Zoe (Rudy’s Version)

Pairing: Rudy pankow x Athena (oc)

Word count: 2,555

Warnings: brief talk of panic attacks, anxiety, eating disorder, childhood trauma, fluff, brief makeouts

We’ve gone on a few more dates since our last one, and we’ve managed to keep everything between us a secret—except Amelia, who’s still in Charleston, and Mads and Bails. No one else knows I’m dating Rudy. I still can’t believe it. I’m Rudy’s girlfriend.

Right now, I’m sitting in my trailer with Rudy while the rest of the cast and crew film the few scenes that don’t need us. I made sure everyone was busy so no one could walk in unannounced, and we even locked the door just to be safe. We’re cuddled up on my little sofa, his arms wrapped around me.

“Hey, Ruds,” I say quietly, leaning into him.

“What’s up, baby?” he asks, looking down at me, that familiar soft smile tugging at his lips.

I take a deep breath, my heart pounding a little. “Thank you… for everything you’ve done for me since we met. I’m really glad I’m your girlfriend. I honestly thought… I thought you’d think I was damaged and wouldn’t want to be anywhere near me.”

He leans down, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “You are definitely not damaged. I would never even think that. And I love being near you. But… you’re welcome,” he says softly. “And I’m glad I’m your boyfriend. Thank you for becoming my girlfriend.”

He leans in and kisses me, slow and tender, and I melt into it. I smile against his lips as I kiss him back, feeling the warmth and security that only he seems to give me.

When we finally pull back, our phones buzz at the same time. I glance down and see a notification from the group chat.

“What are they texting the group chat for?” I whisper, raising an eyebrow at Rudy.

“I don’t have a clue,” he says, peering over at my phone just as I open it.

The message thread lights up the screen, full of random questions, emojis, and teasing—clearly something is going on. I glance at Rudy, who smirks knowingly, and I can’t help but laugh. Even with our secret, it seems like the cast has a way of keeping life chaotic.

But right now, in this trailer, with him wrapped around me, it doesn’t matter. It’s just him and me—and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

𝒫𝒶𝓇𝒶𝒹𝒾𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝓃 𝐸𝒶𝓇𝓉𝒽 🌊

“I think we might have to tell everyone,” I say to Rudy, “because Bails said they’re on to us.”

Rudy smiles. “Okay… let’s tell them. But first, let’s see what they wanted to say in the group chat, okay?”

I laugh and nod. We both open the chat on our phones.

Slowly, everyone finally stops going crazy. I look up at Rudy and smile. Without thinking, I lean up to kiss him. He kisses me back, soft and sweet, until a knock at the door makes us both pull away. I grin at him before getting up.

I walk to the door, unlock it, and swing it open to reveal the whole cast.

“Hello,” I say as I head back to the couch where I was sitting. Rudy wraps his arms around me, pulling me close.

“Hey!” they all say in unison.

“So it’s true,” Drew says first, breaking the silence. “You were telling us the truth when you said you and Rudy were dating?”

“Yes,” I say, smiling.

“How? Tell us everything, I wanna know,” Austin adds eagerly.

I take a deep breath. “Well… after everything with my dad, when he showed up at the apartment, I was having a panic attack in my room. Rudy came in. We… we kissed, and admitted we had feelings for each other. Then he asked me on a date. He managed to sneak out and back to his apartment while I was leaving, which is why he wasn’t there—and why he was smirking when I came back from the date.”

The room goes quiet for a second before everyone erupts into murmurs and soft laughter, clearly processing what I just said. I lean into Rudy, feeling safe in his arms, and for the first time, it really hits me: we’re not hiding anything anymore.

The room bursts into chatter and laughter, everyone clearly excited.

“So you guys really kissed?” Drew asks, leaning forward with a grin.

“Yes,” I say, blushing, snuggling closer into Rudy’s arms.

Austin elbows JD. “Dude, I told you! He’s been grinning like a maniac for weeks.”

JD laughs. “Yeah, but now we know why.”

Chase, standing near the door with his arms crossed, shoots Rudy a pointed look. “And you didn’t scare her or hurt her, right?”

Rudy meets his gaze steadily. “Never. She’s safe with me, Chase.”

Chase’s expression softens slightly, but he still hovers like a protective big brother. “Good. I don’t want to see any of that change.”

I laugh softly, squeezing Rudy’s hand. “He’s perfect, Chase. I promise.”

Madelyn and Bails plop down on the couch next to us, grinning. “Finally! You two couldn’t hide it any longer.”

“Yeah,” Bails adds, nudging me. “We knew something was up the moment you two kept sneaking glances at each other.”

I glance at Rudy, and he smirks, brushing his thumb across my knuckles. Our eyes meet, and for a moment, it’s just the two of us in the room, the chaos of the cast fading away.

“Okay, but seriously,” Drew chimes in, “how was the date? Did he take care of you? Was it romantic? Did he flirt?”

“Oh my god, Drew!” I laugh, covering my face. “You guys are relentless!”

Chase shakes his head, muttering under his breath, but I can see the tiny smirk tugging at his lips. “Relentless is an understatement.”

Rudy leans down, whispering in my ear, “I think they’re just jealous you’re mine.”

I giggle, hiding my smile against his chest. “Maybe…”

Bails leans in, eyes sparkling. “Power couple confirmed. We need updates on every single move, by the way.”

I roll my eyes playfully. “You’re impossible.”

“And you love us for it,” Madelyn says, laughing.

Rudy presses a quick kiss to the top of my head, murmuring, “You’re stuck with them, and me.”

I look up at him and grin. “Yeah… I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Even with all the teasing and questions, with Chase keeping a careful eye on us, and the rest of the cast bombarding us with curiosity, I feel completely safe—and completely in love.

“Well, that clears that up,” JD says, and we all laugh. We keep talking for a while until I get called to hair and makeup. Rudy leans in and kisses me goodbye, and I smile before heading off toward the makeup trailer.

“Hey,” I say as I walk in, spotting Elaine along with Lilah and the rest of the hair and makeup crew.

“Hey, Thea,” they all reply.

My hair and makeup don’t take long—just a simple look, my hair left down for the scene. Once they’re done, I head over to wardrobe and grab my outfit, a completely new look waiting for me.

“Hey,” I say as I walk in, spotting Elaine along with Lilah and the rest of the hair and makeup crew.

“Hey, Thea,” they all reply.

My hair and makeup don’t take long—just a simple look, my hair left down for the scene. Once they’re done, I head over to wardrobe and grab my outfit, a completely new look waiting for me.

My outfit is a pair of ripped denim shorts and a cropped top that ties around my waist, along with some slider sandals covered in tiny diamonds that catch the light every time I move. I walk out of the dressing room in the wardrobe trailer and head into my own trailer, shutting the door softly behind me.

I start digging through my makeup bag, trying to find my concealer to cover the scars on my thighs. My fingers finally brush against it, and I let out a small breath of relief. I slip my shorts off and carefully apply the concealer, blending it in until the marks fade just enough to not be noticeable on camera.

Just as I’m pulling my shorts back up and buttoning them, the door bursts open.

“Hey, Athena—Jonas says he’s ready for you and Rudy now,” Elaine says, slightly out of breath. She stands in the doorway, tablet tucked under her arm—always moving, always organized, exactly how an assistant should be.

“Okay,” I say, trying to sound calm even though my nerves are starting to spike in my chest.

I follow her out, my sandals clicking softly against the ground as we walk toward set. The closer we get, the louder everything becomes—crew members talking, equipment shifting, the low hum of preparation filling the space.

When we step onto the set of my character’s bedroom, I immediately spot Rudy standing beside Jonas.

He looks up—and the second his eyes land on me, he smiles.

That soft, easy smile makes my nerves settle just a little, and before I can stop myself, I smile back.

I walk over to them, script already in my hands.

We go over the scene together, Jonas explaining the blocking and the emotional beats he wants us to hit. He glances between the two of us before nodding.

“You guys can improvise wherever you think it fits best,” he says, tapping the script lightly. “Make it feel natural.”

I nod, taking a slow breath as I walk over to my mark, which is at the little desk in the corner of the room. I run my fingers along the edge of it, grounding myself.

Across the set, Rudy moves into position outside the fake window, waiting for his cue.

Everything goes quiet for a moment—the kind of silence that only happens right before filming starts.

Jonas looks around the set, making sure everyone’s ready.

Then—

“Action.”

And we start the scene.

I hear the window slide open, the soft scrape breaking the quiet of the room as Rudy climbs inside, landing lightly on his feet.

“Hey,” he says, trying to stand up straight like he totally didn’t just sneak in.

“JJ, what are you doing here?” I say as Sage, keeping my voice low but sharp, like I’m annoyed… even though there’s that hint of curiosity underneath.

“Well, I wanted to see you,” Rudy says as JJ, brushing his hands off like breaking into my room is the most normal thing in the world.

“Missed me that much, Maybank?” I say as Sage, letting a smirk pull at my lips as I tilt my head slightly.

“Definitely. You’re addicting,” he says, that same cocky smirk settling on his face.

I push back from my chair, the legs scraping softly against the floor as I stand. Slowly, I walk closer to Rudy, closing the distance between us step by step.

The air feels heavier now—charged, like the tension between Sage and JJ is thick enough to feel.

I stop just a foot away from him, close enough to see the flicker of amusement in his eyes, close enough that my heart starts beating a little faster even though I know it’s just acting… just the scene.

“Breaking into my room now?” I murmur as Sage, folding my arms across my chest, but keeping that teasing edge in my voice.

My eyes flick down to his hands, then back up to his face.

“You’re getting bold, Maybank.”

I step closer until there’s barely any space left between us. I’m so close to Rudy that I can hear his breathing—slow, steady—and feel the warmth of it brush against my skin.

The tension in the room feels electric, like the air itself is holding its breath.

His hand reaches out, fingers wrapping gently around my wrist before he turns me, guiding me back until my shoulders press lightly against the wall. The movement is smooth, confident—so JJ.

My breath catches as my back hits the wall, and suddenly he’s right there, towering just inches away.

“Do you know, Sage…” he murmurs, voice low and rough, “what you actually do to me?”

His gaze drops to my lips for a split second before flicking back up to my eyes.

“Because, God… I’ve never met a woman who makes me feel the way you do, Sage,” he says as he leans down slowly, his voice softer now but filled with something deeper—something raw.

My heart pounds hard against my ribs as I tilt my head up to meet his gaze, trying to stay in character even though the closeness makes it harder to breathe.

“And what exactly do I make you feel, Maybank?” I whisper back, my voice barely above a breath, a teasing edge slipping through despite the heat rising in my chest.

The space between us shrinks even more as he leans closer, close enough that our noses nearly brush, the moment stretching tight with anticipation—like the whole world has gone quiet, waiting to see what happens next.

He leans in, his breath warm against my skin before his lips brush just below my ear, trailing down to my neck. I let out a small, involuntary moan, staying in character as his lips move slowly along my skin, careful and deliberate, like JJ is savoring the moment.

His hands slide to my waist, steady and firm, before he lifts me up. I gasp softly, my hands instinctively moving to his shoulders as he carries me, still pressing soft kisses along my neck while walking us slowly toward the bed. Before connecting our lips

The tension in the room feels thick, the kind that makes it easy to forget the cameras, the crew—everything except the scene and the moment.

“Cut—hold up,” Jonas calls out suddenly.

We pause just before reaching the bed as crew members step in, shifting lights and moving cameras into new positions for the next part of the scene. The spell breaks slightly, reality settling back in as the set fills with movement and quiet chatter.

I let out a slow breath as Rudy gently sets me back down on my feet.

A moment later, Rudy walks over to me, his expression softer now, concern replacing the intensity he had just seconds ago in character. He leans down and presses a gentle kiss to the top of my head.

“Are you okay?” he asks quietly, his voice low enough that it feels private despite the busy set around us.

“Yeah, I am,” I say, giving him a small smile, still catching my breath slightly from the scene. “I’m glad it’s you I’m doing this with.”

He lets out a soft breath, the corner of his mouth lifting into a reassuring smile, like he understands exactly what I mean—how scenes like that can feel intense, vulnerable, even when they’re just acting.

“Me too,” he murmurs, nudging my shoulder lightly before glancing back toward the crew as they finish resetting the cameras.

Across the room, Jonas calls out again, letting everyone know they’re almost ready to roll into the next, hotter part of the scene.

I take a steadying breath, trying to slip back into Sage’s mindset as I glance over at Rudy, knowing in a few seconds, we’ll be right back in character.

Time skip

We’re walking back to my trailer after filming when suddenly Rudy stops mid-step. Before I can even ask what he’s doing, he bends down and scoops me up into his arms.

I let out a surprised laugh, grabbing onto his shoulders. “Rudy!”

He just laughs along with me, holding me easily like I weigh nothing as he keeps walking toward my trailer.

“Put me down!” I say between laughs, though I don’t actually try to get free.

“Nope,” he says simply, grinning like he’s way too proud of himself.

By the time we reach my trailer, I’m still laughing. He pushes the door open with his shoulder, carrying me inside like it’s the most normal thing in the world.

The moment we step in, I freeze slightly when I see the whole cast already inside.

“Hey guys—how was filming?” Mads says, already laughing like she knows exactly what just happened.

“Well, Rudy definitely enjoyed it, didn’t you, Ruds?” I say, laughing, completely forgetting I’m still in his arms.

That makes everyone burst out laughing even louder.

“Athena Kingsley, do not make me drop you,” Rudy says, laughing right along with us, tightening his grip slightly like he actually might.

“Please don’t!” I say quickly, wrapping my arms tighter around his shoulders and hanging onto him dramatically.

That only makes the laughter grow louder around the trailer.

“Yeah, it was really good,” I add, still smiling as Rudy finally shifts his hold a little, though he still doesn’t set me down just yet.

The trailer feels warm and loud, filled with teasing comments and inside jokes as everyone keeps laughing, the nerves from filming fading into something lighter—easier—like this is the part of the day that makes everything worth it.

He slowly puts me back on my feet, his hands lingering at my waist for a second before letting go. I grab the clothes I wore earlier, about to head off to change, when Rudy walks over to me.

He leans in slightly, close enough that only I can hear him.

“You look beautiful,” he whispers softly into my ear.

Heat rushes straight to my cheeks, and I feel myself blush instantly. I duck my head a little, trying to hide it as I turn away before he can see just how flustered he made me.

I quickly slip into the bathroom connected to my trailer, shutting the door behind me. The quiet gives me a second to breathe. I grab some makeup wipes from the counter and carefully wipe the concealer off my thighs, watching as the marks slowly fade back into view.

Once that’s done, I change back into what I was wearing before—my gray joggers and a loose T-shirt. The soft fabric feels comforting after the tight outfit from set. I move to the mirror, taking off the rest of my makeup, wiping away the last traces of the day until my face feels clean again.

With a tired sigh, I gather my hair up and twist it into a messy bun, securing it loosely at the top of my head.

After one last glance in the mirror, I open the bathroom door and step back into the main part of the trailer.

I pause when I realize it’s just the girls left inside. They’re all staring at me—grins spreading across their faces like they know something I don’t.

I narrow my eyes slightly, confused.

“What?” I ask, walking over to hang up my clothes neatly so I can take them back to the wardrobe trailer later. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

They exchange looks with each other, barely holding back their smiles, like they’re seconds away from teasing me about something I definitely don’t want to admit out loud.

“You gave Rudy a boner,” Bails says, smirking like she’s been waiting all day to say that.

My face heats up instantly.

“Maybe—but it wasn’t meant to happen… but it did,” I admit, blushing as I grab my bag with my phone, keys, and water bottle stuffed inside.

The girls laugh as we switch off the lights and step out of my trailer, the cool evening air hitting my skin.

“I heard jonas say that it was an amazing scene,” Mads says as we walk over to wardrobe and hand my clothes to one of the girls waiting outside the trailer.

“Yeah, I had a great scene partner.” I say, smiling softly without even realizing it.

We keep walking until we reach Rudy’s trailer. I push the door open, stepping inside with the girls behind me.

I’m about to sit down when the bathroom door opens. Rudy walks out, now back in his regular clothes instead of JJ’s outfit. His hair is slightly damp, and he looks more relaxed—less like JJ, more like himself again.

“Hey, baby,” he says casually, walking straight over to me and pressing a quick kiss to my lips.

“Hey,” I reply, kissing him back before smiling over at the rest of the guys. “Hi.”

They all greet me back with nods and teasing looks, like they definitely heard the girls earlier.

After a few more minutes of talking and laughing, we all start heading out together, piling out of Rudy’s trailer and making our way toward the car park. The sun is starting to dip lower, the sky turning soft shades of orange and pink as everyone splits off toward their cars.

I walk over to Rudy’s car and slide into the passenger seat while he gets into the driver’s side.

Once the engine starts, music begins playing through the speakers—and within seconds, we’re both singing along loudly to iloveitiloveitiloveit by Bella Kay.

Completely off-key. Completely dramatic.

“You’re on the phone with your girlfriend, she’s upset—” I sing loudly, pointing at him dramatically.

He laughs, shaking his head but singing along anyway, tapping the steering wheel to the beat as we drive back toward the apartment complex.

By the time we pull into the parking lot, we’re both laughing so hard it’s hard to breathe, the stress from filming completely gone—replaced with music, jokes, and the kind of easy happiness that makes long filming days feel worth it.

We get back to our apartment building, and instead of splitting off, we all decide to head up to the apartment that Rudy, Chase, and JD are sharing.

The second we walk in, everyone spreads out across the living room like we live there permanently. It’s loud and comfortable—people talking over each other, laughing, tossing snacks around.

Me and Rudys end up on the couch. I’m laying down with my head resting in Rudy’s lap while he absentmindedly plays with my hair, gently running his fingers through it. The motion is slow and calming, and it makes my whole body relax after the long day.

I tilt my head back to look up at him, smiling softly.

He notices immediately and smiles down at me, his hand still moving through my hair like it’s second nature.

“Hey guys, you know Carlacia’s coming here today, so we should go out when she’s here,” Chase says from across the room.

Everyone else agrees almost instantly, voices overlapping with excitement.

I glance back up at Rudy, curiosity flickering across my face.

“Who’s Carlacia?” I ask quietly.

“She’s playing Cleo,” Rudy answers, his voice casual as he looks down at me.

“Oh, okay… why ain’t she here yet?” I ask.

“The reason she’s not here already is because she only just finished filming another project,” Mads explains from the other side of the room.

“Oh, okay,” I say, but I can feel my anxiety starting to rise in my chest anyway. Meeting new people always makes me nervous—especially people everyone already knows.

“She’ll love you, I promise,” Bails says, clearly noticing the shift in my expression. “I mean, we all love you—and I’m being serious. You’re literally dating Rudy.”

That makes me smile a little, her reassurance easing the tight feeling in my chest.

“So are we having a night out or what?” Drew calls from the armchair, leaning forward with a grin.

We all answer at the same time—“Yes.”

That settles it.

Me and the girls head off to get ready, gathering our bags and disappearing into the bedrooms to start picking outfits. Carlacia will be landing in about half an hour, and once she gets here, she’s coming straight over so we can all get ready together before heading out.

As I’m sitting on the edge of the bed, scrolling through outfit options in my bag, my phone buzzes in my hand.

I smile slightly at the message. He must’ve picked up on my nerves earlier—he always does.

A few seconds later, another message pops up.

I type back quickly.

I set my phone down on the bed, taking a slow breath as I start getting ready, trying to shake the nervous energy and focus on the excitement of the night ahead.

—

I hunt through my wardrobe, pushing hangers aside as I try to decide what to wear. Shirts, skirts, and dresses blur together until I finally pause, pulling out a black skirt and holding it up against myself in the mirror.

After a second of thinking, I grab a white long-sleeve V-neck top to go with it and my sandal heels. Nothing too over the top—just simple and cute since we all agreed it was only a casual night out.

Once I’ve decided, I head into the shower. The warm water helps calm my nerves a little, washing away the stress from filming earlier. By the time I step out, wrapped in a towel, I feel more relaxed than before.

I get dressed, pulling on the black skirt and white top before slipping into my sandal heels. Then I move to the mirror, brushing through my hair slowly until it falls smoothly down my back.

I part it carefully and braid two small sections on either side, tying them off so they frame my face. It’s simple, but it looks nice—effortless in a way that fits the casual vibe of the night.

My makeup is simple too—just enough to highlight my features without looking too done-up. A little concealer, mascara, soft blush, and lip gloss. Nothing dramatic.

Once I’m finished, I step back from the mirror and look at myself for a moment, adjusting the hem of my skirt slightly.

Not too much. Just right.

I grab my phone from the bed just as it buzzes in my hand with a notification.

My heart does a small flip as I unlock it.

A text from Rudy lights up my screen.

I smile to myself without even realizing it, typing back quickly.

Another message pops up almost immediately.

I bite my lip slightly, feeling that familiar warmth spread across my cheeks as I glance back at the mirror one more time, smoothing my skirt nervously while waiting for his next message.

Once I’ve finished texting Rudy, I walk out of my room toward the front door, fixing the sleeve of my top as I go. The second I open it, I barely have time to react before Rudy grabs my waist and pulls me into a kiss.

I laugh softly against his lips, surprised but not complaining.

“I’m glad the cast know,” he says once we pull away slightly, his forehead still resting against mine. “Because I can do that now.”

“Yeah… I’m glad too,” I say, smiling up at him.

He leans down and kisses me again, and I happily kiss him back, my hands resting lightly on his chest.

“Okay, guys, get a room,” Madelyn says from across the room, smiling at us.

My cheeks instantly heat up, and I duck my head a little, embarrassed.

“We would,” Rudy replies casually, grinning, “but if we did that, there wouldn’t be a night out… because we’d be making out and cuddling.”

That makes everyone burst out laughing.

I shake my head, still smiling, and take Rudy’s hand, leading him over to the couch. We sit down together, and Mads drops down beside us, tucking her legs underneath her.

Soon, we’re all caught up in conversation about Madelyn’s new movie that’s going into production after filming wraps. Everyone throws in questions—about the role, the filming locations, how excited she is.

Time passes quickly, laughter filling the room as the conversation jumps from topic to topic.

Then, suddenly—

All of our phones go off at the exact same time.

I glance down at my screen at the same moment Rudy and Mads do, all three of us reacting in sync.

“Here goes the Goonies,” Rudy says jokingly, glancing between us.

That makes all of us laugh instantly, the familiar chaos of group messages already starting before any of us have even opened the notification.

I look up from my phone at the same time as Rudy and the others , all of us grinning at the chaos already starting in the group chat.

My phone buzzes again.

I laugh, leaning slightly into his side as more messages start flooding in.

My phone buzzes again.

I feel a small wave of nerves again—but this time, excitement mixes in with it.

“Looks like she’s almost here,” Mads says, glancing up from her phone.

Rudy nudges my shoulder lightly. “Told you she’d like you.”

I glance up at him and smile, squeezing his hand a little

We stop texting in the group chat when there’s a knock at the door. The whole room seems to quiet for a second beforemadelyn jumps up to answer it.

A moment later, she walks back into the living room with carlacia following behind her.

Carlacia smiles warmly as her eyes land on me.

“Hi, I’m Carlacia—you must be Athena?” she asks.

“Hey, yeah, I’m Athena. Nice to meet you,” I reply, stepping forward to greet her.

There’s something instantly comforting about her energy, and after a few more words, she heads off to get ready. It only takes her about twenty minutes, and by the time she comes back out dressed and ready, it’s already around eight at night.

We send a quick message to the group letting them know we’re heading down to the lobby.

Madison is already with her girlfriend Mariah, who’s meeting us at the club instead of the apartment.

When we get to the lobby, the rest of the group is already there—everyone except Bails and Mariah. There’s laughter, teasing, and the sound of rides being ordered.

Soon enough, we pile into Ubers and head to the club.

The music hits us the second we walk in—loud, pulsing, lights flashing across the dance floor. After a few drinks, the nerves melt away.

Me and Rudy are dancing together, laughing, moving to the beat while the rest of the group scatters somewhere into the crowd.

After a while, Rudy leans close to my ear.

“I’m gonna go to the bathroom,” he says.

“Okay, I’m gonna go get another drink,” I reply.

He pulls me in for a quick kiss before we separate—him heading toward the bathrooms, me toward the bar.

I order another drink and lean against the counter, waiting—for the bartender… and for Rudy to come back.

That’s when I feel someone step beside me.

“Hey, gorgeous, what are you doing alone?” a guy says, smirking.

“Hi. I’m waiting for my boyfriend,” I reply firmly.

“Why don’t we have some fun while you’re waiting?” he says, leaning in closer.

“No. I have a boyfriend. I’m not interested,” I say, trying to step away.

“He doesn’t have to know,” he says, grabbing my wrist when I try to walk off.

“I said no—leave me alone,” I say, trying to pull free.

His grip tightens.

“Please leave me alone,” I say again, my voice shaking slightly.

“She said no.”

I hear Rudy’s voice behind him, sharp and cold.

I look up and see Rudy standing there with the rest of the group behind him.

The guy turns around to face him—and suddenly I see Rudy’s face go pale.

“Tyler… what do you want? Leave my girlfriend alone,” Rudy says angrily while I keep trying to pull free.

“Rudy, it’s been a while. My sister’s okay, just letting you know,” Tyler says casually.

I finally manage to wrench my wrist free and run straight to Rudy. He’s already moving toward me. His arms wrap around me instantly, holding me tight as he presses a kiss to my forehead.

“Go to the girls,” he murmurs softly.

I hesitate but nod, stepping back toward the others while he turns back toward Tyler.

“Tyler, it’s been what—eight years? Get over it. I never did anything to Rosie. She dumped me, then played the victim,” Rudy says, stepping closer.

“Yeah? That’s what you say. I don’t believe you. You were my best friend, and you got with my sister and broke her heart,” Tyler snaps.

Rudy lets out a bitter laugh.

“You know that never happened. But since we’re having this reunion, should I call the police about the time you and your friends jumped me and put me in the hospital because your narcissistic sister said I cheated on her and abused her?” Rudy fires back. “News flash—she was the one abusing me mentally.”

“That’s bullshit! Rose would never do that, and you know it!” Tyler shouts, stepping closer.

“Your sister acts like a perfect princess around you and your family,” Rudy replies coldly. “But in private? Completely different.”

“Watch your mouth, Pankow!” Tyler shouts—then suddenly swings.

The punch lands, and my heart drops into my stomach.

I start crying instantly as the fight breaks out.

Rudy hits back—harder, faster. The two of them trade blows, and the chaos around us grows louder.

I look over at Chase, tears in my eyes along with panic. He sees the panic in my eyes.

“Guys—break it up!” Chase shouts.

The others rush forward, grabbing both of them and pulling them apart.

Once they’re separated, Rudy looks straight at me. His chest is rising and falling quickly, but the second his eyes meet mine, something softens in his expression.

He shrugs the guys off and walks straight toward me.

Then he pulls me into his arms.

I cling to him tightly as he kisses the top of my head.

“I thought you were gonna get hurt really bad,” I whisper into his chest.

“It’s okay. I’m okay, I promise,” he whispers back. “Are you okay?”

I just nod, still shaken, watching as Tyler storms away into the crowd.

“I’m glad your okay,” Rudy murmurs, leaning down to kiss me gently.

I kiss him back, still holding onto him.

No one says it out loud, but we all know the night is over.

We all agree to leave the club, calling Ubers again and heading back to the apartment building—quieter this time, the earlier excitement replaced with tension and

Me and Rudy get back to my apartment, the hallway unusually quiet compared to earlier. The others had gone to chase’s apartment to give us space, and honestly, I’m grateful they did—because now Rudy and I can finally talk about everything without distractions.

The second the door shuts behind us, the silence settles in. Not awkward—just heavy with everything that happened at the club.

I step closer to him, reaching up slightly.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” I murmur softly, leaning up to kiss him.

He kisses me back immediately, his hands resting gently at my waist.

We pull away slowly, and Rudy smiles at me—soft, reassuring, the tension in his shoulders easing a little.

He leans in again, brushing his lips against mine in another gentle kiss. I smile into it before pulling back slightly.

“I think I’m ready, Ruds,” I declare quietly, my voice soft but certain.

His expression shifts—gentler now, more careful.

“Are you sure?” he asks, searching my face, making sure I really mean it.

“Yeah… I am. I promise. I trust you, Ruds,” I say, leaning forward to kiss him again.

He kisses me back, slower this time, more deliberate, like he’s making sure I feel safe and comfortable. The kiss deepens, turning heavier as his hands slide to my waist, pulling me a little closer.

After a moment, he pulls back just enough to look at me.

“Let’s take this to the bedroom,” he says softly.

I nod, smiling slightly, leaning in to press another kiss to his lips before taking his hand and letting him guide me down the hallway, my heart pounding—not from nerves, but from trust and the quiet closeness building between us.

He stands up, pulling me gently with him as his lips stay on mine. We stumble slightly down the hallway, still making out, laughter mixing into the kisses as we bump lightly into the wall.

I hear my bedroom door open, then close behind us. A second later, I feel my back hit the bed as he leans over me.

I giggle softly into Rudy’s lips, breathless from laughing and kissing at the same time.

Our kisses grow slower, deeper, more meaningful than rushed. While we’re tangled together, we both start helping each other out of our jackets and shoes, movements clumsy and filled with nervous laughter. I let out a soft moan into his lips when his hands brush along my sides, sending a shiver through me.

He pauses for a moment, pulling back slightly like he wants to make sure I’m still okay. His hands rest gently at my waist, grounding, careful.

He leans down, pressing soft kisses along my thigh, then pauses, looking back up at me.

“Are you okay?” he asks quietly, his voice gentle and serious now, making sure I feel safe before anything goes further.

I meet his eyes, my heart still racing, but there’s trust there—comfort in the way he’s looking at me, waiting for my answer before moving again.

He pauses for a moment, pulling back slightly like he wants to make sure I’m still okay. His hands rest gently at my waist, grounding, careful.

He leans down, pressing soft kisses along my thigh, then pauses, looking back up at me.

“Are you okay?” he asks quietly, his voice gentle and serious now, making sure I feel safe before anything goes further.

I meet his eyes, my heart racing but steady at the same time.

“Yeah… I’m okay,” I whisper, my fingers sliding into his hair, holding him there for a moment. “I trust you.”

A small smile spreads across his face at my words, relief flickering in his eyes. He presses another gentle kiss against my thigh before moving back up toward me, slow and unhurried, like he wants to take his time with every moment.

He leans over me again, bracing himself on either side of my shoulders as his lips find mine. The kiss is softer now—less rushed, more meaningful—like he’s trying to memorize the moment instead of rushing through it.

I let out a quiet breath into the kiss, my hands moving to his shoulders, tracing along the muscles there as he shifts closer. My heart pounds loudly in my chest, but not from fear—just anticipation and the warmth of being this close to him.

“You’re so beautiful,” Rudy murmurs softly against my lips.

I feel my cheeks warm at his words, even in the dim light of the room.

“You always know what to say,” I whisper back, smiling faintly before pulling him into another kiss.

His hand slides gently along my side, slow and careful, like he’s making sure every movement is welcome. I tilt my head slightly, deepening the kiss, letting myself relax into the moment.

The room feels quiet except for our breathing, the earlier chaos from the club feeling far away now.

He presses his forehead lightly against mine, pausing again, giving me another chance to stop if I need to.

“We can go slow,” he murmurs. “There’s no rush.”

I nod softly, brushing my thumb along his cheek.

“Slow sounds perfect,” I whisper.

He smiles at that, leaning down to kiss me again—gentle, warm, and patient—as the moment between us builds slowly, filled with trust and closeness rather than urgency. Kissing down my body, coming face to face with my pantie covered centre. His hand reaches unbuckling my bra.

I bite my lip watching him.

“can i take these off?” he asks tugging at my panties

“yes please” i say softly despite the growing heat between my legs

he pulls my panties down and kisses my centre i moan softly he looks at me and chuckles which vibrates of my centre.

As soon as the underwear have joined our clothes on the floor he leans down kissing lower and lower till he’s where I need him. Making me gasp.

His strong hands grip your legs, pulling them over his broad shoulders as he settles between your legs. He presses his face into your wetness, his tongue immediately finding your clit and swirling around it. You moan softly, your hands gripping the sheets as he eats you out with fervor.

He growls into your centre, the vibration sending shockwaves through you. His fingers spread you open, allowing his tongue to delve deeper. He pushes two fingers inside you, curling them upwards to hit that sweet spot. You cry out, your hips bucking against his face.

“Ruds, I need you.” I say my voice a kind of needy that’s never happened before. He looks up at me. As he kisses up my body.

“What do you need princess?” Rudy asks face to face with me now, he leans in kissing me deeply

“I need you, inside me.”I whine between kisses  

“What the princess wants, she gets.” Rudy says while pulling his boxers of and rolling on a condom I look at him and it's massive

“Rudy, I don't think it's gonna fit” I say

He lifts your leg up around his waist, positioning himself at your entrance. Despite your worries, he starts to push in slowly, stretching you. You gasp, your nails digging into his back as he pushes deeper. "Shh, it'll fit, princess," he murmurs against your ear.

“Please Rudy” I whine

"Good girl" he says thrusting gently

I moan softly dragging my nails across his back, while he’s kissing my neck.

“Rudy, faster please” I say moaning loudly he starts going a little faster which makes us both moan

“You feel amazing.” Rudy says groaning kissing me deeply

This feels amazing it really does- better than I could ever imagine.

He keeps the slow, gentle pace. he’s being sweet with me, holding my legs up and kissing me softly between thrusts. he’s treating me like porcelain, like I might break if he goes too hard.

honestly, it's really hot how gentle he's being, but can tell he's holding back because he's worried about hurting me. I want to tell him that I can take more, that i want him to let go and fuck me properly. I moan softly my head falling back as he kisses my neck. “You good pretty?” He says softly between thrusts

“Yes-“ I whine

I can feel his restraint in every careful movement. His kisses are soft, his thrusts measured. I arch my back slightly, trying to take him deeper, giving him a silent plea for more intensity. He catches my eye and pauses briefly before kissing me deeply again.* "Shh... easy baby."

He starts picking up the pace slightly, his thrusts becoming a bit deeper and more intense. I can feel him hitting that spot inside me with every stroke, making me moan louder. He swallows my moans with his kisses, one hand holding my leg up while the other grips my hip.

Rudy’s breath starts to hitch as he realizes I’m taking it better than he thought. He bites my neck softly, his control slipping just a little. He pulls out almost all the way before slamming back in, making me yelp.* "Fuck... you're taking it so well."

“Yes— mphm” I whine my eyes fluttering shut as he kisses me softly despite his deep thrusts

Rudy smiles against your neck, realizing I’m enjoying it. He starts moving with a bit more force, his hips slapping against my own. He pulls back slightly to look at me, seeing your flushed face and heaved chest. He realizes you’re close. Close to falling off the edge that you’re hanging on by a thread.

He circles my clit with his thumb, applying just the right amount of pressure while his cock hits that perfect spot inside me. I can feel my walls starting to clench around him, my breathing getting ragged. He knows I’m close, and he's not going to stop until I’m screaming his name. "Let it go baby, I got you."

My head falls back against the pillow, a broken moan escaping my lips. His name tumbles out as i feel that familiar tightness building in my core. "Rudy— I’m gonna—" my thighs tremble around his hips, my back arching off the bed as i come apart underneath him.

He feels me clamp down on him like a vice as i release, and it sets him off. He buries his face in my neck, biting down gently as he starts to fuck me gently through my own orgasm, chasing his own release. A fee thrusts later, he's coming inside me with a low groan.* "Fuck... yes..."

He gives it a few minutes enough time so we can catch our breath a little before pulling out. Discarding the condom. After a while, everything slows. The rush of the moment fades into something softer, quieter.

We both lie there, trying to regulate our breathing fully, the room filled only with the sound of our soft exhales and the faint hum of the night outside my window. My heart is still racing, but it slowly starts to settle as I feel his arms wrap securely around me.

Rudy pulls me closer against his chest, one arm draped protectively around my waist while his fingers trace slow, lazy patterns along my back.

“You okay?” he murmurs quietly, his voice low and a little breathless, pressing a soft kiss to the top of my head.

“Yeah,” I whisper back, nuzzling into his chest. “I’m okay.”

He lets out a quiet breath, like he’d been holding onto tension and finally let it go.

We shift slightly until we’re both comfortable, tangled together under the covers. I rest my head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my ear. His hand moves up to my hair, gently playing with it the same way he always does when we’re relaxing together.

The earlier chaos at the club, the fear, the fight—everything feels far away now. Safe. Quiet.

“Get some sleep,” he murmurs softly, his voice already sounding tired.

“Mhm, love you,” I mumble, my eyelids growing heavier by the second. The last words I hear before sleep consumes me is “love you Athena.”

His arms tighten slightly around me, holding me close, warm and safe.

Within minutes, the steady rise and fall of his breathing lulls me into sleep, and we drift off together, wrapped in each other’s arms, the world outside fading into silence.

I wake up slowly to the warmth of sunlight shining through my bedroom window, the light spilling across the bed and warming my face. For a second, I just lay there, still half-asleep, listening to the quiet sound of our friends in the apartment.

Then I turn my head and see Rudy lying next to me, still fast asleep.

A soft smile spreads across my face as I watch him for a moment, his hair slightly messy, his arm still loosely draped around my waist from where we fell asleep.

Just as I’m about to settle back into the pillow, the bedroom door suddenly swings open.

“Hey The—oh god, my eyes!” Chase shouts, immediately covering his eyes and turning his head away dramatically.

I gasp quietly and quickly clutch the sheets to my chest, my face heating up instantly.

Rudy groans softly beside me, starting to wake up from the noise.

“Yeah, I am now,” I say dryly, still holding the sheets tightly as I glare toward the doorway.

“Okay, I can see that,” Chase mutters from behind his hands. “Anyway, I’ll let you guys get decent… I wish I knocked now.”

He backs out of the room quickly, still shielding his eyes like he’s just witnessed something traumatic. The door clicks shut behind him.

For a second, there’s silence.

Then Rudy finally opens his eyes, blinking sleepily as he looks over at me.

“What happened?” he asks, voice still rough from sleep.

“Chase happened,” I reply.

Rudy groans again, dragging a hand down his face before glancing toward the door, clearly putting the pieces together.

I look at him, laughter bubbling up as the embarrassment hits all at once.

“We’re in for it when we walk out there… I hope you know that,” I say, laughing softly.

Rudy lets out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head as he looks back at me with a crooked smile.

“Oh, yeah,” he says. “They’re never gonna let us live this down.”

That only makes me laugh harder, already picturing the teasing waiting for us the second we step outside that bedroom door.

“Yeah, I know,” Rudy says, grinning as he grabs my hips and gently pulls me up so I’m sitting on his torso.

I laugh softly, still holding the sheets around me with one hand while reaching over to grab my phone from the nightstand with the other.

He narrows his eyes at me suspiciously. “What are you doing?”

I don’t answer—just unlock my phone.

The second he realizes what I’m about to do, he quickly throws a hand over his face.

“Oh, no—don’t you dare—”

I snap the picture before he can stop me.

“Hey!” he shouts right after the flash goes off.

I burst out laughing, clutching my phone to my chest like I just committed a crime.

“That’s blackmail material right there,” I tease.

He shakes his head, laughing despite himself, before grabbing me and pulling me down into a kiss.

I kiss him back instantly, still giggling against his lips.

“Payback,” he mutters playfully.

A second later, he shifts and gently lowers me back onto the bed. I lay there smiling up at him while he reaches over and grabs his own phone.

The moment I realize what he’s about to do, my eyes widen.

“Oh no—Rudy, don’t—”

I quickly cover my face with both hands.

“Too late,” he says with a grin.

I groan behind my hands as he takes the picture anyway.

“You’re the worst,” I mumble, still hiding my face.

Just then, there’s a knock on the door.

“Hey guys, hurry up—stop hooking up with each other!”Carlacia calls from the other side of the door, her voice full of laughter.

Me and Rudy both freeze for half a second—then burst out laughing.

“Give us a minute!” Rudy calls back, still laughing as he sets his phone down.

I peek through my fingers at him, shaking my head.

“We are never hearing the end of this,” I say, laughing.

“Oh, absolutely not,” he replies, grinning as he leans down to press a quick kiss to my forehead before climbing off the bed to finally get dressed—both of us knowing the teasing waiting outside that door is going to be brutal.

“Coming!” I shout as Rudy groans dramatically.

“I don’t wanna go out there… I wanna stay here with you,” he pouts, resting his head against my shoulder.

I can’t help but laugh as I pull on my underwear and slip into one of Rudy’s oversized shirts, letting my hair fall loose around my shoulders.

He’s already getting dressed, sliding on his boxers, some shorts, and a loose t-shirt—he keeps them here for when he stays over.

Once we’re both semi-dressed, Rudy grabs my hand, tugging me along the hallway.

“You can’t walk properly,” he teases, laughing as I stumble slightly over the oversized shirt.

“This is your fault,” I whisper into his ear, mock-serious.

He just shrugs and leans down to kiss me, ignoring my complaint.

We step into the lounge, and the voices immediately get louder.

“Jeez! Finally, the lovebirds make an appearance!” JD shouts from across the room.

I groan and bury my face in Rudy’s shoulder while he just laughs, clearly enjoying every second.

“You traumatized Chase,” Madelyn teases, laughing. Along with JD, Drew, Madison, Laci, Austin, Amelia and even Chase laughs a little

I hide my head deeper in Rudy’s neck, muffling my words.

“He should knock next time,” I mumble, my voice soft and muffled.

“Good thing he didn’t come in a few hours earlier—if he had, he would’ve been traumatized for life,” Rudy says with a grin, and I lightly hit his chest in playful protest.

Suddenly, I hear the girls squeal, and before I can react, I’m ripped away from Rudy’s side, being dragged back into my bedroom by Amelia and the rest of the girls.

“Rudy, help me, please!” I call out, laughing as I’m pulled away.

He just laughs, shaking his head as the door closes between us, leaving me giggling and pretending to struggle while the girls surround me, teasing and fussing over me like I’m some kind of prize.

As soon as we step into the room, the girls immediately take in the scene—the sheets rumpled and tangled, clothes scattered across the floor—and they all know exactly what went down last night.

I sit on the edge of the bed, trying to play it cool, a small, guilty smile on my face. That is, until my eyes land on something I thought Rudy had thrown away: the used condom sitting on the bedside table.

My stomach drops. I quickly try to slide it behind a book, anything to hide it before the girls notice—but it’s already too late.

“Athena, what’s that?” Amelia asks, narrowing her eyes as she sees me fumbling.

“What? Nothing!” I blurt out way too quickly, my cheeks heating instantly.

“Is that a… used condom?” Laci shrieks, pointing at it like the sky’s fallen.

“Nope, not at all,” I mumble, my eyes darting everywhere except at their faces, wishing I could vanish into the floor.

The girls exchange knowing looks, suppressing laughter, and I feel my blush deepen as I realize there’s no convincing them now.

The girls erupt into laughter, their teasing filling the room.

After the girls are done grilling me, laughing at my every reaction. Eventually, me, Madison, Amelia, Laci, and Madelyn join Rudy, Drew, Chase, and Austin, the group slowly merging together with laughter and chatter filling the space.

Rudy’s eyes find me immediately, and a mischievous grin spreads across his face. Without a word, he walks over and scoops me up in his arms.

“Rudy!” I squeal, half-surprised, half-laughing as he spins me slightly.

Everyone bursts into laughter at the sight, teasing us relentlessly. “Classic Rudy!” Drew shouts. “Can’t leave the girl alone for a second!”

I bury my face in Rudy’s shoulder, laughing, while he just chuckles, holding me securely.

The day passes in a blur of fun, teasing, and little moments with everyone joking and enjoying each other’s company. By the time evening rolls around, we’re all exhausted but happy, already gearing up for the night shoot.

Rudy sets me down gently, brushing a strand of hair from my face and flashing me that smile I can’t resist.

“Ready for tonight?” he asks softly, his thumb brushing over my hand.

I nod, feeling that mix of nerves and excitement. “Yeah… let’s do this.”

He leans in and kisses my forehead lightly before the group starts moving toward the set, laughter still echoing around us as the night shoot looms ahead.

The walk to set feels different tonight—quieter somehow, like everyone can feel the anticipation hanging in the air. Lights glow in the distance, casting that warm, golden haze that always makes everything feel a little more cinematic.

Like maybe… this is how things are meant to be, just us. Together. And for the first time, forever didn’t feel scary, it felt like home.

Zoe speaks!

Pairing: Rudy pankow x Athena (oc)

Word count: 3,102

Warnings: fluff, brief talk of eating disorders, anxiety, childhood trauma, panic attack, brief makeout.

Just then, Amelia's voice echoes faintly from the living room. "Thea? You in there?"

I freeze, and Rudy laughs quietly, shaking his head. "We should probably... go back before she comes looking," he says, though there's a playful lilt to his tone.

"Yeah... probably," I whisper, brushing my hair nervously.

He steps back just a little, but his hand lingers near

mine, almost brushing it. My heart stutters at the contact. "So... that was our first one," he says softly, almost like a question.

"First... yeah," I whisper, smiling despite the nerves.

He smirks, that same teasing, slow-burn grin. "Definitely not the last," he murmurs, and my stomach flips.

We take a deep breath, steady ourselves, and head back to the living room. The laughter and chaos are still there, but now it feels different. Electric. Exciting. Because now... we know.

We step back into the living room, trying to act casual, but it's impossible. My heart is still racing, and I can feel Rudy's presence beside me like a warm weight.

Amelia doesn't miss a thing. She stops mid-laugh, eyes narrowing suspiciously, and smirks. "Uh-oh... what just happened in there?" she says, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

I choke on my laugh. "What are you talking about?" I ask, trying to sound innocent, but I know my cheeks are bright red.

Rudy glances at me, his smirk hidden just enough to be subtle, but I can feel him holding back a laugh. "Don't give her too much credit," he mutters, quiet enough that only I can hear.

"Ohhh, don't try to lie to me," Amelia teases, grabbing my arm. "I saw you two sneak off. Don't think you can hide from me, Thea. Spill."

I groan, burying my face in my hands. "Lia! Stop it!"

She laughs, tugging my hands away from my face. "Nope. You're glowing, and he's smirking like a maniac. That's a good combination," she teases, wiggling her eyebrows.

Rudy leans casually against the couch, pretending to scroll on his phone, but his eyes keep flicking to me. "She's exaggerating," he says smoothly, though the faint smile on his lips betrays him.

"Exaggerating? Oh, please," Amelia says, nudging me again. "You've got it bad, and I'm loving it."

I groan again, but can't stop the small smile creeping onto my face. Rudy's smirk deepens, and for a moment, it's just the two of us in the room. His hand brushes mine lightly as he shifts on the couch, not enough to draw attention, but enough to send sparks through me.

"You're lucky she's too much of a tornado to notice half the time," Rudy murmurs just for me.

I look up at him, heart racing. "Lucky, huh?" I whisper, teasing back.

He leans just a little closer, voice low, playful. "Very lucky," he says, letting his gaze linger on mine.

Amelia claps her hands, breaking the tension. "Okay, lovebirds, back to the game!" she says, laughing. "But I'll be watching you two extra closely." Making the obx cast chuckle

I grab my chair, trying not to hyperventilate, while Rudy sits across from me, that subtle smirk still there, eyes sparkling. Every glance, every small touch, every silent look—it's all building. I realize just how impossible it's going to be to resist him over the next three days before filming starts.

And honestly? I don't want to resist.

The next couple of days fly by in a blur of laughter, games, and cast chaos. Amelia never stops teasing, always keeping a watchful eye on me and Rudy, nudging me whenever he flashes one of those smirks that make my stomach flip.

But Rudy... he's different when it's just the two of us. Subtle touches linger a little too long, shared looks feel electric, and every time he's near, my chest tightens in a way I can't ignore.

It's the evening before filming starts, and the cast has finally scattered for the night. Amelia is in the kitchen grabbing snacks for herself, leaving me alone in the living room with Rudy.

He's leaning casually against the doorway, hands in his pockets, eyes fixed on me. I try to act normal, but my heart is doing its usual stutter.

"Hey," he says softly, stepping closer. The way he moves, confident yet careful, sends shivers down my spine.

"Hey," I reply, my voice quieter than I intended.

There's a pause, that familiar electric silence between us. Then Rudy exhales, like he's gathering courage. "Thea... I've been wanting to ask you something."

I look up at him, heart hammering. "Yeah?" I whisper.

He swallows, running a hand through his hair. "I know we've... been spending a lot of time together. And I know things have been a little chaotic... but I really like you. More than just a little. And I was wondering... if maybe... you'd want to go out with me?"

My chest feels like it's going to burst. I can't believe this is happening. My lips part, words caught in my throat, but all I can manage is a breathless, "Yes."

His grin spreads, that slow, teasing, heart-melting grin that makes my knees weak. "Yes?" he repeats, like he wants to hear it again.

"Yes," I say again, louder this time, smiling so wide it hurts.

He steps closer, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "Good," he murmurs, his voice low and warm. "Because I have... a few ideas for our first date."

I laugh, cheeks heating, and can't stop the flutter in my chest. "Oh really?"

"Yeah," he says, smirking just slightly. "I promise it'll be fun... and maybe a little dangerous."

I roll my eyes, though my heart is racing. "You're ridiculous."

"Maybe," he admits, his grin softening into something gentler. "But I think we'd be perfect together, Thea."

I swallow, feeling like my chest might burst from happiness. "Yeah... I think we'd be perfect too."

He leans in, brushing his lips lightly against mine—not a kiss, not yet, just a soft, teasing brush, leaving me breathless and dizzy. "Tomorrow," he murmurs, "we start something amazing."

I nod, smiling like an idiot, heart racing faster than it ever has. "Tomorrow," I whisper.

And in that quiet hallway, just the two of us, it feels like the world has shrunk to only him, only me, and the beginning of something incredible. "Ameliaaa, I need to talk to you!" I call, walking into the living room.

"What's wrong, Thea?" Amelia asks, her brow furrowed as the cast looks over at us.

"Nothing's wrong," I say quickly, grabbing her hand and tugging her along. "I just need to talk to you—like, right now."

We slip down the hall to my bedroom, closing the door behind us. Rudy had only just left for his apartment, so we won't look suspicious.

I take a deep breath, my cheeks heating with a smile. "Rudy kissed me... and he told me he likes me. I admitted the same thing back to him, and... I kissed him too. And—he asked me on a date. But no one else knows."

Amelia's eyes go wide. "Wait, hold on a minute. You kissed the guy you have a crush on... and he likes you too?"

"Yes!" I grin, plopping down onto my bed. "But I want to tell Mads and Bails, not anyone else yet."

"Okay, we can do that. Hold on one minute," Amelia says, hurrying out of the room.

I sink back, heart racing. I can't believe this is real. Rudy likes me... and kissed me. I admitted my feelings to him too. Oh my god... I kissed Rudy. What's going to happen now? I hope it wasn't just a one-off thing—I don't know if I could handle another heartbreak.

A knock at the door pulls me out of my thoughts. "Athena, what do you want to talk to us about?" Madelyn asks as she and the girls file into the room, quietly closing the door behind them.

I can't help smiling as I tell them. "Rudy kissed me, and he told me he likes me. I told him I like him too... and he asked me on a date."

Finally, someone says it out loud. "I mean... we can see it. You guys have that chemistry—it's obvious," Madelyn says. "Even if you've only known each other for a few weeks, it's there."

I grin, feeling the excitement bubble up again. "Yeah... it's definitely there," I whisper, heart racing, knowing that everything just changed.

"Thea, you don't need to thank any of us," Madelyn says softly before breaking into a grin. "You're our friend—no, scratch that. You're family. I mean, Chase looks at you like you're his little sister... even though he's, what, twenty‑nine?"

We all burst out laughing.

"I know," I say, smiling. "He's like my big brother—along with the rest of the guys." I hesitate for half a second before adding, "Well... except Rudy. They're like brothers to me. But you girls?" I gesture between them. "You're my best friends. My sisters."

"Yeah, I agree with that," Bails says, nodding.

"And me and you, Lia—we've been sisters for years already," I add, my voice softer now. "I'm just... really grateful for you. For all of you. And for the cast."

"Aww, we love you too, Athena," Amelia says, pulling me into a quick hug.

Madelyn tilts her head, a playful smile forming. "Okay, but important question—what about your date with Rudy? Do you know where he's taking you?"

I shake my head, laughing nervously. "Nope. He literally just said to be ready by five p.m. and to wear something nice."

Bails gasps dramatically. "Oh my god. A surprise date."

"Yeah," I say, smiling despite the nerves fluttering in my chest. "Pretty much."

The girls exchange knowing looks, excitement buzzing in the room, and I can't help but feel it too—because whatever's coming next, I won't be facing it alone. And somehow, that makes everything feel a lot less scary... and a lot more exciting.

Having hung out with everyone that afternoon, the stolen glances between Rudy and me made my cheeks burn more than once. I was just about to get lost in thought again when Amelia tugged my hand.

"Okay, I hate to break it up, but we need Athena," she said, giving me a little nudge.

"Why??" Chase called from the living room.

"None of your business, Stokes," Bails said, walking behind Amelia and me with a grin.

From behind us, I could hear the guys laughing, clearly enjoying themselves at our expense.

We made it to my bedroom, and the girls immediately went hunting through my wardrobe for an outfit. After a few minutes of deliberation, they chose two options: a white jumper top with a grey plaid skirt and heels, and a pair of blue jeans with a pink sweater and Air Forces.

"What outfit are we going for?" Madelyn asked, holding both choices up.

"The pink sweater and jeans," I said, smiling nervously.

"Yeah, I'd have to agree," Bails said, giving me a wink.

"Me too," Amelia said.

"Okay, go get changed while we get your accessories ready," Madelyn said, motioning me toward the bathroom.

I gathered my clothes and undergarments and walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. As I changed and looked at myself in the mirror, a pang of self-doubt hit me. Why would Rudy ever like a girl like me? I whispered silently to my reflection. I'll never understand it.

"Athena, you done?" Amelia's voice called from the bedroom, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah, I'm done," I said, walking back in.

"Okay, me and Mads are gonna do your makeup while Amelia does your hair. Is that okay?" Bails asked.

"Yeah, thank you all," I said, smiling.

Once my hair and makeup were done, I slipped on my shoes, grabbed my accessories, and checked the time. 4:45. My phone buzzed—it was Rudy. He texted, asking me to meet him downstairs.

I turned to the girls. "He just texted. Wish me luck."

"Good luck!" they chorused.

I was about to walk out the front door when the guys suddenly blocked my path.

"Where are you going, young lady?" JD asked, laughing.

"On a date," I said, smiling brightly.

"What's his name, mom's name, phone number, and address?" Chase asked, closing the door behind us dramatically.

"That is none of your business, Chase," I said, grinning. "And I promise, you'll like him."

"Where did you meet him?" Drew asked.

"I... met him at a restaurant yesterday, on my way to the bathroom," I improvised quickly.

"He could be a serial killer," Austin joked, smirking.

I laughed. "He is definitely not a serial killer."

"Guys, just let Thea go on her date. Stop being protective non-relative brothers," Amelia said, rolling her eyes.

I laughed as the boys sulked, waving goodbye. "Bye, everyone!"

I walked toward the front door, heart racing, when I froze. There he was—Rudy, standing on the porch with flowers in his hand, that familiar mischievous glint in his eyes, and a grin that made my heart skip a beat.

"Rudy, you didn't have to get me flowers... thank you, though," I say, looking up into his eyes.

"Anything for a beautiful girl like you, Athena," he says, leaning down to kiss me. I smile into the kiss, feeling my heart race.

"Where are we going?" I ask as we pull apart.

"It's a surprise. Come on, it's only a short walk from here," he says, offering me his hand.

"Okay," I say, taking it. We link our fingers and step outside, walking hand-in-hand down the quiet street.

"Can I hold your hand?" Rudy asks softly.

"Yes," I reply, squeezing his hand gently.

We stroll until the pier comes into view. Rudy stops and gestures toward a small restaurant. "I thought we could get a little something to eat... if you want... and watch the sunset."

"Rudy, that's so thoughtful... but I'm scared of food," I admit nervously.

"Could you try and eat something... for me, please?" he asks, those dark eyes full of sincerity.

I take a deep breath. "Okay... I'll try. But I can't make any promises."

"Thank you," he says with a small smile, leading me into the restaurant.

We sit at a cozy table for two, menus in hand. I glance at him and smile, and he catches me staring.

"You know staring is rude, right?" he teases.

"Yeah, I know," I laugh, trying to hide how flustered I feel. I pick up the menu we both order, When the food arrives, Rudy places it in the center of the table.

After we finish eating, we walk along the beach until we find a quiet spot in the sand. We sit together, toes in the sand, talking and laughing as the sky turns shades of pink and orange.

"Hey, Athena... I know this might be a bit soon, but... would you be my girlfriend?" he asks, hesitating slightly.

I smile and press my lips to his, stopping him mid-sentence. "Does that answer your question?" I whisper as we pull apart.

"Yeah... I guess it does," he says, smiling shyly. We continue talking about whether or not to tell the cast, deciding to wait a while. This will be our little secret.

On the walk back to the apartment building, I pull out my phone. "Can we take a picture of our hands?" I ask.

"Yeah, let's do it," he says. We link hands, snap a photo, and laugh at how our fingers fit together perfectly.

We stop just around the corner from the building. Rudy will go in first; I'll wait twenty minutes before I walk in.

"I'll see you soon," he says, leaning down to kiss me.

"Yeah," I reply, kissing him back softly. I step aside, sitting on a nearby bench with the flowers he gave me next to me, and post the picture of our hands on Instagram, my heart still racing.

For a moment, I just sit there, smiling, feeling like the world has shrunk to him and me, and that maybe... this is the start of something beautiful.

I finally step into the apartment, closing the door behind me, and the cast immediately swarms me like a tornado.

"So? How was it? Did he kiss you? Did you hold hands? What did you wear? Did he pay? Did you order dessert? Was it romantic? Did he smile a lot? Did you smile a lot? Did he... whisper anything? Did he call you Athena? Did he—"

"Okay! Okay!" I laugh, holding up my hands. "It was perfect! Yes, there was kissing. Yes, he held my hand. We talked, we ate, it was amazing..."

Chase immediately steps forward, arms crossed, a protective scowl on his face. "Wait a second—who is this guy? Where did you meet him? How long have you known him? Did he make you feel safe?"

I blink, caught off guard by his intensity. "Chase! Chill! You don't need to interrogate him—I mean, me!"

"Not him, her!" Chase says, pointing at me. "I don't care about him yet. I just need to make sure you're safe, Athena."

The girls giggle, while Bails and Drew fire off more questions. "Was he cute? Did he flirt? Did he hold the door open? Did he... kiss you more than once?"

I glance at Rudy, who's leaning casually against the counter, smirking like he's loving the show. I bite my lip and whisper, "Yes... it was perfect, and he asked me out."

Chase instantly glares at Rudy. "Wait—what did you say? Did you agree? Did you really kiss him?"

"Yes, Chase," I say, laughing nervously. "We kissed, and I said yes to the date. But you don't need to be dramatic about it."

"Dramatic?" Chase repeats, hands on his hips. "Protective is not dramatic!"

Amelia rolls her eyes but can't hide her smile. "Chill, Chase! He's a good guy. You'll see."

I glance at Rudy, who steps closer to me, subtly brushing my hand with his. "See? She's fine," he says softly, just for me.

Chase crosses his arms tighter. "I don't know if I trust him yet. You're like my sister, Athena, and I'm not letting just anyone take care of you."

I laugh, shaking my head. "Chase, I'm fine! Really!"

We started filming about two weeks ago, and so far, we've managed to get two episodes done this week.

Zoe speaks

Pairing: Rudy pankow x Athena (oc)

Word count: 4,687

Warnings: panic attacks, anxiety, brief talk of eating disorder, childhood trauma, fluff, brief make out

We go back for another take.

This time, the scene requires him to cup my face.

Jonas explains the beat, but Rudy looks straight at me. "We don't have to."

I close my eyes for half a second.

"I want to," I say. "Just... be gentle."

His hand rises like it's something sacred. He cups my cheek, thumb resting still—no movement unless I ask for it.

The contact is quiet. Safe.

Too safe.

My chest tightens, tears burning suddenly, unexpectedly. I blink fast, but one slips free anyway.

Rudy freezes.

Jonas starts to speak, but Rudy lifts a hand. "Can we pause?"

The room stills.

He turns to me, voice barely audible. "Hey. Hey. Look at me."

I do.

"You don't have to do this," he says. "Not today. Not ever."

Something in me shatters.

"I'm sorry," I whisper. "I didn't mean to—"

"Stop," he says gently. "You didn't do anything wrong."

Jonas steps in carefully. "Athena, do you need a break?"

I nod, unable to speak.

Rudy walks me out into the hallway without touching me unless I lean in first—which I do, just slightly.

We stop near the trailers. No one else around.

"I'm not going to ask questions you don't want to answer," he says. "But I'm here."

I laugh once, broken. "I didn't want him to ruin this."

His brow furrows. "Who?"

"My dad," I whisper. The word tastes bitter. "He's out. He wants to see me. I found out right before rehearsal."

Rudy's jaw tightens—not with anger, but with restraint.

"I didn't tell anyone," I continue. "I didn't want to be difficult. Or dramatic. Or—"

He steps closer—not touching, just there. "You're none of those things."

Tears spill now, unstoppable. "He always shows up when something good happens. Like he needs to remind me I don't get to just... move on."

Rudy's voice is steady, grounding. "You don't owe him access to you. Ever."

"I know," I whisper. "But knowing doesn't stop it from hurting."

He nods. "No. It doesn't."

There's a pause.

Then, quietly: "Do you want me to stay with you?"

I nod immediately.

He doesn't hug me right away. He waits until I step forward, until I lean into him.

When I do, his arms come around me—solid, protective, not tight enough to trap me.

I breathe him in and finally let myself cry.

"I'm really proud of you," he murmurs. "For showing up today. For staying."

"I almost didn't," I admit.

"But you did," he says. "And you don't have to do it alone."

I pull back just enough to look at him.

"Rudy... I think I'm falling for you," I say, barely above a whisper. "And that scares me."

His breath stutters.

He cups my cheek again—this time not for a scene.

"I think I already did," he says quietly. "And I'm scared too."

We don't kiss.

Not yet.

But his forehead rests against mine, and the truth sits between us—gentle, real, undeniable.

And for the first time since the phone call, I don't feel like running.

My phone rings.

The number is unknown.

For a split second, I consider ignoring it—but something in my chest tightens, and I answer anyway.

"Hello?" I say cautiously.

"Hello, my darling daughter."

My father's voice crashes through the line—smooth, smug. I hang up and block the contact

I don't wait for his response. I end the call and rush back into the bathroom, locking the door behind me. I wash my face, cold water against burning, anxious skin, then sink down onto the closed toilet lid, staring at the floor while my heart pounds.

After a few minutes, I know I need to call my mum.

She answers immediately.

"Hello, sweetheart."

"Hi, Mum," I say, my voice shaky.

"Athena, what happened?" she asks instantly. She hears it.

"Dad phoned me," I say. "I don't know how he got my number, but he did. I told him to leave me alone. I don't know what he wants."

"Oh, Thea," she says softly. "I promise you—he won't be able to hurt you again. I swear."

I take a shaky breath. "Are you okay though?"

"Yes, my sweet angel. I'm okay," she reassures me. "How's filming going? Are you getting along with everyone?"

"It's good," I say quietly. "Yeah... we've all become friends pretty quickly."

"That makes me happy," she says warmly.

"Alright, Mum. I've got to go—I'm at a cast dinner. I'll talk to you later. I love you."

"I love you too, honey. Talk soon."

We end the call.

When I step out of the bathroom, Maddison and Rudy are walking toward me. They must notice the tear stains immediately—their smiles fade into concern.

"What happened, Thea?" Maddison asks gently.

"Nothing," I say quickly. Too quickly. "I'm okay."

I don't want to tell them. Not yet. The only people who know the truth are my mum and Amelia. I'm not ready for anyone else to have it.

"Thea," Rudy says softly. "What's wrong?"

I shake my head. "I'm fine. I promise."

We walk back to the table, and I sit between Rudy and Austin. I'm quieter now, barely touching my food. I can feel the concern around me—glances, gentle questions—but I keep brushing them off.

Finally, I sigh. "I'll tell you later," I say. "When we're back at the apartments."

They don't push. And somehow, that makes it harder.

I text Amelia under the table. A few minutes later, Johnathan announces we should head out. My nerves spike instantly.

Outside, while everyone pays and gathers their things, I pace the sidewalk. My phone rings again—Amelia.

"I booked a flight," she says without hesitation. "I'm coming to Charleston."

Relief crashes over me. "Thank you," I whisper. "Thank you so much."

We hang up just as the rest of the cast joins me. We pile into cars and head back to the apartments.

When we arrive, I turn to them. "Can everyone meet in our apartment? Mine, Maddison's, and Madelyn's?"

They agree without question.

I rush upstairs, straight into my room, and sit on the edge of my bed as everything finally catches up to me. I break down completely. When the tears slow, I take a shower, letting the water ground me.

I change into pink sweatpants and a white shirt patterned with butterflies. I brush my hair, let it air-dry, then pull it into a simple ponytail.

A knock sounds—then the door opens.

It's now or never.

I grab my phone and walk into the living room. Everyone is already seated on the couch, faces turned toward me. Concern. Patience. Care.

I sit down next to Madelyn, my hands clasped tightly in my lap.

I take a breath.

"I think," I say quietly, "it's time I tell you."

"What's the matter, Athena?" Drew asks, his voice gentle.

"I've got something to tell you guys," I say, fidgeting with the band of my trousers. "But... it's hard for me."

"What is it, Thea?" Chase and Madelyn ask in sync, their voices soft and encouraging.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself before speaking.

"My dad... he just got out of prison," I say quietly. "That's what the phone call was about at rehearsal today."

Before anyone can say anything, I keep going. I know if I pause, I might not be able to say the rest.

Before anyone can speak, I keep going, my voice trembling. "He abused me... and now he's out. I didn't know who else to tell."

The room is quiet. I stare at my bracelet, twisting it nervously, feeling exposed but needing them to understand.

Then, gently, I feel arms wrap around me. I don't even realise I'm leaning into them until I feel warmth and steady support holding me safe.

I look up and see Rudy. His expression is soft, steady—no judgment, no questions. I give him a weak, grateful smile. He smiles back.

One by one, the others come closer, offering quiet hugs and reassuring words. I let them, feeling their care like a blanket around me. For the first time in a long time, I don't feel completely alone.

Eventually, I excuse myself to my bedroom for a moment of quiet. I sit on the bed, letting the emotions I've been holding come out in tears.

After a few minutes, I feel someone gently pull me into a comforting embrace. "It's okay, Thea," Rudy whispers. "I'm here. We all are. Nobody's going to hurt you."

I rest my head against his chest, breathing in the calm steadiness of him. His presence feels safe, warm, grounding.

I snuggle closer, finally allowing myself to relax, to feel protected. And slowly, exhaustion takes over, and I drift off to sleep in his arms.

I feel tears start to fall, and I don't try to stop them.

Rudy's voice is soft, steady. "Thea... I'm so sorry."

I don't look up. I just sit there, trembling a little, until I feel arms wrap gently around me. Warm, steady, safe.

I look up, and it's Rudy. His eyes are soft, full of care. I give him a small, shaky smile, and he smiles back—quietly, reassuringly.

One by one, the others come closer, offering gentle hugs and kind words. Maddison, Madelyn, Drew, Chase—they all sit near me, letting me lean on them, letting me feel supported.

After a little while, I excuse myself to my bedroom for a moment alone. I sit on the edge of the bed, still shaky, letting the emotions I've been holding in drift out slowly.

Minutes later, I feel someone gently pull me back into a comforting embrace. "It's okay, Thea," Rudy murmurs softly. "I'm here. We all are. You're safe."

I rest my head against his chest, breathing in the steady rhythm of him. It feels warm, calming... real.

I snuggle closer, letting myself relax in the safety of his arms. For the first time in a long time, I feel completely cared for.

And slowly, with his arms around me, I drift off to sleep—softly, peacefully, and feeling protected.

I wake up tangled in Rudy's arms, and the moment my eyes open, the memories from last night hit me like a tidal wave. My chest tightens. I can't believe he's still here. I thought he—and the rest of the cast—would avoid me after everything, that they'd see me as broken, too fragile to be around. And yet... here he is, still holding me as if none of it makes a difference.

I carefully slip out of his arms, trying not to wake him. My heart races as I pad to the bathroom, replaying last night in my head. I actually told them—told the cast—about my dad hitting me when I was a kid. My stomach twists at the thought, but there's a strange sense of relief too. For the first time, the truth is out, and they still didn't recoil.

My phone buzzes, pulling me from my thoughts. I glance at it—Amelia. She just arrived in Charleston. My lips curve into a small smile as I text back, letting her know I'll come get her.

I take a quick shower, pull on a black bralette, white jeans, and a beige throw-over jumper, and toss my hair into a messy bun. Shoes on, keys and phone in hand, I glance back at the apartment. It's quiet. Everyone must have gone to their own places. Only Rudy had been in my bed last night. My chest tightens again at the thought, but I push it aside.

Outside, the rental car waits, delivered last night. I climb in, turn the music up, and drive toward the airport, trying to shake the knot in my stomach.

When I pull up, Amelia sees me immediately and sprints toward the car. Relief floods me, and I jump out, pulling her into a tight hug. I can't hold back a laugh mixed with tears. It's like having a piece of home with me, right here.

"Thea! Are you okay?" she asks, her voice full of concern as soon as we pull apart.

I swallow hard, my chest aching, but I manage a nod. "Yeah... I'm okay," I say quietly. "I told the cast about my dad... last night."

She wraps her arms around me again, and for the first time since yesterday, I feel like maybe it's going to be okay.

"They're like family to me already, but Lia... I need to tell you something," I say as I drive. "But you can't tell anyone else."

"Go for it. I'm all ears," she replies, leaning forward slightly, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"I... have a thing for him," I say, smiling, feeling a little nervous just admitting it out loud.

"Yes! Girl, you do! Who is it? Was he hot?" She fires questions at me, one after another.

I laugh, shaking my head. "His name's Rudy. I... have a tiny crush on him. And last night kinda made it worse. He was there for me, Lia. Comforted me. I've never felt as safe in a guy's arms as I do in his. You'll meet him, I promise. In fact... he might still be at my apartment when we get there."

Amelia's eyes widen. "Ooooh, I cannot wait!"

We talk the whole drive back about everyone in the cast, laughing and imagining how she'll fit in. I can't wait for her to meet all of them.

Pulling up outside my apartment complex, Amelia nearly jumps out of the car. As we walk up, I unlock the door, and before I step inside, I can already hear voices and laughter. Everyone's here. I glance at Amelia with a grin.

"Warning: these guys are kinda crazy," I say, laughing.

"Have you met me, Athena?" she teases, matching my laugh.

We step inside.

"Hey guys! I've got someone for you all to meet. This is my best friend, Amelia!" I announce, giving her a quick hug.

"Hey, everyone!" Amelia beams. One by one, the cast introduces themselves. I notice Rudy isn't there yet, and my stomach does a little flip just thinking about seeing him again.

"Where's the one you kissed and have a crush on, then?" Amelia whispers-yells, bouncing with excitement.

"Lia! Shut up! I mean it! I will tell everyone about... Mr. Pickles," I whisper-yell back, trying to hide my embarrassment.

"You wouldn't dare!" she shouts, laughing.

"Yes, yes I would," I grin.

Before I know it, Amelia tackles me and we're wrestling around the living room, laughing so hard it hurts. I don't even notice Drew is recording us. Then I hear it—Rudy's laugh. Deep, warm, perfectly placed. My chest tightens. He's standing in the doorway, JD next to him, watching us with amusement.

Finally, Amelia and I collapse, breathless and giggling. I introduce her to Rudy and JD. Rudy's eyes meet mine for a brief second, and I feel a shiver run down my spine. He smirks, that subtle look that makes my heart thump faster, and I quickly look away, pretending I'm not flustered.

After introductions, Amelia grabs my hand and drags me down the hallway. I already know why.

We stop in a quiet stretch of the hallway, and she turns to me, whisper-yelling again.

"That's the guy you have a crush on," she says, eyes sparkling.

"Yes, he is! And would you stop shouting? I don't want everyone knowing I have a crush on him," I whisper back, blushing furiously.

"Okay, okay, I'll stop shouting... but I have to agree with you, girl. He's hot," she giggles.

"I know," I mutter, trying to play it cool, though my cheeks are burning.

We head back to the living room, where the cast is now teasing and laughing over games. I catch Rudy's eyes across the room for a split second, and he winks subtly. My stomach flips again. The last three days before filming start feel like they're going to be the most chaotic—and maybe the most exciting—days of my life.

We head back into the living room, where everyone is now crowded around, teasing, laughing, and starting a game of charades. Amelia is in her element, and I can't help but smile at how easily she fits in.

Rudy sits on the couch, JD next to him, but I can feel his eyes on me every now and then. It makes my stomach do flips. I try to focus on Amelia, but every time he smirks at something I do, I catch myself looking away too quickly.

"Okay, Athena, your turn!" Amelia shouts, nudging me playfully.

I groan, standing up to act out the prompt. As I flail dramatically, I feel a presence behind me. Rudy leans slightly forward from the couch, grinning, clearly enjoying the show. "That's... impressive," he murmurs, loud enough for me to hear. My cheeks heat instantly.

Amelia notices the small exchange. "Oooohhh, he's noticing you!" she whispers, elbowing me in mock-glee. I swat her hand, trying not to laugh, but my heart is racing.

Later, when it's Rudy's turn, I watch as he effortlessly acts out his prompt. There's something in the way he moves, the confidence in his gestures, that makes my chest tighten. Amelia notices me staring. "Yep, still hot," she whispers with a grin.

At one point, the game turns chaotic. Everyone is shouting guesses, Drew is recording, and Amelia and I end up on opposite sides of the couch, laughing so hard we can barely breathe. Rudy reaches over to grab a stray throw pillow and tosses it lightly at me. It hits my shoulder, and our eyes meet for a heartbeat longer than I expected. He smirks, and I quickly look down, pretending to adjust my hair.

Amelia leans close. "Girl... he is into you," she whispers, smirking. I feel my stomach do a nervous little flip.

The night continues with games, teasing, and laughter. Every so often, Rudy ends up near me, offering playful banter, glances, or that subtle smirk that makes me blush every single time. It's a delicate push and pull—fun, lighthearted, but charged with a tension I can't ignore.

By the end of the evening, my sides ache from laughing, my cheeks hurt from smiling, and I realize just how comfortable I feel here—both with the cast and with Rudy. The slow, simmering pull between us lingers in every glance, every brush of hands, leaving me nervous, excited... and already craving the next moment I get to see him.

The night keeps rolling with laughter and teasing. At one point, everyone's crowded around the coffee table for a silly card game. Amelia is on my right, egging me on, and I notice Rudy has slid closer on the couch, JD at his side, but Rudy's focus seems entirely on me.

"Careful, Athena," he says casually, but there's a teasing lilt to his voice. "I might have to steal that card from you."

I glance up at him, my heart skipping a beat. "Oh really? And what makes you think you can?" I tease back, trying to sound confident, though my fingers fidget slightly.

He smirks, leaning a fraction closer than necessary. "Because I've got... advantages," he says, eyes glinting with mischief.

Amelia snorts beside me. "Ooooh, what's this? Secrets?" she whispers, nudging me. I roll my eyes, trying not to blush.

Rudy reaches across the table under the guise of grabbing a card, and his hand brushes mine. Just a light, accidental touch, but it sends an electric tingle straight up my arm. I pull back subtly, pretending to adjust my hair, but I can feel him watching me, that small smirk still there.

"Hmm," he murmurs softly, loud enough for me to hear. "That reaction... priceless."

I freeze for a moment, caught off guard, and Amelia elbowing me lightly doesn't help. "He noticed!" she whispers gleefully.

I try to focus on the game, but it's impossible. Every time I glance at Rudy, he catches my eye and gives me these small, subtle looks—quick, playful, but loaded with something more. The way he's near me, watching, teasing just enough—it's maddening and thrilling all at once.

Later, when Amelia steps away to grab a drink, Rudy leans toward me slightly. "You're laughing way too much at my bad jokes," he says softly, his voice lower now, just for me.

"I—well, maybe they're not that bad," I reply, my voice faltering slightly as my face heats up.

He smiles, but it's that slow, knowing kind of smile that makes my heart race. "Sure, Athena," he says, leaning back, letting the moment linger. Just like that, the space between us feels charged, even though the rest of the room is loud and chaotic.

I glance at him, and for a split second, it's just us. My chest tightens, my palms sweat, and I realize: I've never felt tension like this before. And I kind of love it.

Amelia comes back, interrupting the moment with a laugh. I look away quickly, cheeks blazing, but I catch one last smirk from Rudy before he turns his attention back to the game. That subtle connection lingers, unspoken, but it's enough to leave my mind spinning long after the laughter continues around us.

The laughter and teasing continue in the living room, but at some point, the cast drifts into a corner to argue over the rules of the next game. I find myself standing near the window, stretching, when I feel Rudy's presence beside me. He leans casually against the wall, just close enough that I can smell the faint scent of his cologne.

"You okay over here all by yourself?" he asks softly, his voice low enough that no one else can hear.

I shrug, pretending to be casual. "Yeah... just... catching a breather. The chaos is a lot sometimes."

He nods, eyes scanning the room, then returning to me. "I get that. You've got a lot of energy around you," he says, but there's something gentle in the way he says it, like he's trying to understand me, not tease.

I glance at him, unsure why my stomach is doing flips. "Yeah... I guess." My voice sounds smaller than I expected.

There's a quiet pause, and for a moment, it's just us. The noise of the room seems distant, muffled. Then he leans just slightly closer, not touching, just close enough that I can feel the tension in the space between us. "I... I'm glad you were honest last night," he says quietly. "About everything."

My chest tightens. "I wasn't sure I should've... said anything," I admit softly.

He shakes his head, eyes fixed on mine. "No. I'm glad you did. I mean it. You're... really brave, Thea."

I swallow, the compliment hitting me harder than I expected. "Thank you," I whisper.

He smirks slightly, just a twitch of his lips, but it makes my heart skip. "Don't look so flustered. It's... nice seeing that side of you."

I try to look away, embarrassed, but I can't. The way he's watching me, like he actually sees me, it's intoxicating. "I—uh... I just... wasn't sure how you'd... react," I admit, my voice catching slightly.

Rudy leans back just a little, giving me space, but his gaze stays on me. "I don't react like the others," he says softly. "You don't have to worry about that with me."

It's quiet, just the two of us, and yet everything feels charged. I realize my pulse is racing, my thoughts spinning, and I haven't even touched him. But something about this—about him—is different from anyone else. Safe. Exciting.

Before I can say anything more, Amelia comes running back with a snack, breaking the moment. I glance at Rudy, and for the first time, I catch the faintest twinkle in his eyes, like he's smiling at the thought that the moment was ours, even if brief.

The room fills again with noise and laughter, but I can still feel the weight of that private, stolen second with him—like a spark that refuses to die.

The laughter and chaos from the living room fade behind me as I step into the hallway, trying to catch a quiet moment for myself. Rudy follows almost immediately, as if he can’t stand being far from me.

“You’re avoiding the chaos too?” he asks, leaning casually against the wall, his eyes on me in that way that makes my heart stutter.

“I… just needed a moment,” I admit softly, looking down at my hands. “It’s… a lot sometimes.”

He shifts closer, just enough that I can feel his presence fully, without touching. “Yeah,” he says quietly. “I get that. But… I like it when it’s just us for a minute.”

My chest tightens, and I glance up at him. His dark eyes hold a softness I’ve never seen before, a vulnerability beneath that mischievous smirk. “I like that too,” I whisper.

There’s a pause. Just the two of us, standing in the quiet hallway. My heart is hammering, my palms are sweaty, and I can’t seem to think straight.

Rudy leans just a fraction closer, and I can feel the warmth radiating off him. “Thea…” he murmurs, his voice low, almost hesitant. “I… I’ve been wanting to do this…”

My breath catches, and before I can respond, he closes the small distance between us. His hand gently brushes against mine, fingers grazing, sending a jolt of electricity through me. And then—our lips meet.

It’s soft at first, tentative, like testing the waters. But when I feel him press just a little closer, the kiss deepens, and everything else—the laughter, the chaos, the worries—fades away. His arms wrap around me, holding me steady, and I feel an overwhelming sense of safety and exhilaration all at once.

I wrap my arms around his neck, leaning into him, letting myself get lost in the moment. The world outside the hallway doesn’t exist anymore. There’s only him, the warmth of his body, the softness of his lips, and the unspoken connection we’ve both been holding back.

Finally, we pull back just slightly, foreheads resting together, breath mingling. My heart is racing, and I can hear his heartbeat in sync with mine.

“Wow…” I whisper, my voice trembling a little.

“Yeah…” he replies, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Wow.”

We stay like that for a long moment, just holding each other in the quiet hallway, knowing this is only the beginning.

We finally pull back slightly, foreheads still touching, both of us breathing a little heavier than normal. I glance at him, cheeks burning, and he can’t hide his own flush.

“Well… that happened,” I whisper, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.

Rudy chuckles softly, a low, teasing sound that makes my stomach flutter. “Yeah… that happened,” he repeats, a little grin tugging at the corner of his lips. “You… you taste better than I imagined.”

I laugh nervously, hitting his arm lightly. “Rudy! Stop it!” My voice squeaks, and I instantly regret how loud it came out.

He raises his eyebrows, still smirking. “Oh… so flustered already?”

“Shut up!” I whisper, pressing my hand against my face for a moment. I can feel him staring at me, and I sneak a glance up. His eyes are warm, teasing, and that small grin is still there—like he’s daring me to admit how I feel.

We stay quiet for a few moments, just stealing small glances at each other. Then, without thinking, I reach up and touch his arm lightly. “I… uh… I’ve never felt… like this before,” I admit softly.

Rudy leans just a little closer, his voice low and steady. “Me neither, Thea. Me neither.”

I feel my chest tighten, and a smile tugs at my lips despite my embarrassment. There’s something in the way he looks at me—gentle, protective, and teasing all at once—that makes me melt.

Zoe speaks!

Pairing: Rudy pankow x Athena (oc)

Word count: 6,704

Warnings: fluff, talk of eating disorders, anxiety, panic attacks, childhood trauma, childhood abuse, kissing.

I've just arrived at the airport, about to leave LA and head to Charleston, South Carolina to start filming an Outer Banks original series for Netflix. When I auditioned, I honestly didn't think I'd get the role—but I did. I'll be playing Sage Winter in season 3.

I'm feeling pretty nervous, mostly because I'm the only new cast member. On top of that, I've never met the person playing my love interest, JJ Maybank. It's a little nerve-wracking knowing I'll be meeting someone for the first time and immediately jumping into kissing and romantic scenes together.

Still, I'm trying not to stress about it too much right now. I'll save the worrying for when I actually get to South Carolina.

After a while, I'm already on the plane. Security, baggage—everything's done. I settle into my seat and wait for takeoff. Once the plane lifts into the air and climbs high enough for the sunrise to spill across the sky, I pull out my phone and snap a photo of the glowing horizon through the window. I post it to Instagram, replying to a few excited comments from the cast before putting my phone away.

With the cabin quiet, I try to read as much of the script as I can. Eventually, exhaustion catches up with me, and I fall asleep. I wake up just before the plane begins its descent.

Once we land, I grab my bags from baggage claim and call an Uber, giving them the address of the apartment building where the cast will be staying. I text Jonas to let him know I'm on my way, and he replies that he'll be waiting in the lobby.

When I arrive, I collect my bags, pay the Uber driver, and head inside. Jonas is standing near the entrance.

"Hi," I say, smiling.

"Hi, Athena. Nice to meet you—I'm Jonas," he says warmly. "I'm so excited to see you bring Sage to life. We'll talk more later at the table read at two o'clock. It's half past one now. Here's your apartment key—apartment number 20. I think you'll be sharing with Madelyn and Madison. If you need anything, don't be afraid to ask me or anyone on the cast or crew."

"Okay, thank you, Jonas," I say, taking the key. "And thank you so much for giving me this opportunity. It truly means a lot to me."

"That's okay, Athena. Have a great time with the cast and crew," he replies. "Bye."

"Thank you—I will. Bye."

I walk toward the elevator and step inside, pressing the button for the third floor. When the doors slide open, I follow the quiet hallway until I reach my apartment. I unlock the door, and before it's even halfway open, I hear footsteps moving across the hardwood floor.

I step inside, pulling my luggage in behind me.

"Oh my god, hi! I'm Madelyn—you must be Athena."

"Hi, yeah, I'm Athena. Nice to meet you," I say, smiling.

"Hey, I'm Maddison. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," I reply, giving them both a hug. I politely ask which room is mine so I can drop off my luggage and freshen up. They point to a room straight down the hall. I thank them and head that way.

Once I'm in my room, I pick out a gray patterned skirt and a pink cropped jumper, along with my undergarments and toiletries. I take everything into the bathroom and hop in the shower. Afterward, I get dressed and head back to my room to do my makeup—nothing too much, just simple and clean. I add a belt to my skirt, put on a necklace, grab my Air Forces and my bag.

I brush my hair and leave it down, then grab my phone, keys, and script. I check the time—1:50. Ten minutes to go. Thank god the table read is in this building.

I step back out into the living area where Maddison and Madelyn are waiting.

"Ready to go to the table read?" Maddison asks.

"Yeah... as ready as I'll ever be," I say, my nerves sneaking in.

"Hey, don't be nervous," Madelyn says gently. "You're going to do great. The rest of the cast is going to love you."

And for the first time since landing, I actually start to believe her.

"Okay... let's do this," I say as we head toward the elevator.

Once we reach the first floor, we walk down a long hallway that opens into a large room. Maddison reaches for the door and pushes it open. No one notices me at first—I'm tucked behind Maddison and Madelyn, and I'm a little shorter than them. Not by much... but enough.

"Hey, girls—where's Athena?" Jonas  asks, completely clueless.

I can't help it—I laugh and step out from behind them.

"Hey! I'm not that short, you know," I joke.

The entire room bursts into laughter, and suddenly I'm very aware of all the eyes on me.

"Well... you are kinda short," a blond guy—who I'm pretty sure is Drew—adds, grinning.

"I am not!" I laugh back, and the room laughs with me. Just like that, the tension eases.

"Well, let's get this started, shall we?" Jonas says. "Athena, you can sit between Rudy and Madison."

"Okay," I say, walking over and taking my seat between them.

I sit there for a bit, listening as everyone settles in, until it's finally my turn to run lines with Rudy. I turn to face him and—oh my god. He's hot. Like, distractingly hot. I immediately start wondering how I'm supposed to kiss those lips on camera and not get attached.

I shove the thought to the back of my mind.

I take a breath and start my lines—the ones I memorized on the plane and ran through again just minutes ago. The room goes quiet, everyone watching us, and for a moment, the nerves fade.

This is really happening.

"Okay, JJ—you're confusing me," I say, pointing between us. "Do you want a relationship with me or not? Because you're sending me a lot of mixed signals, and I'm not a mind reader. You either want this, or you don't—but you need to tell me. I can't keep doing this."

JJ exhales, his shoulders dropping.

"Of course I do, Sage. I'm just scared. I've never done anything like this before—I've never been in a relationship. But one thing I do know is that I definitely want one with you."

And that's the end of our scene.

A round of applause fills the room, snapping me back to reality. I turn around, a little stunned, as "good job" and "that was great" echo from around the table. I hear Rudy say "well done," and I smile, quietly returning the compliment. We continue the table read until it wraps up, and by the end of it, my nerves have finally started to fade.

Afterward, chase asks if we want to head over to his, Rudy's, and JD's apartment to get to know each other. When he says get to know each other, he really means them getting to know me—and me getting to know them. Everyone agrees. I just let them know I'm going to change into something more comfortable first, so I head back to my apartment while Madelyn and Maddison go ahead to the boys' place.

I change into a pink lounge set—soft pants and a matching cropped top—slip on my Air Forces, grab my phone and keys, and head out. That's when I realize I have absolutely no idea where the boys' apartment is. Since I don't have anyone's number yet, I DM Madison. She replies almost instantly, telling me she'll send someone to come get me.

I wait outside my apartment door, texting my mum to let her know I arrived safely. Then I text Amelia, telling her I've landed, settled in, and met the cast. Everything still feels a little unreal.

Suddenly, I feel a light tap on my shoulder.

I turn around... and see—

I turn around and see Rudy standing behind me, his hand resting lightly on my shoulder. Butterflies instantly erupt in my stomach.

Oh my god, Athena—snap out of it. He's your co-star.

"Hey," he says softly. "Sorry to pull you away from everyone, but I don't actually know where your apartment is."

"That's okay," I reply, forcing myself to sound normal. "It's just up here—apartment 17."

"Perfect," Rudy says, smiling.

We start walking down the hallway side by side. Our hands brush a few times, and every single time it happens, my heart flips. I can feel myself blushing, heat rushing to my cheeks.

When we reach their apartment, panic sets in.

Oh no. No, no, no. I cannot walk in there looking like this.

"I—I need to call my mum," I blurt out, grasping at the first excuse I can think of.

Rudy raises an eyebrow. "You coming in?"

"Yeah, just one minute," I say quickly. "I need to let her know I landed safely. I'll be right there."

"Okay," he says. "See you in a minute."

He disappears inside, and I immediately pretend to be on the phone, holding it up to my ear. I switch to the front camera to check my face—thankfully, the blush has faded to just a hint. I fake a goodbye to my mum, knock on the door, and straighten myself.

Austin opens it. "Hey, Athena," he says, stepping aside to let me in.

"Hi, Austin," I smile as I walk past him.

I enter the living room and see the rest of the cast—plus Lilah, Jonas's daughter—spread out around the space.

"Athena's here!" Maddison announces.

"Hi, guys," I say with a small wave.

Maddison and Madelyn reintroduce me to everyone, and I ask for everyone's numbers since I don't have them yet. Phones come out, contacts are exchanged, and Madelyn adds me to the group chat.

I keep catching myself staring at Rudy. A few times, I notice him staring back, and every time it happens, my stomach flips again.

Athena, stop it. He's your co-star. Nothing more, I scold myself.

"So, Athena," Johnathan says, smiling, "tell us more about yourself."

I shrug. "There's not much, really. I'm 20, an only child, and this is my first big acting role. I watched OBX seasons one and two and loved them, but I never thought I'd actually get a role on the show. I sing sometimes—just as a hobby, not a career. I grew up in LA, but I wasn't born there. I moved when I was three. I lived in Australia for a few years, and I also lived in Alaska."

I shrug again. "That's pretty much it."

"Are you kidding?" Drew blurts out.

I shake my head. "No."

"Rudy lived in Alaska too," Chase says.

"Really?" I look at Rudy, surprised.

"Yeah," he says. "Pretty much my whole life."

"How old were you when you lived in Australia and Alaska?" Bailey asks.

"Ten when I lived in Australia, fifteen when I lived in Alaska," I reply.

"Woah," Austin says. "That's crazy. You and Rudy probably passed each other on the street."

"Probably," I laugh. "But if he saw me back then, he definitely wouldn't have recognised me. I had braces and everything."

"That's actually really cool," they all say at once.

We spend more time talking and getting to know each other, and I snap a few pictures of everyone to post on Instagram.

"Never Have I Ever?" Maddison suggests.

We all agree and sit down. I end up seated between Maddison and Rudy.

"I'll go first," Austin says. "Never have I ever made out with someone."

Everyone drinks—except me. I fidget with the waistband of my joggers as all eyes turn to me.

"Thea," Madelyn says gently, "you've never made out with anyone?"

I shake my head. "No. Never."

Johnathan jumps in smoothly. "Okay, next one."

I shoot him a grateful look.

"Never have I ever gotten drunk and gotten a tattoo or piercing," Madelyn says.

I drink, along with a few others.

Everyone starts explaining their stories, and then it's my turn.

"Okay, you might be shocked," I say, laughing. "But I went to a party in high school, got drunk, and decided it was a great idea to get a tattoo. So I did—along with a few friends."

"Can we see it?" Rudy asks.

"Yeah, sure," I say, standing up. "Just... don't mind where it is."

I tug my pants down slightly, revealing two small butterflies tattooed on my thigh.

"Oh my god, I love it," Maddison says.

"That's so cool," Lilah adds. "I wish my dad would let me do that."

We keep playing, and I keep drinking—until I'm definitely a little drunk. I suddenly stand up.

"Guys," I slur, grinning, "it's raining. We should go dance in it."

I take off toward the door.

"She's drunk," I hear Drew and Rudy say at the same time.

"Yeah, definitely," someone laughs.

By the time they catch up to me, I'm already waiting for the elevator.

Outside, I'm the first to run into the rain. I spin and dance, laughing, completely carefree. In that moment, I'm just happy—happy to be here, happy to have found my people.

Afterward, soaked and laughing, we head back up to Rudy, Chase, and Johnathan's apartment. I grab another drink and sink down onto the couch. Halfway through it, my eyelids start to feel heavy.

Before I realise it, my head tilts, and I slowly fall asleep on someone's shoulder.

Rudy's P.O.V

I'm halfway through a conversation when I feel Athena's weight shift against me.

At first, I think she's just leaning closer—but then her breathing evens out, warm and slow against my shoulder. I glance down and realise she's fallen asleep.

I don't move.

She looks peaceful like this, lashes resting against her cheeks, lips slightly parted. I adjust my arm carefully so she's more comfortable, letting her head rest fully against me. No one says anything at first, but I can feel Maddison's eyes on us.

After a few minutes, Madelyn leans over. "Rudy," she whispers, smiling softly, "do you think you could carry Athena back to our apartment?"

I hesitate for half a second—then nod. "Yeah. Of course."

Everyone clears a little space as I carefully stand, lifting Athena into my arms. She stirs slightly, mumbling something incoherent, and instinctively curls closer to me. My chest tightens.

Lilah grabs her overnight bag. "I'm sleeping over too—it's already one a.m."

"Good call," I say quietly.

The walk to the girls' apartment is silent, the hallway dim and calm. Athena's head rests against my chest, her hand fisted lightly in my shirt like she trusts me not to disappear.

When we arrive, Madelyn opens the door and motions me inside. "Her room's down the hall—second door on the left."

"Got it," I whisper.

I carry Athena to her room, pushing the door open with my foot. It's cozy—soft lighting, neatly made bed, a few personal touches that already say so much about her.

I lower her gently onto the mattress, taking my time as I slip her shoes off. I pull the covers over her, then carefully turn her onto her side, just in case. She sighs softly but doesn't wake.

I stand there for a moment longer than necessary, watching her breathe.

"Goodnight, Athena," I murmur, barely audible.

I turn the light off and close the door quietly.

"Night, Rudy," Bailey says softly from the couch.

"Goodnight," Maddison adds. Lilah waves sleepily.

I head back to my apartment alone. When I get there, it's quiet—too quiet. Drew and Austin must've already gone back to theirs, and Chase and Johnathan are probably asleep in their room.

I brush my teeth, change out of my clothes until I'm just in my boxers, then climb into bed. My mind won't shut off.

I close my eyes—and the last thing I picture is Athena asleep on my shoulder, like she belonged there.

I don't sleep as easily as I should.

I wake up once in the middle of the night, staring at the ceiling, replaying the way Athena fit against me like it was instinct—like it had always been that way. I tell myself it's nothing. That she was drunk. That I was just being decent.

Still, when I finally fall back asleep, she's there in my dreams.

Athena's P.O.V

Sunlight pulls me out of sleep slowly. My head throbs just enough to remind me I definitely drank more than I should have, and my mouth feels dry. There's a familiar tightness in my stomach—not pain, just that uneasy awareness I've learned to notice instead of fear. I breathe through it, the way my therapist taught me, grounding myself before panic can set in.

I groan softly and roll onto my back, blinking up at the ceiling.

Wait.

This isn't my bed back home.

Memory crashes in all at once—dancing in the rain, laughing too hard, grabbing another drink, sitting next to Rudy—

—and then nothing.

I sit up too fast and immediately regret it, a wave of dizziness washing over me. I pause, letting it pass, reminding myself to move slowly. When I glance down, I realise my shoes are gone. I'm tucked neatly under the covers, turned onto my side like someone actually thought about me. Like someone made sure I was safe.

My chest tightens, my heart picking up pace.

I swing my legs over the side of the bed and step into the living room. Maddison is already awake, sipping coffee. Lilah is curled up beside her, wrapped in a blanket, still asleep.

"Morning, Sleeping Beauty," Maddison smirks.

"I—" I rub my temples, keeping my voice light. "How did I get here?"

She raises an eyebrow. "You don't remember?"

I shake my head slowly.

"You fell asleep on Rudy," she says casually. "Like, fully out. He carried you home."

My breath catches. "He... what?"

"He wouldn't let anyone else move you," she adds more softly. "He was really careful, Athena."

Heat floods my face, a rush of embarrassment mixed with something warmer I don't quite want to name. "Oh my god."

Maddison laughs. "You're welcome. Go get ready—we're meeting everyone for breakfast."

Breakfast.

The word lands heavier than it should, but I keep my expression steady, nodding like it's nothing. I've learned how to do that—how to carry things quietly.

"Yeah," I say, forcing a small smile. "I'll be right there."

As I turn back toward the bedroom, my heart is still racing—but this time, it's not just nerves. It's the strange comfort of knowing someone took care of me when I wasn't fully there to do it myself.

The café is already buzzing when we walk in—warm, loud, full of the smell of coffee and buttered toast. Everyone piles into a long booth, menus passed around, conversations overlapping.

I slide in near the end, keeping myself small.

Breakfast menus always look harmless to everyone else. To me, they're loud. Too many options. Too many thoughts trying to talk over each other.

Don't overthink it. You're okay. You've done this before.

I scan the menu slowly, forcing myself to breathe evenly. My hands feel a little shaky, so I tuck them under the table. No one notices. No one ever does.

Rudy sits down across from me, stretching his arms before glancing at his menu.

"Honestly," he says casually, "I'm starving, but I don't want anything heavy. I might just get something simple."

Something loosens in my chest.

"Yeah," I say, keeping my tone neutral. "Simple sounds good."

He looks up at me and smiles—easy, unthinking. "You good?"

I nod quickly. "Yeah. Just tired."

"Same," he says. "Rain dancing really took it out of me."

I almost laugh.

The server comes by, and everyone starts ordering. I wait, listening, my heartbeat loud in my ears. When it's my turn, the words stick for half a second—but then Rudy speaks up beside me.

"I'm getting scrambled eggs and toast," he says. "Nothing fancy."

I glance at him.

"I'll... do the same," I say, surprised at myself for not hesitating.

The server scribbles it down and moves on.

No one reacts. No one looks at me differently. The moment passes like it's nothing—but it feels like something to me.

Rudy leans back, stretching again. "Good choice," he says lightly. "That's my go-to when my stomach's off."

I swallow, nodding. "Yeah. Mine too."

He doesn't know what that costs me. He doesn't know what it means that I didn't change my mind. That I didn't make an excuse. That I didn't pretend I wasn't hungry.

He just keeps talking—about filming, about how tired Chase looks, about how Maddison somehow always steals everyone's fries. Normal things. Safe things.

When the food arrives, my plate sits in front of me like a quiet challenge. I stare at it for half a second too long.

Rudy notices—but not in the way I expect.

He grabs his fork and starts eating immediately, relaxed, unbothered. "God, this hits," he says. "I forgot how good plain food can be."

I pick up my fork.

One bite.

Then another.

Conversation flows around us, and slowly, the noise in my head fades into the background. My shoulders relax without me realising it.

At one point, Rudy leans over slightly. "Hey," he says quietly, "if you're still tired after this, we've got a break before rehearsals. You can totally disappear for a bit."

Something warm settles in my chest—not sharp, not overwhelming. Just steady.

"Thanks," I say softly. "That sounds nice."

He smiles again, unaware of how much that small kindness matters.

And for the first time in a while, eating feels less like a battle—and more like just another moment I'm allowed to exist in.

I don't finish everything on my plate.

But I finish enough.

That matters.

No one comments. No one watches. The world doesn't tilt or collapse the way my brain sometimes tells me it will. When I set my fork down, my hands are steady. My chest feels lighter—like I've done something brave without anyone clapping for it.

I excuse myself to the bathroom, needing a moment alone.

Inside, I lock the door and lean against the sink, staring at my reflection. I look... normal. Tired, maybe. A little flushed. But real.

"I did it," I whisper to myself, barely audible.

It's not perfect. It never is.

But it's a win.

I splash water on my face and breathe. In for four. Out for six. Then I straighten my shoulders and head back out like nothing happened.

Rudy's P.O.V

She's quieter than she was last night.

Not withdrawn—just softer, like she's conserving energy. I notice the way she listens more than she talks, the way she smiles without forcing it. It's not something I can explain, just something I feel.

When everyone gets up to leave, she lingers behind, slipping her phone into her pocket.

"You okay?" I ask gently, keeping my voice casual.

She looks surprised for a second, then nods. "Yeah. Just... low energy."

I believe her. But there's something in her eyes that tells me there's more—something she's carrying alone.

"Well," I say, shrugging, "we've got a little time before rehearsals. Want to walk back together?"

She hesitates, then smiles. "Yeah. I'd like that."

Athena P.O.V

The walk back is quiet in the best way. No pressure to fill the space. Just footsteps and the distant sound of traffic.

"Thanks," I say suddenly.

"For what?"

"For... this morning. For not making it weird. Or loud."

He glances at me, confused. "I didn't do anything."

I smile to myself. "You kind of did."

He lets that sit, nodding slowly like he doesn't need to understand it to respect it.

When we reach the building, I stop before going inside. My heart starts racing—not fear this time, just nerves.

"Rudy?" I say.

"Yeah?"

"There's something about me you don't know." I pause. "About why mornings are sometimes... harder."

He doesn't rush me. Doesn't interrupt.

"You don't have to tell me," he says immediately. "But if you ever want to—I'm here."

The words hit deeper than anything else could have.

"I'm in recovery," I say quietly. "From an eating disorder."

He doesn't react the way I expect. No shock. No pity. No awkward sympathy.

Just understanding.

"Okay," he says softly. "Thank you for trusting me with that."

I blink, throat tight. "You're... not weirded out?"

"No," he says firmly. "I'm glad you're taking care of yourself. And I'm glad you told me."

I let out a breath I didn't realise I was holding.

"I don't want anyone else to know," I add quickly.

"Your secret's safe," he says. "I won't say a word."

Then, after a beat, he adds, "And just so you know—you don't owe anyone perfection. Ever."

Something in my chest shifts.

"Thanks," I whisper.

Rudy's P.O.V

Watching her walk inside, I realise something quietly, clearly.

I don't want to fix her.

I don't want to save her.

I just want to be someone who makes things a little easier without her having to ask.

And somehow, that feels bigger than anything I've ever wanted before.

Athena's P.O.V

Rudy doesn't make it obvious.

That's the thing—I almost don't notice it at first.

But slowly, I realise he always ends up near me on set. Not hovering. Just... present. He times his breaks with mine. When catering is chaotic, he casually suggests grabbing something later, somewhere quieter. When scenes run long and my energy dips, he finds a reason to sit with me in the shade.

No one questions it.

To everyone else, it probably just looks like two co-stars getting along.

To me, it feels like being quietly protected without being exposed.

One afternoon, after a particularly long take, I feel it creeping in—that tight, familiar spiral in my chest. My body feels heavy, wrong, like I've taken up too much space. My thoughts start getting sharp.

You shouldn't have eaten that.

You don't deserve a break.

I excuse myself to the bathroom, locking the door and gripping the sink until my knuckles go white. I stare at my reflection, heart racing.

Not again.

But this time, I don't let it take over.

I text Maddison something casual so no one worries. Then I breathe. In. Out. Slow. I remind myself of the morning. Of the win. Of the fact that one hard moment doesn't erase progress.

When I step back outside, Rudy looks up immediately.

"You good?" he asks quietly.

I hesitate—then nod. "Yeah. Just needed air."

He doesn't push. Just hands me a cold water bottle like it's the most normal thing in the world.

"Hydration check," he says lightly.

I smile despite myself. "Thanks."

That night is harder.

Everyone orders food back at the apartment, and suddenly the room feels too loud, too much. My appetite disappears, panic replacing it. I pick at my plate, hoping no one notices.

Rudy does.

Not in a calling-you-out way. In a sitting beside you and lowering the volume of the world way.

"Hey," he murmurs, barely audible. "Want to watch something stupid later? Like... really stupid."

I let out a breath. "Yeah. That sounds nice."

Later, curled up on opposite ends of the couch, a dumb movie playing in the background, I finally admit it.

"I had a rough moment today," I say quietly.

He turns toward me, fully attentive. "But you got through it."

I nod. "Barely."

"Barely still counts," he says without hesitation.

Something in my chest softens.

"I'm proud of you," he adds, gently.

I blink fast, pretending the screen is blurry. "You don't even know what I was fighting."

"I don't need to," he replies. "I just know it mattered."

It happens late.

Everyone else has gone to bed. The apartment is quiet except for the hum of the fridge and the low volume of the TV.

I'm sitting cross-legged on the couch, absently pulling at the sleeve of my hoodie.

"Rudy?" I say.

"Yeah?"

"I don't think I've ever let someone see this part of me before. Not without feeling... ashamed."

He studies me for a long moment. "I don't see anything shameful."

I laugh softly. "That's because you're not inside my head."

"Maybe," he says. Then, more seriously, "But I see you. And I care about you."

The words land heavier than anything else he's said.

My heart starts racing—not fear. Truth.

"I think I'm starting to—" I stop myself, breath catching.

He leans closer, voice barely above a whisper. "Me too."

I look at him, really look at him. The warmth. The steadiness. The way he's never once made me feel like I was too much.

"I'm scared," I admit.

"I know," he says gently. "We don't have to rush. We don't have to label anything. We can just... be careful with each other."

I nod, eyes burning. "I'd like that."

He reaches out—not to pull me closer, not to cross a line—just to rest his hand over mine.

It's simple. It's everything.

And for the first time in a long time, the future doesn't feel terrifying.

It feels possible.

It happens on a long filming day.

Everyone's tired. The air feels heavy, stretched thin by heat and too many takes. We're sitting under a canopy during a break when someone—one of the crew, laughing, careless—says it.

"She barely touched catering earlier. How does she even have energy?"

It's said like a joke. Light. Thoughtless.

My stomach drops.

I keep my face neutral, fingers tightening around my water bottle. Years of practice kick in—don't react, don't draw attention, don't let it show.

But Rudy does.

He straightens instantly. "Hey," he says, calm but firm. Not loud. Just enough to cut through the noise. "That's not cool."

The conversation falters.

"I didn't mean anything by it," the guy shrugs. "Just saying."

Rudy doesn't smile. "Yeah, well—don't."

Silence.

Then, casually, like he's changing the subject, Rudy adds, "Everyone handles long days differently. Maybe let people exist without commentary."

No anger. No accusation.

Just protection.

The moment passes. Someone laughs awkwardly, another person changes the subject, and just like that, it's over.

No one looks at me.

But my chest is tight, full, almost painful.

Later, when the sun starts dipping low and everyone begins packing up, I find Rudy by the trailers, leaning against one with his arms crossed.

"Hey," I say quietly.

He looks up. "Hey."

There's a pause. One of those ones that carries weight.

"Earlier," I start, then stop. My voice feels too small. "You didn't have to do that."

"Yes, I did," he says immediately.

I swallow. "You didn't even ask if I wanted—"

"I know," he interrupts gently. "That's why I did it the way I did."

I look at him, confused.

"I wasn't trying to speak for you," he says. "I just... didn't want anyone making you feel watched. Or explained."

Something inside me cracks open.

"Thank you," I whisper.

He studies my face, searching, like he's checking for something fragile. "Did it upset you?"

I shake my head. "It would've—before. Today it just... reminded me I'm not invisible."

His expression softens. "You shouldn't be."

The words hang between us.

"I don't want to overstep," he says carefully. "But if anyone ever makes you uncomfortable—about food, about your body, about anything—you don't have to deal with it alone. Okay?"

My heart is pounding now. Loud. Unruly.

"Rudy," I say, barely steady. "Why do you care so much?"

He exhales slowly, like he's been holding that breath for days.

"I think," he starts, then stops. Runs a hand through his hair. "I think I'm getting to a point where pretending I don't... isn't really working anymore."

My breath catches. "Pretending you don't what?"

He looks at me then—really looks at me—and the world feels suddenly too quiet.

"That I—" He stops himself, jaw tightening. "I don't want to rush you. Or scare you. Or make this harder than it already is."

I step closer without realising I'm moving. "You wouldn't."

His voice drops. "Athena, I care about you. More than I probably should."

My chest aches.

"I care about you too," I admit. "I just... I'm still learning how to let people stay."

He nods. "I can wait."

We stand there, inches apart. Close enough to feel the warmth of each other. Close enough that if either of us moved just a little—

He doesn't.

Neither do I. Instead, he reaches out and rests his forehead lightly against mine.

"No pressure," he murmurs. "Just... honesty."

I close my eyes. "That's more than enough."

And even without the words fully said—without the confession spoken out loud—I know.

This isn't almost anything.

This is real.

Athena's P.O.V

My phone starts vibrating nonstop in my hand.

I glance down and my stomach drops—ten missed calls, eight messages from Mum, five missed calls and three messages from Amelia.

My chest tightens.

"I—I need the bathroom," I mumble quickly, already backing away before anyone can question it.

I step into the hallway and open the messages.

They all say the same thing.

Answer the phone.

Call your mum. Now.

My hands shake as I press call.

"Hi, Mum," I say, forcing my voice steady. "What's wrong? I saw your messages—what's going on?"

There's a pause on the other end. Then—

"Athena, baby," she says softly. "Your dad is out. He's back. He wants to see you."

My breath leaves my lungs.

"I told him he's not going anywhere near you," she continues quickly. "After what he did, I won't let him. But he's not listening. I promise you—I'll protect you as much as I can."

My throat closes.

"Please," I whisper. "Please just make sure you're safe, Mum. I don't care what he does to me—I just don't want him hurting you."

"Oh, sweetheart—"

"I've got to go," I choke out. "I love you."

"I love you too, baby."

The call ends.

I don't realise I'm crying until my vision blurs.

I wander down the hallway, trying to find a bathroom, wiping my face with my sleeve, when Maddison appears.

"Thea?" she says gently. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I say too fast, not looking at her. "I'm okay, I promise. You can go back to rehearsing. Thank you though."

She hesitates—but nods. "Okay. I'm here if you need me."

She disappears back into the room.

A few minutes later, I hear voices approaching—everyone. Panic hits. I turn quickly and duck into a small, empty room, shutting the door behind me.

I call Amelia.

"Hey," she answers instantly.

"He's back," I break. "When will he ever leave me alone? I'm so sick of his shit, Amelia. After everything he's done—I'm just... I hate him. He even ruined my first rehearsal for my first lead role. I was there when I found out."

"Hey," she says firmly. "Listen to me. He doesn't get to ruin anything unless you let him. I promise you that. You go back out there. You don't let him take this from you. I'll call you later, okay?"

I sniff. "Okay. Thank you. I love you."

"I love you too, Lena. Talk later."

I end the call and sit there, wiping my eyes, breathing until my chest stops hurting.

Then I hear footsteps.

The door opens.

I stand as the group walks in, concern written all over their faces.

"What happened, Thea?" Madelyn asks softly.

"It's nothing you need to worry about right now," I say quickly. "I'll tell you later—I promise."

She gives me a look. "Okay. But remember that. I will hold you to it."

I manage a small smile. "Deal."

Then I straighten. "Alright. Let's go back to rehearsing—we are filming a Netflix series here."

A few laughs break the tension, and we head back into the room.

Jonas and Lilah are there, both looking worried.

"I'm okay," I reassure them. "I promise. But Jonas—can I talk to you for a second?"

"Of course," he says, standing. We step into the corridor.

"I was just wondering," I say carefully, "how you want Rudy and me to rehearse this scene. Did you want us to save the physical contact for filming?"

Jonas considers it. "You can rehearse the physical side today if you're both comfortable. That way we can do a chemistry read too."

"I'm okay with it," I say honestly. "I just don't know about Rudy."

Jonas nods. "Let's ask him."

He calls out, "Rudy, can you come here for a sec?"

Oh my god, I think. This is going to make my stupid little crush so much worse. Why does he have to be... him?

Rudy approaches, concern flickering across his face the second he sees me.

"Hey," he says softly. "What's up?"

Jonas gestures between us. "Would you be comfortable rehearsing the physical side of the scene today? Athena's okay with it, but I wanted to check with you."

Rudy doesn't answer right away.

He looks at me.

Not my body. Not the scene.

My face.

"Are you okay with it?" he asks quietly, just for me.

I hesitate—then nod. "Yeah."

His jaw tightens slightly, protective without being obvious.

"Then yeah," he says. "I'm okay with it."

Something in my chest loosens.

"Alright," Jonas smiles. "Let's give it a try."

As we walk back into the room, Rudy leans in just enough for only me to hear.

"If you change your mind at any point," he murmurs, "we stop. No questions."

I meet his eyes.

"Thank you," I whisper.

And for the first time since the call, I feel like I can breathe again.

The room goes quiet as Jonas calls for places.

Rudy and I stand a few feet apart, scripts in hand. The scene isn't even heavy on paper—just proximity, tension, unspoken emotion—but suddenly it feels like everything is amplified.

"Whenever you're ready," Jonas says.

Rudy takes a slow breath. I mirror it without realising.

We start with the dialogue, voices steady, professional. Then Jonas gently interrupts.

"Let's add the physical beats."

My stomach flips.

Rudy doesn't move right away. Instead, he shifts closer—but slowly. Deliberately. Like he's giving me time to decide.

"Okay?" he murmurs under his breath.

I nod.

He reaches for my hand—not grabbing, not sudden. Just his fingers brushing mine first, checking. When I don't pull away, he lets his hand settle properly, warm and grounding.

Something inside me trembles—not fear, not panic. Just the weight of everything I've been carrying.

The scene calls for him to step closer. He does, stopping just short, waiting.

"You're tense," he says, in character—but his eyes flick to mine, checking if that line lands too close to home.

I swallow. "I know."

He lifts his hand to my arm, thumb brushing once—soft, careful.

And that's when it happens.

My breath catches.

Not enough for anyone else to notice. Just enough that he does.

Rudy stills.

His hand doesn't move away—but it doesn't press further either.

"Cut," Jonas says after a moment. "That was... really good. Let's take five."

The room exhales.

Rudy steps back instantly, giving me space. "You okay?" he asks quietly.

"Yeah," I say automatically.

He doesn't look convinced.

During the break, he stays near—but not crowding me. I can feel his attention like a steady presence, not intrusive, just there.

When everyone disperses for water and snacks, he finally speaks again.

"You don't have to explain anything," he says, low. "But something's going on."

I shake my head. "I'm fine. Just... a lot today."

He nods slowly. "Okay."

Then, softer: "Just know I'm not going to push you. Ever."

That almost breaks me.

Zoe speaks