Sensibilities | Deetranada AU

conscious

(A/N: Trigger Warning - Negative self-harm discussion. This chapter briefly includes negative speech about self-harm. It will be italicized and centered with bold stars to indicate it should you choose to skip it.)

Dee and Nova shared moments of bliss after their daycation. Things seemed to be going well but their combined punishment for their unsupervised adventure and their busy schedules made it hard for them to spend time with one another.

Their daily time together was traded for sporadic phone calls, a few uncomfortable supervised dates at restaurants and pleasant but not fully satisfying FaceTime calls. While their rendezvous weren't the vein of their relationship, the lack of constant physicality turned into a lack of communication that began to fester as their shaky foundation. 

The next two weeks would prove to be a true test of their relationship.

(Nova POV)

Nova smiles as Dee enters the makeshift dressing room, her beauty more radiant than he remembered. She smiles, trying to contain herself as she approaches him. He does the same, not wanting to seem too overzealous. Their lips instantly find one another's, their movements routine but the passion unmatched. 'I missed you so fuckin' much, Juli,' she whispers between kisses. He groans, pulling her closer and deepening the kiss, both struggling to keep up with the other.

They kiss for what feels like hours and seconds at once but when they separate, they're breathless. She blushes, biting her lip and standing on her tippy toes to comeback for more. He chuckles, giving her a small kiss instead. 'Juli,' she whines, standing flat. 'Stop whining', she responds, taking her hand and leading her to the back of the room.

He sits, pulling her onto his lap. He laces their fingers, gently twirling her ring. She smiles, kissing his cheek slowly. 'I missed you too, babygirl,' he says. He closes his eyes, leaning back. She follows suit, finding her place on his chest as their breathing syncopates.

They sit in silence as they revel in one another's presence. Finally, he speaks. 'It's crazy not seein' you every day.' She giggles, fingering his shirt. 'Stop bein' so needy, Juli,' she teases. 'Me? Who called the next day tryna sneak out?' he responds. She pinches him but he lets it go, knowing that he's right.

'I didn't say me, I said you,' she explains but he shakes his head. 'You too scared to even try,' he teases. 'Noooo,' she begins. 'I'm tryna make it to 17 unlike you.' He smirks, gently caressing her knee. 'Just try it, you don't even have to come to me,' he says quietly. 'Meet me wherever you want, shit I'll pick you up if you do it.' She chuckles as if his proposition is a joke. 'You think I'm playin',' he whispers. 'Nah, I know you not,' she replies, sitting up. 'That's why I'm laughin', 'cause you really think I'mma do somethin' like that.'

A knock on the door pulls them from their dangerous planning. It's Ekko, his face quickly going from frustration to blank when he sees their current placement. Dee gets up quickly, Nova following but slower. 'Playtime's over, Nov,' Ekko says. He sighs deeply, stretching. He sees Dee look down, her movements tense and tight. He reaches for her hand, trying to relax her.

'It starts in ten but they wanna see the performers real quick,' Ekko adds. He sucks his teeth, sensing Ekko's true intentions. He nods, giving Dee a long hug and kiss on her forehead. 'Love you, babygirl,' he murmurs. 'Just follow me.' She nods, looking back down as he walks away. He exits the room, starting for the crowd of fellow performers with the stage manager. He looks back, seeing neither of them in the hallway. Fuck, knew he was gonna do that shit. You got it, babygirl.