The Air I Breathe

Chapter 4 - A Shrinking Violet Blooms

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-NYCC, SAME DAY-

GWEN'S P.O.V.

If you'd have told me I was going to save the life of one of Hollywood's hottest stars and that he'd be hugging me at New York Comic Con, I'd have asked what kind of drugs you were on! But the fact remains... SEBASTIAN STAN IS HUGGING ME! If this is a dream, don't wake me up! He smelled so good! Kinda like a mix of cedar and spearmint. If Old Spice or Axe could patent this, they'd make BANK! As he hugs me, I quickly realize that it wasn't just his abs that were hard as a rock; his chest was, too. And his arms... oh, he could hold me like this all day and I'd never get tired of it! I let out a tiny whimper of disappointment when he let go, but looking into his eyes more than made up for it. They were the most incredible steel blue and don't get me started on those bubble gum lips! They're curled up in the sincerest smile that makes the corners of his eyes crinkle slightly. When he shows me that he, indeed, has my necklace, he offers to put it on me. Of course, I agreed! I'd be a damn fool if I turned that down! I feel his hands glide across my skin; it was barely a touch but it sent goosebumps all over my body. These weren't the "oh, my God. This is creepy" kind of goosebumps; these were the good kind. Then, he spoke to me in his native language. I never knew Romanian could sound so good; it just drips off his tongue like honey. And I'm not kidding; I really do wanna learn Romanian.

"YES! Another convert!" I shout as I give her another hug. "I'll be more than happy to be your personal tutor."

"Maybe I'll take you up on that offer someday."

He pulls me into another hug and that's when I hear a familiar voice echo through the spacious room.

"Girl! My Instagram is gonna EXPLODE!"

I break the hug and look up to see my bestie, Laurel, with her phone out recording everything. That's when rent-a-cop went ballistic and tried throwing her out.

"You can't be here!"

"I have an all-access pass, Dragnet!" She holds up her lanyard smugly. "Two, in fact, because I have hers, too!"

"They don't count during after-hours! Now, leave or-"

Dude! Who pissed in your coffee and donuts, Smokey?

"Wait! That's my friend, Laurel!"

"The one who gave you your necklace?" Sebastian asks. I nod in response and he looks to low-budget Columbo. "Hey, it's cool! She's with her! Cut her some slack!"

The security guard wasn't too keen on being called out, but he let Laurel come behind the table and we hugged.

"I guess I don't need to ask if you're okay." She smirked.

"How long have you been standing there?"

"I was here for your altercation with Chief Wiggum, here. I've been recording ever since."

"Where'd you go, anyway? After I got out of the bathroom, you were gone."

"The P.A. announced that I left my lights on so I left to turn them off. Once I got back, everyone was leaving but I stayed behind to look for you. I sent you texts, but I guess they didn't go through. So, I made my way back here since this was the last place we were going and here we are."

I was about to say something when I hear the notification chime go off. Guess what? Those texts Laurel said she sent? THEY'RE JUST NOW POPPING UP! SERIOUSLY?! GO HOME, SAMSUNG! YOU'RE DRUNK! I just chuckle and turn to Sebastian.

"I believe an introduction is in order. Laurel, this is Sebastian Stan. Sebastian, this is my sista from anutha mista, Laurel Register."

"It's nice to meet you." And he gives her a hug, not as long as the one he gave me, though.