Several houses. So many houses. Too many goddamn houses.
The couple grew sick of looking at flat after flat, room after room, option after option. They finally hired a realtor to help them, against Nik's wishes. Stubborn man, Gwen constantly thought. He's going to stomp around like a toddler until we find a place we like. Nik's opinions on places grew quieter and quieter until only Gwen gave them.
For two and a half weeks Nikolaj stayed in London with Gwendoline. Nik, reluctantly , decided to cohabitate with Giles in that time. Staying in a hotel didn't seem worth it for such an extended period, so they made do. Giles was often gone, whether that was working in his office or away with Jonathan, he lived to get under Nik's skin though. He'd order dinner before Nik had the chance to, he'd rub Gwen's feet while she was half asleep on the couch, he'd whisk her away to make last minute adjustments to her dresses.
I'm jealous, Nik thought. Perhaps a bit too jealous...
Gwendoline's rehearsals drew longer and longer as opening night approached at an alarming rate. She spent extra hours bonding with the rest of the cast, unfortunately for Nikolaj, they were a very close bunch. She'd often leave early for lunch with them, a ridiculous smile on her face as she ventured out. And she often wouldn't return until long after dinner.
I may be a bit jealous of her cast too...
When she did return, she was exhausted and starving. Nik learned early on to always have something prepared for her when she came home, big meals to appease her appetite. Gwen would scarf down everything on her plate and tell Nikolaj about her day - around a mouthful of food, of course.
After eating, Gwen would often pass out wherever she found it comfortable. The couch, her favorite chair, in their bed (though it was rare), once or twice she fell asleep at the dining room table. The strangest was halfway into a workout, Nik had walked in to find her laying face down on a yoga mat, Madonna still blaring away in her headphones.
Gwendoline had a track record for sleeping during lunch breaks on set, but that was far more physically taxing than... Shakespeare. We are getting older. We're not under the strict rules of personal trainers or on diets anymore. We've gone a bit soft.
Nik actually admired the way they were changing, or - moreso, the way Gwen was changing. He watched her slowly, tiredly undress before bed. Her toned stomach now had gentle curves, a small roll even as she dropped her shirt to the floor. Her small breasts that once fit perfectly in his cupped palm now more than a handful. Unfortunately, Gwen had taken notice and started wearing bras far more often than either of them would like. Her thighs were less sinewy, though it meant more for Nik to grab when she straddled his face. Her ass was more plush in his firm grasp, even more fun to watch when his hand met her bare skin. He loved these new curves but Gwen, on the other hand, did not.
She huffed and turned away from the mirror mounted on the wall, sliding her shirt over her head, the soft pink lines from being constrained in a bra all day still freshly indented in her skin. The exhaustion and irritation evident on her face, she noticeably scowled even further when she saw Nik's wandering eyes on her.
"Stop looking at me like that."
He blinked. "What?"
"I know I've gained weight, you don't have to stare."
"I'm staring because I like what I see. God, are you blind?"
Gwen sighed heavily and crawled into her side of the bed, immediately pulling the covers over herself and shutting her eyes.
Nik wrapped his arm around her and pulled her flush against him, his hand gliding across her stomach. "Do you need me to show you?"
Silence, before the quietest "no" came from her lips.
"Please, let me show you... I love you, Gwendoline. I love every last bit of you."
"Well now there's a lot more of me to love."
"You're just a whole lot of woman." He wound her up tighter in his arms, a grin playing at his lips.
She groaned, pulling the blanket up over her face. "I was hoping you'd let that go."
"How could I when it crosses my mind all the time?" He tugged the blanket from her grasp and kissed her bare shoulder. "There may be more of you to love now, but I find that the most exciting thing. More to hold, more to kiss and to touch." He nuzzled his nose into her neck, placing a gentle kiss there.
Gwen quietly turned to face him, snaking her arms around his torso.
"You never stopped being beautiful."
"You're so full of it."
"I am, but not when I'm regarding you." Nik pulled back and lifted her chin. "You're gorgeous. I love you. I'm proud of you. Those things won't change."
She searched his eyes for any sort of mendacious undertones, any gives. Of course he means it, how could he not? He's stayed with you for weeks while you prance around the stage, he's living with your ex for you.
She placed her hands on his cheeks, rubbing her thumbs in slow circular motions. "I love you... But maybe... not now."
His smile faltered. "Excuse me?"
"No! That's not what I meant!" She planted her forehead against his, squeezing her eyes shut. "I meant not now to you... showing me." She sighed. A ragged, uneasy sound from deep in her lungs. "I'm so tired." She whispered.
Nik nodded slowly. "I know. You said you had a long weekend before the show. Maybe we can get away, go somewhere." A moment of pause. "Just the two of us."
She had slowly opened her eyes, a faint smile across her face. "I can't promise that I won't sleep through it."
"As long as I'm with you, it doesn't matter."
"I am sorry I'm so busy."
"Don't be, you need to be busy. It suits you." He kissed her cheek. "Now sleep."
Dutifully, Gwen did as she was asked, wrapping her arms around Nik and falling asleep within minutes of closing her eyes. Her breathing slowed, remaining steady and deep.
As long as I have her, it's worth it.
As long as she's in my arms at the end of the day, I can wait.
As long as she's happy, I can be happy too.
Keep her happy, Nik.
