Original, Courtney.Maximilian, "On Thursday"
Title: On Thursday Author/Artist: shiegra/dragonmay Fandom: Original - The White Snake Pairing/characters: Maximiliam and Courtney Rating: PG13 Summary: "I should be so lucky," she replies with a bizarrely amiable sort of gloom. "This isn't going to solve anything."
Prompt/challenge you're answering: Courtney Stanton and Maximilian, gambling for interesting stakes
She's wearing high heels this time.
Every Thursday she comes in. Impossible to mistake, even in the close private gloom of the bar, sweet smoke on the air and gold light filtering in through the half open door. Heels spiking sharp sounds from the hardwood floor, skirts whisping with petticoats and black cotton, her hair spilling over her shoulders like bloody curls. She's got a pretty smile and big deep dark eyes that crinkle at the corners when she smiles. White skin, pale gold lace-up blouse and boots. Usually boots with low heels, but this time they announce her presence, blade-thin stilettos.
And he waits for her on one of the tables, a chess game set in front of him, fingers linked and smile deep and slow. A strong, handsome face, deep brown eyes, a pompadour less ridiculous than you would think. She knocks on his head as she circles around the table, puts down her bag and unbuckles the purse at her waist.
He chuckles, deep-throated and warm. "I thought you'd lost your way."
"I should be so lucky," she replies with a bizarrely amiable sort of gloom. "This isn't going to solve anything."
"You're the only one he listens to." He deftly plucks two pawns of the board and lowers his hands beneath the table. She drops her purse into the bag after taking out a small velvet pouch, lays it on the table, and says "left. And sometimes, Maximilian, he listens to me sometimes."
"What are you still doing here?" He asks, offering her the white.
"I like this place," she says cheerfully, putting it back in place and considering the board thoughtfully. "Why do we have to play this game over and over again?"
"Because you lose even sooner at Go Fish," he responds. "Stop procrastinating."
She heaves a sigh and moves a pawn, lips pursing. "It's a nice town."
He frowns at the board. "Tiny."
She snickers like the teenager she must be. "You're such a snob."
"I most certainly am not," he answers mildly. "Is it because if you know he'll follow you?"
"Oh, Max," she says. "Just because your life revolves around him--"
"At least you keep him on his toes," he remarks. She looks like she's considering a very rude gesture.
"Actually," she says reluctantly after they've exchanged a few more moves, "I'm meeting Lauren here."
He accidentally knocks over a bishop, catches it with a speed that isn't quite human. "Is she--"
The girl gives him an icily offended glare. "Max."
"All right, all right, obviously not."
She sniffs, unimpressed, and moves a castle.
"I just thought she'd be busy," he points out. "Either that, or on vacation."
"Shows what you know," she says, impressively snippy. "Check."
"Ah." He considers the board, moves a knight.
She starts to say something, tips her chin down. Her dark eyes widen in outrage. "No way," she wails.
"Checkmate," he tells her, grinning like a shark.
"Rat," she says, but with affection.
"Darling child," he purrs. She extends her hands over the table, little velvet pouch dangling from her white fingers, and he cups his palm below it and lowers his head to kiss her callused knuckles.
"Next time, checkers," she sighs as she stands. "Chess is no good."
"You just have to practice," he lectures knowingly, beginning to pack away the set, and she rolls her eyes like every adolescent girl eager to be out and about when told to study. "And you'll--"
"I'll do my best to talk sense into him." She mimes cracking a whip and he snorts and stands. "Goodbye, Maximiliam."
He kisses her chastely, once on each fragile eyelid, and she curls her small white fingers around his and squeezes. "I'll see you soon, Courtney," he promises. "In the meantime--practice with Savannah, why don't you?"
She waves without replying, already on her way out the door.