Honestly, Millie couldn't actually believe that Finn had expected her to be able to take any other interest whatsoever and at the thought that he only wanted her for himself, she could feel her face flushing, although perhaps that had something to do with rushing about getting ready as quickly as she had. It was a small comfort that her make-up from when she'd been out was still on; there was absolutely no chance of getting it sorted out now. She let herself be pulled in and kissed again and then for only a split second, resisted before melting against his lips and letting out a little laugh as if she still couldn't believe how easily he had swept her away. When he finally drew back enough to take a breath, her forehead still resting against his, she let out a quiet little breath against him, and smiled as she admitted, "Well, you know about the plan already so you're clearly far more ready than I am," she said looking him from head to toe, and she put a sweet, little face on as if she was more hurt at him for not telling her than anything and squeezed his hands tightly. She had a quick look at her reflection and then turned back to him, tugging her jacket straight with perhaps more authority than she felt, "More than ready," she grinned a little wickedly at him and threaded her fingers with his, "you're big enough to wrap around me and keep me warm and so it'll have to do," and she tilted her head up to him.
Almost automatically Millie snatched up the room key, shoving it into the purse she'd brought and before she had time to overthink it, she'd linked her fingers with Finn's. It was such a natural gesture that she hadn't even realized what she was doing until they were already moving toward the door. The hotel room clicked shut behind them and for a moment, Millie just stood there in the hallway, like she'd floated out of a bubble she wasn't so sure she wanted to be pulled back into. "You ready for people to gossip?" she asked looking up at him with a faint, unsure smile. "Cause like, this is kind of our first real, like public, thing. I mean Napa doesn't count, we weren't alone... alone, you know." It still somehow felt like they had already been public for a lifetime by then, the part of her that didn't always have an input had clearly made up her mind and this was where she belonged. In the elevator she still didn't let go of his hand, idly playing with his fingers and felt that familiar ache in her chest that only she seemed to be able to pinpoint every time she caught a glimpse of him. She tilted her head and leaned on his shoulder, letting out a soft breathy laugh. "You're kind of setting a precedent here, you know." She murmured, tilting her head back and meeting his eyes. "And I'm going to start assuming I will be brought to rooftops on our dates." Her smile broadened a little more, sweet but teasing, before she swallowed slightly, squeezing his hand with hers as if it could somehow hold her down in the moment. "That's just what I'm saying… You're kind of setting the bar to a whole new level here, there is no competing with this date. None."
finn smiled down at millie with that soft, boyish grin that always seemed to appear only for her, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand as they stood in the hallway. he gave her fingers a reassuring squeeze, pulling her a little closer to his side as they started walking toward the elevator. "honestly? let them gossip." he said quietly. "i don't care who sees us anymore. i spent way too long pretending there wasn't something real between us. if people want to talk about me flying across the country and taking you on a rooftop date… let them. as long as i get to hold your hand like this and call you mine, they can say whatever they want." he glanced down at her, eyes full of affection as he watched her play with his fingers. when she leaned her head on his shoulder in the elevator, he tilted his head to rest gently against hers, breathing in the familiar scent of her shampoo. "you look beautiful, by the way. i meant what i said earlier, you could wear anything and i'd still think you're the prettiest girl in any city."
as the elevator descended, finn let out a soft laugh at her teasing about setting the bar too high, turning slightly so he could wrap one arm around her waist and pull her properly into his chest. "good. i want the bar high." he murmured against her hair, his voice dropping into that low, sincere tone. "i want every date after this to feel like it has to live up to tonight. rooftops, surprise flights, freezing our asses off under the manhattan lights. i'm setting the precedent because you deserve it, mills. you deserve someone who shows up. and honestly? i've wanted to be that person for you for years." he pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, his free hand coming up to gently brush a strand of hair from her face. "this isn't just some impulsive thing for me. i want you to be mine. so yeah… assume there will be more rooftops, more surprise trips, more nights where it's just us, even if the whole world is talking shit and annoying the shit out of us because we hate gossip." he leaned down and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her lips right there in the elevator, smiling against her mouth.
















