decadence

Since their initial meeting, she'd only seen him in passing a few times around campus. Or maybe she just never noticed before. She'd been more focused on her studies, after all. While most other girls would probably throw themselves at him, she didn't care to. "Thanks." Her voice soft as he easily reached the book she struggled to get. Lucky for her, he happened to be close by. Again. It was a pure coincidence that was getting slightly annoying. "Maybe one of these days I'll stop needing your help," she commented with a small chuckle. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you were following me around."

VICTOR HAD RARELY JOINED CAMPUS activities. He had a small circle of trusted people, but his connection with them had merely been for academic purposes. ❝You're welcome.❞ He briefly glanced down at his book and flipped a page, though his attention was still on her. ❝Seems like my timing is always right. I end up being there whenever you need me.❞ He let out a chuckle at her accusation, aware that it was a joke. ❝I can assure you, I'm not that type of person. It could be the other way around. You might be the one following me around,❞ he quipped jokingly. There had been instances of him getting followed by people who didn't respect his privacy, but he trusted that Justine wasn't that kind of person. She seemed genuinely unaware of who he really was.

hit the ( ❤️ ) if you want to write / plot together. this means world building with ships that are connected together. will approach you for plotting. mutuals only.

“I am offended you think so low of my ability to stay discrete, Princess. No one will ever know about the sides of you that you so desperately hide. But remember the longer you keep her hidden, the more you deprive yourself of what your body really wants.” His hand found the small of her back, pulling her in closer, desperate to remind her of how good it felt. He was hoping, no, praying, she'd eventually cave. “All that pent up frustration has to come out somehow and when it does, you’ll know where to find me.”

         She felt his hand at the small of her back, pulling her closer. She thought of pushing him away but did otherwise, leaning into him. A shiver of anticipation coursed through her body. He may be right. She already had a taste once, and she might crave for more. However, she had to stop herself and pull away before getting knee-deep into it. She canted her head to press a kiss to his cheek, and then pulled back. ❝Don't wait on me.❞ It wasn't because she wouldn't seek him out. Maybe she would, and him not being there would be for her own good.

❝ i know you will. ❞ the two can go back and forth all day long about their situation and who was supposed to make up for what but it's strangely been so long since the last incident that duri can't even find the strength to push on it further. ❝ i.. yes, i know that you've said it and felt it. but shouldn't you try and find someone who is on the same wavelength as you? someone as, i don't know, clingy? ❞ he doesn't mean it in a bad way, just that there have been plenty of times his affections are far more reserved. now is one of them, as she strokes his cheeks so gently. ❝ does this mean i should try and kill you? will you find someone more like-minded then? ❞

ERIN DIDN'T PUSH THE SUBJECT further, sensing his resignation. It was a distant memory now. It had been so long since that incident. She could admit that she had been in the wrong. However, she also thought of it as a fateful meeting between them. They could have met in a better circumstance, but she wouldn't have it any other way. ❝I could but they wouldn't be able to handle my crazy,❞ she quipped with a chuckle, shaking her head. ❝Are you really asking me this? Is this your attempt of getting rid of me?❞ The stroke to his cheeks turned into a pinch.

"three greats? you've got me beat there," she says with an awkward chuckle, her mind scrambling for the next move. maybe she should compliment his name, but that ship has sailed. she finds herself newly admiring her mother, who can glide through conversations like these without a hitch. she looks around and starts to see the appeal of the place, imagining how much quieter life would be without her mother's constant nagging or her father's relentless lectures about self-improvement. "oh, fancy!" she comments, even though her own family has more estates than they know what to do with. " you have more than one house? is it yours too?" she asks, she glances around again and then back at him, "isn't this city too loud to be a real escape? when people talk about getting away, i picture a cabin or a lake house —somewhere far from all the noise."

❝MAYBE FOUR. I DON'T KNOW. I lost count.❞ Victor chuckles in amusement. He assumes that Aysel is from a well-off family. She's unfazed when he'd brought up being named after a great-grandfather. People that aren't from their world tend to be shocked or find the naming tradition ridiculous. He's only concluding based on her reaction. He sits across from her and finishes his half-bitten French toast. ❝It's simple and comfortable.❞ This flat is humble compared to the other grand ones that his family owns. It's also his favorite. If anyone in his family had to pick a place they wanted to stay in, this would be the last place they'd have in mind. Unlike him, they preferred somewhere big and lavish. ❝I can't really say I own it when it's my parents' money.❞ He takes a sip of his coffee. ❝Well, it is near the city but not really in the city. There aren't a lot of people in this neighborhood, but it is near civilization.❞

❝ You're right it has always been a cutthroat type of world when it comes to making a name for yourself. That I understand. Oh come on don't pretend like your agent would have allowed herself to be surrounded by a no one like me. I know that I am still in your shadow , but they see me as a marketing tool whenever we're seen together. Just as mine do. You're probably right. It hasn't been fair of me to be angry with you for reaching your dream before me. I'm sorry that I can't be as selfless as you are. I know I should have been supportive , but at the time the envy had been too much for me to find it in me to be happy for you. ❞ There is no denying that it felt strange to open up to Phoenix again after all the time that has past between the two of being on any sort of civil place in their relationship. ❝ Glad that we can agree on one thing. I guess it is a good thing we clear the air before filming starts next week. ❞ Kennedy knew last thing either of them wanted was to not be able to sell the chemistry like they had for the first film.

THERE WERE MANY OUTSIDE FACTORS they couldn't control. The showbiz industry was a competitive field, and maintaining a friendship was a challenge. If they had risen to fame together, they might still inevitably be torn apart by something else. Though he'd always believed that he and Kennedy could weather through everything. ❝I wouldn't really let that happen. Our friendship being cut off just because I was told to do so.❞ Listening to Kennedy express her regret and understanding eased his indignation. He didn't think he could ever be rational if she went on with her vitriol. ❝I understand that—the envy—but just know that it hurt me when you cut me off and treated me coldly. You frustrated me, but I don't hate you. I never did.❞ The change of attitude relieved him. He didn't expect that she'd open up like this. Calming down, he drew a deep breath. ❝Hearing you talk like this, I wanna assume that you don't hate me that much anymore. We have to do our best to get a long and make this a hit. In some way, we'll fulfill our dream of rising together. You've already caught up to me, after all.❞