Crescendo | WILBUR SOOT

xvi. dating(?)

WILL GOLD PREPARED TEA in the kitchen while Gianna typed furiously on her phone. The singer was uncomfortably contorted into a triangle (with one leg bent to her face and the other standing strong against the wall). While her body curved, her face twisted into a miserable expression. She sighed, shook her head, and resumed her vicious attack on the keyboard. 

Will let out a loud sigh. 

"Kids these days," he shook his head, "Always on their phones." 

Without looking up, Gianna threw a pillow his way. 

"Oi!" Will exclaimed, narrowly avoiding the attack. "Careful, or this tea will end up on your head." 

Cups in hand, the musician settled into the pocket of Gianna's sofa perch. The cup of tea was nothing compared to the heat radiating from his cheeks as she sat up and pressed a soft kiss into his lips. 

"Hi," she breathed. 

Her delicate fingers traced the shape of his jaw as her eyes studied the contours of his furrowed brow. 

Two weeks had passed since their initial venture into romance, and Will was still unsure where he stood. He craved Gianna - needed to be around her, to breathe in her sweet perfume. He was an addict. The more they touched, the more he was sure he would never be okay without her again. 

But she wasn't his. 

At a moment's notice, Gianna could run to the arms of another. Her phone was filled with names more powerful than the Avengers. Legions of fans swarmed the cafes and pubs she graced just for the opportunity to breathe the same air as her. 

And Maxen Bale continued to blow up her phone every night.

"Everything alright?" Will asked, noting the vibrating phone on Gianna's lap.

"The BAFTAs are next week," she stated. 

Will paused, still unsure if that supplied the answer he needed. 

"Right..." he said slowly. "Never been a fan of award shows myself." 

"Can't say I am either, but unfortunately, I am performing." 

"Gianna... I didn't think I'd be the one to tell you this, but you're not actually British. I don't think Canadians are allowed within the premises." 

"Oh! Wait, hold on-" Gianna reached behind her back and revealed two middle fingers to the man. "These are for you." 

He laughed as she rolled her eyes. 

"I sing the newest Bond theme," she said, avoiding his gaze. 

Will's mouth dropped open. 

"Didn't realise I was dating a Bond girl." 

Shit. 

There was that word. "Dating". Is that what they were? 

Will did not fail to notice the visible cringe on Gianna's face as she ran through the most diplomatic response to the question neither of them was brave enough to ask. 

"Far from it," she laughed emptily. "I just do my little singing bit at the beginning and fuck off." 

"That's fucking epic." 

Gianna continued to avoid his gaze, but he caught the quiet smile building on her lips. 

"Yeah, well... All my team can do is bicker about who is going to be my arm candy." 

He plastered a false smile on his lips and said, "Right then, run me through the contenders." 

The singer began to pick at loose threads on the sofa. Her fingers worked methodically, carefully removing any lingering anxieties. Her body was curved into a tight ball. Pressed against his, she shared her burning warmth. She was a star, burning hot and bright and unafraid of scorching anyone at her side.