𝐇𝐎𝐏𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐀 𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 ( 𝘳. 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯 )

twelve

laying in the light of moon, the lovers legs entangled as they collapsed onto the mattress below them, breathing heavily in the aftermath of what they had just done.

"fuck..." richard breathed into the cool air, draping his arm lazily over florence's shoulder as she pushed her face into his neck.

"yeah..." florence's warm breath caused goosebumps to spread across richard's neck and chest, his arm flinching to involuntarily pull her closer.

the couple lay in the semi-darkness for a few comfortable moments, enjoying one another's company and relishing in the pleasures which they both experienced.

"do you want me to go?"

"not yet." florence pulled the duvet over her shoulders and let the warmth of richard's body fill her with a sense of safety and security.

"do you think taron heard us?"

"probably."

"do you think he'll say anything?"

"probably not."

a moment of silence and then, "do you think it would be that bad if people knew?"

"richard," florence sighed and lifted her head so that she was eye-level with the scottish man she loved so much. "you know my family. they wouldn't understand."

"but didn't your dads do the same think back in the day?"

"what? have friends with benefits?"

"no, like sleep around and that."

florence laughed through her nose. "yeah, they did, but they're old now and because they're happily married they think that we should all settle down and find "the one"."

"and i'm not the one?" richard's tone was joking as flossie lightly pushed his cheek and settled back into his chest, missing the regret and sadness which flashed through richard's eyes for a beat when she brushed him off.

the pair held each other as they breathed in time with one another, feeling the most relaxed they had in weeks.

"you know how proud i am of you, right?"

"i know." florence mumbled.

"the album is incredible."

"i know." richard chuckled at the sleepy girl tucked under his chin.

a beat, then, "i love you, rich."

richard's breath hitched in his throat just like it did every time floss told him she loved him.

"i love you too, gorgeous."

richard wished the 'i love you's the couple frequently exchanged weren't just in the name of friendship. that florence felt the same way about him as he felt about her.