Side by Side

Author's note: This is a complete story with a strong focus on emotional intimacy and slow-burn tension. A romance between a movie star and her assistant, it's playful, heartfelt, and laced with longing. If you're after something fast or steamy, you might want to look elsewhere. Heartfelt thanks to redgarters for their insights and good instincts that helped bring this one to life.

Chapter 1

"I can't believe I can't find my clothes."

"Find what?" Rachel Williams replied, resigning herself to the situation with an amused smirk. She sat on the bed, hunched forward with elbows resting on her knees, slowly tapping her iPad against her forehead in an effort not to go mad.

"My clothes, Rey. I can't find my clothes."

"Have you tried looking in the closet?"

Jessica peered out from the enormous walk-in closet.

"I am in my closet. But they're not on the floor where I put them."

"Ah, the floor," Rey nodded sagely. "Perhaps check the shelves?"

"But I put them on the floor. I have a system."

Rey raised an eyebrow. "You have a system?"

Jessica leaned back out again. "Yeah, duh. Hey, why are you hitting yourself?"

A very good question, Rey thought, continuing to tap the tablet against her head. Almost regretting it, she pressed on.

"Tell me about this system of yours."

"So I had three piles, and like..." Jessica's brows furrowed.

"Sorted by color?"

"No."

"By type?"

"No."

"How dirty the clothes were?"

A slight pause.

"Maybe."

"Sounds like a solid system you had there."

"You're making fun of me."

Rey kept tapping the tablet against her forehead. "Gosh, no."

"Uh-huh, you are. How long have you been with me?"

"Coming up on six months, Ms. Tyler."

Jessica popped her head out again. "I pick up on these things, you know," she said, tapping her temple.

"Maybe the maid actually folded the clothes for you, put them on hangers, or took them to the laundry?"

"You think?" Jessica made the whole idea sound utterly ludicrous.

"A distinct possibility, yes."

Jessica's eyes wandered over the closet before finally stepping out.

"Where are we going again?"

Rey looked up and was greeted by the brown-eyed goddess that was Jessica Tyler, her hair still damp from the shower. She moved with the easy grace one might expect from a woman like her, but the contrast to her personality was always jarring.

Movie star by night. Lovable doofus by day.

And she was still only wearing a thong—one lonely scrap of fabric barely separating those flawless cheeks. Embarrassed on behalf of the superstar, Rey quickly looked down again.

"Please get dressed, Ms. Tyler. We're supposed to be at the studio for the taping of the late-night show."

"But I have nothing to wear," Jessica whined, biting her nails like a nervous teen.

Rey stood and made her way towards the closet.

"Stop biting your nails, Ms. Tyler," she said gently, placing her hand on Jessica's and easing it down in one fluid motion as she brushed past.

"Here we go," Rey continued, as she held up a sleek black dress and a matching pair of heels.

"Ooh! That one is nice."

Rey could only smile.

Jessica pulled the dress on, skipping a bra, her nipples making a compelling argument against formality.

"Beautiful dress, but a bra, please, Ms. Tyler."

"Yes, yes, of course... Wait, why?"

"I want the audience captivated by your face, not your breasts."

"Right." Jessica admired herself in the mirror. "I do have great titties, though."

"Yes, you do. Maybe start an OnlyFans," Rey said absently, already flicking through the week's calendar on the iPad.

"What's that?"

Shit. "A, uh, website where you can show off your snuggle puffs and get paid."

"No way?"

"Please don't get any ideas. Your movies gross hundreds of millions. Everyone's seen your girls already."

Off with the dress, on with a bra, then back on with the dress. Rey stepped in behind her, fingers finding the zipper.

"What would I do without you?" Jessica asked. Her voice was light and teasing, but somewhere in the back of her mind the question lingered in darker places. Lonely nights, too much wine, forgettable sex: all desperate attempts to fill the silence.

"I wonder the same thing, Ms. Tyler," Rey replied evenly.

Jessica chuckled and spun in front of the mirror, all effortless beauty and charm cranked to eleven.

"Now let's get to the studio. Shoo shoo, Ms. Tyler," Rey said as she swatted after her.

As they headed out, Rey caught her reflection in the hallway mirror. Her dusty blonde hair was pulled into a neat ponytail, and perched on her nose were the designer glasses she'd gifted herself earlier that year: sleek and more for vibe than vision.

She wore a crisp white tailored blazer over a sleeveless blouse, tucked into high-waisted cream trousers that hugged her frame just right. No jewelry, save for a slim silver watch that ticked away with quiet precision. Functional. Minimal. Effortlessly polished. She looked like someone who had her life together.

Which, frankly, made one of them.

The sun greeted them with an almost theatrical spotlight as they stepped outside and into the waiting car. Sunglasses on, windows up, and off they went—headed toward another evening in the glittering world of showbiz.

At the studio, Jessica transformed.

Rey stood behind the scenes, arms crossed, leaning against the wall in the wings as Jessica worked the stage like it was made for her—which, in a way, it was. She sparred with the host effortlessly, hitting punchlines with a twinkle in her eye. She had a feel for tempo, for turning the audience into putty. A little laugh here. A wink there. A well-timed story just risqué enough to keep the crowd hooked but not gasping.

Rey watched, quietly impressed. Jessica didn't just read the room; she rewrote it.

After the taping wrapped, there were handshakes, air kisses, a flurry of thank-yous, and the familiar buzz of everyone pretending they weren't exhausted.

As the studio began to clear out, Jessica turned, catching wind of something: someone had whispered about a party downtown, something exclusive, something very chic.

She looked at Rey.

That look.

Puppy eyes, mischief cranked to maximum, the barely contained grin that said 'I already want to go, and you know you're going to let me'.

Rey sighed, lips twitching into a reluctant smile. "Fine. But don't overdo it, okay?"

Jessica gasped in betrayal. "When have I ever overdone it?"

Rey gave her a long look.

Jessica held up her hand defensively. "Okay, okay, I'll try to behave!"

Rey just shook her head as she waved Jessica goodbye.

Jessica hummed with excitement as she left, swept up in a flurry of assistants, studio staff, and whatever glittering social scene awaited her on the other side of the parking lot.

Rey lingered near the stage exit, eyes flicking toward the edge of the bustle.

Then she turned to Jake.

As far as Rey knew, Jake had no last name. He never offered one, and she'd never asked. For all she knew, "Jake" wasn't even his real name. Maybe it was short for something. Jacob? Jakeson? Just Jake?

He was average height, average build. Brown hair, forgettable face. He dressed in the sort of plain, dark clothing that didn't catch light and didn't stick in your memory. If you tried to describe him to someone an hour later, you'd come up short.

Rey gave him a short nod.

He returned it without a word and silently melted into the group following Jessica, becoming just another part of the background, like an extra in the scene, unnoticed by design. Rey let out a small breath. Knowing Jake was with her didn't mean Jessica would be perfectly safe, but it meant the odds were better.

And for now, that was enough.

~~~~

It was past two in the morning when Rey's phone buzzed against her nightstand, loud in the quiet of her apartment. She blinked herself awake, disoriented, the glow of the screen stinging her eyes.

Jake.

She answered groggily, voice rough with sleep.

"Yeah, hello?"

"Hi. This is Jake." His voice was as flat and featureless as ever. "The party's starting to spiral a bit out of control. We're at a nightclub now."

Rey pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to pull her thoughts into something usable.

"Is she sober?"

"Yeah."

"What about drugs?"

"The usual stuff seems to be going around," he replied. "But she's clean."

There was a slight hesitation.

"There's something else. I think there's a guy. And there's paparazzi. They're outside."

Rey exhaled slowly, pressing her thumb to her temple. The mental image of Jessica being tipsy, trusting, camera flashes sparking like gunfire caused her chest to tighten.

"Call in the rest of your team," she said. "She deserves to have fun. But we keep her safe."

"And the paparazzi?"

"I'll call CC. See if he can stall or redirect them."

A pause.

"And Jake?"

"Yeah?"

"For the love of God, bring them both back home, okay? I don't want her in someone else's apartment or waking up in a stranger's bed."

"Usual routine?"

"Yeah."

"Got it."

Click.

Rey stared at the screen for a moment after the call ended, her thumb hovering over Jessica's name in her contacts. She didn't hit dial. Not yet.

Instead, she sat up, slid out of bed, and padded to the kitchen. The glow from the fridge washed over her as she reached for a bottle of water, unscrewing the cap. She took a long sip, eyes distant.

Jessica was sweet, flirty chaos, she reminded herself. And chaos had a habit of tipping over.

~~~~

"Wake up, sweetie," Rey said, her voice warm, gentle, with a dangerous edge of patience.

Jessica Tyler purred under the sheets. "You don't usually call me that."

"I didn't mean you, Ms. Tyler," Rey replied smoothly. "I meant the gentleman next to you."

She turned her head slightly, nodded once, and the lights snapped on—dim at first, then gradually filling the room with soft gold.

The man groaned, his eyelids fluttering open. The first thing he saw was his own phone, held up before him as it unlocked using his face.

"Uh, what—?"

"Apologies," Rey said, taking a step back, her movements calm, efficient. "It's a precaution."

She swiped with clean precision, flipping through his photo gallery, videos, and cloud storage like someone checking a grocery list.

"We wouldn't want a picture or a sex tape to end up on the internet, now would we?"

The man sat up, confused and blinking. His sheets were halfway around his waist. He looked like he'd just realized he was in a dream, with Rey as the stern, well-dressed figure standing between him and whatever reality he thought he'd woken up to.

"You were on fire, Ms. Tyler," Rey added without looking up.

She didn't need to see Jessica's expression to know the grin was there.

"Hey, you can't do that—" the man stammered, starting to get to his feet.

"Jake," Rey called, without raising her voice.

Jake materialized beside her, silent as a thought. No door creaked. No floorboard gave. He was just... there.

The man froze.

Rey gestured casually. "This is Jake. Do you remember him?"

The man shook his head, still piecing together the night like a bad puzzle.

"Exactly. Because he's good at his job. He was by Ms. Tyler's side the entire evening. Yours too." She gave the man a quick wink. "Lucky you."

She paused, tilting her head as if pondering a mystery.

"You know, I've never seen him smile." She turned to look at Jake, studying his face. "Nope. Not today either. That makes 171 days in a row. Impressive streak."

Rey looked the stranger up and down. "Wow. Look at you. Handsome, tall, broad shoulders. Probably thinking, 'I could take him'."

But as Rey stepped forward the room suddenly felt smaller.

"You cannot," she said simply. "He'd have you on the floor so fast your life would flash before your eyes in slow-motion. For... reasons, he's no longer serving our country, so now he serves Ms. Tyler."

She handed back the man's phone with a polite smile. "Now, what's going to happen is this: Jake will escort you to the entrance, and a driver will take you wherever you'd like to go in the city."

The man took the phone, still not fully awake, still not sure if any of this was real.

"Uh... okay."

"Good man."

As Jake guided him wordlessly out of the room with shoes in hand and the shirt half-on, Rey crossed to the light dimmer and lowered it a notch.

Then she turned to the woman buried beneath the blankets.

"And you, my queen," she said, sweetly threatening, "need to get dressed."

Jessica groaned, dramatically flopping onto her back as the door clicked shut behind her departing one-night stand.

"Work?"

"Workout, uh-huh."

Jessica's voice was muffled by the pillow. "That's even worse. You don't know what it's like getting up this early. Especially after tequila and... cardio."

"I don't, huh?" Rey said, a teasing smile pulling at her lips. "It's nine-thirty. I've been up since seven."

Rey moved to the edge of the bed and knelt, folding her skirt beneath her knees, lowering herself with a practiced kind of grace. The kind that didn't ruffle a single seam.

Jessica peeked at her through one eye.

"You've really got that whole spiel down, huh?"

Rey chuckled. "You've given me ample chances to rehearse. Did you have a good time?"

Jessica's other eye opened, searching her assistant's face. "Are you mad at me?"

"No." Rey shook her head.

"Maybe... jealous?"

Rey arched a brow, playing along. "Oh, I am overcome with jealousy. Positively sick with it."

Jessica grinned lazily. "You're still the one for me, though."

Rey smirked, but she knew that beneath the quips and messy charm, there was something quieter hiding. For a second, she caught it. Then it vanished again, like a ripple in still water.

"I want you to be more mindful when people pull out their phones, okay? Chris gets antsy about this kind of thing."

"CC?"

"CC. Your agent. Yes."

Jessica winced.

"I should've told you we were going to that second place. I just... forgot."

"I wish you wouldn't forget to tell me stuff like that."

Rey hugged herself with one arm. For a moment she looked vulnerable, and Jessica suddenly felt very bad.

"It puts me in a tough spot when I don't know. I have to get extra security in place, prep for damage control... Sometimes even loop in Chris to handle it."

"Why CC?"

"He can put out feelers with the tabloids, call in favors, ease things down if it gets ugly." Rey took Jessica's hand and squeezed it lightly. "Please? For me?"

Jessica's voice was barely a whisper. "I'm sorry. Did I get you into trouble?"

"Nothing I can't get out of. I'm on your side. I know you have needs—"

Jessica sat up slightly. "I do have needs," she murmured, solemnly, as if confessing a sin.

Rey bit her lip to keep from laughing.

"You have all the needs, Ms. Tyler. But I want you to be just a little more aware of your surroundings. That's all."

Jessica nodded, childlike. "Yes, Rachel."

"Rey's fine. We good?"

"We good."

Rey rose to her feet and gently tugged the blanket from Jessica's hips.

She hesitated, cheeks suddenly flushed. Her eyes flicked up, just long enough to meet Jessica's.

And then she leaned in closer. The air between them charged with something unsaid. Rey leaned in, her voice a whisper.

"Now that there's only the two of us..."

Jessica's lips parted, anticipation blooming across her face.

Rey leaned closer still, her hand ghosting over the edge of the blanket—

"... I want you in the gym in fifteen minutes. Or else it'll be like last time, and you did not like what happened then."

Jessica's eyes flew open in horror. "You monster."

And just like that, the movie star was off the bed, groaning, padding towards her walk-in closet like a woman sentenced to hard labor.

Rey stood there a moment longer, brushing invisible dust off her blazer, lips curved in a satisfied smile.

By the time Jessica dragged herself into the gym, Rey was already on the treadmill, earbuds in, sweat slicking her skin in a way that looked far too photogenic for someone doing actual cardio.

Jessica squinted at her through half-lidded eyes, and as Rey caught sight of her she pulled out one earbud.

"Ten minutes on the treadmill. Thirty minutes shoulders and core. By the end of this morning, I want you on your knees, panting."

Rey blinked as she realized what she had said and regret showed instantly across her face. Jessica grinned so wide it threatened to split her cheeks.

"Yeah, so last night? When I worked out in the bedroom? That's exactly how I ended—"

"You know what," Rey said sharply, eyes forward again. "Twenty minutes on the treadmill."

Jessica let out a long, pained groan as if she'd been asked to carry a piano up a mountain. Her steps toward the machine were heavy, each one a protest in motion.

She got to work, sort of, and every so often snuck glances toward Rey. She thought she was being subtle.

She wasn't.

Rey's form was ridiculous: clean lines, strong strides, breathing steady and smooth. No strain. No wasted movement. Just... strength. Quiet, practiced strength. Jessica envied it in a way that surprised her. Rey always looked like she belonged, no matter where she stood.

Jessica, by contrast, felt like she was forever performing.

Rey dismounted her treadmill a few minutes later, grabbed her water bottle, and turned to watch Jessica finish her run. That gaze, which was measured and focused, made Jessica stumble over her rhythm.

She suddenly felt very self-conscious in a way she rarely did. She could charm millions on a red carpet, own a room without trying. But Rachel Williams standing across from her, silently judging her footwork? That was pressure.

Rey offered her water without a word when she was done, and Jessica took it gratefully, collapsing onto the bench for a blessed five-minute rest.

"You took it easy," Rey said, frowning.

Jessica whipped her head around, offended. "I did not!"

"I'm telling your trainer."

Jessica looked down, sulking. "I'll do better."

"Uh-huh. We'll see." Rey wasn't buying it. "All right, shoulders first, then core."

She listed off the routine with crisp efficiency. "... and then we end with crunches, dead bugs, leg raises... and we finish with a plank. Honestly? He's letting you off easy. I really should have a word."

Jessica gave her a glare so intense it could've melted steel. Rey just smiled sweetly and handed her a mat.

By the end of it, Jessica was slick with sweat, gasping through each rep, strands of damp hair sticking to her temples. Rey, annoyingly enough, looked like she'd just finished a yoga retreat.

"60 seconds," Rey said calmly as Jessica dropped into plank position. "You got this."

Jessica clenched her jaw, eyes shut tight, trying to pretend the burning in her core was a religious experience. She wasn't going to drop. Not in front of her.

Ten seconds left.

Suddenly, she felt a hand press lightly against her stomach. Firm fingers splayed just below her ribs.

"Your form's perfect," Rey murmured. "Keep it tight."

Jessica's body screamed, but her mind was very much elsewhere.

When the timer beeped, she collapsed onto her knees, breath ragged, arms trembling. Rey crouched beside her, leaned in close.

"This," she whispered, her voice like silk, "is what I like to see. You, sweaty, on your knees, panting."

Jessica looked up, mouth slightly open, stunned.

Rey burst into laughter and gave her a wink. "You've earned yourself a waffle," she said, standing.

Jessica flopped onto her back, limbs sprawled like a crime scene outline. "God, yes. I'm so hungry I could die."

"With faux bacon," Rey added cheerfully.

Jessica groaned like a dying animal.

"And pretend maple syrup."

"Jesus Christ, Rey. Just finish me off."

Rey laughed, like, really laughed. Not the tight professional chuckle she usually offered in meetings, but the real thing. Warm. Free. A little snort at the end.

Jessica loved that laugh. She heard it so rarely. Outside of the gym, Rey usually vanished behind the calm, clipped mask of the hyper-efficient assistant. But here? Jessica got to see the real version.

The version who smirked when she made her suffer.

"Well done, champ," Rey said, admiration slipping into her voice.

Jessica didn't say anything at first. She just lay there, flushed, soaked in sweat, but glowing under the praise. Rey didn't offer compliments easily, so when she gave them, they landed like lightning.

Jessica turned her head, looking at her through a sheen of sweat and pride. She didn't know why Rey's praise mattered so much.

But it did.

Maybe because Rey was the only one in her life who didn't want anything from her. Who didn't treat her like a product or a paycheck or a role to be played.

She just... saw her.

And maybe that was the most terrifying part of all.

Jessica sat down beside Rey, stretching her legs out in front of her with a quiet groan. Muscles trembling, she leaned back on her hands, breathing in the post-workout air thick with the scent of sweat and eucalyptus.

She stole a few glances sideways.

"Do you miss it?" she asked.

Rey's gaze stayed fixed on the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows ahead of them, sunlight casting soft beams across the polished floor.

"Miss what?"

"Soccer. You played, right?"

Without thinking, Rey's hand drifted down to her knee, rubbing it absently.

"I had a good run," she said with a small smile. "My time on the soccer field ended early for me. Life goes on. I actually used to be a nurse, did you know that?"

Jessica shook her head.

"Now I'm here with you," Rey continued. "I could be worse off."

"It's just... you look like you live for this."

Rey chuckled under her breath. "I enjoy it. The workout. The routine. Makes me feel... strong. Alive. Like I can do anything."

Jessica nodded slowly. "Yeah. I get that." And she did, more than she let on.

Her own rise to fame had come fast, violent, even. A breakout role, a movie that blew up beyond anyone's expectations, hundreds of millions at the box office. And just like that, she'd been catapulted into a new orbit where people smiled a little too wide, agreed a little too quickly, and started to forget that she was a person underneath all the press releases.

Her agent, CC, one of the few people she trusted implicitly, had seen it coming. The sharks, the opportunists, the constant yes-men. And somewhere in all that, a solution had been needed. Someone who wasn't in it for the spotlight. Someone who didn't care about her fame. There had been others before, but none that lasted.

Rey had come up through a mutual friend. There had been no résumé shared, no formal interview. Just a quiet recommendation from someone CC trusted: someone that was a trusted member of the community.

And now here she was. Not quite a personal assistant, not quite a PR manager. Somehow, she was both, and more. The eye of the storm.

Jessica looked at her again. Rey's hair was pulled back, a few strands having escaped during the workout. There was a sheen of sweat on her skin, but she didn't seem to notice or care. She looked peaceful.

Stable.

Solid.

The kitchen was sun-drenched, light pouring in through tall windows and bouncing off clean countertops and matte-black appliances. It was too nice a space for how little Jessica used it, but Rey made good use of it, and often enough for both of them.

Jessica leaned against the island, still in her sports bra and shorts, hair up in a loose, messy bun. A glass of water in hand. She looked like a very glamorous version of someone pretending they weren't completely dead inside from a workout.

Rey stood by the stove, barefoot, sleeves rolled up, expertly pouring waffle batter into a waiting iron. Coffee brewed in the background, the slow drip and gentle gurgle filling the silence.

"So," Jessica said, eyeing the waffle iron like it might bite. "Is this... one of those high-protein, guilt-free, taste-free situations?"

Rey turned just enough to give her a warning look. "Don't insult my waffles. They're perfectly fine."

"That's exactly what someone would say about an extremely disappointing waffle."

Rey arched a brow. "You want faux bacon or not?"

Jessica held up both hands. "Please. I'm starving. I'm defenseless. I'll eat cardboard if you season it right."

Rey smirked and turned back to the pan, flipping a few strips of meatless bacon with more finesse than seemed appropriate.

"I know. I saw you nearly cry during plank."

"I almost died, Rey. I saw a light. I heard angels."

"You heard my voice telling you to hold your core."

"Same thing," Jessica muttered into her glass.

The waffle iron hissed softly as steam rose, and Rey opened it with a graceful flick. Golden and crisp. Not bad for a "disappointing" waffle.

She plated two and slid one across the counter to Jessica.

"No syrup?" Jessica said with mock outrage.

Rey reached into a cupboard and pulled out a small bottle, placing it beside the plate like it was a peace offering. "Pretend maple syrup. You're welcome."

Jessica stared at it with genuine despair.

Rey poured two mugs of coffee and slid one beside the waffle. She stayed standing on the other side of the island, sipping hers, watching Jessica with the kind of quiet satisfaction of someone who'd won a battle without needing to gloat.

Jessica took a bite. "... Okay, I hate you. This is actually good."

Rey grinned over her coffee. "Told you."

They ate in comfortable silence for a while, the occasional clink of cutlery against ceramic the only sound between them. Outside, birds chirped lazily, the sun climbing higher in the sky. Time felt suspended.

Jessica broke the quiet first.

"You've been spending more time here."

Rey paused mid-bite. Have I?

"Oh, I hadn't... Sorry about that. Is it a problem?" Her voice softened, becoming almost shy. An odd vulnerability that Jessica caught onto immediately. Teasing Rey had become a personal mission, a sacred calling she pursued with the kind of devotion normally reserved for Olympic athletes.

Jessica shook her head and shrugged. "It's nice to have company. Just curious as to why."

Rey looked down at her plate. Yeah, why?

Jessica leaned in just a fraction, enough to make Rey glance up, and the look on her face was enough to set off alarms. Rey knew that look. It was predatory in the softest, most dangerous way.

"Do you maybe... dream about me?" Jessica's grin was pure mischief.

Rey clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth and rolled her eyes, but Jessica didn't let up as she rounded the kitchen island, like a lion closing in on its prey.

"Is it because you love me?"

Jessica's long legs made short work of the distance, and suddenly she was standing in front of her.

Rey held her ground, but her eyes went a little wider. She placed a hand gently on Jessica's chest as the brunette leaned in, Jessica's fingers brushing along Rey's chin, feather-light.

Jessica's lips parted, eyes fluttering closed, and just when she was near enough to feel Rey's breath against her mouth—

Rey grabbed a piece of raw carrot from her plate and popped it between Jessica's lips. Jessica's eyes flew open, and she made a muffled noise in protest.

"There we go," Rey said matter-of-factly, patting Jessica's cheek. "Something hard in your mouth, just like last night I imagine."

Jessica half-choked, half-laughed, chewing with a grin that wouldn't quit.

"And I'll have you know, I'm already taken," Rey continued.

"You are?" Jessica said, a mouth full of carrot.

As Rey turned to leave, her cheeks flushed, she slid Jessica's plate back across the counter with a little flourish.

"Uh-huh. Now eat your waffle, Ms. Tyler."

"Yes ma'am," Jessica replied, the smile never leaving her face.

~~~~

And that was how the days went in the Tyler household. Mornings spilled into afternoons over cups of coffee and playful arguments. Jessica would move swiftly between studio sets, press junkets, charity galas, and red-carpet premieres, dazzling beneath the lights, while Rey managed the chaos from the sidelines: scheduling fittings, smoothing over radio flubs, and politely ignoring gossip columns. It was a rhythm they'd fallen into, a kind of messy harmony.

There were wardrobe crises, last-minute script changes, and gym sessions that always ended with Jessica sprawled on the floor, claiming near-death. Rey would roll her eyes, hand her water, and pull her back up. Evenings drifted into lazy conversations, takeout containers scattered across the counter, and movies that Rey never quite made it through without falling asleep.

Chapter 2

A random Thursday weeks later and Jessica was headed to the kitchen for a cheat meal when she passed Rey's room. The door was slightly ajar and generally speaking Jessica respected boundaries.

Unless they belonged to her assistant.

She slowed until she came to a standstill. She could hear Rey's voice. It was low and tense. Was she on the phone?

Jessica leaned gently against the wall, half-hidden in the hallway's hush. She wasn't trying to eavesdrop... not at first. But something in Rey's tone made her freeze. She sounded sad, or wounded.

Jessica shouldn't have listened, but she did.

Inside, Rey's voice cracked slightly.

"Can't we please make it work... I know, but it's only for another six months... What? No. Why, why would you say that... No, it's not like that at all. She's really cool. You'd love her... That's just not true. Please don't say that. I only have eyes for you... We can make this work. I'll find time to come visit. I promise... No, don't hang up. Please don't—"

Silence.

Jessica slowly peeked around the doorframe. Rey was sitting on the edge of the bed, her phone clutched tightly in both hands. Her head bowed. Shoulders shaking.

Jessica's heart clenched. She closed her eyes, leaned her head gently against the doorframe.

Inside, Rey was trying, and failing, to hold herself together. Her body rocked slightly as quiet sobs broke through, raw and reluctant.

Jessica stepped into the room without a word.

Rey didn't need to turn. She knew the sound of that walk, the shape of that presence.

"This is supposed to be my room when I stay here," Rey said softly.

"I know."

"This is supposed to be my personal space."

"Yeah," Jessica murmured. "I know." She sat down beside her and, without hesitation, wrapped her arms around her. Rey didn't resist. She leaned into her, broke against her, like a wave finally reaching the shore.

"Figured you could use a hug," Jessica whispered.

Rey turned her face upward. Her eyes were red and her lips slightly swollen from crying.

"I haven't done anything wrong," she said, voice small and uncertain.

"I know, sweetie," Jessica said, her arms tightening.

"Why...?"

The question broke open the rest. Rey's sobs deepened into full crying, and Jessica held her close, murmuring soft, aimless comforts.

"He was an idiot."

"She," Rey mumbled, barely audible.

Jessica didn't miss a beat. "Makes it even worse. Betrayed by our own kind."

Rey gave a helpless, watery chuckle. "I wanted her to be my idiot," she said through a trembling breath. "I really liked her."

"That's the problem with love, huh?" Jessica said gently. "Sometimes it just... has a life of its own."

"Why doesn't she want me?"

Jessica pulled her even closer. "We just established she's an idiot."

Rey made a sound halfway between a sob and a laugh.

Jessica ran her fingers softly through her hair, slow and steady.

"How long were you together?"

"Not long enough for it to matter, really, but... It still hurts."

Jessica nodded, her chin brushing against Rey's temple. "Yeah. It does."

There was a long, tender pause.

"I'm sure you have better things to do," Rey murmured.

"You take care of me every hour of every day," Jessica replied, her voice low and steady. "Let me take care of you for once."

She reached out and lifted Rey's chin, her fingers light under her jaw.

"Wanna lie down for a moment?"

Rey's eyes met hers—glassy, overwhelmed. Her lips were parted slightly, breath shallow. She gave the smallest nod.

Jessica's heart skipped, the moment thick with something she didn't dare name.

"Come," she whispered. "I'm really sorry it didn't work out. You only deserve the best."

Rey leaned into her without question, her eyes fluttered shut. Jessica guided her gently to the bed, lying beside her, holding her in that quiet, vulnerable space between breaking and healing. Her hands moved lightly, brushing through hair and across a trembling shoulder. No rush. No pressure. Just presence.

Rey inhaled Jessica's scent, which was something warm and familiar. Not perfume, exactly, but something that lived in her skin.

And in the warmth of that stillness, with healing words and a soft touch, Jessica showed Rey something she rarely got to feel.

What it meant to be loved, and to be cared for.

~~~~

A few days later they were in the city, on their way to CC's office, followed by the taping of a commercial.

"I could really go for a peanut butter and mayo sandwich right now," Jessica said absently as they walked.

Rey looked up at her, mostly in disgust. "What?"

"It's delicious. Don't tell me you're on Team Jelly."

"There are no teams," Rey said, shaking her head. "There's only peanut butter and jelly."

Jessica snorted. "You're lost, my child. You haven't seen the ways of the world."

"I—I don't care what you say. Peanut butter and mayo on a sandwich is just... it's wrong, Ms. Tyler."

"And, you know, when I feel fancy, I add crispy bacon on top."

Jessica was practically glowing as she gestured, clearly proud of the culinary war crime she had just described.

As Rey followed Jessica up the stairs to the building where CC's office was located, she shook her head in disbelief. "I'll stay out here."

"No, don't be silly. Come on, it's been a while since you saw CC, right?"

"Uh-huh," she muttered, still stunned.

"Who even comes up with such an abomination..." Rey mumbled as they reached the elevator. "Must be a crime under the Geneva Convention."

Jessica chuckled and hit the call button. As the doors opened and Rey stepped inside, a familiar tension coiled in her chest. She realized a bit too late that they were inside an elevator.

Tight spaces. No air. No exits. Didn't matter if they went up, down, sideways, or into hell—tight was tight.

"Wait," she said, her voice higher than intended. She turned to step out, but the doors had already begun closing. She flinched, stepping back with a soft yelp.

Jessica turned to her, concern washing over her features.

"Rey?"

Her breathing stuttered. Her fingers clenched.

"I don't want to," she murmured. "I don't like tight spaces. I don't like elevators."

Jessica looked surprised. "Why didn't I know this?"

"I'm supposed to take care of you," Rey muttered, barely audible. "Not the other way around."

Jessica raised an eyebrow. "Who's being stupid now?" Then, softly: "Oh, look at this."

Rey followed her gaze—Jessica's left hand was outstretched, fingers flexing slowly, palm up.

"She's looking for a friend," Jessica said kindly. "If only somebody would keep her company."

Rey exhaled sharply. "You're making a thing out of this."

"I am not."

"This is so you," Rey huffed. "Can't you just leave it alone?"

Jessica's gaze turned gentle. She didn't say anything at first.

"I will," she said at last. "But look." Another little flex. "She's so lonely."

Rey rolled her eyes, but she noticed the rings glittering on Jessica's fingers. Half of them mismatched, some antique but all carefully chosen. Jessica wore her personality like armor: loud, bright, deliberately cluttered.

Rey wasn't like that. Reluctantly, she reached out and took the offered hand.

"There. Happy?"

It felt... different. Too intimate for a handhold. The warmth of Jessica's skin, the slight tremble of her fingers... it calmed her more than she wanted to admit. And Jessica didn't squeeze aggressively, didn't gloat. She just held on.

"Be more honest with yourself," Jessica said quietly.

"Are you admonishing me?" Rey asked, voice low. "You're enjoying this."

"I am. This is intoxicating. My nether regions are practically tingling."

The elevator dinged and Rey snatched her hand back.

By the time the doors opened, she was back in professional mode with her face composed, hair neat and voice unreadable.

Chris Carrington, or CC to those around him, greeted them warmly, arms open. He'd been with Jessica since her early days, a semi-friend of the family turned full-time believer in her talent.

After the usual hugs and updates, Jessica sat down with him to talk through the potential role.

Rey drifted toward the far end of the room, retrieved her bag, and sank into her world of emails and schedules. She moved seamlessly between tablet and laptop, reviewing invites, confirming press obligations, syncing calendar alerts. She was the final filter between Jessica and the outside world, and most days that meant everything from invoices to obsessive fan letters.

While Jessica and CC flipped through script pages and early contract terms, Rey half-listened, ears attuned for any buzzwords that might need her attention.

Jessica's voice suddenly rose in indignation.

"Look at this. I can't believe it," Jessica said as she slapped the papers with the back of her hand.

Rey didn't look up.

"They want me to do a nude scene."

Still not looking up. "You're always nude. I'm happy whenever you leave the house even remotely dressed."

"Yeah, yeah, but these goods?" Jessica cupped her chest. "I should get paid for flaunting these."

Rey arched a brow. "Honestly, you should get them insured. If something happened, that'd be like... a national tragedy."

Jessica snorted. "You think?"

Rey nodded sagely. "I'd light a candle."

Jessica's eyes narrowed. "You're making fun of me."

Rey bit her lip, trying not to grin. "What, gosh no."

Jessica shoved the pages toward her, across the top of the laptop. "Here. You look."

"I'm not a lawyer, Ms. Tyler. You should have Justin go over it. Or, I don't know—CC, maybe?"

Chris held up his hands like a man avoiding crossfire.

"You look like a lawyer," Jessica insisted, leaning in.

Rey caught the scent of her perfume. It was subtle, warm and familiar, and curled around her like smoke. She tried not to inhale too sharply.

"That's not how this works..." But she was already reading. "No, you're right."

Jessica beamed. "Are you surprised?"

"About you being right?" Rey didn't look up. "We both know it happens."

"Hey!"

Rey stood with the papers. "I'll talk to Justin."

"I'm going to fire him."

"Please don't. You know how many lawyers I had to go through to find one who puts up with you? Turns out he has a special power."

Jessica narrowed her eyes. "What power?"

Rey was already walking.

"Like me, he tolerates you."

Jessica grinned, watching her disappear out the door.

Ten minutes later, Rey returned.

"Sorted. Justin will follow up."

As they got ready to leave, CC glanced at Jessica. "Can I have a quick word with Rey?"

Jessica nodded. "Sure. Talk to you later, CC." She left the room.

CC folded his arms. "Six months in, right? How's it going?"

"She's... larger than life."

He nodded. "She seems to like you. Trusts you."

Rey scratched the back of her head. "I don't know about trusting me. But yeah, we get along. Have I done something I shouldn't have?"

"Quite the opposite," CC said, smiling. "She'll be on the road soon. That wasn't really in the original agreement. You were stepping in temporarily, mostly local."

Rey nodded, slowly.

"Now that she's accepted the role, there'll be travel. We'll cover your expenses. But how do you feel about it?"

Rey shifted her weight. "We both know I'm not really a personal assistant. Or a PR manager. I don't even know what I am."

"You're exactly what she needs," CC said. "Keep her out of trouble. And if she's in trouble, get her out of it. If things go nuclear, call me."

Rey gave a soft laugh. "That I can do."

"And Rachel?"

"Yes?"

"Why does Jessica have an OnlyFans account?"

"Uh..."

CC raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

Rey froze for a split second, then dragged a hand down her face, pinched the bridge of her nose, and exhaled slowly.

"I'll take care of it."

"See that you do, please."

She hesitated. "Sir... how did you know about that?"

"About what?" he asked, not looking up from the documents in front of him.

"Her account." Her tone was neutral, but the edge of a smile was creeping in.

CC opened his mouth like he might answer—then paused, reconsidered, and cleared his throat.

"... Research," he said finally, flipping a page. "That'll be all, Ms. Williams."

Rey bit her lip and nodded, backing toward the door while desperately trying to keep the smug grin off her face. She made her way into the hallway where Jessica was waiting by the elevator.

"Want to take the stairs?" she asked. It was a genuine offer as Rey heard the sincerity in her voice.

"We're 39 floors up. Let's just get it over with."

They boarded the elevator in silence. This time, Jessica didn't speak. She didn't tease. She just stood beside her, waiting.

And when Rey shifted closer, hesitating, fingers twitching toward hers—Jessica caught her hand, gently but firmly. Their fingers fit like puzzle pieces. Her thumb brushed softly across the back of Rey's hand.

"Say something," Rey murmured. "It's too quiet."

"I thought you preferred me quiet."

Rey chuckled, tension easing slightly. "Maybe an exception. This one time."

Jessica leaned closer, whispered, "So, as I was saying, my nether regions are tingling. Practically gushing, and—"

Rey dropped her head, mortified. "Ms. Tyler. Please." She glanced at Jessica who was equally smug as she was delighted. "You're the worst," she continued, though it came out almost fond.

Jessica's thumb traced slow circles. "We're doing okay?"

Rey nodded, her voice softer. "Mhm. We're doing okay."

The elevator dinged.

"Where to now?" Jessica asked brightly as they stepped out.

"Lunch," Rey said, blinking in the summer light. "Then you're shooting a commercial."

But she couldn't quite shake the feeling of Jessica's hand in hers.

Or the smile that lingered on her face.

~~~~

The set for the commercial was bigger than expected. Too big, really, for a thirty-second skincare spot. Soft pink backdrops curved around studio lights the size of refrigerators. A fog machine sputtered quietly in one corner, and, inexplicably, a peacock wandered near the craft services table, pecking at a muffin.

Jessica stood near the monitor area in a plush white robe, her hair pinned back, a light dusting of shimmer across her collarbones. A makeup artist flitted around her, brushing her cheeks like she was a porcelain doll.

Rey watched from a few feet away, arms crossed, earbuds in. She'd been scanning emails until a grip dropped a box near the electricals and startled her half to death.

"Can someone please not electrocute the star today?" she muttered under her breath.

Jessica flashed her a grin from across the room, having heard exactly that.

The director, an agitated man with aggressively thick glasses, clapped his hands. "Let's bring the energy up, people! Jessica, baby, can we get a little more... glow? A little more goddess, less mortal?"

Jessica blinked at him. "I'm literally wearing glitter."

Rey stepped forward. "She's ready when you are."

The director gave a theatrical sigh. "Yes, yes, we love her. She's divine. Places, everyone! And for the love of God, can someone please catch the peacock before it ends up on camera again?"

Rey blinked. "The peacock?"

Jessica tilted her head, an amused grin on her face. "Is that... still here?"

"It's been here since six," one of the grips muttered as he passed, balancing a light rig on his shoulder.

Rey squinted. "Why is there a peacock?"

Nobody answered. Someone from craft services just shooed it gently with a bagel and it strutted away with a regal indignation.

Rey raised an eyebrow. "That normal? Are we just hiring peacocks now? Is that where the budget's going?"

Jessica chuckled. "You're spicy today."

Rey offered a thin smile. "I haven't had lunch yet. I'm functioning on caffeine and sarcasm."

Jessica reached out and adjusted Rey's collar with a flick of her fingers. "Then I shall dedicate this performance to you, oh caffeinated one."

"Just... don't fall off anything, please."

"Noted," Jessica said with a wink, turning back toward the set.

The shoot began. Jessica moved through the space like she belonged in a perfume ad from another era—fluid, poised, her expression soft but commanding. Cameras rolled. Lights pulsed. Someone cued wind, and a soft breeze lifted her hair just enough to make the moment look effortless.

Even when Jessica was playacting, there was something real in the way she held herself. Something magnetic.

An hour later, the final take was called. The director cheered. The crew clapped and Jessica bowed dramatically.

Rey handed her a water bottle as she stepped off set.

"You were luminous," Rey said.

"My hair smells like fog juice and regret."

Rey raised an eyebrow. "Well, at least now you're marketable and flammable."

Jessica grinned. "Was I good though?"

"You were incredible, Ms. Tyler. Like you belonged up there." She paused for a second before continuing. "I know it's all lights and camera tricks, but you make it real. It's kinda unfair, actually."

"Unfair?"

"Yeah. How's anyone else supposed to compete with that?"

Jessica stared at her, a flush creeping up her cheeks. "Thank you," she replied quietly, tucking the compliment away somewhere private.

They turned to leave, but a production assistant jogged up, slightly out of breath. "Uh, sorry to bother you, but... has anyone seen the peacock?"

Jessica and Rey exchanged a look.

"I assumed it was part of the shoot?" Rey offered.

The assistant shook his head, exasperated. "It's not! I don't even know how it got in here. I swear I saw it near the craft table a while ago. It stole someone's muffin and then disappeared behind the fog machine."

Rey blinked. "You lost a whole peacock?"

"It's surprisingly fast," he said, completely serious. "Honestly, I'm a little scared of it."

Rey snorted. "Well... good luck with that."

The assistant threw up his hands in resignation and walked off. Rey and Jessica exchanged another glance, and then Rey shrugged.

Jessica grinned, looping her arm through Rey's. "If I see it, I'm naming it Steve."

"That's the least weird thing I've heard today."

Behind them, a distant cry of "Has anyone seen the goddamn peacock?!" echoed through the studio.

Jessica smirked. "Go, Steve. Live your life."

And then they walked back into the world, side by side.

~~~~

It was a stunning summer evening, the kind that wrapped itself around you like silk. The sun had just slipped below the horizon, leaving the sky streaked in soft violets and golds, the first stars blinking gently into view.

The grounds of Jessica's estate stretched out in every direction, manicured and pristine. Flowering bushes lined the edges of the flagstone pathways, and low garden lights flickered to life one by one as twilight settled in. It was quiet, the kind of quiet you only got when your nearest neighbors were a five-minute drive away.

Jessica was outside, swimming slow, deliberate laps in the Olympic-length pool nestled in the heart of the backyard. The water shimmered under the soft glow of submerged lights, casting ripples of light along the smooth stone edges. The mansion loomed behind her with its floor-to-ceiling windows, grand terraces, and warm interior lights glowing faintly.

Rey had learned the signs. Jessica didn't exercise for fun. She didn't do exertion unless it was in a studio, a performance, or a red carpet strut. Or sex. But swimming was different.

Some people went for a run. Some got lost in music or took long, mindless drives. Jessica swam, slow, methodical and silent. The water was where she went to be alone with her thoughts.

Something was wrong.

A good assistant might have left her there. A friend would know better though.

So, barefoot and quiet, Rey stepped out onto the warm stone patio with a large towel draped over one arm. The air was still warm from the day, with just a whisper of breeze. Crickets chirped in the distance.

She sat down on the edge of the pool, dipping her legs into the water.

"Hey," Rey said softly.

Jessica paused mid-lap, then turned and began swimming toward her. Rey's eyes widened slightly as she realized Jessica was swimming nude. She looked away respectfully as Jessica reached the edge and pulled herself up.

"Hey," Jessica replied, her voice soft, worn in that way Rey had come to recognize.

Rey handed over the towel without a word, and Jessica wrapped it tightly around herself.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" Jessica asked as she sat beside her, water still dripping from her hair, shoulders glistening.

"What do you mean?"

"I dunno. Being naked." She tilted her head. "Though I guess not. You've seen me in my underwear enough times."

"Uh-huh." A smile tugged at Rey's lips.

"Or naked."

That tug became a grin.

"Yup. In my defense, you do seem to make it your personal mission to never be dressed."

"People are so modest these days," Jessica muttered.

Rey laughed. "But yes. I've seen all of you, Ms. Tyler. And, let's be honest, most of your companions too."

Jessica snorted.

Rey let the laughter fade, then asked, quieter now, "How are you?"

"I'm fine," Jessica said too quickly.

"Ah," Rey said gently. "We're pretending." She met Jessica's eyes and held the gaze long enough for Jessica to look away first.

Rey knew why. Jessica wished for more, but she wasn't exactly what that would be. More fun? Parties? Company?

Rey looked up instead. The sky was deepening into that perfect indigo blue, stars dusting the heavens like sugar.

"I'm in my mid-thirties. I have absolutely no idea where I'm going. I'm single now, apparently. The world's my oyster." She made a face. "And I don't even like oysters."

She gently swirled her feet in the water.

"What's it like," she continued, "to have the world at your feet?"

Jessica let out a breath. "What do you mean?"

"You're loved by everyone. You can get anyone you want." Rey shrugged. "What's that like?"

Jessica was quiet for a while, thoughtful.

"What's it like..." she echoed. "It's like walking through a minefield. There's always someone ready to take advantage. Always someone with a smile that doesn't reach their eyes."

Rey glanced over. "But you've had other assistants to support you, right?"

Jessica smiled faintly. "None like you."

She looked down at the water. "It can be very lonely, to be honest. I think you've picked up on that already."

She gestured vaguely toward the mansion. "I bought this place hoping it would fill something inside me, but... it turns out money can't buy the things that actually matter."

Rey watched her carefully. "Like...?"

Jessica became quiet for a beat.

"A home. A family. I miss my parents," she finally replied, softly.

"Where are they?"

"They've moved on." Jessica gazed at the stars. "At least they're in a good place now. I just... I wish they could've seen me. I wish I could've held my mom's hand one more time and told her, 'Hey mom. I made it.'"

"No other family?"

"I have a younger brother. My abusive, asshole of a brother."

Rey went still.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"How could you?" Jessica murmured. "I've never told you." She looked up at her companion. "Trust is hard, Rey. Fucking someone? That's easy."

Rey played absently with the hem of her shirt. "Funny. For me it's the other way around."

Silence fell again, gentle but weighty, and Jessica broke it first.

"The sky's beautiful tonight. There's something about swimming under the stars." She turned to Rey. "Wanna give it a go?"

Rey looked at the water, then at Jessica. After a moment, she stood and began to undress. Her shirt came off. Then her shorts. Then her underwear. Jessica respectfully looked away, her back straight, hands folded around the towel.

"What's this?" Rey said playfully. "You're giving me privacy?"

Jessica blushed.

"Feels like the right thing to do."

"Oh? Is that a new thing we're trying?"

Jessica tried to say something but the cat got her tongue.

She wasn't sure if it was because Rey had just come out of a breakup. Or because she was gay. Or because—maybe—it was something else.

Rey laughed gently at the silence. "How unlike you. You're such a free spirit, you know. It's wonderful. Don't ever lose that."

That laugh. It did something strange to Jessica's stomach. She felt it more than she heard it.

Rey stepped forward and placed a quick, soft kiss on Jessica's cheek. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For respecting me."

Jessica swallowed. "Don't get used to it," she whispered.

"Wouldn't dream of it."

And with that, Rey dove into the water, silent and graceful with barely a splash.

Jessica stood there a moment longer, then folded the towel neatly and placed it beside the pool. She started walking toward the house, casting one final glance over her shoulder.

"I don't mind if you look," she called back, voice light. "Might help you take your mind off your ex."

Rey surfaced, hair slicked back, and smirked. "Thanks for the offer, Ms. Tyler. If I want to see you naked, I'm sure I won't have to wait long."

Jessica laughed all the way back to the house.

~~~~

It was Wednesday evening.

Not that days of the week meant much to Jessica anymore. Her life blurred between locations, time zones, last-minute calls, and endless appearances. Time only felt real when it was booked: shoots, interviews, promo tours, the press machine always humming.

But Wednesdays were different. Wednesdays were for fan mail.

The room was tucked in the west wing of the mansion, cozy in a way most of the house wasn't. It had low shelves of books, soft lighting from two gold-shaded lamps, and a massive window overlooking the garden, where the last light of day was slipping below the trees. A soft breeze filtered in through the open pane, ruffling the corners of scattered papers.

She sat curled up on the velvet chaise in her study, barefoot, hair pulled back into something halfway respectable. The room was warm, bathed in the golden glow of standing lamps and the quiet hiss of rain tapping against the tall windows.

The fan mail came by post—tactile, messy, real. Emails were a digital avalanche she no longer tried to survive, but letters? Letters she could handle.

Rey had already filtered through them earlier, tossing the unhinged, the weirdly scented, and the deeply cursed. What remained were the genuine ones: the dreamers, the young girls who saw themselves in her, the quiet men who confessed her films made them feel less alone, the curious, the kind.

Jessica read each one carefully, sometimes scribbled a reply, slipped in a signed photo, and passed it along.

Rey sat beside her on the floor, legs folded under her, preparing envelopes with quiet precision. Postage, return labels, stamps; typically Rey, her system was immaculate.

They didn't talk for the simple reason that they didn't have to.

Jessica loved these nights more than she ever said out loud. The soft rustle of paper. The brief brushing of fingers. The unspoken rhythm of working beside someone who just got her.

It was intimate in a way few things in Jessica's life were. And the fact that Rey was part of it—this small, sacred, unglamorous ritual—meant more than Jessica liked to admit. For more reasons than one.

Outside, the rain had turned violent. It slapped against the windows in sheets, punctuated by the occasional low grumble of thunder.

Rey looked up from her stack, frowning slightly.

"I was planning to go home tonight," she murmured, more to herself than anything.

Jessica glanced at her, then at the storm outside. "Something on your mind?"

Rey bit her lip. "My plants. My mail. Just... stuff."

Jessica watched her for a beat too long. "Something," she said softly. "Or someone?"

Rey's smile faltered. She looked down. "It's difficult to... just move on, you know?"

"I know."

Jessica cleared her throat. "Wanna watch a movie?"

Rey opened her mouth to say no. She had meant to leave. She hadn't packed to stay. She'd told herself tonight wouldn't be a sleepover. But Jessica wasn't asking for a movie. Not really; she was offering a distraction. A way out.

Rey nodded. "Yeah. Sure. Something light? Rom-com?"

They did not, in fact, watch a rom-com.

They watched The Hills Have Eyes: a mid-2000s horror classic with exactly zero chill and one hundred percent mutated cannibal energy.

Rey spent more time under the blanket than over it, clutching it to her chest, eyes wide, yelling at the screen every five minutes. Jessica, on the other hand, was thriving—curled up with a bowl of popcorn, cackling at Rey's suffering.

As the end credits rolled, Rey glared at Jessica, still buried up to her chin in the blanket. "I trusted you with movie night," she muttered darkly.

Jessica grinned, nudging her shoulder. "You get to choose next time."

They got up, stretching out the tension from two hours of near-heart attacks, and began getting ready for bed.

"You think there are any hill people nearby?" Rey muttered suspiciously as they passed the tall windows on the way to their rooms.

Jessica didn't even blink. "Probably. Did you know this house was built on an old burial ground?"

Rey stopped mid-step. "You're joking."

Jessica shrugged, enjoying the situation way too much. "Who knows. I guess we'll find out around three in the morning."

A little while later, just as Jessica had settled under the covers, brushing hair out of her face and flipping through her texts, there was a soft knock at the door before it opened. She looked up.

"Rey?"

"You don't actually expect me to sleep in my own room tonight, do you?"

"I—"

"If any hill people show up, I'm shoving you at them first. No hesitation."

Jessica laughed. "That's comforting."

Rey pushed the door open and walked in like she owned the place, which, at this point, she practically did. She was already halfway across the room before Jessica could object.

"I wasn't asking, Ms. Tyler. Shirt on. Please."

Jessica blinked. "You're bossy when you're scared."

Rey tossed her a pillow, then climbed into bed with military efficiency.

Jessica watched her settle in; propped up, calm and far too smug for someone who had screamed like a banshee an hour ago.

"Which side do you sleep on? Actually, don't bother. I once found you on the floor."

Jessica groaned, burying her face in the blanket. "That was once."

"You were face down. Snoring into the carpet."

"One time!"

"Uh-huh," Rey said as she began methodically stacking pillows between them.

Jessica narrowed her eyes. "Eh—what's this?"

"For safety," Rey replied matter-of-factly.

Jessica raised an eyebrow. "From the hill people?"

"No. You."

Jessica let out a warm laugh. "Fine, fair enough."

Jessica did, admittedly, have an alarming number of pillows, and soon Rey had built a surprisingly robust wall down the middle of the bed. She watched in mild disbelief as Rey laid back with a satisfied sigh, her wall complete.

"Good night, Rey."

"Good night, Ms. Tyler."

The room fell into that deep, late-night stillness. The rain had since long faded, the house was now quiet except for the faint hum of distant air vents and the occasional creak of old wood settling.

Jessica was half-asleep when she heard it. Soft. Ragged. The unmistakable sound of someone trying not to cry.

"Hey, sweetie," she said gently. "You okay?"

"Perfectly fine," Rey replied, voice thick and broken between the sobs.

"Ah. That's what perfectly fine sounds like. Silly me."

There was a shaky chuckle on the other side of the pillow wall, and then a beat of silence before Jessica spoke again, light but careful:

"Hey... look. Somebody missed you."

From under the wall of pillows, Jessica's hand emerged palm up, fingers flexing slightly. An open offer. Rey turned, saw it, and let out a breath that trembled into a half-laugh, half-sob.

"You're making a thing out of this again."

"I'm not," Jessica said, her voice light.

But Rey reached for it immediately, wrapping both hands around the hand as if it was the only thing tethering her to the moment. She brought it close, brushing her lips against Jessica's knuckles, her breath warm and uneven.

Jessica's hand was solid. Safe.

"I'm sorry," Rey whispered. "I'm hopeless."

"Brace yourself, hun."

"What?"

Without warning, Jessica twisted her arm, curling it around Rey's waist. The wall of pillows exploded as Jessica yanked her in and held her close.

Rey yelped in surprise, eyes wide. "Jessica!"

"Come here," Jessica murmured, her voice rich and low.

Rey didn't resist. She let herself be pulled, let herself be wrapped up. Jessica settled behind her, steady and protective, her chin brushing Rey's shoulder. Rey turned slowly, shifting in her arms until they were face to face.

"I'm embarrassed," she whispered.

"I can let you go if you want," Jessica replied, her voice soft, like cotton.

Rey shook her head, and Jessica smiled. It was a quiet little thing, full of understanding. "I don't think you're hopeless," she continued. "It's a symptom of being human. We all cry."

"Even you?"

Jessica hesitated. "Yeah. Even me."

She tucked a piece of hair behind Rey's ear.

"But then I look around and I see people like you on my side. And I realize... I'm doing alright."

Rey hummed softly, her cheek pressed against the soft fabric of Jessica's shirt.

"Is this what it's like, spending a night with you?"

Jessica let out a quiet chuckle. Her breath was warm against Rey's hair. "Usually more fucking and less cuddling if I'm being honest."

Rey smiled faintly. "You don't cuddle?"

"I don't cuddle. Cuddling leads to intimacy. And intimacy leads to feelings."

"You cuddle with me."

"I'm well aware, but you're not like everyone else," Jessica murmured. This time her voice sounded strained, like the words had cost her something.

Rey shifted slightly, just enough to tilt her head up. "What do you mean?"

"You let me be myself," Jessica said. "And God knows I can be a lot. But with you... I don't feel like I have to perform. I feel—" she searched for the right word "—free. You make me feel good about myself."

Rey didn't respond right away. She was too busy noticing everything. How Jessica's skin smelled like citrus and sleep. How her voice softened when she dropped the act. How safe it felt to be wrapped in her arms.

How much she liked being there.

"Seeing you hurt... it pains me more than I know how to say," Jessica continued. "I wish I could will it all away, but until then, I guess my arms will have to do."

"I like being here... But what's wrong with feelings?"

Jessica closed her eyes.

"They lead to bad decisions. Awkward mornings. Complicated breakfasts. Someone always leaves first, and the other one pretends not to care."

"They don't have to," Rey said gently.

She raised her head and kissed Jessica's cheek, slow and deliberate, then tucked herself back into her arms like she'd never left.

"You're an amazing person," she whispered. "Let yourself be loved. And when you find the right someone... love them back. Don't run. Don't let go."

Jessica didn't speak. She just breathed her in. Her arms tightened, just slightly. Rey smiled against her collarbone.

"Thank you for being here."

Jessica looked down at her, her voice becoming a whisper of the night. "Good night, sweetie."

She held Rey close, one hand resting lightly against the small of her back. Her eyes remained open, staring into the quiet dark.

Despite being treated like a queen, that night Jessica didn't sleep like one. She became something else: a protector, a guardian. Her arms held Rey tightly, her body curled protectively around her, a silent vow in the way her fingers traced idle circles against Rey's back.

It was sometime deep into the night when she felt her stir. Rey's hands flexing, her leg twitching, her breath hitching in a broken rhythm.

Jessica knew she was dreaming. And by the sounds Rey made, it wasn't pleasant.

"Rey, sweetie, you're having nightmares," she whispered. "Come back to me. Those nightmares have no business being in your head."

Jessica pulled her closer, her nails gently scratching Rey's back in slow, soothing strokes. "Come back to me," she repeated, her breath warm against Rey's ear.

Rey stilled under her touch, her breathing evening out, her body sinking back into Jessica's arms. "Jessica?" she murmured, eyes half-lidded and heavy with sleep.

Jessica looked down. Rey looked impossibly soft and vulnerable in the moonlight.

"Mhm?" Jessica replied, her voice low and careful, like anything louder might shatter the moment.

"You're still here...?"

Jessica's hand moved to cup the back of Rey's head, her fingers threading through soft strands of blonde hair. "You're in my arms. I'll keep you safe. Be it from hill people or monsters of the night."

Rey's lips curved faintly, and before Jessica could say anything else, Rey squeezed her tight, arms looping around her waist with a desperation that spoke louder than words.

Jessica held her tighter, her lips brushing the crown of Rey's head. "I'm here," she whispered. "I'm not going anywhere."

And with that promise lingering between them, the room settled back into stillness. No monsters came. No hill people arrived. Only the soft, even breaths of two women, tangled up in each other, like it was the only place they belonged.

And that night, as Rey slept nestled against her, Jessica realized something unsettlingly true: Rey meant more to her than anyone had in a very long time. It wasn't just the comfort of holding someone or the ease of their banter: it was the way Rey softened her edges, the way her presence made the world feel less jagged.

Jessica fixed her eyes on the ceiling. What did it mean to care like this? To feel something that went beyond playful flirtation and the casual rhythm of her usual flings? She didn't have the answers. All she knew was that Rey was slipping under her skin, and she wasn't sure if she wanted her to stop.

But she couldn't just fuck her way through this, not with Rey. Not with someone who mattered.

Jessica's hand moved gently across Rey's back, holding her just a little bit tighter. She closed her eyes, letting the weight of that realization settle, even if she didn't quite understand it.

~~~~

When Jessica came down to the kitchen the next morning, Rey was already there, barefoot, hair tied up, sleeves rolled. She was moving with purpose, flipping something on the stove, the smell of butter and bacon thick in the air.

Jessica blinked sleepily, rubbing her eyes. "Hey. You were gone when I woke up."

Rey turned, all sunshine and mischief. "Good morning, Ms. Tyler."

Jessica's eyes drifted toward the stove. "It smells... incredible."

"It's bacon."

"Real bacon?"

"Uh-huh."

Jessica's expression grew reverent, almost dazed. Her lips became slightly parted and her eyes widened, like she was witnessing a religious experience.

"What are you making?" she asked, voice low, almost wary.

Rey glanced over, thinking. "An abomination."

Jessica frowned. "Seems like a waste."

"You don't say," Rey said, half-smirking as she turned back to the stove.

From a separate pan, she lifted two golden slices of sourdough—butter-fried to perfection—and plated them with precision. She reached for the jar of crunchy peanut butter, then the mayo, then bacon. With clinical calm, she layered each ingredient, her hands moving with the focus of a surgeon.

Then, without breaking eye contact, Rey reached into the cupboard and pulled out the real maple syrup. She gave the sandwich a light, elegant drizzle.

Jessica watched, slack-jawed, as Rey admired her work, spinning the plate before sliding it toward Jessica with grace.

An offering.

"An abomination," Rey declared. "With style. Enjoy, Ms. Tyler."

Jessica stared at the plate like it was treasure. "Why?"

"As a thank you. For last night."

Jessica's eyes stayed fixed on the sandwich. Her voice dropped. "You're welcome in my bed any time if this is what I wake up to."

Rey laughed, lighting up the space.

"Oh, by the way," she added casually, wiping her hands on a towel, "CC called. You're leaving for the first few days of shooting in a couple of days."

Jessica blinked up at her. "'You'?"

"I'll meet you on location. Jake and his team will travel with you."

Jessica's expression shifted. "Uh-huh," she said, chewing. Then—eyes narrowing slightly—"Wait. Why aren't you coming with us?"

Rey flashed her a wink. "You'll survive a few days without me."

Jessica sat back, chewing slower now. "Will I?"

Rey didn't answer. She was already halfway down the hallway, her voice trailing playfully behind her.

"Try not to seduce anyone before I get there."

And just like that, she was gone. Jessica stared at the doorway for a moment, then back at her sandwich. The sweetness lingered, both on her lips and in her chest.

Chapter 3

On set, Rey got to experience a different kind of Jessica.

The glamorous chaos of red carpets and interviews melted away the moment she stepped in front of a camera. Here, Jessica's energy was grounded—sharper, more deliberate. Focused. Gone was the flirty, impulsive showboat who filled Rey's days with teasing and chaos. In her place stood an actress entirely devoted to her craft.

Jessica arrived on set early, often before the crew had finished setting up. She worked through blocking notes, marked her scripts with neat lines and shorthand Rey couldn't decipher, and ran through variations of dialogue with quiet, obsessive intensity. There were no complaints. No diva behavior. She didn't ask for special treatment or fuss about lighting. She hit her marks. She stayed in character between takes. She listened.

It was... humbling to watch.

She gave so much of herself to the work that Rey sometimes wondered how there was anything left when the day was over.

Between takes, Jessica was social and effortless. She chatted with the crew, made offhand jokes that kept the mood light, and greeted even the lowest-ranking PA by name. She was charming without trying. Magnetic without effort.

But when she needed a break—really needed one—she'd disappear into her trailer.

Sometimes Rey was already there, stretched out on the small couch, tablet in her lap, headphones in. Sometimes she was seated at the narrow table by the window, drafting calendar updates or making travel arrangements between bites of a granola bar.

Other times, Jessica would find her curled up with a book, legs tucked beneath her, lost in the page until the door creaked open and she glanced up.

Those were the moments Rey liked best.

The quiet in-between. The rhythm of real life. When Jessica would collapse beside her with a dramatic sigh, toss a script across the table, and say, "Okay, but listen to this line—tell me if it's too much."

When they'd sit side by side, her trailer humming with soft music, and eat late lunches in silence. When Jessica wasn't a movie star or a brand or a headline.

~~~~

As the weeks passed, and they flew by, Rey could tell something was changing.

Jessica was still professional, still magnetic, still showing up for every scene with that signature grace. But the spark in her eyes had dulled. Just a little. The shine wore thinner with each overnight shoot, each back-to-back call time. The long hours in the so-called triple-banger trailer, luxurious as it was, had started to feel more like a gilded box than a retreat.

Rey noticed it first in the way Jessica walked. How she moved like she was holding something heavy inside her.

Eventually, she called CC for advice.

"Have you read the script?" he asked, rustling papers on his end.

"No... um, should I have?"

"Not necessarily. But hang on—" more fumbling, then, "Here we go. So, she asked for something that would challenge her. And this script? It's... it's a lot. It's about a woman unraveling—a psychological breakdown wrapped inside a redemption arc. Raw. Emotive. Tough."

"Our Jessica's doing this?"

"Yeah. Some of the scenes are brutal, honestly. It's going to take a lot out of her. Perhaps you might need to show up more as a friend than an assistant right now."

And with that the call had ended.

A few days later, Jessica returned to the trailer late. Rey was curled up on the couch, earbuds in, reading. Outside, the sky was ink-dark and still, save for the faint hum of distant generators. Jessica moved like she was underwater. Her makeup was gone. Her hair pulled back in a messy knot. Her eyes—red. Puffy.

She gave Rey a small smile. A wave. Not her usual swagger, just the minimum it took to seem okay.

Then she got ready for bed in silence.

Rey sat on the edge of the small couch, biting her thumb. The quiet felt wrong. She thought about what CC had said, and about what Jessica was not saying. And finally, she made a choice.

She got up and laid down next to her.

Jessica's back was turned, and Rey placed her hand gently on her hip.

"I know something's on your mind," she said softly. "And I don't expect you to tell me. But I can't just sit by and pretend nothing's wrong."

Jessica didn't move.

Rey hesitated and then carefully draped her arm around her.

"I know intimacy isn't your thing," she whispered, "but I don't know what else to do."

Jessica stirred. Then, without warning, she turned over in Rey's arms and buried her face in her shoulder.

"I don't cuddle," she mumbled.

Rey hummed. "I know. It's a good thing we're not cuddling, then."

Jessica blinked. "We're not?"

"No. The official story will be that you came in and saw me listening to music. You wondered what I was listening to."

Jessica smiled faintly. "I did wonder that."

Rey met her gaze and smiled. Jessica looked... small. Tired. Adorable.

"You said you wanted to hear it too, but the cord didn't stretch far enough," Rey continued. "So you had to lie down next to me."

"But you have your arm around me."

"I'm dizzy. I needed you to steady me. And kind as you are, you obliged."

Jessica nodded solemnly. "I am kind."

Rey bit back a smile.

"What song were we listening to?" Jessica whispered.

Rey pulled out her phone, slipped out one earbud, and gently tucked it into Jessica's ear, brushing strands of hair away as she did.

Jessica closed her eyes, lost in the low ache of Roses and Wolves. It was a song about holding on too long, and the quiet ache of knowing when to let go.

Rey hugged her closer, and Jessica didn't resist. She let herself melt into the hold, her breath trembling against Rey's collarbone. And then, without thinking too hard about it, Rey leaned down and pressed a kiss to Jessica's forehead.

"Thank you for being here," Jessica whispered.

"Where else would I be, my queen?"

Jessica swallowed. "I know I'm not always easy."

Rey raised an eyebrow. "Are you ever easy, dear?"

Jessica's lips curved. "Guess not. But here you are."

"Mhm... Here I am," Rey murmured.

There was a pause. Stillness.

"Your contract's up soon," Jessica said.

"In a few months, yeah. Less nagging from whoever comes next, I'm sure. Feels good, mhm?"

Jessica simply deflected. "What are you going to do?

"I'll be abroad for a bit. Spend time in Europe, on the other side of the pond. I'll visit friends and family. See if I can't find myself."

"Soul searching?"

Rey chuckled. "Something like that."

Jessica felt a pang in her chest. It was unexpected and unwelcome. She wanted to be in Europe too, but more than that, she just wanted Rey.

"You're tense," Rey whispered, her hand gently caressing Jessica's back. "Am I making you uncomfortable?"

Jessica gave a shaky exhale. "Trust is... difficult."

"... But fucking's easy, huh?" Rey's voice dropped lower, almost teasing, but there was something behind it, something more honest, and a little bit sad. "Is that what you want us to do?"

"No. No, I don't want to mess this up." Jessica nestled deeper into Rey's arms.

Rey gave a soft hum in approval, brushing her lips against Jessica's hair.

"So... Are you saying I*m not fuckable, Ms. Tyler?" she teased.

And for once, it was Jessica's turn to be flustered.

"What? No, you're, you're very fuckable. It's just.... I'm not usually held."

Rey didn't say anything. Her fingers kept wandering over Jessica's back.

"It's new to me," Jessica continued. "Is this what it's like spending a night with you?"

Rey gave it some serious thought. "Yeah, I guess it could be," she finally said.

"This is really nice." She exhaled, her breath warm against Rey's skin. "Maybe I've been missing out."

Jessica didn't see it, but Rey smiled, pulling her in just a little closer.

"Go to sleep, sweetie," she whispered, brushing her lips gently against Jessica's temple. "You're off tomorrow. Take what you need. Recharge and reload."

Jessica closed her eyes. She hated how easily intimacy had slipped in. How soft it made her feel, but Rey's touch was warm and her presence strong.

Slow and soothing circles were rubbed against her back, and eventually, Jessica gave in to the pull of sleep.

It was the kind that only came when someone safe was holding you.

~~~~

It had been a week since they wrapped shooting, and Jessica had disappeared into her off-days like she was trying to outrun something. Rey had given her space—at first. But when texts went unanswered and the housekeeper said she hadn't seen her all day, worry started to climb up her spine.

The mansion was unusually quiet for a Tuesday, and as Rey stepped inside, something felt decidedly off.

She made her way over to Jessica's bedroom and knocked once, then again.

"Ms. Tyler?"

Rey pushed the bedroom door open. It was dark inside, with the curtains drawn and the air still.

Jessica was curled in the bed, the comforter tangled around her legs, her breathing shallow and strained—something between a whimper and a wheeze.

"Jessica?" Rey's voice sharpened. She crossed the room in three long strides and pressed the back of her hand to Jessica's forehead.

Burning.

Jessica stirred, face crumpling. "Rey...?"

"Yeah. You're burning up," Rey said gently, brushing damp hair off her forehead. Her eyes scanned the room for clues: empty glasses, pills, anything.

She peeled back the blanket and Jessica flinched, skin glistening with sweat.

"I'm hot," she mumbled, blinking slowly. "What's wrong with me?"

"I don't know." Rey's voice was calm but her mind was heading into overdrive. She took Jessica's wrist, two fingers pressed against her racing pulse. Too fast.

"Party last night?"

"Yeah," Jessica croaked.

"What did you take?"

Jessica's eyes opened wider, hazy but panicked. "N-nothing."

"Jessica." Rey's voice changed, the kindness in her voice dropping like a stone. "What did you take?"

"I didn't take anything."

Rey's gaze locked onto hers as her face became hard, demanding answers Jessica couldn't, or wouldn't, give.

"Please believe me." Her voice began to crack. "I know how you hate it. I remember how mad you got last time."

"Cows go mad," Rey muttered. "I went absolutely livid."

She sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Was Jake with you?"

"No. I was with... friends."

Rey had many opinions about Jessica's so-called friends, but none she had ever shared. She knew Jessica's existence could be a lonely one.

"New faces?"

Jessica hesitated. "Yeah. A few."

Rey got her phone out, calling Jessica's personal physician. No answer, and she clicked her tongue in annoyance. She looked back at Jessica again, biting her lip, her past catching up to her. She'd made poor decisions in her past life as a nurse. She couldn't really afford to do them again. It had cost her—dearly.

"That's it. I'm calling the ambulance." Rey stood, phone ready again, moving for the door.

Jessica pushed herself upright in a frantic burst of motion, the sheets tangling around her legs, her body swaying. Her limbs were uncoordinated, like she was underwater, and before she knew it her knees buckled.

Rey turned just in time to catch the collapse. Her reflexes kicked in instantly: one arm hooking around Jessica's waist, the other catching the back of her shoulder as she went limp. The momentum sent them both stumbling a step back, Rey grunting softly as she absorbed the weight.

"I've got you," she breathed. "Jesus, sweetie, what happened to you?"

Jessica clung to her weakly, chest heaving against Rey's. Her skin was hot, slick with sweat. Rey gently lowered her down with careful movements, like a nurse. Like a close friend. Jessica whimpered as Rey helped her sit back on the bed, wiping a trembling hand across her forehead.

"You're sweating. You're flushed. Pulse is up and you're dizzy." Rey's brows furrowed, her mind reeling, going through everything she'd learned. "Could be alcohol poisoning. Could be drugs. If it's the first, you need fluids and rest, maybe have your stomach pumped. If it's drugs..."

"I didn't take anything," Jessica whispered, her eyes full of tears. "I barely even drank. You're a nurse, can't you do something?"

Rey dropped to her knees in front of her. She looked up, brow furrowed, and took a breath.

"What did you drink?"

"Rum and coke. I didn't even finish it, Rey. I swear. I left early."

"Did you make it yourself?"

"No..."

Rey pressed her lips together, then exhaled. She reached up and cupped Jessica's face with both hands, thumbs brushing along her fevered cheeks.

"I'm not going to be mad, I promise" she said, voice quiet but firm. She managed to fish out a smile from somewhere deep within. "But I have to know, sweetie. It could be the difference between life or death. And, you know, CC would be quite upset with me if you died.

"I don't want him to be upset with you either."

"Me neither. Now, did you take anything?"

Jessica's eyes locked onto Rey's, wide and wet, and Rey felt like she saw everything. Not just fear, or the fever, but something more raw, something more human. How her lower lip trembled and how her breath came in short, shallow pulls. The way her whole body shook—shoulders trembling, hands flexing with the desperate need to be believed.

"No," she pleaded, "I swear to you, I didn't take anything. Please. You have to believe me."

Her eyes were wide open. Glassy, fever-bright but unflinching. It felt like staring into a storm. Like she'd been cracked open and something pure had poured out.

And in that moment, Rey knew: Jessica had never pleaded like this before. Not with anyone. She was laid bare.

Rey's breath caught. She nodded slowly. Her hand brushed through Jessica's damp hair, and she pressed her forehead to hers.

"I believe you."

Jessica let out a sob that shook her shoulders, then collapsed forward into Rey's chest. Rey held her there, her arms strong.

"Stay here," Rey said gently, glancing toward the bathroom.

Jessica gave a wet laugh. "Where would I go?"

Rey stood and crossed to the ensuite. She turned on the taps, adjusting the water until it was cool but not cold. Not too cold, at least. Something to pull the heat from her skin without shocking her system.

As she returned to the bedroom, she was already unbuttoning her shirt, stripping it off without ceremony. Her skirt followed.

Jessica blinked as Rey knelt in front of her, now stripped down to just her bra and underwear. The soft lamplight played over her skin, highlighting the curve of her collarbone, the lean lines of her arms and the strength in her thighs as she settled into a poised, grounded position.

There was nothing performative about it. No flirtation, no seduction, just Rey: real and powerful.

Her golden hair was a little tousled, a strand falling across her cheek. There was a furrow between her brows, tension behind her eyes, but she was composed now. She was in control, like her old self.

Jessica had never seen her like this before. Not buttoned-up, not teasing. This was Rey as something more, like a guardian. As something terrifyingly beautiful, and Jessica couldn't look away. The quiet realization that she'd never, not once in her life, felt this way with someone.

"We need to bring your fever down. I can't risk giving you meds without knowing what's in your system."

Jessica gave a weak grin. "Not a hot tub then?"

"No. It's going to suck. You're going to hate me."

Jessica leaned forward, resting her forehead against Rey's. Her skin was fire.

"I'd never hate you," she whispered. "I'm so sorry, Rey. I really am."

Rey closed her eyes, breathing her in. "Let's get you undressed."

She peeled Jessica's shirt from her skin—damp and clinging. Her chest rose in shallow breaths, flushed and fragile. Rey reached behind her and undid her bra with a gentle touch, hands slow, deliberate. The straps slipped down Jessica's arms and onto the floor with barely a whisper.

Rey knelt, fingers brushing the waistband of Jessica's underwear. She eased them down carefully, steadying Jessica with one hand on her hip, the other working fabric past her thighs. Jessica stepped out of them, leaning on Rey.

Then Rey stood, reached behind and unhooked her bra, letting it fall. She hooked her thumbs into the sides of her own underwear and stepped out of them just as swiftly.

She helped Jessica up, bracing her like she might fall apart.

"It's like a date," Jessica mumbled, a weak smile tugging at her lips.

Rey huffed softly. "You go on the weirdest dates, my queen."

Jessica let out a breath that was half-laugh, half-sigh.

Jessica smiled. "Didn't expect this when you came over today, did you?"

"Us on a date or, you know, naked together?"

Jessica laughed. It wasn't much, but at the moment it was everything for Rey. A smile tugged at her lips as she glanced at Jessica. Sweet flirty chaos.

"Guess we skipped first base and went straight to second."

Jessica grinned. "You look amazing by the way."

"Hmm?"

Rey looked at Jessica and she caught her staring at her chest. Rey huffed a laugh, shaking her head. "You're unbelievable."

"Still think I'm dying," Jessica croaked.

"Not if I can help it."

Rey helped her into the tub. Jessica yelped at the coolness, grabbing onto her for balance. Rey climbed in behind her, legs wrapping gently around Jessica's hips, arms bracing her in place.

"Breathe in. Breathe out. Steady," Rey whispered, her own breath shallow.

Minutes passed. Slowly, Jessica began to settle.

She turned her head just slightly. "Don't get me wrong, but, uh, why are you in here with me?"

Rey raised an eyebrow. "You're saying I*m not good enough unless I have my hand between your legs?"

Jessica chuckled. "If anything, you're too good for me."

Rey leaned her head forward, burrowing her face in Jessica's head. "Remember how I said I didn't want CC to be upset with me?"

"Uh-huh, we're trying to keep me from dying, yes."

"I need to keep you upright. Make sure you don't slip under, and make sure you don't go into shock."

"Oh."

Jessica leaned her head back, resting it on Rey's shoulder. Their cheeks were touching.

"I don't want to lose someone again," Rey mumbled, realizing too late she'd said the words out loud.

Jessica blinked. "What?"

Rey tensed. "No, nothing. I... it's nothing, Ms. Tyler."

Jessica wanted to press. God, she wanted to press. But somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew she was dangerously close to something off-limits.

The air grew heavy. Rey closed her eyes and became perfectly still. Please. Don't ask. Just drop it.

Jessica stole a glance out of the corner of her eye. She swallowed. Closed her eyes.

"Remember that time I had too much molly..."

Rey exhaled. The tension in her body left.

"The time you had too much ecstasy, yes." She snorted. "I've never been so mad at someone before."

Rey had only been Jessica's assistant for a month. Jessica had been a loose cannon back then with her partying dialed to the extreme. Rey hadn't realized what she was walking into: trying to manage Jessica, and everything orbiting her, with no roadmap and no warning.

One night it went too far. One minute Jessica was dancing, her eyes like starlight. The next, she was on the floor, burning up, lips pale, eyes rolling back. She'd overdosed, and if not for the fast reflexes of her security team, no one knew how it would've ended.

Rey had panicked. The past suddenly caught up to her too quickly, Jessica's lifeless body dragging memories she'd try to bury were suddenly back at the surface.

Jake had appeared in front of her, pulled her aside. For once, he'd shown a human and compassionate side—rarely, if ever, seen from him. Calm but firm, he told her that now wasn't the time for tears or panic. Obvious words, but not obvious enough when you're standing in the middle of a storm.

Rey never understood how a movie star like Jessica overdosing on a dance floor never made the press. Whatever dark magic CC had conjured—whatever tabloid gods he was praying to—had worked. But Rey suspected the cost had been great.

Days later, once Jessica had been discharged and returned home, they met again. Rey was in the office at the mansion, working, when Jessica knocked on the door.

It started tentatively. But Rey had a lot bottled up, and it all came pouring out. The stress. The chaos. Jessica.

From tentative to heated. Then yelling.

Rey had been furious, truly furious. She went all in. Told Jessica she didn't respect herself, didn't respect the people around her. Didn't care about the ones whose livelihoods depended on her.

Jessica yelled back, defiant. Said she wasn't a machine, but that she was human. She was entitled to fun, too.

But Rey didn't back down. The yelling continued. No one flinched. No one relented.

Finally, it burned out. They were both drained when Rey had quipped, "Does it make you happy?"

She hadn't meant it with animosity, but Jessica's silence said more than words could have.

Things changed after that. Jessica started treating Rey with more respect. Started listening. Why, Rey never quite understood. But Rey, in turn, started to see Jessica more clearly. She saw that there was more to the movie star than the press and the performance, and that her life was a lonely one.

"Rey?"

"Huh?" Her mind snapped back to the present.

"I said, why did you stick around?"

Rey hummed, thoughtful. "I didn't, actually. Guess CC never told you?"

Jessica raised an eyebrow. "No?"

"I was ashamed. I thought I'd failed you. Failed CC. When you were in the hospital... I went to his office. Handed in my resignation."

Jessica didn't speak. This was news.

"He didn't even look at it. Just took it, tossed it in the bin, and told me he didn't accept it. I was flabbergasted."

A small smile formed as she remembered CC's stoic frame behind the desk.

"He said I came highly recommended. Didn't want to lose me. Said life gives us challenges, and the journey is learning to adapt. That a challenge can take someone good and make them great."

Rey knew, however, that when he'd said those words it wasn't about Jessica. It was about what had come before. She dismissed the thought quickly as she gave a faint smirk.

"Then he did that thing, you know, where he suddenly looks you in the eye? Caught me off guard."

Jessica smiled. She knew exactly what Rey meant. Rey adjusted herself beneath her, and Jessica turned toward her as much as her tired body allowed.

"I didn't know you tried to quit."

Rey's eyes flicked down. "I didn't think I was cut out for it. For you."

Jessica let her head rest more fully against Rey's shoulder. Her skin was still warm, her body sluggish and overheated, but this, the closeness, grounded her.

"You stayed though," she murmured.

Rey didn't respond right away. She reached for a nearby towel, dipped it into the cool water, and gently pressed it to the back of Jessica's neck. Her movements were practiced. Detached, but not uncaring.

"Somewhere in there, between all the chaos and champagne, I thought maybe... maybe you wanted someone to hold on to."

The silence returned. Not awkward, but heavy with the weight of things neither of them could quite name.

Jessica finally turned her head slightly, brushing her cheek against Rey's.

"Do you think I'm still that girl? From the dance floor?"

Rey took a long breath. "No. But I think she's still in you... But that's okay," she added quickly. "If that's what makes you happy, I support it."

Jessica went quiet again.

Rey gave it a moment, then offered a faint smile. "If nothing else, look at how far we've come. I'm not yelling. We're in a tub, naked together. A win for me, a win for you."

Jessica raised her hand, slow and deliberate. As carefully as she'd ever done anything, she placed it on Rey's breast and gave the lightest squeeze.

"Second base," she whispered, grinning.

Rey slowly shook her head, letting out a laugh and a half. "You're hopeless."

As if on queue, the phone rang and Rey answered. The physician had called back, and Rey explained the issue, including Jessica's unwillingness to be admitted. There was some back and forth before the call ended.

"The verdict is...?"

Rey closed her eyes, relaxing. "Supervision, fluids, and rest. I'm to report on your fever every hour. If it goes up, the hospital is non-negotiable."

Jessica nodded slowly. "Okay. Do we have to tell CC?"

"I don't think so. We can keep this one below the radar."

She could feel Jessica relax into her, and with that, Rey mentally checked off another catastrophe as averted.

~~~~

Time flew by in those final weeks. Between tightly packed reshoots, location scouts, and last-minute script adjustments, the days blurred. Jessica floated between red carpets and charity galas, late-night talk shows and podcast tapings, squeezing in a children's hospital visit between a radio interview and a surprise Broadway benefit. Rey had seen it all—handled it all—every call sheet, wardrobe malfunction, and press release. But now, her time with the team was coming to an end.

Calling it a farewell party would be an injustice to the party gods, but CC had arranged for some cake in his office. He had baked it; a real one. No store-bought shortcut, no Instagram trend. Just honest-to-God flour, sugar, butter, and care. Maybe the man had missed his true calling. When their eyes met across the room, Rey held up her slice, gave him two enthusiastic thumbs up, and grinned.

Chris positively radiated.

A few other people popped by that were on Jessica Tyler's payroll. Rey knew them all by name, because of course she did. It became a slow unraveling of a place she'd called home for the better part of a year.

Eventually, only Jessica Tyler remained.

"This is it, huh?"

"This is it, Ms. Tyler. We had a good run, mhm?"

Rey stood tall, hands clasped in front of her.

Cute. Composed.

Jessica nodded slowly. "When are you leaving?"

"For Europe? Day after tomorrow."

"I'm lousy with goodbyes," Jessica whispered, not like anyone was close enough to hear.

"They don't have to be hard." Rey stepped closer, offering a smile that was steady, if not entirely untouched by sorrow. "We make each other promises."

"Promises?"

"Uh-huh. That way, the next time we meet, we can check if we behaved."

"Next time?" Jessica echoed, softer.

Rey grinned. "I'm sure there'll be a next time."

Jessica opened her mouth, but nothing came. She closed it again.

"Cat got your tongue, huh." Rey cleared her throat. "You'll be nice to CC?"

Jessica winced. "Do I have to?"

"Yes."

Sigh. "Okay. I'll be nice." She looked at the floor, then back up. "You'll take care of yourself?"

"I'll do my very best."

"I'll still be your favourite movie star?"

"Always."

"And maybe..." Jessica hesitated. "Maybe you'll be a little sad about leaving?"

"You know I will be," Rey replied, sincerity in her voice.

"But not too sad. I want you to be happy."

Rey bit her lip, holding back a smile. "I'll try. No promises."

Jessica nodded before she continued:

"You'll follow me on OnlyFans?"

"Yes, of cour—what?! No! I told you to take that down!"

Jessica blinked innocently. "Must've slipped my mind."

Rey shook her head, laughing despite herself.

She stepped in close, resting both hands on Jessica's shoulders. "Focus on yourself, okay? Take life slow. There's always a tomorrow."

Jessica frowned. "You're telling me to pace myself."

"Exactly."

Jessica looked like she was trying to make peace with the idea. Rey leaned in, kissed her cheek, then pulled back just enough to meet her eyes.

"Stand tall," she said quietly. "And one day you'll shake the heavens."

Jessica didn't respond. She just pulled Rey into her arms, eyes closed, holding on like it might keep the moment from ending. She breathed her in.

And then she let go.

Outside, Jessica looked calm. Inside, the storm of a century raged on. Her anchor was walking away, and for the first time in years, she wasn't sure what was keeping her upright.

Minutes later Rey arrived at the ground floor. She stepped off the elevator and walked towards the building's exit, the soft click of her boots echoing in the silence. Her steps were even and her head held high.

But just before reaching the door, she took a beat and stopped to wipe a single tear from her cheek with the back of her hand. Her breath caught, just for a second. Then she pushed the door open and stepped out into the world, not looking back.

~~~~

A day had passed, and Rey sat down in her living room amidst clothes and suitcases, packing for the upcoming trip. Her apartment was a far cry from the life at the mansion, but she quite liked it. It was small, cozy and she always felt like she was coming home when she unlocked the front door and stepped inside. The windows were smaller, the view more modest: they now were of buildings and brick instead of sprawling gardens and pools, but it was hers. It was enough.

The silence, however, was almost jarring. Just stillness. She wasn't sure if she liked it or not.

Rey wandered into the kitchen, absently filling the kettle. It wasn't until she leaned against the counter, eyes on the steam beginning to rise, that she let out a long, shuddering breath. It was over. Just like that. A year of routine, of running after Jessica, of biting her tongue and rolling her eyes and feeling... needed.

Suddenly a knock rattled the door. A firm, two-tap rhythm that shattered the quiet of it all. Her head perked up, not really in the mood for visitors. Her first thought was to ignore it because nothing good ever came unannounced, but she went anyway, crossing the room barefoot.

As she opened the door she saw Jessica, casually dressed in blue jeans, a jacket and baseball cap. She looked nothing like the star Rey had been orbiting this past year. She looked, well, she looked real. She looked amazing.

"Hey," Jessica said, giving a small wave.

Rey blinked. "H—hey."

"Can I come in?"

"Uh, yeah."

Jessica stepped inside, glancing around, taking it in. "You've never invited me here."

Rey shrugged, suddenly feeling small. "Didn't think you'd want to see it. It's not exactly what you're used to."

Jessica turned back to her, eyes softer. "Not true at all."

"Well, this is me," Rey replied, gesturing to the modest living space.

Jessica's gaze swept over the room, lingering on the framed photos, the blankets piled on the couch, the plant in the corner that was desperately fighting for its life. She nodded, slow and deliberate. "I like it."

"You don't have to lie," Rey said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jessica took a step forward, hands in her jacket pockets. "I'm not."

Their eyes met, and Rey's breath hitched. There was something in Jessica's gaze, something raw, or fragile. Before Rey could process it, Jessica took another step, closing the space between them.

Her voice was soft, almost a whisper. "I missed you."

Rey swallowed, her back pressing gently against the wall. "It's only been a day."

"I..." Jessica started, then faltered. "Since you're not working for me anymore, I thought maybe... maybe we could..."

She leaned in closer. Rey opened her mouth to speak, but the words never made it out. Jessica was so close, and with her suddenly pinned to the wall, there was nowhere to go. No time to think.

And suddenly Jessica's lips were on hers.

So she gave in.

The kiss was soft. Not rushed. Not hungry. Just... careful. Jessica moved with intention, slow and searching. There was something sensual behind the pressure, something unspoken between each press of her lips.

Rey melted into it before she could stop herself.

Jessica's hands were on her hips, barely holding. Her body radiated heat, as if it was emotion burning at the edges. She kissed with a kind of focus Rey had never felt from her before. Tender and trembling. She realized Jessica was out of her comfort zone. She was trying something new.

Rey let out a soft sound against her mouth. A moan, maybe. Or a sigh—it was hard to tell, but then she pulled back.

"Wait," she whispered. "Stop."

Jessica froze, just inches away, her eyes wide and already glassy.

"What's wrong?"

Rey's heart was hammering. "I can't do this."

Jessica blinked. "I thought... I—Why?"

Rey steadied herself. "I can't just be another chapter in your story. I need more."

Jessica flinched, only slightly, but Rey saw it.

"There are women much prettier than me," Rey continued. "And you have so many good-looking men out there. Smart, kind people who'd line up for a chance with you, who'd do anything to have a night with you." Rey's eyes were big, searching. "You can have the world, Ms. Tyler. Why would you want someone like me?"

As Jessica searched for something to say, she reached forward, taking Rey's hand in both of hers.

"You're real. Because nobody looks at me the way you do," she said. "Nobody talks to me the way you do."

Jessica fought the urge to continue to kiss her. God, she wanted to.

"I feel safe around you," she continued. "Like I could do anything as long as you're near."

Rey gave a gentle smile. "I treat you with love and respect. Everybody around you should."

She exhaled softly and stepped closer again, placing her hand haphazardly on Jessica's chest, playing with the lapel on her jeans jacket. Her other hand still held Jessica's, their fingers now loosely entwined.

"If they don't treat you like the queen you are, cut them loose. It's their loss, not yours."

"I want things to change," Jessica whispered.

"Why...?"

"I chased stardom for so long, and when I got it, it—it wasn't what I thought it'd be. And then you came along," she continued. "You were real. You saw me. I want change, I want to change, but I don't know where to start."

Rey stepped in closer yet, her eyes darting between her hand holding Jessica's jacket and those wonderful, brown eyes.

"You want change?

An imperceptible nod came in return.

"Then it starts with you. The rest will follow. Take a step back and look at your life. The stuff you like? More of that. The stuff you don't like? Maybe a bit less. Before you know it, you'll be a brand new you."

Jessica's voice cracked. "But I feel safe with you. Like... if I let go, and I stumble and fall, you'd catch me."

Rey gave a bittersweet smile.

"Listen, if this doesn't work, if you and I don't work, I don't see us having a relationship in the future. I'm just not wired like that." Her voice was careful but honest. "Do you have it in you to commit?"

Rey's hand was shaking as her fingertips stroked Jessica's cheek.

Jessica's hand rose instinctively, covering Rey's, holding it there. She didn't know what she was willing to do, so she let out a shaky breath. "I think I'm scared of what it would mean if I said yes. If I chose this. You. Because then I'd have to be enough... And stay enough. And I've never done that before." Her voice was barely there. "What if I ruin it?"

Rey's heart broke a little. "Then we work through it. That's what people do. That's what love is. You don't have to be perfect all the time... You just have to be mine."

Jessica swallowed, and if a look could say a thousand words, then she gave one that did.

Rey felt it in her chest first: a slow, heavy weight, then in the sting behind her eyes. A few tears began to make their way down her cheeks when she realized Jessica wasn't ready.

"I think I want more than what you can offer, Jess."

Jess.

Jessica's breath hitched. Her gaze dropped, lips hovering a whisper away from Rey's. She didn't speak. But she leaned forward again, slowly this time, and kissed her.

It was different. It was about holding on. Jessica kissed her like she was afraid to let go. Her lips trembled against Rey's, her hands now moving to Rey's waist, curling gently at the fabric of her shirt, as if holding her tighter might anchor them both.

And Rey let her.

She cupped the back of Jessica's head, guiding her through it, matching the pace. Her free hand drifted across Jessica's back, memorizing every inch. Her body still pressed to the wall, her heart threatening to crack open.

Jessica pulled back just enough to breathe, her forehead resting on Rey's.

"I wish we could've been more," Jessica said softly, embracing Rey, who smelled like home, like warm laundry, lavender, and something familiar Jessica couldn't name but never wanted to forget.

"Sometimes... less is more," Rey whispered, tears making their way down her cheeks.

Jessica moved to pull away, but Rey caught her. She pulled her into a hug and held her there—tight. Jessica had never seen Rey cry before, not like this. It made her hate herself.

"I do too, sweetie."

When Rey finally let go, Jessica straightened, her fingers brushing away the tears from Rey's cheeks.

"See? This is what feelings do," she said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Rey gave a wet chuckle. "Maybe so. But I'd rather have loved than not at all."

Jessica hummed in response, and then she took a step back. Something in her posture shifted, and the walls crept back up, the persona reassembling. She stood there for a second, unmoving. She looked at Rey like she was memorizing her. As if she'd never see her again, but didn't want to forget a thing.

Her voice changed, too, and that almost hurt the most.

"Take care, Rachel. I'll see you around."

"Goodbye, Ms. Tyler," Rey said, desperately trying to will her tears away.

Jessica turned. Her hand brushed the edge of the door frame—almost like she might hesitate—but she didn't. She stepped through it, quiet as a ghost.

Rey took a half-step forward. Her hand twitched at her side. She thought about calling her back, just once, just this one last time, but her throat wouldn't let her, and the words caught.

She stayed silent as the door clicked shut.

Rey finally sank to the floor, arms wrapped around herself as the tears came, slow and helpless. She didn't regret loving her. But God, she wished that had been enough.

~~~~

The car ride home was quiet.

Jessica sat with her hands in her lap, her gaze fixed on the passing streets beyond the tinted window. The city rolled by with familiar corners, blinking traffic lights, a couple holding hands at a crosswalk, yet she wasn't really seeing any of it.

The silence in the back seat felt louder than it should've. When they pulled up outside the mansion, the driver shifted the car into park and glanced at her through the rearview.

"We're here, Ms. Tyler."

Jessica didn't move at first. Then she blinked, gave a small nod, and stepped out into the evening.

The air was still, perhaps a little too warm. She stood there for a moment, hand resting on the roof of the car, eyes on the house she had once loved. The clean lines, the perfect lighting, the gates and the gravel. Everything manicured to an inch of its life.

She didn't want to go inside. Her eyes scanned the upper windows. All dark, all empty.

She leaned back against the car, her arms folded loosely across her chest, and stared up at the sky. A few stars managed to push through the city haze. Not many.

Jessica sighed. She didn't cry. Not yet, but the weight was there, quiet and steady. Like something settling inside her.

Rey had been right. They did have something special, but was she willing to commit? She wasn't sure. And she didn't want to risk their relationship. She figured she'd have to prove it to herself.

She wanted an apartment. With bookshelves and throw blankets and a crooked little plant she'd forget to water. She wanted closeness, intimacy. She wanted Rey.

Rey, who had said change starts from within.

Jessica didn't know how to start. But maybe this, maybe standing here, not going inside right away, maybe that was something. So she stayed outside for a while. Long enough for the driver to ask if she needed anything. She said no. He left, and she stayed.

Eventually, she went inside. She didn't turn on many lights, simply because she didn't need to.

The mansion was still.

Jessica's bedroom stretched wide and warm, the kind of room people dreamed about: vaulted ceilings, elegant lighting, a balcony with a perfect view of the hills, and a bed so large it could swallow a person whole.

But she didn't feel big in it. She felt small.

She sat on the edge of that bed, wrapped in a robe with her hair still damp from the shower she barely remembered taking. The room was dim. Just one lamp turned on by the reading chair in the corner, casting a muted light across the hardwood floors and soft rugs.

Her hands trembled in her lap. She rubbed at her arms like she could rub the emptiness out. Still cold, though the air was warm. Still unsettled, though Rey had been kind.

Her phone buzzed on the bedside table. A notification of some group chat. Some A-lister's party this weekend. Champagne. Designer nonsense. A reminder of a life she belonged to, but didn't feel part of anymore.

She stared at the screen until it dimmed. Then she reached over and turned the phone face-down. Silence wrapped around her, only to be followed by tears.

First just one, then another. And then her breath hitched and her face twisted and she folded forward, elbows on her knees, both hands tangled in her hair as the sobs racked through her.

Not the poised, pretty kind. Not the careful movie-tears that glisten without ruining mascara. No. This was ugly crying, raw and uncontrolled, reserved for the broken hearted.

She tried to breathe through it, but each inhale made it worse. She gritted her teeth. Clutched the edge of the bed. Pressed her forehead into her palms like it might hold her together.

But nothing helped, and she wept.

For Rey. For the kiss she wasn't ready for. For the love she'd ruined before it had even had a chance. For the emptiness this house could never fill, and the version of herself she didn't even recognize anymore.

Eventually, when her body had no more tears to give, she sat upright, numb, dazed, her cheeks wet and raw. Her chest ached like something had been carved out and left on the floor.

She stood slowly, barefoot, walking toward the windows. Her reflection caught in the glass—hair messy, collarbone bare, eyes puffy. Not the starlet version of herself. Just... Jess.

She hated how unfamiliar she looked like this. And how deeply she knew it was the truest version of her. Fingers touched the glass, palm splayed out like she could reach the sky, or pull it down around her.

She'd built her life on charm and distance. On performing, on staying just out of reach. And Rey had made her feel human again. That wasn't the plan. That wasn't supposed to happen.

She turned away from the window and crawled into bed. The sheets were cool, the pillows soft. But none of it helped for the silence was louder now.

She lay flat on her back, eyes open, lashes still damp. One hand crept slowly across the mattress, landing on the empty half of the bed.

It stayed there, perfectly still, as she closed her eyes, waiting for the night to take her away.

Chapter 4: A Year Later

Chris Carrington—CC—had eyes and ears everywhere. In the world of show business, you had to. He glanced at the calendar on his desk. It had been almost a year since Rey had left the team. At first, the effect on Jessica had seemed minimal. If anything, it had kicked something into motion: a drive, a need to change. At the time, he'd chalked it up as growth, but now? He wasn't so sure.

The shift had been subtle. Jessica had stopped showing up to the same parties. The names in her circle changed and the phone stopped buzzing as often. She'd sold the mansion, too—took longer than it should've, but it wasn't exactly the kind of place that moved in a weekend. She dove headfirst into work. At first, CC welcomed it. Discipline and focus. It looked good on paper.

But he'd been around long enough to know the signs. Jessica wasn't pushing herself, not really. She was running. From something. Or maybe someone. He hadn't been in her life the way Rey had been, not day to day, but he wasn't blind.

Rachel Williams, he mused to himself.

The more work Jessica took on, the less she had needed an assistant. Lyla, Rey's successor, was let go after three months. No replacement followed.

Then came the drinking. It had crept in quietly. Social, at first. A drink with dinner. A drink before bed. A few drinks after a long shoot. It wasn't unusual until it was. Until Jake started reporting missed pickups and late mornings. Until scripts weren't being read. Until directors began asking questions. No drugs, according to Jake. Just alcohol.

CC clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth as he scrolled through his contacts. He paused when he reached Rey's name. She'd been good. Honestly speaking, probably too good. A bit of a goody two-shoes, maybe, but in hindsight... they could use more people like her. He set the phone down. Could he really ask her to come back? Would it even be fair?

He stared at the screen for a moment. And then he grinned inwardly. He was CC. Of course he could. He picked up the phone, hit call, and waited.

When Rey picked up, her voice was warm and cheerful. They exchanged pleasantries, and then he got to the point. He explained the situation plainly, with none of the usual polish.

And when the call ended, he leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. Finally, maybe, a little order. Maybe.

~~~~

Jessica was at the legendary Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, England, filming scenes for her latest movie. The place carried a history in its bones. It was home to epic franchises, famous for its iconic Bond stages, and steeped in the magic of Star Wars and Marvel lore. The studio grounds stretched wide with tall soundstages, tree-lined paths, and clusters of trailers and technical trucks humming with quiet energy.

They were nearing the end of a three-month shoot, and inside Stage 3, Jessica stood in the middle of a complex set meant to resemble a crumbling villa. Cameras rolled, lights blazed hot, and crew buzzed quietly just out of frame. Her scene was a pivotal one: reacting to the surprise return of a character believed to be dead. Essentially, the movie's twist.

But Jessica couldn't hit the right tone. She was off today, disconnected. Her body stood in the scene, but her mind lagged behind.

The director called out notes from his chair, voice tight with effort. "Let's try it again from the top. Jessica, you've just seen him. Shock, confusion. Breathe it. I need your eyes to tell the story."

Jessica nodded numbly. And then her gaze drifted, past the lights, past the lens, and landed on something—someone—just behind the director.

Rachel Williams. Rey.

She was half-hidden behind a grip rig, near the edge of the set. The light caught her for only a moment, but long enough for their eyes to meet. And then someone crossed between them, a PA in black, and just like that, she was gone.

Had she imagined it?

The director clapped once. "That's it. That's the look! Now we're talking. Everyone reset!"

Jessica stumbled through the scene again, this time sharper. Emotion closer to the surface. The director cheered, and the crew broke into light applause.

"Take five while we reset the soundstage!"

Jessica didn't waste a second. She hurried off the set and down the corridor toward the side entrance. She wasn't sure where she was going, only that her feet seemed to know. The hallway was empty. No Rey.

She turned toward her trailer, nerves catching up to her in quiet pulses. The door was ajar. That was strange. Had she left it open?

Inside, faint music was playing. Something soft. But when she stepped in, it was empty.

Her heart pounded.

"I'm going crazy," she muttered, stepping out again.

"You've always been a bit crazy, Ms. Tyler, But I think that's part of your charm." The voice come from behind her, light, teasing and familiar.

Jessica spun around and froze. Rey stood a few feet away, and it took Jessica a moment to fully take her in.

Her hair was longer now, much longer. Straight and soft, it moved with the wind, brushing against her hips like silk. She wore loose linen trousers, pale and breathable, and a blouse that looked like it belonged in some seaside town. She didn't look styled, but like someone who was comfortable in her own skin.

Her skin held a sun-kissed warmth, and her face... it glowed. No makeup. No polish. Just Rey.

She looked better. She looked whole.

"Hi, Ms. Tyler," Rey said with a small wave.

Jessica looked around like it was a prank. But the lot was quiet with just the two of them, and her throat tightened.

"You're back?" she managed.

"I'm back, if you'll have me," Rey said, hands clasped gently in front of her. The corners of her eyes crinkled as she smiled, and Jessica felt something inside her shift.

Rey took a step forward. "How are you?"

Jessica swallowed. "I'm fine. And you?"

Another step forward. "I'm doing quite well, thank you."

"Did CC put you up to this?"

"CC called me, yeah, but I'm here because I want to be. And I think you know me well enough for that to be true."

Jessica nodded slowly as Rey took another step. The trailer behind them was quiet again. Everything felt like it had paused.

"So..." Rey continued.

Jessica shifted her weight. "I don't know," she mumbled, eyes flicking toward the sky, then towards Rey, then away again. She was trying to be subtle.

She wasn't.

"Are we playing hard to get?" Rey asked, amused.

Jessica nodded a little too eagerly.

"Is it working?"

Rey bit her lip, unable to block out the smile. "Yeah. Yeah, it is. Um, do I have a chance or..."

Jessica pretended to weigh it. "Are you desperate?"

"Quite so," Rey murmured. "I've spent a year abroad. No work, no income. I was about to sell my body for money if CC hadn't called."

Jessica blinked, suddenly genuinely concerned. She leaned in, voice low.

"We did pay you, yes?"

Rey leaned in too, like they were plotting.

"You did. Quite handsomely, in fact."

Jessica arched her brow. "Oh. So you don't have to borrow money?"

Rey chuckled.

"No sweetie. I'm here of my own free virtue. I'm here because I want to be. Because I want to be by your side."

Jessica's cheeks flushed as she stood back straight again.

"I'll consider this."

Rey nodded sagely, stepping forward until they stood almost toe to toe.

"Thank you. Now, may I hug you? I feel it's overdue."

Jessica didn't answer. She just closed the gap.

She stepped forward and pulled Rey into her arms. If a hug could be described as rough, this was it—tight, hard, full-body. A year of distance collapsed between them.

Rey let out a surprised breath, laughing into Jessica's shoulder. She hugged back just as tight. Then she pulled back slightly and raised her hand to Jessica's cheek, brushing a thumb along her jaw.

"You look as beautiful as ever."

Jessica flushed deeper.

"Have you been a good girl while I've been away?" Rey asked softly, her eyes searching Jessica's face.

Jessica nodded.

"If I ask CC, have you been a good girl?"

The nod faded into something between nod and a guilty shake.

"And if I ask the director..."

Definitely a shake.

"Want to tell me why?"

A third shake.

"My, aren't we quiet today," Rey mused, her voice tender.

"Are you really back?"

"It's like I said, I'm back if you'll have me, Ms. Tyler."

"I want you back."

"Then here I am. Good to be back," she whispered, her fingers still resting on Jessica's arm. "But you know what, we can talk more later. You have to go."

"I have to?"

"Mhm. You have a movie to make. Your scene is up."

Jessica's eyes went wide. "Shit. Sorry, I have to run."

Rey smiled, watching her stumble toward the set.

New beginnings, she thought. And new challenges, too.

Her gaze slid toward the trailer. The music was still playing. The breeze pushed the door slightly wider, revealing a small bottle of wine on the counter inside.

Rey's smile faded, even if it was just a touch.

She stepped up to the door, leaning gently against the frame.

One thing at a time," she thought. We start here.

~~~~

"And this will be where you'll stay," Jessica said, handing Rey her keycard with a little ceremonial flourish. "Our rooms are connected through that door," she added, gesturing toward the adjoining door near the closet.

"So you can bug me whenever."

Jessica raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you didn't think it'd be closed, did you?"

Rey smiled. "Wouldn't dream of it. What are we, solitary animals?"

Jessica smirked. "Exactly."

The room was tasteful and airy, all polished oak and crisp linens, the soft hum of city life just barely seeping in through the windows. Rey dropped her bag by the chair and glanced around. It was modern, quiet, overly neutral in color, but clean. Comfortable. Definitely better than some of the places she'd stayed.

"We're only here another week before we wrap," Jessica said, leaning in the doorway between their rooms, one foot resting against the frame like she lived there.

Rey nodded. "Feels strange being back on a set again. But also..." she glanced around. "Nice. Good choice."

Jessica beamed. "You say that like I'd ever give you anything less than luxury."

Rey gave a small chuckle as she turned to unpack. "I'll get settled, then maybe we grab dinner?"

~~~~

Later, they sat across from each other at the hotel's restaurant. The ambiance was relaxed and stylish with dim pendant lights, plush leather booths and the sounds of quiet jazz humming in the background. Jessica flipped through the menu like she'd memorized it already, while Rey tilted her head, trying to make sense of the polished descriptions.

"What about the pasta?" Rey asked.

"You won't like it," Jessica said, scanning the page.

"I won't?" Rey raised an eyebrow, suspicious.

"Nope. It comes in those tiny shell-shaped things you didn't like. You said they felt like biting wet teeth, whatever that means."

Rey looked up, caught off-guard. "You remember that?"

Jessica blinked. "Huh? Yeah? Why wouldn't I?"

There was a pause, and Rey's voice softened. "Alright. You decide for me."

Jessica practically squealed, bouncing slightly in her seat. "I knew you'd come around."

When the waiter arrived, Jessica ordered with an ease that made it clear she'd eaten here far too many times.

"... and we'll top it off with two glasses of the house red—"

"Hold the wine," Rey interjected, eyes still on the drinks menu. "Two ginger ales, please."

Jessica glanced up, caught mid-sentence. The corner of her mouth twitched, like she was waiting for the punchline.

Rey, without looking away from the menu, added lightly, "You've got an early morning, Ms. Tyler." She turned to the waiter, voice firm and sweet. "Two ginger ales, please."

Jessica opened her mouth to protest—half heartedly—but Rey cut in with a calm, practiced shift.

"So how did the last scene work out for you?"

Jessica blinked, then leaned back slowly in her chair. She took a breath, lips twitching.

"Tough start," she admitted. "But I think it landed by the fourth take."

Rey nodded. "You looked good."

And so the dinner continued. Not tense. Not awkward. Just... careful. Rey kept things light, the conversation drifting between travel stories, crew gossip, and which scenes were cursed.

As they came back upstairs, they both got ready for bed. Suddenly Jessica showed up by adjoining door.

"Hey, can we talk?"

"What's up?"

"Ginger ales, huh?" Jessica clicked her tongue.

Rey hummed noncommittally, and Jessica narrowed her eyes.

"CC told you?"

"About your drinking habits? He did, yes. And Jake too."

Jessica rolled her eyes. "I knew it." She muttered both their names like curses. "Traitors."

"Tell me, Ms. Tyler, how long did you think it would have taken me to pick up on it?"

Rey closed her laptop, the soft hum of the screen fading into the quiet of the room. She stood and crossed the space between them, slow and deliberate. Jessica lingered a few feet away, suddenly uncertain in her own skin.

"When I was with you last year, I knew when you woke up. I knew what you ate, what you drank. I picked your clothes. I picked your snacks." Rey's voice softened. "I even knew when you had successful nightly encounters—" she added with a teasing wink, "—and I knew when you snuck into the kitchen for a cheat meal. Please believe me when I say they only want what's best for you."

Jessica whispered, but still, with some defiance, "Do you think I have a problem?"

"I don't think that matters right now." Rey's voice was firm but not unkind. "We both know I work for you. You're the one I like, Ms. Tyler. Not CC. Not Jake. You."

Jessica looked away, but Rey wouldn't have it. She stepped closer, lifted a hand, and gently turned Jessica's chin until their eyes met.

"You're the one I came back for."

Jessica blinked, caught in the moment, then looked away again. Embarrassed and a little fragile perhaps.

"Do you think you have a problem?" Rey continued.

The silence between them said enough and Rey's tone softened.

"Want to know what I think?"

Jessica let out a breath, closing her eyes. "Is it going to be common sense?"

"Most likely," Rey said, fighting a smile. "But I can add some hugs for good measure. Ensure you don't feel alone."

"Better be good hugs," Jessica muttered.

"Only the best." Rey reached for her hand and led her to the bed, where they sat together. Rey leaned back against the headboard, pulling Jessica with her. Jessica curled in close, letting herself be gathered into Rey's arms, her cheek brushing Rey's shoulder, the scent of her shampoo catching faintly in the air.

Rey began running her fingers through Jessica's hair, slow and easy.

"I think you already know you're having a glass too many. And I think it bugs you that other people had to tell you something you were already aware of, but that you didn't want to face it alone. How am I doing so far?"

Jessica made a small, incoherent sound and burrowed deeper into her.

"Thing is, you don't have to do it alone anymore," Rey whispered. "I got you. You and me, we're in this together."

Jessica's voice came quietly. "I don't understand why you're doing all of this for me."

Rey hesitated.

"You mean why I became your assistant?"

"Yeah."

She went quiet for a moment, pondering her next words.

"I think... it's easier to take care of someone else than myself. That's really all there is to it."

Jessica turned a little, glancing up at her.

"There's a story there."

Rey nodded. "Mhm."

"But you're not going to share it."

"If you ask, I'll tell. I just hope you won't. I'm not ready yet."

Jessica studied her. "Is it the same story you avoided in the bath?"

"You remember that?"

"Of course I do."

Rey gave a faint smile, but her shoulders tensed just slightly, and Jessica felt it.

"It's not about you. It's about me. My own... shortcomings."

Jessica tilted her head and met Rey's eyes. There was sadness there, deep and unfiltered, hidden under all the steady calm.

Jessica reached up and gently squeezed her hand.

"It's okay."

A smile bloomed across Rey's lips, genuine and warm. She leaned in and pressed her nose into Jessica's hair, closing her eyes. "Can I tell you a secret?"

Jessica perked up. "Yeah."

"I think you need me. And... I need you. That's what I realized when I left. I wanted to come back, but I didn't know how. I'm a bit of a coward at times."

Jessica was surprised. "I didn't know."

"I wish I could've come back sooner."

Jessica pretended to ponder it. "I'm not sure I would've let you."

Rey's breath caught, a small sob escaping before she could stop it.

"Rey?" Jessica turned to look back. "Sweetie, I was just joking."

Rey gave a watery chuckle. "I just missed you so much."

"I've missed you too."

A beat passed, then Rey cleared her throat and shifted gears in a way only she could.

"Anyway. You're permitted two glasses of wine per week. Make them count."

Jessica turned. "Rey."

"No spirits. No hard liquor."

Jessica's mouth fell open. "This is a hate crime."

"Is it now? Against the rich and successful?"

Jessica hesitated.

"Against the bold and the beautiful?"

"Uh—"

"Thought so. And—"

"There can't possibly be more!"

"You and I at the gym tomorrow morning. Six sharp."

Jessica groaned like she was being led to the gallows, and she tried to wiggle herself free. "I can't believe I missed you," she hissed. "You backstabbing, beautiful, blonde—"

"Language," Rey said sweetly, pulling her back into her arms.

Jessica gave up resisting.

"Why did you start drinking, sweetie?"

"I—does it matter?"

"If you don't tell me, I will fill in the blanks myself. And you should know, I've got a very active imagination."

Jessica didn't answer.

"I think you were heartbroken when I left. And I think you tried to fill the hole with anything that would take the edge off."

Jessica snorted. "You think too highly of yourself."

A grin tugged at Rey's lips. "Do I now?"

She leaned in, her lips brushing Jessica's ear.

"Off to bed, my queen. We have an early morning full of sweat, regret, and core stabilization."

Jessica groaned and rose from the bed with the reluctance of a woman being drafted into emotional bootcamp. Her steps were heavy, theatrical and full of dread.

Rey watched her go, amused and aching in equal measure.

~~~~

The mornings started earlier now.

Jessica still groaned about it, dramatically, breathlessly, as if Rey were dragging her into battle rather than a gym, but she got up. She always got up. Even if it meant padding barefoot into the hotel room kitchen with her hair sticking out in six different directions, blinking blearily at the coffee machine like it had personally wronged her.

Rey was always already dressed. Hair pulled back, shoes laced, earbuds in. Sometimes humming. Sometimes smiling softly to herself.

Their first workout was rough. Jessica complained the entire time, flopped dramatically onto the mat halfway through, and accused Rey of trying to murder her with lunges. In her defense, it wasn't entirely untrue. Rey did enjoy the lunges, especially when other people were doing them.

But Rey never took the bait. She just offered a bottle of water and a smug, maddeningly gentle, "You're doing great, sweetie."

By the third morning, Jessica started showing up with her hair tied back. She still grumbled. Still cursed Rey under her breath. But she never missed a session.

Afternoons blurred between shoots and scripts. On set, Rey stayed quiet. She didn't hover, for Jessica hated hovering, but she was always nearby. A shadow at the edge of the soundstage, tablet in hand, water bottle tucked in her arm. She'd glance up from her screen when Jessica walked on camera, her expression softening just slightly.

Jessica had always been good, but Rey saw something different now. Something rawer. The performances were sharper. More vulnerable. Less polished and more real. And when the cameras stopped rolling and Jessica stumbled back, flushed and tired, Rey was there with a towel, a soft drink and a knowing look.

Evenings were their softest hours.

Sometimes it was room service. Sometimes they found a tiny restaurant nearby, somewhere Rey had bookmarked on a map with five different colors of virtual pins. They'd split dessert. They'd bicker over whether or not olives had a place in life. The verdict still remained out on that one. Jessica would tease. Rey would pretend to be above it all until Jessica got her laughing, really laughing, that full-body kind of laugh that made her eyes crinkle and her voice crack.

One night, after dinner, they returned to Rey's room instead of Jessica's. Jessica lay with her head in Rey's lap, quietly flipping through social media posts while Rey scrolled through her inbox. The only sound was the low hum of the city outside.

And somewhere between the brushing of hands, the shared glances across the breakfast table, and the way Jessica started offering Rey bites of her food without even thinking about it, something shifted.

Once, Rey caught Jessica watching her from across the hotel courtyard, the coffee in her hand forgotten. Her expression was unreadable but there was something warm in her eyes.

And when Rey raised her eyebrows in a silent, teasing What? Jessica just shook her head, smiled softly, and went back to her coffee.

They were finding their way back, side by side, again.

~~~~

The night was quiet, save for the low hum of the hotel's ventilation system and the occasional creak of old pipes expanding behind the walls. Jessica lay awake in her bed, one arm folded beneath her head, eyes fixed on the ceiling. She'd been turning over thoughts in her mind for an hour now, half philosophical, half ridiculous. What was the correct number of pillows? Where are feelings stored? And if tomato really is a fruit, does that make ketchup a smoothie?

Sleep had refused to come. Something in the air felt off. It was too still, too quiet.

And then she heard it.

A sound, muffled and broken, slipping through the not-quite-closed adjoining door between their rooms. A moan, low and distressed. Not the good kind. If anything, it sounded like it came from a nightmare.

Jessica sat up. Listened.

The words weren't clear, but the tone was. Pleading. Apologizing. Desperate. Her heart tugged. Rey never sounded like that. Not even close.

She got up, quietly padding to the door. She pushed it open a little further, just enough to slip inside. The room was dim, lit only by the blue LED numbers of the alarm clock on the nightstand. Rey was twisted in her sheets, brow furrowed, her fingers twitching against the mattress. She was caught somewhere between sleep and something darker.

Jessica sat gently on the edge of the bed, close but not touching. Watching her. Wishing she could lift it all away.

Then she reached for Rey's hand, took it in both of hers, and held it.

"Rey, sweetie."

No response. She reached up with her other hand, brushing Rey's cheek softly.

"Rey, hun, you're having nightmares."

Rey jolted awake. Her eyes wild with panic, darting until they landed on Jessica. Her chest rose and fell too fast.

"Ms. Tyler—"

"You okay, sweetie?" Jessica said, steady and low.

"Where am I?"

"You're in the hotel. You're with me, here in London... Remember?"

Rey blinked. She looked around, taking in the darkened room, the familiar silhouette in front of her. She blinked again.

"Did I—did I say something?"

Jessica could see the fear in her, and chose the lie carefully.

"No, not really." She offered a soft, reassuring smile.

But Rey knew what the dream had been. She didn't need a transcript. Her past was never subtle when it resurfaced. It came with teeth and fire and guilt. She looked impossibly small in that moment, fragile in a way she never allowed herself to be.

"What got you so rattled, mhm? Would you like some company?"

Rey gave a tiny nod, still finding her footing.

"Scoot over," Jessica said as she slipped under the comforter beside her. "You okay?"

Rey shook her head just barely, the motion feather-light. Jessica pulled her in, arms curling around her.

"It's okay. If you become uncomfortable, you let me know, okay?"

Another nod. Jessica ran her fingers gently through Rey's hair, letting them comb through the long, golden strands that spilled across the pillow.

"Can't believe you let this grow so long. It looks amazing on you."

"Thank you," Rey whispered, her voice small. She tucked herself closer, letting the comfort of Jessica's body lull her. "I'm so sorry for this."

"Why?"

"You have a big scene tomorrow, don't you?"

Jessica gave a quiet chuckle. "You're more important."

Rey flushed with heat, and adjusted, letting her leg rest between Jessica's. Her skin was warm. Jessica kept stroking her back in soft, steady circles.

Rey reached for Jessica's shirt, fingers curling into the fabric like a lifeline.

"It's okay, sweetie. I'm not going anywhere. I'm here with you tonight." She didn't know what made her do it, but it felt right, so she leaned forward and kissed her forehead lightly. "Wanna talk about it?"

There was a pause, a breath held too long. Rey wanted to tell her. But not yet. She finally shook her head.

"Don't hate me for it, please."

Jessica leaned back, studying her face.

"Never, sweetie. Here, let's get your mind on something else."

She rolled gently, grabbed Rey's phone and earbuds from the nightstand. Just as Rey had access to her world, Jessica had been granted access to hers. It felt sacred, and she treated it as such. She pulled up a playlist, soft and familiar, and handed Rey an earbud.

A second later, she slipped in her own and hit play.

As There Till The End began to play, its quiet swell of strings and soft vocals settled around them like a second blanket. The lyrics spoke of promises, of not walking away. It spoke of staying through the storms, and it felt almost too perfect. Like the song had been written just for this moment.

Jessica curled in closer, her breath warm against Rey's collarbone. One arm wrapped around her waist, the other tracing slow, steady lines down the curve of her back, syncing to the gentle rhythm of the music. It wasn't just comfort but a silent gesture saying I'm here. I'll stay.

Rey didn't say anything. She just let the melody carry her, the words carving deep in places she'd kept sealed.

And in that hush, under the softest blue light and the thrum of music shared between them, Jessica held her. Whispering nothing. Just breathing with her, until sleep finally came.

They fell asleep like that, entwined and still, as if the room itself understood not to breathe too loudly. The morning came quietly, filtering through the curtains in soft streaks of gold. There was no alarm, no rush, just light and the hush of early hours. It was as if time had paused for them and them alone.

Rey woke first.

She hadn't meant to stir, but something had pulled her gently from sleep. Maybe it was the weight of safety... Or the sheer, silent ache of being held like this again. Jessica's arm was still draped over her waist, her breathing steady against the back of Rey's neck. Warm. Solid.

For a moment, Rey just stayed there. Let herself feel it. Let herself want it.

And then she turned in Jessica's arms, careful not to wake her. Jessica's face was soft in sleep, lips slightly parted, a strand of hair curled across her cheek. She looked younger like this. And vulnerable. Rey's breath caught in her throat.

She studied the curve of her jaw, the faint freckles along her collarbone. The rise and fall of her chest. Her strength wasn't loud, wasn't flashy, but steady and grounding..

Something shifted inside Rey then.

Her hand found its way to Jessica's side, resting there for a moment before drifting down in a slow, reverent path. Along her ribcage. Down her waist. Her lower back. Her fingers paused there, then dipped lower, cupping the curve of Jessica's butt in a gentle squeeze, almost testing if this was real. It was. It absolutely was.

She closed her eyes, leaned in, and placed the softest kiss on her collarbone. Just once. Just enough. She lingered there for a breath. Maybe two.

Jessica didn't move, just breathed, even and slow.

Rey eased herself out of bed a moment later, carefully lifting the comforter and slipping free. The cool air of the room met her skin as she padded softly toward the bathroom, hair tumbling down her back. The door clicked shut behind her.

And in the bed she left behind, Jessica opened her eyes.

Quietly, she exhaled through her nose, her gaze still fixed on the ceiling.

She'd felt everything—every touch, every kiss, every ounce of hesitation and longing in Rey's fingers. And now, her chest ached in a way that wasn't painful, just... overwhelming.

Rey had changed.

~~~~

It was late the following day. A hush had settled over the hotel suite, broken only by the low hum of the air conditioning and the occasional creak of the floorboards. Jessica was tucked into the wide bed in her room, the glow of a muted bedside lamp casting soft gold across the blankets, her tablet forgotten at her side. The adjoining door was cracked open, giving her an unfiltered view into Rey's space.

The light in there was brighter, warmer. A pool of it spilled out from the bathroom, where steam still lingered faintly in the air. Rey stepped out barefoot, her hair damp and heavy against her shoulders. She wore nothing but a pale bra and matching panties, one hand wringing water from her hair with a towel, the other brushing damp strands behind her ear. Her skin glistened faintly, catching the light, and she moved with that quiet, unshakable grace Jessica had always envied. No makeup. No facade. Just Rey, stripped down to the bone and utterly sure of herself, her eyes far away in thought.

Jessica hadn't meant to stare, but she did. She always did. Before thinking too much, she was moving towards the doorway.

"Hey," she called softly. "Just thought I'd check in on you."

Rey turned with a small smile, still toweling her hair. "Aren't you sweet."

"The day just flew by, huh?"

"They all do," Rey nodded, setting the towel aside and pulling on a pair of soft pajama shorts from the bed. She perched herself at the edge of the mattress, drying her arms, lost for a beat in thought. Then, with a breath, she looked up again. "Hey... good thing. Do you have a moment?"

Jessica took a step forward, attentive. "Yeah, sure. What's up?"

Rey hesitated. "Yeah, so, um... I was wondering..."

Jessica tilted her head. "Mhm?"

"Did our kiss mean anything to you?"

The words came out quieter than she meant. She didn't look up. Rey looked down at her hands, which had folded nervously in her lap.

Jessica didn't answer at first. She simply walked over, quiet, crossing the room with bare feet over carpet. When she reached her, she knelt down in front of the bed where Rey sat—her knees brushing the edge of Rey's bare thighs.

"Where's this coming from?" she asked, voice soft but cautious.

Rey swallowed, eyes still on her hands, fingers twisting together in her lap. Not shy. Just unsure. Hopeful in the kind of way that hurts if you're wrong.

"You go first."

Jessica gave a small smile and reached for her hands. "Rachel, look at me. Please."

Reluctantly, Rey met her eyes.

"I put myself out there once for you," Jessica said gently. "And I don't really do that for anyone, you know."

"I'm sorry," Rey whispered, guilt creeping in.

Jessica shook her head. "Don't apologize. You weren't wrong." She lifted Rey's hands to her mouth and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

"For you, I'll try as many times as I have to. And I'll be there for you. God knows you're stronger than I am, but when you stumble, I'll be there. When you have nightmares, I'll hold you. When you're cold, I'll keep you warm. Your happiness is my happiness."

She paused, breath shaky. "And when I saw you again, the decision was so easy. I got a second chance at something with you."

"You've changed," Rey said softly, brushing a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Doubt it," Jessica replied, grinning. "But somebody close to me once told me that if I found love, I shouldn't let go." She gave a shrug. "What do I know about love? Not much. But I know I don't want to let go of you again."

Jessica's hands were still cradling Rey's. Her thumbs brushed lightly over her knuckles as she spoke.

"I've realized how lucky I was to have met you. I've gotten to travel the world, meet amazing people, share experiences. And do you know what I realized?"

Rey shook her head.

"Nobody had someone like you by their side."

"I don't know about that," Rey murmured, her cheeks flushing again.

"We haven't really had a chance to talk," Jessica continued. "Our days are mostly about me. And as much as I like it, I think we need to sit down together. Just you and me. Over dinner..." She raised an eyebrow. "Over dinner," she repeated, waiting for Rey to continue.

"—And a glass of wine," Rey added with a smirk, lifting her brow in return.

"—And a glass of wine," Jessica echoed, satisfied. She gave Rey's hand a little squeeze before leaning back slightly.

Then, she hesitated. The silence was brief but meaningful.

"So where does that leave us?" Rey asked, her voice quieter now, more cautious.

Jessica looked down at their hands again. "I think... maybe we need a few boundaries."

Rey's lips twitched. "Boundaries?"

"Uh-huh."

"Do you even know what that means?"

Jessica raised a perfectly serious brow. "I am familiar with the term, yes. I had an assistant once who kept blabbering about it, so I had to look it up."

Rey laughed a laughter that was light and low.

"What else did she talk about?"

Jessica sighed. "She had a thing for fake bacon. And didn't believe in PB & mayo sandwiches."

"She sounds like a handful."

"She came around finally."

Rey leaned back a little, smiling. "Okay. What about boundaries, then?"

"No kissing, for starters."

"No kissing?"

"Uh-huh." Jessica nodded firmly. "You don't get to touch these lips."

"Oh? These lips, you mean?" Rey raised her hand and gently cupped Jessica's cheek, her thumb brushing over Jessica's lips. Jessica's eyes fluttered. She parted them slightly, lips soft, breath shallow.

Jessica swallowed, her voice thick. "Yes. Those lips."

"But you're such a good kisser."

"I know!" There was a pained expression on her face.

"And humble, too."

"Oh, that's just acting."

Rey rolled her eyes. "Okay. No kissing. But I can look, right? Admire you from a respectful distance."

Jessica nodded solemnly. "You may look. But I am very modest nowadays. I've changed, you see."

Rey bit her lip again, watching her. "You mean because you're wearing a t-shirt and not just a thong?"

"Hey, I said I've changed, not by how much."

That earned her a smile. "Seems like a lot has happened this past year."

Jessica's face softened. "I want to earn it."

"Earn what?"

"Your love. I'm not letting go this time. And we do it by the book now."

"By... the book?"

"Uh-huh. I read in Cosmo that at least three dates are needed before we sleep together."

Rey's lips twitched.

"I'm a woman of principles now," Jessica continued.

Rey closed her eyes as she bit her lip, trying her damndest to hide a smile.

"And you know what? I really want this to work," Jessica finished.

Then, slowly, she stood up and leaned down, brushing her lips gently across Rey's forehead. A kiss that lingered. She made it to the door before pausing, hand on the frame.

"Did it mean anything to you?" she asked, still not turning.

Rey looked up, her voice small. "The kiss, you mean?"

Jessica turned just enough to catch her expression.

"It was perfect," Rey whispered. She raised a finger to her lips, her cheeks coloring to the softest peach, her eyes distant with memory.

Jessica's smile bloomed slowly, like a secret. She lingered a second longer in the doorway, watching her.

"Hey... if you have nightmares, boundaries or not, I'm still your girl. You knock, I answer."

Rey's eyes shimmered.

"Good night, Ms. Tyler."

Jessica's hand hovered near the light switch.

"Good night, Rey."

Then she stepped out, and the door closed softly behind her.

Rey sat still for a long while. Her fingers still brushed her lips, like they were trying to hold on to the kiss they'd once shared—and everything that had just been promised between them.

But the night didn't end there. It was late when Rey took Jessica up on her promise. She wanted comfort, she wanted warmth. She wanted more than what a comforter could bring.

"Ms. Tyler," Rey whispered softly from beside the bed.

Jessica blinked awake. "Come here, sweetie."

Rey climbed in, instinctively curling into Jessica's arms.

"Am I violating any of those boundaries you talked about earlier?"

"I'm not sure," Jessica replied, trying to think. It became increasingly difficult as the scent of Rey and the warmth of her skin made their way to her.

"You haven't thought this through, huh," Rey said, unable to hide a smile.

"Hey," she admonished softly, slap on Rey's hip. The only response Jessica got was a chuckle. "Are you here because you had a nightmare or because you seek the pleasures of the night?"

"I'm here to proactively avoid nightmares, and to test the waters a bit," Rey replied, smug.

"Okay, the jury's out on that one. You can rest for the night," Jessica said, eyes closed but smiling. "I'm so happy you're back, you know. Can't believe you left me to fend off the wolves by myself."

"You had your new assistant Lyla by your side."

Jessica snorted. "Lyla, God bless her, was nothing like you."

"I'm sorry, my lady. I had to do my own thing. I had to, you know, as cliche as it sounds, find myself."

"And did you?"

"I found parts of me, yeah. The rest I need to make myself."

"You'll stick around for a while?"

"Yeah, I will."

Jessica gave a content purr, and soon they were both fast asleep.

~~~~

The next morning came too quickly.

After a flurry of packing and goodbyes, they slipped into the backseat of a waiting black car just after dawn, still half-asleep. Jessica wore oversized sunglasses and a hoodie that swallowed her frame; Rey had opted for her usual travel uniform—denim jacket, comfy joggers, and a tote bag large enough to carry the world. The hotel fell behind them in a blur of grey morning light and wet London streets.

By the time they were through airport security and comfortably seated in business class, Jessica had perked up just enough to order them coffees. Rey took hers black, of course. Jessica drowned hers in vanilla sugar.

Midair, somewhere above the Atlantic, Jessica looked over her glasses at Rey, who was deeply immersed in a book. Her hair was pulled up into a loose bun. One leg was tucked under her, the other stretched out, bouncing faintly to whatever song was in her earbuds.

Jessica cleared her throat.

Rey looked up.

Jessica blinked at her, then looked away quickly, pretending to study the snack menu.

"Yes?" Rey said, amused already.

"I've been thinking," Jessica said, still avoiding eye contact.

"Oh yeah, that always bodes well."

Jessica gave her a narrow look. "I'm trying to be cute and vulnerable here. Let me live a little."

Rey smiled and nodded. "Go on."

"I want to do this right," Jessica said slowly, tracing the rim of her coffee cup. "And I mean... us. If you want to. So I was thinking maybe we could really do the three dates thing?"

Rey lowered her book, eyebrow raised. "You're serious?"

Jessica nodded quickly. "Like full-on, actual dates. I book the places. I pick you up. I wear something impractical."

"Do I get flowers?" Rey asked, barely hiding her grin.

"Obviously. And there will be wine. And maybe dancing. I mean, depending on the location."

Then, as if she suddenly knew better, she leaned in and whispered. "Do you dance?"

"No, my queen, I'm murder on the dance floor."

"Oh." Jessica cleared her throat. "There will be absolutely no dancing of any kind."

Rey laughed. "And at what point in these three dates do you plan to seduce me?"

Jessica gave a scandalized gasp. "Excuse me, I am a woman of virtue now. I would never use seduction."

"Uh-huh." Rey went back to her book with a smirk.

Jessica waited.

Then Rey looked back up. "But yes," she said, softer now. "Let's do three dates."

"Really?"

Rey nodded. "I think we could both use a fresh start. And maybe a little bit of ceremony."

Jessica's grin turned triumphant, and she tried very hard to hide it behind her napkin.

She failed.

Jessica leaned over, bumping her shoulder lightly against Rey's. "So... date one. Who decides?"

"I'd like to," Rey said, her voice sincere. She looked into Jessica's hazel eyes.

Jessica swallowed. "Uh, okay. Are we doing candles? Fancy restaurants? A grand gesture involving a helicopter?"

Rey didn't look up from her book. "Nope."

"No?" Jessica blinked. "Then what are we doing?"

Rey finally turned to her, a sly little smile tugging at her lips. "It's a surprise."

Jessica narrowed her eyes. "Define surprise."

"I decide everything. You show up and trust me."

Jessica looked intrigued and a little nervous. "Are there forms to sign?"

"Nope. Just faith."

"Can I wear heels?"

Rey gave a firm shake of her head. "Sneakers."

Jessica groaned. "Oh God, this date is going to involve cardio." She glanced at Rey. "Is it going to involve cardio?"

Rey gave a maddeningly vague shrug.

Jessica slumped into her seat, sighing dramatically. "I can't believe I'm letting you take control."

Rey leaned in just slightly, her voice lower now. "Jess, if we're doing this... we're doing it right. I want our first date to be something real. Simple. Something I can look back on and know I made the right choice."

Jessica blinked at her, momentarily disarmed. "God, you're good."

Rey gave a wink and returned to her book. "You have no idea."

Jessica stared at her for a second longer, then turned back to her window with the faintest blush on her cheeks.

And somewhere in between clouds and coffee cups, they both started quietly imagining what that first date might look like.

The First Date

Date one had meant a walk near the coastline, on one of those iconic boardwalks that never really changed with time. The road curved along the sea, lined with shops that leaned a little too close together, their awnings faded from years of salt and sun. Some were charmingly old: chipped paint, hand-lettered signs in crooked fonts. Others catered to tourists, all novelty keychains and overpriced sweatshirts that read I Got Sand In My Pants or Where My Beaches At.

A soft breeze rolled off the water, cool but not cold, brushing against bare arms and tugging at loose hems. The sky was overcast but bright, the clouds filtering sunlight into a pale wash of silver and white. The scent of brine clung to everything, tangled with sugar and warm waffle cones, drifting from the kiosks near the edge of the pavement.

Jessica, true to form, had gone as incognito as possible: a slouchy baseball cap, oversized sunglasses and a hoodie. Rey, less so. Her long braid, neatly looped over her left shoulder, caught the breeze like a ribbon and danced gently against her chest as they walked. She wore light denim and a soft linen blouse, open at the throat, sleeves rolled casually up to the elbow.

Jake and team trailed somewhere behind, invisible but always there. They were like shadows that knew how to keep their distance.

They stopped at a small ice cream stand tucked between a bait shop and a shack selling shell necklaces. The stand's sign had been painted a long time ago.

Rey stepped up first, standing close enough that Jessica could feel the warmth radiating off her.

"A waffle cone with one scoop of vanilla," Rey said, then glanced back at Jessica, who stood beside her peering up at the menu like it held the meaning of life. "And..."

"And," Rey repeated slowly, when Jessica didn't respond, placing her hand against the small of Jessica's back..

Jessica leaned in, their shoulders touching. "I don't know which ones to pick."

Her voice was soft, almost childlike in its earnestness. Rey loved this part of her. There was something remarkable in Jessica: despite being an actress, she never felt fake, not to Rey. There was something true, something genuine and loyal about her.

Jessica made a wounded noise. "Too many choices."

Rey smiled, turning back to the attendant. "Okay, we'll do one cone with half a scoop chocolate chip, half caramel swirl, half cookie dough, and—"

"Macadamia nut! Macadamia nut!" Jessica whispered excitedly, tugging at the hem of Rey's shirt.

Rey didn't skip a beat. "—and half a scoop macadamia nut, thank you."

Jessica squealed, delighted. "This is why I love you," she whispered, loud enough for only Rey to hear.

Rey rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.

As the cones were passed to them, the teenager working the stand grinned at them.

"You two make a cute couple."

Jessica lit up. "I know," she beamed, then leaned in and kissed Rey's cheek with a soft, exaggerated mwah.

Rey's eyebrows shot up, her blush quick and genuine. But she didn't pull away. Instead, she nudged Jessica's hip with her own. "That's a bold move, Ms. Tyler."

"I'm just trying to earn points," Jessica said, licking at her tower of precariously balanced flavors. "You said this was a proper date. I'm behaving accordingly."

"I did say that," Rey murmured into her cone. But her smile never left.

They began walking again, their waffle cones in hand, Rey's braid brushing lightly against her blouse as the wind tugged at the loose strands. The street had thinned a bit, just enough to make conversation feel more private. They walked close, shoulders brushing now and then, the kind of proximity that didn't ask permission anymore.

Rey spoke first.

"Sometimes, I worry I'm a bit too vanilla for your... chocolatechipcaramelswirlcookiedoughmacadamia-ness."

Jessica glanced at her, smiling around her spoonful of ice cream. "What do you mean?"

"Like... in life," Rey admitted, staring down at her cone.

Jessica slowed slightly, her brow lifting in surprise. "Talk to me, sweetie. You've been with me for over a year. You know the kind of life I'm living."

"I do. And I've seen all of it. The red carpets, the afterparties, the fan mobs... It's a lot. You're always off doing something incredible. I just... sometimes I wonder if someone like me fits into that."

Jessica was quiet for a beat and then said softly, "I'm away a lot because I don't have someone at home. You ever think about that?"

Rey looked at her when Jessica nudged her gently with a shoulder. "It's true. The life looks full, but I think if I had someone to share it with, I'd actually stay still more often. Or bring them with me, if they would want to."

Rey nodded slowly.

"But do you know what I liked the most?" Jessica continued. "Those quiet moments we had. The movie nights. The long swims. That time we got lost hiking near my house?"

Rey chuckled, memories coming back to her. "Jake was annoyed."

Jessica grinned. "Thing is, I didn't have those moments before. Life was all noise. You made space for the quiet."

There was a pause as the wind picked up slightly, tousling Jessica's hair.

"My life might be a bit nutty," she continued, licking a drop of ice cream off her thumb, "but I could really, really use some vanilla. Don't ever think you're any less. That's not just a compliment, it's a request."

Rey murmured something under her breath.

Jessica looked over. "Mhm? What?"

"... What about in bed?"

Jessica blinked, but then her smile turned sly. "What kind of things do you think I do in bed?"

Rey, suddenly unsure if she should laugh or run, pictured things far beyond the PG rating of their date.

"I—uh—"

Jessica leaned in conspiratorially. "I like kissing. Something I rarely do, mind you. And touching. You like touching?"

Rey nodded, cheeks blooming pink.

"You like caressing too," Jessica continued, absolutely committed to destroying her. "Like our first kiss."

Rey looked skyward in defeat. "Oh god."

Jessica found her eyes, wicked and sweet all at once. "Oh, I'm going to take my time with you."

Rey just hummed with a smile on her lips that wasn't really... her. Jessica picked up on it immediately. Her hand slid into Rey's, lacing their fingers together. "Is there something on your mind, honey?"

"It's probably silly."

Jessica tilted her head. "Try me."

Rey glanced down at their hands, thumb brushing across Jessica's knuckles. "You've had a life before this, before me. And I know that's normal, I know it doesn't change anything, but... sometimes I catch myself wondering if I'll be enough for you."

Jessica didn't answer right away. She let the weight of Rey's words settle between them.

"I've had people," she said quietly. "Flings, flirts, things that were fun for a while. But no one ever made me want to stay. You walk into a room and I breathe easier. You're the first one who ever made me want to be better."

Rey met her gaze.

"What if I'm not good enough? Not just as a partner, but as a lover." Her voice was low. Vulnerable.

Jessica reached up, brushing a strand of windblown hair from Rey's cheek. "You don't have to match me in experience. That's not what I ask for. You just have to meet me here, where it matters."

"I mean, I've had sex," Jessica continued, "but love? That's new. And with you, it's both. The closeness, the quiet, the wanting... not just of your body, but of you. That's what makes this different."

Rey's throat worked around a lump as Jessica continued.

"I want to know you. All of you. There's no finish line, no measuring stick. Just the space we make together."

Rey looked down, smiling. "You've grown."

Jessica thought for a second, then laughed. "Maybe I have."

Rey nodded, still smiling.

"If you're ever concerned about not being enough, you talk to me, okay? What goes on under the covers between the two of us is only for you and me. You don't compete with anyone."

Jessica leaned in, grinning. "Though I'm pretty sure if it was a competition you'd win."

"Ms. Tyler." Rey bit back a smile.

"I'm serious!" Jessica's grip on her hand tightened gently. "Kissing is intimate in a way fucking isn't. Eyes closed, lips touching... the brush of your tongue... the warmth of it..."

"So our kiss—" Rey started.

"—was something more. To me, at least." Jessica wasn't looking at her when she said it. She was watching the horizon instead, as if it was safer there.

Rey gave a firm squeeze. "To me too."

They walked in silence after that, hands still laced, until Rey gently steered them toward the sand.

The descent onto the beach was a quiet one, the boardwalk giving way to soft dunes and golden sand that still held the day's warmth. The breeze off the water tugged at Rey's braid, loosening strands around her face as she bent to slip off her shoes, balancing carefully. Jessica did the same, her laughter soft when the first bit of cool sand squished between her toes.

It was quieter here. Farther from the shops, the hum of the crowd fell away behind them, replaced by the hush of waves folding themselves gently across the shore.

They wandered for a while, barefoot and slow, until Rey pointed toward a smoother patch of sand just beyond the tide line. She led the way, careful not to let go of Jessica's hand, guiding her with an ease that came from long months of knowing her.

When they settled, it was side by side, just close enough that their arms touched. Rey tucked her knees in, wrapping her arms loosely around them. Jessica leaned back on her palms, her eyes fixed somewhere out past the horizon.

The light was softer now, and the sea reflected it all, flickering like silk. The air smelled like salt, warm skin, and a hint of sunscreen that clung to Rey's shoulders.

And when Rey finally rested her head against Jessica's shoulder, Jessica turned and pressed her lips to the crown of Rey's hair. Not a kiss meant to lead anywhere, just a thank you.

"Still worried about being vanilla?" Jessica whispered.

Rey smiled. "Less now."

"Good." Jessica murmured.

"You know, this is very much me," Rey said softly, gazing out over the water. "The beach, the ocean."

"I like this." Jessica tilted her head slightly, watching her. "You know, you're always so sure of yourself. How do you do that?"

"I'm not. I just... try to be kind. To others, and sometimes to myself." Rey hummed. "That's the difficult one."

"Being kind to yourself?"

Rey nodded.

"Is that why you took a year off?"

"Yeah..." She looked at Jessica. "I told you I used to be a nurse. I was a head nurse, actually. I was good at my job. Proud of who I was, proud of the work I did."

Jessica's hand found Rey's again, warm and steady.

"Then the pandemic came. The whole world changed. It went crazy for a few years."

Something distant came over Rey, her eyes becoming unfocused.

"I remember you saying it got the better of you," Jessica pointed out quietly.

"Mhm, it did. There were so many tough decisions we had to make." Her expression flickered.. "There was this one time, early on, before everyone knew what was what, when our ICU was completely overwhelmed. Two women crashed at the same time. One was older, already intubated, and then a younger one just arrived. There was only one ventilator left."

Jessica turned toward her more fully, watching her.

"There's something called a triage protocol. It's what we use when decisions get... impossible. The younger woman had better odds, so I made the call."

Rey wiped at her eye. She suddenly seemed smaller now.

"The older woman didn't make it. I say 'older' but I mean, she was late thirties. Had two kids." She swallowed. "And I took their mother away from them."

Jessica didn't speak at first. The air between them had gone quiet, the weight of the topic settled over them like a wet blanket. The only sounds were the rhythm of the waves folding onto shore and the distant cries of seagulls overhead.

"Panic, split-second decisions and honest mistakes," Rey continued, "that became the norm for so long. I still have nightmares about what we saw, what we lost. What I did. The decisions I had to make."

She turned her face away, but Jessica could still see the tears as they traced a slow, glistening path down her cheek.

"I kept telling myself I could manage it. That I had to. But eventually... I couldn't. I reached my limit and walked away. While others kept fighting, I ran."

The words hung in the air. Then Rey stood suddenly, it all becoming too much for her.

"I'm sorry, Jess. We had such a nice date, and I ruined it."

She didn't get far. Jessica's hand closed around hers before she took a second step. "Rachel," she said softly.

Rey stopped.

"Come here."

Jessica rose and tugged her gently into her arms. Rey didn't resist. She melted, broken-hearted, against her.

"I'm so sorry," Rey choked.

"Shhh," Jessica whispered. She ran her hand slowly down Rey's back. "Don't you dare apologize for something like that."

Rey shook her head. "That's not—"

"I mean it," Jessica said, her voice low but firm. "You made impossible choices in impossible moments. And somehow, after all of that, you still turned into this kind, sarcastic little creature I adore."

A tiny, wet laugh escaped Rey.

"I'm serious," Jessica murmured, tightening her hold. "You didn't ruin anything. You gave me more reasons to love you. I mean, don't get me wrong, the kiss, the hair, the legs—those were doing most of the heavy lifting. But this? This matters more."

Rey's breath hitched.

"I wish I was better," Rey whispered. "I wish I was more. Stronger."

"You are plenty strong, even if you don't see it yourself. And if you were any better you'd be perfect, and, I hate to break it to you, but there can only be one."

Rey bit back a smile.

"And that's you."

"And that's me," Jessica said, solemnly.

"You're too much." Rey said with a smile, burrowing her face in Jessica's hoodie.

"I know." Jessica grinned into her hair. "Also, you should know I was getting a little tired of watching this perfect romantic sunset with only your hand in mine. I was hoping for a full-body cuddle."

Rey gave a soft, teary snort and squeezed her tighter.

"You have no idea how much I love having you in my arms," Jessica added, quieter now.

"You have no idea how much I love being in them."

And they stayed like that until the sun finally dipped into the sea. The wind tugged gently at Rey's braid. Jessica's chin rested lightly against her temple. Just two women, quiet and close, in a moment that neither of them needed to narrate.

The sun finally slipped beneath the horizon, leaving a hue of pink and gold across the sky. The wind was cooler now, brushing against their arms and lifting Rey's long braid as they made their way back across the sand, barefoot and close.

Rey bumped her shoulder against Jesisca's. "So you're up tomorrow, huh?"

"I was thinking a dinner at my place?" Jessica asked, trying to sound casual. "You know, candles, food, soft music... very mature adult romance of me." She glanced sideways at Rey, gauging her reaction.

Rey hummed approvingly. "Sounds lovely."

"Sounds a bit vanilla though if you ask me," Jessica muttered under her breath.

"Sorry, what was that?"

"Nothing! I'll have a car pick you up at seven tomorrow, okay?"

"Sounds good." Rey leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.

They kept walking, arms brushing. The street lamps blinked on as they reached the boardwalk.

"No personal chef," Rey added.

Jessica slowed her steps. "Uh—"

"I want to see what someone who's 'perfect' is able to come up with."

Jessica looked genuinely alarmed. She leaned in and whispered, "Rey."

Rey leaned in too, mirroring her posture like they were part of some high-stakes kitchen heist.

"Yes, sweetie?" she whispered back.

"I have to do this myself?"

"Yes. You have to set the table too. And pick the wine."

Jessica looked like she was staring down a final exam. Utterly adorable.

"Do you need any help?" Rey murmured as she squeezed Jessica's hand. Her voice was soft and sincere. She would've helped in a heartbeat.

Jessica shook her head slowly.

"We good?" Rey asked, still close.

Jessica nodded, then straightened, clearing her throat like she'd just briefed a press conference. "I will, of course, prepare dinner and... such and such."

Rey grinned. "I'm sure it'll be unforgettable."

The car ride home was quiet, and as they neared Rey's apartment they both got out.

The energy was different.

"Did you have a good time?" Rey asked, carefully.

"I think it was an amazing first date." She approached Rey and gave her a big hug. "Thank you. And good night. See you tomorrow?"

"Good night, Jessica," Rey said, hugging her back. "See you tomorrow."

The Second Date

Rey stepped out of the car which Jessica had sent for her, eyes tilting skyward as she took in the towering glass structure that loomed above her. It was sleek, modern, and glittered in the sunlight like it had been plucked from a magazine spread.

"Of course she'd move in here," she muttered under her breath, half in admiration, half in disbelief.

Jessica had mentioned selling the mansion, downsizing. Rey had expected something more... modest. A cottage maybe, or an apartment in some artsy, low-key district. But this? This was practically a glass castle in the sky.

She pushed through the revolving doors and was immediately met with the gleaming marble floors of the lobby. Security nodded, and she offered a tight smile, her eyes darting around for the elevators.

She jabbed the button for Jessica's floor, muttering a quick prayer to whatever god was responsible for elevator maintenance.

"Of all the women in the world, I fall for the one who lives in the fucking sky," she muttered.

The floors ticked by with agonizing slowness, each number lighting up like it was taunting her. Fifteen... twenty... twenty-five... She clenched her jaw and her hands tightened on the rail.

"Anytime now," she whispered to the elevator itself, as if coaxing it would make it speed up. "Anytime before I have a damn stroke."

Finally it arrived. It took exactly three heartbeats before she then rapped on the door.

"How was the elevator ride?" Jessica grimaced as she opened the door. She lived near the top of a building with views most would kill for but now it felt like a tactical oversight.

"It was fine," Rey said.

"You're lying."

Rey's lips twitched. "I am, but you'll pretend I'm not to save me from any embarrassment."

Jessica nodded, trying not to smile.

"That's my girl," Rey murmured, stepping in and hugging her. She smelled like the outdoors, like the sea air still clung to her. "For you," she added, handing Jessica a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine.

Jessica's eyes widened. "You brought a hostess gift?"

"You're a hostess, aren't you?"

Jessica blushed and led her into the apartment. "We have a bit of a situation though."

"Oh?" Rey followed, unbothered.

The kitchen was immaculate. Candles had been lit and the table had been set for two with actual cloth napkins. A playlist played softly in the background, some jazzy, inoffensive acoustic thing. Everything looked lovely. Too lovely.

Then she spotted it. A box beside the freezer.

Jessica was already bracing. "Well... I like lasagna."

"Uh-huh."

"But I don't know how to make it."

"Uh-huh."

"So I bought it."

Rey bit her lip, trying valiantly not to smile. "I see."

They both stared at the cheerful packaging.

"So this is what we're having tonight?" Rey asked gently.

"You're disappointed," Jessica said, quietly, almost to herself.

"No-no-no—not at all."

Jessica pointed at the box. "It even says 'Made with love.' Right there."

Rey nodded sagely. "Yes, yes it does, doesn't it?" She squinted at the label. "Right next to 'microwaves in under 12 minutes'—a true labor of love."

Jessica glanced up. "You would've done it differently."

"No," Rey said softly. "I would have done the same... I'd have offered—"

She looked back down at the frozen lasagna, the cartoonish image of it on the front.

"—this too."

It was such an obvious lie that neither fell for it. Rey laughed first, Jessica right behind, her shoulders shaking with the relief of it.

"You would have made it from scratch," Jessica groaned.

"Does it matter?" Rey asked, her voice steady. She took a step forward, reaching out to touch Jessica's hand, her thumb brushing over her knuckles. "Besides, do you really think I'm here for the food?"

Jessica looked down at their hands, then back up, her cheeks just a little pink. "No."

Rey reached over, her fingertips grazing Jessica's arm. "Let's pop this in the oven, then you can give me the tour. I've got something I want to talk to you about too."

Said and done. WIth the lasagna baking and the wine breathing they strolled through Jessica's apartment. It was huge, two stories, all clean lines and soft textiles. Still stylish, but far more lived-in than the mansion. Books in actual shelves. Blankets thrown casually. A few framed photos scattered in places that didn't scream curated. It looked like someone lived here. Someone real.

"I'm going to be honest," Rey said, pausing at the floor-to-ceiling window. "It's absolutely beautiful. And I can see you living here. But... I'm surprised you gave up the pool."

Jessica looked around, taking it in with new eyes. "It is what it is. This is what the market had to offer here." She shrugged. "Maybe one day. Anyway, I didn't want to live in a house alone again."

Rey hummed, filing that away.

"I have something to show you, by the way." Rey pulled a folded tabloid from her tote and handed it over.

Jessica raised an eyebrow. "You read these?"

"I don't read them," Rey said, "but I need to know if you pop up. It's part of the job."

Jessica opened it. There she was, front page, next to Rey, blurry and backlit like an old film still. "It says here you're my nurse and that you... That you're taking blood samples because I have a rare blood disease?"

She looked up. "This is rubbish. Does it bother you?"

"The only thing that bothers me is that they're coming for you," Rey replied, her face downcast. "If they find out we're dating, or you know, serious, who knows what they'll write next."

Jessica stepped closer, all traces of amusement gone. "You have to be honest. Does it bother you?"

Rey said nothing, and Jessica gently lifted her head.

"Hey," she said softly. She peered deeply into Rey's eyes.

"No. But I don't want me to cause something that's negative for you."

"I'm not bothered, okay? I'm not worried in the slightest." Jessica's smile came back, slow and sweet. "Come on. I think the food's ready."

Rey nodded. "Okay."

The lasagna was plated with surprising grace. Jessica had even sprinkled a bit of parsley on top, looking mighty pleased with herself as they sat at the table. A single candle flickered between them.

Jessica poured the wine. "To... our second date."

Rey raised her glass. "To dreams and happily ever afters. "

They clinked.

Finally seated, Rey looked on in astonishment as Jessica drowned her plate in ketchup.

"Uh... Jessica?"

"Mhm?" Jessica's focus was intense, eyes narrowed at the bottle like it owed her money.

"That's enough."

"It's tomatoes. This is basically vegetables in a bottle."

"Ketchup is like twenty percent sugar," Rey said flatly. "It has more sugar than chocolate chip cookies."

Jessica snickered, undeterred. Rey could only watch in horror as the lasagna began to float in its red sea.

"Are you sure you want this...?" Rey asked, trying to focus despite the culinary crime. "I may not be good for your image. If someone's out there to do you harm, they'll dig around, and I'll become front-page news with you."

Jessica stopped mid-squeeze and looked up.

"I'm not concerned. And honestly? I don't care. I'm not letting go of you again."

Rey folded one arm across her chest, hugging herself. "I don't want to be a burden, Jess."

Jessica stared at her for a moment, then picked up her phone.

"Who're you calling?"

"CC."

He answered almost instantly. "What?"

"You're on speaker. Anyway, I have a thing for Rey."

"Yeah, okay? Tell her, don't tell me."

Jessica rolled her eyes.

"I want to date her but she's worried about optics. Make it work."

Jessica hung up.

The phone barely went dark before it lit up again. She answered.

"Yeah, you're on speaker."

"Wait, hold on. You can't date her. You're in a position of power."

"She is not, sir. She is in a position of ketchup," Rey chipped in, eyeing the red sea in front of her.

Jessica choked on a laugh.

"You eating dinner?" CC asked, amused.

"We're, uh, on a date." Rey's cheeks blushed, despite it just being a phone call. "She made us lasagna."

"Sounds nice. I didn't know Jessica knew her way around the kitchen."

"Neither did I, actually," she said, smiling as she winked at Jessica.

CC changed the subject.

"Jessica, she's still on your payroll. You can't sleep with her. Sorry, Rachel."

Rey's cheeks flamed but she hardly had a moment to process it before Jessica glanced at her. Rey knew that look. There was mischief in her eyes.

"Okay, wait, hold on," Jessica said, her gaze locked on Rey with a growing smile. "What if I... solved that problem?"

CC paused. "Solved it? How exactly?"

Jessica bit her lip, her eyes sparkling. "I could fire her."

Rey's fork froze mid-air. "What?"

"Yeah, I mean... you can't be in a position of power over someone if they don't work for you, right?"

CC, for once, was stunned into silence.

Rey stared at her. "I don't think that's how it works."

Jessica waved a hand. "No, it's perfect! We'll make it work. Hey, CC?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm firing her. Effective immediately."

Rey's jaw dropped. "What?!"

"You can't do that," CC said flatly.

"No?" Jessica asked, eyebrows raised.

Rey's expression softened, relief flickering. "See?" she whispered to Jessica, a bit triumphant.

It was short-lived.

"You need to provide cause," CC added.

Jessica paused, drumming her fingers on the table. "Okay, I got it. You're fired... for being too hot."

Rey groaned. "You're joking."

"Okay, gross misconduct it is," CC mumbled as they both heard the sound of pen against paper.

Rey wanted to protest, but wasn't sure how or what to say. Control was slipping from her fast as CC and Jessica were firing off exchange after exchange.

Jessica turned to her phone, addressing CC.

"I think I made her upset. I can't believe you had me fire her on our second date," she whispered. "Isn't there anything we can do?"

Some paper rustling over the phone. "I had you fire her? I think we're going to remember this conversation very differently. Anyhow, we'll offer a severance. Maybe some PTO,"

"Good, do that."

Jessica looked at Rey, raising her hand in a thumb up-thumb down type of motion to get her confirmation.

Rey raised her hands defensively, trying to indicate it was too much. She felt like a hostage caught in negotiation.

"No, she wants more," Jessica said, completely missing the mark.

"Maybe we can get a bit creative with accounting." CC paused for a moment. "Let's see if Justin can list her as a support animal."

Rey blinked. "A what now?"

"And if you're talking marriage—"

"We're not," Jessica interrupted.

"Prenup," CC continued anyway.

Rey sighed weakly. "We haven't even talked dessert yet."

Jessica turned, eyeing her plate. "This lasagna is excellent."

CC chuckled. "Just promise me it didn't come in a microwaveable tray with 'authentic Italian flavors' or something written on the box."

Jessica froze mid-bite.

"Uh—"

That did it. Something snapped. Rey stood, walked over, and cupped Jessica's cheek with a gentle concern.

"I can't watch you do this to yourself."

She plucked the plate from Jessica's hands and carried it to the sink. She moved with precision—grabbing a new plate, rescuing the lasagna from drowning in ketchup and began rebuilding the meal from scratch.

"She's stealing my food," Jessica hissed. "CC, do something!"

Rey opened the fridge, retrieved a tomato, diced it swiftly, added fresh oregano, and turned back to the table. With all the serenity of a culinary goddess, she drew a small heart in ketchup over the restored lasagna and handed it back.

"There," she said, smiling. "Now it looks less like a crime scene, and more like food."

Jessica stared at her like she was witnessing a miracle.

Rey sat again, picked up her wine glass, and glanced down into it, still smiling. "A support animal, huh?"

She looked up, eyes glinting. "CC, I need to speak to my master. My employer. My mistress. My partner. Apparently my future wife. Do you mind?"

"Good luck, kid."

Click.

They let the moment breath for a minute, until Rey finally broke the silence.

"Hi," Rey said softly, a gentle smile on her face.

Jessica grinned. "Hi."

"So... you fired me."

Jessica nodded seriously.

"On our second date."

"An unfortunate turn of events."

Rey chuckled. "Are all dates like this with you?"

"You're the first date I've had in... forever." Jessica was quiet for a moment. "Do I need a prenup?"

Rey took a slow sip of her wine, letting her smile soften. "The day you marry, yes, you need one. It's there to protect you and your investments in case of a divorce."

"But I don't want to divorce you."

Rey rolled her eyes. "If we ever get married, Jessica, you won't divorce me; I'll divorce you."

Jessica gasped, clutching her chest like she'd been mortally wounded. "Betrayal."

"It's a good thing you're cute because if this doesn't work out," Rey pointed at them both, " you're gonna need it."

Jessica grinned. "Come, how about the living room?"

A minute later, they found themselves curled up on the oversized couch—half-swallowed by soft cushions and thick blankets. Jessica was nestled against Rey, little spoon for once, her head tucked under Rey's chin, one arm slung across Rey's waist. The TV played some rom-com neither of them were watching. It was background hum to something better.

"You sure this is what you want?" Rey asked, quietly, her fingers stroking lazily against Jessica's side.

"Here's the thing... I think you broke something in me."

"What do you mean?"

Jessica shifted, just enough to press her cheek into Rey's shoulder. "There's all these feelings in me, and I'm not sure what to do with them if you aren't around."

"Sounds like I have to take responsibility for it then?"

"Uh-huh. Will you be here even when I'm sad?"

Rey kissed the top of her head. "Of course I will be."

"And when I'm happy?"

"That's the plan."

"And when I make mistakes?"

"Even then. Especially then," Rey said, tightening her arm around her.

Jessica turned her face slightly, her voice suddenly shy. "Yeah, I'm sure."

On the screen, the couple kissed under a rain-soaked sky. Classic. Predictable. Pretty.

But the kiss on the couch was slower. Better. Jessica turned in Rey's arms, one hand rising to trace the line of her jaw, her fingertips feather-light as they reached Rey's cheek.

Rey stilled, like the moment might slip if she breathed too loud.

Jessica leaned in, not out of urgency, but something... softer. Her lips brushed Rey's with all the weight of the last year, with the ache of longing, the relief of return, the hope of beginning again.

When they parted, Rey touched her forehead to Jessica's, her thumb brushing over the corner of Jessica's mouth. "Three dates, you say. Are you sure you can wait one more?"

Jessica's eyes were heavy-lidded, pupils blown wide with want. "I have principles now."

Rey's lips curled. "Principles?" Her voice dipped lower, sultry. "We'll see about that."

She leaned back in, capturing Jessica's mouth, deeper this time, her tongue sweeping over Jessica's bottom lip before slipping inside. Jessica gasped into her, hands tightening against Rey's hips. Rey didn't stop; she angled Jessica back into the cushions, her thigh sliding between Jessica's legs with deliberate pressure.

Jessica's breath came out sharp and ragged, her hips tilting instinctively to meet the friction. Rey's hand slipped to her waist, fingers splayed and possessive as she pressed Jessica down, holding her steady. "You good?" Rey whispered against her lips, her thigh rocking up gently.

Jessica's eyes fluttered closed, her hands fisting in the fabric of Rey's shirt. "God, yes."

"Really?" Rey teased, her leg grinding slowly, rhythmically against Jessica's center, feeling the heat through the thin barrier of fabric. The soft catch of Jessica's breath, the way she gasped and bit her lip: it was intoxicating.

Rey's mouth found Jessica's neck, nipping and sucking gently as her thigh continued its slow assault. Jessica was moving against her now, unable to stop the gentle roll of her hips, her hands desperate and seeking, one slipping under the hem of Rey's shirt to feel the bare skin beneath.

"What if I beg you to touch me?" Rey whispered, her voice dripping with temptation, her lips brushing the shell of Jessica's ear.

Jessica swallowed hard, her hips pressing up into Rey's thigh, seeking more.

"Fuck, Rey," she breathed, her head falling back against the couch as Rey's mouth continued to trace hot lines along her throat. It was heady and hot, building between them, and just when Jessica's breaths were coming faster, just when her body tensed and her nails dug into Rey's back—

Rey stopped.

Jessica's eyes flew open, wide and disbelieving. "Wh—Why?"

Rey sat back slightly, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "This is your punishment," she whispered,"for firing me on our second date."

Jessica swallowed, her chest heaving. "You're evil."

"Two dates down, one to go." Rey's grin was nothing short of wicked. "Oh, and one more thing..."

Jessica's eyes narrowed. "What?"

Rey leaned back in, her breath hot against Jessica's lips. "No touching yourself."

Jessica's mouth fell open. "You're going to leave me like this?"

"You're a woman of principles, aren't you?" Rey tilted her head, brushing a thumb over Jessica's cheek, her grin infuriatingly confident.

Jessica groaned, but Rey only smiled wider. She slipped out from under her, smoothing her shirt back into place.

Rey leaned in, her lips hovering over Jessica's, her hand sliding from her stomach down to between Jessica's legs, cupping her over the fabric. She applied the slightest bit of pressure, enough to make Jessica's breath hitch, her eyes squeeze shut.

Rey's whisper was a promise and a taunt. "Our next date needs some planning. Can you wait a week?"

Jessica looked dazed. "Uh-huh—what, no?"

"Tough luck." Rey grinned and straightened, smoothing her hair back into place. "Thank you for the dinner."

She leaned in, her lips hovering just an inch from Jessica's, before pressing a feather-light kiss against her mouth. Her hand still cupped Jessica's center, pressing gently, until Jessica's hips were rolling into her touch.

"Good night. Don't let the bedbugs bite."

And then, with the kind of confidence that left Jessica breathless, Rey turned and slipped out the door, the soft click echoing in the quiet of the apartment.

Jessica stared after her, chest still heaving, every nerve alive and screaming for more.

When Rey got home, she heard her phone ding.

Hope you sleep well tonight knowing you left a perfectly good woman HIGH AND DRY.

Rey bit her lip, unable to stop the smile on her face. She thought for a second before replying.

I'll sleep like a rock, thanks for checking. Good night, gorgeous.

The Third Date

It had been a two-hour drive from the city when Jessica's car finally turned onto the gravel road. The road led to a secluded timber lodge nestled against the tree line, its dark wood exterior softened by the golden afternoon light.

Rey came out from the lodge, which was built wide rather than tall, with floor-to-ceiling windows stretching across the front. She wore a long, cream colored sweater, slightly oversized with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, and a pair of grey soft linen shorts. Her hair was in a loose, low braid, swept over her left shoulder and tied with a dark ribbon.

As Jessica emerged from the car, she did so with style. Her long legs unfolded from the car, one hand brushing hair from her face as the forest breeze caught it. She was effortlessly elegant, with a black turtleneck, high waisted jeans, white sneakers and the simple grey wool coat that was left open.

As she grabbed the weekend bag from the trunk of her car, and waved the driver off, Rey came padding down, barefoot, on the stone path that led up to the house.

Rey remained on one of the large stones that made up the stone path, her hands clasped in front of her. Jessica walked with purpose, stopping just short of her, letting her bag drop gently at their feet.

"I wanted a swimming pool," Rey said softly, "because I know how you like to swim under the stars. When I couldn't find a place that was good enough, I thought about a lakeside cabin—"

She tilted her, grinning.

"—But you managed to ruin that with all of your horror movies. No way I'm going skinny dipping and then a man with a chainsaw comes out of the woodworks."

Jessica laughed.

"So here we are," she finished. "Welcome to our third date. It's a little bit of you, a little bit of me, and hopefully, very us."

Rey stepped in close, her hands disappearing inside Jessica's coat as she gave her a hug. Jessica closed her eyes, and breathed her in.

"I have butterflies," Jessica whispered against Rey's shoulder.

"Me too." Rey gave a nervous laughter.

Rey leaned back, and looked into Jessica's hazel eyes. She raised her hand, placing it on Jessica's cheek as if to steady herself, and gently kissed her on the lips.

"Come, I want to show you around."

Rey grabbed Jessica's hand and together they made the rounds.

It wasn't big, but it was luxurious and cozy. An open-plan interior was softly lit, with high exposed beams and a stone fireplace that centered the room. A king-sized bed stood beneath it all, layered in crisp linen sheets and a plush duvet. There was even a reading nook beneath a massive window facing the trees.

The kitchenette was small but charming, with cast iron pans, ceramic mugs and a wooden table set for two. The bathroom didn't disappoint either with heated stone floors, walk-in rainfall shower and thick towels warming on a rack.

"What do you think?" Rey said, a note of nervousness behind the smile.

"It is absolutely amazing."

Jessica's gaze drifted toward the reading nook. She could already picture Rey curled up there with a book, and herself at the table with coffee in hand, both of them quiet in that way only the forest could make possible.

"Come," Rey said, tugging at Jessica's hand, and led her outside.

Behind the cabin, partially sunken into the ground and framed by large moss-covered rocks was a private onsen-style pool. Steam was rising off the water, blurring the edges of the trees behind.

"It's naturally heated," Rey said softly. "There are no jets, no chlorine... Just really clear water."

Jessica hesitated. "I didn't bring a bathing suit."

"Neither did I," Rey replied with a wink.

Jessica came up from behind and wrapped her arms around her. "I can't believe you found this place."

"I am pretty amazing, aren't i?" Rey was grinning ear to ear.

And to that, Jessica could only agree.

Rey began undressing. "Why don't you—" she slipped off her blouse, "—get yourself comfortable and then come join me?"

Jessica's eyes darted away. Her hands fidgeted with the edges of her coat as Rey unbuttoned her pants, sliding them down her hips with ease.

Rey suddenly stepped closer, right into Jessica's space, slipping under the warmth of her coat. She got so close that Jessica had to tilt her head down. Rey's hands, cool and steady, came up to rest on Jessica's chest, and her eyes were wide and earnest.

"Can you help me with my bra?" she asked, her voice quiet.

Jessica swallowed hard. "You need my help for that? Seems like you managed just fine with the rest."

"I like the idea of you undressing me."

Jessica cleared her throat. "Yeah, of course." Her fingers fumbled for a moment, more out of surprise than anything, before she unclasped it, letting the straps fall away. She eased it off Rey's shoulders.

Rey smiled at her, that soft, almost mischievous smile. "So timid, so unlike you," she whispered. Her voice was gentle, teasing. She stepped in a bit closer, voice dropping. "If you're going to be like this all evening, I'll be throwing the L-word at you before you know it."

Jessica's cheeks flushed, her gaze dropping for a second.

With that, Rey stepped back from the shelter of Jessica's coat, letting the fabric slip from her shoulders. The cool air kissed her skin as she slipped out of her panties and walked down towards the pool. Jessica's eyes followed her, transfixed by the way Rey moved. She climbed into the water with barely a ripple, the steam curling around her as she lowered herself.

Jessica had watched her, transfixed by the sway of Rey's hips, the way she moved so comfortably, so completely at ease. Rey turned, catching her staring, and gave a small wave. It was playful, sweet, and it snapped Jessica out of her daze.

"You coming in or are you just gonna stand there gawking?"

Jessica chuckled, shaking her head. "I don't gawk."

"Uh-huh." Rey leaned back against the edge, her elbows resting on the stone, looking like she belonged in a painting. "You've been gawking since I took off my blouse."

Jessica opened her mouth to argue but then closed it. She shrugged out of her coat, kicking off her shoes, and made her way back inside to undress. Confidence had never been an issue, but this felt different. Intimate. It caused her to pause for a moment, to collect herself. Then her fingers moved deftly, slipping buttons from loops, unzipping jeans, folding everything away with a kind of nervous efficiency. She stood there for a moment, bare, catching her reflection in the window before steeling herself.

When she stepped back out, she moved with her usual confidence, head high, eyes locked on Rey. She climbed in, the heat of the water enveloping her instantly. Rey drifted over, the space between them shrinking with each step.

"Wasn't sure if you'd be this bold," Jessica said, her voice soft, her breath ghosting against Rey's lips.

Rey arched an eyebrow, her grip tightening just a little. "I figured this is what you like."

"You don't have to be anything but yourself with me."

"Still," Rey said softly, "I want you to enjoy this."

Their eyes met, and for a moment, there was nothing but the sound of water lapping against stone and the wind rustling through the trees.

Jessica didn't need any more invitation. She closed the gap, her mouth finding Rey's in a kiss that was slow, purposeful, and impossibly soft. Rey responded instantly, her hands sliding up Jessica's back, fingers curling into her damp hair.

Rey broke the kiss first, breathless. "Wow."

She stepped in closer, the water swirling around them as she pressed Jessica back against the smooth edge of the pool. Her hands skimmed down Jessica's sides, slow and deliberate. There was purpose in her touch, not just gliding over her skin, but pressing, kneading, mapping out every curve like she wanted to memorize it.

Jessica's hands found purchase on Rey's shoulders, fingers pressing into the firm muscle there, feeling the way they tensed beneath her touch. The water was hot, but it was nothing compared to the heat building between them, simmering just under the surface, pulsing with every shared breath.

Rey leaned in, her mouth finding Jessica's again, but this time there was no holding back. She kissed her like she'd been starving for it, like every second until now had been just a tease. Her lips moved with intention, her tongue tracing the seam of Jessica's mouth before slipping inside, slow and deep, savoring every little hitch of Jessica's breath, every soft sigh that slipped out.

Jessica's hands wandered, sliding down Rey's back, fingertips tracing the ridges of muscle beneath smooth, damp skin. She felt the curve of Rey's waist, the flare of her hips, and then she went lower, her palms smoothing over the firm swell of Rey's ass, squeezing gently, pulling her closer. The soft groan that spilled from Rey's mouth was reward enough, vibrating against Jessica's lips as she pressed harder, locking their bodies together.

Rey responded instantly, pressing her body flush against Jessica's, pinning her against the stone edge of the pool. Her thigh slipped between Jessica's, nudging her legs apart just enough, applying just the right amount of pressure that had Jessica gasping into her mouth. The water lapped around them, tiny ripples echoing off the rocks as Rey's hands roamed, and landed on Jessica's hips.

Her eyes fluttered shut, and her mouth parted with a soft, unrestrained moan as Rey's lips moved to her neck, brushing against the delicate skin just below her ear. She lingered there, tasting the salt of her skin, feeling the flutter of Jessica's pulse beneath her lips. She bit down gently, sucking just enough to leave a mark, her tongue soothing the spot immediately after. Her kisses trailed down the line of Jessica's collarbone, sending ripples of heat through her body.

"You're incredible," Rey whispered against Jessica's neck, her voice rougher now, thick with need that was no longer veiled. Her hands moved back up, cupping Jessica's ass, squeezing it firmly, pulling her closer still. Their bodies met completely, and Rey's thigh pressed harder between Jessica's legs, grinding slow and steady, creating delicious friction that sent sparks up Jessica's spine.

Jessica smiled, her fingers tangling in Rey's braid, tugging just slightly, earning her a sharp intake of breath. "You're one to talk," she whispered back, voice breathless and shaking just a little, like she was holding on to the edge of something vast.

"Rey..." Jessica's voice was softer now, a whisper caught between them, heavy and wanting. Her hands found Rey's face, bringing her back up for another kiss, deeper this time, hungrier.

Rey responded instantly, her hand slipping between Jessica's thighs beneath the water, her touch gentle but firm. Jessica gasped against her mouth, her body arching instinctively, pressing closer, chasing the sensation with an urgency that bordered on desperation. Rey's fingers moved with purpose, slow and deliberate, tracing the slick heat beneath the water with an unerring confidence that left Jessica breathless.

"Oh..." Jessica's head tilted back, eyes fluttering closed as Rey's fingers found her, slipping against her with a steady rhythm that was both tender and passionate. Her fingertips pressed and circled, building pressure in waves, each movement measured, coaxing out tiny gasps and soft moans. Rey watched her face, every flicker of sensation reflected back at her, matching her pace to each stuttered breath, each shiver that coursed through Jessica's body.

Jessica's hands gripped Rey's shoulders, nails pressing into her skin as her hips moved with the rhythm Rey set, perfectly synchronized, like they'd done this a thousand times before. "Don't stop," she whispered, voice breaking over the words, her breaths coming faster, chest heaving with each exhale.

Rey didn't. Her fingers moved with purpose now, slipping deeper, her thumb brushing in slow, rhythmic circles that made Jessica's breath hitch. The steam curled around them, misting their skin, their breaths mingling in the cool night air, heavy with desire.

Jessica's grip on Rey tightened, and she pulled Rey closer, their foreheads touching, eyes locked, pupils blown wide and unguarded.

Rey's hand slid up, her fingertips grazing Jessica's ribs before cupping her breast, her thumb brushing softly over her nipple, circling, teasing. At the same time, her other hand didn't falter, fingers slipping and pressing in slow, precise strokes, amplifying the sensation that already had Jessica trembling. Jessica's gasp was immediate, her hips pressing forward instinctively, her body responding with a shiver that started deep and spread out to every nerve ending.

"Ah..."

"That what you need?" Rey whispered, her voice hushed, almost reverent, her eyes locked on Jessica's.

Jessica's grip on Rey tightened, her nails digging into Rey's shoulders, her hips moving instinctively, matching the rhythm Rey set: slow, deliberate, and maddeningly perfect. Her breaths came faster, shallow and uneven, each one catching in her throat as the sensation built, coiling tighter and tighter. It was like a wire pulled taut, every stroke of Rey's fingers winding it further, drawing out little gasps and shivers that she couldn't contain.

"Don't stop..." Jessica's voice was barely a whisper, breathless and raw, slipping out between parted lips. Her head tilted back, eyes closing as she let herself sink into the sensation, into Rey's touch. The water rippled around them with tiny waves echoing the movements of their bodies.

But it wasn't enough. Jessica needed more. She moved her hips against Rey's hand, chasing the friction, her fingers clutching Rey's shoulders so tightly she thought she might bruise her. Her thighs trembled, tightening around Rey's hand as the heat built to a fever pitch, the edge so close she could almost taste it.

"Oh... God..." The words spilled from her lips, unbidden, raw and aching. Her head fell forward, forehead pressing to Rey's shoulder, eyes squeezed shut as the feeling consumed her, spreading like wildfire. Rey's fingers didn't falter, slipping deeper, circling just right, pushing her closer and closer.

"I've got you," Rey whispered, her voice low and tender, fingers moving with perfect rhythm. "I've got you... right there..."

And that was it. Jessica shattered, the tension snapping with a force that left her breathless, her body clenching around Rey's hand, pleasure rolling through her, feeling endless and unrelenting. Her nails dug into Rey's back, a soft cry tumbling from her lips, unfiltered and raw.

Her breath came in ragged gasps, forehead still pressed to Rey's shoulder as her hips rocked forward, chasing every last ripple of pleasure. Rey held her through it, steady and sure, her fingers moving gently now, coaxing out every last tremor until Jessica's body finally sagged against her, limp, shivering and utterly spent.

Jessica's fingers loosened their grip, sliding down Rey's back, her head falling forward to rest against her shoulder. Her breathing was still uneven, chest heaving, the aftershocks still humming just beneath her skin. She could feel Rey's hand still resting against her, gentle and warm, as she slowly floated back down from the high.

Rey's lips pressed a soft kiss to her temple, her hands gentle on her waist, thumbs stroking soothing circles against her skin. "You okay?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper, laced with something tender and raw.

Jessica nodded, her voice shaky but resolute. "More than okay." She pulled back just enough to look at Rey, her eyes heavy-lidded and still shimmering with the remnants of pleasure. Her lips curled into a soft, satisfied smile. "I'm definitely not done with you yet. Come, let's head inside."

The world outside had melted away hours ago. The soft glow of moonlight spilled in through the open window, casting pale ribbons of light across the sheets. The room was still damp with the warmth of their bodies. Jessica lay beside Rey, fingers tracing slow, absent patterns along the curve of her waist. Rey was flushed, eyes bright and wide, lips parted just slightly as she caught her breath. Her braid had long since come undone, hair spilling across the pillow like ink.

Jessica leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Rey's shoulder, then another, moving slowly, deliberately. Rey shivered beneath her touch, eyes fluttering closed, hands curling into the sheets. "Are you okay?" Jessica whispered, her voice gentle, lips brushing against Rey's collarbone as she spoke.

Rey nodded, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of pink. "Yeah..." she whispered back, voice soft and breathy. Her eyes opened, locking with Jessica's. There was something unguarded there, something almost shy. Jessica felt her heart clench a little at the sight of it. Vulnerability, trust, and something deeper that shimmered just beneath the surface.

Jessica's fingers trailed lower, slipping over the soft plane of Rey's stomach, her palm smoothing over her bare hip. She paused, searching Rey's eyes. "Can I?" she asked, voice hushed.

Rey's breath hitched, her eyes going wide, and she nodded, a soft whisper of, "Yes," spilling from her lips. Her fingers reached out, wrapping around Jessica's wrist, squeezing just enough for Jessica to feel the tremor there. She was shaking, not of fear, but of anticipation.

Jessica smiled softly, pressing her lips to the corner of Rey's mouth before kissing her fully—slow and deep, coaxing out the softest of moans, high-pitched and delicate. Her hands moved with deliberate care, sliding down Rey's body, taking her time to explore every dip and curve. Her fingertips trailed down Rey's thighs, squeezing gently, earning a little gasp that spilled from Rey's parted lips.

"Relax," Jessica whispered, her voice low and soothing. She pressed a kiss to Rey's stomach, feeling the way it tensed beneath her mouth, then softened as Rey exhaled. "I've got you..."

Rey's hands fisted the sheets as Jessica's kisses moved lower, slow and reverent, her breath warm against Rey's skin. She paused just for a moment, glancing up, catching Rey's gaze. Rey's eyes were wide, pupils blown, lips parted with a soft panting that was entirely unrestrained. "Jess..." she whispered, voice trembling, high and breathless.

Jessica held that gaze as she moved lower still, her hands smoothing over Rey's thighs, spreading them gently. Rey's breath caught, her hands clutching at the sheets so tightly her knuckles whitened. "It's okay..." Jessica whispered, pressing soft kisses along the sensitive skin of Rey's inner thigh. "Just breathe..."

Rey's head tilted back, eyes squeezing shut as Jessica's mouth found her, soft and warm, gentle at first, exploring. Rey's hips jerked, a sharp, breathy cry spilling from her lips. "Oh—!" Her hands shot to Jessica's hair, fingers curling there, half holding on, half pulling her closer.

Jessica smiled against her, savoring the little noises Rey made: soft gasps, high-pitched moans that seemed to spill out of her without thought, raw and unfiltered. Her tongue moved slowly, deliberately, finding the right rhythm, the perfect pressure. Rey's thighs trembled, squeezing against Jessica's shoulders, her hips lifting off the mattress with every slow, perfect stroke.

"Jess... Jessica..." Rey whimpered, her voice shaking, breath catching with every flick of Jessica's tongue. Her body writhed, hips rolling up to meet her, the tension building visibly in the way her muscles tensed, her hands tightening their grip in Jessica's hair. Jessica's hands smoothed over Rey's thighs, holding her steady, coaxing her hips back down gently. "That's it... just like that..." Jessica murmured, her voice vibrating against sensitive skin.

Rey's breathing quickened, chest rising and falling rapidly, her moans coming faster, higher-pitched, unrestrained. Her thighs tightened around Jessica's head, squeezing almost instinctively, her back arching off the mattress. "Oh my God... Jessica... I—oh, please..." Her voice cracked, the words slipping out in broken fragments, trembling with need.

Jessica didn't stop. Her tongue moved in slow, deliberate circles, never breaking rhythm, coaxing Rey higher and higher, pushing her closer and closer to the edge. Rey's hands fisted in the sheets, her body shaking now, every muscle taut and straining. Her legs began to quiver, her thighs tightening harder around Jessica's head as she chased the sensation, desperate and uninhibited.

"Oh... oh God—Jessica!" Rey's voice broke, high and clear, her entire body seizing as the orgasm hit her like a wave. Her hips lifted off the mattress entirely, her thighs locking around Jessica's shoulders, trembling violently as she rode it out. Her back arched, body rising off the bed, eyes squeezed shut as she screamed Jessica's name, raw and breathless. Jessica held on, grounding her, soothing her with gentle strokes, never breaking contact.

Rey's body pulsed and shuddered, waves of pleasure rolling through her again and again, her breath coming in desperate, ragged pants. Her hands stayed tangled in Jessica's hair, holding her close. Jessica only pulled back when Rey finally collapsed back onto the mattress, her body going soft, chest heaving, eyes blinking open with the softest, most vulnerable gaze Jessica had ever seen.

Jessica moved back up, pressing a soft, tender kiss to Rey's cheek, then her forehead. "You okay?" she whispered, brushing Rey's damp hair back from her flushed face.

Rey blinked up at her, eyes wide and dazed, and nodded, still catching her breath. Her voice was a whisper, shaky and unguarded. "I didn't know it could... feel like that." Her cheeks burned bright red, but she didn't look away.

Jessica smiled, brushing a thumb over Rey's cheek. "That was just the beginning."

The room was still heavy with the scent of them: skin and sweat and satisfaction lingering like a warm fog. Moonlight pooled around their tangled bodies, illuminating the flush that still painted Rey's cheeks. Her breathing had just begun to even out, her body still lax against the pillows, when Jessica leaned in, her eyes dark and intent.

Rey met her gaze, pupils wide, lips still slightly parted. Jessica reached out, her fingers grazing Rey's cheek before sliding to her mouth, her thumb brushing slowly across Rey's bottom lip, dragging it down just slightly. "Open," Jessica whispered, her voice low and steady. Rey's eyes flickered with something electric, and she obeyed, her lips parting, soft and pliant.

Jessica's thumb slipped past her lips, pressing gently against her tongue. Rey's breath hitched, eyes fluttering closed as she sucked softly, lips closing around Jessica's thumb. Her tongue swirled delicately, and Jessica felt a shiver run up her spine, heat blooming low in her belly. "That's it... good girl..." Jessica murmured, her other hand sliding down Rey's back, tracing the dip of her spine, smoothing over the soft curve of her ass.

Rey whimpered around Jessica's thumb, her hips shifting instinctively closer, her thighs pressing together. Jessica watched her reaction with predatory calm, her thumb slipping free of Rey's mouth with a soft, wet sound. Rey's lips stayed parted, eyes heavy-lidded, breath coming in soft, unsteady bursts.

Jessica's hand didn't stop. She moved her damp thumb downward, trailing it slowly over Rey's chin, down her neck, pressing lightly against her throat. Rey gasped, her head tilting back instinctively, her body arching under Jessica's touch. Jessica's fingers spread, her palm warm and steady against the hollow of Rey's throat, feeling the flutter of her pulse beneath her skin. "You like that?" Jessica whispered, her lips brushing the edge of Rey's jaw. "Being touched like this?"

Rey's voice came out breathless and soft. "Yes..." The word spilled out before she could catch it, her cheeks flushing deeper, eyes still squeezed shut. Jessica's thumb stroked the delicate skin of her throat, a gentle but unmistakably firm pressure, keeping her head tilted back, exposing her.

Jessica's other hand continued its exploration, sliding down Rey's back, fingertips pressing into the soft curve of her ass, squeezing firmly. Rey's back arched, a sharp, gasping moan spilling from her lips. Her body shivered, hips shifting instinctively, seeking out Jessica's touch.

"That's what I thought," Jessica murmured, her voice thick with intent. She pressed her lips to Rey's neck, sucking softly, feeling the way Rey's pulse thrummed against her lips. Her hand squeezed again, fingers kneading the flesh of Rey's ass before slipping lower, fingertips brushing tentatively against the sensitive skin there.

Rey's entire body stiffened, a sharp gasp slipping out, her eyes snapping open. Her gaze locked with Jessica's, wide and unguarded, her cheeks flaming red. "Jessica..." Her voice was a whisper, barely audible, thick with something that sounded like both anticipation and disbelief.

Jessica's eyes were steady, unwavering. Her fingers stayed there, teasing, brushing lightly, never quite pushing further. She watched Rey's reaction, the way her breathing quickened, the way her hips pressed back just slightly, almost instinctively.

"Is this what you want?" Rey whispered, her voice shaking, the question hanging between them like a live wire. Her eyes searched Jessica's face, half-wanting, half-wondering if Jessica would really take it that far.

Jessica's response was immediate, her eyes darkening, her fingers pressing just a bit harder, teasing that delicate entrance, slow and deliberate.

"Yes," she breathed out, voice husky and unrestrained. Her lips found Rey's ear, biting down gently before whispering, "I want all of you, every part." Her hand squeezed Rey's ass again, fingertips pressing just enough to tease, testing the boundaries, watching Rey's reaction with sharp, predatory focus.

Rey's breath stuttered, her hips rocking back just slightly, pressing into Jessica's touch with a whimper that was raw and unrestrained. Her hands shot up, grabbing Jessica's shoulders, holding on as her body trembled, completely exposed, entirely vulnerable.

Jessica's hand remained steady, patient, waiting. Her lips brushed Rey's jaw, soft and tender. "Say it," she murmured, her voice low and coaxing. "Tell me you want it."

Rey's eyes squeezed shut, her cheeks blazing crimson, but her hips pressed back just a little more, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "I want it..." she whispered, voice breaking over the words, high and soft. Her eyes fluttered open, locking with Jessica's. "Please..."

Jessica's hand stayed firm, fingers teasing that delicate entrance, just barely pressing, testing, coaxing. Rey's breath came in shallow, ragged bursts, her thighs squeezing together as Jessica held her. Her other hand remained at Rey's throat, thumb brushing along her jawline, tracing the curve of her neck, keeping her head tilted back, exposed, vulnerable.

Rey's hands fisted in the sheets, knuckles going white, her breath catching every time Jessica's fingers teased just a bit deeper, just a little firmer. "Look at me," Jessica murmured, her voice low and commanding. Rey's eyes fluttered open, wide and dark, lashes damp and cheeks flushed.

"Good girl..." Jessica purred, brushing her lips over Rey's jaw, her thumb stroking softly over her throat. She could feel Rey's pulse beneath her fingertips, racing and wild, completely unguarded. "You trust me, don't you?"

Rey swallowed hard, her eyes locking onto Jessica's. She nodded, a tremor running through her body. "Yes..." Her voice was a whisper, soft and breathless, almost like she couldn't believe it herself.

Jessica smiled, her hand slipping from Rey's throat, gliding down her body, fingertips grazing the curve of her breast, her ribs, her stomach. Rey shivered beneath her touch, eyes fluttering shut as Jessica's fingers explored, tracing every inch of bare skin with deliberate care. "I'm going to make you feel good," Jessica whispered against her ear, her voice smooth and sure. "But I want you to do something for me..."

Rey's eyes flickered open, dazed and full of need. "Anything..."

Jessica's eyes darkened, her hand sliding down Rey's back, gripping her ass firmly, squeezing hard enough to earn a soft cry from Rey's lips. "I want you to ride my thigh," she murmured, her voice dropping to a whisper, full of command. "I want you to grind against me while I touch you."

Rey gasped, her eyes going wide, her hands gripping Jessica's shoulders for support. "I—" Her voice faltered, but Jessica didn't hesitate. She slipped her thigh between Rey's legs, pressing it up firmly against her, spreading Rey's thighs just enough to feel the heat of her slickness against her skin. Rey whimpered, her hips jerking instinctively, pressing down against Jessica's thigh.

Rey's hips moved slowly at first, grinding down, her breath hitching with each slow circle. Her hands held on to Jessica's shoulders, fingers digging in as she moved, her eyes squeezed shut, lips parted with every shaky breath. "Oh... oh God..." she whispered, her voice shaking.

Jessica's hand slid back down, squeezing her ass firmly, holding her in place as her other hand slipped back between Rey's cheeks, fingertips brushing lightly, teasing that untouched entrance. Rey gasped, her hips stuttering, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she moved harder against Jessica's thigh, grinding faster, her body chasing that friction with every slow, deliberate roll of her hips.

"Look at you..." Jessica whispered, voice dripping with pride and lust. "Grinding on me like you can't help yourself... you like it, don't you? Getting off on my thigh while I touch you back here..." Her fingers pressed just a bit harder, circling slowly, teasing that sensitive skin, coaxing it to relax, to give in.

Rey's breath came faster, high-pitched little moans spilling from her lips, raw and unrestrained. Her eyes flew open, locking with Jessica's, wide and desperate. "Jessica..." she gasped, voice cracking, her hands clutching harder, her hips pressing back instinctively.

"That's it... just relax for me..." Jessica murmured, pressing a soft kiss to Rey's collarbone, then her throat. "Let me in... I promise I'll make you feel good."

Rey shuddered, her hips rolling harder, pressing against Jessica's thigh, chasing the pressure building between her legs. Jessica's fingers pressed again, more insistent this time, and Rey's body finally yielded, soft and pliant under her touch. A broken cry slipped from Rey's lips, her hips jerking, her eyes squeezing shut. "Oh my God..."

Jessica's breath was hot against her ear. "Good girl... I've got you..." Her hand moved slowly, carefully, fingers sliding deeper, her other hand still gripping Rey's ass, holding her in place. "Does that feel good?" she whispered, her voice thick with intent.

"Yes... yes..." Rey gasped, her voice trembling, hips rolling back, pressing against Jessica's fingers, then forward, grinding against her thigh. The friction was perfect: slick but firm, sending heat straight through her core with every movement. Her body moved instinctively, chasing that rhythm, building that pressure higher and higher.

Jessica's hand stayed firm, fingers pressing deeper, filling her, her other hand guiding Rey's hips, setting the perfect pace. "Just like that... that's it..." Jessica whispered, her voice a low, steady command. "Take me... grind on me... let me feel how wet you are..."

Rey whimpered, her thighs trembling, her body shaking with every thrust of her hips. The rhythm quickened, her breath coming faster, sharper, her voice breaking into tiny, desperate moans. "Jessica... oh my God... I—"

Rey's body tensed, her back arching, fingers clawing at Jessica's shoulders. Her hips bucked forward, grinding hard against Jessica's thigh as Jessica's fingers pressed deeper, rubbing slow, devastating circles. "Jessica... Jessica—oh God... I'm gonna—"

"Do it..." Jessica whispered, her lips brushing Rey's ear, her voice full of raw hunger. "Come for me, Rey... I want to feel it..."

And then it happened: Rey's body seized up, her thighs clamping around Jessica's leg, her back arching off the bed as her head tilted back, mouth opening in a scream that tore through the room. "Jessica!" she cried, voice cracking, raw and unrestrained. Her body shuddered, hips rolling in desperate, jerking movements as wave after wave of pleasure crashed through her, unyielding and intense.

Jessica held her through it, fingers never faltering, coaxing out every last spasm, every tremor, whispering soft praises against her skin.

Rey collapsed against her, trembling, breathless, her skin flushed and damp. Jessica's hands smoothed over her back, grounding her, whispering gentle words as Rey's body finally relaxed against her, utterly spent and shaking.

The room was quiet now, the air thick with the lingering scent of sweat and satisfaction. Their breathing slowly steadied, coming back down from the edge of something raw and electric. Jessica's hands stroked gently along Rey's back, soothing the tiny tremors still running through her body, fingers tracing delicate lines up her spine, over her shoulder blades, then back down again.

Rey was limp in her arms, head resting against Jessica's shoulder, eyes still closed, lips parted as she caught her breath. A soft, satisfied hum escaped her, and Jessica couldn't help but smile, pressing a kiss to Rey's forehead. "Hey," she whispered, voice tender and soft.

Rey stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open, blinking up at Jessica with a dazed, half-lidded gaze. "Hey," she murmured back, her voice soft and dreamy, a little smile curling at the edges of her lips.

Jessica brushed a strand of hair away from Rey's face, her fingertips gentle. "Not so vanilla after all," she murmured. "You okay?"

Rey's cheeks flushed pink, but she nodded, her smile widening. "More than okay..." Her voice was a whisper, barely more than a breath, but it was full of warmth and contentment. Her hands curled around Jessica's back, holding her close, unwilling to let go.

Jessica chuckled softly, pressing another kiss to Rey's temple. "Come on," she murmured, nudging her gently. "Let's get you cleaned up."

Rey blinked, looking momentarily confused before Jessica slipped her arms around her, helping her sit up. The sheets tangled around them, and Rey giggled softly, cheeks still flushed as she pulled the blanket off. Her legs were still trembling slightly, and Jessica caught her with a firm grip, steadying her. "I've got you," she whispered, her voice gentle.

They made their way to the bathroom, still a little unsteady, still holding on to each other like they might drift apart if they let go. Jessica reached in, turning on the water, letting it warm up before guiding Rey under the spray. The water cascaded over them, washing away the remnants of their sweat and heat, the steam curling up around them in soft tendrils.

Jessica grabbed the soap, lathering her hands before smoothing them over Rey's shoulders, her back, her stomach. Her touch was gentle now, unhurried, and Rey melted beneath her hands, leaning back against Jessica's chest as the water poured over them. "This feels nice..." Rey murmured, eyes fluttering shut as Jessica's hands moved in slow, soothing circles.

"Yeah?" Jessica whispered, pressing a kiss to the back of Rey's neck, her arms wrapping around her from behind. "I like taking care of you."

Rey's hand came up, covering Jessica's, squeezing gently. "I like when you do," she whispered back, voice barely audible over the rush of water.

They stayed like that for a long moment, just the water and the warmth of each other's bodies, until Jessica finally turned off the tap, wrapping a towel around Rey's shoulders before pulling one around herself. She dried Rey off slowly, her hands patient and soft, before leading her back to the bed, the sheets now cool and inviting.

Rey slid under the blankets, curling up instinctively, and Jessica followed, slipping in beside her. Without hesitation, Rey turned, nestling into Jessica's arms, her head finding its place on Jessica's chest, her hand resting over her heart. Jessica pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her back, fingers tracing light patterns along her spine.

The room was dark now, the moonlight soft against their skin. Rey's breathing slowed, her body relaxing entirely into Jessica's hold, and she murmured something soft and unintelligible with her hand curled against Jessica's chest.

"Hmm?" Jessica murmured.

"I love you," Rey whispered.

Jessica's lips curved in a slow smile as she looked down at her, brushing her cheek lightly against Rey's hair. "Mhm you better love me. I'm set on marrying you one day. It'd really ruin the mood if you weren't on board."

Rey gave a sleepy chuckle. "You're crazy, you know that, right?"

"You said it was part of my charm."

Rey nuzzled deeper into her embrace. "It is. Never change."

Jessica rested her chin on top of Rey's head. "So stay by my side and I won't."

"It's a deal."

Jessica pressed a kiss to the top of her head, her fingers threading through Rey's damp hair, soothing and rhythmic. She listened to the gentle rise and fall of Rey's breathing and closed her eyes, a soft smile on her lips.

The world felt perfectly still, and in the quiet of that moonlit room, they slept.

Epilogue: A Year Later

Rey scanned the shelf, reading ingredient labels with the intensity of someone defusing a bomb. Behind her, Jessica slid a box of sugary cereal into the cart with the innocent stealth of a child mid-heist.

Rey didn't turn. "No."

Jessica gasped. "You didn't even look!"

"You make a specific sound when you're up to something."

"I do not!"

"You do. It's the sound of silence. And guilt. Like the silence is trying too hard."

Jessica pouted while Rey fished the cereal back out. And so it went. For every candy bar Jessica added, Rey removed it, each motion practiced, almost like choreography.

"Stop it!" Jessica finally whined. "I need something sweet!"

Rey leaned over, kissed her on the cheek. "There we go. Better?"

Jessica gave her a deadpan stare.

Unmoved, Rey dropped a tiny box of raisins into the cart.

"That's not sweet. That's sadness in a box! Rachel Williams, I will divorce you."

"Tyler," Rey said casually, already browsing the next shelf.

Jessica blinked. "What?"

"I took your name when we married, sweetie."

Jessica narrowed her eyes at her. "You're infuriating. And somehow still the best thing that's ever happened to me. I hate how good you are at this."

Rey smiled, tossing something practical into the cart. "I know."

Jessica squinted at the box of sadness. "Do you know what raisins are made of?"

"Grapes."

"That's what they want you to think. They're made of regret. And broken childhood dreams."

Rey paused calmly. "Jess, my love, this is why you don't grocery shop hungry."

Jessica let out an offended squeak. "You're not the boss of me!"

Rey turned slowly, with purpose. "Excuse me?"

Jessica backed into the cereal aisle, her voice suddenly sweeter. "I said... I love you?"

Rey took a step forward, her eyes locking on to her wife's. "The things I let you do to me last night makes me the boss of you for at least a week. I woke up sore."

Jessica gave a guilty grin. "I'm sorry... But, um, did you like it?"

Rey suddenly became very interested in fiber content. "That's neither here nor there."

And aisle by aisle, argument by argument, kiss by kiss, they made their way forward, somehow both laughing and bickering at the same time.

Later, Rey drove them home. Jessica sat with her bare feet on the dash, humming quietly, her hand resting on Rey's.

"I'll make you a PB and mayo sandwich when we get back," Rey said softly.

Jessica smiled without looking. "With bacon and maple syrup?"

"Yup. The real stuff."

They pulled into the driveway of their new home: an ocean-view house that Rey had found but Jessica had bought. Jessica's apartment, the glass castle in the sky, was long gone as was Rey's place. This house was different. Earthier, and louder with life.

Rey carried the bags in, placed them on the counter, and continued through the patio doors, past the infinity pool, barefoot across warm tiles, until she reached the end of the terrace. Below, the beach stretched long in both directions. The wind tangled in her hair. Waves crashed softly.

Behind her, the house stood quiet and open, with sunlight pouring in through wide windows, catching the soft edges of throw blankets, the sprawl of green plants in terra-cotta pots, a book half-open on the coffee table.

She closed her eyes. Breathed in.

Then Jessica appeared beside her, her arm wrapping around Rey's waist.

"You okay?"

Rey leaned into her without hesitation. Her eyes were still fixed on the sea, but her heart was right here.

And there they stood, the world stretching out before them. The ocean in front, their past behind, and a house filled with all of the possibilities in between.

"I can't believe you bought this for us," Rey said.

Jessica kissed her temple as the breeze stirred again. "I bought a house," she said softly. "You made it a home. You gave me something money couldn't buy."

Something had shifted in her voice. Rey tilted her head and saw the shimmer in Jessica's eyes.

"Oh, sweetie..." She cupped her cheek and kissed her.

Jessica smiled through it. "God, I love you."

"I love you too," Rey whispered. "Come on. Let's get you something to eat."

And so, they walked back together, toward the house, toward everything they'd built.

Step by step.

Side by side.

The End