a sum of small things | camren (au)

the third year | january - march

A/N: Hello. I love you. See you at the end of the chapter where I'll talk /explain a bit more.

:::

The applause hits like thunder. One moment everything is dark and silent around you, and the next you're shaking in your seat, jolted into the present moment as the entire theater erupts in a staggering appraisal of the performance. People are out of their seats in seconds, throwing roses to the stage, yelling one bravo after the next. It takes you a moment - still jetlagged and all - and then you're up on your feet, too. You watch her take the arm of one of the lead male dancers and make her way forward on stage. Her expression makes your heartbeat stutter. The way she looks so open and happy and like she belongs. She nods and bows like she's supposed to, and charms the entire house with a single smile that breaks on her face and shows exactly who she is in a matter of seconds. You wouldn't expect otherwise.

She's right there.

You're in the fourth row of the London Royal Opera House, and she's right there, closer than she's been in-

The applause lasts minute after minute.

Camila doesn't look at you.

Not even once.

:::

(december)

:::

You wake up with your lips against the naked skin of her shoulder, hand folded lightly over her hip, everything around you warm and soft and quiet. For a moment you're still, thoughts of last night slowly coming back to you, running through your mind in a series of fragmented images. The ballet show, the club, the drive home, her hands all over your body...

Camila makes a sleepy noise and shifts a little bit closer to you.

Before you really know what you're doing, you press a kiss against her shoulder blade, feeling the way her body rises and falls with the heaving of her breath. The air is December cold all around you, causing goosebumps on your arm. The first light of the day is coming in through a gap between your curtains, the ones you couldn't bother to close last night. You roll closer into her, trying to stay warm, trying to stay right here, sleepy and safe and-

The thought hits you with a shock.

"It's Christmas."

Camila hums. "Hm?"

It startles you awake more abruptly than you want to. "Fuck, it's Christmas... I've got to-" You back a little bit away from her, trying to clear your thoughts. But then she rolls over onto her other side, into your space again, and she is suddenly really naked and really close against your body, facing you with sleep-tired eyes and messy hair. Your breath catches in your throat for a moment, before you manage to whisper, "Hey..."

She smiles, blinks sleepily and shifts even closer, until her face is in your neck and her arm is wrapped around you again. She nudges your jaw with her nose. "Hi."

Her voice is rough from sleep and sex and alcohol. Your body shivers hot and cold at the sound of it, and you have to bite your lip to keep from making any sounds, not really believing she is here, naked against you, in your bed, with her arms around you. You inhale slowly. "Camz, it's Christmas."

She smiles into your skin. "I know." Then she sighs and groans, "Fuck, my head hurts..."

You bite your lip to hide your smile. "Want me to go out and get you some coffee?"

She shakes her head and hums again, pulling you closer. "No."

"You sure? I can just run out and quickly-"