Emnte

Bronte's unexpected Love Story! By Frenchwritermelon
__TOC__
== Part 1 ==
Bronte was walking through the Forbidden Cities, and his obscurer was glitching. He needed someplace to hide so he could leap away. He looked around frantically. There was an alley up ahead, and he turned into it. He froze when he saw a man and a woman there. The man was an elf, wearing a familiar dark cloak with the symbols of those creepy white eyes... and he was holding an orb of fire, trying to burn the woman, who was screaming in pain.
Bronte panicked and inflicted on them. The woman screamed louder, and the man crumpled to the floor.
Bronte's obscurer wasn't working anymore as he lifted the woman and carried her away.
Soon, an ambulance appeared to take Emily away and Bronte still couldn't light-leap away as he struggled to explain his clothes, and why he was in a dark alley, and how he stopped the attacker, and where the attacker went.
Bronte scowled when they asked about his ears and the crystal in his pocket...
"They're fake..."
"Why do you look like a weird... elf?" asked the cop.
"Because... I like to put on costumes? Look, I don't see how this is important..."
Emily jolted awake in the hospital. She remembered... "They weren't human..." she whispered.
The nurse stared at her. "What?"
Emily looked over, startled. "N-nothing... Where's the man who saved me?"
"The police are talking to him in front of the hospital."
"I want... to thank him."
The nurse nodded.
Bronte cursed under his breath in the Enlightened Language.
"And what language were you speaking?" pressed the cop.
Bronte sighed. His English wasn't as good as he'd liked it to be. He really wanted to leave. "It was... Italian?"
"That sounded more like a question than an answer."
Bronte scowled, "I'm SORRY."
The cop continued to hold up the crystal suspiciously.
Bronte immediately started to get nervous. "You... shouldn't hold it up to the light like that..."
"Why not?"
Because it could whisk you away to Eternia. "Because it's bad for your eyes to look at the light pouring through a multi-faceted crystal."
The cop handed it back to him.
The nurse came out. "Hey, she wants to see the guy who saved her."
Bronte tensed up. "I don't have time for--"
"Leaving so soon?" the cop continued to question.
Bronte bellowed, grumbling more curses under his breath, and storming into the building.
When he got to the room, he quickly composed himself and went inside. "Hi--" His voice broke as he stared with horror at the hand-shaped burn on her neck.
She smiled. "I know you're not human."
Bronte's mind spun immediately. "You do?"
"Actually, I've known for a while. I don't know what you are, but you're not human. And I've been studying these crazy fires because they're being set off by that non-human that was trying to kill me. He caught me spying on him and tried to set me on fire. So thank god you were there."
"So... you're not freaking out?"
"Why would I?"
"I... because you're human."
"Well, not all humans are stupid."
He scowled. "I wasn't calling you stupid."
She smiled. "Yes, you were."
"No, I--"
"Whoa."
"What?"
"I... just realized how cute you are."
His face turned beet red. "Don't call me that."
She continued to gape at him. "Are all of you cute? What are you, anyway?"
Bronte glared at her. "I'm an elf."
"I should've known! You have pointy ears."
Bronte glared harder.
Emily smiled. He confused on why she was smiling. "I--"
"What's your name?"
"I'm Councillor Bronte."
"I'm Music Professor Emily. Or at least I was a professor... I quit my job after my mother died. SO! Tell me about yourself, Bronte."
Bronte looked at her. "It's Councillor Bronte--"
"Whatever. I'm human. I don't have to call you that."
Bronte glared at her again.
She giggled. "You are so grumpy!"
"I-I am not!"
She laughed. "You're cute. What does that crystal do?" She points to the crystal clenched in his left hand.
He looks at it. "It's... how I travel."
"Take me to the elf world!"
"No way!"
"Well, you can't just leave now. I want to come with you."
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"I want to see what it looks like!"
"I'm sure you do! It's illegal."
"SO? No one has to find out." Emily leapt up, wincing, and wrestled the crystal from his hands. "How does it work!? Show me, or else I'm throwing it on the ground and shattering it into a million pieces!"
"OKAY! Okay... give it to me."
Emily gave it to him. He held it up to the light and tried to light-leap away, but she grabbed onto him at the last moment, and she was whisked away with him.
Bronte yelped.
He looked at Emily. "WHAT THE HECK-- oh, Jesus..."
The colour was draining from her body. She was starting to fade away...
He grabbed her and pulled her into his tower.
== Part 2 ==
Emily woke up a few hours later. She yawned. "Wh-where am I?"
Bronte flew up from where he was sitting and knelt by her. "Jesus! You can't do that! You almost faded away!"
"Well, I didn't know that would happen."
"YOU COULD'VE DIED!"
"I know! I get it! I'm sorry! Chill, would you?"
"CHILL!? I BROUGHT YOU HERE ILLEGALLY!"
Emily suddenly grabbed his hand. "Just relax."
Bronte froze up. He quickly pulled his hand away. "Don't do that."
"You're weird."
He looked at her, his mouth going dry. The woman, Emily, he realized, was flirting with him.
He stepped back. "I. I need to... water..."
He hurried away to get a water. Emily followed him. She wobbled to her feet. "So, where are we exactly?"
"You shouldn't be standing. And we're at my house."
"You have a nice house."
"Mhm. You shouldn't be standing."
She sat at the table, sighing. "I'm sorry I grabbed your hand."
"It's fine."
"No, it isn't. I obviously offended you."
"I wasn't--"
"It's fine."
He scowled. "I'm taking you home."
"I'm hungry. Make me food first."
"I don't have much right now... how about some mallowmelt?"
"Sure. Whatever that is..."
"This is the best thing ever!"
"Yeah, it's pretty good."
She smiled and took another bite. "Did you make this?"
"No. A Councillor did."
"How many are there?"
"Twelve."
"So, who gave this to you?"
"Councillor Oralie. She sends gifts to everyone all the time."
"She sounds nice."
"Yeah. She is."
Bronte looked at Emily. He blushed. Oh no. He was starting to like her.
Emily stared back, smiling broadly.
Bronte stood and walked away.
Emily frowned and followed him. He was picking up a leaping crystal.
"I have to take you home," he tells her.
"No! Wait! I... I like you."
Bronte paled. "Yeah... um... great..."
"I'm serious. You're a really nice person--"
"You said I was grumpy..."
She giggled. "You are. And it's adorable."
Bronte stared at her. He suddenly leaned forward and--
And then he leaned back, covering his face with his hands. "Nonono, this isn't happening," he grumbled.
"You were about to kiss me, weren't you?"
He stayed silent.
Emily sighed and hugged him.
Bronte tensed. "What are you doing?"
"Hugging you."
Bronte tore out of the hug. "I... Emily..."
Emily started to tear up. "Well, I'm assuming that since you don't even want to hug me, you don't feel the same way."
"Emily, I... I can't... I'm not allowed to... do this..."
"Why?"
"Members of the Council can't... be married... or in a relationship..."
She snorted. "I'm not marrying you. I'm hugging you."
She hugged him. He didn't hug back.
"Em--"
"I'm not letting go until you hug back."
He scowled and hugged back. They stayed like that for a while. Emily was smiling, her eyes closed, her cheek pressed against his chest.
Bronte was still hugging her, and as they stood, holding each other, Oralie came through the door. "Bronte, I--" She gasped.
Bronte let go of Emily in a panic. "Councillor Oralie! We were just... uh."
Oralie smiled. "And you make fun of Kenric and I for being in love? Look at this! You hypocrite!"
Emily looked at her. "I... I'm Emily..."
Oralie's eyes went wide. "Bronte, that's a human name."
Bronte winced. "Yeah."
"You fell in love with a human?"
"I'm not in love! You don't understand, she..." Bronte trailed off.
Emily looked at him, her eyes big and sad, and...
"No! No, don't look at me like that! I'm not the bad guy here! THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING! You're a human!"
Emily looked at him. "You saved my life. And you admitted you're not human. And you told me about the Councillors, and elves, and mallowmelt, and now I know about it, so you can't just leave me with the other humans! You have to tell me more! I want to know this world!"
Oralie looked at them. "Bronte, she knows. There's nothing you can do about it."
"We can... wash her memory."
"No!" Emily shouted. "You can't do that to me!"
"Bronte! You can't just do something like that!" said Oralie.
Bronte felt overwhelmed by all of the emotions he was having. "I..."
Oralie grabbed his hand, feeling his emotions. "You don't know what to do because you're in love for the first time. You're overwhelmed by your emotions, and I get it, Bronte."
"No!" He pulled his hand away. "You don't get it!" His voice cracked. "She's a human!" He was starting to get emotional, and panicked, roughly running a hand down his face. "I... can't..."
"Sure you can."
Emily grabbed his hand. "I like you. A lot."
"I... I might also... enjoy your company..." he grumbled. "Jeez, I can't believe I just said that."
Oralie smiled. "Show her around the lost cities. She has blue eyes, so she'll fit right in. And she can borrow one of my dresses."
Emily smiled.
Bronte looked at her, biting back a small smile. "Maybe just for one day. Right? One day?"
Emily nodded. "One day."
== Part 3 ==
"No, Bronte, that's crazy! I'm not jumping!"
Bronte was grinning. "It's how you get to Atlantis."
Emily's eyes widened as he drags her to the edge. "No!"
"You just gotta trust it."
"This is insane."
"I'll hold you."
Emily hesitated and looked at him.
He blushed.
"Promise you won't let me go?"
"Yes," he promised.
She gulped. "Okay."
Bronte carefully wrapped his arms around her. "Ready?"
"No."
"We'll go on three."
She clung to him. "Okay..."
"One... two..."
She squeezed him tighter.
"Three!"
Bronte pulled them off the edge, and Emily screamed all the way down.
They landed on the giant sponge together. Emily landed on top of him.
"Ow," he grumbled.
"O-oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" She scrambles off of him, giggling. She shakily got to her feet. "So... this is Atlantis."
Bronte stood. "Yes."
Emily looked around, in awe. "Let's go to the store!" she called suddenly, grabbing his sleeve and pulling him across the street.
People were gaping at Emily as she pulled him along. Bronte was struggling to keep up with her, almost tripping. "Emily--"
She stopped by the store, looking through the glass pain into the shop and gazing at the dresses on display.
She then proceeded to grab his sleeve and pull him inside.
A few people outside the store were watching and listening. "Is that Councillor Bronte? Who's that girl with him?"
A few elves gave a quick bow or curtsy as he stumbled along.
Emily giggled. "Should I bow to you, Councillor?"
He blushed. "I... suppose not."
She laughed and gave a clumsy curtsy anyways.
Bronte's lips twitched with a small smile. "You're terrible at curtsying."
"I know."
The guy sitting behind the counter gapes at Bronte and Emily.
"Is that a smile I see?" squealed Emily. "Did I make Councillor Grumpy smile?"
Bronte rolled his eyes.
The man behind the counter stared, in awe that someone was able to call him something like that and not get inflicted on. "Um..." He awkwardly bowed. "Councillor Bronte... Wh-what brings you here?"
"Well--"
"Bronte, look at this dress!" Emily exclaimed, holding a dress up and twirling around.
Bronte looked at her, scowling. "It's... very nice."
The man continued to be shocked that the girl hadn't called him Councillor Bronte. Just Bronte. As if she didn't need to be formal with a Councillor.
Bronte sighed. "She's--"
"Isn't it so beautiful?" continued Emily, interrupting him again.
Bronte's lips twitched in a small smile. "It's wonderful, Em'."
She giggled. "You abbreviated my name. How adorable of you!"
Bronte glared at her. "Don't call me that. I'm serious."
The man's eyes were wide. Councillor Bronte was many things, but adorable was not one of them.
"You're always serious," she mumbled. She continued to twirl around with the light purple dress.
He hesitated. "Do you... want me to buy it for you?"
"Yes!" She squealed, "Can I try it on?"
"Sure."
Emily came out of the dressing room. She danced around him in the lavender-coloured dress. "Oh, Bronte, I love it so much!"
His breath caught as he looked at her. "You... look... beautiful."
She smiled at him. "How sweet of you," she whispered.
Since they were out of sight from the man, she grabbed his hand.
He blushed.
Emily giggled. "You're so cute."
Suddenly, without thinking, he leaned down and kissed her cheek.
She gasped.
Bronte cursed quietly, his face pale. "I-I'm sorry... I shouldn't have... I..."
She wrapped her arms around him. "It's okay." She kissed him on the lips.
For a second, he kissed back, and everything seemed to melt away, it was just him and Emily, and there was nothing else to worry about, but her...
Until he suddenly pulled away. "I-I..." He stepped back. "I'm sorry... I can't..."
Emily frowned. "It's fine," she whispered. "Thanks for the dress..."
They walked away from the dressing rooms.
The man noted that both of them looked a lot more glum than they had ten minutes ago. Bronte and Emily were avoiding eye-contact, and neither of them spoke as he paid for the dress. They left.
== Part 4 ==
Emily raced away and sat in front of the store, turned away from him.
Bronte grumbled something under his breath and went to sit next to her. "Emily--"
"Oh, don't 'Emily' me."
He looks at her. She looks away to hide her eyes. He didn't understand what she was feeling, and wanted to help, or just hug her or something, but there were so many other people around that were already giving him weird looks. He scratched the back of his head and bit his lip. After a moment of silence, he finally said, "I..."
She waited. "'I...'? That's it? You don't have anything else to say?"
He gulped. "I don't know what to say."
A couple people were staring at them. He glared at them and they rushed away.
"Is everyone afraid of you?" she asks.
"I suppose..."
"Why?"
"Because I'm a Councillor..."
She snorted. "And you're always so grumpy."
He glowered at the sandy ground. "Emily, you can't say things like that--"
"I can say whatever the heck I want!" she shouts, causing more stares.
"No, you can't! That's not how it works here!" he fired back. "Maybe you were allowed to do whatever you wanted in the Forbidden Cities, but not here!" he shouted.
She blinked hard. "Do you seriously think I could do whatever I wanted? You don't know aything about me--"
"Exactly! I don't know you, and I'm taking you home."
"No. I'm not leaving."
"Yes you are," he growled.
"No," she said stubbornly. "I like you, Bronte--"
He quickly interrupted her, "Well, I don't! I don't like you! And I never will! You are absolutely frustrating and childish--"
"Well, you're always grumpy and pessimistic!"
"-- and annoyingly positive, and always making ridiculous jokes at the wrong time!" he continued.
"You've barely smiled at any of the, by the way," she pointed out.
"I'm not going to break the law for you, Emily."
"You already did by letting me kiss you," she said quietly.
"Well, that was a mistake, and now you're going home."
"No!" she immediately protested.
"Yes!" He grabbed her arm and started to drag her away.
"No! Let me go! I will sue you! And I will win!"
He snorted. "Good luck with that."
"I will! I'll figure out a way to sue you, and I will win." She tries to pull away. "Ugh. I hate you."
He looked at her. "No, you don't. Let's go."
"What is that?"
"It's how we get out of Atlantis."
"No way! I'm not getting in a bubble! Are you crazy!?
"You jumped off a cliff with me."
"This is different! We'll be going UP. In a BUBBLE. And when we went off the cliff... you were holding me. And I felt safe."
He looked at her, blushing. "Do you... want me to hold you again?"
She nods slowly. He slowly wraps his arms around her. People are staring at them, eyes wide.
== Part 5 ==
"I still hate you," she mumbled as the bubble lifted them up and off on the squishy ground. Emily bites back a squeal and clings to him as they get further and further up.
"It's okay," he told her. "It won't pop."
"Ugh, thanks for putting that thought in my head."
"Relax--"
"We are in a bubble! I can't relax..." She clung to him tighter.
He smiled and waved his hand on the side of the bubble, and the side tinted light blue, so they can't see anything outside of it. 
Emily's eyes widened. "Wow," she whispered, looking at him. They were both illuminated with a blue colour. She smiles. "This is so cool. Can people see us?"
"No. The tint works both ways."
"Oh..." She looks up at him. She smiles.
He hesitates and starts to unwrap his arms from her, but she holds onto him. "Don't let go of me."
He blushes.
She leans up and kisses him. He pulls away. "Emily!"
"What? No one can see us."
"Y-you can't just--"
"Oh, stop it. You don't have to follow the rules all the time!"
"Yes, I do. I'm a Councillor. I don't want to... get... too attached to you..."
"It's just one day," she whispered, leaning closer. "Remember?"
He gulped. "I-I... sh-shouldn't do this, E-Em'..."
She locked eyes with him. "Stop thinking so much."
"B-but..." His mind was spinning. Thinking was the only thing he could do right now.
"Just kiss me."
His face went red. "Emily..."
She kissed him.
He tensed, not quite sure what to do, until he gave in, and started to kiss her back. It lasts for a few more moments before Emily gently pulls away, gasping. "Wow," she muttered.
He looked at her. "What?"
"You're a good kisser."
His face got redder. "Th-thank you," he managed to choke out.
She kisses him again. Their bubble pops, and Emily trips, taking Bronte with her, landing on top of him. She laughs.
He bites back a smile. "You have horrible balance."
"Well, clumsy me," she whispers, leaning over him.
He blushes as they kiss again.
Suddenly, Alden comes up the cliff. As he steps closer, he squints, then gasps and freezes. Is that... Councillor Bronte? He didn't know who the woman was...
Omigod omigod omigod, what is happening!?
He coughed.
Emily jolts away from Bronte. Bronte scrambles to his feet. "A-Alden Vacker--"
Alden stared at him, jaw dropped. "Wh... wh... at... is going on," he stuttered.
Bronte pressed his lips together. "Alden, th-this isn't... what it looks like..."
Alden choked out, "I... I-I don't even know... wh-what to say... or do... I... I'm gonna go..." He stepped toward the cliff.
"Wait! Y-you... won't tell anyone."
Alden gulped and stared at him, eyes wide. "Uh."
"Alden, please."
"Uh." Alden takes a deep breath. "I don't think I will... tell anyone... I don't even know who to tell... I..." he inched toward the cliff, "gotta go..." He jumped off the side before Bronte could say anything else.
"Whoa!" exclaimed Emily
"What?"
"It's... gonna take me a while to get used to watching someone jump off a cliff without screaming."
Bronte looked at her. "Well. Today has been... nice..."
She looked at him. "The day isn't over yet."
He strangled back a sigh. "Right."
She grabbed his hand. "Let's make the rest of the day worth it."
== Part 6 ==
Emily smiled. "So this is your house. A crystal tower." She looked at him. "Dang. Can I live here?"
He blushed. "No."
"That's a lot of stairs." She glanced up the stairs. "What's up there?"
"Um. My room--"
She bolted up the stairs before he could stop her. He sighed heavily and went after her. 
"Your room is huge!" she called from upstairs.
He peeked in through the doorway. She hopped on the bed. Pillows flew all over the floor, and she giggled. He scowled.
"Hey, we'll clean up the mess later! Just jump with me!"
"I am not jumping on the bed."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm not a child."
"Oh come on! Stop acting like your five thousand years old."
He paused, blushing. "I... am five thousand years old."
She looked at him and smiled slowly. "Really? Are you immortal?"
"I am very much mortal. Just--"
"Well, you didn't get any less hot. Like a vampire."
"Wha-... don't call me that. And vampires aren't real!"
"How was I supposed to know that? You're an elf."
He stammered incomprehensibly.
She snorted and came over, taking his hands. "Come on! Just jump on the bed."
"No!"
She dragged him to the bed. "You'll have fun. And you might even smile."
"I... Emily..."
"What?"
"This is ridiculous," he grumbled.
"I know! Just be a little ridiculous! It's fun," she promised, pulling him up on the bed and hopping up and down again.
He blushed. "Emily--"
"Just jump!" She giggled.
He scowled as she grabbed his hands and forced him to jump with her.
A smile crawled to his lips. "Seriously. This is-Ah! Emily, watch where you're jumping."
Emily continued to bump into him, making him almost fall over. She giggled, taking his hands again. "You're smiling!"
He sat down on the bed, but she continued to jump. She sighed and hopped into a sitting position next to him. 
He looks at her. "I can't believe..."
"You smiled!" she teased, nudging him.
He shook his head, smiling again. "You're way too happy."
"And you're way too grumpy." She kisses his cheek. He blushes, his eyes widening slightly, and looks down. She giggles. "You're a grumpy vampire. That's what you are."
He glared at her. She made a silly face at him, and he smiles again. "Don't call me that."
"What are you gonna do about it?" she asked, scootching closer.
His face flushes pink. "I..."
"Exactly. Councillor Grumpypants."
He scowled again.
She giggled. "It's fun to make you mad. It's cute!"
He looks at her. His eyes soften, and he sighs, taking her hand. "I..."
"You...?"
"I-I've never felt this way before, Emily..." he said quietly.
She leaned against him. "I did once. But it didn't... end well..."
He looked at her. "What do you mean?"
"Um. It was just a bad relationship."
"What do you mean?" he asked, slower this time, and not taking his eyes off hers.
She teared up. "Can we talk about it later?"
"Sure..." 
She hugged him, closing her eyes and sighing heavily. All the happiness was sucked out of her. 
He looked at her, surprised. "Emily? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she mumbles.
"You don't--"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Um, sure--"
"You'd never hurt me, would you?"
"Wh-what do you mean?"
"I mean... physically... or emotionally... or..."
His eyes widened. "What... No! Jesus, Emily, I'd never- Wait..."
She sniffled. "My last boyfriend was horrible."
"Oh my god! Emily! That's terrible! Wh-why would anyone... you're so n-nice..."
"He's in jail now, actually, but, I just... I never told anyone about what he did..."
"Emily, I would never hurt you. And I'd never let anyone hurt you."
She looked up at him, her eyes full of tears. "R-really?"
"Yes! Really! Jeez... I can't believe... I... I'd never let him hurt you if I were there."
"You mean like when you stopped that fire guy from killing me? And did that weird mind thing..."
"Yes. I would do that 'weird mind thing' to anyone who hurts you."
She giggled over a sniffle.
"What? Why are you laughing?"
She hugged him tightly. "You're just so s-sweet to me... and you have no idea..."
"I would. I'd protect you."
"I know you would. Because you're so angry all the time, and it's adorable. You're already getting all protective."
He looked at her. "That's because I'm in love with you," he whispered.
She searched his eyes for a moment. "I think I'm in love with you, too, Bronte."
She kisses him, then leans against him, closing her eyes. He wraps his arms around her and kisses her forehead.
"You're beautiful," he murmurs.
She sniffles again. "You're not too bad yourself," she says quietly.
He gives a small smile.
Bronte's impartner blinks. He stiffens and curses. "Not right now," he mumbles, pulling away from Emily and answering it. "Hello? Alden..."
Alden coughed. "Um. I decided not to tell anyone."
"Good."
"I hope I'm not... interrupting anything."
"You were, actually," Bronte snaps.
Alden's face paled. "Oh. I-I'm so sorry, I'll... let you go, then." He quickly hung up.
Emily giggled as Bronte wrapped his arms around her again. "He wasn't really interrupting. We were just hugging."
"I know. It's been quite a few hundred years since I've felt this way before."
"Bronte-saurus," she mumbled.
He glared at her. "Emily!"
"I'm joking!" She nudged him, snickering. "But, come on, that was funny!"
"No, it wasn't."
"It was hilarious," she whispers, snuggling against him.
He inhales sharply. "Okay... maybe just a little."
She giggled.
== Part 7 ==
Oralie squeals as Bronte comes out of his tower the next morning. "So! What happened? Is she staying? Are you getting married yet?"
Bronte looked at her. "Oralie... it's only been three days... and she's going home today."
Oralie gave him a look. "Seriously?"
"Yes. It's just the way it has to be."
"But, Bronte, you guys are in love--"
"Do you think this was an easy decision for me to make?" he snaps. "I got NO sleep last night thinking about it! I listened to Emily cry and beg me to let her stay, and I... I can't..."
"But you... you like her..."
"I know! I'm very much in love with her, and that's the problem! I wish this had never happened..."
"Let her stay."
"No," he said. He looked down. "I can't let this go too far..."
"Yes, you can!"
"She's a human! Even if I did resign from the Council, it's still illegal to marry a human."
"Then... don't resign from the Council."
"What are you suggesting," he said slowly.
"I'm suggesting, that even if you did end up staying with her... you could keep it secret. No one even has to know she exists."
"That's crazy! She'd never be able to leave the tower!" exclaims Bronte.
"At night..."
His face paled. "That's crazy..."
"I know. But it could work?"
"I... I'd have to talk to Emily again. But... she kinda hates me right now..."
"I can talk to her," Oralie says quickly.
"You... would do that?"
"Yes! I really want this to work out! You deserve to be happy, Bronte."
He looked away. "No, I don't. I don't deserve her... she's beautiful, and optimistic, and...she could make anyone smile... and I don't deserve that..."
"Why not?"
"Because I... I'm not the best person in the world..."
She snorts. "Nobody's perfect, Bronte. seriously, if only you knew..." She trailed off, thinking about what she'd done for the Black Swan. She cleared her throat. "You're fine, Bronte. She's probably not perfect, either. But she is perfect for you. Not to mention how cute you two are!"
He scowls. "Ok. You can tell her."
Oralie hugged him.
Bronte gulped and hugged back. "Thanks," he mumbled, his voice cracking.
"Are you crying?" she asked, pulling away to look at him. 
"No." He bit his lip.
Oralie smiled and headed to the tower.
Emily was sitting on Bronte's bed, sniffling, as she heard a knock on the door. "Did you change your mind?" she asked hopefully.
Oralie came into the room.
"Oh. Councillor... Oralie...."
Oralie smiles. "He did change his mind."
Emily hopped to her feet. "Really!? Tell him to get in here! I need to kiss him."
Oralie laughs. "He said you could stay here, and he could hide you so he wouldn't have to resign from the Council... or, ya know, get exiled for being in a relationship with a human."
"Oh jeez," mumbled Emily. "I could get him exiled?"
"He was the one who helped enforce that law, too," sighed Oralie. "I think if you told him a month ago that he'd be in love with a human, he'd tell you you're out of your mind."
Emily looks down. "I don't want to get him exiled."
"You won't. Bronte is very smart. He's... good at hiding things."
She smirked. "Can you bring him up here?"
"Sure." She walked out and hurried down the stairs. 
Bronte was pacing by the door. "Bronte, she wants you up there. She said she needs to kiss you."
Bronte blushed and grumbled something under his breath, but hurried to the door his tower.
Right as he opened the door, she grabbed him and kissed him. His eyebrows shot up, and he pulled away, his face red. 
Oralie giggled. "Aw, Bronte--"
"Don't," scowled Bronte. 
He looked at Emily, who gave an innocent smile. "I get to stay! I'm so happy, Bronte, you have no idea!" She squealed and hugged him tightly.
He blushed and let her hug him.
Oralie was giving him a wide smile. He scowled at her.
There was a long silence, until Bronte hesitantly hugged back, causing Oralie to have to hold back a squeal.
"I love you," Emily whispered.
Bronte's eyes went wide. He gulped. "I..." Oralie held her breath, waiting for him to say it back. He finally managed to grumble, "I do, too."
Emily laughed and kissed his cheek. "You're so cute."
"I wish you'd stop calling me that."
"Never! You're the cutest darn thing in the world!"
His face turned beet red as Oralie giggled and said, "I'll just... go." She hurried away as Emily leaned against him, messing with the buttons on the front of his tunic and causing him to blush an even deeper shade of red.
Emily pulled him back into the tower.
Bronte was stuttering incomprehensibly.
== Part 8 ==
Alden was sitting at his desk in his office, thinking. Fitz came in, and frowned when he saw his father staring at the desk. "Um, Dad?"
Alden jumped up and looked at him. "Fitz!"
"Are you okay? You've been kinda quiet lately..."
"Yeah!" Alden gave a nervous laugh.
"I can tell you're lying."
"Oh," says Alden, his fake smile falling. "Well... I'm not sure I should tell you."
"What!? Dad! Come on! Please?"
"And me, too!" says Biana, appearing next to Fitz and causing both of them to jump in surprise.
Alden shakes his head. "I... Fitz, don't--!"
But it was too late. Fitz was already reading his mind. Fitz gasps loudly. "Wha... COUNCILLOR BRONTE!?"
Biana tugged on his arm. "Tell me! Fitz, what is it?"
"Dad saw Councillor Bronte and a woman kissing by Atlantis!"
"What!? Bronte!? I thought he was the grumpy one!" 
"He is! Dad, who is she!?" Fitz demands.
"I don't know," says Alden. "Fitz, you shouldn't have done that--"
"I'm telling Team Valiant!"
"No! Sophie and the others can't know about this!"
"Why not?"
"I don't know! Bronte just looked so happy, and I don't want him to be forced to resign..." Alden trailed off. "He even smiled at her, and a couple people in Atlantis saw them hugging, but no one except me knows why, and now you, I guess... I just don't want them knowing about this. Do you understand?"
Fitz slowly nodded. "Okay, Dad."
~Later~
"Sophie! Sophie! I gotta tell you something!"
Sophie was sitting under Calla's tree with Team Valiat. "Um, Fitz, I'm kind of in the middle of something..."
"This seriously can't wait. And I was planning on telling Team Valiant anyways!"
"Okay," says Sophie slowly.
Fitz's face flushes pink. "Can I tell you telepathically? Then you can tell Team Valiant?"
"Sure."
Biana, Dex, Wylie, and Stina, all watch as all the colour drains from Sophie's face. She slowly shakes her head.
"Are you okay?" asks Biana. "Jeez, what did my brother say to you?"
"It's..." Sophie took a deep breath. 
Stina grabs her wrist. "Seriously, what is it? You're making me nervous!"
Sophie looked at Fitz, then at her team. "It's... Councillor Bronte... I... I can't believe it... it's..."
"Is he dead!?" blurts Dex.
"Wha- No! He's alive..."
"Then what's wrong?"
"Um. I'll just share Alden's memory with you," she mumbles, her face red. She felt uncomfortable saying it out loud.
"Alden's memory?" asks Wylie, looking at Fitz. "Your father saw something, and you read his mind to find out what it was?"
Fitz looked down. "Um, yeah. Well. I'm glad I did. This is... crazy."
"Well, transmit us the memory already!" says Stina.
~A minute later~
Stina squealed, "WHAT!? This is insane!"
"A-are you sure that's... Councillor Bronte?" mumbles Wylie.
"I... never expected Bronte to do something like that..."
"Me neither," mumbled Sophie, thinking about how... grumpy... he was all the time.
== Part 9 ==
Bronte sighed heavily and went into his tower. He sniffed the air. "Wha... Emily?" He rushed up the stairs. Emily was cooking, humming to herself. "Hey, Bronte!"
"Wha... how do you know how to cook elvin food?"
"I can cook anything! I love to cook!"
He sighed.
"Would you like to try it?" she asked.
He looked at her. "Sure..."
She gathered some of the stringy purple and green vegetables on a fork, making airplane noises as she steers it toward his mouth. 
He scowls. "Emily, don't be ridiculous."
"Oh, come on. Just go with it."
He tried to grab the fork from her.
"No! Let me feed you," she demands.
"No."
"Please?"
"Give me the fork."
They stare at each other for a silent moment. Emily breaks the silence by making airplane noises with her mouth again.
Bronte bites back a smile. "I hate you. This is ridiculous."
"No, you love me! Say 'ah'!"
"Emily, I'm not--"
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh--"
"Okay, okay!" He sighed heavily and opened his mouth.
She steered the fork into his mouth, continuing to make airplane noises.
Bronte blinked. "Wow. This is... really good." He chews. "How did you...?" He takes the fork from her and takes another bite. He stares at her, chewing. "This is really good... Emily, you... you never cease to amaze me."
"I know. I'm amazing." Emily flipped her hair.
Bronte gives her a look.
"I'm glad you like the food." She kisses his cheek. "Councillor Grumpypants."
He blushes and scowls.
"Wait! I meant, Councillor Cutiepants."
"Wh-what?"
"Because you're so cute!" She giggles when he blushes harder. "Blushing only makes you cuter."
"Gah! Emily--"
Emily kissed him, cutting him off.
He sighed heavily. "You are the most frustrating woman on the face of the planet."
"Aw, thank you."
His eyes softened. "I love you."
She brightened. "I do, too."
"I don't deserve you..."
"What are you talking about? You're more than deserving of me! You're, like, this all-powerful elf, and I'm this... human. You could've fallen in love with any other pretty elf, but you fell in love with me, an ugly human."
"Emily, you aren't ugly."
"Compared to elves, I am."
"No, you're not. You're b-beautiful..."
She smiles. "And you are the hottest dang man I've ever laid eyes on."
He stuttered incomprehensibly, blushing.
She laughed. "I love making you blush."
He willed himself to stop blushing, but could only look down bashfully.
"So! You said we'd be going on our first real date tonight in the Forbidden cities."
"Oh... yes, of course. I'll let you get ready to go."
"Wait! You don't have human clothes! Do you know what that means? We get to go shopping!"
He groaned. "Em--"
"Nope! Don't 'Emily' me! We're going to the store first, and I don't want to hear you complaining."
He looked at her, pressing his lips together. "Fine."
"And... you might have to wear a hat."
"Why?"
She flicked him in the ear.
"Ow! Hey!" He scowled.
"Because of your old ears, that's why."
"You didn't have to flick me," he grumbled.
"Oh, you're fine. Let's go shopping!"
== Part 10 ==
And so, Emily went shopping for him. "Oh my gosh, look at these jeans! He'll look so cute in these!"
She pulled a random shop employee aside. "What do you think of these jeans? Nice enough for a date?"
He stared at her. "Uh, not if you're the one wearing them."
"They're not for me they're for my boyfriend."
"Oh. Well, yeah, sure."
She smiled. "I can't wait for our date tonight!" she exclaims, putting the jeans in her cart. "If he were here, he'd say something all grumpy and adorable," she told him, squinting at the employee's name tag. "Well, have a nice day... Chris."
Chris nodded. "You, too."
Emily held up a grey button-up shirt, smiling. "So? Do you like it?"
Bronte pressed his lips together. "What is that?"
Emily held up the hat, smirking. "It's a fedora! You'll look so cute, trust me."
"And wh-what's that?"
Emily smiled broadly, holding up a pair of boxer shorts with smiley faces on them. "This is just a little extra something I got."
Bronte's face went bright red. "E-Emily, that's... ridiculous..." He scowled, pinching the bridge of his nose.
She giggled. "Aren't they cute?"
"No."
"Oh, yes they are. And they match your personality perfectly."
He glared at the smiley-faces. "No, they don't."
She nudged him. "Oh, don't be like that. You don't have to wear them if you don't want. I won't be able to tell, anyways." She sighed.
He bit his lip. "I'm not wearing them."
"Yes, you will. You say you won't, but you will. And then I'm going to ask you later if you're wearing them, and you'll lie and say no. But you'll wear them."
He snorted. "That's ridiculous!"
Emily threw the shirt at his head. "Get dressed. We're going on a date."
He gave her a look. "Then, can you... get... out?"
She sighed. "Fine." She walked out.
Bronte stepped out of his room, and yelped as Emily fell against him. She had been leaning on the door. He quickly catches her. "Emily! Have you been standing there the whole time?"
Emily smiles up at him. "At least you caught me."
He blushed and scowled. "I shouldn't have had to catch you. You..." He stops, staring at her dress. "Oh... wow..."
She pulled away from him. "Oh my gosh! You look so cute!" She squealed, adjusting his hat.
He blushed harder. "I'm not used to going around without my circlet and cape..."
"Well, you're going to have to get used to it, because you look so freaking adorable!"
He sighed. "Are you going to keep calling me that?"
"Adorable? Cute? Mr. Grumpypants? Yes. I'll call you these things for the rest of our lives."
"Oh, jeez..." he grumbled.
She giggled. "It's not my fault you're so grumpy."
"I... a-am not..."
"Yes, you are. Now let's go! We got reservations, but they won't hold our table for ever!"
Bronte couldn't stop staring at her, no matter how hard he tried. He gulped. "Y-you look nice," he finally managed to mumble.
Her eyes sparkled. "That's the third time you've said that."
His face flushed pink. "It is?"
She batted her eyelashes. "It is. You look pretty handsome yourself."
"Thanks..." 
She raised her glass of wine to her lips to take a sip, and then caught him staring at her again. She giggled, almost spilling everywhere. "What is it?"
He looked away bashfully. "You j-just look... really beautiful..."
She smiled. "Aw..."
Bronte stared at his menu, his brow crinkled. He scowled. "Ugh, there's barely anything vegetarian on here."
"Just have a steak," she told him.
"No way. Why would anyone eat an animal? I just... no."
She squinted at him. "Elves are so weird."
"No, we're civilized," he corrected.
"Are you saying I'm uncivilized?"
"No! No, o-of course not," he said quickly. "I... that... came out wrong..."
She smirked. "It's fine. Will you at least try a bite of mine?"
"Absolutely not."
"Oh, come on, steak is good!"
"I'm sure it's delicious, but I refuse to eat the burnt carcass of a living creature."
She made a face. "Well, you make it sound so... bad... it's just a stupid cow."
"Sure."
"I'll feed it to you," she offered. 
"I don't want you to feed me. I am perfectly capable of feeding myself."
"But I like to feed you," she whispered.
"Gah! Emily... that's so... weird..."
She giggled. "I know."
Bronte's face continued to be the colour of a tomato.
"Are you wearing the smiley-face underwear?"
Bronte glared at her. "No."
"Yes you are," she said smoothly, sipping her wine.
"No, I am not--"
"Yes you are. I can tell when you're lying."
"What?" he crinkled his eyebrows.
"When you lie, you start tapping your foot anxiously."
Bronte froze. His foot stopped tapping. "Gah, I never noticed that..."
"So... you are wearing them," she clarified.
He scowled, covering his face with his hands. "You are the most frustrating woman on the face of the planet."
Emily continued to smile. "Aw, thank you."
Bronte glares at her, blushing. "You're lucky I love you," he grumbled.
She scooted closer, leaning her head on his shoulder. "The luckiest woman in the world."
Bronte looks at her. He exhales heavily. "I love you so much," he whispers.
Emily wraps her arms around him. "I love you, too."
The waiter comes over. Bronte quickly pulls away from Emily, blushing. The waiter slicks back his hair and winks at them. "Well, hello, beautiful," he says.
Bronte glares at him.
Emily giggles. "Bronte, I think he was talking to you, not me."
Bronte stares at the waiter. "What!?"
The waiter shrugs and smiles. "May I take your order?"
"Ugh." Bronte quickly gives him their orders, and the waiter leaves.
Emily cracks up. "I think he likes you, Bronte!"
His face went red. "Ugh. That's ridiculous."
"It is. And it's also hilarious."
"This isn't funny--"
"Yes, it is! He winked at you and called you beautiful! That's hilarious!" She was laughing so hard that she snorted. 
Bronte glares at her, a small smile twitching the corners of his lips.
Emily giggles again. "Oh, gosh, that was funny."
"Sure."
"Is that a smile I see?"
Bronte finally broke into a small smile. "I suppose so."
Her eyes brightened. "You have a really nice smile."
"Thank you, Lady Emily," he said, still smiling.
She elbowed him. "Hey, I told you not to call me that," she teased.
A giggle escaped Bronte's lips. He covered his mouth with his hand. "You call me names all the time," he pointed out.
Emily laughed. "Did you just giggle?"
He glared at her. "Hmph."
"Well. That didn't last long, did it? Back to being all grumpy."
A new waiter came over with their food.
Bronte stared at his salad, sighing. "I really wish humans had a larger selection of produce..."
Emily tilted her head. "If you want, you can try my steak--"
"No. I refuse to eat meat."
She giggled. "Elves."
He took a bite of his salad. Then he made a face. "Wow, this is... terrible."
Emily snickered and cut a piece of her steak, eating it. "Mmm, this is really good. It's really too bad you're vegetarian."
Bronte gave her a look.
== Part 11 ==
After their date, they walked around the Forbidden Cities. Emily grabbed his hand. Bronte broke into another smile.
Emily kissed him.
He looked at her, his eyes wide. "It's... going to take me a while to get used to that," he mumbled.
She leaned against him. "Well, it'll be happening a lot, so you better get used to it," she whispered, leaning forward to kiss him again.
~A Few Months Later~
Bronte glanced around to make sure no one was looking before taking off his hat. He swept a bead of sweat off his forehead and put the hat back on.
Emily handed him a water bottle. "It looks like someone's having trouble keeping up," she remarked, continuing up the rocky trail to the top of the waterfall.
He gave her a look, but didn't say anything. His mind was preoccupied. Today was a very special day. This morning, he had decided to take her on a surprise date. They were hiking up a waterfall. Bronte was struggling to catch up with her. He was more nervous than he'd ever been in his life...
Emily sat on top of the fall, and stuck her hand in the water, letting it run through her fingers. A few moments later, Bronte caught up and sat beside her. Emily leaned against him.
"Isn't the view beautiful?" she whispered breathlessly, staring at the unbelievable scene before them. There were green forests as far as the eye could see, and large white birds were flying through a colourful sunset.
"Yes, it is," Bronte agreed. He bit his lip nervously. "I love you," he told her.
She looked at him. "I love you, too."
He felt his mouth go dry. He cleared his throat.
"There's something wrong, isn't there?"
"No."
"There is. I can tell."
He grabbed her hands and stood her up. "Em', I've been meaning to ask you something. And I don't know how it's going to work... but I've been thinking... I know it might be complicated... but maybe we could make it work... we could have a private wedding--"
"Councillor Bronte, stop."
He looked at her.
"Are you asking me to marry you?"
"I mean... I don't..."
"Councillor Bronte." She was smiling. "SHUT UP! JESUS, OF COURSE I'LL MARRY YOU!" she shouted at him. "Don't even assume I wouldn't marry you just because the Council hates love, and SCREW THE LAWS!! I don't care about laws! I love you!"
He teared up. "Emily, you're the most amazing woman on the planet."
Tears were streaming down her face. She was smiling uncontrollably. "I know. Did you get me a ring?"
"Wh-- of course! Yeah!"
She started to laugh. "C-can I see it?"
His face went red. He fumbled through his pockets for a moment, grumbling, "I'm sorry, I'm not very romantic..."
"Yes, you are. You're adorable and I love you."
He pulled the ring-box out of his cape-pocket.
Suddenly, he dropped it, and it fell into the water, immediately being swept away by the rushing water. His jaw fell.
Emily snort-laughed.
Bronte looked over and saw her laughing uncontrollably, her face red.
Bronte slowly started to smile to, then laughed.
They were both laughing, until Emily grabbed him and kissed him.
"I can't believe I'm marrying you, you dork."
He blushed, scratching the back of his head and smiling bashfully. "That... wasn't supposed to happen..."
She snorted. "Obviously."
~The End~
Prologue:
Bronte looked down at the tiny baby, his jaw dropped.
Emily was smiling and crying, holding her. "What should we name her, Bronte?" she asked quietly.
Bronte continued to stare, in awe of the tiny baby. "I..." He trailed off. 
Emily smiled. "Do you wanna hold her?"
Bronte's heart skipped a beat. "Y-yes," he whispered. He took the small baby in his arms. His face lit up. "She's not talking..."
"She's part human, Bronte."
"R-right..." He looked at the baby again. "We should pick a human name for her." His eyes brightened. "I n-never want to put her down again," he mumbled.
Emily giggled. "Isn't she beautiful?"
"Yes..." His voice shook. He went silent for a moment, then his lips parted slightly, and he whispered, "Annie." Emily looked up at him, but his eyes were locked onto the baby's. He was smiling uncontrollably. "Her name is Annie."
"Annie..." Emily repeated.
Baby Annie giggles, looking up at Bronte, and his heart melts. "I-I'm a d-dad," he says, smiling.
Annie grabs at his face. He holds her closer, kissing her forehead.
Emily sits up, wincing.
Bronte shudders, remembering the screams he'd heard when she was giving birth.
"Are you sure you're okay?" he asks her for the millionth time.
She laughs lightly. "It's fine, I promise. A lot of human women go through this."
His stomach turned. "It sounded... excruciating."
She snorted. "Of course, it was. I'm human. But it was worth it for that little bundle of cuteness."
He looked down at Annie. "I suppose," he said, breaking into another smile.
Annie giggled. "Daddy, look! I drew you a picture!" Annie, now five years old, holds up a piece of paper with squiggles on it. "It's you!"
Bronte looked at it, giving a small smile. "Me? Wow! It looks amazing..." He bit his lip, looking at the squiggly lines. He took it. "I'll show Mommy."
"No, you can't show Mommy. She already has one. This one is for YOU."
He nods, understanding. "Oh, I see."
Annie hugs him. "I love you, Dad."
"I love you, too, sweety." He picks her up.
She makes a silly face.
He makes a silly face back and starts to tickle her.
She squeals with delight, laughing uncontrollably. "Dad! Daddy, stop--" She laughs harder.
He also laughs, setting her down.
She hangs onto his leg. "Again! Again!"
He reaches down to pick her up again, but she darts away. "You gotta catch me first!"
He smiled. "Catch you? I'm too slow..."
"No you're not--"
He suddenly scoops her up and starts tickling her again.
She bursts into giggles. "That's ch-cheating! You were supposed to chase me--" She is cut off by her own laughing and squealing. "Dad! Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad--"
"What?" He stops.
She hugs him, out of breath, and still giggling. "I love you."
He laughs, "I love you, too, sweetheart."
Emily calls, "Dinner's ready!"
She hops out of his arms. "Race you to the table!" she shouts, racing away.
Bronte goes after her. He lets Annie win the race. Annie shouts, "YES, I WIN--"
Emily gently shushes her and sits her in her chair, giggling. "You don't always have to shout, Annie."
"Oops, sorry," Annie whispers, shovelling food into her mouth.
Bronte leans over and kisses Emily's cheek. "It looks great, Em'."
"I know it does. I'm the best chef ever."
Annie is now ten years old. She looks down at the ground as she races into her parents' room frantically. Bronte is snoring, and Emily is sitting up, reading a human book.
Emily sees Annie. "Sweety, what's wrong?"
"There's a fire! I-in my room!"
Bronte jolted awake.
Emily grabbed his arm. "Bronte!" she shouted. "Bronte! There's a fire!"
He jolted up. "What!?"
They raced to Annie's room. Half of the room was on fire.
Bronte raced into the room with buckets of water and quickly doused the fire before it could destroy the rest of the room.
Everyone sighed of relief. Emily wafted all of the smoke out the window.
"Annie... how did that happen?"
Annie wrung her hands together. "I did it."
"What!? How!?"
She burst into tears. "I-I think I'm pyrokinetic..."