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lexfritterwrites · 4 years ago

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Let Lips Do What Hands Do - Part 11

Y’all, I haven’t posted in here since they updated it so everything might be terrible. Anyway, I’ll do my best. You can always catch me on AO3.

It's April, and Addie feels like crying most days. In fact, she actually has cried for the past eleven days — once in the shower, twice over her cup of tea and the other times where when she was in bed alone. Taron's been filming in Ireland for three weeks, and it's a glimpse at how life would be if they were to stay together in all the madness.

"Sad again, huh?" Jack says, catching the gray look in her eyes. "I feel I should be offended you're not that upset about leaving me."

Addie throws a sugar packet at him, hitting her mark on his cheek. "I know things between us won't change when I leave. You'll just be a phone call away."

"Taron will too."

"That's different. I don't think I like this ache, this pain." Addie absently stirs her tea. "In the words of Elphaba, 'If that's love, it comes at much too high a cost.'"

"You know she ends up with the scarecrow at the end of that musical, right? I mean, we saw it together. I wrote a review which you edited."

Addie rolls her eyes, too done to deal with Jack today.

"I love him, you know. And to think we won't be together because of our location, I think I would rather not be with him at all."

"Your call," Jack says. "I know you're scared but I think the two of you could make it work, and that's coming from a guy who stays away from relationships. You don't have to split because you're half a world away."

"What if he meets the one but can't act on it because of me? Or what if he does act on it and I'm left devastated? It's a real poop chute."

"It'll work out, Addie," Jack says, covering her hand with his own. "It'll work out."

Addie slumps and rests her head on the table. "Why?"

Jack gently musses her hair. "You didn't not date for years while you were here and the first guy you do consider turns out to be fuckin' perfect. You really know how to pick them."

Addie laughs, feeling a little lighter at the thought.

It's her whole year on display, the premiere of the students' films adapted from classic novels. Four fully written, produced and edited films will be turned in with her thesis, but the gala tonight will only feature twenty minutes from each with the students having a few moments to present before their film. It's an affair she's invited the whole school to as well as their family and friends, and even though Jack is by her side, the one person she wants to be there most isn't. Taron's caught filming in Ireland; Addie understands but still doesn't enjoy it.

"Look at what you've done," Jack says, watching the rows of students talk excitedly amongst themselves, no doubtedly ready to display their hard work. "Not even a full teacher yet and you've got them inspired. That's a noble thing."

Addie squeezes his hand. She takes the microphone and heads to the center of the stage. Pausing a moment before delivering the introduction she's prepared, she smiles. The kids eagerly sitting before her are a tribute to her and her hard work and creativity, and this life is about her just as much as it is Taron.

She takes her seat next to Jack as the first group's film rolls across the screen, an updated retelling of Sense and Sensibility. It's funny, well thought and inclusive of the community, what with Edward Ferris having evolved into Edwina and Colonel Brandon an Indian man in the British navy. Everyone claps as the students presenting The Picture of Dorian Gray take the stage. Addie's phone buzzes in her pocket and she risks a quick chance to look at it.

Can we watch the full-length versions this weekend? - T

Sure, if you want. - A

I do! At least that one. I'm dying to see how they did the marriage proposals. - T

Addie whips her head around, looking to see him somewhere. There are faces illuminated by the screen but then she sees him, sitting on the edge of the row with his hood pulled up over his head; no doubt he didn't want to be recognized. He waves slightly when he sees her, and Addie smiles.

He came after all.

I'm so happy you're here! - A

I'm really glad I could make it. Will sneak to bar at end so as not to detract. - T

Sounds perfect. - A

Thank you for coming. - A

Addie is extremely proud of everything the students accomplished, and the cooking class made a giant cake for the ocassion. She sneaks a piece for Taron in her bag, poses for pictures with the kids, compliments the parents for raising some great hopes for the future, and then she's dashing out the door.

"Adelaide, you're incredible!" Taron says, standing up from the table. He wraps his arms around her and kisses her cheek.

"I can't believe you're here," she says, her face buried in his neck. "How'd you manage?"

"Flew in this afternoon," he says. "Wanted to surprise you."

"I'm very surprised," she says. "Very happy, too."

Taron kisses the side of her head before pulling away to point her to a secluded booth. "I want to hear all about the rest of the videos. When can we watch them?" He holds her hand across the table, leaning towards her.

Addie bites the inside of her lip, studying him. "What's wrong?"

"What?" Taron asks, shifting backwards. Addie knows she was right to expect something.

"Taron, I know you," she says quietly. "I know when something's up. What is it?"

"No, Adelaide. I came here to celebrate you and the work you've done and I don't want it spoiled."

"I feel like it's already spoiled if you don't tell me what's going on. Is everyone okay? Your mom and the girls? Your dad?"

"Everyone's fine." He exhales loudly, looking at the table. "It's two more weeks."

"Oh." Addie sags against the cushion. "Oh."

Taron rubs her knuckles with his thumb. "I know it's really shitty, but it is what it is."

"It's okay," Addie manages over the lump of emotion lodged in her throat. She feels like she's gagging but it's just the thought of his absence for another two weeks just a couple of months before she's supposed to move back to the United States. "You chase your dream and I'll chase mine."

"Thus, though we cannot make our sun stand still, yet we will make him run."

Addie snorts, swiping a tear off her cheek. "Marvell. Good choice."

"Anyway," Taron says. "We've got tonight."

"Bob Seger, a modern poet."

It's Taron's turn to laugh now and he shakes his head. "Seriously though, can I take you out to dinner and then stay up with you all night watching the work of your students?"

"Yes, I would like that."

"Good," Taron says, moving quickly from the table. He drops a note on its surface and helps Addie back into her coat.

"Can I make an amendment to the plan though?"

"What's that?"

"Can we just pick something up and take it home? I really don't need an audience to just want to be with you and I'm wearing Spanx so I'd really like to get out of them and into my pajamas."

"Deal," he says. "You look bloody gorgeous but comfortable is something I also enjoy. Your place or mine?"

"Mine is closer but you have a better TV so let's do that."

"Sounds perfect," he says. He could offer to run back by hers so she can gather things, but he knows everything she needs is available at his. Tucking her beneath his arm, he kisses the side of her head — she'd taken the news of his delay better than he would have expected.

They're curled up in his bed and halfway through the updated retelling of Frankenstein when Addie stretches her fingers across his chest.

"What is it, cariad?" Taron asks, shifting his eyes. He can see the crown of her head and the tip of her nose, and he can see her fingers flex against his shirt.

"I'm thinking about us."

"Oh?"

She pauses the video and sits up, and it's then he sees the tears in her eyes. "I think when I leave, that should be our end."

"Adelaide." He bolts upright and reaches for her, but his fingers don't actually land anywhere. He can't touch her now.

"Being apart from you these past few weeks has been hell. I never thought I would be someone to feel this way about anybody, but here we are. I'm exhausted. It feels like a piece of me is missing when you're gone, like smiles are less genuine and laughter does little for my soul. I can't imagine living my life for extended amounts of time without you, feeling this way. So if we just enjoy the time we have left and part as companions who once loved each other, I think that would be better."

"Do I not get a say in this decision?" He asks softly, his chest tight and his jaw returning to a painful clench.

"Of course you do," she sighs. "But what is the logical outcome of this?"

"Fuck this. You can sleep in the guest room tonight." Taron moves in a flash, storms into the bathroom and slams the door shut.

"Taron! Taron, no!" Addie frantically scrambles off the bed and futilely twists the doorknob. "Taron! Taron, please."

She can hear the shower running and she sinks to the floor. She knew she shouldn't have said anything.

Taron finds her half an hour later curled up on the floor with her cheeks red and eyes blotchy. He wants to be angry, he can feel the cold inside him wanting to push her away, but he can't.

"Addie, come on," he says, gently collecting her in his arms and setting her upright. "I'm hurting too, you know."

She nods blearily as he leads her back to bed. "I didn't mean to ruin what we have now. I feel like shit, and now I really feel like sh—"

"Addie, I know," Taron says. "What you're saying makes sense, but it really fucking sucks when it's said out loud. You would rather be without me than be far away and with me, and I suppose that makes sense. Your chances of moving on are better if you're not thinking about some loyalty to me."

"Me moving on?" She laughs. Taron thinks her crying must have left her too weary to think properly. "It's you. You'll move on long before I will and I don't want you to be stuck with me."

"That doesn't matter," he says, taking her hand. "I think you're right though. We have a few good weeks left together and we should spend them as happily as we can. Let's not fight or what-if ourselves anymore. You're here, I'm here, and we should let that be enough for now. I can't think on it anymore."

"Is it really okay?"

"For now." He wipes a tear from her cheek, knowing his own should be joining it had he not just cried in the shower. "Let's go to sleep and sleep very late into the morning beside each other."

Taron bites his nail, a habit he'd gotten into since ditching cigarettes; his teeth weren't thanking him but his lungs certainly were.

"There he is," Jack says, pulling out the chair across from Taron and sinking into it. "Mr. Egerton."

"Jack," Taron says, shaking his hand. "I wanted to talk to you about Addie."

"I figured," Jack says. "She told me about her plans of departure."

"Yeah, and it's not good. How do I get her to stay?"

“You don’t."

"Jack, please," Taron says, rubbing his forehead. "I can't have her leave."

"And you can't have her stay either." Jack says softly. "I know you love her, Taron, as do I, but I also know she won't stay. She'll come to regret the decision as well as you if she stays. Going back to Washington has been her goal for six years. It's all she's worked for and all she's wanted. You need to let her go."

"Can you?"

Jack snorts his laugh. "I don't have a choice."

"We could talk to her together."

"That's not going to work."

Taron drops his head to the table, his chest feeling unbelievably tight. "I don't know what to do."

"Taron, there's an obvious solution here."

"What's that?"

"Go with her."

Taron grunts. "You and I both know that's not logical."

"So what? You can't do for her what you want her to do for you just because you're a famous actor who happens to make more money?" Jack leans back in his chair. He's really liked Taron, like him for Addie, and he needs Taron to see the sense in this before his like gives into loathing. "You're not giving up her dream so don't let her give up hers."

"She's your best friend. How can you be so calm?" Taron crosses his arms in front of him, elbows still on the table, and he lets his chin fall to rest against them.

"Addie is more than a best friend to me," Jack says. "I truly believe she is my person, even if there's no romance. Addie wasn't even supposed to be born, yet here she is. Incredibly determined, driven and happy."

"I know that." Taron leans onto his cheek.

"I know you do," Jack says patiently. "That's part of the reason you love her." He reaches across the table and squeezes Taron's shoulder. "You have to let her go."

"Why is that the only option?" Taron moans, rhetorically putting the words into the universe.

Jack chuckles as he leans back in his chair. "That's the only way she'll come back."

"You think she'll come back?"

"I hope so," Jack says. "For both our sakes."

Taron laughs. He'll have to make time for Jack when Addie is gone.

He finds her asleep on the couch when he returns home, and he gently brushes a hand across her face.

She opens one eye to look and smiles when she sees him. “I must have dozed off.”

“Yeah,” he says softly. It spreads through him, a calm peace. She is leaving to pursue her dreams, and there is nothing he can do to stop her, nor would he want to. He kisses her tenderly, finally accepting it. “You want to go take a nap upstairs?”

“That sounds nice,” she says, sitting up next to him. “Hey, are you okay?”

Taron smiles and kisses her again. “I’m totally fine. I just really love you.”

Addie’s laugh warms him and she leans her head against his shoulder. “I love you, too.”

Taron takes her hand and quietly leads her upstairs.

#taron egerton #taron egerton fanfiction #taron egerton fan fiction #let lips do what hands do

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