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𝕤𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟

{ lando's version }

_

I watched her from the corner of my eye. She was typing away on her phone and I wanted to ask what she was doing. But I had to watch the road. I knew where we were going. I had been to that flat before, a year before with Izzy. And this shouldn't feel any different but she was sitting there. And I wanted to know it all.

"Riles?"

"Hm?" She looked up from her phone.

"Can I ask what you're doing?"

She nodded. "Sorry, I was just checking in with my brother. It was the first time we've both had time to talk and all, time differences."

"Oh, right. I won't interrupt then."

She nodded and went right back to her phone. I wanted to know more about her. I knew she had a brother and I could very obviously look into who she was but it felt wrong. An invasion of privacy and I knew how much I respected mine, I wasn't going to take hers away. I didn't even know her last name, and something about that sat weird with me. But for some reason, it was hard to talk to her. All my words felt wrong.

We got to her flat and I parked on the street. The neighbourhood was quiet enough that I didn't have to worry about anyone seeing us. I didn't want to start rumors. She didn't deserve that, especially since it was her first week. We were friends after all.

I watched her get out of the car with what looked like practiced ease, still typing away on her phone as she unlocked the door and walked up to the floor with the kitchen. All I could do was watch her as she kicked off her heels and put her hair up.

"Do you have music you want to listen to?"

"Hm? Oh, uh. No, you can pick."

She nodded and scrolled on her phone for a second before some soft music played lightly around the kitchen. I heard the front door open and saw Oscar a second later. He set the bags down on the island and Riley went to work on figuring out something to make.

"You guys can make yourself comfortable, whatever, and such. Mi casa, su casa."

_

The smell of food filled the entire flat. I took the time to look around, trying to see what I could learn about her from her house. It was gorgeous from what I saw. She had an eye for everything. The books that lined the walls were classics, something that everyone could enjoy. The pictures on the wall looked like she took them herself. All the records that were set on the wall, were just like her. Timeless.

But I still didn't know anything about her. 

"Boys, food is done!"

Oscar was already in the kitchen. He had offered to help and she set him up with prep work and dishes. I took the route of looking around but now that I was back in the kitchen, the smell was heavenly.

"What is this?"

"Something I would make for my brother when he had a long day or we needed to celebrate. I figured since I had all the right ingredients and it was the end of my first week... we could celebrate."

"I love it."

I sat down, taking the seat on the other side of her. I hadn't eaten anything like this before but I could feel my mouth watering. She watched me as I tried it and so I took a bite. It felt like heaven in my mouth. I let out a dramatic moan, which caused her to giggle. The sound was beautiful. No. It was just a giggle.

"Riles, can I convince you to come live with me? I will buy you whatever you want if you cook like this for me."

She snorted. "I quite like my space, but you, both of you, are welcome to come over to mine whenever you want."

"I might move in if you cook like this."

I glared at Oscar and he smirked at me. I was going to kick him in the face if he kept this up. He knew what he was doing and it was all friendly but it sat weird with me. I tried to push it away as we ate, talking about anything and everything. It felt so normal, to sit here, the three of us. It had never felt like this with Izzy. She was a good friend but this was like it was supposed to be.

We finished dinner and Oscar dipped out, saying he had some things to handle. I stayed, helping Riley clean up. She moved around with confidence and it was so intoxicating. Grabbing dishes to hand me, humming softly to whatever song was playing.. It was nice to see her in something that was her environment.

"Riles?"

She chuckled. "It's going to take time to get used to that nickname, but what's up?"

"You said you have a brother?"

"Yeah, my older brother."

"He lives in the states, yeah?"

She nodded as she joined me at the sink to dry off the dishes. "In Miami."

"You miss him a lot, I'm sure."

"Yes and no."

I raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to explain. I wanted to know everything about her but I wasn't going to push. She would tell me when she was comfortable.

"I guess you want to know what I mean."

"If you want to share, but I won't push it."

"My brother is older, which means he got everything. Not that I mind, he deserved it. But this is my thing, you know? My own space, my world... I get to make my name for myself. I miss getting to see him and talk all the time. But I get to grow into myself."

I knew what she meant. But from what I've seen, she seemed so confident. I wondered if that wasn't the case back in her home. She seemed so open here, so bright. And to think that might not be the case was a little weird for me. I couldn't imagine her in that light and I don't think I ever wanted to.

"Well, let me be the first to say... welcome home."

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a/n: a lando pov? oh you all must love me. but this is a slow burn and i love angst. so it will get worse before it gets better. as always, love it or don't :p