Bonnie and Clyde PV Cliffton Troublefield Fin.

Clifton was dead to the world until noon, when he was slowly woken up by students shuffling out of the dorm. It was a disorienting few minutes before he realized they were headed to the grand hall for lunch.

He sat up and rubbed his eyes. Was it that late already? He wondered if Alina was already at the library, being a lot better at mornings than he was. Still, the thought of a meal his stomach grumble, reminding him that he'd been too busy trying to climb his endless hike of homework to eat much last night. If he was quick, he could probably grab something on his way. So--once again realizing he'd fallen asleep in his clothes--he hurriedly got up and got ready for the day.

He hadn't seen Alina at the Great Hall so he grabbed some extra sandwiches and other snacks just in case and then headed off the library. He had no idea if they were allowed to bring food there, but then he'd just woken up from spending something like ten hours breaking the rules. Might as well munch on an apple while he was at it.

It turned out to be a good time to be at the library, as most students were in the great hall. Clifton went directly to her favorite sofa near the window where he found her reading.

"Maybe I should learn an alarm clock spell," he said. "Hungry?"

He placed the snacks he'd gathered on the table and saw the gift sitting there. The wrapping and ribbons looked so pretty that he knew it could only have been Alina that put it together.

He smiled, excited and seriously curious what she could’ve gotten him. But it faded a bit when he remembered his own gift for her. He hadn’t put near as much thought into making it look nice. Not until it was too late, anyways, which was why it was still in his bag.

For now, at least, he joined her on the sofa. Then smiled at what she was reading.

"When you're a famous healer, I’m going to fake Dragon Pox. Maybe then they’ll let me cut in line to see you.”

She just shook her head at him as she looked at the snacks that he had brought with him. Now she knew well enough that food wasn't allowed in the library but she'd be careful and they were off in their little corner. She took one of the halves of sandwiches and smiled in appreciation to him for bringing it. She hadn't anything all day long.

"Open your present!" she placed the book she had been reading open on the table and handed him over the package. It was super hokey, but she still figured he'd appreciate it at least to some degree.



"And then we've got some research to do. Apparently Bonnie and Clyde were muggles," and she watched him for some hint on whether he knew that already or not. "You get to take the lead. It'll be like Muggle Studies with my own muggle born professor."

As if he would be an expert on all things muggle. She might have come from the wizarding world but certainly wasn't an expert of all things of magic. It was a vast wealth of knowledge, just as his world was. But still, she wanted to hear what he maybe knew of the subject because the things of his world amazed her...even to thinking of things like the dishwasher he spoke of once.

Glancing out, she saw the librarian going to talk to some of the other students and she grabbed her bag, tossing it gently over top of his confiscated lunch items and when the librarian breezed passed them, Alina gave a smile.

Clifton gave her an apologetic look when she had to cover the food he brought.

"Nice save," he muttered, once the librarian had disappeared. "Next time I'll grab something smaller."

As for being a Muggle Studies professor, Clifton could only smile. "Alright. I guess that's a fair trade for learning waltz. And origami. And Emerson." And how to kiss, but he wasn't about to admit that bit.

He turned back to the gift in his lap with a smile. Normally he tore right into presents. But she had put obvious effort into making it look nice so it was about all his curiosity could take as he tried to not demolish the thing.

When he saw what it was, his smile widened to a grin. Then to broke into a full, happy laugh.

"It's awesome!" he said, inspecting the creature's little fingers and antennas. "Did you make it?"

He was pretty sure he already knew the answer, but he could hardly believe it. So many stitches. Or knots, or whatever you called them. When had she had the time?

"That must've taken forever." He began fiddling with the little wings, still grinning. Clifton hadn't owned a stuffed animal since the fourth grade, but this one was by far the best. Because it meant his friend had spent her own time creating it. Thinking about it. It possibly meant that maybe she thought about him as much as he was hopelessly distracted by her.

It made him wish he'd put more time into her gift.

"You better not let my sister know you can make stuff like this," he chuckled. "She'll never let you leave our house."

He then set his tiny new friend in his lap and began digging in his bag.

"I'm...really sorry, Alina. It's not wrapped. I...don't plan very well, I guess. But then you already knew that." His self-conscious laugh returned. "Anyway, I hope you like it."

He pulled it out, pressed play, and handed it to her.



"It's yours. The tape and the player." Then, suddenly remembering, he went back to his bag. "Oh. And the headphones. Here, I'll show you."

He plugged them in and then, gently, reached up and placed them over her ears. "It's so you can listen to it whenever you want. It works great if you can't fall asleep."

He watched those bright eyes, as he so often did anymore. Waiting to see if they lit up, clouded over, grew stormy altogether. As far as his world was concerned, it was as good as any weather forecast.

"Is there music on this one too?" she asked like an ignorant fool. His expression seemed to answer for her and she smiled, realizing that was rather silly. Why would he give her a contraption that allows one to hear music if there was no music to hear? "It's absolutely perfect!"

Perfect in every sense. It would forever remind her of their Secret Secret Blossom Ball where their friendship truly started. Their bond. Their...whatever-this-was that she was loving so much and would not take it for granted.

Alina's eyes left the player and her hands still brushed over the headphones as she watched the librarian make the final round, slowly leaving sight from their area, most likely returning to the front desk. Her eyes came back to Clifton Troublefield - the boy who forever amazed her. She knew a lot of her friends thought she was silly for liking a boy so much already but they didn't know Clifton like she did and she never intended anyone to find out. If he had allegiance to her, she had it right back and wasn't going to jeopardize that because he was the best thing she had going in her life.

They were all jealous, and rightfully so. She hoped one day they'd find someone that empowered them the way this boy did her. Everyone should have that. Everyone deserved that. Even him. "A bit sappy...I warn you," she laughed softly, "but I hope you know that ummm...." know what? She really didn't know how to put all she felt for this boy into her eleven year-old vocabulary or if she held knowledge of the words, didn't know how to form them. She wasn't Ralph Waldo Emerson.

"I hope you know that I love it. I really do," she said and looked back down to it because it was easier to talk feelings when she wasn't staring at him. Maybe. "It's one of the most fascinating things I've ever come across and a gift from the most fascinating person I've ever met." No, she needed to see his warm brown eyes and find comfort in them, especially when she was going to say heavy things. She looked back up and paused. "You are," she repeated, coming back to the most fascinating person part. "And I'm glad I know you and can call you a friend, and that we....we're kinda this team." Like Bonnie and Clyde.

She stopped again because none of it was coming out the way she wanted it to but what were the words?! Her young self couldn't even process what she was feeling! Truth. Always the truth with him and never anything but the truth. He had seen every aspect of her personality from the good, to the impatient, quick-tempered, insecure Alina and still was around. "I can't seem to say what I'm trying to say because I don't suppose I really fully know what I'm trying to say. You make me feel in a way no one ever has and its a stronger feeling than I've ever felt."

Merlin, she babbled enough! The boy was going to grow sick of her! "What I'm trying to say is...thank you, Clifton Troublefield," she watched those warm eyes that still seemed to cast no judgement on her, "thank you, Mr. Troublefield, for knowing me, liking me, accepting me," ...being her everything. That seemed like a heavy statement though so she didn't say that last part. But Alina did find herself bringing herself closer to him, and she rested her head on his shoulder for one moment but she wanted to be closer still. She lifted her head, eyes back to his, and brought herself up so her lips came to his.

Not for a quick kiss, not for an eleven year old puppy-love sort of deal, but for a full on, longer, lingering, sparked with passion sort of exchange. Not necessarily lust filled, but it carried with it more backing than any of her previous ones.

She rested her head on his shoulder and he smiled, always glad to have her close and to know that she felt comfortable around him. But he didn't say much, still busy trying piece together the snippets of what she had been trying to say. He felt her lift her head off his shoulder and he turned just in time for her to kiss him. In a way that was unfamiliar and that he didn't rightly know what to do with, but it definitely filled in the gaps.

She had feelings for him that were just as real as his feelings for her, young though they were. Just as they'd told each other last night. Only, the way she expressed it now felt special. The sort of special that he knew needed to stay special.

So, after a long and very awesome moment, Clifton gently pulled away. Even if he did remain close.

"I like the sound of team," he muttered. Then, after some silence, added. "I think that's why that portrait called us Bonnie and Clyde. They were both troublemakers, but they did it together. That's what makes them so famous in the Muggle world. Most criminals are a solo act, but they weren't."

Then he smiled. "There. That's your first Muggle Studies lesson. Now the pop quiz." He had to pause for a minute to properly catch his breath. Though his words still came out in a little bit of a rush. "How much off-the-field sportsmanship do you think Charles Rosier would demonstrate if..."

If what? Was he actually asking this? Now? Way before he even thought it would ever be on his radar? One part of his brain argued that there was still a whole beach of seashells to explore, but another countered that the best explores were the ones that knew when they'd hit treasure. Besides, he wasn't about to turn back now. He didn't want to. "...if some beach bum kid from Rye came along and asked his daughter to be on his team?"

"You know," he tried to clarify, though it suddenly became hard to look at her. "Like...to be his...girlfriend?"

He managed a glance up at her. "Don't tell me you need Muggle studies to know what that is."

Because he now realized that somewhere between dodging professors and jumping staircase they must've stumbled past "just a crush." And though he wasn't usually one for structure or titles, this was Alina Rosier. The girl that had him using manners he didn't even know he had. It felt only right to keep things in the proper sort of way.

He felt that familiar, fluttery, free-falling sensation that he had only last night when he'd admitted his feelings for her. Only this time, with the way she was looking at him, it felt less like slipping of the edge and more like intentionally pulling off a back flip.

K, so I know what we planned, but...Like Clifton said, he is awful at plans. It's not my usual style for writing but as long as their relationship stays cute and innocent like it has been, I can definitely roll with it. It's been lots of fun! And I'm also very open to a rewrite if you still wanted to wait until the end of the summer.

Girlfriend? She just stared forward at him with her green eyes, surprised that he would say such a thing! Everyone thought they were already crazy being as close as they were and now the official title of girlfriend? She half expected him to smile, breaking out with a 'just kidding' but he wasn't. He was serious.

"I don't think it matters much what he thinks of it," she finally spoke. "Matters what the girl thinks, right?" She smiled, brightly now. That sort of infectious sort of smile she sometimes had. "Sure, football player, I'll join your team," she played but actually liked the way he had asked her. "I'll be your Bonnie to your Clyde." She brought her arms around him and squeezed him tightly before drawing back, glad to have the bond they shared.

"Never thought I'd be leaving here having a boyfriend," she smiled, "and don't worry. Really. My father is hardly ever around and the few times he is...he won't care that you're some beach bum from Rye." She still loved to imagine Clifton Troublefield out along the sand or practicing his football with his friends. It would be fun to share his world a little that summer.

To be honest, I don't know how my father will react. Guess we'll find out!" She didn't care too much. She wanted her father to meet him, she wanted him to meet her father to understand some things - or at least try to. If her father didn't like him, then she'd deal with it. Still, she'd stand up to her father when it came to Clifton Troublefield. She'd stand up against the world if she had to.

No worries at all! I'd rather our characters dictate things then to plan it out. Plus it'll probably make her worry less about going into the summer knowing they at least have that 'status' as strong assurance that their bond exists. She can be a bit of a worrier.

"Sounds like another adventure," he smiled. Then, trying to feel out this new role, he slid an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. She rested her head on his shoulder again and Clifton decided he'd save being nervous for meeting her mysterious father for later. Maybe in Charms class when he was tempted to doze off.

For now, his brain still felt fuzzy from their kiss. And the fact that she'd agreed--happily agreed--had him feeling a new sense of invincible. Like nothing could go wrong.

"Besides," he added. "I think it's part of the Bonnie and Clyde job description to pick up a few naysayers along the way."

Girlfriend. Alina Rosier as his girlfriend. Just the thought filled him with all sorts of new energy, despite the late night. An idea crossed his mind and he peeked over the back of the sofa. When it was clear that the librarian was still out of sight, he reached over and unplugged the headphones from the cassette player.

One of the easy listening songs picked up from the middle of the chorus, playing softly into their little corner. Clifton estimated they still had at least a safe song's length before students would begin shuffling in after lunch. So he slowly pulled away to set the player on the table. Then grabbed her hands and stood, bringing her to her feet.

"Dance with me," he grinned, leading her to the space between the table and the window. As usual, he had no idea what he was doing. And only half an idea as to why. Just that it felt like the thing to do.

Girlfriend. All of a sudden, as she stepped into his arms--so small physically but with so much heart and passion--the word also became intimidating. It meant she trusted him, possibly more than he trusted himself. He just hoped he could keep up his end of the deal and protect her the way he wanted to. Because most days, and even with his mother's training, Clifton could hardly be trusted to find a matching pair of socks.

And then she met his gaze and the fear dissolved. It wasn't like anything had changed. Not really. She was still the Alina he knew. And he was pretty sure he was still the same Clifton.

Well. The same Clifton plus the ability to waltz.

Usually Alina was a girl of many words - usually too many. Even she knew that there were times that you didn't need to use them and now was one of those times.

They were almost alone in the library and those that were in there were off in other areas, not in their little secluded section. She stood close to him and moved with him, following his lead this time as he knew more of what he was doing from last time.

All of this should have made her nervous, the whole girlfriend/boyfriend thing, but it didn't. Not when it was with Clifton. She looked up to him, her bright eyes into his warm ones and smiled. She knew that this didn't have to change anything between them, just strengthen them.

It wasn't until the song reach its end that some murmurs from students entering could be heard and they both drew back a little. Clifton took his cassette player and paused the music and the two sat back down on the sofa. "Bella's going to be so jealous I have a boyfriend before she does," she said with a slight laugh. Her sister had been the boy crazy one of the two. "And she's going to be even more jealous once she knows how great you are." And that's when it occurred to her, despite them being at the same school she didn't think Clifton ever met Bella.

"You know, you two shouldn't have to wait until Summer to meet. That's just silly! We should take one of the weekend days and have a picnic lunch out by the Lake or something."

Clifton had been curious about Alina's twin ever since she'd told him how they would compete with each other or have prank wars.

"Yeah," he teased. "Especially when she hears how great I was at asking you to the dance."

In reality, he loved the way Alina could just say sincere things like that. Like they were an indisputable fact. He always left her side walking a little taller than he had before, though it was probably still a good thing he'd have sports camp to knock his ego back down a few notches over the summer.

"A picnic sounds fun," he said. "What about this coming weekend?"

They discussed times. And locations. And lemon desserts. And then, when there wasn't much else to say, they fell back into a natural sort of silence. Something that, even just this afternoon, was becoming more common between them.

Clifton rested his head against hers and closed his eyes, the late night finally catching up again.

"Fun fact about Bonnie and Clyde," he said, after a moment. "Pretty sure they fell in love over hot chocolate. Some sources say that Clyde was helping a friend and he wandered into the kitchen where Bonnie was making the chocolate. And that was that. Not a witch-power book in the common room, but close enough. I don't know. Makes you wonder if stuff like that is supposed to happen."

At least, now it did. Clifton had rarely looked up at the stars and thought of things like fate and destiny. Not until she'd stood next to him, looking up at them too.

Then he smiled. "Let's just try to skip the part where you smuggle a gun into prison for me, yeah?"