Who: Marietta and Rolf and Verity When: Friday Morning Where: Rolf's Flat What: Couple things/arguing Rating: In Progress / Partial Log Status: In Progress
Rolf had spent the majority of his evening going over his itinerary for next month. There were a few things that needed to be finalized and he wanted it all in working order before Valentine's day and whatnot. The less he had to worry about next month, the better. Realizing it was two in the morning, Rolf stumbled into bed, barely noticing the small blonde curled up on the other side. Verity had been a part of his life for so long and she'd taken up residence on the other side of his bed on more than one occasion.
He was sleeping deeply and didn't hear the door open. His dreams wouldn't allow him anything other than a pleasurable night's sleep. Especially when they involved a certain redhead. Verity had been taking the mickey out of him over Verity and, as usual, he laughed it off good naturedly. They'd get to know one another and he was certain they'd get along.
So, with little regard to his new flatmate and the fact that he had a girlfriend, Rolf passed out on the opposite side of the bed, not even considering the fact that Marietta might show up in the morning.
---
Stopping by Rolf's flat had become a bit of a routine for Marietta. It wasn't a daily thing by any means, but she would try to stop by once a week. It surprised Marietta how much she liked Rolf. He made her smile whenever he was around. She even bickered less when he was near. Knowing that he was going to be traveling soon, Marietta wanted to see him as much a possible before he left. It all seemed like a dream she was going to wake up from at any moment.
Carrying two coffees and a small paper bag with some scones and danish, Marietta let herself in his flat and set the food on the kitchen table. Of course he wasn't awake yet. Smiling to herself, Marietta slipped off her cloak and heels and walked quietly into Rolf's bedroom.
And then... Well. There he was. In bed. With another woman. Marietta couldn't move. She stood there and stared, not able to process what she was seeing. All she knew is that it hurt. She and Rolf hadn't even shared a bed yet and...
"Um?"
---
Verity was a sound sleeper and he wasn't surprised she didn't here the shocked sound. Rolling over, still in his jeans from last night but he'd lost the tee at some point, Rolf sat up, staring bleary eyed at Marietta. He could smell the coffee and that was a bloody good way to wake up. Especially when a beautiful redhead was there to greet him. "Morning," he said, yawning, glancing over at Verity, who was still dead to the world. It didn't dawn on him that this could be misconstrued into something else. It was Verity. She was practically his sister. They'd been friends far too long for him to think of her as anything other than just Verity.
Standing up, he flipped the blankets over and scratched his stomach. He gave her a broad smile. "You brought coffee?" he asked, brushing a light kiss to her cheek, taking her hand and pulling her towards the kitchen.
---
Too shocked to argue or resist, Marietta let Rolf pull her into the kitchen. The anger hadn't come yet. Marietta was still awash is disbelief and couldn't move pass it. Her eyes were fixed on Rolf's face in utter disbelief. She'd just found him in bed with another woman and he was asking her about coffee.
It was the smell of that very coffee that roused Verity from the bed. Dressed in a large tee shirt, she stumbled out to the kitchen and grabbed one of the coffees in a delirious state of caffeine deprivation. "Morning," she yawned and ran her free hand over her messy short hair. "Who's the bird? Is this the girlfriend?"
---
Rolf grabbed a donut from the bag, stuffing his face with the sugary treat as Verity wandered in. She took his coffee and he glared at her, taking it back. Everyone knew he wasn't his usual amiable self without his coffee. "She is and she didn't bring this for you," he grumbled, drinking slowly, enjoying the smooth, bitter taste. Was perfect and just the way he liked it. "So good," he groaned, sighing softly.
"Verity, Marietta. Marietta, Verity," he introduced, running a hand over his face, slowly coming awake.
---
Verity considered grabbing the other cup of coffee, but even she knew that wouldn't be polite. "Hey," she said dismissively and grabbed a scone out of the bag before Rolf could stop her. Oh sweet Helga. Food. She took a huge bite and jumped up on the counter, her shirt inching up her thighs. "Rolf never said you'd be coming by."
Maybe it was seeing Verity take the food she had brought as a treat for Rolf or maybe it was that she wasn't wearing any pants and acting as though Marietta was the one intruding, but the shock the redhead had been feeling quickly vanished and was replaced with seething anger.
"Oh, he didn't? I'm so sorry. Clearly I should have owled before I interrupted." Marietta narrowed her eyes on Rolf and glared. "So, you won't stay over with me because I'm not ready to shag you, but you'll sleep with someone else?!"
---
Rolf was still so focused on his coffee, he barely noticed the exchange between the women until Marietta's voice filled with anger and annoyance. He glanced up, mouth full of donut as she started in on him. The blank stare she received likely didn't help the situation and it took him a moment to realize what she was getting at.
What happened next he wasn't exactly proud of but one glance at Verity and he started laughing, nearly choking on his food. "Oh God," he gasped, trying to find air as he continued to guffaw. "You think- Verity and I?" He shook his head, trying to not even think about that comment. "God no. She's practically my sister...."
Of course, once the dig about him electing to not sleep over at her place registered, he raised a brow. Maybe he was being cautious because he didn't want to get overly attached but she couldn't guarantee that she could handle his lifestyle. He shouldn't be punished for wanting to take it slow. Crossing his arms, he stared at her, ignoring her glare. "She's my best friend," he said, arms crossed, not at all impressed with her lack of faith in him. "She needed a place to stay."
---
Verity wasn't proud of her behavior, but she bristled at this new girl implying anything negative about Rolf. She didn't know Marietta and in spite of Rolf's assurance that she was good for him, Verity didn't see anything special.
"Excuse you? Don't get your knickers in a twist because I'm here. I've been around way longer than you have and Rolf and I are NOT like that. Not ever."
Marietta hardly paid attention to Verity. He focus was on Rolf. "She is a woman I've never met and she was in your bed. Maybe that isn't a big deal to you, but it is to me." She crossed her arms over her chest and took a step back, distancing herself from Rolf.
What if that was normal behavior to him? When he was out in the jungle would be have more friends snuggled in his tent when they needed a place to stay?
---
Rolf mentally groaned and tried to wake up as he tried to process what, exactly, Marietta was thinking. Of course, Verity and her staunch defense of him was all well and good but what had his eyes snapping to Marietta was how she spoke as though Verity wasn't even there. That bothered him. "Excuse us," he said, to Verity, giving her a brotherly kiss on the forehead. Taking Marietta's elbow with a gentle but firm grasp, he led her back to his bedroom. He wasn't about to have this conversation in front of her. "Don't drink my coffee," he shot over his shoulder, though, she looked to be already heading down that path.
As he closed the door behind them, Rolf raised an eyebrow. "She's just my friend," he said, shrugging. "That's it." He shook his head. "We're not sleeping together. It's not like that between us. She just needs a place to stay for a bit." He didn't understand the big deal. She needed a bed. He needed a bed. They crashed on opposite sides. It wasn't any different then when they all ended up in a tent because it was cold outside and the heating charms weren't up to snuff and couldn't keep away the cold. It was just sleeping.
---
Brotherly kiss or not, seeing Rolf be affectionate with another woman moments before he led her out of the room wasn't helping Marietta's mood. It stung.
"This is the second time I've come over and found you with some pretty witch. And I know it's different. I know that. But..." Marietta trailed off and looked away from Rolf. Sooner or later he was going to realize that he didn't want to date her maybe she just wanted to hang on to the illusion that he wanted her a little longer.
Her voice was softer when she spoke again. "Seeing someone else in your bed isn't exactly the sort of thing a girlfriend wants to come across first thing in the morning."
---
Marietta didn't say anything. Not a single word. She simply watched Rolf and listened to him. His words hurt. He didn't trust her. It wasn't uncommon for people not to trust Marietta, but hearing it from Rolf was, well, gut wrenching.
Suddenly she felt incredibly stupid. Marietta hates feeling stupid. Rolf hadn't done anything wrong and maybe she was overreacting. She nodded her head slowly, still not able to speak over the lump in her throat.
If he didn't want to get attached then what was to stop him from pulling away? Marietta was already attached. She'd let herself open up to Rolf and now it seemed like the worst idea in the world.
"I have to go to work," she finally muttered. "I'm sorry. I just... You're right. You didn't do anything wrong. I have to go though."
---
Rolf knew that he wasn't making this any better. He didn't know how to explain it to her. He was frustrated and it took him a moment to really understand what she was feeling. Sighing, he pulled her towards him and wrapped his arms around her. "I just don't want to push either of us," he said, softly. He wasn't one to dive head first in and after what she'd said, he was a little more cautious. "I'm sorry. I didn't think about how... Verity would bother you. It's just not even a little bit like that with her."
Pulling back, he ran his hands up and down her arms. "Trust me," he said, brushing her hair off her forehead. "I'd rather it be you." He smiled. "It was just sleeping. You're the one I'd rather wake up with. When we get there. And I think we will." Maybe not pushing was the wrong thing to do. Fuck, who knew? Marietta was so incredibly complicated.