Luxspia

Xyx lives for impromptu vacations with you, filling your itinerary with activities or just pulling you away from work for a day to explore wherever his bike takes you. Today doesn’t feel any different- at first.

It starts when you’re getting lunch at a swanky rooftop café. Xyx has a habit of casually holding your hand on the table while you wait for your food, but today his fingers are drumming restlessly on the back of your hand. You point out his fidgeting, expecting a quick retort, and you do get one- sort of.

“Sorry doll, letting my mind wander when you’re right here…should be a crime.” He laughs lamely, letting the joke sink between you. His fingers lace in yours, and he gives you a smile that lacks just a little bit of his usual verve.

You make to ask him about his stumble, but a waiter interrupts with your entrees, and his mask of confidence slips back on for the moment.

It falls again when you’re out at a festival, taking a moment to listen to the live music and dance in your own corner tucked away from the crowds. He spins you around until you’re dizzy and lets you crash into him, laughing as he keeps you on your feet.

“Had enough, doll? You’re just about to topple.”

“No way! I could keep doing this forever.”

He hesitates. “…Me too.” The pause hangs for just a little too long. He kisses the top of your head.

“Xyx…?”

“Mm, sorry. Thinking.”

“You’ve been doing a lot of that today.”

“Have I?” He pulls away, giving you his usual grin as you look over him. “You’re watching me that closely? Should’ve told me, doll, I’d have put on more of a show.”

“Wait, wha-”

“Kidding. That was worth the look on your face, though.” He pulls his keys out of his pocket, twirling them on his finger. “Up for more adventuring?”

“We’ve done so much today I think my legs will fall off if we keep this up.”

He catches his keys in his palm. “Fair enough. One more stop, then?”

“One more?”

“For me?” His voice drops into a soft plea. “Please, love.”

You bite back the joke you had prepared- you didn’t expect this kind of response. “Hey, of course. Let’s go.” You slip behind him on his bike, and as you wrap your arms around him you give him a little squeeze. You feel him take a deep breath in your embrace before he raises the kickstand.

This drive is much quieter than the ones before. You spy a familiar coastline- he’s taking you to the beach you two have been to so many times before, one of your favorite spots to finish out your dates. You swear you can feel his breath shuddering now, but you decide to stay quiet, and let him talk to you on his own time.

It takes him a minute to do so. He leads you by the hand to your special spot, high enough to avoid the lapping waves but low enough to feel the sea spray. Xyx closes his eyes, feeling the ocean breeze on his face. His voice shakes when he finally speaks.

“I, uh…I know I’ve been a little off my game today, love. I’m sorry.”

“Hey, it’s okay. Are you alright?”

“We’ll…see. If I’m going to be honest with you, I’ve been trying not to jump out of my skin all day.”

“What’s going on?”

“I…really…care about you. I love you. And I’m terrified.” He fumbles about with his pocket, and your breath catches. Is he…? “I’ve been thinking about this for a very, very long time. An embarrassingly long time. Cat’s heard my speech a thousand times by now, and I’ve already forgotten it all.”

It's been 10 years since you wrapped up shooting. The film was well received by critics, and you endured a tour with your costar with a smile plastered on your face. You still remember how you cried every night after you were forced to laugh with him in endless slews of daily interviews.

Perfect on screen chemistry. Perfected. The interviewers loved you.

And now... you're back in LA. Back for the first time in nearly a decade. And you're going out to dinner. With your husband.

Owl opens your car door to let you out and you give him a peck on the cheek in thanks. He smiles warmly and takes your hand. "Come on. I heard the pianist is to die for."

You giggle and rush in with him. He has a talent for making you feel happy at the drop of a hat. All of your unease from being in the city again seems to wash away when he says anything to you.

You enter the restaurant and hear the piano right away. It's beautiful -- angelic almost. You can't quite place what the song is.

You two are ushered to your table and as you sit, you realize you're in view of the piano. You eagerly crane your head just as the pianist's head turns, and --

Your eyes meet. Time stops.

His fingers freeze on the keys, and the quiet murmurs of the restaurant get louder in the absence of music. A couple patrons turn briefly to see why the music stopped but quickly turn back to their meals.

Owl hasn't noticed. You wouldn't care if he did.

In this room, in this moment, all you see is him. Your old costar.

On... piano. Like he said he wanted. Not... not an actor anymore.

Xyx smiles softly at you, and nods. He stands and your heart skips a beat -- is he going to come here?

He doesn't. Of course he doesn't. The next pianist for the night greets him as he approaches the piano, and Xyx breaks his gaze from you to say hello in return.

Then... he gathers his things, puts on his jacket, and leaves out the back.

The music starts back up again and you stare at the back door. He's... coming back. He's coming back. He just had to put something in his car.

"Sweetheart?"

You look at Owl, and note his concerned expression. "Mm?"

"Are you feeling sick?"

"N...No, I'm..." you look back at the door.

It's not opening back up.

You swallow. Exhale. Close your eyes for a moment then open them back up to Owl with a small smile.

10 years ago. That was 10 years ago.

"I'm alright, puppy," you assure him. "Just felt a bit faint for a moment."

He covers your hand with his and nods. "Let me know if you feel like that again, okay?"

You nod.

END

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