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LALITHA & PRINCE ZAHIR

“Ugh.” Lalitha sighed, standing outside of the prince’s bedroom’s double doors as she tapped her foot impatiently, the click of her heel echoing throughout the tiled hallway. “Was he up when you brought breakfast in?” She asked the maid standing nervously next to her, the meek woman simply shaking her head before taking her leave and quickly walking away from the obviously agitated personal assistant. “Alright, that’s it. He is not going to ruin today, I’m tired of the queen looking at me like I’m the one disappointing her when he shows up late for an event.” She muttered not so quietly to herself, eliciting a smirk from Zahir’s bodyguard that went unnoticed by the young woman. “Your highness!” She called out gruffly, clipboard in hand as she pushed the doors open and came face to face with a sleeping prince and his obvious overnight guest.

Pausing for a moment, Lalitha had to push the feelings of disgust and anger aside as she moved further into the room and grabbed the corner of the blankets by Zahir and pulled it off of the sleeping couple. “Rise and shine!” She called out with obvious fake cheer, “We have a busy day ahead of us and you,” She turned her attention to the now awake and obviously startled woman who was trying to hide her naked body from the intrusion. “He’ll call you, I’m sure.” She said with an overly polite smile before turning her attention back to the prince. “Zahir. UP. Now. We have to be at the new Children’s Hospital in 45 minutes and it takes 20 to get there. Move.”

***

Despite what his family wanted to believe, his title wasn’t everything. While other people could go about their lives doing whatever and whoever they wanted, Zahir had an image to maintain; one that he had already royally screwed up because of his own mistake. What the world didn’t know was that arranged marriage wasn’t something either party had truly wanted. He wasn’t the commitment type and Aylin wasn’t either. They’d both ventured outside of their engagement, but Zahir had been the one to pay the ultimate price of shame. Instead of coming out and admitting to such a thing, he’d shouldered the blame and left the other to continue on as if she hadn’t been in the wrong too. It was selfless from his point of view, but his family begged to differ. So much that they’d hired someone to clean up the mess he’d made.

Someone that got under his skin more than anyone else in the whole damn world. He’d heard the double doors being pushed open and the draft of cool air washed over him as the warmth of the sheets were ripped away. The prince stayed in place as he listened to the woman he’d entertained for the night mutter an apology as she went for her clothing. It was only when he heard her padding footsteps fade down the hall that he sucked in a deep breath and reached out for the phone on his bedside table. “Fifteen if Hamza is driving,” he countered, dark hues scanning over the phone screen before he rested his head back against the pillow. “Can’t we push it back by an hour? The children aren’t going anywhere, right?” He’d had a long night and the last thing he wanted was to be forced to flash a toothy smile towards the world. “I’ll ensure our donation is increased for the inconvenience,” he spouted off, the line seeming like something a royal would say.

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RÜYA & KHALIL / FLASHBACK

The thing about Rüya was it didn’t take her long to build up to the kill shot, refusing to hold back when she had the ammo right within reach, which is exactly what she did when bringing up her roommate and her boyfriend. The way Khal’s grip tightened around the coffee cup was all she needed to satisfy the sick need to make sure the agent was, in fact, jealous. The blonde had an attachment to him that she had yet to wrap her own mind around, and she wanted- no, needed- the constant reassurance that her feelings weren’t one sided. “Oh c’mon, they’d be invaluable assets, I’m sure of it.” She teased, smirk on her lips at the absurdity of her own words. And while she was sure if put in her shoes, Beau would have been a much better CI for Mack and Khal, she had to admit she was grateful for the opportunity to avoid jail. Even if she didn’t act like it.

Once outside, she was able to get a cigarette between her lips as she moved with the sea of people on the sidewalk, her trusty lighter giving her a hard time as per usual, but she was finally able to get the stick lit and she inhaled deeply. She’d half hoped he’d let her go, let them both be free of the absolute mess they’d found themselves tangled in, but of course he couldn’t let that happen. She knew he only gave chase to save his job, which kept her legs moving as he fell into step beside her and she turned her head towards him to exhale a cloud of smoke in his direction. “Didn’t realize we were having fun back there.” She commented, pace quickening as she jaywalked across a busy street, even though she had nowhere to be. She wanted to make this little walk as difficult for him as she could. “Oh no, Agent Hassan. You couldn’t ever get anything wrong, could you?” Her tone was dripping with sarcasm and she refused to look at him, instead she kept the cigarette between her lips as she pulled her phone from her back pocket and responded to a few texts. “You better head back, wouldn’t want your partner to think you ran off with the help.” 

***

Submitting his application to the Bureau was a longshot for the lonely man in a city surrounded by people. He’d wanted an out from everything he’d known; a real chance at getting somewhere in the life he’d been given, one that hadn’t held much meaning. When he received news that he’d gotten in, a mixture of feelings had consumed. Worry, fear, excitement; it had all hit at once and in a way, each had been justified. He’d found comfort in a woman and had admittedly jumped the gun on a proposal he couldn’t stick to. It was his first big assignment that was supposed to reset everything for him, to give him the fresh start he’d been longing for once more. Instead, life had once again shown him that nothing was ever that simple. He couldn’t run from a marriage and bury himself in work without facing the inevitable deserved karma of being a coward. It just so happened that karma was dressed like the woman sitting across from him. “And I should trust your opinion?” She was reckless, spiteful, and quite frankly, damn near unbearable in a work setting. She played by her rules and whether he liked it or not, it was something he couldn’t change and he knew it.

Following her was a no brainer. If he didn’t, he had the wrath of Mack to follow up on and that wasn’t an option on the day’s list of things he wanted. So, despite his own frustrations and annoyance, he fell into step with the woman and bit his tongue on every poor comment he wanted to counter with. “Fun is what you make it.” He wasn’t the fun-having type of man anymore, but he’d be lying if he said he didn’t get a rise out getting beneath her skin. Just like he assumed she’d say the same thing. “It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen.” He stung like hell to admit that he wasn’t Mr. Know It All, but for the sake of saving face, he’d say anything. A quiet laugh rolled off his tongue, his dark hues rolling in response to a comment that sounded laced with jealousy. “Believe it or not, she doesn’t control me.” Sure, she was a senior agent, but Khalil could make his own decisions and when it came to keeping Rüya on board, he knew that Mack would agree. “But she would kick my ass if I let you walk away from this. I don’t know if it matters much to you, but you’re our best shot at closing this out. You get one hell of a deal out of this. Are you sure you want to give that up?”

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SKYLAR & JACKSON​

Blame it on the alcohol or the thoughts that had plagued her mind since their innocent kiss at the The Shack or the pseudo innocent one they shared on the boat a mere hour before, but Skylar wasn’t hungry. Not for food, at least, but for a fruit that up until recently she’d considered completely forbidden. It’d never been as tempting to potentially ruin their friendship as it was right now, in this moment, and as much as she wanted to just fling herself at him and see how she was received, there was still a big part of her- a winning part of herself- that held her back. Jackson was her entire world and losing him wasn’t something she’d ever be able to handle… so instead of diving in like she wanted, she slowly tip toed into the uncharted waters of intimacy. One toe at a time, ready to dart back to the safety of the shore at the first sign of trouble. 

“Speak for yourself, Parker. I’m going to be in shape forever.” She mused with a confident, borderline cocky, grin. “I keep telling you you should give it a chance. This body of yours isn’t going to stay like this forever.” She teased, hands coming up to rest on his torso, fingertips slowly tracing the outline of his abs as she looked up at him. “I’ve seen the way you eat.” The grin on her features was broad and she bit down on her lower lip in a pointless attempt at stifling it. “Mm… I kind of like the glory days chat. I was, after all, a volleyball star.” Laughter spilled past her lips at her own words. “Besides, we still have the matter of my victory prize to discuss. I think that’s a bit more important than food.” The amused expression on her features lit up her eyes, hands sliding slowly up his chest so her arms draped over his shoulders and her body leaned in to rest against his. Her skin burned in the best ways as it touched his, but she did her best to push those thoughts aside. “So what have you got to offer me, Jackie boy? I kicked your ass pretty damn well so you better make it worth my while…”

***

He wasn’t nearly as tame as he claimed to be, but when it came to Skylar, every move he made had the greatest intention behind it. It had always been that way, even when they were younger and hadn’t known any better. She was easily the most important to him and right behind her were other members of her family. When he’d lost everything, they’d all been there for him. It was a move he’d never forget, but it was their kindness and importance that left him counting his every step. If he managed to screw things up with her, he didn’t only lose a friend; he’d lose everything that mattered to him. Dramatic or not, it was the only reason he hadn’t completely thrown aside all regard.

“So, which is it, Everly? Good body or not? It sounds like you’ve been checking me out and I’ll be honest, I’m flattered. If you want to see more of me, all you have to do is ask and give me that good friend discount. I’ve seen how expensive those classes get.” Granted, he had enough money to do what he wanted. It was the perk of inheriting his mother’s belongings alongside making a good career for himself. However, nothing else seemed to mattered the moment her palms fell flat against his chest. It was like the whole world around them had faded away and the only sound he could manage to hear was that of her voice; all sweet and siren-like. She could have asked him to do just about anything and he doubted he’d be able to say no. “I didn’t think anything was more important than food.” His voice was low, his jaw clenched tight as hands settled at the woman’s sides, his thumbs brushing soft circles against her hips. “It depends on what kind of prize you’re looking for.” All worries aside, he could get creative in ways he was only supposed to imagine. “I’m guessing a piggyback ride over to the food trucks isn’t going to be good enough, huh?”

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DREW & THEO

As she held his bruised and battered hand in her own, she carefully inspected the bruises. This wasn’t the first time she’d seen the beginnings of purple and black bruising stain his skin, and while it did evoke memories from their teenage years, she pushed those aside to keep herself in the present. Her fingers linking through his as her other hand came up to rest on his chest. While she’d hated watching him take the hits, she had to admit that watching him throw the punches? Win the fight with the ferocity that he did? That was something else entirely. That was hot, and while there’d never been a time where Drew didn’t find the man in front of her attractive, she had to admit she also hadn’t found him this attractive in a while. 

“First fight?” She asked with raised brows, gaze moving from his hand back to his face as she bit down on her lower lip slightly. “They’re working you hard, Theodore. Are you the heavyweight champ or whatever?” The question was posed playfully with raised brows, her body leaning into his as she chased a warmth she only felt in his presence. “Sounds like I caught the main event then, if the first guy was worse than that little fella you just pummeled.” Her tone was teasing, thumb brushing slowly across his knuckles as she spoke. “Oh I’m supposed to play nurse tonight? Wish you would have told me in advance, it’d be a shame to get blood on this dress…” Though when it came to Theo, she’d tear the fabric from her body if he needed it to tend to his wounds. She had always been there to patch him up and in truth, if she was able, she’d continue to do so. “It was alright.” Her shoulder shrugged nonchalantly as she gazed up at him. “Could have been a bit quicker, and your form could use some work but…” She exhaled with another shrug, “The drinks were good so it wasn’t a completely wasted evening.” 

***

HIs greatest downfall was that he always found himself craving something he couldn’t have. For years, Drew had fit that bill perfectly. She dangled herself right before him and just before he could get a good hold on her, she vanished. It broke his heart every goddamn time, even when he had someone else to fill the void. Someone who was no longer able to do that. Someone that he thought had abandoned him just like everyone else in the world had, but she hadn’t. Not unless one really wanted to argue against death being a valid excuse. “I’m just a new guy that everyone wants to see get beat. Hasn’t happened yet. I don’t know if it ever will.” He wasn’t a professional fighter by any means, but all of those years of his asshole father letting older recruits kick ass were finally paying off. “What can I say? I’m a big deal around these parts.” He still didn’t quite understand what was happening, but the secret invite had made him feel worthy of something.

Theo bit down on his bottom lip as he took a single step closer to her smaller frame. Out of every woman in the club, the only one he wanted to take home was right in front of him. “You could always take it off.” Despite being alone in the room, it wasn’t as if the whole place had been blocked off just for them, but the temptation to push the door closed and to flip the lock over was all too much. As expected, her compliments fell short. Her sticking around after the fact was one thing, but her being nice to him? It was unheard of. “Are the drinks what made you stick around? ‘Cause last time I checked, there weren’t any drinks back here.” Just empty water bottles and other shit he wouldn’t dare to touch. Free hand lifted, his thumb guiding her chin upwards gently to catch her gaze. “I bet I could make the night even better. Unless this is where you walk away again?”

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ADDIE & OZAN

Addie would never say she understood the business world. She was a barrel racer and a horse trainer, one who’d been dropped in a place where her talents were obsolete and she instead found herself selling boots and hats to tourists and girls looking to go to country concerts. It was an empty existence, one she was trying so hard to hide her displeasure in, but she knew from the look on his face night after night that she wasn’t succeeding. In fact, she was certain that her inability to blend in, to acclimate as well as he had, was putting more stress on the man she loved. She’d never been a source of his stress, not like this, and it was tearing her apart. “I believe you.” She said, her own tone matching his confidence as a warm, genuine smile colored her features. She may not have found her footing in the big city just yet, but she’d always known where she stood with Ozan. And if he was confident than so was she. 

Continuing to gather the dishes, the blonde balanced everything in her arms as she made her way to the kitchen of their small apartment and deposited them carefully into the sink. She began to roll the sleeves of her sweatshirt up, ready to get to tidying up the kitchen from the meal he’d lovingly made them. There were times she felt he was drifting from her grasp, but then there were moments like their dinner tonight where it felt like everything was just as it was supposed to be. “Yeah.” She agreed with a nod, “Yeah. Maybe if I made some friends… some girls from work invited me out for drinks the other night. I should go next time.” She’d declined because she hated the girls from work and their fake smiles and backstabbing ways, but maybe she needed to stop being so picky. Bad friends would be better than loneliness after all, right? She’d make any sacrifice, overcome any obstacle for him. Which was why… “Are you sure?” She asked, guilt flooding her system as she began to rinse the plates and load the dishwasher. “I-” She sighed, “If it’s easier for you, I can go alone. I know things are hectic at work right now, I’d hate to get in the way of anythin’, put you behind because I can’t keep up.” And even as the words left her mouth she wished she could take them back. A weekend on the farm with just the two of them sounded like heaven, but she couldn’t be selfish. She knew that. And she hated feeling like she was forcing him to choose. “I know work comes first, we can always go together another time. When things have calmed down.” She offered as she continued with the dishes. Though his next words had her brow quirked up and intrigue taking over, the dishes momentarily forgotten as she made her way over to the fridge. 

“What did you do, Ozzie?” She asked with a smile, one of the first genuine ones of the night as she followed his instructions and rooted through their fridge. At the sight of the familiar red box, her smile grew into a grin as she pulled out the strawberry shortcake. It reminded her of home and she loved the stuff. “Oh, honey, you shouldn’t have.” She said, dishes now abandoned as she grabbed two forks and brought the treat back out to the dining room. “You wanna share?” She asked, depositing herself into his lap as she held up two forks. “Though I have to warn you, you get a two bite maximum.” She teased.

***

Asking her to move with him had been a no brainer. There wasn’t a world where Ozan wanted to be without the woman by his side. It was because of her that he was able to do anything at all and whether she knew it or not, he wouldn’t have done it without her. It wasn’t as easy of a transition as he’d made it seem. There were days where he walked through life on autopilot, the combination of being homesick and exhausted wearing him incredibly thin. It was the payout that made it worth the stay, but ultimately, it was Addison that came him going. “I know it’s not home, but maybe it can be something close to it. At least until I get settled into this job. They already told me it wouldn’t be a forever thing. Once we really get this up and running, I’ll be able to work from wherever I want.” He could see it now; a new build on his family’s land and a home where he could have an office to himself and she could have whatever she wanted.

He perked up at the mention of friends and an invite that could only mean good things. “You should go out. When was the last time you had some fun? Real fun?” He’d been selfish some nights with his own version of that. When his coworkers invited him out, he never hesitated to say yes. It didn’t matter if it was drinking at the makeshift office or going out to expensive restaurants where the bill never fell under a hundred per person. His wallet ached at the thought of how many times he’d agreed to it, but if he wanted to play the part, he had to fully commit. “I can make it work.” He wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince her or himself, but the ache in his chest nearly doubled when she further suggested he could tag along another time. If he hadn’t of known better, it almost felt like maybe she wanted to go alone. “I want to go with you, Addie.” It had been too long and with the amount of texts he’d been getting from his family to pay a visit, it was long overdue. “Work can wait for one weekend. They know how important family is to me. I don’t want that to change.” He’d made that much clear, but at the end of the day, if they said they couldn’t make it work without him, Ozan would have no other choice but to stay behind while she made the trip back herself.

The male watched with subtle excitement as she pulled the special ordered dessert from the fridge. It was the smallest gesture he could offer, but the sound of happiness in the woman’s voice was well worthy the pretty penny he’d spent on it. “I know it’s probably not going to be anything near as good as what we have at home, but I was told it’s the best in the city.” Oz shifted in his chair to accommodate her frame sliding atop his. If only the night could drag on forever, he’d be a happy man. “Two bite maximum seems generous,” he hummed as smile widened and he slipped a fork from her grip. “You better go for the first bite before I decide to beat you to it.”

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RÜYA & KHALIL / FLASHBACK​

Every challenging word that left his lips stoked the fire within her, a flame that could practically be seen burning within the light green eyes. There’d been something about him that had gotten beneath her skin since they day they met in that conference room and his callous words had her storming out of the building, set on putting the FBI and any of their agents in the rear view mirror. However, he’d pulled her back in with his charisma and that damn smile. It did things to her, made her feel things she was certain she’d never felt before. But none of that mattered in the moment. “Well then maybe you guys should find someone better suited for employment.” She popped the ‘p’ in employment obnoxiously, leaning back in her own seat as she crossed one leg over the other. “Because I’d be happy to turn it over. You know, Marcus is a woman beating piece of shit but maybe he’s more your speed.” She countered, brows raised as she looked at him pointedly. He knew how she felt about her roommate, a man she’d gone head to head with more than once, and how tossing his name was an easy jab. “Or maybe even Beau. I know you two are the best of friends.” She mused, smirk never leaving her lips.

And though the expression stayed, it faltered ever so slightly at the sound of his laughter. He was calling her bluff and Rüya was never one to back down from a challenge. Especially one that pissed her off. “Oh yeah?” She asked, setting her own cup down on the table, her gaze more pointed and her tone tight. “Well then get that number two pencil because class is in session.” Rising from her spot, the blonde pushed in her chair and took a step away from the table. “Actually, you’ll be explaining to her how you lost the same colleague twice. So good luck with that.” Turning on her heel, she made her way towards the door and pushed it open, exiting the cafe and joining the crowded city street as she pulled her pack of cigarettes from her pocket. If Khalil wanted to play then she’d happily oblige.

***

When the case had been laid before him and Mack was assigned as his partner, there was a sense of a challenge that he couldn’t deny. It was a chance at proving himself worthy of something bigger within the Bureau, but the deeper he fell into it, the more of a surprise it was proving to be. For starters, he’d made the rookie mistake of getting involved beyond a professional level with the woman closest to the inside. It was one thing to cross boundaries with the blonde, but to keep it from his partner? The person he was supposed to trust beyond a reasonable doubt? It was torture. Grip tightened around the cup in hand, but the heat from the coffee inside reminded him of the consequence of letting his temper win. “I think we’d look elsewhere before pulling either of them in. Immunity isn’t something we put on the table for guys like them.” He held a bitter jealousy towards Beau, but from where he sat, he’d dress it like a professional vendetta against someone who’d gotten into the wrong crowd. It was his fault and while the same damn thing could have been said for her, she’d always been the exception.

His arrogance often got the best of him, but it was only with Rüya that it didn’t always work in his favor. Jaw clenched tight with every witty remark she offered, but it was blatant defiance that left him cursing beneath his breath as he watched her walk out from the cafe. One look over his shoulder towards a distracted Mack was all it took before he was following the other out and into the crowded street of the city. Brows furrowed as he scanned over the area and once he’d spotted her, he sucked in a sharp breath and closed the distance between them once more. “You should really stop walking away when things start getting good. It ruins the fun.” He couldn’t let her walk, at least, not from the job. If he did, his shot at anything outside of a desk job would be unlikely. “I thought we were getting somewhere back there. Did I get it wrong?” 

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RÜYA + KHALIL / FLASHBACK​

She took a long, slow drink from the competitor’s coffee cup in her hand as her eyes scanned the busy cafe. Everyone was milling about, New Yorkers doing what they do best and focusing solely on themselves as they went about their day; something that had always made the blonde a bit jealous. She’d never been in a stable enough situation to have a routine, her life’s stable foundation had been damaged beyond repair when her father was killed and she was left on consistently shaky ground. In a way, the lack of stability was the only constant, stable thing in her life. Bitter irony, she guessed. But her time with Mack and Khalil had begun to bring routine into her life and while naturally, she fought it, she had to admit she was beginning to embrace it. Albeit slowly, but her time spent with Khalil in the solace of his apartment when it was just the two of them was too enticing, too comfortable. Times like these, spent with Mack and working the case was the universe’s way of bringing equilibrium back into her unstable life. “Mm, must have slipped my mind.” She said absentmindedly, sure to make her tone sound as bored as she could. Her gaze settled back on his features and she had to take another sip from the cup to hide the smirk that threatened to fight it’s way to her features at the expression at his displeasure at the mention of Beau. There was something wrong about the satisfaction she got from his jealousy and disdain for the other man, but she refused to dwell on it for any period of time. “Oh, is that how it works? Damn, if I’d only known that sooner.” Rolling her eyes, she glanced towards the corner of the cafe where Mack currently stood, chatting on the phone, unaware of so much going on between the CI and her partner. 

Turning her head as he moved closer, Rüya had to pull all of her focus on not leaning in to close the distance between them. Instead, she hardened her expression, bright eyes locked onto his as she swallowed back the bitter words that threatened to caustically spill past her lips. “Oh  canım,” My dear. She sighed, gaze softening for a moment as one of the few Turkish phrases slipped past her lips- a term of endearment she remembered her father using with her mother tenderly, the opposite of the words that followed. “I can do anything I put my mind to, haven’t you figured that out by now?”

***

Oh how the mighty had fallen. Every regulation and expectation the Bureau had ever had for him and every other agent had been thrown out the window the moment he met her. She was the bane to his entire existence and yet, he couldn’t stay away. No threat to his job or even his life was enough to hollow out boundaries and draw the line in the sand. “It seems like everything slips your mind these days. Makes me wonder if you’re even a good fit for this job anymore.” It was bullshit and the blonde would sniff it out immediately. She was the only option they had and if she walked, they lost their inside man. Well, woman. He lifted the cup up to his lips as he followed her gaze over to Mack. Amusement filled his chest because he knew how meetings like this worked. If his partner wasn’t within earshot and was rightfully distracted by something else, Rüya would strike.

A quiet laugh fell from his mouth as gaze dropped to her lips before shooting upwards towards light hues. They were in public; anyone could have been listening in and whether either of them liked it or not, Mack wasn’t their biggest threat. “I guess I’m willing to put that theory to the test,” he exhaled smoothly before tipping back his coffee and enjoying the challenge he’d just laid out for her. When the cup was placed back atop the table, Khalil cleared his throat and leaned back into the comfort of the chair. “I’m sure Mack is looking forward to everything you have to update us on. Unless there’s nothing, then I can’t wait to hear what she has to say about that.”

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ADDIE & OZAN​

If he’d been uncertain before, uprooting her quiet farm life to move to the big city was proof that Addie would do anything for Ozan without question or hesitation. However, her willingness to put her own life on hold so his career could flourish didn’t do much for just how unprepared she was for the change. The sounds of the city kept her up at night, the fast pace of everything had her feeling like she’d been consistently falling behind since their arrival, and she couldn’t quite find her footing. People were rude, in a hurry, and refused to make eye contact. It was a difficult transition, one exacerbated by just how much time her partner spent focused on work. She felt alone and lost, like she was floundering in a sea who’s waves threatened to push her under without so much as a life ring in sight. But she was trying. For him. For them. It’d be worth it in the end, she had to believe that. Because if she didn’t…

“I didn’t say that.” Blue eyes lifted from the untouched glass of whiskey in her hand to look at him, exhaustion clouding the usually clear irises. She was letting her unhappiness bleed into their relationship and she hated herself for it. “I’m just wondering if killin’ yourself for a company that might not even make it is worth it.” Her voice was soft and apologetic. She’d always support him in whatever her did, she loved him enough to trust he’d make the right decisions, but the longer they stayed in the city the more she felt a rift growing between them. A chasm forming in the foundation of the home they’d lovingly crafted in each other. And it scared her. “I know.” A soft, sad sigh left her lips as her gaze fell back to her lap. Maybe she hadn’t been trying hard enough, maybe she was the problem and not the city or his job or coworkers. Sucking in a deep breath through her nose, the blonde brought the glass of whiskey up to her lips and took a long drink. Resolve squaring her shoulders as she nodded and set the glass down on the table next to her. “I’ll try harder. I’m sorry I’ve been such a wet blanket lately, I just can’t seem to find a rhythm here.” She offered what she hoped was a confident smile in his direction, pushing back out of her chair as she began to gather the dishes from their dinner. Though his next suggestion gave her pause- it almost felt like a trap, the excitement bubbling in her stomach at the thought of the fresh country air and seeing her horses again contradicting the promise she’d just made to try harder in the city. But she wasn’t about to turn the opportunity down to go home, to feel like herself, even if only for a weekend. “I-” She bit down on her lower lip to fight back a smile, though she was unable to stop her head from nodding. “Yeah, I’d love that. Are you sure you’re able to get away?” She didn’t want to get her hopes up too high, after all she knew with this move that his job would come first for a while. A sacrifice she was willing to make for the man she loved. 

***

Had anyone asked him where he wanted to be ten years ago, there would have only been one answer; the farm. It was absolutely everything to him and to his family, but it wasn’t something that could be maintained without the job he was currently working. All the debt they’d racked up over the years would be covered by the paycheck he was busting his ass over. It was all for his family and for the woman he loved endlessly, but some nights it seemed like she couldn’t understand that. “I know it’s going to work out.” He sounded confident, but he had his doubts about it all. However, this was it. If everything came crashing down around him, he wouldn’t know where else to turn and that wasn’t an option.

The city was a hard adjustment to make when all they’d ever known was the comfort of the countryside. Instead of the roosters waking them at sunlight, it was the angry honking horns of road raging drivers and sirens from one first responder or another. No matter the hour, there wasn’t much peace to be had. “No, it’s,” he paused, tongue darting to the corner of his mouth as guilt rattled around his chest. He couldn’t let her shoulder every ounce of the blame when he’d been feeling the same way at first. “It’s a big adjustment to make, but I know you can figure it out.” If he could do it, then she could do it too. The napkin he’d kept folded on his lap was now on the table in place of where his dish had been. He’d picked up on the formal dining setting quickly and now it was just habit. “I’m sure they’ll be able to handle one weekend without me around and if they can’t, they’ll have to sort something out.” If returning back home for a few days was the reset she needed to get off on a fresh start, then he wanted to offer her that. Even if it took major convincing with a team he was still gaining trust from. “We’ll get the details sorted out after I’ve talked to everyone tomorrow, but for tonight,” he hummed, a soft smile growing on his mouth. “There’s something in the fridge I think you’ll like.” He’d ordered her favorite dessert from a bakery not too far from their place. He’d kept it hidden near the back for the perfect moment. “Red container in the back.”

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DREW & THEO

Drew wasn’t a planner. She acted on impulse, crashing through life one split second decision after another, and yet she was still surprised every time it blew up in her face. Her move to Paris hadn’t been solely because of Theo’s presence in the city of love, at least that’s what she told herself, but the truth of the matter was she probably wouldn’t have taken her friend up on the offer to stay with her if he hadn’t been there. Their first meeting hadn’t been ideal and in true Drew fashion, after leaving his apartment that night she’d given him space. More space than either of them wanted, but her pride had been wounded and her feelings hurt, so she did what she’d always done. She avoided them and in turn him. 

When she’d caught wind of the underground fight club from a man she’d met at some bar or another, she’d made it her goal to get an invite. And tonight had been her lucky night. She was on the arm of a beautiful woman, short stature made barely average with the high stilettos she was wearing. She was full of excitement, the atmosphere was buzzing and in turn, so was she. That was until they got to the ring and an all too familiar face was one of the fighters. For a moment, her legs dared to try and give out on her, her grip on the woman she’d come with tightening for a moment until she regained her strength. There was a part of her that wanted to turn around and leave, ignoring fate pushing them together unexpectedly once again, but instead she surged forward in the crowd, pulling her date along with her until they were behind the front row. Close enough to see Theo’s every move but hidden enough not to be spotted in among the crowd of onlookers. Her eyes never left his frame, every hit causing a jolt of sympathetic pain to run through her but she couldn’t look away. In fact, her eyes were glued to the Theo until he exited the ring. 

She hung about for a moment, waiting for an opportune time to slip away after pressing a lingering kiss to the corner of her date’s lips and finding her way back to Theo. Leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed over her chest and the long slit in her dress showcasing her bare leg. “You’d charge a longtime fan? You’ve changed.” She countered playfully, smirk coming to her bright red lips before she pushed off the wall and made her way over to him, crowding his space a bit, a challenge of her own as her head tilted back to look up at him. “Wasn’t planning a speech, was just coming to congratulate you on the win but I can go if you want.” Her head motioned towards the door but instead she moved closer, one of her hands finding his and lifting it up to inspect the bruised knuckles. “Let you nurse your wounds on your own.”

***

If there was one thing Theodore Wilder knew, it was how to take a punch. Whether it was an older recruit pushing him around in place of his father, or the older Wilder himself, the man had learned that pain was temporary. That, no matter how much in hurt in that moment, it would all go away in time and he’d be left with nothing but bruises that would fade away too. Every fight offered a bit of excitement that he’d been missing in his life. It was the kind of excitement that veered on reckless chaos, but it filled all the right voids in his life and on most nights, it lined his pockets with easily earned cash.

That night had been nothing special. He’d been scheduled for a single fight but after another fighter had backed out last minute, he’d filled the empty space and took on another unworthy opponent. Tired, but not entirely out, he’d taken a few good hits and doubled the return until he was being pushed back to his corner and deemed the winner. It was the ultimate high, or so he’d thought.

Turns out, nothing felt better than having her eyes on him. He hadn’t expected to see her standing in the doorway, but Drew had a way of showing up just when he thought he’d never see her again. “I’m guessing that means you missed the first fight, huh? You should have seen that guy. He wasn’t half as good as the second.” His bottom lip was swollen and every word that left his mouth was a reminder of that. Her touch left him swallowing down a lump of nerves that had formed in his throat. He’d fight as many times as they wanted without the pre-fight jitters, but the moment Drew was thrown into the equation, he’d buckle at the knees. “Why would I do that when you’ve always been good at taking care of me?” Grinning weakly, gaze dropped to their hands. “Enjoy the show?”

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SKYLAR & JACKSON​

During their years of friendship, decades of getting to know each other, Skylar would be lying if she’d said she hadn’t thought about crossing the line with her best friend. Anyone would with eyes could see how attractive he was, but it was more than that. In truth, if Skylar could dream up her perfect man Jackson would be it. He was kind, he made her laugh, he treated her family like his own, he’d never let her down… sure, they’d had fights and disagreements, but that came with knowing someone for the majority of your life. To her, he was perfect, and she was running out of reason as to why they couldn’t make something more than friendship work. Except, she wasn’t sure if it was something Jackson was interested in and she was terrified of losing the most important person in her life. And yet…

“Wanna go grab something to eat?” She asked, refusing to pull back and put any space between them while simultaneously using every ounce of energy she had not to close the distance and press her lips to his. If anyone asked, she’d blame it on the alcohol, but in truth her inhibitions had been lowered the first night they’d kissed. A switch had flipped within her and suddenly the burning desire in her stomach had become commonplace whenever he was around. And she wasn’t sure how much longer she could control herself. They’d made it through various relationships, long distance, and significant others who’d preferred they didn’t spend time together- surely their friendship could survive one unwanted advance. At least then she’d know. “Come on.” Her voice came out in a whisper as she leaned in and gently took his lower lip between her teeth, giving in a playful tug before pulling back completely. “I’ll race ya.” She grinned, climbing up onto the edge of the boat, pausing to look back at him with a smirk. “Loser’s gotta pay the price.” She teased, shooting him a wink before diving off and swimming towards shore, only stopping once her knees hit sand and she was able to stand. 

“Weren’t you on the swim team or something?” She grinned, soft laughter escaping her lips as she walked over to him, flipping her head over to put her wet hair up into a messy bun, ensuring he got splashed with the water and the blonde strands hit his chest as she did. “Kind of sad how out of shape you are now.” 

***

To be her best friend was everything to him. Always had been and always would be. There wasn’t anything in the world that could have came between them and yet, he remained nervous to cross the daring line that had the potential of changing everything. It was move that everyone else around them had deemed inevitable for years on end, but both Jackson and Skylar had been in it for the long run. Whatever the world expected of them, they weren’t quick to comply.

“I would love to grab something to eat right about now. I’m starving.” Of course, his hunger was for something else entirely, but he’d settle for whatever they had the beach and hope like hell that it would work wonders at sobering him up. Maybe, just maybe, if the food soaked up some of the booze, he’d stop looking at her like that. However, to his pleasant surprise, the food wasn’t the exciting thing about the moment. His entire body practically melted into hers as the pain of her teeth sinking playfully into his bottom lip turned into undeniable pleasure. One that he didn’t even get the luxury to enjoy before she was actually pulling back and challenging him to a race he wouldn’t win. Slowly, he moved towards the edge of the boat, watching as she paddled quickly towards the shoreline before sucking in a deep breath and making the leap himself. He wasn’t in a rush, even if it meant giving her bragging rights when he joined her back on land.

Dark hazel hues rolled as he brushed sand from his trunks and a smile slipped onto his mouth. “I was, yeah. About two hundred years ago. We’re not all going to stay in shape forever. I guess I really am missing out on Yoga.” The few times he went, it felt more like a show for everyone there and with that many eyes on him, it was hard to focus. The veterinarian released a quiet laugh of amusement as blonde locks hit his chest. “Are we going to stand around all day and talk about the glory days, or can we grab some food?”

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ADDIE & OZAN

Moving away from the farm was one thing, but dragging Addison with him was something else entirely. For starters, he knew that anything with more than a few stoplights was out of her comfort zone and if he were being honest, it was out of his too. The only difference was that this was a chance to make real money for the farm and while no one wanted to admit that they were struggling, they were. Seeing as it would be up to him and Hazal to keep things running after his parents were gone, he wanted to do everything he could in order to make sure that happened. Even if it meant taking a job in the city and moving away from everything he’d ever known.

With his second glass of whiskey downed smoothly, light hues scanned over the blonde before him. It’d only been a couple of weeks, but he could see the flashes of unhappiness whenever they were out and about. Luckily, he’d secured a night a night for them with a dinner he’d cooked himself, but still, something felt amiss. “You think I’m making a mistake by staying, don’t you?” From what he could see, the up and coming company was making large strides towards connecting small businesses with larger scale opportunities. What he hadn’t been necessarily fond of were the people he worked with. “It’s not all that bad if you give it a fair chance, Addie. I know it’s what we’re used to, but it could be good for me. For us.” Was he trying to convince her or himself? Either way, they both needed to believe that. “Let’s take a trip home this weekend. Spend some time on the farm before I have to be back for a big pitch. Think you’d be okay with that?”

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DREW & THEO

Moving to Paris was the opposite of a fresh start, yet Theo hadn’t found himself regretting a single second. His roommate was a big help on that front, but he tried not to overwhelm her with the constant ring of bullshit that always seemed to surround him. If it wasn’t Eden weighing on the back of his mind, then it was her twin sister or to no surprise at all, Drew. It felt selfish to play such a balancing act and in an attempt at clearing his mind, he’d opted on another ring of chaos. One that had taken him by surprise in the form of a nice private invite to do something he’d never thought mattered much. As it turned out, his father pushing him around and throwing him into basic defense classes actually paid off.

Round for round, he took every punch thrown in his direction and countered it with his own harsh punishment in return. By now, he knew how the rules or the lack thereof went. You only stopped punching when your opponent could no longer stand on his own two feet. It was barbaric and against everything he believed in, yet he welcomed the sting in his knuckles and the pain that came with feeling alive and keeping his head clear at the same time.

With another night of fighting under his belt, the male had shoved the cash into his bag and had been tempted to blow some of it on booze when he looked up to find a familiar woman standing in the doorway of the makeshift locker room. “If you’re looking for an autograph, I might have to charge you extra.” Making a joke was easier than warding off whatever spiteful comments she’d saved up. “Do us both a favor and spare the speech, Bennett. I’m not interested tonight.”

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DREW AND THEO​

The scoff that left her lips at his insistence on pointing out the jealousy she’d say she wasn’t feeling until they day she died couldn’t have been stopped, her eyes rolling as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Get your ears checked then, because there’s nothing for me to be jealous about.” Her tone was low, the words leaving her lips in a sound that could only be described as a growl. She was jealous, which was the bitch of it all, but she had no right to be. Especially not after the way their reunion earlier in the night had gone. And that made her livid. “Wow, you perved out long enough to figure out how tall the guy fucking me was? Were you able to catch his dick size, too? Wanna comment on that?” With her pacing back in full swing, Drew pushed past past Theo, only pausing to look up at him with an annoyed scowl on her features. “Because it was great.”

Beginning to move once more, the blonde repeatedly walked from one side of the small room to the other, her cheeks burning bright red with dangerous cocktail of anger and jealousy that was bubbling up from within. His laughter had her pausing, her back to him as her hands balled up into fists at her sides, refusing to turn to look towards him. To give him what he wanted in the moment. “You sure about that?” She asked lowly, resuming her pacing about the room. “You sure you wouldn’t be too sad about your dead girlfriend to come and find me?” Her voice was rising along with the molten lava that was her anger. At him, herself, the situation they’d found themselves in because of her. “Oh for fuck’s sake, you act like I thought to myself ‘tonight I can either meet some random dude at a bar or I can go and see Theo’! Those weren’t my only two options, I’m allowed to go out and meet people when I move. God forbid I have a life. I forgot my entire world was supposed to revolve around you, my bad.” The words were full of venom, spat in his direction callously and without any other thought than to make him feel as bad as she did in that moment. It wasn’t nice, it wasn’t fair, but it was Drew. And she was reaching her breaking point.

“Really?” The question was asked in a tone much less harsh than her previous words, hallow laughter filling the space between them as she finally turned to look at him. “Then why are you more upset about losing her than you are about seeing me?” That was the heart of it all, wasn’t it? Drew feeling like he’d replaced her with someone, the way her heart dropped to her toes at the thought of losing him to someone else, of someone replacing her. The sheer panic of not having a spot in his life, in his heart, anymore. She’d never admit it out loud, but her anger and jealous was born of a place of fear and insecurity. Theo, despite her words and actions, was her heart. Her world. And finding about about Eden, hearing him talk about her in a softness she’d only seen reserved for herself… it felt like he’d slipped through her fingers. She couldn’t take it.

As his hands wrapped around her wrists, Drew let out a slow breath, her shoulders sagging with the weight of her unspoken emotions. It was unimaginable, how a simple touch from him could smother the flames of her anger in mere seconds. But in the wake of the storm there was always exhaustion and regret left over. She shouldn’t have come tonight, she should have given him space and run into him naturally in the coming weeks. But instead, she’d fanned the flames, unable to keep them both from getting burned. “Theo.” When his name left her lips this time there was no malice, no anger, just a softness Drew reserved for him and him alone. “I can’t.” She repeated, though she made no attempt to move and her eyes darted from his warm gaze to the window behind him and back again. “I should go.” But instead she did the opposite, moving in closer, unable and unwilling to stop herself as her body rest against his and she rose up onto her toes to brush her lips along his jaw. “It’s late.”

***

Anyone on the outside looking in would have thought of him as nothing more than a pathetic man desperate for the love of a woman he’d never have and truth was, they weren’t far off. It was the only reason he continued to put up with the shit she threw at him. “Clearly it wasn’t too impressive if you didn’t catch his name.” He hated the fire that burned deep in his chest; hated how his stomach twisted into knots every time he was reminded that someone else had touched her in the ways that he had. It was a foolish thing to hate, yet there he stood, hating every second of the memory that had been burned into his mind.

Had it been anyone else throwing Eden’s death in his face, he would have been quick to shut it down and kick them out. Truth was, the woman had been a placeholder for Drew, yet he couldn’t sink low enough to admit such a thing aloud. It had been a desperate attempt at filling a void left in the wake of the blonde’s chaos, but it had backfired hard. “Actually, yeah. I’m sure about that.” He offered a nod of confirmation in her direction, a stern, yet confident look painted on his features. Her venomous words cut at him like a sharpened blade daring to do maximum damage. That was thing about Drew; she always came out swinging. “Jesus fucking christ,” he scoffed, head shaking as he finally allowed himself to look away. Fingers stretched upwards to pinch at the bridge of his nose. She could never be in the wrong; he should have known that much from the start.

“Really.” Another confident huff of air slipped past his lips as he shifted on his feet. There wasn’t a person in the world who would ever be more important than the woman standing before him and it was amusing to believe that she’d ever think otherwise. “If I had known,” he trailed off, head shaking as gaze fell to hers, “If I had known you were here, I would reached out.” Unlike her intentions, his would have been clear from the start. “I’m sorry.” For what? He wasn’t sure.

He wondered if there would ever be a world where their togetherness wasn’t followed by a trail of fiery chaos. If, that by some chance, they’d find a happy middle ground where anger and jealousy didn’t guide them into war. “Please,” he mouthed, voice barely audible as he stood close to her. It was the same thing every single time; the big fight, the making up, and then his least favorite part of all... the leaving. Despite the inevitable, he leaned into her fire, desperate for whatever she’d offer. Carefully, Theo’s hands loosened until they’d dropped from her wrists, only for him to find solace against each side of her face. “It is,” he nodded, hovering close so that his lips daring to brush against hers. “Don’t go.”

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wade kinsellaisms [ 44 / ? ]

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Alp Navruz Ada Masalı | 6. Bölüm