The Circle of Life (Rocco)

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Ev had an idea. She really had no idea what Rocco would think of it, but she'd been trying to think of something more exciting for them to do, better than a theme park. Something they could do together and she finally came up with an idea that sounded perfect. Africa. She wanted to go to Africa with him. She wasn't sure exactly what she wanted to do there, but that didn't really matter, did it? They could run with wild animals, jump off waterfalls, and do who knows what else? The only thing was, she wasn't sure if Rocco would want to disappear with her long enough to make the trip worth it, though really all she wanted was to spend time alone with him. Time where no one could bother them, where they didn't have to look over their shoulders to see if someone recognized them. 

So she owled him, asked him to meet her here, at an obscure park where no one she knew would find them. And now she was waiting for him to arrive. She stood at the edge of a small pond, looking out across it as she waited, letting her mind imagine what it would be like if he did agree to go to Africa with her today. Ev knew it was rather impulsive and that there was a good chance he'd say he had to get ready for it, but she didn't want that. She just wanted to go and forget about everything else for a while and have fun. Surely that wasn't too much to ask, right?

@kit

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@evelyn

he'd been hanging out till the moment when he'd be able to see ev. it had been a while since they'd been able to catch up. their schedules were never synced well because each different team had a different regime and different captains but he had the next week off. he couldn't wait to see if ev had some days off in the next while to see if they could go do something together and spend time with each other. it was the worst thing about dating someone in secret. he'd do it till the day he died though because the thought of not being able to see her was to awful. "ev!" he said with a grin as he hurried across the park they had agreed to meet at. he reached her and moved to wrap her in his arms, feeling a lot more relaxed now he was in her presence.

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At the sound of his voice calling her name, Evelyn spun around and grinned, drinking in the sight of him. It had been much too long since the last time she saw Rocco and she was so excited to spend time with him, but nervous at the same time. Obviously he was happy to spend time with her, which was definitely a good thing. Still, she wanted to spend more time with him. She took a deep breath, telling herself to relax when he enveloped her in his arms. Ev hugged him back, a part of her wishing that she could just stay in his arms forever.

"I missed you," she mumbled softly after a few minutes. She pulled away slightly so she could look up into his eyes. "So ... I had this idea of something we can do, but I have to ask you something first. When do you have to go back?" She had been planning on greeting him first, but she couldn't help herself. Ev wanted to know if he was going to be available or not. She bit her lip as she tried to hide how nervous she was as she waited for his answer. Hopefully he wouldn't be able to see it ... but she wasn't sure.

@kit

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@evelyn

"I missed you, So ... I had this idea of something we can do, but I have to ask you something first. When do you have to go back?" he smiled down at her, leaning his head down to rest it against her forehead as she looked up at him. when did he have to be back? it was about a week but he could push it another few days if he really angled his captain right. there was no big games on and their training was going well so he didn't think there would be a problem. "a week at the very least" he said with a smile as he lifted his head off hers and he stretched up, feeling his back roll and crack slightly as he did. he was feeling the aches and pains of the training session he had done that morning. "what did you have in mind, babe?" he said with a smile, wanting to know what devilish plan she had.

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Ev smiled when Rocco pressed his forehead to her own. He seemed to take forever to answer her question, but she was sure that was just her. Rocco never made her wait for long when he could help it, which was one of the things that was so great about him. When he said he at least had a week, Ev could not hold back the mischievous grin that covered her face. A week should be long enough, right? At least it would be plenty of time just for the two of them to be together, which was what she really wanted. She shrugged when Rocco asked what she had planned, "I was thinking we should go to Africa." In typical Evelyn Estrada style, she didn't give any warning, just came right out with her thoughts. No preparation or anything. "You know, we could run with wild animals or find something exciting to do ..." she trailed off, wondering if the idea was actually as weird as it sounded, now that she was saying it out loud. "If you want to," Ev added, suddenly feeling hesitant. What if this was something that Rocco wasn't interested in at all? She looked away from him as she waited for his answer. What was he going to say about her completely random idea?



@kit

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@evelyn

"I was thinking we should go to Africa." his eyes widened almost as quick as his smile did and he found himself letting out a laugh. africa? well at that moment it sounded perfect. he hugged her tighter and nodded his head slightly against her forehead as she kept trying to sell him her idea. "You know, we could run with wild animals or find something exciting to do ... If you want to," he smiled and lifted a hand to her cheek and he lowered his head slightly so their faces were level. "ev. africa sounds like a wonderful idea. i can't think of anything better i want to do with you" he said with a smile. "do you need to pack?"

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His reaction was perfect. Ev couldn't keep herself from giggling a little when his eyes got big and his smile widened. He liked her idea! She knew by the way he held her closer and nudged his head against hers a little. It was nice being able to communicate with someone without even needing to say anything, but it was also nice when he told her that her idea was wonderful. Ev leaned her cheek into his hand, closing her eyes a little and laughing. This was perfect. She couldn't imagine a better reaction from him and was delighted that he accepted. "Good," she answered with a smile, finally opening her eyes. Then he asked if she needed to pack. "No, I have everything in my bag," Ev answered, gesturing to her bag a short distance away. It looked like a purse, but she used an extension charm and put everything inside. She didn't want to delay their departure any more than necessary. "Want us to go to your place so you can pack quickly?" She asked, really just wanting him to be ready as soon as possible. If she went with him, she could rush him maybe. Not that she would, but ... she might. Ev just wanted to be in Africa already, now that he agreed. "Or I can wait here while you pack," she added, realizing that she'd just invited herself to his place and not wanting to be rude. 

@kit

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@evelyn

"Want us to go to your place so you can pack quickly? Or I can wait here while you pack" he chuckled as he reached to rest both hands on her cheeks and he shook his head slightly. there was no point in packing for a trip like this. he'd just wait till they arrived and find some kind of shop in order to buy something. no matter what it was, he'd buy it. if all he could find were cloths and fabrics then he could make that work too. that was all part of the adventure. "i don't need to pack. so don't worry" he said as he kissed her nose and he smiled, dropping his hands from her cheek and he moved to take her hands in his. "shall we?"

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All it took was a few seconds of him smiling at her for her to realize that they were about to leave, without going to his apartment. She needn't have worried about being rude. After all, this was Rocco. He knew her better than almost anyone else. And he was going with her. Ev was so excited she could hardly stand it. Then he said he was ready to go and kissed her nose. Evelyn grinned at him in delight, squeezing his hands, "Yes," she whispered before twisting them into space. 

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Since Africa was so far away it took a few jumps for them to arrive and by the time they got there Ev was exhausted to the point where she could hardly move. She glanced around, biting her lips and smiling at what she saw. Wide sky, nothing on the horizon, grassy plains ... it was perfect. Forgetting how tired she was for a moment, she took a few steps away from Rocco so she could see it all better. Then she turned back and grinned. "What do you think?" She asked, holding her hands out from her sides and spinning in a circle. Bad idea. The next thing she knew, Ev was seeing black. She stopped, realizing what was about to happen a moment before it did. "Rocco," she muttered before she fell unconscious. 

@kit

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@evelyn

rocco grinned as they landed in what seemed to be the widest open space he had ever seen. he let go of ev as she stepped away from him and he glanced around slightly. he was tired, the apperation had taken it's toll on him, but not as much as it had on ev and he found it hard to focus on anything else around him but her at the moment. "What do you think?" he saw the smile on her face and an easy grin slipped onto his own, spending more time drinking in her smile than anything else. "i can't think of anything more beautiful." he said as he took a step toward her as she spun around in a circle. "Rocco," he heard something in her voice, something that wasn't right and it put him right on edge. "ev?" he said as he saw her starting to crumple. he managed to grab her before her body could hit the ground but he landed on his knees, his arms around her as he held her. "ev? ev wake up!" he said in her ear softly as he rubbed his hand up and down her arm, hugging her against his chest as he did. he could feel a level of panic rising in his chest but he didn't let it surface. the last thing ev needed was for him to panic. she'd need a steady hand and a calm face when she came around and he needed to be that for her. so he waited, using his thumb to stroke her cheek as he held her in his arms.

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Everything was black and Ev didn't know what was going on. Her heart was pounding and she felt confused, not knowing where she was or what she was doing and her body wasn't responding to her commands. What was going on?! Panic threatened to overtake her when she heard a familiar voice. Rocco. It had to be him. She felt him touching her cheek gently, felt his arms wrapped around her, but she still didn't know what was going on. She groaned as she tried to move, but her body felt sore and weak. What in the world happened? Ev forced herself to open her eyes, recognizing Rocco and trying to focus on him instead of the confusion, but her logical mind wouldn't allow it. "Rocco what happened? Where are we? What's-" Ev bit her lip to keep herself from asking him a hoard of questions. Hopefully he would be able to tell how confused she was and find some way to help her relax. Whatever they were doing, Ev was sure this wasn't a part of the plan.

@kit

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@evelyn

"Rocco what happened? Where are we? What's-" he'd breathed a sigh of relief when she'd opened her eyes and he laid his hand on her cheek as he kept her cradled in his lap. he tried to take a few deep breathes so he could stop the pounding that was happening in his chest and he leaned down to kiss her forehead. "shh" he said softly as he could almost feel how confused she was. he understood, he'd passed out before and it was never fun waking up to what seemed like an upside down world. "you fainted. we're in africa" he said gently as he stroked his fingers over her hair gently. "i'm going to lift you up now .. okay?" he said, letting her know what he was planning on doing before he did it so he didn't startle her. "when we find a place to camp i'll set the tent up and you can get some rest."

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Ev felt her body relax when Rocco touched her cheek. If he was so calm, then things were fine. It didn't matter where they were or what happened, if something was seriously wrong, he wouldn't keep it from her. He kissed her forehead and Evelyn relaxed even more. This was what she needed. Whatever happened, Rocco holding her and whispering to her would always help calm her down and bring her peace. Ev was entirely certain of that fact. Then he finally told her that they were in Africa, that she passed out and Ev remembered. Her mouth fell open slightly as she remembered apparating and then being so tired. "Oh, right," she breathed at the memory as he ran his fingers through her hair. Rocco warned her that he was going to lift her and Ev's hazy mind wasn't sure what he meant. Was he going to help her to her feet or- oh. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders when she realized he was planning on carrying her, though she had no idea where he was going. "I think," Ev paused to clear her throat, "I think I'm fine now. I can help you ... and walk." Probably. Maybe. Debatably. Well, her head was still spinning a little bit, but Rocco didn't need to know that. Even though she wasn't sure if she was alright, Ev didn't want him to feel like he had to do everything. After all, coming to Africa had been her idea. She couldn't make Rocco do all the work.

@kit

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@evelyn

he tightened his hold on her slightly as she shifted to wrap her arms around his neck and he kissed the side of her head gently as she did. now he knew she was okay he was feeling a lot calmer and all he wanted to do was get her into the tent so they could spend the rest of the night resting. "I think, I think I'm fine now. I can help you ... and walk." he smiled slightly as he tucked his arm under her legs gently and lifted her against his chest, bracing himself slightly as he pushed up from the ground with her weight in his arms. "i think not" he said with a slight chuckle and he walked toward their camping ground. when he found it he didn't set her down, only shifting her slightly so he could pull his wand from his pocket, it was a little awkward but he made it work. he waved it carefully, the tent sweeping out of the back pack he'd pulled onto his back when they'd gotten there and he watched it set itself up. "home sweet home" he said with a smile as he moved into the tent that had been charmed to be a lot larger on the inside. he moved to set her down on her feet once they were inside, keeping his hand on her back encase she faltered.

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Evelyn didn't like the fact that he didn't hesitate, like he would if he were going to let her down, but she did love how it felt to have Rocco carrying her. He kissed her head before standing up and she rested her head on his shoulder, surprised at how comfortable she felt as he rose to his feet. "I think not," was his only response and Ev lifted her head up to look into his face. "You don't trust me?" she demanded, even though she knew he made the right choice. Then he stopped and shifted her a little bit, which is when Ev realized he wasn't going to let her down before he had everything set up. She pouted for a minute, then let herself smile when he walked into the tent. Rocco finally let her feet down and Ev kept her arms around his neck for a few seconds, making sure she had her balance. Her head was spinning, but there was no way she was going to admit that to him. "Thank you," she muttered as she lowered them, swaying slightly when she released him, but too proud to admit it. She glared, "I can't believe I'm so weak," she grumbled, angry at herself.

@kit