."

"It's just," he explained. "I want to prove to the world that I'm not just the son of the infamous Mr. Han. I want my staff to see that I am just as hardworking as them, even more so because I'm supposed to be leading them soon. I am my own person and I did not get to where I am just because my father owns the company."

"But it certainly helped."

Jumin's lips curled up. "Yes, of course. But nevertheless, I don't want to take advantage of that by slacking off or passing off my duties to my staff. I want to be an efficient leader."

"We may have never met personally, but I believe you'll surpass your own expectations and reach for the stars, Jumin Han."

Ba-thump.

He arched his brow. His heart was doing that weird thing again. "Thank you," he replied. "What about you? Have you ever been in-love?"

He wasn't really thinking about what he was saying, he just thought it would be polite to ask as well. But after saying it, Jumin was suddenly burning with curiosity.

MC was quiet at first, but when she answered, her voice sounded so sad that he wanted to pull her to him, to comfort her.

"No...but I'm engaged."

"Oh."

His heart sank.

"But you do not love him?"

"Most certainly not."

"Then why are you marrying him?"

"Why, indeed?" She let out a mirthless laugh before continuing, "Simply put, we are broke. My father cannot afford to maintain this vineyard anymore and he sold me to the highest bidder."

His grip on the phone tightened. "He sold you? MC, I do not believe people can be auctioned off like antiques. Isn’t this illegal?"

“Perhaps it is but what can I do? He’s my father. When he heard that one of the wealthiest businessmen in town had a son, he set a meeting with them as soon as possible. He took me with him, saying he wanted me to learn more about the family business. Before I even had the chance to find out what was going on, he had already set me up on a date with him."

"Is this man reputable, at least?" He didn't know why he was asking this. This was obviously her personal matter, who was he to poke around other people's business? Why did he care so much?

"Hardly. Everybody in town whispers about how handsome he is but he uses his looks to toy with women's emotions. He uses his money to buy pleasure and when he doesn't get what he wants, he uses force."

Jumin closed his eyes in an effort to remain composed.

"It sounds like this man is insane."

"He is."

"You should not marry such a vile man."

She sighed. "If I could escape, I would have. But if I don't marry him, I'm afraid my father will be so desperate that he'll push my other sisters to marry him instead. And I cannot do that to them."

Other sisters.

So MC was protecting her sisters. His respect for her grew but he still wished he could do something to get her out of that situation.

"I wish I can help you," he tells her softly. "I don't like the predicament you're in."

"I knew you were my angel." He could hear the smile in her voice and his heart melted. "I wish I could run away. Maybe I can come work for you instead. Make enough money to support my sisters and hide from our father forever."

"You wouldn't need to work for me, I would have provided you with whatever you needed and ensured your safety."

Jumin froze.

What did he just say?

She laughed.. "That's very thoughtful of you, but I would never impose myself on you."

"No," he said. "I would be deeply offended if you refused my help." And he meant it. Every word he just told her was true --he would be willing to do anything to keep MC safe. He found it odd that he felt so strongly about someone he's never met before, but everything about their current situation was not normal.

“Thank you, Jumin. That means a lot to me. I…We’ve never met and we don’t owe each other anything, but I feel as though I’ve known you my entire life.”

“As do I.”

For a moment, they were both silent, each deep in thought. Jumin’s mind was a mess, the threads in his mind intertwining with the rest that he now has an intricate disaster inside his head. His emotions, however, were worse. He didn’t understand anything that was happening to him right now. He was intrigued and curious about this situation with MC. He silently seethed about her having to marry such a dishonest and loathsome cockroach man. He wanted to make her happy, just so he could hear her laughter one more time. He wanted to keep her safe and make sure the sadness vanished from her eyes and from her heart.

“Are you always this nice to strangers?”

“Not really. But you’re no stranger to me, we’ve known each other our entire lives, no?”

She laughed and Jumin grinned, wanting nothing more than to see her laughing right at that very moment.

“You’re funny, Jumin.”

She thought he was funny!

“It’s one of my special talents,” he said, knowing full well that if V heard him saying that, his best friend would have strongly disagreed.

MC giggled. Jumin was the only one who could make her smile these days, his deep voice the only one that brought her comfort and allowed her to sleep at night. She wished she could see him but she had no idea how he would be able to send his photo to the past. Still, MC was thankful that she could at least talk to him.

Her angel.

“Tell me about your family.” MC said, turning to her side and pulling her blanket closer to her body. She wanted to know everything about him, what kind of a person her angel was. She already knew he was nice and funny. But what else lay behind that deep voice of his?

“My family? There’s not much to know. My father and mother are divorced and currently, I’m living with my father. I respect him very much and I’d like to think we are similar to normal fathers and sons. He…he’s a bit of a womanizer, but I love my father dearly. I don’t have any siblings and very few I can consider my true friends. I guess you can say that my family consists of my father, Elizabeth the 3rd, and my best friend V.”

“I’m sorry, but what’s a divorce?”

“Oh…I guess it’s not legal yet in your time. A divorce is when a married couple decide to dissolve their marriage.”

“Dissolve their marriage?” MC asked, her breath catching. “Why would anyone want to do that?”

“Who knows? Perhaps they weren’t suited for each other? They fell out of love? I’m not sure.”

“That sounds awful.” MC replied, feeling sad. The future suddenly seemed like a lonely place to live if people created things such as divorces. “Jumin, promise me something.”

“What is it?”

“When you get married someday, promise me you’ll never get a divorce.”

She heard his light chuckle and her heart skipped a beat. MC bit her lip, holding onto the phone tightly as she waited for his reply.

“I doubt I’ll ever get married but if I do, I promise I won’t get a divorce.”

MC let out the breath she was holding. “That’s good. Thank you, Jumin.”

“What an odd request, MC. I’ve had people ask me for a lot of things, but no one’s ever asked me to promise not to get a divorce.”

“It’s just,” MC stated, twirling the cord around her fingers. “I believe that people should marry for love. And if things ever get bad in a marriage, then shouldn’t the couple fix it instead of abandoning each other?”

“Things don’t work like that anymore, I guess.”

“The future seems so bleak.”

Jumin laughs again. “It’s not that bad. I wish you could be here so I could show you all the good points of the future.”

“Oh? The busy owner of C&R will take time off to give me a tour of the future? I’m very honored, Mr. Han.”

“I will make an exception for you, MC, because you laugh at all my jokes.”

“Why? Do people not laugh at your jokes?”

“They say my jokes are not funny. Or perhaps they find it awkward when their boss jokes around with them.”

MC laughed. “I’ll laugh at all your jokes if you promise to take me around in those flying cars you use.”

Jumin lets out a genuine laugh and MC smiles. His laugh sounded so nice. It made her want to see him in person and see him laughing so she could keep that memory of him inside her head forever.

“Flying cars haven’t been invented yet. If you wish, I could take you around in my private jet or a helicopter.”

“You could take me around riding a horse and I wouldn’t care. We could even walk, I wouldn’t mind either.”

“Horses? Hmm.”

“Hmm?”

“I should tell my assistant to research about the farms in the country.”

MC giggled. This man…was her ray of sunshine.

“But…”

MC repositioned herself on the bed, transferring the phone to her other ear.

“…if you believe people should marry for love, then I suggest you have a talk with your father about your marriage with that man. You will not be able to divorce him, MC. It will be a life sentence with him once you say I do.”

Her smile disappeared and her heart clenched. “Jumin, it’s not that easy.”

“If your father loves you, he will understand. You must try.”

She has tried. MC had already pleaded with her father but his solution was to offer her younger sister and MC couldn’t allow that to happen. But surely must love them, right? Surely he loves his daughters. She thought of her father’s smile as he taught her how to ride a horse and how to choose the best grapes. Maybe he would understand. She knew he only feared about not having enough money to feed her and her sisters. Maybe there was another way.

But she also remembered the look in Hong Chul’s eyes whenever he looks at her and she shuddered.

“I…I’ll try, Jumin. Honestly, I’m more afraid of Hong Chul.”

“Hong Chul?”

“My—"

Before MC could continue, she heard the door across the hallway opening. If her father catches her talking to a man on the phone, she would lose all chances of him listening to her.

“Jumin, I need to go.”

“Is everything alright?"

“Yes. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

He seemed to hesitate, but only said, “Okay. Tomorrow, then. Goodnight, MC.”

“Goodnight, Jumin.”

MC put down the phone quietly and got under the blanket as fast as she could, closing her eyes and pretending to be sleep as the footsteps got closer. The door opened and she heard the heavy footsteps of her father entering the room and making his way towards her. She tried to even out her breathing and relax, hoping he wouldn’t realize that the lights were still on.

MC could feel him standing close to her bed silently. It went on for a minute before she heard him speak.

“My dear MC…I’m so sorry.”

And then just like that, he left, closing the door behind him and leaving a string of questions inside MC’s mind.

1 | 2 | 3 | x | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Soon?

Buy me a Mango Shake? ♪~ ᕕ(ᐛ)ᕗ

#juminxmcweek #jumin x mc #mystic messenger jumin #mm #mysme #mystic messenger #fanfic #mm fanfic #on the line

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flighty37-blog · 7 years

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The Swedish Flag & The British Flag

Author’s note: There’s a distinct lack of strictly Martyn/Cornelia fics. With them as central characters. So I’ve decided to create a universe for them.

Rating: Mature themes PG-R Most likely.

Summary: We know how Dan and Phil 'met'. Dan stalked Phil, and they eventually became best friends. Some people are convinced they're lovers. But what of Cornelia and Martyn? Truly they're an established couple. They've been dating for eight years. As long as Dan and Phil have been friends. How did they meet? I know that Martyn does some DJ work. Perhaps he met Cornelia at a big party?

May (2009):

Martyn Lester was spinning tracks. He had his headphones on and was dancing along with the tracks he had put on. The lights were strobe, and the disco ball was glinting. This was a ritzy party. Some singer was supposed to be entertaining.

Someone named Dahlgren? Well they'd better be worth their salt. How could this party get any better? As with most gigs, Martyn got free reign of the buffet. Which was good, because DJ-ing was a hell of a gig. He got hungrier as the night went on. In fact, his stomach was starting to rumble. He went to find Joe, his replacement. Just as he turned to search for Joe in the crowd, he bumped into someone. She was tiny.

She had a dark curly mass of hair, and the deepest, bluest eyes he'd ever seen. Her lips were in a bright red lip paint colour. And when she batted her long, luscious eyelashes at him, he melted. She was gorgeous.

He shook the thought from his head. 'No. No. I just broke up with Sheila. Bad Brain!'

"Hi. Sorry. Excuse me. I was trying to find Joe, he's my replacement, and I'm hungry...." He moved to the side. She moved to the other side, but they still managed to bump hands.

"Ow!" She shook her hand to the side, trying to get the hurt to go away.

"I am so sorry!" He yelped.

"It is fine," her accent was soft, but definitely not British nor American.

The music was almost deafening, but he felt as if, they were the only two people in the room.

Just then Joe ambled up. "Hey Lester!" He waved, and also bumped into Cornelia.

"Hey, sorry, I didn't see you there," Joe apologised as well.

"Apparently I am invisible tonight," Cornelia's eyelashes fluttered again.

"Joe! Focus! Get to the stage," Martyn gestured.

"Oh, yeah....Okay....Nice catch Lester!" Joe nudged his ribs, and he exited, leaving Martyn with this stunning beauty.

"I'm Martyn Lester," Martyn stuck out his hand. Likewise she stuck out her own hand,

"I'm Cornelia Dahlgren."

Dahlgren, Dahlgren. Why did that name sound so familiar?

"You're the singer?" He asked, she was so tiny.

"Of course I am. I was on Sweden's Idol," Cornelia puffed up a bit with pride at her announcement.

"Ohhh did you win?" Martyn asked.

"Yes I did, and now I am here....Excuse me," Cornelia was soon swallowed up in the crowd.

The food was forgotten for a moment, and Martyn felt the urge to find her again. She was intriguing. Tiny as a fairy, flawless in complexion, her lovely big blue eyes....Her hair....All of her....Gorgeous!

He shook his head and went to the buffet. He decided he'd better eat.

His phone buzzed, "Hey Mum...." He assured his mother that he was well, and that Phil was doing well.

"I hear he has a stalker?" Catherine worried.

"I don't think it'll turn out bad," Martyn assured her.

He reassured her one last time, and then they said, their 'I love you's and goodbyes.

His mum was one tough lady, but he loved her, he really did. He continued to search the crowd, hoping to find the bright sprite he'd nearly trampled over. But she's gone. He ate, finished, and went to relieve Joe at the DJ station, flipping the lights, and pushing random buttons, until 'she' sashayed onto the stage.

She gripped the microphone tight between her hands, and her eyes closed, as her voice sang, and lilted towards the heavens. She was an angel. An absolute angel. Her vocal range was melodic and sweet. And when she opened her eyes again, she made contact with everyone in the crowd. Then she gave a nod towards the DJ station.

Martyn felt himself blush. His heart raced, he felt something. He was attracted to her. What straight guy wouldn't be attracted to her, or any female for that matter either? As she finished her set, she was hounded by the autographees.

They wanted her. Everyone wanted her. Martyn....Wanted her. She was too beautiful. She was way out of his league.

Normally he went for the taller, bigger titted girls. The ones who were dumber than rocks. But she mesmerised him. He was smitten. He needed to talk to her again. Before she could disappear, Martyn followed her, leaving a flummoxed Joseph in his wake.

"Where ya goin' man? I can't do this! It isn't my turn!"

But Martyn's deaf now. He needed to see her, talk to her....

Cornelia's POV:

She smiled inwardly.

That tall red haired blue-eyed British man, boy.....Male. He was younger than she.

She could tell by looking at him. His flipped up hat, his smirky cocky grin. He was a player. But she felt a faint stirring. He was handsome, but she could tell he was smart. Clever. A decent human being. Somebody that Roger, her ex, wasn't. Her insides were telling her that Martyn Lester was someone she should get to know. Perhaps, one day, more intimately. Tonight she was intrigued. She wanted to find him again.

She needed to talk to him again. She needed to get to know him more. He had certainly left an impression on her. And she felt the vibrations, the butterflies.

She felt a crimson flush on her cheeks.

Cornelia was smitten....Cornelia was soon to be in love. Somehow she felt her hopes and dreams were intertwined with this person. All she had to achieve was the physicalness. But first they need to talk. And then, she felt the bump again. He'd run over her once more. But she didn't mind the hurting in her elbow. He was before her. She smiled gracefully.

Martyn:

"Oh my god! I am so, so, sorry! I keep hurting you. And normally I'm a pacifist. I hate hurting people," Martyn splutters out, and mentally slaps his forehead.

Usually he's pretty articulate.

Unlike Phil, who's barely articulate and very shy, even though he went to Uni, is going to uni. He's in Manchester studying whatever.

Martyn left Uni a year and a half ago. Now he's a part time DJ and he'd studied online business managing. No need to tell this beautiful person about it. She'd think he was boring. She was looking quizzically at him. Waiting for him to speak aloud again.

Cornelia:

He was so cute when he was flustered. She could tell he was trying to speak, but he was fumbling his words. She reached out and put a comforting hand on his arm. The only part of him she could reach. She's really short compared to him. She's really short anyway.

Martyn:

"Again, sorry about running you over, but....I....You're very pretty...." Oh really smooth there Lester. That'll surely win her over. Yeah....He sounded like a stalker.

She laughed. That's a good sign isn't it? Maybe? He's got a shot. A chance. Didn't he? She's got the most gorgeous smile. Her eyes are lit up too. Her eyes are such a bright blue. So pale like a robin's egg, or like a pale blue morning sky. Ugh! He's waxing poetic. Stop it Lester. Talk Music! So he tried to engage her in favourite music.

Cornelia: She put a hand to her mouth to keep her deep chuckles hidden. "It's quite alright. I'm resilient," she assured him. Her accent was coming out again.

Martyn:

"I'm British," he croaked out. Like she wouldn't have guessed already? Good one there.

He's acting more and more like Phil. Uncoordinated, shy, awkward. Any time now he'll trip over his own shoelaces. Any time now he'll have something bite him. Any time now he'll just fall for no reason.

"I mean want to go somewhere quiet?" He asked.

She nodded and they found a quiet corner. She sat down on the swing, and he sat down in the metal garden chair. And they talked, and chatted. They laughed a little.

Cornelia: She just knew there was something wonderful about him. The way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. The way he smiled.

The way he moved his hands when he made a point.

They talked about music, their favourite bands. Why they were interested in music. What drove them. They talked well into the night, and as the party died down, and the caterers packed up, they were still talking, and suddenly, Martyn was holding her hand. Cornelia never wanted to let it go. It was soft, it was giant, and yet it invariably fit in with her small hand. She blushed this time, as he let go. He was obviously embarrassed. But....

Martyn:

"Let's exchange phone numbers, it would only seem fair after all," he insisted.

He was relieved when she nodded yes. He wrote his number down on a scrap of paper from his pocket, and tore it, handed her the pen and she wrote down her number on the other half. They exchanged pieces of paper. Then they parted ways.

Martyn was disappointed to see her go. He wanted to introduce her to his mum. Maybe one day.... She rang him as he pulled into his driveway at his flat. He answered, and balanced the phone on his shoulder as he unlocked the door. She sounded a bit upset as well. He wanted to hug her, the way Mum hugged him when he was sad.

Cornelia:

She had never felt this way before. Actually, physically needing a person. She had always brushed it off as something unnecessary. But somehow, Martyn Lester brought that out in her again. Her vulnerability....He was awkwardly chatting again. Making her smile.

"This might sound desperate, but I just wanted to hear your voice again," Cornelia's blush deepened. She was in the corner of her tour bus, and she didn't want anyone to hear her conversation.

"I must have a nice voice," he'd said to her.

She answered, "You do have a nice voice. I enjoyed talking to you, and I'm glad we exchanged numbers. It'll be less lonely on the road, during tour."

Martyn:

"You're on tour?" Martyn was intrigued.

Of course she was tour! She was a singer for cripe's sake! Argh! He slapped a hand to his forehead. Seeming to startle her as she had asked what 'that noise was'.

"Nothing. I was slapping at a pesky fly," Martyn lied.

"Oh I see. Was it connected to your body?" She asked.

"No. Why do you ask?" Martyn retorted.

"I swear I heard skin being slapped," Cornelia answered.

This woman was observant, talented, cute, pretty, sexy voice, sexy compact body. Eyes to die for. Eyelashes long and lush. The list went on and on. She had a great personality. Mum would LOVE her. He, he already felt something. But he was a red blooded male. Didn't he think about sex all the time? But he didn't want to have just sex with her.

He wanted something more. Something solid. Something that she could bring into this potential relationship.

"Martyn Lester, are you listening to me?!"

She was bossy. Add that to the list. But Mum was bossy so that was okay. It was great that she was an assertive female. A kind woman. Would she be a passionate woman? Would she belong to any causes?

Cornelia: "Martyn? Martyn Lester!" Her exclamation seemed to have jolted him out of whatever la-la land he was in. He'd begun to speak out loud once more.

She giggled. Wait a minute she was giggling? Better tamp that down. But his deep, rich laugh melted her again. And they just laughed together. They talked until she was yawning. And then they said goodbye.

A couple months later:

Red Bull Festival....

"Ahhh we meet again!" Martyn said.

"Yes I was told I was being paired with you," Cornelia said, and her eyes had a certain shine to them.

"Coincidence....They told me the same thing," Martyn's smile lit up his face.

"I don't mind it one bit," Cornelia answered.

They gave each other private smiles. They had been communicating whenever they could. Email, Skype, Facetime, Twitter, Facebook, anything social media. His mother was concerned, Phil was intrigued. Dad was secretly cheering him on. Martyn was pleased, and he felt a bit of wholeness fill the void that Sheila had clawed in him when she'd left.

"You're gonna get a girlfriend before the year's out," Phil had teased.

"You're gonna be friends with your stalker before the end Bro," Martyn teased back.

"We've Skyped a few times, and Facetimed. He's not that bad. I kinda like him. Did you know he's going to Manchester University? He's studying to be a lawyer," Phil was getting excited.

"Slow down Baby Brother! Slow down....What's his name?" Martyn smiled. Phil needed a close friend. Oh he had 'friends', but he needed a close one.

"His name's Daniel Howell, but he said I could call him Dan. But...." Phil's voice trailed off.

"But?" Martyn paused waiting for Phil to collect his scattered, excitable thoughts. That boy was always running on reserve adrenaline. He was a weird kid, but he was nice. And kind. Everything that Mum and Dad had instilled in them both.

"He's eighteen, I'm twenty-two," Phil blurted out.

"So?" Martyn was not understanding this train of thought at all.

"Sooooo he's got his whole life ahead of him?" Phil turned the statement into a question towards the end.

"And? So do you! Look at you getting your BA in English/Linguistics and then going back for another semester to do videos/editing," Martyn replied.

"I know...." Phil's voice turned to pride.

"See? So you need a friend to help you through your revision, and he probably needs help with his revising. I say you two become friends. The sooner the better....I gotta go Bro! I'm DJ-ing at the Red Bull Fest," Martyn said.

"Okay. Cool. Well I'm making a silly video," Phil responded.

"I'll watch it when you upload it like usual," Martyn assured him.

"Thanks Martyn," Phil was mollified.

"Any time. Catch you in the hereafter," Martyn signed off.

Then he had met up with Cornelia and they were presently speaking:

"Well it could be worse," Cornelia jokingly shrugged.

"Yeah I could be with a mongrel," Martyn joked back. He had a weird sense of humour. Who didn't in his family? He hadn't been the one to watch his parents sleep when he was a child though. So Phil had been weirder, by a slight margin.

"You're funny Mr. Lester," Cornelia said.

"Mr. Lester's my father. Please keep calling me Martyn," Martyn implored.

"Okay, just as long as you don't slip up and call me 'Ms. Dahlgren', I'll think it's my spinster aunt," Cornelia said, her eyes keeping their sparkle, her lips slightly parted.

Oh how Martyn wanted to kiss those plump lips. Her hair was dyed. It was a lovely crimson. He liked that colour on her. Her lips matched her hair. He smiled wider.

"Are you alright Martyn?" Cornelia turned her head to the side.

"I-I'm fine. Well we'd better get to our places," Martyn said, as he helped her onto the back of the stage.

"We'd better meet up after we're finished our tasks," Cornelia said.

"We will, but if we don't, we'll just ring each other," Martyn responded.

"Sounds good to me. I like having a mobile," Cornelia decided.

"Thank God for mobiles," Martyn agreed.

So as time went on they were paired together more often at gigs, and they grew closer, and closer. Soon they were together. Officially.

Date night:

One of the rare nights where she's not hopelessly going from city to city on her tour bus, where he's not being a dj. They're holding hands, and looking out at London. They both moved to London. Different flats, opposite sides of London. But they're in the same town. The same time zone. Cornelia's leaned against Martyn's long arm, as they're holding hands.

"It's so gorgeous. The moon is so full....Martyn! A shooting star," Cornelia followed the star's path with her pointer finger.

"Make a wish," Martyn whispered in her ear. They're seated on a bench. Cuddled close. Leaning on each other now.

"I already made my wish. Two months ago. You appeared and almost trampled me to death," Cornelia chuckled.

Martyn rolled his eyes, and he spoke, "You're my wish too." He kissed her lips. He'd finally been granted permission.

"How's your brother Peter?" Cornelia mixed up the name. On purpose.

"Peter? Don't you mean Phil?" Martyn scrunched his eyebrows together, until he realised she was kidding. She followed Phil on YouTube. She was one of his subscribers.

"Of course I meant Phil. How is he managing university? How is he doing with his 'online friend'?" Cornelia asked.

"He's doing well and have you seen his channel? It's growing by leaps and bounds," Martyn's so proud of his baby brother.

"Of course I've seen his channel. But I want to know about his 'friend'," Cornelia answered.

"They've met up a few times. But always in public places. So they've never been 'alone'. You know?" Martyn answered.

"Like romantically? Or just doing 'boy things'?" Cornelia asked.

"Just off by themselves doing whatever they want," Martyn shrugged. Which was hard to do considering Cornelia was still lying her head on his arm. But he'd managed.

"Of course, so when do you think they'll be 'alone'?" Cornelia teased.

"Knowing Phil? The minute Mum and Dad go out of town. Which they're planning to do in October," Martyn said.

"When do I get to meet your parents I've heard so much about?" Cornelia asked.

"Soon...." Martyn answered.

Soon (two months later, three months of dating) August 2009:

Soon for the two of them, their busy schedules and such, did not happen until the end of August. They had free time, they flew to the Isle of Man, after Martyn had told his mother that he was bringing a 'special friend'. Which he hoped was enough to satiate his mother's insatiable appetite for gossip, and concern. She was pretty overprotective.

"Martyn! Fruit of My Womb!" Catherine enveloped Martyn into a tight, vise like hug.

Martyn didn't dare squirm, the hug would have gotten tighter. He knew the more he relaxed, the lesser the hold would get. He had to be patient. So he shot a glance over at his father.

"Catherine....Let the boy go. He's got to breathe," Nigel stepped in and rescued their oldest.

Catherine, albeit reluctantly, let go. She patted Martyn's cheek, and turned her attention the strange red haired, woman standing almost awkwardly behind Martyn. She was so tiny, and petite.

"Hello Dear. And might I ask who you are?" Catherine was ready to hug another person. She couldn't hug Phil, but anyone would do at this point.

"Mum, Dad, meet Cornelia Dahlgren....My girlfriend," Martyn said proudly.

And then the grilling had begun.

"I'm thirty-one this year," Cornelia softly said, they were now seated in the lounge.

"Eight years," Nigel nodded.

"Age is just a number. You're welcome to the family My Darling. You've made my Martyn very happy!" Catherine jumped up and hugged Cornelia with such ferocity that Martyn had to step in and help her out.

Or he would have if Cornelia had not hugged back, with just as much, if not more ferocity. She had taken on his mother! She was fantastic! She was a keeper! Martyn and Nigel exchanged glances, and they both secretly smiled behind the women's backs. Yes, Cornelia would do just fine in this family.

Catherine brought out the light lunch she'd made, and Cornelia followed her and helped put out the drinks. So natural. As if she had always belonged. Despite Catherine's protests.

"Dear, you're our guest. Do sit next to Martyn, I have a feeling he's missing you," Catherine had tried to dissuade her 'new daughter'.

"He'll live. He's lived without me before, he can live without me again. Our schedules are so conflicting. I'm working on a new project called Camp Mozart. He's out being a DJ and trying to fit into the business world. We're so busy...." Cornelia sighed.

"But you must make time for yourselves," Catherine insisted.

"We do. It's nice to have technology at your fingers," Cornelia smiled softly.

"Oh how far we've come," Catherine sagely nodded.

The two women chatted, becoming closer as well. So close that as soon as Martyn and Cornelia had taken their leave, Catherine had adopted her. Not officially, just made it known to her husband and son.

Moving in:

"It's economical, you'll have a place to stay instead of temporary shelter. I'll get to hold you and snuggle you Every Night! C'mon please say yes. I found this cute little flat...." Martyn wheedled.

"Martyn! You're incorrigible. We'll need space to put my instruments and things for my studio," Cornelia pointed out.

"I found the perfect place. Please come see it with me?" Martyn begged. They were talking over the phone again.

"Okay, Okay, I'm coming into London tomorrow morning. You'd better be my chauffeur Lester," Cornelia said, her smile had gotten bigger.

He was so excitable. A bit like Phil. Phil was more excitable. She had met Phil a couple of times, and he was always going on about this 'Daniel Howell' kid. She had looked Dan up on YouTube, but he hadn't posted anything yet.

She went back to YouTube, and found Dan's video.

Oh god was this kid in for some surprises with the Lesters. He'd better be prepared. She would be there to guide the poor soul. He was every bit his eighteen year old self. But she enjoyed the content. Really. She had laughed where it was supposed to be funny, and had forwarded the video to Martyn.

Martyn took great delight to chortle at Phil, and Phil had defended his young friend. So brotherly rivalry was going full force now. Cornelia just made popcorn and watched it sort itself out. They never seriously argued; they were better friends and brothers than anything.

She was glad when the plane landed, and Martyn was there waiting for her. He took her to a hotel, and they spent the night in each others' arms. Content. Happy. A couple.

The next morning:

"Welcome home!" Martyn spread his arms wide around the (as of yet) empty flat.

"Martyn, it's HUGE!" Cornelia said, as her voice echoed about, bouncing off the walls.

"It's got space for the instruments, we can put a door there, and section it off. And you can have your own little studio....And look there's the kitchen I can burn stuff in. No I learnt how to cook. Honest! And....Look at the cute tiny bedroom. Our bedroom. Please say yes Nell?" Martyn stopped for breath.

"Martyn...." She sighed. It was all so perfect. Too perfect. The man of her dreams, this tiny apartment. They had been dating all of five months. She was still thirty-one. He was still twenty-three. He was a boy, he was a man. He was hers. But the niggling doubt still wavered through.

"I'm so old Martyn," she'd said. She had said so many times before but he'd brushed the concern off.

"Age is just a number. Our personalities make up for the rest of it," Martyn teased, but backed away as, she backed into the door to the flat.

"Please don't go Nella," Martyn said.

"I-I have to. This is too much like a fairy-tale. And fairy tales aren't real. You're not real. My parents are divorced. I have crazy relatives. I can't be your perfect woman," Cornelia was trembling. She had to go. So she turned and fled.

"CORNELIA!" Martyn raced after her. But she was gone. Disappeared into London's fog. "NELLLLLLAAAA!!!!" He sat down on the stoop. He tried calling her, but her phone went to voicemail.

He stumbled down the street to his car, and went back to his flat, he lay down on the bed, and he looked up at the ceiling. "Nella...." He whispered. She was his. She was always going to be his! He would find her. But what if she never wanted to be found again? He'd found her once. He'd find her again.

On the plane to Sweden:

Cornelia was in tears. She was going her mother's and step-dad's house. She needed some solace, some solitude. It had been a stressful tour, and she needed to calm her aching soul. To keep her mind in check. She'd brought her trusty omnichord. It was a silly thing to bring. But it brought her comfort. So much comfort. But Martyn.... Her Martyn. No he was just a boy she'd met. A fling. He wasn't real anymore. Yes he is! Her romantic side screamed. And thus she'd buried her head in her hands and sobbed. Quiet, but wracking sobs.

"Mamma!" She'd gibbered in Swedish, and thus had begun a whole conversation, entirely in Swedish.

Two nights later:

Skyping with Martyn:

"I miss you Nelia," Martyn said the first thing that sprang into his head.

"I miss you too Marto," she'd said, she'd begun putting several nicknames to him, and Marto seemed the funniest out of them to her.

"Nelia please come back," Martyn pleaded.

"I need some time away Walrus," she'd said, as another nickname came out.

"But Honey Bear...." Martyn pouted. He could look so dejected and her heart broke just a little bit more.

"Honey Bear?" Cornelia cracked a smile.

"Honey Badger?" Martyn quipped, and he too cracked a small smile.

"Marty," Cornelia gave him a look.

"This is heavy Doc!" Martyn said, quoting from Back to the Future. He loved those films.

"Mum said I was named after Marty McFly, she just added the 'n' to make it look proper," Martyn shrugged.

"I'll come back Martyn. I just...I need time, and I need to center myself," Cornelia brought the conversation back full circle. Becoming serious again.

"Whatever you need to do. Hey I've started Yoga myself," Martyn said.

"Have you now?" Cornelia was intrigued.

"Yeah!" Martyn's eyes lit up.

"How limber are you?" Cornelia asked, as she raised an eyebrow.

"Kimberly says I'm so limber, that I have mastered a lot of the Yoga poses," Martyn winked at her.

"Perchance is Kimberly, female?" Cornelia bristled for a brief moment.

"Maybe?" Martyn asked, enjoying that she was sort of jealous.

"I'll be home soon My love munchkin," Cornelia blew him a kiss.

"I can't wait for your return!" Martyn said, and blew her a kiss of his own. He was happy, so was she.

Cornelia cut the visit short. She needed her Marty-Pumpkin. She said goodbye to her family and she was jetsetting to Martyn. He had been rung by her mother, and was waiting for her. He swooped her up in his arms and carried her all the way to the car. Then he drove to his flat and they fell asleep in the bed. Cornelia told him that the place he had found was perfection. They moved in at the end of the week.

Cornelia and Catherine bought kitchen supplies. Cornelia and Martyn made short work of christening the bedroom. Life was good. Life was falling into place. The more he spent with her, the more he loved her.

November 2009:

"Stop fidgeting, Mum and Dad love you," Martyn stilled her hands, and she gave him a smile. Catherine loved her to bits and pieces and had even introduced her to the rest of the immediate family as, 'My Daughter Cornelia'. Cornelia could practically hear all the caps in her introduction, but she had dutifully smiled, and been charming and herself. The relatives loved her. They were going to the Isle of Man. Or just 'the Isle', as Martyn had dubbed it.

"But it's not Christmas, but nearly Christmas, and we won't be back home until the New Year, and...." Cornelia was nervous, so nervous her leg was jiggling up and down.

"Steady my dear, steady. It'll be alright," Martyn leaned over and kissed her lips. He loved her plump lips.

"I'll try, I'll try very hard," Cornelia acknowledged and leaned into him, burrowing into him. She was tiny, and he was the perfect height to be her burrow, her hiding place. He held onto her, steadying her, and she placed her tiny feet against the round window. She fell asleep, arms around Martyn, and head nearly in his lap. He held onto her so she wouldn't fall, and had his head leaned against her neck and the top of her back.

Landing on 'The Isle':

"Ouch!" Cornelia was jolted awake as the plane landed, they were whisked off to the cottage nestled by the seaside on a hill. Welcomed with open arms, and vise-like hugs by Catherine, hands shaken by Nigel, and biddings to 'come eat, or I'll be offended', by Catherine who was gesturing at all the snacks on the table.

"We're having an extra guest today. Phil said he's bringing over a 'friend'," Catherine put her fingers in air quotes.

Martyn had the grace to raise an eyebrow. He knew who it was, or he guessed who it was going to be. He gave Cornelia a significant look.

"Just wait, she'll adopt Dan Howell. And I'll be stuck with him for life," Martyn half-joked.

"Would it be so bad? I've never had a brother, or a sister," Cornelia said.

"No I think it'd be cool to have another sibling. And he would be 'the youngest'. Ousting Phil from that position. Besides he might get showered with so much love he'll pack up," Martyn joked again.

"I didn't 'pack up'. I love this family, and I love...." Cornelia hesitated. This would be it. This would be the life changing event. She took a deep breath and exhaled. "I love you Martyn Nigel Lester," she said it in almost one breath.

Martyn grinned, his eyes crinkling in the corners and he kissed her, "I love you too Anna Maria Cornelia Dahlgren."

"Just Cornelia. Please?" Cornelia sighed.

"Nella. Nelia. Core. Cory. Corn. Corny," Martyn named off all the variants of her name.

"Silly Marto, Marty, Tyn, Mart, Walrus, Unicorn, Love...." Cornelia reached up and they kissed again, just as the door was flung open.

Phil ambled in accompanied by said guest.

Introductions:

"Mum, Dad, Everyone this is Daniel Howell...." Phil started off.

Boy were the kids nervous. Especially the Daniel Howell kid. He was all of what? Eighteen years old. Martyn knew that being around them would soften the sharper edges and leave him with more confidence then he knew what to do with.

Daniel, Dan as he liked to be called, looked all about the room. Licking his lips, wiping his hands on his black trousers, scuffling his feet across the carpet. Mum sure had her work cut out for her. Getting him out of his shell, would be like pulling a shark's tooth. Or better yet, finding a needle in a haystack. Cornelia, and Martyn locked eyes. Then Martyn and Phil also locked eyes. All thinking the same thing, 'Good Luck'.

"I'm adopting him," Catherine dropped the thought as casually as breathing. Her two boys weren't surprised. She'd adopted Cornelia. Why not adopt Dan. Luckily Cornelia had started a soft conversation with Dan, and Dan hadn't heard Catherine's proposal.

Otherwise he would have been more nervous and scared than he already was.

"I told her not to," Nigel joked. He was pushed by Catherine, but they 'made up', by being goofy with each other. Nigel had brushed his hand against her bum. Phil and Martyn had graciously looked the other way, whilst Martyn had jokingly covered Cornelia's eyes.

No kid needed to see their parents being lovey dovey. It was sickeningly cute, but he felt his grip tighten on Cornelia's waist. He felt her hand on his knee. He felt her eyes on his, and he put down his hand shield.

"You're mine Martyn," she whispered.

And he nodded because she was his as well. It was an unspoken agreement, punctuated by their loud nature, coupled with their louder ribbing, and their pet names soon to come.

"I could use another brother," Martyn offered.

"Just the same as I could use a sister," Dan was nothing if not polite.

"A sister and a brother....But that means...." Phil sighed.

"Ousted from the youngest position. It happens to the best of us Bro," Martyn, reached over and punched Phil's shoulder.

"OUCH!" Phil protested and rubbed his hurt shoulder.

"No violence at the breakfast table," Catherine put down their plates and then she and Nigel took their seats.

"Awww I was just about to initiate Dan into the family by flinging him out of the window," Martyn sighed, and clicked his thumb and middle finger together, creating a tiny sounding 'snap'.

"Save it for when Dan isn't scared as hell," Nigel intervened.

"Dad! You said 'hell'!" Phil covered his mouth with his hands.

"You say hell too, and we're really not that religious. Just if some crack pot comes to the door asking, we're all...." Nigel paused.

"We're all Roman Catholics," the rest of the original Lesters answered in unison. Dan and Cornelia shrugged at each other.

"Yep the sacred cross and all that sh..." Nigel was interrupted by Catherine's hand over his mouth.

"So that's where you get that move from!" Dan exclaimed just as Phil put a hand over Dan's mouth to keep him from uttering and adding any colourful swear words of his own.

Dan licked Phil's palm. A move that Phil had demonstrated when Dan had put his hand over Phil's mouth after an embarrassing statement in front of one of the workers in a hotel.

Catherine rolled her eyes.

"That's kinky," Cornelia whispered to Martyn.

"I'll happily demonstrate," Martyn said, and placed a hand over Cornelia's mouth, but lightly.

Cornelia kissed his palm, leaving a bright pink lip mark on his hand. He grinned at her, and they locked feet. Playing footsie now, they jockeyed for positions. How he loved this closeness to her. How he was glad he'd almost trampled her to death. How he was swept away by her loveliness, her talent, the way she could keep up with his train of thought. The fact she was into Yoga now, and keeping him healthy, and keeping their minds healthy.

Feng shui had nothing on them. They were even more aesthetic than anything. At least the were until Dan entered their family life. He was the more aesthetic one. But they didn't mind. It was Martyn and Cornelia.

Fast forward a few years (8 to be exact):

Eight years. Their relationship had survived the pitfalls that eight years had wrought. Surviving the near Dan and Phil fall out of 2012. Happily managing the store, and being the supervisor/manager of such an outlet. His baby brothers becoming even more famous. He and Cornelia were content to not be in the limelight. Surprisingly they have followers. Not a lot of followers, but enough to have a solid fan base.

His brother and friend writing not one, but two books. He has his Cornelia. His Corny-Toad, and she has her Marty-Dart. They're as cute and unrefined as the day they'd met. And that morning, Martyn was puttering about their newest flat. Their biggest flat yet. It was nothing compared to the duplex/maisonette that Dan and Phil had. But it was his and hers.

"What is it Honey Pot? Are you okay?" Cornelia was making breakfast, but she felt the thoughts buzzing about like angry flies. Or worse. Wasps.

"I'm in deep thinking mode my Sweet Swede Princess. Queen of the North," Martyn was playing something on her keyboard.

"Don't smash the keys too hard, you'll break it. Then I'll break you. That instrument was expensive!" Cornelia called from the kitchen.

"I won't. It was just some songthat popped into my head, and I can't get it out. Thanks for letting me play on the keyboard Honey Pops!" Martyn called back.

"I love you my little Alskling!" Cornelia was happy, and so, Martyn was in turn happy.

"Your little what?!" Martyn joked, she'd called him darling. Her little darling. It sounded sexier in Swedish. His mum usually called them Darlings, or 'Dumplings'.

He liked the Swedish language better, and had begun to practice it on his own. He'd begun to inject Swedish endearments into their every morning when they woke up conversations, and into their good night conversations, he endeared himself to her even more. And she would pat his cheek, or kissed him outright. Her small frame, his tall gangliness.

"Yin and Yang," Martyn nodded.

"Ping and Pong," she stuck her head around the kitchen's door.

"Wine and Glasses," he was being sillier now.

"Cheese and Crackers," Cornelia kept the silly flow going.

"Water and fish," Martyn nodded.

"Dan and Phil," Cornelia chuckled.

"No! That stops right now!" Martyn carefully put the keyboard down, and walked into the kitchen, scooping up his little Swedish flower into his arms and kissing her neck.

Making her drop the spatula, and giggling and kicking her feet into the air. Twisting and turning to get down, so that breakfast wouldn't be burned, but instead she was deposited into a nearby chair.

Martyn washed off the spatula and finished breakfast. He put the food on a plate, and he kissed her curly mass of hair.

"God I love you so much," Martyn said.

"God has changed her name to Cornelia. Please address her as so," Cornelia dictated, and laughed, as she dug into her food.

"My apologies," Martyn said.

"Snygg rumpa," Cornelia looked at Martyn's rump, which even though it's sat in a chair she still eyed it with passion.

"Sot som en gris," Martyn returned.

"Sweet like a pig huh?" Cornelia raised an eyebrow.

"You're the one who told me I had a sweet arse," Martyn answered.

"You could have told me 'Hej sotnos'," Cornelia said.

"But the nose is like that of a cat, and cats make me think of cat whiskers, and cat whiskers makes me think of my brothers," Martyn shuddered for dramatic effect.

"And nobody wants to think of their brothers when they're flirting with their significant others," Cornelia affirmed.

"Damn right," Martyn nodded.

"Jag alskar dig," Cornelia sighed happily.

"I love you too," Martyn nodded.

"Your Swedish has improved greatly," Cornelia approved.

"I've been practicing," Martyn answered.

"Who's teaching you?" Cornelia asked.

"It's an online course," Martyn answered.

"Hej Sotis," Cornelia got up from her seat, and went to nuzzle Martyn's neck.

"You're the sweet one," Martyn finished his meal, and collected Cornelia's empty plate, then they went to sit down in the lounge.

They turned on the television and settled comfortably against each other. Marveling at their closeness. Feeling pride and love at the same time, as Cornelia burrowed into Martyn's side, her hand lazily outlined his knee, his thigh, his leg, and in-between....He's so soft. So manly....So cute, and adorable. And thirty one to her thirty nine. But age? What is age? Just something that happens, and then you die.

She closed her eyes and felt Martyn wrap a long arm around her. She felt safe, and loved, and content. Age be damned.

"Age be damned," She murmured against him, allowing herself to doze again, before the commitments started coming in. Before they were busy again. Before they had to separate and be individuals. Then the night would be theirs, and theirs alone.

"Age is a fleeting number in this stage play we call life," Martyn whispered in her ear.

She smiled at that part. They were and are together. Whether they make it official or not. Whether they finally give Catherine and Nigel grandchildren, or make Dan and Phil uncles or not. It still remains to be seen. They've still got their whole lives ahead of them.

"Phil turns thirty tomorrow...."Was Martyn's last sentence.

"Hmmm...." Cornelia was lost in a happy foggy daze.

Martyn held her tighter, and he too fell into a doze. The television blared, their phones buzzed. But Martyn and Cornelia were asleep. Holding onto each other. Not letting each other go.

The end.

#Martyn and Cornelia fanfic

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