Bittersweet

Absence

The café was unusually quiet, the usual morning rush reduced to a trickle of regulars and a few tourists wandering in from the rainy streets. Y/N moved about with her usual cheerfulness, but a small frown creased her forehead. She couldn't help but notice Scarlett's absence. The actress had become a daily fixture, her cold demeanor slowly cracking in the warmth of Y/N's sunny presence, but Scarlett did her best to keep it up.

Y/N glanced at the clock, the hands creeping toward closing time. Where could she be? she wondered, the question lingering at the back of her mind as she wiped down tables and refilled sugar containers. The day had been uneventful, her conversations with customers brief and punctuated by the steady patter of rain against the windows.

As the last customer left, Y/N locked the door and began her closing routine. The rain had intensified, the streets outside shrouded in a misty veil. She flipped the sign to "Closed" and grabbed her umbrella, but hesitated for a moment, letting the door remain open. She loved the rain, the way it washed everything clean, the way it felt against her skin. With a small, delighted smile, she stepped outside, letting the umbrella hang at her side as the rain soaked her.

The streets were nearly empty, the usual city sounds muffled by the downpour. Y/N walked slowly, savoring the sensation of raindrops on her face, feeling a sense of peace despite the day's lingering questions. As she turned a corner, she noticed a figure sitting on a bench, hunched over, face buried in their hands. She slowed her pace, her curiosity piqued.

As she drew closer, recognition struck her like a bolt of lightning. Scarlett. The actress was sitting there, her elegant form crumpled in a way that Y/N had never seen before. Tears mingled with the rain on her cheeks, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

Y/N's heart clenched with concern. She rushed forward, her steps quickening despite the rain. "Miss Johansson?" she called softly, her voice a gentle caress against the storm. "Are you okay?"

Scarlett quickly straightened up, brushing away her tears with a frustrated swipe of her hand. Her usual cold, demanding demeanor snapped back into place like armor. "I'm fine." she snapped, though her voice wavered slightly. "Just... leave me alone."

But Y/N didn't think about leaving. She sat down on the bench beside Scarlett, ignoring the rain soaking through her clothes. "Hey, it's okay to not be okay." she said gently. "You don't have to pretend with me."

Scarlett glared at her, the icy facade cracking just a bit more. "I don't need your pity." she said, though her voice lacked its usual sharpness.

Y/N shook her head, her expression filled with empathy. "It's not pity. It's concern. Everyone has bad days, even someone as strong as you."

Scarlett's defenses wavered, the weight of her emotions too much to bear alone. She looked away, her shoulders sagging. "I didn't know where else to go." she admitted in a whisper, the vulnerability in her voice a stark contrast to her usual demeanor.

Y/N's heart ached at the sight. She placed a comforting hand on Scarlett's arm. "You can always come to me." she said softly. "Let's get you somewhere dry. My place isn't far."

Scarlett hesitated, but the sincerity in Y/N's eyes was impossible to resist. She nodded reluctantly, allowing Y/N to help her to her feet. Together, they walked through the rain, Y/N's arm around Scarlett's shoulders, offering support and solace.

As they made their way through the quiet streets, Y/N couldn't help but marvel at the turn of events. The cold-hearted actress, so distant and unapproachable, was now leaning on her, her vulnerability laid bare. And Y/N felt a connection deepening, a bond forged in the shared rain and hidden pain.

By the time they reached Y/N's apartment, Scarlett's sobs had subsided, replaced by a tentative calm. But as they stepped inside, Y/N noticed Scarlett shivering uncontrollably, her lips tinged with blue.

"You're freezing.." Y/N said, concern evident in her voice. "You need to get warm. How about a hot shower?"

Scarlett tried to protest, her pride still intact despite her obvious discomfort. "I'm fine, really. I'll be okay." she said, but her trembling betrayed her words.

Y/N gently but firmly guided her toward the bathroom. "No arguments. You'll feel better after warming up. I'll find you some dry clothes."

Scarlett hesitated for a moment, then nodded, her resistance finally giving way. Y/N handed her a fluffy towel and pointed to the bathroom. "Take your time. I'll be right here."

As Scarlett stepped into the shower, Y/N hurried to her room, searching for something comfortable and dry. She returned with a pair of sweatpants and a soft hoodie, not caring at this point if it was something an actress like her would wear as long as it kept her warm, setting them on the counter just as Scarlett emerged, steam billowing around her.

Scarlett's eyes met Y/N's, gratitude shining through the lingering pain. "Thank you." she said softly, her voice devoid of its usual frost.

Y/N smiled warmly. "Anytime. Now, get dressed and join me in the living room. We'll have some hot chocolate and talk if you want."

Scarlett nodded, slipping into the warm clothes. As she sat down in the cozy living room, the promised cup of hot chocolate in her hands, she felt the coldness inside her begin to melt, replaced by a tentative warmth brought on by Y/N's unwavering kindness and genuine concern.