immaculate.

At last, the pair of them exist in a world separate from the cursed universe of New York City. This, the land where Lee had been born — where he'd first killed, first loved, first been locked away — witnessing his return with a beautiful woman in his arm.

The President has business with the King, the press says. It concerns them little. Except—

"Don't tell me you're staying at the palace, darling. I find that I can bypass almost any security, but that—" Lee laughs. "Though, I'm sure his Majesty of all people would understand a need severe enough to drive one mad."

A glance up through her lashes. “Besides… I think madness suits you, quite well.” The words come out quite soft, almost like a touch of velvet. “After all, a man willing to tear through kingdoms for something he wants? That’s terribly attractive.”

She leans in just enough for her perfume to linger, her voice dropping even lower. “And if His Majesty understands desperate appetites…” Elena’s smile curves sharper. “Then I’m certain he’d forgive whatever you’re planning to do with me. However...my accommodation for this trip is at The Chancery, so maybe not as heavy security that someone like you couldn't take on," Elena murmured, realizing she was encouraging this madness, but really--where was the fun in being so safe all the time.

He's infinitely intrigued. Is the status quo of her clean-cut life, the right parameters for what bleeds into personal affairs? Does she crave more of the same, or the excitement of someone who refuses to play by the same rules?

Lee does take her face then, delicate between his hands. "You, and me, and London." Leaning in, he kisses not her mouth, but the side of her face — lips connecting to the base of her ear. "Can't bloody wait, darling."

It surprises her when he hold her face in what could only be described as a tender grip, one Elena used to run from--that she feels his soft kiss against the base of her ear. "Glad to know that's how we both feel," she returned when he released her face and she pulled back ever so slightly, finding a thrill in this chase of his. "Preferably in the next few weeks. Can you make that happen?"

"I don't feel guilty, darling. You're a grand woman, so a grand gesture is the bloody minimum, I reckon."

London. It's a tease, and he knows it — but not such insane of an idea. Grown adults as they are, it could be made into reality. "My favourite city."

Could she make it happen? Perhaps. Would she? Definitely. "Then I guess our next meeting will be in your favourite city." Elena put down her half-finished glass now and leaned towards him, her voice dropping several octaves, her lips brushing his ear. "I can't wait."

(Had he gone to Elena, would she have welcomed his insanity, or rejected it altogether?)

"I apologise, darling." It's all that Lee can say — all the the recognition he can offer. "It's a new year, innit. A date, the proper kind. Be it in New York, DC, London, or wherever you'll have it. How about it?"

“If this is you actually showing up…” She tilts her head slightly. “Then yes. One proper date.” A small pause as she weighs her words a little more. "Somewhere neutral. So maybe London would be a good choice," she teases once more with a smile.

“And for the record? I’m not still here because of the danger.” A moments passes as she inches closer herself, hating how easily she's getting swept up in the moment. “I’m here because you tried.” Will she regret this tomorrow? Perhaps but for now--it's what feels right.

But as soon as he closes some of the gap between them, her hand in his, those lips against her hand, she's aware that he's taking every initiative she's thrown his way. "It has...it's why I'm still here," she remarked before keeping her hand in his grip. There was a very dangerous allure to Lee and somewhere it made Elena question if that was what drew her in--or if there was something deeper than that even.

If it's a competition, sometimes it's smart to let the other person think they're winning. Ava breaks their eye contact first, an illusion of surrender or compliance, when in reality she's only calculating her next move. "You have nothing to worry about." A brief pause and a chuckle. "I'll protect you if it comes to that."

"It's your workplace, innit, darling?" He mentions first, warming up to the rest. "I reckon the entire bloody city is it. As much as I'd like to be in your presence," — as he'd mentioned, over and over, through a series of texts — "I wouldn't dare complicate such things for you. Not unless you'd want me to."

"The entire city is, absolutely. But I thought my responses were enough to tell you that I did in fact want you to complicate things," she paused, inching just a bit closer. "In fact...I encouraged it."

EVERYDAY LIFE / DOMESTIC

📋 : how organized is your muse?

✅ : what do they pretend to have together that they don't?

🕰️ : what time do they naturally wake up when no one needs them?

☕ : what's their morning ritual, and what happens when it's disrupted?

🧺 : how often do they do laundry?

🪞 : do they look at themselves in mirrors, or avoid them? why?

🍽️ : do they eat to survive, for pleasure, or as comfort?

🏠 : what part of their living space reflects them the most?

🌱 : do they keep plants, and are those plants alive?

🧼 : what's something they're weirdly particular about being clean?

📺 : what do they put on when they don't want to think?

SOCIALIZATION / CONNECTION

🗣️ : are they better one-on-one, or in groups?

📱 : do they text back immediately, or let messages rot?

🫥 : how often do they pretend to be fine to keep the peace?

🎭 : how different are they with strangers versus people they trust?

🤝 : do they make friends easily, or accidentally?

🧠 : what do they assume people think about them?

🌘 : how hard is it to really know them?

🎉 : do they enjoy social events, or endure them?

🪑 : are they the type to leave early without saying goodbye?

INTROSPECT / INTERNAL LANDSCAPE

🕵️‍♀️ : how often does your muse think about death?

🧩 : what part of themselves do they not understand yet?

🫀 : what emotion scares them the most?

👣 : do they believe they deserve good things?

🧱 : what walls are they aware of building? which ones are they not aware of?

🕳️ : what do they spiral about at night?

📉 : what's their most common self-criticism?

💀 : do they trust their own memories?

🌊 : what emotion do they drown in when they're alone?

PERSONAL / DEEP / TRAUMA-ADJACENT

🩸 : what wound shaped them the most, even if they won't admit it?

🔥 : what moment do they replay when they're ashamed?

🧷 : who failed them first?

🕯️ : what do they grieve that no one else sees as a loss?

🪤 : what pattern do they keep falling back into?

🧨 : what pushes them past the point of restraint?

🧬 : what did they inherit emotionally from their caregivers?

🕶 : what lie do they tell themselves to survive?

🩹 : what actually helps them heal, even if it's unhealthy?

HABITS / VICES / COPING

🚬 : what vice do they justify the most?

🍺 : do they drink to socialize, numb, or celebrate?

💊 : what's their relationship with substances, past or present?

🏃 : do they move their body to feel alive or to punish it?

🛏️ : how do they sleep when things are bad?

🎧 : what kind of music gets them through the worst days?

🖊️ : do they write things down or let thoughts rot in their head?

☔️ : do they intellectualize pain instead of feeling it?

🕳️ : what habit would unravel them if taken away?

SEXUALITY / INTIMACY

🫠 : is it easy for them to get turned on, or do they need emotional safety first?

💞 : do they separate sex and feelings, or blur them dangerously?

🛑 : what's an immediate turn-off for them?

🔥 : do they crave intensity or stability?

🤲 : do they like being in control, or giving it up?

🪶 : are they gentle with people they desire?

🍒 : how do they feel about their own body during intimacy?

🎱 : what do they need to feel wanted?

🔒 : do they guard intimacy, or give it too freely?

💔 : have they ever used sex to avoid something?

MORALITY / CHOICES

⚖️ : what line will they never cross?

🩶 : what line have they already crossed and justified? or regret?

🧭 : do they believe they're a good person?

🔪 : what would they do if survival demanded cruelty?

🪙 : what do they value more, loyalty or truth?

🚪 : who would they abandon if forced to choose?

🕊️ : do they believe in forgiveness? for themselves? in others?

🧨 : what would make them snap permanently?

📜 : what promise do they regret making?

"A toast to the busiest woman in all of Washington — District of bloody Columbia." When Lee had first pursued her at a party, many moons ago, he'd known of her high profile and busy schedule; he didn't mind communicating digitally and only seeing her face on TV. "For a moment, I even considered making the trip."

"Honestly it will be a cold day in hell before he listens to me," the doctor knew how much his brother hated him and they also hated the fact more when they are told Levi was in charge. He knew he was in for a lot of headache because this was just the same pattern repeating over and over. The doctor wished that Leo was still alive that way Leo could put up with Andrew and he could just go back to being in the background instead of having all these responsibilities.

Ava sips on her drink, a gimlet with a lime slice, and scans the room. It's easy to get lost in a crowd like this, but a few figures stand out. Some, she'll keep trackign throughout the night. Others, she will ignore. This one, she will approach.

"Elena Serrano," she greets her with a grin, body leaning against the bar as she watches the other woman with inviting eyes. "You got me into a lot of trouble last time, you know?"

She'd just ordered herself a gin fizz when she heard her name. Instinctively she turned, a picture perfect smile on her face that only deepened when she took notice of who had said it. "Trouble? Little old me?" She turned back when the bartender placed her drink in front of her and placed a generous tip in the jar before turning back to Ava. "So tell me--what trouble did I cause last time?"