hidden in plain sight

[theo lovett]

Theo leans back, bringing her with him so they're reclining on the couch. He had missed this more than he would ever care to admit, her warmth, the way she felt in his arms. He strokes her wet hair, ignoring the dampness that's creeping across his t-shirt. "So long as you're comfortable." He glances round, taking in the house he knew so well. "Let's see what happens with this place, anyway. You never know, you might need to move in with me."

[dolly weathers]

Dolly rests her head on his chest and closes her eyes to the soft thumping of his heart. She had missed the familiar rise and fall of his chest and the way he held her close. "But my wine cellar,” she cries, wrapping her arms around him. "Though I guess Ollie's room would suffice.”

[theo lovett]

He nods sadly, lamenting the cellar himself. The mention of Ollie sets him off and he shakes his head, anger rising at the back of his throat. "I'm gonna kill Ollie. What a fucking asshole," he mutters, giving her a squeeze. As if he would try to come between them. "Fuck Ethel too, I'm gonna be blaring metal all night now." He tries to push them both from his mind, focusing on the here and now. A warmth blooms within him again. "So this is it, round two?"

[dolly weathers]

"Yeah, and fuck Papa Weathers. What a dick,” Dolly joins in on the slander, any anxiety she had associated with her father gone for a fleeting moment. She turns her head up at him, thinking about how wishy washy she'd been in the past with him. Always one foot out the door and quiet with their relationship. Afraid she'd be punished for it and he'd be embarrassed on the news. She shuffles up to peck him on the lips, "yes, fine, okay. You got me.”

[theo lovett]

"Yeah, extra fuck him!" Theo laughs, enjoying playing into the Romeo and Juliet trope. In truth he was afraid. It was only a matter of time before the press got a hold of this story, and before long they would be spinning yarns about how she had given up all her vast wealth for a lowly paramedic. But surely it would be a one and done story, and they would finally lose interest in her once and for all. She confirms and he smiles from ear to ear, leaning down to kiss her again. "I'm excited."

[dolly weathers]

She holds him there, enjoying the calm after a whirlwind of emotions. If everything could stay this way, they would be set. But she knows that's not possible. Things were about to get messy for her and she was already feeling badly that he had to be by her side for it. Dolly smiles back, "I know I said you can't move in, but will you stay a while?”

[theo lovett]

He nods. Not just because he's mad at his brother, or because it's a mansion. He'd agree to stay in a squat if it meant he could spend more time with her, dragging out this moment. "The lizard will need to be fed in a couple days, but I can probably ask Cleo to do it." As though he could hear talk of other pets, Willie emerges to inspect what's going on. "Ah, my step-son. Do you think he could live with Fred?"

[dolly weathers]

She smiles as the cat pitters his way in, his alien face looking up at them with great curiosity? "Lil Willie Weathers?” she says in dismay and the cat pounces up to join her on Theo's lap. "Why, he's one part cat, one part alien and one part lizard,” she boops the cat on the nose and kisses his naked head, "of course he could live with Fred.”

[theo lovett]

He grins as she smooches the weird cat, loving how much she loves him. "That's a fair summary," he agrees, reaching over to stroke him. He was not a cuddly pet, but as the owner of a tarantula and a lizard, he wasn't in the market for cuddliness. Still, Willie Weathers had got him thinking. "Would you ever change your name?"

[dolly weathers]

"Ohhh in a heartbeat.” She says without even having to think about. There were elements to the Weathers last name that she enjoyed. She had a great education, had the privilege to travel and she'd never had to live without. But at the same time, the expectations that came with it were crippling. "It's just hard to think of a cooler last name. Dolly Weathers just flows. Though I guess Lovett is cool too.”

[theo lovett]

Theo had experienced a taste of notoriety in high school, when he and Ollie had eventually returned to class. For weeks there were whispers about them, people pointing out that they were the orphaned twins. He had not enjoyed it. "Is that a proposal?”

[dolly weathers]

She sits up and smiles brightly, "I mean, Dolly Lovett does have a nice ring.” She presses her lips to his and looks into his eyes, her fingers swirling his brunette hair."I really missed you like crazy. Now that you're here it seems impossible that I could have lived without you.”

[theo lovett]

Dolly Lovett. That would surely be her parents' nightmare. What would his parents have made of her? Would they have been worried about what he was taking on being with her, or would they have told him to follow his heart? He wished he could ask them. "Well, I've been looking for something to spend my inheritance on," he says, holding her left hand up and imagining a ring on her now naked finger. He kisses her back, sinking into her words like a hot bath. "I missed you too. It felt like forever."

[dolly weathers]

He holds her hand up and she snorts a laugh, "money can get you way cooler things. Remember when you got me that bouncy castle?” She smiles softly. Her future felt murky and there were so many pieces of her life that she couldn't and wouldn't try put back together. But at least this had made its way back to her.

[theo lovett]

Theo laughs. "Of course, that’s my signature move, I do it for all the girls.” He had been so nervous about how to impress her, with expensive restaurants and extravagant gifts being such a daily bore for Dolly Weathers. He’s glad he was able to make an impact. ”Hey, this might be too much too fast, but I’ve been meaning to go to Alaska to see my aunt. Would you maybe wanna come along?”