Oh guys, ya girl is back to blogging. I’m sorry for not being around lately, y’know, life and shit.
So let’s get this started back up with a bang, ya feel me? Anna freaking Kendrick. I think I’m in love with her, but then again, who isn’t? She is beautiful, quirky, and overall a great personality. But we aren’t here to talk about that.
The first movie I ever saw her in was, of course, Twilight. Don’t judge me. I had read the books, and I just needed to see it, okay? 5th grade me couldn’t resist.. But much like Anna Kendrick, I forgot she was in it. So hey, Anna, we got something in common.
Now if you weren’t an emo vampire kid (my nickname the bullies gave me in school. How original.), there were plenty of other things she was in. Into the Woods, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Mr. Right....
My favorite one that she’s been in though? Pitch Perfect. She absolutely slayed in those movies, and I was addicted. The acting and sassiness in that movie alone could take anyone out.
Wasn’t she in that one show.. My Best Friend is a Sex Doll? Or was that entire show just a fever dream I had. Wild.
Either way, Anna Kendrick is an absolute blessing, and the light of my life. I hope y’all can agree.
Also for micro stories, if you want a challenge: "A fistfight" feat. Solas? ;) :D
Thanks, lady! Man, I tried to get at this prompt from a few different directions, but they all tried to balloon on me, so... I hope you like it!
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Bull and Dorian were watching Solas do… well, whatever the fuck he called the thing he was doing at the moment. It looked like he was doing hand-to-hand combat, but in slow motion and with great focus on looking constipated.
“Is that helpful in casting magic?” Bull asked in a loud stage whisper.
Dorian shrugged.
“Mages in southern Thedas do a lot of incomprehensible things and I stopped trying to understand them a long time ago.”
Solas paused mid-pose and looked over, clearly annoyed.
“If you must know, this is an ancient elven practice that helps sharpen the body and mind into a congruent weapon of war,” he said in a clipped tone. “Just because you’re not familiar with it doesn’t make it any less valid.”
Bull raised an eyebrow.
“Since when mages do hand-to-hand battles?” he asked.
Solas shot him a challenging look.
“Not every mage is feeble of body, Iron Bull,” he quipped. “I’ve been in many fistfights in my days and I won them all.”
This was both amusing and fascinating, so Bull decided to prod further.
“I’m not sure if fighting in the geriatric league counts as real fistfighting.”
Solas straightened up and faced Bull properly. There was a dangerous aura around him that spoke of capacity for violence beyond what the man generally presented to the world and it thrilled Bull to finally see beyond the carefully constructed facade.
“I know what you’re doing, Bull, and it’s not going to work,” Solas said slowly, then relaxed his stance. “If my exercising bothers you so much, I shall do it someplace else. Goodday.”
And with that, he picked up his belongings and briskly walked away.
“I think you’ve offended our elven friend,” Dorian said quietly.
Hello my Tumblr lovelys!
I literally have absolutely no patience and control when it comes to posting and just cannot wait longer than two days or hold out on posting.
So I bring you the next part
*Little disclaimer, it’s just a story of fiction :)*
Enjoy!
xx
2
“I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.”
Taron and Robyn were thirty minutes late getting to the pub, his sisters doing their very best to keep their attention for as long as possible when they went to visit Taron’s family to say goodnight and happy new year. Taron had to entertain his family himself for the first twenty minutes, while his mam pulled Robyn aside into the kitchen for some of their girl talk and when they walked out together, he couldn’t look either of them in their eyes. Now that Robyn was finally free, his sisters had turned to her for a chat, begging her for Elsa hair. She had assured them she would come back tomorrow to do it for them and went to stand next to Taron who looked a little sad and slipped her discreetly hand into his. It was thanks to Robyn that they even managed to leave the house, using her neat little trick of reverse phycology with his whole family, giving them the exit they needed to go and join his friends.
“We’ll be back tomorrow as planned. Taron has booked a table for dinner for us and we are already running late and because it is New Year’s Eve, they won’t hold the table. I really don’t want to miss our dinner. We skipped lunch because of it.”
It was an exit Taron was so glad for and as he walked her along the promenade towards the pub, he was so thankful for her quick thinking.
“Should I be a little worried about the talk you and my mam had?” He asked her.
“Not at all. She was just apologising again.” Robyn gave his linked arm a squeeze. “Nothing to worry about. I promise.”
Taron didn’t answer her, but guided her towards the pedestrian crossing and they safely crossed the road. “Have I told you that you look beautiful? Love a V-neck shaped top.”
Robyn laughed, brushing her hair from her face as the light sea breeze swirled it into her eyes. “Yes and I know. Might have been the reason I chose it but right back at ya rocketman, you look good too.”
When she was choosing her outfit for their night out, she wanted something comfortable but an ensemble that would also make a little bit of a statement and the black V-neck silk string top had her desired effect on Taron, as she knew it would. She was a playing it a little dirty with her stone washed skinny jeans and high heeled ankle boots but she wanted to make an impression on Taron’s friends but she had seen Taron’s eyes widen as little as she walked down his hallway to him, she secretly enjoyed the effect her outfit had on him too. It seemed he was playing the same game as her, his black jeans quite fitted and the low cut of his black tank top was revealing enough to see his chest hair which always brought a flush to fill her cheeks. She hoped the rose blush powder on her cheeks, covered it up. He looked good and her fluttering heart knew it too. Taron had pulled a dark blue short sleeved shirt over his tank and a leather jacket on, while Robyn slid into her turquoise coat she had brought and they walked to Taron’s childhood home before making their way to the pub, planning on getting a taxi back to his at the end of the night.
Taron held the multicolour frosted stained-glass door open for her and the warmth of the cosy busy pub hit them. Robyn felt Taron take her hand and guide her through the crowd of excited bodies ready to celebrate the new year and towards his usual table where he knew his friends were waiting. “Don’t be nervous chicken. You will get on with everyone.”
“Get out of my head rocketman.”
“I will right here if you need anything though I am pretty sure you can handle my friends.”
“If I can handle you, I can handle them.”
Robyn heard Taron’s group of friends before she saw them, the hooting and calling making her laugh, a typical male response to their friends’ tardiness and once they arrived closer to the table a few cat calls were given out too.
“Alright, alright, calm the fuck down. I am here now.” Taron grumbled as they reached two rectangle tables filled with grinning faces.
“And what have you been up too Mr movie star?” Smiled one his friends.
“I have been with my sisters.” Answered Taron. “They adore Robyn, wouldn’t let us go.”
“And this must be the wonderful Robyn we have heard so much about.”
“Taron mate, you were right. Absolute fittie.”
Robyn heard the groan and watched as Taron threw his head back in complete embarrassment and frustration. He had warned her as they walked along the beach front that his friends would more than likely say something ridiculous and possibly offensive and just as he predicted they had.
“Can’t wait to hear this sexy Irish accent she has too.”
If Robyn hadn’t of been still holding his hand, she was sure Taron would have bolted for the door.
“So that is how it is going to be all night yeah?” She asked looking to the mix of women and men who sat around the tables, a good few glasses of alcohol already littering the table. “Alright, lets have it then.” She let go of Taron’s hand and stood in front of him. “Let’s get it out of the way and give me your best shot.”
“You sure?” Asked the man who had commented on her accent.
“Oh I am very sure.”
“Calvin, mate I wouldn’t if I were you.” Taron placed his hands on Robyn’s shoulders and looked to his friend.
“It’s grand Taron.” Robyn made sure she went heavy with her accent on the word ‘grand’ and turned to Taron to give him a wink. “I’m a big girl. I can handle myself.”
“Oh it’s not you I am worried about. I know first hand that you can handle yourself. It’s them I am worried about.”
“Don’t you worry about it Taron. Not a bother to me.”
Calvin smiled. “Definitely sexy.” He laughed, laughing harder when he caught Taron’s face of warning. “Right then.” He stood up. “You’re older than him.”
“Yep and wiser.”
“Really?”
“Naturally.”
“He is an up and coming movie star.”
“I have two degrees, two diplomas and am supervisor in my job.”
“Alright ok. I will give you that one.” Calvin thought for a second. “And you sing too?”
“Better than Taron according to one Elton John.”
“Better than Taron? He was in a musical that was critically acclaimed and has won a Golden Globe.”
“I have been in my local musical society since I was sixteen and have my two of my own AIMS, Association of Irish Musical Societies, awards. One for best newcomer and one for best female vocal. It’s like the Tony’s but for amateur musical societies.” It was something she hadn’t told Taron about and she felt the step closer he took to her, her back right against his chest as well as the squeeze on her shoulders. “And am about to start rehersals as Mimi in our upcoming production of RENT.”
“Alright, alright.” Replied Calvin.
Another of Taron’s male friends stood up. “Calvin lets skip to the hard-hitting questions.” The brunette stood beside Calvin. “I am Deian. So Robyn, have you and my boy Taron here kissed yet?”
“Why yes Deian we have.” Robyn knew this question was going to be asked at some point during the evening so was glad to get it out the way first. “Four, no wait five times and while three of them were the quickest peck on the lips, the other two were used to save his life. I guess the breath of life counts as a kiss too right?” Robyn enjoyed how the two men stalled a little not expecting her brash and upfront answer but Deian’s face soon grew a smirk.
“Pity he didn’t remember two of them.”
“That’s why we had two more. So he could remember but I am surprised you don’t know about the others? I haven’t actually mentioned the ones he left on my neck yet, have I? Taron did you not tell your friends about how you practically attacked me with passionate and frantic kisses at the hotel before we got in the lift while at Elton’s charity auction? Surely that is a story that you must have to re-told to your friends or how I almost jumped on you while I just wearing a towel or each time we have shared a bed.”
“Robyn…” Gasped Taron. “Jesus…”
“Taron, mate you are holding out on us!” Smiled Deian, enjoying himself and how the Irish woman in front of him was not backing down from his questions and in fact giving him her best brazen and mischievous answers, ones Taron had avoided telling him. “Alright Robyn, that video Taron showed us where you were playing cricket.”
“You mean hurling.”
“Yeah that stick and the ball. You really hit that shot all by yourself?”
“You saw the video, right?” Asked Robyn as she raised an eye brow. “I hit it better than Taron.”
“And you gave him a right bollocking in New York.”
“Deian, leave it out!” Complained Taron, not wanting to even think about what happened in New York.
“Did you really stand up the men in the 7/11 with the guns?” Asked Calvin, moving the conversation on quickly.
“Quite a few times.”
“And got pushed into the glass shelf?”
“You want to see the scar?” She asked him.
“Sure.”
Robyn turned around so she was now facing Taron and slipped her coat off over her left shoulder, brushing her hair over her right. She moved the strap of her top out of the way. “Should be pretty obvious and that is something Taron hasn’t actually seen yet.”
“Alright ok. I see it.”
Robyn fixed her top, pulled her coat back over her shoulder, glanced at Taron whose face was so hard to read at the moment and then turned around to his friends.
“And you both went swimming in the sea in Aber? Well no Taron actually carried you in.” Asked Deian.
Robyn gave him a wink. “We were meant to skinny dip but he picked me up before I got a chance to take my clothes off.”
Although Taron groaned and placed his head on her right shoulder, his friends laughed and a few more cat calls were made. Robyn reached up to put her left hand on Taron’s which was still on her left shoulder. She slipped her fingers under his and rubbed his knuckles with her thumb. She may have been a bit bold with her answers but she knew in the long run it was for the best and hoped Taron could see that. The laughter slowly died down and the two men standing in front of her were whispering to each other and when they turned to look back to Robyn, their grins were replaced with a more serious look.
“You really saved his life?” Asked Calvin.
Robyn nodded. “Really saved his life. CPR and everything.” She valued the looks of concern that were exchanged between Taron’ friends as they sat on the soft pub furnishings and although she couldn’t see Taron’s face, she could only imagine the frown his striking green eyes held at the moment. “So, anything else?”
“Yeah what are your intentions with my friend.”
“Well if lot weren’t here, I would brush all of those glasses onto the floor, push him onto the tables, straddle him and kiss him until he was breathless but because you are here, I am going to kick his arse at karaoke.”
There was a second of silence before all of his friends broke out laughing again, Calvin and Deian, leading the hoots and giggles.
“Ahh Taron mate, love her.” Grinned Calvin. “Robyn, if you chose not to do that with Taron, you can always have me instead.”
“Sorry Calvin. I only hook up with guys whose life I save. Means they are always indebted to me and will do whatever I want, when I want it.” She could feel Taron tense behind her and knew he was absolutely mortified by his friends but she very much enjoyed the banter and was glad to get rid of the edgy atmosphere that whirled in when herself and Taron walked over to them. “Taron already owes me for putting glitter in my body wash. Actually, maybe you guys can help me figure out a way to get him back.”
“Well why don’t you take a seat in here beside me and we can have a chat about that.” Grinned Calvin.
Agreeing, Robyn started to take her coat off and turned to look at Taron to try and read his face once more. She gave him a smile and was glad to receive one in return. She had hoped he didn’t mind that she revealed some of their secrets, especially the kissing ones but she knew it was the only way to appease his friends. One way to make a group of men quieten down was to mention anything raunchy and her cheekiness had settled Taron’s friend’s curiosity immediately and she could feel already that she had been accepted into his close group of friends.
As she took her coat off, she caught his nod towards the bar and gave him the smallest of ones back. Once they had both shrugged out of their coats, Robyn took his and stood a step closer to the table, throwing her coats onto the soft seat beside Taron’s friend. “Calvin be a dear and keep our seats. We’re going to go and get a drink.” She didn’t wait for an answer, but took the step back towards Taron, grabbed his hand and half dragged him toward the bar.
Once there, she leaned on the bar and Taron stood right up beside her. “You play a dangerous game Robyn but my God you play it very well.”
“I am sorry for talking about the kissing thing and the other things. Needed something that was going to play into your friends minds that were already on over drive.”
“It’s ok. Deian has been giving me a lot of slack over it all since I met you.”
“Better to get the questions out of the way first. I could see your friends were dying to ask them.”
“Deian has been at me all week asking if you were really coming and just so you know I did not use the word fittie or call your accent sexy.”
Robyn turned to look at him, grinning. “So, you don’t think I am fit or that my accent is sexy?” She questioned, enjoying how he moved position against the bar, fidgeting a little.
“Well now Robyn. You know I think you are beautiful and I would try to find a better word than sexy to describe your accent.”
“Really? I think your accent is sexy, especially when your voice hits that lower range and that Welsh twang just sweeps through and I love how easily I can do that to you and make you squirm.” She reached up and tapped his nose. “I like your friends. Well of the two I have met so far. I think this is going to be a very interesting evening.”
“I think I am going to go back to my family and leave you here with my friends.”
“I think your friends would like that very much.”
“On second thought, maybe not.” Taron got the attention of the barman. “Hey mate, I will take a Corona and…” He looked to Robyn.
“Bottle of cider.” She said.
“And a bottle of cider.” As the bar man went to get their drinks, he turned back to Robyn, his lips pulled up in a half grin. “So, you want to throw me across the table and kiss me breathless yeah?”
Robyn chuckled. “Tactic’s Taron. You have got to play dirty when your opponent does. I have taken the heat away from us. I can only imagine the slagging you have gotten from your friends once they found out you invited me over.”
“It’s been pretty full on.”
“So, we can play it two ways. We can stay away from each other and keep our distance or we can just be our normal selves and not worry about what they think. I mean I just automatically reach for your hand now and it doesn’t feel right if I don’t get a kiss on my cheek from you when you walk away from me. They know how affectionate you are right?” She liked that he nodded. “Well why should we change the way we are. We have said it from the beginning to anyone who questioned it, our relationship came from such a strange place, sometimes we need that extra reassurance. We have these few days together just to be us, so let’s be us.”
“I agree completely and but I just hope sure you have some more pretty good smart answers in your pockets ready to pull out if you need them.”
“I keep a supply.”
“You mind if I look at that scar? I haven’t seen it yet.” He asked her and when she shook her head, he moved her hair out of the way and stood a little behind her so he could see the small inch scar on her shoulder for himself. He gently ran the index finger of his right hand down it under the strap of her top. “War wounds.”
“Something like that. It’s only small. I can barely see the one on your forehead.”
“I was very good and resisted the urge to pick at the scab.” Robyn turned to him and lifted her hand to where the cut had been on his head and brushed the skin under his hair line. It was barely noticeable unless his head was turned a certain way in the light. “I have one on my arm though. It looks like yours only a little longer. I still think about how lucky we were Robyn. How lucky I was that you were there. Things would have been very different if you weren’t.” Taron wrapped his right around her and gave her a hug. “I am glad you came here tonight.”
“Me too Taron.”
The bar man came back with their drinks and Taron handed over a twenty-pound note.
“Next round is on me.” Said Robyn as she poured her drink into the glass of ice it came with. Taron took his change and together they walked back to the tables with his friends.
“So, let me introduce you. Calvin and Deian, you already know.” Taron let Robyn sit down on the stool and he stood behind her. “Then we have Jess and Rachel and beside them James, Conor and Lily.” Robyn said hello and tried to remember all the names she was being introduced too. “And then this side of the table, Lucy, Gemma and Phil.”
“So that is a lot of names and I am not going to get them all right so I apologise now in advance for getting them wrong.”
Taron moved around her and sat beside where she had thrown their coats, to sit beside Calvin. “So now that you have quizzed me, it’s my turn to quiz you. What went on with the girl the other night?”
More banter, chat and conversation filled the air and the twelve people around the two tables, including Robyn easily talked with the others, sharing stories of their Christmas break, jobs with a few extra questions thrown Taron and Robyn’s way about their relationship. Some of Taron’s friends were eager to hear about Robyn’s version of the what happened in Florida and what they got up to when Taron went to visit her house and none of it was awkward or uncomfortable and Robyn felt like she fitted right into Taron’s group of close friends.
She had bought him another drink and as she walked back with the two bottles, the finger food had arrived to their tables as well as the karaoke books with all the songs. Taron moved over to let her sit in between him and Calvin.
“You’re sure you want to have this karaoke battle tonight?” Taron asked her.
“We shook on our deal and it was a karaoke off in a bar. I see a bar and I see a karaoke machine. I think it should be tonight.”
Taron grinned as he took a drink from his bottle. “Have it in the bag Robyn.”
“Don’t be too sure Taron.”
“They are my friends.”
Robyn chuckled. “And I have so many more stories to tell.” She replied looking his way. “No, it is going to be a fair vote on who they think sing their song better. No favouritism just because they are your friends or I have a pocket full of stories ready to go. An Elton song from you, a Queen song from me and if I can convince you a cheesy duet.”
Taron nodded agreeing. “I think that sounds a like a fair deal.”
The group sat laughing and talking, eating and drinking, flipping through the books, picking out what songs they could all have a go with, listening as the other customers in the pub got up to brave the karaoke machine, Taron sitting close to Robyn the whole time, making sure his friends didn’t get too out of hand or any more personal with their questions. After they had devoured the food on the table and poked fun at each other while choosing songs they wanted the other to sing, Calvin was actually the first to get up from their group and sing followed by Jess and then Conor had a turn.
“Ok time for this sing off.” Robyn turned to Taron, his whole face happy, his cheeks a little rosy and his eyes bright from the few drinks he had had. “Who is going first?” She asked him, feeling her own little buzz from the alcohol in her blood stream.
“Rock, paper, scissors it?” He asked him with a grin. “Loser sings first?”
“Sure.”
Taron threw his head back with a groan as he lost. “I am not even going to ask for two out of three. I know you will win. So, I guess I am first.”
Robyn rose an eyebrow his way. “Bring it rocketman. All you got.”
“You are going down!” He replied, leaning in and kissing her cheek before he stood up and made his way towards the small stage the pub had set up for the evening.
Robyn moved so she was kneeling on the soft seat so she could see over all the heads in front of her, very interested in how this was all going to play out. She never really thought their deal would actually come to pass when they made it all those months ago but here they were in Taron’s home town, in his favourite pub with all of this friends, ready to sing their hearts out.
“All right ladies and gentlemen, we all know Taron here, local boy.” The MC for the night stood on the stage with Taron beside him, ready to sing. A cheer went up from his friends at the table. “He is going to give us a good old classic Elton John song.”
Robyn had no idea which song Taron had chosen and she smiled wide when the music for Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting came on and another cheer went up around her from his friends.
“You sure you can out sing him?” Asked Calvin as he turned to her.
“I am sure.”
“Well you have my vote either way. I like you a lot. You are sassy and cute and perfect for Taron. He really speaks highly of you Robyn but you know if you could beat him in this it would be brilliant for us because he would never live it down!”
“Oh, don’t worry Calvin, he is a fantastic singer but Elton John told me I can sing Freddie. I am going to crush him.”
Deian overheard the conversation and laughed. “I am glad you came out with us tonight.”
“Me too.” Relied Robyn with complete sincerity in her voice.
Their attention turned to Taron as he moved onto sing the chorus and then to the second verse where he caught Robyn’s eye and gave her a wink and salute as he sang ‘she’s with me’. He was thoroughly enjoying being up on stage, singing one of his favourite Elton songs. He had found it difficult at first when he was in the recording studio but loved the way he his voice became rockier and gravellier as he learnt how to sing it. He made sure to put his whole performance into the song too, hoping his dance moves might give him an edge over Robyn and got the whole pub involved too when the repeat Saturday’s were sung over and over. The whole pub erupted into applause and there were extra hard ones from the table of his friends along with cheering and shouting, Robyn among them. She had loved watching Taron in his element as he sang and it was the first upbeat song she had heard him sing and he did such a tremendous job at it, she was feeling a little worried she may not win this but she wasn’t one to not to give her all and knew her chosen song backwards and while Taron’s song could get the crowd going, her chosen Queen song could get a crowd going too.
With an encouraging push from Calvin, she climbed off the seat and made her way around the table heading towards the stage, as Taron stepped off. She adored it when his face was in an honest and full grin and after his three-hour nap, the tiredness had left his face a little. They stopped when they walked past each other, Taron dancing a little.
“Oh, chicken you are in trouble.”
She laughed at him, enjoying how happy he was. “That was it?” She said putting her hands on her hips. “Oh rocketman, you have no idea how easy you have made this for me.”
“I am watching you…” Chuckled Taron wriggling his eye brows at her, laughing as she gently pushed him on his chest and walked past him and continued to the stage. Taron walked back to his friends, high giving and fist pumping them before he turned to face the stage, enjoying how the lights shone on Robyn, his heart racing once more and this time it wasn’t from singing. He had to place his hand on the back of his couch when Robyn walked down the hallway towards him once they were ready to go earlier in the evening. She had gone and picked another V-neck top and he knew she had absolutely done it on purpose, knowing he liked those particular shaped tops on her.
The MC was back on the microphone. “Do I sense a bit of tension here?” He asked playfully. “Between you and Taron?”
Robyn grinned. “Just fulfilling a bet we made a long time ago.” She answered him. She filled the MC in quickly with her name and choice of song.
“So, this is Robyn, a visitor from across the ocean and tonight shall be singing a hit by Queen for ultimate bragging rights.”
Robyn took the microphone from the MC and looked for Taron’s face at the table. Once found him, she winked giving him the biggest grin she could and once the music started Somebody to Love, she was in her singing zone. She had contemplated singing a different Queen song but to beat Taron she needed the difficulty that the song brought and the notes she could easily belt with confidence. She hit that first note as easy as ever and was glad the karaoke track had the backing vocals on it too as it made it so much more effective. It was a song she could sing her sleep and it made it easier to add a little performance to it just like Taron had and when it got to the small musical interlude she hopped off the stage and headed down to where the group of Taron’s friends were sitting and stood up on the a stool with a little help from Calvin who had made he way to the front of the tables for a better look and listen.
When the song got to the part where ‘Find Me Somebody To Love’ was repeated over and over she started to clap her hands and singing those words, smiling as the people around her started to copy her and soon all of Taron’s friends were copying her and she grinned to Taron who although was smiling and singing along, his face told her he knew she had beaten him already.
Happy the crowd could keep the words and beat going, she gave a her own salute to Taron and then she jumped down off the stool and slowly walked back to the stage adlibbing as she went throwing in some oohhs and ahhs until she was back in the stage for that all important last belt of the song, Robyn giving it everything she could and holding that top note for longer than was necessary before improvising the last part, the backing vocals keeping the rhythm and timing of the song, making sure she did a fancy run on the last line before ending the song.
If the pub erupted for Taron, they shouted whooped and called so much louder for Robyn and she was laughing on stage and she made a pretend curtesy before handing the microphone back to the MC. “Well I think you won.” He said to her.
Robyn only smiled and stepped off the stage, some of the crowd still clapping as she walked past them and back to the tables where her new friends were sitting, Taron at the end of the rectangle tables making a come here motion with the index finger of his right hand to her. She accepted all the high-fives and fist bumps from his friends and even the hug from Calvin and Deian and biting her lip stood in front of Taron.
“Well played Robyn. Well played.” He said to her and though he tried not to smile, he couldn’t help it and without a second thought pulled her to him for a hug. “You fucking killed it and I hate you.”
“So, I won?” She said into his neck.
“I don’t think we should bother with the vote.”
Letting go of him she stood back and slipped into a chorus of ‘We Are the Champions’ by Queen, Taron laughing at her before joining in wrapping his right arm around her shoulder, swinging her from side to side. While Robyn sang ‘I’, Taron sang ‘We’ and it made them both giggle when they were done.
“So, I guess the vote is invalid.” Smiled Deian. “And she has ultimate bragging rights.”
“Yes!” Robyn punched the air and did a little dance, giggling as Taron wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground to stop her. “Taron put me down!” She chuckled.
“No more dancing.” He replied. “Drink?” He asked her.
“No. Duet.” She answered picking up the book from the table. “It’s is so cheesy and obvious but it would be so much fun.” She said to Taron as he looked over her shoulder at the one she pointed at and he grinned agreeing.
“Done but drink first.”
“Just water.” She said to him once they reached the bar.
“You sure?” Asked Taron.
“Yeah. Just for the moment. It’s gotten hot in here.”
Taron ordered two pints of water and once he gave Robyn hers, she drank it all in one go, Taron’s mouth dropping as she took the second one and took three mouthfuls from it too. “Singing and winning is thirsty work.” She answered his questioning look.
With another alcoholic drink in their hand, they walked back to the table and sat down on the stools, their presence stopping the chatter between his friends.
“So Robyn, any other secrets apart from saving lives, killer singing abilities and baking?”
She grinned at Calvin, enjoying how Taron had moved his stool closer to hers so they sat with their legs touching. “I can’t give all my secrets away tonight Calvin. Need to keep some sort of excitement in the game.”
“Well the secret is definitely out how you can sing rings around Taron and I demand that you sing another one.”
Robyn laughed. “I am up for that but back in Elton’s there was talk of a prize.”
“Oh Robyn no, please.” Taron’s eyes looked up to her from under his eye lashes.
“Don’t worry Taron. This is a prize we both will enjoy.”
As Taron started to dance on stage as he sang George Michael’s Faith, Robyn was thrilled with her choice of her prize and even though she knew it was one of Taron’s favourite karaoke songs to sing, her inner Taron Egerton fangirl was squealing as he got more and more into the song, his eyes glinting as the crowd sang along with him with to some of the second verse and Robyn knew he was enjoying every minute of his time on stage.
“So happy with your prize?” He asked her as strolled back to the table with a smirk.
“Thoroughly, especially the dancing!” She laughed, giving him his high-five that he looked for as he stood beside her.
“So does Taron get to pick your song now?” Asked Calvin.
“Uh-uh. That is not how a prize works.” Robyn shook her finger at Taron’s friend. “I won fair and square. That was my prize and I still have complete access to the ultimate bragging rights but I am sure we can come to an agreement on a song for me.”
Taron and his two best friends, surrounded Robyn as they flicked through the book and Calvin stopped her and made her go back a few pages and pointed at a Celine Dion song.
“Not gonna happen Calvin.”
“But why!” He moaned. “You can sing Freddie Mercury. You can sing this song.”
“Freddie’s range is more suited to mine. Celine is a bloody powerhouse.”
“And you’re not?” Asked Taron.
“Not after a few drinks.”
“Bubbles help warm up your voice.” Taron nudged her gently. “Worked for me at Elton’s.”
“For a song that was specifically written for you.”
“Come on Robyn. You don’t have anything to prove.” Deian pitched in.
“Maybe that I lipsynced the last time. If I even attempt this song, I will not hit any of those high range notes.”
“Karaoke doesn’t have to be perfect.” Added Calvin.
“Does to me.”
Taron pouted a little, tilting his head and nudged her again with his hip and as she took in his face and as he bit his lip she sighed. “Fine but I don’t want to hear a word if it’s shit.”
A little cheer rose up around her and pushing her way through Calvin and Deian she walked up to the stage. It’s All Coming Back To Me Now was a song she had sang many times in her house into her hairbrush but it was never a song she would choose for karaoke. Robyn preferred to pick songs she knew she could sing well and preform, that stage performer within her needing to get it right every time.
“So you back for more?” Joked the MC as she walked up the steps.
“They say too much of something is bad for you but not the case with karaoke.”
“This another duel off?”
“Nope. This one is to make three men happy.” The MC looked at her with wide eyes. “I mean I have been asked by Taron and his friends to sing this one.”
She quietly gave her song selection to the MC and took the microphone from him and turned around to look at the expectant faces. When the customers saw her walk back up the stage, she knew they were anticipating another perfectly sung song and now that she had a slightly bigger audience she was full of nerves but faking the confidence, she closed her eyes and took a breathe as the music started.
“Go on Robyn!”
She looked up as Taron’s friends cheered her on and with a shy smile looked to the lyrics and started to sing. First line done, she felt a bit more comfortable and tried to loosen her stance up a little and found herself using her left hand on her stomach as she needed to keep control and once on the chorus tried to add a little more emotion to the song and the words, gaining volume as the song grew and cringed a little as her chest voice changed to her head voice on the higher notes but kept going and decided to leave out a line before the second verse started, knowing she would never hit the notes. Instead concentrated on the second verse, her eyes reading the words but taking glances towards the tables of her new friends but she looked away to close her eyes to reach the last note of the verse. She knew the words to the chorus so again snuck another look to Taron and his friends and could see the nod of encouragement from him, watching him sing along. It gave her the courage she needed to properly go for the highest notes of her range at the end of the chorus and hitting them almost perfectly, she appreciated the applause and whistles from what she assumed was Taron, Calvin and Deian. As the song became more silent as it wound down to the last chorus, she didn’t need to worry about the words once more and took a little walk across the stage for some dramatic effect and breathed a huge sigh of relief as the song ended and after she handed the microphone back to the MC, ran her hands through her hair, taking one long deep breathe.
She could feel her hands shaking as she made her way back to the tables and shook them out to rid herself of the nervous energy and adrenaline that flowed through her blood stream. She gave a bashfully blushed smile as she walked into the circle she had previously left and accepted the half hugs from Calvin and Deian and was thankful for the cuddly one from Taron and the whispers of well done from him.
