WE MET IN A PARIS CAFE ! °

this is their first stop in hours and the exhaustion is truly starting to set in, which is obvious considering rhett hadn't even protested when the guy at the front desk said the only available room had only one bed. he's already made his peace with the armchair in the corner, though he sits on the edge of the bed watching the television as he waits for selin to come out of the bathroom. as he hears the door, he doesn't yet look her way, as the news continues to drone on. "we'll be out early tomorrow. probably six or seven, but we can stop for some food and supplies, you got any cash on you?"

the shower felt like heaven. the water first poured out rust colored but it ran clear after a few seconds. the warmth provided enough relief on her back after being cramped in a vehicle for what felt like an eternity. the spare robe found hanging on the dingy towel rack would have to do for now considering selin wasn't willing to redress in the clothes she had been wearing the entire trip. after tying the knot of the cotton belt securely, she exits. bare feet pad across the carpet as she peeks to see what he's selected to put on the television. the news attention immediately shifts fully to the male. “whatever's in my wallet,” offered as she motioned to where her purse sits on the dresser next to the television. “i have cards but...he's probably frozen them.”

the moment her gaze lands upon him on the ice rink, lacey knew she was in trouble. he was far too attractive for his own good, smooth talker, and a real charmer -- making her weak in the knees just from one intense glance. "you should know i'm greedy and would like everything that you're willing to offer," the confirmation to do as he desires to her; allowing her imagination to go wild. heart jumps out of her chest from the warmth of his lips touching the corner of hers. hand comfortably slides into his, allowing him to guide her out, "never better."

the path that declan leads is to the exterior of the building. anytime he wanted to get a girl alone, he brought them to his apartment. well, penthouse. bought and maintained with daddy's money, of course. was almost like the cherry on top of the declan montgomery sundae. holds the door open for lacey, even allowing her to walk through first. it clicks shut behind him and as soon as it does he's tugging her closer. can't help himself despite the dying need to get her alone. “can i kiss you?” he asks which is strange because he never does. usually takes what is plainly given but with her...something about her makes him want to ask. to beg, even.

trying to lay boundaries that he already so clearly crossed was difficult, but it was clear that they weren't on the same page. he enjoy spending the night, tangling his feet with hers and waking up to her soft kisses. "obviously not, does twelve years old fuck like we do?" words slipped out before he could really stop himself. brow scrunches up in confusion, "you don't want space, but you don't want to be claimed by me.. can you see the confusion i'm getting here? yeah, maybe this isn't something that's going to work out."

a scoff of both irritation and revulsion can be heard swiftly after does twelve years old fuck like we do? it's enough to make her lean over and smack his arm not hard enough to hurt but firm enough to say shut up. the worst part of it all was, he was right. there was undeniable chemistry between them that came out especially when they were in bed together. “all i have said was that i don't want to be your girlfriend right now.” the last two words spoken slowly as if it will help him understand better. “but you're trying to give me some bullshit ultimatum or you're gonna go find some other chicks to fuck.” hand flails alongside her heated explanation. “you're the one looking pretty slimy right about now.”

stomach wavers unsettlingly at the pure vulnerability he shown, afraid that it tugged at her heart ever so slightly. "oh my.. i'm sorry that must be real difficult," gaze softens lifting to meet his, sigh falling from her lips realizing that they didn't know anything about one another.. how was it possible that they were supposed to be wedded in approximately a few months. "well, i wish you luck. i am a difficult woman to please." she wasn't, but bridget wasn't going to let him know that.

a muscle in his jaw tenses at the sympathy that she offers. hadn't asked for it and yet she offered it graciously, even after his obscene behavior. it was almost...touching. still, he only nods in response. it's his way of brushing it aside as if to say no matter. it could not matter anymore. had lost enough sleep over it as a young boy. “what are your favorite flowers?” a question he should already know the answer to but he had never been good at this sort of thing courting. it was a ritual he had refused to partake in and now...he almost wished he had at least dabbled in it.

he gestures towards the teapot, a peace offering of sorts as he stands opposite her. "would you like some more?"

not a word of how close, that could only be told with time. “i would, yes please.” responds to his offer with a nod.

maybe it's the fact that she appears to be less guarded than he expected, but marcus remains cautious of everyone and everything in the aftermath of his life blowing up. he knows his part in it, sees his own faults, but there's a good amount of betrayal involved in the whole world turning on you. anastasia takes his words in a way he doesn't expect, she asks him a question like she's an interviewer and initially he's taken aback. "that's what you want to know?" he asks, but then he ducks his head, thinking better of pressing her right now. he sips on his water and shrugs. "depends on the scene, really. different things work for different moods, but music is my go-to for headspace. i make so many playlists, i can be a little... meticulous about it. especially for a role."

the answer is deemed reasonable. she had heard many people claim that music was a great way to put them in a new headspace. personally, anastasia enjoyed writing. opening a journal and writing an entry in a character's point of view. it really helped her tap into the mindset of someone new. “do you make them on spotify?” adds onto the question, petals curling into a grin that said i'm up to no good. “i want to see your spotify later.” not requesting but a statement. after all, she could be very persuasive when she needed to be. “as for your question...” a dramatic pause with an inhale of breath, “i am curious of other things, naturally. but i'm sure you get asked stuff about your past all of the time. it's something that can be discussed later. the only thing weighing us down right now should be the delicious food we are about to eat!”

river exhaled slowly, trying to let go of their nervous energy to focus fully on charlotte, watching for signs that maybe this had been a bad idea. the corners of her mouth curved up into an acknowledging smile, but it didn't last long as the other began to ask if anyone was aware of their prior connection. "no." she brushed off the notion quickly. "i didn't think it was relevant. it's not like it's a conflict of interest or something. it's been a little bit, but i assumed you haven't... look, i figured you'd prefer it private."

it probably was a conflict of interest, at least it would have been labeled one if it ever got out. and that was the last thing she wanted to happen was for her first ever scandal to be breakout star, charlotte thorne, slept with director to further career! the mere thought made her skin crawl, goosebumps raising across both arms. “i would like that, yeah. that's really cool of you.” sentence breaks off awkwardly as she stands there, arms swinging lightly at both sides. “we should catch up.” finally offers, it's the only thing she can think of to say. “dinner or something?”

“I do not wish for this to be cold,” he continued. “Nor do I think you are a burden, or a replacement. It’s only—” He stopped, swallowing against the weight rising in his chest. “It’s only that I am not the man I was meant to be when your sister knew me.” He exhaled slowly, fingers curling together, the sound of rain pressing against the silence between them. “She was supposed to be my future. When she died, that future went with her. And now I find myself expected to build another from the ruins.” His gaze lifted, meeting hers at last. “You deserve better than to be built from grief.”

He tells her she is not a burden nor a replacement and that breaks the floodgates wide open. The tears she had been so intent on holding back could not be held any longer, one slipping down the curve of her right cheek. “I'm sorry,” the apology is forced out while fighting past an overwhelming wave of grief. A trembling hand reaches out to tenderly rest against where his are corded together. “We both lost someone close to us.” Leila was a light at the end of Amina's never-ending tunnel. One of the sole reasons she was able to make it this far it felt wrong being here when she was not. “We do not have to build anything from grief but perhaps...understanding. We may be closer than we already believe.”

"i mean, it's not... a requirement. it's usually up to whatever show has fairies. so, like, 'winx club' does, but 'fairly oddparents' doesn't... at least, i can't ever remember seeing them." paige thought outloud with that last part, her head tilted. however, she did notice the blush that formed on her cheeks. as a result, she had to bite back a small giggle. "okay, so..." paige looked back down at the outfit. "they come with fairy wings... and that's really it. they're short but not extremely short, but you can wear safety shorts if you feel like you need to." she explained, moving a strand of hair from her face. she held the outfit back up to lina, taking a step back to get a full look. "you'd look cute, hon. like, seriously cute, don't you think?" she had a smile on her face, alongside a hopeful look.

head nods along as she explains about the different types of fairies in television s it made perfect sense due to the fact it was something she had little knowledge on. “well, i don't think i'll need the shorts, i've got some at home.” as much as she loved to shop, it felt like an unnecessary purchase for it to be used the one time. head tilts to the side, smile beaming and poses with her hand on her hip. “i do think so, yeah.” gently takes the costume into her own possession as she steps forward to gently guide her own costume to fit in front of her frame. “buuuuut, i think you've got me beat.” gaze scans her from head to toe in pure adoration, “you've got me beat. you're gonna be the cutest fairy that's ever been. you're gonna make tinker bell jealous.”

"there's a violence in the way I long for you.."

“and how many other women have heard such sweet words uttered from your lips?” countered in a jesting tune yet still curious for his response.