#* — DYN : DRUISG. i have known you before ; i have loved you before.

[mckkaria]

it   was   nearly      an   impossible   thing,      to   keep   body   from   action   once   mind   had   touched   upon   a   decision.      the   black   asphalt   buzzed   with   the   neon   glow   reflecting   from   the   towers   yawning   toward   the   gray   net   of   an   overcast   sky.      obsidian   spires   of   glass   and   metal      twisting   to   the   heavens   on   dark   wings.      the   wide   streets   were   still   congested,      even   in   the   middle   of   the   night,      like      a   machine   running   on   infinite   power.     

nervous   fingers   tug   at   the   hem   of      designer   dress      getting   out   of   the   car,      a   nod   to   the   doorman   before   finally   reaching   the   elevator,      only   taking   a   breath   once   sealed   inside.      the   clothes   she'd   chosen   frame   her   body,         clinging   to   curves      in   ways   she's   not   familiar   with.      her   reflection   in   the   mirrored-panels   mocks   her   for   the   charade   and   she   rolls   her   eyes   at      the   creeping   self-doubt.      the   light  flashing   her   arrival   upon   destined   floor   nearly   triggers   her      fight   or   flight   response      as   she   forces   herself   forward.      the   sterile   hallway,      near   futuristic   in   design,         bleeds   into   a   mirage      against   the   surreal   patterned   carpet.

silence   reigns   as   she   reaches   his   door,      and   even   as   finger   is   pressed   firmly   to   doorbell,      the   lingering   unknown      settling   in   the   pit   of   her   stomach.      should   she   knock?      what   if   the   doorbell   was   broken,      what   if   she   knocked   too   loudly?      she's   rocking   back   on   her   heel,      skin   crawling   with   uncertainty      when   the   door   finally   opens   and   she's   met   with   the   same   blue   eyes   she'd   been      thinking   about   all   day.      a   stillness   settles   through   her,      apprehension   melting   away   for   a   moment   as   he   tips   a   smile   her   direction.      she   can't   help   the   way   she   answers   with   a   grin   of   her   own,      as   if   he   were      leading   them   in   a   dance.      she   warms   as   his   gaze   sweeps   down   her   body,      enticed   by   the   way   he   pulls   his   bottom   lip   between   his   teeth.      a   nod   is   his   only   indication   of   welcome   as   he   steps   aside   for   her   to   join   him   in   the   lavish   apartment,      hands   tucked   behind   his   back.

it   was   hard   to   focus,      trying   to   take   in   everything   at   once,      thoughts   tripping   through   her   mind   as   she   continued   to   question      what   she   was   doing   there   in   the   first   place.      their   first   job   together   that   morning   had   gone   smoothly,      pieces   moving   as   planned   to   the   tune   of      a   hefty   payday.      more   money   than   she'd   ever   seen   in   her   life,      the      victory   was   a   rush   like   electricity      and   she   still   felt   the   charge   racing   her   pulse   hours   later.      yet,      even   after      everything   that   transpired,      she   couldn't   stop   thinking   about   one   thing…   one   person.      there   was   something   about   him   that   was   so…      infuriating,      and   still   she   wanted   to   know   more.      see   behind   the   façade      he   played   so   theatrically.      she   wanted   to   know   how   much   of   it   was      him,      she   wanted   to   know   him.      nearly   as   much   as   she   felt   he   wanted   to      remain   unknown.

hands   fidget   at   the   zipper   of   her   bag   as   she   turns   around,      watching   as   he   moves   to   stand   at   a   table   littered   with   crystal   decanters.      each   home   to   a   different   shade   of   amber   or   gold.      he   gestures   and   she   nods,      a   little   liquid   courage      never   hurt   and   with   some   of   the   notions   sparked   by   being   in   his   presence…   she'd   need   it.      notepad   is   finally   retrieved   from   the   shadows   of   her   bag,      the   yearning   to   communicate   nearly   unbearable.      pen   is   secured   and   ink   kissed   to   paper,      a   neat   scrawl   outlining      nothing   and   everything.            '         i'm   sorry   i   dropped   in   on   you,   i   can   go   if   you're   busy.         '               now   she's   the   one   left   chewing   her   lip   as   she   holds   the   message   aloft   and   watches   the   shades   of   reaction   cross   his   face   like   a   sunrise   as   he   reads   it,      a   smile   left   warming   amused   features.

there's   a   long   moment   of   pause,      as   if   he   were   collecting   his   thoughts,      but   she   doesn't   know   to   what   end.      then   his   hands   lift   toward   her   and   he   signs…   the   simple   action   causing   a   feathery   turning   in   her   chest.      had   he   learned   for   her?      of   course   he   had...   for   who   else?         the   stunning   truth      threatening   to   make   her   miss   the   message.                  ❝   i   want   you   around.      if   i   didn’t,      i   wouldn’t   be   here   would   i?   ❞      @druisg,      asked.         hypnotizing   fingers   outlining   the   complex   thought   with      surprising   precision,      and   he   glances   to   the   drink   he   begins   to   pour   for   emphasis,      as   if   proving   his   point.

a   sudden   confidence      seizes   her,      an   impulsive   thought      lending   her   further   fire,      perhaps   she   hadn't   made   up   the   lingering   looks   in   her   mind.      the   flirting   glances   during   endless   planning   nights,      had   he   meant   it   more   than   just   passing   the   time?      if   he   had,      it   wasn't   an   opportunity   she   was   going   to   let   speed   by   her.      her   hands   raise   to   answer,      a   challenge   of   how   much   he'd   learned.      ❝      —   do   you   want   to   go   for   a   drive?   ❞