Business Partner // Sasharcy

Dawn

Sasha watched the clock tick agonizingly slowly from her position at the back of the banquet hall, half listening to one of the final speakers slated before dinner. Shamelessly, Sasha texted Marcy as she held her phone under the table, smiling to herself. Hiding her phone was practically pointless though, as none of the older attendees paid her much mind. She thought she could network, rub elbows, make connections and take names, but that certainly had not come to fruition. Despite being a keynote speaker, she was a young woman, and some professionals were set in their old ways of dismissing anyone who did not fit the usual profile.

In previous years, this obvious dismissal of her skill and credibility would have made the blonde see red, but now, after years of effort and reflection, she knew her worth. Those who loved her knew her worth, Marcy knew, and while she was righteously angry at her current circumstances, she tried to do as Marcy often instructed and see the good in the situation.

The hotel was gorgeous, exploring a new city was always exciting, she bought a stunning new suit for the occasion. Though she was sleep deprived, she liked to think the dark eye circles added intrigue, as did her scar. Though she sat alone at a table in a far corner, she could text Marcy uninhibited. Good existed everywhere if she was willing to search hard enough, she was learning.

As the talk dragged on into the evening, though, the silver linings rusted over, and all Sasha wanted was to toss her bags in her convertible and drive home. She dreaded the notion of another night spent alone, sleepless and frantic and trying so hard to tough it out. No, she wanted Marcy. Shamelessly, endlessly, eternally, she craved to be near her.

Having her fill of honestly redundant business jargon, Sasha made up her mind and stealthily ducked out the back door of the banquet hall. Packing up quickly, Sasha was on the road again before she knew it, headlights forging a trail back home to her girl. One hand on the wheel, Sasha habitually closed a fist around the ring box in her pocket. Perhaps it was time to do something with it.

Back in her apartment, Marcy sketched contentedly on her balcony, cold coffee in front of her, slow jams pouring out of her headphones. It was an idyllic evening, really, a city winding down with the sunset, an artist in her element. Of course, the only thing missing was Sasha. Glancing down at her current work, Marcy smiled. Sasha was going to love it.

What started as a collection of sketches of the blonde morphed into a massive, fully colored collage of her. A sunset in the background, the silhouette of an armored woman, heron swords clashing. A proud warrior, her warrior. Sasha did not have to fight Marcy's battles, but she did. She protected, she guarded, and Marcy loved her for it.

Eventually, her mug ran dry and the sun disappeared, so Marcy gathered her things and stepped inside. She debated retiring to bed, but she had just chugged a cup of coffee and would be in bed alone yet again, so she sat aimlessly on her living room couch.

Sasha had not responded to her texts in a few hours, which was fine, but it was unlikely Sasha was sleeping at this hour (or any hour), so Marcy imagined she had a relaxing night out, or was conversing over dinner with important business folk. Perhaps she was in the hotel gym, lifting weights as she so often did. Perhaps she was thinking of Marcy, perhaps she missed her too.

With a hopeful grin, Marcy dialed Sasha's number, but was sent to voicemail. She almost didn't care, as it was Sasha's voice all the same. Shrugging, Marcy tossed her phone aside, figuring Sasha simply got busy. She was technically working, after all.

As dusk faded to twilight, Marcy ambled to her bedroom, the cozy space illuminated in warm yellow light. She started to change into her own pajamas, but opted for some of Sasha's periwinkle sweats instead. Not like she was here to stop her. She shot Anne a goodnight text, and was typing out one to Sasha when a knock sounded at the front door.