𝘤'𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘢 𝘷𝘪𝘦

Blaise had tried to adjust to a normal life. He stopped drinking and only went out occasionally. His lifestyle had completely changed because he no longer felt the need to seek temporary pleasure. While his past still needed some fixing, Blaise was content—or at least he thought he was until the attacks started and rumors began to spread.

"Uh, yeah," Blaise responded, snapping out of his trance as he continued to slice his steak. Fifi was quick to call him out, as she often did. "Ah ouais," he sighed, unsure how to begin. "Fi," he asked, "if the borders open, would you consider leaving?" He tilted his head. "Just a question, is all…"

Things had been settling down for the couple while somehow seeming stagnant in other ways. She still wasn't able to get down to the dry cleaners by herself and his tastebuds hadn't suddenly had an epiphany. While parts of their lives had intertwined once again, it hadn't been hard to tell that Blaise was missing some spice from life. The brunette reached to place her hand on his leg to show her support in whatever he needed to say, pausing her own meal to give him her full attention; not that she'd been that hungry since noticing something on his mind. His question had come as a surprise but not an unwelcome one, needing a moment to gather her thoughts before responding. Fifi gave a soft hum and a glance to show her unsaid knowledge that it was more than just a question. "I suppose so if I didn't need to go alone," she confirmed after taking a second to herself. "Not even being able to go to the store without some sort of guidance, as you know." A gentle laugh bookended her words so that he'd be assured he hadn't upset her by asking. "Could you see a life for yourself off of the Isle? Or perhaps, a life for us."

It hadn't been an easy conclusion to come to, knowing that her dating history with Blaise had ended in flames. Claude had every right to be concerned and she could only nod in understanding as he spoke. None of it would be easy but if this was truly what she wanted then these were things that needed to be done. Angelique was the first thing she needed to face which included the consequences of her actions. What had started as a simple work friendship had somehow become all that more complicated when it was discovered they had their eyes on the same man. It had all started long before Fifi even knew her name. "I wish it wasn't... I know that's awful to say. It would be so much simpler if this didn't feel right. Everything in me wants to go against it but my heart won't let me. He's done all I've asked of him, showed me how it won't be the same as before..." Her voice faded off, getting carried away in her thoughts.

Regardless of how things between between her and Blaise, a conversation needed to be had with her friend who still didn't know of Fifi's involvement. "I didn't know when we became friends, I barely know now what all happened between them. But I know I have to talk to my friend. I have to start there and pray it doesn't effect anything for Adam." That would only make things worse and send her into another spiral. Still, these were the choices she'd made for the man she loved which meant she had to let the chips fall where they may.

The moment had been approaching but it had finally come to be that time when the truth needed to be revealed in its entirety. Fifi had thought about what it was she would say and now her mind had gone completely blank. There wasn't going to be a proper way to say any of this, she knew this could be enough grounds for Angelique to never speak to her again. Instead of holding back all of what she knew, the brunette knew it was better to simply be honest, having never gotten anywhere by withholding information. "I don't think there is any easy way to say this and I had never expected to need to," she said exhaling the rest of the air from her lungs. "I am the woman that Blaise has been talking to. He is my ex and one night received a call that I only learned recently was from you." She knew it wasn't even the beginning of an explanation but tried to fill her in as much as she could. "I had no idea you two were talking until the end, I promise. I know you probably hate me but for what it's worth, I am sorry and I never intended for this to happen or to hurt you in the process." Fifi didn't know how she would react, sitting in wait for whatever consequences her decisions had led to.

“For however long as you like,” he answered her well wishes, his hand gently placed behind the curve of her back as he kissed her forehead.

"Fi, I don't know what I did right, but having you here with me must be my blessing.” he admitted, pursing his lips. “But I couldn’t say the same to you.” Blaise was well aware of his reputation. He knew that being with him came with a series of whispers and conversations. The rake who had found another girl to string along – everyone believed it was only a matter of time until he got bored again, as was typical of Blaise. Despite his heart knowing where to stay, no one would believe it even if he said so. “You could still get out of this. I do not want you fighting battles that aren’t yours.”

This was a scene that Fifi never would've pictured a year ago but here they were. Somehow they'd fought another storm back to one another and she couldn't apologize for the feelings she had. People seemed to think that she was being foolish which would've made sense if she hadn't been certain things had changed. Fifi couldn't explain it besides that she trusted him, as wild as it might sound to their friends. Things were going to work out this time or at least she hoped so.

The conversation shifted and she turned to face him while he spoke of their past. He was right in what he said, the mistakes of what they once were still rearing their heads. "Mon cher," she spoke softly while taking his cheeks into her palms. "The past is behind us and the future is ahead of us." Not everyone was so lucky to receive a second chance at a once-in-a-lifetime love and she wouldn't be so foolish as to waste it. That didn't mean she hadn't found some comfort in knowing he cared enough to ask though she was happy to turn it down. "It is ours, and that's how I want it to be. I want this, Blaise, I want you." Her hands slid down to where they rested on his chest, her doe eyes gazing up at him while her smile sat comfortably. He had made it clear she was the one he wanted and Fifi wanted to do the same.

The New Year ushered a multitude of beginnings for Blaise. Instead of reveling in the city square, drowning his sorrows in alcohol and seeking solace in the nearest set of lips, he found himself in a different scenario. This time, the evening was unhurried and serene. A carefully prepared dinner adorned the balcony table, and a half-drunk bottle of wine sat beside it while his hands rested on the curve of her back. Together, they watched as fireworks ascended, painting the night sky with brilliant colors—a breathtaking view from his apartment.

"Bonne Année," he murmured to her, planting a tender kiss on her soft lips, pulling her closer as they continued to gaze at the spectacle. "Same time, like this, next year?" he teased, a soft chuckle accompanying his words. Despite the work that lay ahead, there was a sense of peace with her by his side, making the moment all the more special.

The year had certainly not ended how she'd thought it would but Fifi was happy with the results. At that moment there was nowhere else she'd rather be or anyone else she'd rather share her night with. After all that they'd been through, there was comfort in knowing that they were facing the first moments of the new year together. Her eyes stayed on the horizon as the fireworks created abstract art on the canvas of the contrasting sky. Silently Fifi wished they could stay in that moment forever, knowing that the real world below would try to threaten them the second they stepped back into it.

"Bonne Année," she whispered back against his lips, unable to keep a smile from spreading across them. Even when she was tucked safely in his side she feared he'd slip from her hands again. This time was going to be different but Fifi couldn't ignore the scars left from their past, she'd be careful to hold on tighter this time. He'd been laying bricks toward their future more this time around and they hadn't gone unnoticed. "I'll see you right here next year, probably with a glass of wine in my hand." A laugh was escorted out with her words, her smile unwavering as she looked up at him and then back to the sky. "Maybe the one after that too," she mused. "It's a view I could get used to."