The Nights We Stay Awake (TemperancexReader)

65. "Tourists from Sweden"

A/n contains Swedish, but I've put a translation next to it. But it's also translated word for word, so it's not exactly making sense in English.

Temperance pov

It's a cool, crispr morning in Washington, D.C., and Y/n and i are walking hand-in-hand down Pennsylvania Avenue. The city feels familiar, yet today it's different. Today were not forensic anthropologist and FBI profiler. Today we're tourists- two women from Sweden, on vacation.

Y/n suggested it earlier in the week: to take a day to 'tourist' in our own town. It seemed trivial at first, but now that we're here, walking the streets as if we've never seen them before, i understand the appeal. It's freeing. We laugh as we point on monuments we've passed countless times, speaking in love voices as if they're new discoveries.

"This is the White House," Y/n says in an exaggerated, mock-guide tone, pausing as we pass the gates. "It's where the president of the United States lives. He's kind of a big deal."

I raise an eyebrow at her but play along, tilting my head thoughtfully as if seeing it for the first time. "Is he? I've heard he's got a lot of meetings."

Y/n snorts and wraps an arm around my waist. "Yeah, but i bet he'd cancel them all if he knew two Swedes were here."

I roll my eyes but can't help the smile tugging at my lips. We continue walking, occasionally stopping to take photos - selfies in front of the National mall, candid shots by the Washington Monument. Y/n insists we act as 'touristy' as possible, so we make a game of it, even adopting exaggerated accent whenever we talk to passersby.

"Oh, look at hees one, is so beeg!" Y/n exclaims loudly, pointing to the Capital Building. Her accent is horrendous, a blend of vaguely Scandinavian and cartoonish, but i can't stop laughing.

"You sound like a character from Frozen, "i manage to say between giggles.

She smirks, giving me a playful nudge. "And you sound like you don't know what fun is, but that's okay. I'll teach you."

We head toward the Lincoln Memorial, where the crowds are thick, and as we weave our way through, Y/n pulls me closer, her hand sliding down to mine. It's casual, but intimate, the simple comfort of being close to her still sending a warm rush through me.

We spot a group of actual tourists huddled near the steps. Their voices are accented in the same way we've been imitating all day - except they're authentic.

"Are they...?" Y/n's eyes widen, a spark of mischief lighting them up. "From Sweden?"

I nod. "Yes, i think so."

Y/n's grin is downright devious. "We should go say hi."

"Before i can protest, she's already steering me toward them, her voice slipping back into its exaggerated tone. "Hej, hej!" Vi är också från Sverige! Hur mår ni! (Hi, hi! We're also from Sweden! How are you?"

The group turns, clearly surprised, but their faces break into smiles. "Åh, verkligen? Vad kul! Varifrån kommer ni? (Oh really, how fun. Where are you from?)" one of the asks.

I try not to panic as Y/n smoothly answers, "Göteborg, och du? (Gothenburg, and you?"

I nod, backing her with a smile. "Stockholm," i add, holding i sound convincing. I'm fluent enough, but my mind races as i mentally run through any details we might need.

The tourists laugh, and for a brief moment, it's surreal. Here we are, pretending to be Swedish in our own city, surrounded by people who actually are. It feels like we're living in some sort of inside joke, a moment of suspended reality.

We chat for a few minutes, Y/n and i managing to throw in bits and pieces of our fabricated story. "We're here for a week," she says, leaning into the act effortlessly. "First time in Washington?"

"Have you seen the museums?" one of the women ask.

"Oh, all of them!" Y/n nods enthusiastically. "But i think our favourite has to be the Smithsonian."

I chuckle. "You know, it's funny. I thought i'd hate museums, but they're quite enjoyable."

She shoots me a look, clearly fighting the urge to break character. "Oh, really?"

The Swedish tourists seem amused and after a few more exchanges, they head off, leaving us to burst into quiet laughter once they're out of earshot.

"That was amazing," Y/n says, practically glowing with pride. "I can't believe we pulled that off."

I shark my head, grinning. "You're absolutely ridiculous."

"And yet, you love me for it."

I can't argue with that.

We continue on our 'tour', making our way through various landmarks and spots throughout the city. Every so often, Y/n stops to steal a kiss, her lips soft and warm against mine, making me forget where we are. The world feels smaller, like it's just us - two people madly in love, playing make-believe in the middle of D.C.

At one point, we stop for lunch at a quaint little cafe near the National Gallery. As we settle in, Y/n leans over and brushes a stray hand of hair behind my ear, her gaze warm and affectionate.

"Thank you for going along with this," she says, her voice soft.

I tilt my head, my heart swelling at the sincerity in her tone. "It's been more fun than i expected," i admit.

We finish our meal and continue our day of being 'tourists'. But every time i catch Y/n wincing as we walk, i insist we take a break. She tries to play it off, but i know her too well. Her back still isn't fully healed, and i won't let her push herself too far.

"Sit," i say, firmly pointing to a bench after i see her wince again. "We'll rest for twenty minutes."

She sighs but doesn't argue, sinking down onto the bench beside me. "You're too good to me, you know that?"

I smirk, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "I'll take that as a compliment."

As the afternoon wears on, the sky begins to darken, and we make our way to the Tidal Basin, where spring truly has begun to come to DC. The soft glow of twilight casts the trees in a pale pink light, and for a moment, everything feels perfect. We stand there, side by side, gazing out at the water, our fingers intertwined.

"Thank you for today," Y/n says quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't think i've ever had this much fun in my own city."

I smile, squeezing her hand. "Me neither."

She turns to me then, her eyes soft and full of love. "Let's do this more often."

I nod, knowing exactly what she means. "Definitely."