I'm Yours (PRN)

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It wasn't the bracelet, it was the thought behind the bracelet. It wasn't the massage, it was the way he wanted to get her a new room just so she'd sleep better at night... Even it was for one night. His attentiveness enhancing in a time of his life changing as fast as it's changing is where the dominoes land. Thus, allowing her to see how much he cares. She can see it not only geared toward herself but others around. A tour where each crew member has their own hotel room is practically unheard of.

Yet, he makes it happen every week.

Spending two hours of her Christmas with the ex-stepfamily of hers that has photos of him in every house as if he's within the bloodline scoops out half of her brain and replaces it with thoughts of him. Where is he? Is he okay? Is he lonely on Christmas? She's been seeing them all week, her extended relatives that is. The entire family came out to at least one of the first two Minnesota shows, his ex-girlfriend included. Iris' time at Granny's is mostly normal. An hour in, distant cousins resurfacing in the name of gaining proximity to Prince Rogers Nelson catch wind of what Iris does for a living. Aunt Joy has to cut the interrogation short to ensure Iris is able to continue to thrive in her environment with her favorite cousins.

On her way out, she noticed all of Prince's favorite foods. Continuing to wonder what he's doing on the only day of rest at home before they jet off to Dallas, she makes a plate of food with his taste in mind. Then, instead of wasting any more of her valuable time wondering, Iris drives to Chanhassen with the hopes that he's home.

Arriving at his residence, she spots the mobile recording truck that travels with them from city to city. The puzzle pieces put themselves together. Her previous knowledge that he's recently sold a main component of his recording console in the house helps her solve the mystery. Her sighs come from a place of partial concern. If he's recording on Christmas instead of spending time with loved ones, she won't know what to say.

Iris lifts her fist to knock on the door when Prince catches a glimpse of her through the window. He opens the door and she is greeted with a smile. "Merry Christmas!" The quickness of her cheesing cheeks transferring her giddy energy to a half-sleep Prince keeps her smile strong.

A yawn cutting through his smile, he steps aside for her and her bags to come in. "What are you doing here?"

Her appearance is a pleasant surprise, something he's more thankful for than the gifts from his closest friends and family that he's left underneath the tree. The arrival of his friend places his head in the clouds on a day he's never been too invested in. Every Christmas with the exception of the few spent at Granny's, Prince is left in a middle space as he tries to figure out what to do with himself. Last year, he tried to spend time with his maternal family but his hatred for his mother's husband pushed him to leave after fifteen minutes. Thankfully, he wound up at Granny's once he heard Monica left. This year, he's taking a new approach, one that won't go into action until Prince taps into the courage he's sitting on.

"I already made my rounds," Iris says, carrying her bags to Prince's kitchen. His stare hits the back pockets of her denim skirt. She screams to him from the kitchen as she places his plate in the microwave. "My dad's in Florida, saw my mom, even stopped by Granny's and—" The microwave snaps closed. Iris comes strutting down the hallway, scarf flying over her shoulder as if she's on a runway in Milan. "I wanted to give you your gift!"

Scratching the center of his mildly tamed bird's nest of relaxed curls, Prince watches Iris reach into one of the bags on her wrists. The sight makes him chuckle, internally, as it takes him back to her excitement displayed when they were in Los Angeles.

Just waking up after recording for as long as he did, Prince settles on his couch and asks, "Why didn't you leave it under the tree?" He lifts a hand to stuff his cheek into his palm.