oscar loved his work, and always had, but lately it felt like it was grinding him down into something thinner and a rupture was imminent. from new york to los angeles to back again, there was always somewhere he needed to be rushed off to next, and on top of it all: having to pretend to be in love with someone that couldn't stand him (and vice versa) while arguing over the phone with someone he actually cared about, plus fending off the guilt of going too far with jessica again... and now this. the words slipped before he could help it at the premiere and he was already beating himself up enough for it. he knew it would be spread online in seconds, that it would mean a slap on the wrist from his team that waited for them just behind the curtains he had to walk through while holding carey's hand and smiling like everything was fine.
the abandonment of their happiness and innocent faรงade was instant. now alone and out of the sight of everyone, they didn't have to be so perfect anymore. with the click of the door behind them, the act dropped and the smile fell, distance put between them like it couldn't be made fast enough. his jaw was tight, teeth grinding as he shed off his blazer and tossed it onto the nearest chair. and of course, of course she was already starting in on him. god, could you please just give me a second -
"yeah, because i did it on purpose," the incredulous laugh that left him was sharp, laced with a seething sarcasm. his hands dragged through his hair, then down over his face as he exhaled hard. his phone buzzed against the counter, lighting up again and again: his team, her team, zoe, something from home - fuck, fuck, fuck.
"you know what, care," he cut himself off with a shake of his head, flipping the phone over so the screen went dark as though it might buy him a second of quiet. "i've got enough shit to deal with already so," he stopped again, jaw clenching as he looked at her properly now. she just kept going: the comments, the tone, like sheโd been waiting for the chance to let it loose (again and again and again). and that did it. his gaze locked onto hers as he stepped closer, closing the space sheโd just put between them, voice dropping lower. โif youโve got something to say, and i mean actually say, not just the same tired digs, then say it.โ because i'm tired of this press, tired of this game, tired of playing like i love you when i really fucking hate, want you. inches apart, his eyes shifted between hers, driven by fire and feelings from years ago that perhaps hadn't been snuffed out quite like he'd thought. "come on. tell me you hate me."
a pauseโฆ and then something snapped and his lips came crashing down onto hers.