Scream Me a Dream

Soya groaned, gripping her head as she felt it pound against her skull. She heard a low chuckling next to her, causing her to look up slightly to see Ville smiling, although his eyes were closed.

“Yes, it’s going to be hurting for a while.” He told her, his hand running up and down her back slowly.

“Is it supposed to feel like my brain is going to explode?” She whispered, her voice low.

“Sometimes.” Ville said softly. “The amount of alcohol you consumed last night really doesn’t help with the headache.”

“You are amused aren’t you?”

Ville opened his eyes and looked at her. “I am very amused, yes.”

“Glad I could entertain you.” Soya muttered, sitting up slowly, rubbing her eyes. “Did someone come over last night?” she asked with a frown. “I heard a knock on the door, but it could have been my brain pounding.”

Ville nodded. “Someone came.”

“Who?”

“They’re out in the living room.” Ville said, sitting up himself.

Soya groaned as she got out of bed, pulling her shirt down as she searched the floor, finding her black and white flannel pajama pants. Wincing as she leaned down, she pulled them on, searching the floor for her slippers, finding her grey Uggs instead.

“Do I want to know what happened last night?” Soya asked as she slipped on her Uggs.

Ville chuckled, getting out of bed and pulling on a pair of jeans. “Probably once your headache subsides.”

“Ugh, if it ever does.” Soya said, unclipping her hair and running her hand through it, before grabbing a hair tie and twisting her hair into a messy bun as Ville pulled on a grey t-shirt.

He followed her out of the room, watching as she started towards the kitchen, only for her to remember they had guests, and go towards the living room where she saw the bed pulled out.

“What in the world are you doing here?!” Soya asked loudly, only to wince and grab her temples as her own voice hit her ears.

“Afternoon.” Regan chuckled sitting up as Emmy rubbed her eyes. “Are you hung-over?”

“You…” Soya looked at Ville. “They knocked?”

“They knocked.” Ville nodded.

“I…” Soya shook her head. “I can’t even think straight right now, I need coffee.”

“No, you need water.” Ville corrected.

“Coffee sounds good.” Emmy said sitting up.

“I think I’m out.” Soya said, rubbing her temples. “Get dressed, we’ll go to the café down the street, then we’ll talk.”

“Seriously, are you hung-over?” Regan asked, with a smirk looking at his guardian.

“You, go get dressed.” Soya ordered, pointing towards the bathroom. “Emmy you can get dressed in Aida’s room.”

“All right.” Emmy nodded, moving off the couch and getting clothes out of her suitcase.

“Wait, seriously, Soya, are you hung-over?” Regan laughed.

Ville chuckled. “Very much hung-over, go change I’m buying breakfast.”

“Fine with me.” Regan laughed, grabbing clean clothes and going to the bathroom to change.

“Need some more Advil?” Ville teased.

“I want coffee.” Soya whined, sitting on the edge of the pull out pouting at him.

“And once that headache goes away, I’ll get you some.”

“Advil then.” Soya muttered. Ville nodded and went to the kitchen, getting her another dose of Children’s Advil and some water, handing them to her.

“Don’t pout, Soya.” Ville chuckled crouching down in front of her as she swallowed the pill, staring at him, her lower lip jutting out. He leaned forward, kissing her with a chuckle. “I’m trying to get that hideous headache to go away, love, once it does I’ll serve you coffee by the gallons.”

“Promise?” she murmured against his lips.

“I absolutely promise.” Ville nodded, moving his lips slowly against hers.

“Ugh. Not in front of the children.” Regan groaned, as Ville pulled away for them to look at Regan. “So, just how drunk did you get last night?”

“Ugh.” Soya groaned as Emmy came out of the room, pulling on a thick jacket.

“Ready?”

“Is it sunny out?” Soya asked looking at Ville.

“Cloudy, you don’t need sunglasses, unless you’re a Helsinki vampire, otherwise they’re just mandatory.” He teased, causing her to chuckle.

“I’ll grab a sweater.” Soya said, allowing Ville to stand as she went to her room, coming out a minute later, pulling a grey “Ramones” hoodie, handing Ville his own sweater.

“All right, everyone out.” Ville said, ushering them all out the door, making sure it was locked behind them before starting down the stairwell behind the group.

“We tried using the elevator last night; you know it’s broken, right?”

“For at least the last a year.” Soya said, looking behind her and taking Ville’s hand. “It was broken when I moved in.”

“You should tell the guy that owns the building that.” Regan said as he pushed open the door to the lobby and taking his girlfriend’s hand.

“I’m pretty sure we’ve all reported it at least twice now.” Soya said pointing towards where the coffee shop was and gesturing them to walk. “My father reported it, Ville’s reported it, if they haven’t fixed it by now I doubt they ever will. What are you doing here?”

Regan winced. “Is it still considered breakfast if it’s after eleven?”

Soya frowned, looking at Ville. “Is it really after eleven?”

“Don’t worry; we’ll still be able to pick up Aida.” Ville assured, rubbing her arm. “Good way to distract her Regan.” Ville teased, opening the coffee shop door, only to have Soya shake her head. “What?”

“Can we sit outside?” Soya asked, wrinkling her nose at the heat coming from the coffee shop.

Ville raised an eyebrow, looking at their shivering companions. “Soya, it’s a bit less than four degrees outside, our American friends are freezing.”

“Four?” Regan asked wide eyed.

“Celsius.” Soya corrected. “It’s about forty in Fahrenheit.”

“We’ll sit near a window; get you that cold you’re craving, all right?” Ville said.

“Fine.” Soya sighed, following the group in, finding a table near the back next to the window as Regan and Ville went up to order. “It’s good to see you.” Soya admitted, smiling lightly at Emmy. “I may not be acting like it, but it is good to see you and Regan.”

“I’ll attribute the mood to the hangover you’re curing.” Emmy smiled. “It’s good to see you too, Soya. Are you enjoying your time here?”

“I am.” Soya laughed softly, wincing at the clattering of dishes. “Are you ever going to answer the question as to why you and Regan flew from Texas to Finland?”

“Josef told us your father had passed away.”

Soya nodded slowly. “He did, but you didn’t have to come up here for that.”

Emmy shrugged as Ville and Ragan came back. “We wanted to.”

“Tea and a muffin.” Ville said, setting a mug and chocolate chip muffin in front of her.

“Thank you.” Soya muttered, taking a sip of her tea.

“So you guys are like, official now, right?” Regan asked, taking a drink of his coffee, watching them. Ville’s arm settled on the back of Soya’s chair, though his hand was rubbing her arm slowly; while one of Soya’s hands cupped her mug the other was under the table, presumably on Ville’s leg.

“Yes.” Soya said slowly, looking at Regan. “There has to be more to your story than just coming because my father died.”

“Soya!” Soya winced as the loud voice hit her ears, the chair next to her scraping loudly as the person in question sat down. “Hey drunkie!”

“Hi, Jussi.” Soya muttered with a wince.

“So, I heard you got smashed last night!” Jussi said, not bothering to lower his voice, causing Soya to slap her hand over his mouth.

“Just, please, stop talking; your voice is even more grating than usual.” Soya muttered, glaring at him.

Ville chuckled, removing Soya’s hand from Jussi’s mouth. “That would be Soya’s way of telling you to lower your voice as she has a bit of a headache.”

“You’re a mean drunk.” Jussi teased.

“I’m not drunk.” Soya muttered, before frowning at him. “How do you even know I got drunk?”

“It’s amazing how fast news travel in this group.” Jussi smirked, stealing Ville’s mug and taking a drink of his coffee.

“This is news? How is this news?” Soya asked with wide eyes.

“How is it not news?” Jussi laughed, handing Ville his coffee back. “I’m Jussi; nice to meet you.” He greeted smiling at Regan and Emmy.

“Jussi, this is Regan Ronalds and Emmy Jacobs. They’ve come to visit Soya.” Ville introduced.

“Who else knows about last night?” Soya asked.

Ville laughed. “Don’t worry about it too much love; we’ve all had our embarrassing moments while drunk.”

Soya blinked. “What did I do?”

“I heard there was some dancing on tables.” Jussi teased.

“You didn’t dance on any tables.” Ville laughed, assuring Soya before looking at his friend. “You can leave now, Jussi.”

“Fine, fine, my coffee’s ready anyway. Have a good day, Soya!” Jussi yelled, causing her to groan and clap her hands over her ears.

“Perse!”(Ass) Soya muttered, turning to glare at him as he left with his coffee. She turned to her boyfriend with a glare. “Seriously, what did I do last night?”

“You danced, you drank and you talked, Soya; that is all you did, I promise you.”

“I said something didn’t I?”

“Soya, you said a lot of things last night.” Ville laughed. “All of which were amusing, focus on Regan and Emmy right now.”

Soya groaned as she looked back at the teens. “Straight answer, what are you doing here?”

“We hated Texas!” Emmy blurted, covering her mouth with her hand as Regan groaned.

Soya looked at them with wide eyes. “You came to Finland because you hated Texas, oh Emmy, please tell me your mother knows.”

“I’m eighteen.” Emmy muttered.

“Her parents don’t know.” Regan said with a roll of his eyes. “We figured that if we saved our money and found our own way over here, you’d be too impressed to send us back.”

“You’d be surprised at what I could do.” Soya said, with a wince. “I didn’t think it was possible, but my headache’s worse and I feel like throwing up again.”

Ville nodded. “Hmm, I was wondering when you’d start feeling nauseous again, I doubted you got everything out last night.”

Soya rubbed her temples. “I’m too tired to handle this right now.”

“Too hung over, there’s a difference.” Ville pointed out, only to raise his hands in defense when his girlfriend glared at him. “Sorry, I’ll keep quiet.”

“No, no, sorry.” Soya muttered shaking her head.

“Here, I have a suggestion.” Ville said, looking at Soya for approval. At her nod, he continued. “Why don’t you guys stay at Soya’s apartment, maybe even look around Helsinki since you’re here. I’m going to take Soya back to my place, let her sleep off this hangover.”

“That doesn’t solve anything.” Soya muttered.

“And then come over to my place for dinner.” Ville finished, ignoring Soya’s muttering. “By that time, Soya should be feeling a bit better to handle this.”

“All right.” Regan nodded slowly

“How does that sound, Soya?”

“I just want something to throw up in.” She muttered.

“I thoughts so,” Ville chuckled, “Come on, up you go.” He said, standing up, and helping her as they left the coffee shop. “Are you up for driving or want me to call a cab?”

“I’ll drive.” Soya said as they reached her apartment. She looked at the doors, causing Ville to laugh.

“Stay down here, I’ll go grab your keys and some clothes for Aida.” Ville chuckled, kissing the top of her head as she leaned against her car.

“Thank you.” Soya sighed in relief as Ville shook his head, following the teens up the stairs, thinking of the things he needed to gather.

“So how much did Soya drink last night?” Regan asked, as they reached the second landing.

“I’m not actually sure.” Ville admitted with a smirk. “We went out with some friends last night, and she left to dance with the girls, two hours later they were stumbling back. All I know is that she had three shots of Absinthe while at the table, before I had her switch to water.”

“I did not take Soya for a partier.” Emmy admitted as Ville pulled his keys out of his pocket.

“She’s not.” Ville told her, letting them into the apartment. “But Soya wanted to go out and…It’s a long story as to why we went out last night. I’ll be back.” He said, going into Aida’s room and collecting the girl a fresh uniform, hesitating on the pair of jeans and shirt wondering if she had a set of clothes at his place, before packing it into the overnight bag he had on the bed.

Knowing Soya had clothes at his place he didn’t bother going into her room, other than to get her car keys and wallet from the little clutch she’d carried the night before. Leaving the room and shutting the door behind him, he went out to the living room where the teens were waiting.

He took his keys out of his pocket and took Soya’s apartment key off his ring. “Here’s the key to the apartment, if you guys decide to go out, Soya has a phone book near her phone that’s in the kitchen, if you guys want to get a cab.”

“What time should we go to your place for dinner?” Emmy asked, shifting on her feet as she accepted the key.

“Six or seven is fine.” Ville shrugged. “Depends on whether Aida wants take out or for Soya to cook.”

“Our dinner is regulated by an eight year old?” Regan asked.

“Usually.” Ville nodded, he shrugged at their stares. “She’s a picky eater.” He defended. “Just call me when you’re on your way.” Ville suggested. “Or if you get lost around Helsinki.”

“Will do.” Emmy said with a small smile.

“Look,” Ville sighed, “Soya she’s excited to see you, and she wants to do the whole hugging, crying thing, but you have to admit it’s a bit of a shock for her to see you at her doorstep, all the way up here in Finland.”

“We know.” Emmy sighed, leaning against the back of the couch. “We just really, really hated it in Texas.”

Ville nodded. “And I’m sure Soya will understand that. If you want my advice, though, you should call your parents before you come to dinner. At least so that Soya has that peace of mind as do your parents. But you can take it or leave it.”

“Thanks Ville.”

Ville nodded. “Make yourselves at home, and uh…” Ville took out his phone when it vibrated with a new message; he looked at the text from Soya and smiled. “Soya says there’s some extra cash in one of her kitchen drawers, for anything you may need.”

“We’re fine with money.” Regan said.

Ville nodded. “Sure, but you know how Soya is. We’ll see you guys later.”

“Later.” Regan nodded.

“Bye.” Emmy smiled as Ville picked up the bag and left the apartment, he walked down the stairs, tossing Soya her keys once he made it outside and put the bag in the back seat. The ride to his tower was silent, only filled by the soft music Soya had put on and his tapping fingers on the fabric of his knees.

“I have to say,” Ville said as Soya turned the corner on his street. “Its days like these I wish I could drive.”

Soy laughed softly as she parked. “And why’s that?”

“So you could have slept on the way here.”

“I’m fine.” Soya shrugged, getting out of the car, Ville beating her to the back door and getting the bag he’d put there. “Just really wishing the headache would go away.”

“We’ll get you back in bed.” Ville teased, kissing the top of her head as they walked up to his tower. “I gave Emmy the key to your place.”

“That’s fine.” Soya nodded, “You told them about the money?”

“I did.” Ville nodded as Soya unlocked his door. “Though Regan assured me that they were fine money-wise.”

“Regan’s always had trouble accepting money. I’ll be back.”

Ville nodded, watching as Soya made her way upstairs. Looking at the ground, he picked up his mail, looking through the envelopes before tossing them on the counter and making his way upstairs, shaking his head when he heard Soya throwing up in the bathroom. Placing the bag he’d packed for Aida in his room, he went to the bathroom, opening the door and leaning against the door jamb.

“God, even when you’re throwing up you sound feminine.” He smirked.

“Are you making fun of me?” Soya groaned leaning against the tub and flushing the toilet.

“A little bit.” Ville laughed. “Better?”

“My tummy’s still all gurgle-y, what did I drink?”

“I only know of the absinthe.”

“I had absinthe?” Soya asked wide eyed. “Why the hell would I drink absinthe?”

“Mige compelled you with its pretty green color.” Ville laughed.

“Oh God.” Soya groaned.

“You also told me you had lost count after…the pretty blue drink.” Ville said thinking about their conversation last night. “There was also mention of a pink one as well, though from what Vedrana and Toni told us, everything had vodka, and at one point you all stopped ordering and let the bartender surprise you with what he brought you.”

“I remember taking a shot with Vedrana, and then taking a pink shot with Toni and Vedrana, and then after that it gets hazy.”

“I’m sure, peer pressure is quite the bitch, I think we should get married.”

“Yes it…” Soya frowned, looking up at Ville. “What?”

Ville nodded. “I think we should get married.”

Soya gave a small laugh, covering her mouth as she stared at him. “Please, Ville, please tell me that’s not your idea of a proposal.”

“And if it is?” Ville asked with a grin.

Soya laughed, staring at him is disbelief as she stood up. “I would rather not be proposed to just as I finished throwing up because I lost track of how many drinks I imbibed the night before. I would also ask about my ring.” Soya said with a raised eyebrow, going to the sink and grabbing her toothbrush. “I would also ask what changed.” She looked at him through the mirror as she ran her toothbrush over her teeth.

“Let’s just say, somewhere between the time you told me that you could start popping out little Ville’s after we wait two years, of course, as no one wants to see a pregnant ballerina on stage, and you refusing to let me carry you up the stairs of your apartment because you were worried that my asthma would act up, my own fog lifted.”

“I said what?” She asked staring at him wide eyed through the mirror, her toothbrush hanging from her mouth.

“There was also advice taking from Toni in sexual positions, which made Linde turn red from embarrassment, and he doesn’t embarrass easily, so you can only imagine what was said.” Ville smirked, winking at her as he left the bathroom.

Soya spit into the sink, rinsing her mouth out before following Ville to the bedroom. “Is there anything else that I said that I should know about?” Soya asked.

“Why won’t you say yes?” Ville asked sitting at the edge of the bed watching her.

“Because that wasn’t a proposal, Ville, it was a suggestion!”

“Would you like me to get down on one knee?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.

“No!” Soya said quickly. “No, it’s not…” Soya sighed, taking her hair out of its bun and running her fingers through the long strands.

“Are you having second thoughts about wanting to get married?” Ville asked softly watching her carefully.

“No.” Soya admitted. “I’m having very excited thoughts about getting married and that scares me…a lot.”

“Soya,” Ville said, grabbing her hands and pulling her forward so she stood between his legs, settling his hands on her waist.

“I just finished telling Linde that we weren’t even thinking about getting married and now here you are…I don’t even know if you are proposing Ville.”

“I think I am.”

“Then you’re not!” Soya laughed. “If your proposal has the word, ‘think’ in it, then it’s not a proposal, it’s like saying ‘I think I do’ at the altar.”

“Soya.”

“We haven’t even really told each other that we…you know.”

“That we what?” Ville asked with a frown.

“We haven’t used the ‘L’ word since you yelled it at me.”

“True.”

“And we haven’t even had sex.”

“Even more reason that we know getting engaged and married is right, as we know it’s not the sex keeping us together.”

“Ville.”

“Soya.” Ville sighed. “Is it the way I’m proposing that’s keeping you from saying ‘yes’ or is it the idea of our friends being disapproving that has you from accepting?”

Soya bit her lip as she thought about it. Really, the thought of her friends disapproving was a minor thought, as she knew even through their disapproval they would eventually warm to the idea. “The way you’re proposing.”

Ville laughed. “Really?”

“Really, it’s the way you’re proposing, and you don’t have a ring.”

“How do you know I don’t have a ring?” Ville smirked, letting go of her hips as she moved away, crawling into bed.

“Because I know you, you asked…no…you suggested I marry you in a bathroom after throwing up. You don’t have a ring.”

Ville laughed, laying in the bed next to her and wrapping his arm around her waist. “So when I have a ring, will you say yes?”

Soya snorted, closing her eyes. “When you ask me properly, I’ll say yes.”

Ville kissed the back of her head, as she snuggled deeper into the blankets and his body. He closed his eyes ready to take a short nap before he went to pick up Soya’s little sister, only to open his eyes when he heard Soya laughing. “What?”

“Linde is going to kill us if he finds out we got engaged after we both told him we weren’t thinking of it.”

“Definitely worth dying for, love.” Ville chuckled, tightening his grip around her waist. “Definitely worth dying for.”