Scream Me a Dream

“Hey.”

Soya looked up from her suitcase, where she had folded one of her last shirts and smiled at Ville. “Hey.”

“We’re going out to dinner,” Ville told her. “Do you want to go?”

Soya wrinkled her nose. “I haven’t even showered today.”

Ville chuckled. “I don’t think any of us have, I wouldn’t worry too much about it.”

“Let me just change.” Soya told him, as she took out a red t-shirt and showed it to Ville, causing him to laugh.

“Perfect.” He smiled as he grabbed his own t-shirt off the ground, causing her to shake her head as she grabbed a pair of jeans and went to change in the bathroom. Ten minutes later, with her red HIM shirt, a pair of skinny jeans, her converse shoes and gratefully without her crutches, she was climbing into the hummer behind Ville.

“You don’t have your crutches.” Bam pointed out once they stared down the road.

“Ville let me come without them.” Soya laughed. “The swelling’s gone down.”

“And why is that?” Ville teased.

Soya rolled her eyes. “Because I’ve stayed off it.” she grudgingly admitted.

“I just hope you can continue staying off it when you get home.” Ville told her, causing her to shrug.

“I’m sure I’ll be tied to the couch once Josef finds out, which I just have a strong feeling he will.” Soya said, looking at Ville through the corner of her eye.

“If you think I’m not going to tell him, you couldn’t be more wrong.” Ville told her with a grin, causing her to scowl at him.

“So what are we eating?” Jussi asked from the back.

“Pancakes!” Impi said excitedly.

Soya turned towards the back, where Impi was sitting between Jussi and Jyrki. “We ate that this morning sweetheart.”

“So?” Impi asked, staring at Soya.

“Never mind then.” Soya laughed turning back around, as the rest of the group talked about what to eat, before Bam claimed that it didn’t matter what everyone else wanted, they were getting sushi.

Fifteen minutes later, they were pulling into the restaurant, Soya accepting Impi into her arms as Jyrki and Jussi climbed out of the hummer.

“You know you can walk.” Ville told Impi, who only clung to Soya’s neck tighter.

“I don’t want to.” Impi told him, staring at him from Soya’s shoulder.

“Just a suggestion.” He laughed closing the door and letting Bam lock it as they followed Bam and Missy into the restaurant. They were seated quickly at a large table, and ordered a variation of sushi rolls, while Jussi took over ordering for Impi, knowing the young girl didn’t like raw fish.

“Not fond of sushi?” Bam asked Impi, as Jussi ordered her a teriyaki bowl.

“Mami says that nothing should be eaten raw.” Impi said matter-of-factly, sitting on her knees and reaching for the water glass, only for Jyrki to grab it for her before it spilled.

“Rosalind and her brothers don’t like sushi.” Jyrki told Bam. “So Impi doesn’t eat it.”

“Do you usually eat what your mom eats?” Bam asked, looking at Impi as she handed Jyrki the glass back.

Impi nodded. “Mami makes all my food.”

Soya frowned. “Rosalind doesn’t cook.”

Jussi laughed. “Impi means take out. Rosalind thinks that because she puts take out on a plate, she’s cooked it.”

Jyrki smirked. “You do know her neighbors still feed her, right?”

“The fact that Rosalind still lives in the same apartment amazes me.” Ville muttered.

Soya grinned up at him. “We can’t all live in a tower.”

Ville looked at her and stuck out his tongue, causing her to laugh and rest her head on his arm.

“Bam told me you’re going home early.” Missy said, looking at Soya.

Soya gave a short nod. “There are some things that I need to take care of that can only be done tomorrow afternoon, and I should probably start getting the showcase ready.”

“When is that?” Ville asked.

“Friday.” Soya answered. “I need to make sure that the costumes are ready, everyone’s pieces are timed right, the music’s all in.” she shook her head. “It’s a lot of work, but the end result is always amazing.”

“What exactly is it?” Missy asked.

“Ah, like I told Jyrki, it’s like our report card. All of the classes put together a dance piece that best shows what they have learned throughout six months. We start with our toddler class then work our way up to the advanced class.”

“Your advanced class is still doing your choreography, right?” Ville asked, wanting to know if he would get a chance to see the chorography Soya had put together to Dead Lover’s Lane.

Soya shook her head. “They’ll do Anya’s piece for the showcase, Dead Lover’s Lane will either come after, if we have time or they’ll stay and show you, it’s not part of the actual showcase.”

“Dead Lover’s Lane?” Jussi asked with a frown.

“Apparently, Soya’s put together choreography for many of our songs.” Ville smirked.

Soya rolled her eyes. “I don’t just do HIM songs,” she turned to Jyrki. “I have a couple for your songs as well.”

Jyrki raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“None of them are finished, but I have a few costumes drawn out, I’m hoping to have Sister of Charity done for next year’s contest.”

“You’ve done dance routines to their songs?” Bam asked in surprise.

Soya nodded. “I have. Dead Lover’s Lane won my advanced class a first place trophy in last year’s dance competition, Resurrection won them second place two years ago.”

“That’s amazing; I’d love to see it.” Missy smiled.

“If it all works out, we should be able to squeeze it in to the program, if not and Ville ends up coming to see it, I’ll have them stay after and do it.”

“I’d like to see what you’ve come up with for Sister of Charity.” Jyrki admitted, curious to know what type of choreography one could come up with for that song.

“Ah,” Soya hesitated. “Not until it’s finished. I’m a perfectionist; it needs to have everything absolutely perfect before I even show my class, let alone you.” She admitted.

Jussi laughed. “Jyrki can definitely respect that.”

Jyrki nodded. “But when it’s done, I expect to see it.”

Soya laughed. “I promise nothing, Ville wouldn’t have even known about my use of his songs had it not been for my class telling him.”

Bam laughed. “Why not?”

Soya shrugged. “It wasn’t something I was ready to share, one thing for my class to know another for Ville to know.”

Missy nodded in understanding about to comment when Impi interrupted. “Isi!” she said tugging on Jyrki’s arm.

“Hmm?” He asked, looking down at her.

“Baño.” She whined in Spanish as she wiggled in her chair.

“Oh,” Jyrki laughed uncomfortably as he looked around the restaurant. He was fine with taking Impi to the restroom while on the tour bus or even at one of their venues, but when it came to taking her in a restaurant it got awkward. He was never sure how other women would react when they found him in the women’s restroom with Impi and he avoided taking her into the men’s.

“I’ll take her, Jyrki.” Soya volunteered with a laugh, having understood what Impi wanted.

“Thank you.” Jyrki sighed in relief as Soya stood up offering her hand to Impi, only to wince when Impi tugged on Soya’s hand hard and led her towards the bathroom, causing more weight on her ankle.

“Impi!” Ville called, getting out of his chair. “You have to slow down for your auntie Soya.” he said, grabbing the girl by the waist, picking her up and following Soya towards the back of the restaurant where the bathrooms were.

Jussi looked over his shoulder where Ville was waiting outside the bathroom door for the girls, before looking at Jyrki with a smirk. “Rosalind, oli oikeassa, he ovat hyviä yhdessä.”(Rosalind was right, they are good together.)

Jyrki looked over his shoulder and couldn’t help the chuckle. “Rosalind on yleensä oikeassa tämäntyyppisten asioiden.”(Rosalind is usually right about these types of things.)

“Luuletko, että he ymmärtäät sen?”(Do you think they realize it?)

“Kyseenalainen.”(Doubtful) Jyrki shrugged.

“You do realize that there are people that only know Finnish curse words sitting at the table, right?” Bam asked with a smirk.

“Sorry.” Jyrki laughed. “We were just saying how Rosalind was right about them, they’re good together.”

“You’ve noticed it too?” Missy asked, looking over at Ville who was staring at his shoes waiting.

“That type of tension is hard to hide.” Jussi grinned. “Jyrki would know.”

“Shut up.” Jyrki said rolling his eyes.

“They just need a push.” Missy told them.

“Ville’s not going to do anything.” Bam told his wife. “You know him.” He said looking at Jyrki and Jussi as well. “He’s not going to ruin a friendship that means so much to him, just because she might like him.”

“What about Soya?” Jussi asked, looking over his shoulder where sure enough, Ville was still waiting.

Bam shrugged. “I don’t know her well enough, but from the time I have spent with her, she’s the same. She’s not going to do anything if it might ruin their friendship.”

Missy patted her husband’s hand. “All they need is a push.”

“Fine you push, see how well it works out.” Bam said throwing his hands in the air, knowing that either way, Missy would do what she thought was best.

“Ah, Jyrks?”

Jyrki looked up and saw Ville coming up behind him. “What’s wrong?”

“There’s a bit of a situation in the bathroom.” Ville chuckled.

Jyrki sighed and got up from his chair. “If that girl got tangled in the toilet paper again, I might just throttle her.”

Jussi looked over at Missy with a smirk. “You work on Soya, and we’ll work on Ville.”

“Deal.” Missy smiled, already preparing how she would talk to Soya.

Jussi nodded. “I think this would make Rosalind proud.”

XxxxxxX

“I’m so full.” Soya groaned as she lay back in bed, her hands resting on her stomach.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you eat that much.” Ville laughed, about to lie next to her when he felt someone grab his hand and pull him away from the bed.

“Hi.” Missy smiled brightly at him.

“Hi.” Ville said slowly as she let go of his hand.

“You need to leave.” Missy told him.

“Sorry?” Ville asked, looking at Soya who was sitting up on her elbows with a raised eyebrow.

“You’ve had her all week,” Missy said crossing her arms over her chest. “Just like Bam has to share you, you have to share her.”

Soya laughed. “Ville’s not good at sharing me, just ask Linde and Mige.”

“And she’s my friend.” Ville defended.

Missy rolled her eyes. “And she’s never going to make new ones with you hogging her. The boys are out on the deck, go play with them for a while.”

“But-” Ville started, only to be cut off by Soya.

“Mene, Ville, sinulla on minulle kaikki itse loppuillan.”(Go, Ville, you’ll have me all to yourself the rest of the night.)

Ville smirked. “Promise?”

Soya shook her head, with a laugh. “Go.”

Ville nodded and looked at Missy. “You’re lucky I actually listen to her.”

“I know.” Missy said patting Ville’s arm as he left and closing the door behind him, holding up the plastic tote she had in her hand. “I have things for Mani-Pedi’s in here. I thought that would be a great girl bonding experience.”

Soya laughed. “Wonderful, I’ve been meaning to change the colors on my toes.”

Missy laughed as she sat on the bed with Soya, opening the box and letting Soya go through it. “Is he always like that?”

Soya looked up from looking at the nail polish Missy had, “Like what?” she asked, in knowing Missy was referring to Ville.

“Uh…clingy I guess.” Missy said with a smile. “It’s not a bad type of clingy by any means though.”

Soya laughed. “I know what you mean, and yes, he’s always been like that, ever since I met him.”

“How long did you guys know each other before you moved?” Missy asked, deciding on a royal purple.

“About a year and a half.” Soya said absently, climbing off the bed to get the lotion she usually put on her feet out of her suitcase where she had packed it.

Missy blinked and looked at Soya. “Seriously?”

Soya nodded. “Why? Is that surprising?”

“I thought you guys had grown up together, with the way you guys are so close. I mean I’ve only seen you guys together the past day and a half, but still.”

Soya shrugged. “We just clicked when we met. It was easy for me to talk to him about everything, where I hadn’t had that with anyone else before.”

Missy smirked as Soya settled back on the bed, kicking off her flats. “Did you guys ever...you know?”

Soya frowned. “Ever what?”

“Sleep together.” Missy clarified.

“Oh.” Soya blushed. “You mean have sex?”

“Yes, I mean have sex.” Missy laughed.

“Then no.” Soya laughed. “We never had sex; we use to take naps on Linde’s couch though.”

“That’s it?” Missy asked with a raised eyebrow. “You guys took naps together.”

“I don’t know if you know this, but Ville makes for a great pillow.” Soya told her with a grin. “I used to go to their rehearsals at Linde’s garage, tired from dance practice, just collapse on top of him as we waited for Linde and Mige and sleep. Greatest pillow ever.”

Missy laughed. “So that’s all you guys did…I mean, did you guys ever kiss?”

Soya gave a small nod. “We did, the night before I left. He was my first.”

“Kiss?”

Soya nodded. “I guess I’d fantasized about it ever since I met him, and I couldn’t leave without at least knowing what it felt like to kiss him.”

“And?” Missy asked eagerly.

Soya laughed. “It was perfect.”

Missy bit her lip as she watched Soya shake the bottle of electric blue nail polish before opening it. “Did you like him back then?”

“Of course I did, he was my best friend.” Soya said, taking the statement much more literally than intended.

“No,” Missy chuckled. “I mean, were you attracted to him? You said you’d fantasized about kissing him.”

“Oh.” Soya laughed before looking up at Missy. “I guess.” Soya shrugged. “I didn’t think much about boys when I was younger, my thoughts were more on school work, my dance schedule and the few free hours I had with the boys. But I mean, what girl didn’t fantasize about kissing Ville Valo back then?”

“What about now?” Missy grinned.

Soya laughed. “Again, what girl hasn’t fantasized about kissing Ville Valo?”

“No!” Missy laughed. “How do you feel about him now? I mean, you’re a grown woman who must notice guys now.”

Soya nodded. “Sure, but he’s my friend.”

“That doesn’t answer my question though.”

Soya bit her lip as she brushed the bright blue nail polish over her toe nails. In the past week, had she noticed Ville as more than a friend? Really, thirteen years ago, hadn’t she had those type of thoughts every now and again. only for her to push them back? Hadn’t she felt the pull of attraction when they’d been sitting on the tub and he’d rubbed the lotion on her feet, or when his lips had brushed against hers in comfort?

Wasn’t it more than just friendship she felt when his fingers ran up and down her spine when they feel asleep? Wasn’t it more than just a friendly touch when she traced that intricate tattoo on his arm or even around his nipple?

“I…” Soya frowned, causing Missy to grin. At least she’d gotten Soya to think about the attraction she had for Ville, now to get her to admit it.

XxxxxxX

“Get kicked out?” Bam asked as Ville made his way out to the deck where Jyrki, Jussi and Bam were sitting.

“Missy apparently wanted to spend time with Soya.” Ville said sitting down and taking his lighter and packet of cigarettes out of his pocket. “Where’s Impi?” He asked Jyrki.

“Sleeping.” Jyrki said motioning towards the house. “I told her where I would be if she needed us. I doubt she’ll wake up though.”

“Jyrki thinks she’s still working off the Red Bulls.” Jussi grinned.

“You’re very proud of yourself aren’t you?” Ville asked.

“I just think that girl is a genius.” Jussi laughed. “She’s learned a lot from her mother.”

Ville nodded as he lit a cigarette, muttering a ‘thanks’ to Jussi as he pushed the ashtray closer. “Rosalind is a smart one.”

Bam smirked, having a feeling Jussi had just found his opening.

“You know what else Rosalind is smart about?” Jussi asked putting out his own cigarette.

“What’s that?” Ville asked, with a raised eyebrow.

“Relationships.” Jussi answered with a smirk.

Ville snorted. “Right, then why the hell is she still coming back to this one?” he asked, gesturing to Jyrki who rolled his eyes.

“Jussi never said she was smart when it came to her own relationships, and it’s the sex that keeps her coming back, thank you.” Jyrki smirked.

“I’m telling you, she’s great at predicting relationships.” Jussi told him.

Ville rolled his eyes, understanding what Jussi was trying to say. Rosalind had been trying to set him up with Soya for years; and because she was great at predicting relationships, them being set up by Rosalind meant they were perfect for each other. “You’re ever so subtle Jussi.”

Bam laughed. “I told you he was too smart for this.”

Jussi rolled his eyes. “Fine, then why haven’t you made a move on Soya?”

Ville raised an eyebrow. “Who says I haven’t?”

Jyrki smirked. “Have you?”

“Well no,” Ville said with a shrug.

“Do you want to?” Bam asked. “I’ve seen you two together this past week Valo, you can’t tell me that you just have feelings of friendship for her now. I mean, understandably thirteen years ago, friendship was probably all you could have felt seeing as it would have been illegal.”

Jyrki shook his head. “Age of consent in Finland is sixteen; it would have been perfectly legal for Ville and Soya to have sex.”

Bam grinned. “Even more reason for Finland to rock. So did you ever think about it back then?”

“Jesus.” Ville muttered, rubbing a hand over his face.

Jyrki laughed. “Admit it; you liked her back then too.”

Ville groaned. “I had the slightest of crushes on her, yes, but I wasn’t going to do anything about it. Nothing good would have come out of that.”

“But now she’s twenty-eight.” Bam told him. “I mean, come on. In the past week, haven’t you thought about making a move?”

Ville shrugged. “Her friendship means much more to me than me wanting to make a move.”

“You want to!” Jussi grinned triumphantly.

“I didn’t say-” Ville started to back track.

“Yes, you did.” Jyrki laughed. “The tension between you two is so thick Ville, it’s masked by this air of friendship you both put out, but once you brush it aside it’s amazing what a person can see.”

“And what do you see Jyrki?” Ville asked, looking at his friend.

“You didn’t see the way she looked at you when you sang that lullaby to her.” Jyrki told him.

“You also don’t notice the way you look at her.” Jussi put in.

“And how do I look at her?” Ville asked with a roll of his eyes.

“Adoration.” Jyrki said.

Ville paused, bringing the cigarette up to his lips and stared at Jyrki. “Do I?”

Jyrki nodded. “You do.”

Ville looked at a smirking Bam. “Have you noticed this ‘adoration’ too?”

“Ville, she twisted her ankle and you act as if she broke every bone in her body. And I’m pretty sure that in the week she’s been here you’ve barely left her side.”

“Not true.” Ville said.

“Sorry, sorry.” Bam said putting his hands up. “You let her go to the bathroom by herself, that’s true.”

Jussi laughed. “She looks at you the same way, you know.”

“She does not.” Ville argued.

“She does.” Bam nodded. “It’s subtler in her.” He admitted then sighed. “She touches you a lot.”

Ville rolled his eyes. “Yes, just as I touch her.”

“No.” Bam shook his head. “God, this is shit girls talk about.” He groaned, before he said what he had noticed. “You touching her, it’s protective, her touching you…it lingers.”

“Lingers?” Ville asked his eyebrows raising in surprise.

“You know what I mean.” Bam glared. “Don’t make me repeat it.”

Ville thought about it as he brought the cigarette to his lips. Ever since they’d met, they’d always touched, even if it were just a pat on the hand, or a hand on the arm. He’d sneak his hands under her shirt and run his fingers down her spine when she would lay on top of him for their naps, while she would rub the small of his back when they hugged.

The same applied now, when they slept he would run his fingers down her spine just to feel her shudder against him, while her fingers would innocently trace the Heartagram tattoo over his nipple.

He blew out smoke as he thought about the way she would look up at him, just before she would fall asleep, and knew that his sleeping habits would only grow worse once they were apart and not having her at his side.

“Fuck.” He muttered as he ran his free hand through his hair and tugged at the ends.

“And we have a break through.” Jussi laughed.