Title: Vanilla Salt

Flavor: Salt. Saltiness galore.

Rating: T

Length: 3277 words

Prompt: "The group shares a house and Talia and Mephisto are always finding random reasons to send their friends out so that they can have some alone time!" (for stolennstars)

Summary: Sometimes its hard to be honest about how you feel in a relationship, especially one that's suppose to be a secret! Talia learns about what buttons you shouldn't push, and Mephisto learns that even ice queens can be thawed…

(A/N: I'll let you guys decide where I should go with this… On another note, a prompt for a comic has been posted so check that out!

"I can't believe you're seriously angry over this."

"I can't believe you're still attempting to talk to me."

Mephisto groaned as he tossed his head back against the seat of his chair. Talia rolled her eyes as she continued to chop the vegetables for dinner. She wanted him to leave her alone as soon as possible. Her grip tightened on the wooden spoon in her hand, her fingers aching as the handle dug into her palm.

"Well, what did you want me to say? You and I both agreed we weren't ready to go public with our budding romance, so I gave an answer they would expect." Mephisto shrugged, rocking on the hind legs of his chair, munching on a pretzel in the process.

"That's just it! Why would they expect you to be attracted to Iris?" Talia huffed,

tossing the combination of bell peppers into a pan with the now browned steak.

"Probably because to them, YOU HATE ME. Remember that?" She glared at him and he smirked, "Ya know, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were jealous." The pale twin chuckled, stabilizing his chair and smirking at her, placing his head in his hand.

"Jealous of what? Of Iris? She's my best friend! Don't try to figure things out, it's not what you're good at." She growled, tossing about the concoction as it sizzled with her temper. She was pleased by the silence that followed and sighed in relief as the sound of him pushing out his chair echoed through the kitchen.

She shouldn't be mad; honestly, she knew his reason and it was understandable, but that didn't make it hurt any less. Their friends had been trying to encourage him to go out with one of the girls they had encountered at the beach and have a triple date. He had refused, of course, and the group was quick to make speculations. Mephisto was always up for a night out, and he was quickly called out on it. He had told them he was honestly interested in someone else; which of course, only made the situation worse. Praxina was angry for not knowing about his crush sooner, and Matt and Auriana had started a guessing game of potential women.

Questions ranging from personality to hair color flew about the room, and it wasn't until he had answered all their questions that Auriana had realized all his answers pointed to Iris. A blonde, blue eyed cutie that was adventurous, fun to hang out with, and girly to the core. There had always been a little intrigue as to if Mephisto had some attraction to one of the members of the band, and they agreed it would likely be the frontrunner of the show. It was unnerving, especially when Praxina revealed he had been interested in her before.

The girl he described was nothing like her. She was serious, clean cut, and a bit boyish to boot. Her jeans, sweats, and flats rivaled Iris' frilly dresses, sparkling bows, and tiny heels. Her golden blonde waves and Auriana's bright ruby locks outshined her basic brunette strands and even Praxina, with her burgundy curls dramatized her appearance over their leader. Blues and greens were probably prefered over her golden orbs, and her lack of partying usually put her in the category of being a stick in the mud. She bit her inner cheek as she recalled the many times Mephisto had told her and others she needed to "pull the pole from her ass" every once and awhile.

She poured the richly flavored meats onto a serving platter and turned off the rice cooker and stove before heading out to the living room.

"Dinner's done. I've got some stuff to take care of, so eat whenever." she wiped her hands on her shirt as Praxina, Matt, Auriana, and Nat made their way towards the delicious fumes.

"Hey, Nat, where's Iris?" Talia frowned, looking around the room as she picked up her notebook and guitar case.

"I think she went to talk to Mephisto. He was probably joking earlier, knowing him, but you know how Iris is…" Nat gave her a reassuring smile, rubbing a bit at the back of his neck, "He was kidding, right?"

"How should I know?" Talia frowned, "We don't talk."

"I don't know, it just seemed like the two of you were finally starting to get along. He seems more honest around you." Nat gave her a reassuring smile, causing Talia to blush.

"I wouldn't know. Like I said, we don't talk; I'm gonna go let Iris know." Talia headed towards the stairs.

"Ya know, Mephisto has to eat too!" The brunette chuckled.

"No he doesn't!"

Once in the clarity of her room, Talia let out a tired sigh. Despite their goal of pretending to be uninterested in each other, it was obvious something had changed between the two of them, and that was a dangerous circumstance. Well, at least to the more observant. Nat had a strange ability to read those around him, and despite their opposing personalities, she seemed to be the easier read. Even Nat had difficulty reading the twins, but Praxina was always the more compatible of the two.

She laid face down on her bed, contemplating over her next move. She didn't want to break off her relationship with Mephisto, but she didn't want to shove it down her friends' throats either; but hiding it was proving more difficult than before. She didn't think that their would be others interested in him; he was a good looking and funny guy after all, once you get passed his obnoxious attitude. She also didn't want to look like a cop out for him either, a rebound after getting 'rejected' by Iris or a way to hide from impending dates. Groaning, she nuzzled at her pillows. They felt almost unfamiliar, she was so use to them being warmer from his constant invasion of her privacy. His scent had wrapped the fibers in a sweet woodsy fragrance after many lazy afternoons lounging in her room, showing her how to work his camera and listening to her go over song after song. It was so cold now.

Pushing herself up, she repositioned her bangs before straightening her white and navy top and jacket. She let out a deep breath as she arrived at her destination, the bright green door wide open for her.

"Mephisto, I like you as a friend, and so does Nat, so please, understand where I'm coming from…" Iris stood at the edge of the bed, fidgeting with her delicate fingers as she stared down at the furniture's occupant. He laid with his leg crossed over his knee, and was looking through his phone.

"But, Iris, my goddess, how can you reject thy love? Is it not enough?" Mephisto smiled up at her playfully, and Iris gave him a stern frown.

"Mephisto, I'm being serious. I'm getting married to Nat! You're one of his groomsmen for goodness' sake! This isn't okay!"

Talia shook his head as he stifled laughter, "But Iris, after all we've been through! How could you reject me so!"

"Mephisto!" Iris groaned, "For the fifth time-"

"Dinner's ready."

The blonde jumped as Talia crossed her arms, an unamused scowl on her face, "Mephisto, I think you've tortured her enough."

He sighed, "Killjoy."

"Thanks, Talia." Iris smiled, embarrassed, leaning over to whisper, "How'd you know he was joking?"

"Easy. He's a big joke." Talia smiled as Iris giggled, leaving the room. Talia shook her head at the girl before turning her attention to Mephisto, "I said dinner's ready."

"Yeah, whatever, I heard you the first time." He grumbled, turning away from her.

"Fine. Whatever. You're being an idiot." Talia crossed her arms, opting to glare at the posters that decorated the wall. She jumped as his phone shattered against the wall. She barely had time to register the event when he slammed the door in her face. She stared at the door in shock; Mephisto was a temperamental man, but she had never seen him seriously angry. Frowning, she twisted the knob, but it was locked. The door towered over her and it unnerved her how a door so recently unlocked could close so fast with the wrong trail of words.

She turned her back towards the door, but her body refused to budge. She took a seat by the door. He'd come out to eat. He had to eat. Nat probably knew him better than she did, so he had to come out. She'd give him three minutes tops.

Time began to pass, with three minutes becoming thirty, and the idea of anyone catching her pouting outside his door quickly resulted in a retreat to her own bedroom. The serene blues and softening violets were a relief from the intense chartreuse that guarded her angry lover. She retrieved the shirt he had given her when she was sick, and a pair of shorts, changing before allowing her bedding to swallow her whole. It was frigid and her stomach twisted with regret. She should've just been clear about her feelings before hand. She seemed to have a habit of looking at the negative over the positive outcome, and as usual, her choices led her to guilt and anger. Picking up her phone, she opened her messages, her finger hovering over his icon. Swallowing her pride, she punched in a short and simple apology. He didn't respond.

Hunger shook her from her slumber and she rolled over to pick up her phone. She grumbled as she rubbed at her eyes, pushing her bangs back with her free hand. She winced as the bright light hit her golden irises, and she sniffed in response as her eyes watered from the burning light. She noted that it was already two fifteen in the morning. Her stomach growled and she muttered a slew of curses as she dragged her body from the cool sheets.

She quickly and quietly made her way downstairs. The TV flickered as the black and white horror film raged on. The kitchen light was dimmed, but she could make out his figure in a heartbeat. He looked to be half asleep, having dozed off over a half eaten plate of fajitas and brown rice. She smiled softly, and made herself a small plate before taking the seat next to him. He let out a light snore before his head slipped from his hands and he jerked backwards with a yelp, his chair falling backwards.

"Mephisto!" She half yelled, half whispered as she helped him up.

"Talia?!" His emerald eyes widened as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Shhh! Everyone's asleep!" She whispered, helping set his chair back up.

"What are you doing up?" He mumbled, and went to rub at his eyes.

She quickly caught his hand, and he tensed under her touch. She blushed as they locked eyes, and she loosened her grip, "There's chilies in the food…you'll irritate and burn your eyes that way…"

He nodded, and went over to the sink to wash his hands. He splashed water on his face. Grabbing the nearest towel, he wiped his face before throwing it away and murmuring curses.

"Are you okay?" Talia turned to look at him in her seat, but only received swears in return and a shout over a cursed towel. She gasped as she realized she had forgotten to clean up in a hurry to escape their previous confrontation. She quickly grabbed a fresh towel from the drawer as he caught his breath, shutting off the icy water after flushing his eyes.

"Thanks…" He chuckled, wiping his eyes, "Guess I really am the dumb one…"

"No, that was my fault. I usually clean after myself…"

"I wasn't paying attention."

"That doesn't make you stupid."

"Its whatever." He shrugged, leaning against the counter. She eyed him cautiously before realization dawned on her.

"You're not stupid, Mephisto. You act like an idiot sometimes, but you aren't one. You can be surprisingly witty when you want to be." She smiled kindly at him and he looked thoughtful.

"People treat us that way, ya know. Praxina and I; she's always been the smart one, the talented one, the easier one to manage. But she isn't really like that. She was a clumsy and whiny child, and she's afraid of roaches. Bugs in general. She can't drive very well and sometimes forgets simple tasks and events. And don't even get me started on her baking!"

Talia giggled and he smiled before continuing, "It feels like we were both set into personas we never really fit to begin with. It's a lot of pressure to be the classy, smart one. It's a lot of pressure to be considered the athletic, stupid, preppy cliche too."

"Then don't be it. Isn't that what you told me? Don't be embarrassed or ashamed of yourself. Don't be put into a mold."

He nodded, and she bit her lip, "Did…did you get my text?"

"I broke my phone." He blushed slightly, tugging at his bangs. He cast his eyes to the floor.

"Oh." She took in a shaky breath, "I'm sorry for making you believe what I said. I didn't think…"

"You not thinking? That's new." He chuckled, crossing his arms.

"I'm trying to apologize. You don't have to be an asshole about it." Talia glared, her hands meeting her hips.

"Hellooo! I'm Mephisto, it's kinda my thing." Amusement sparkled in his eyes and she shook her head in slight annoyance, "Why were you so mad? I never struck you as the jealous type. Maybe the secretly kinky type, or the intellectual bookworm type, but jealousy?"

"I wasn't jealous! It's just…is it really that hard to believe that we'd be into each other? That you would like someone so different?" She voice cracked a bit and she winced at her vulnerability. He had a way of making her mask slip too often, but now she just wanted to throw it out the door, "Maybe I was jealous…but, not of Iris. Not of anybody, really. I'm nothing like the girl you described, I'm the complete opposite."

"True."

She let out an exasperated sigh, leaning back against the fridge, "I just want you to think I'm attractive…"

Their eyes widened in mutual shock, and she felt her face heat up with embarrassment. She hadn't met to say it out loud, but she supposed it was what she wanted to say all along. She wanted him to have a thing for brunettes, and to see the beauty behind a powerful mind. She wanted him to think she was fun, and that she was feminine in her own unique design.

"You don't think I find you attractive?" He eyed her curiously, his gaze echoing surprise, his cheeks flushing.

"Oh God, I really did say that out loud…dammit…"

"Talia…"

"You've never really said much on the subject, okay…but don't worry about it." Talia muttered, wiping up the counter.

"You've never said anything to me about whether or not you thought I was attractive. Then again, I'm quite the Adonis, any act of resistance against this bundle of yes-ness is futile." He tossed his bangs dramatically, striking a heroic pose.

Talia snorted, crossing her arms, "You're alright."

"Please, you like this." He grinned, creeping towards her.

"Ew."

"You think about me. Posing like one of Jack's French girls."

She stifled a giggled behind the back of her hand as the distance between them lessened. She'd never let him watch that movie again.

"You wanna hug me."

"Don't touch me."

"But, you wanna touch me."

"A root canal sounds better."

"You wanna kiss me."

"That's blasphemy."

Her pulse quickened as her chest pressed against his, his fingers playing at her hips making her skin tingle at his touch. His bangs tickled her cheek, and his evergreen eyes penetrated her soul to the point of her inability to hold them with her own. He really was pleasing look at, and his proximity was intimidating. Her eyes wandered to his lips, and a quick swipe of his tongue teased her to the breaking point.

He quickly accommodated her, his grip tightening as her back collided with the fridge. She gasped at the impact, and his lips quickly opted for her well exposed flesh. She shivered as light pecks turned to sensual licks, mews of appreciation slipping from her lips. She let out a startled cry as he lifted her higher, his teeth sinking into the crook of her neck. His tongue grazed over the bruised flesh, and her breathing became ragged as he sucked at the spot. Her mocha legs hooked at his waist, and her nails dragged against his creamy shoulders in an intoxicated daze. She moaned his name, and he captured her lips as her shaking fingers combed through his violet tresses. The swirling of his tongue and the stinging sparks of the capsicum blend made her ears burn, her body growing hot as he pressed his body into her. She whimpered as he gripped her thighs, and she pressed into him, pulling on his shirt with growing intensity. He trembles against her as she nibbles on his lip, releasing to nuzzle against his neck as he struggles to catch his breath. She strikes at the opportunity, laying playful kisses along his jaw as her hands drag along his shoulder blades. He shudders, and she nips at his earlobe, eliciting a hiss. She let's out a dark chuckle before savoring the porcelain skin, relishing in the impassioned , desperate groans and whispers escaping from his throat as she began to take control…

"Ahem."

The intertwined lovers quickly snap their attention to their audience in surprise. Nat stares at the kitchen table, a glass awkwardly empty in his hand.

Mephisto quickly sets Talia upright, fixing his hair as Talia pulls at her hair to cover her neck. She guiltily looks up to Nat with the hope of ignorance, but he had caught her in between a fridge and a hard place looking rather inviting. Or worse, the instigator. Which she was, of course.

"Uh, Nat. Sorry, did we wake you?" Talia smiled, but she felt the heat rising to her cheeks.

"Uh, no. Iris wanted some water so…"

"Oh."

"And I came to get some from the fridge…"

"Oh." Talia stepped aside as he moved to fill up the glass. She looked to Mephisto, who was taking his seat at the table, a look of horror on his features.

"Late dinner, huh?" Nat bit his lip in slight amusement as Talia's face turned a deep crimson.

"Yeah, pretty full now though." Mephisto took a sip of his own drink, and Talia glared in response.

"Oh, really? You guys look starved." Nat smirked causing Mephisto choked on his drink, flying into a coughing fit.

Talia facepalmed, groaning, "Nat…"

" Yeah. I know. Y'all don't talk." He smiled reassuringly, "I got it."

Talia smiled gratefully as he left, taking her seat at the table and letting out a sigh of relief.

"Talia."

She looked towards Mephisto, and was startled by the calm expression he carried as he watched her, "What?"

"You were the opposite of my answers for a reason. Its called a plan. You keep telling me to start using those."

He smiled before kissing her temple and setting his plate in the sink, waving with a good night.

She was glad when he left. The kitchen finally cooling itself down as his presence evaporated with time. He was already missed, but she was glad he left. She didn't want him to see her grinning like an idiot. She had trained herself to fight such urges in public; to remain cool and collect around him.

He had a terrible habit of having her be the very opposite.