, all my blood is cherry red

[stassi siminski]

Stassi's phone warns her that she has 10% battery remaining, but that does little to stop her swiping. She's scrolling through the 'rockstar gf makeup' tag on TikTok, trying to avoid thinking about how cringe that is, savouring her last few minutes of cell service as the plane fills up around her. Just as she watches the fifteenth girl smudge kohl and silver glitter around her eyes, another message flashes up, though this one makes her breath catch in her throat. Stassi was not a good flyer at the best of times, but now it feels like the walls are closing in. Seconds before she had been so enamoured with the business class seat Niko had surprised her with, but now she's looking around herself, wondering if it's too late to get off. But then what? And what would she say to Niko? Besides, the cabin crew have started walking down the aisle, their eyes peering into laps to check seatbelts. Stassi puts her phone down a split second before she's asked to, staring ahead without seeing as she tries to decide what to do. What were her options? The screen in front of her is alive with a glossy woman talking through the emergency situation, and that's what this feels like... her red lipsticked mouth tells her with to breathe, so Stassi takes the advice, focusing on catching her breath. As oxygen makes its way back into her lungs, she manages to get ahold of herself. Calming down, she goes back and reads the message again. And again. And again. She feels a surge of fury at Pat, knowing that he knew she'd be incommunicado for the next six hours... could she get wifi? What would she even say? The message sits like an accusation, or maybe a dare. Niko flits through her mind and with it, guilt twists her stomach. No. She had to go, she had to see this through. That was the very least she could do.  So when she lands she's wearing the artfully smudged kohl and silvery glitter eyeshadow, having found the act of applying it soothing. Smoothing on a new face, a fresh identity. Ignoring the weight in her stomach, she gets off the plane and collects her luggage quickly... she knows she should text Niko to say she's landed, to keep him posted on her progress. but looking at her phone right now feels like a betrayal. Instead, she waits until she gets into the arrivals area, where she easily spots his brooding good looks amongst the crowd. Throwing her arms around his neck, she pulls him into a long kiss, her body pressed against his. Despite her best efforts, by the time they part there are tears starting in her eyes, guilt bubbling up and forcing the words out of her lips. "Oh Niko. You're going to hate me."

[niko blackwood]

It's still a little bit hard to believe that he's convinced Stassi to come out to Los Angeles. Reeling her in with the promise of the perfect date - no cameras, just the two of them. She supposedly had a fear of flying so he promised to buy her flight, going for all the upgrades to make her feel the most comfortable. He was never going to let her pay for the airfare. Happy that she just accepted the simple confirmation number with her name on it, delivered straight to her email and that they didn't have to dive into more about it. Niko tracked the flight number, making sure to give himself ample amount of time to pick her up. He didn't feel like sending a car or a driver with her name written on a slip of paper was the appropriate move for whatever he was feeling towards her. There was a buzz between the two of them. Honest communication, sexual chemistry and he couldn't get enough. He knew her heart was a bit confused and her mind clouded from some recent affairs, but he was offering an opportunity for Stassi to forget that Patrick guy for the weekend. There was a bit of feelings he had, not sure whether or not he should put them on full display given her conflicting situation. But enjoyed her company, stealing a few kisses and making her laugh when she needed it the most. He's stood just past the arrival section, waiting for a text that she's arrived. Nothing has come through so far, though. He presses the screen on his phone, double checking that he's not missed it. Niko glances at the screen to see what the direct flight from New York was stating that it landed. He looks up, only to be greeted by the sight of her. Smudged eye make up, hair tossed behind her shoulders, he's about to open his mouth to compliment that flawless physique when Stassi throws her arms around his neck. Her lips next placed upon his lips, he welcomes both of these gestures with open arms. Their lips meeting in the usual fashion of passionate, mixed with a bit of urgency. His eyebrows furrow, trying to search her face as tears begin to form in such gorgeous eyes. "Hey, hey, it's okay." Both hands clutch her jaw, giving her a final kiss before grabbing her bag she'd dropped on the floor during their reunion.  "Let's get out of here and we can talk, okay?" Niko assures, tugging on the handle to the rolling suitcase and offering her his other hand.

[stassi siminski]

The most recognition Stassi got was the odd person approaching her at the Box, or even in Whole Foods, telling her that they loved her TikToks. This was almost always a young woman, someone she could see herself being friends with, and her smile and gratitude came easily. Here in LAX, she can feel the heat of true recognition, eyes darting in their direction (well, his direction), nudges and whispers that weren't as surreptitious as their speakers thought they were. Already feeling vulnerable, she nods to his suggestion of getting out of here, imagining the Reddit threads these people could go away and write if she stood here and sobbed with Niko Blackwood a minute longer.  It would be easier to stem the flow of tears if he wasn't so nice to her. Immediately understanding, as she should have known he would be. Niko's tenderness had been a greater shock even than Pat's hot and cold turns, the drummer proving to be strangely, sweetly attentive. Without her ever saying anything he seemed to know when she was cold, or hungry, or tired-- offering his jacket, a drive-thru, a ride home, all without her so much as opening her mouth. So of course he knows just what she needs now, seamlessly taking her bag, his fingers threading between hers. She wipes her tears away on the back of her free hand, trying to focus on his handsome face. "You must think I'm crazy."

[niko blackwood]

It pulls a little bit on his heart strings to see Stassi in such a state. While she'd confided in him many of times, it's never been like this. To see the clear devastation on her face as she pulls away from their kiss was unlike anything. He stopped her before more of the tears could fall, suddenly aware that they were standing in the middle of the arrivals at the very public LAX. Niko doesn't mind any of the stares, even if it's still bit odd to him and still somewhat new of an experience. It's Stassi that he cares for, crying in front of people who could easily whip out their phones and post an intimate moment on the internet. He gives her fingers that have been threaded into his, a squeeze before they move further out of the airport and towards his vehicle. She follows along with him, mumbling about how he must think she's crazy. His head immediately shakes in disagreement before the words even flow out of his mouth. "I really don't, Stass." Niko peers down towards her, as he directs her onto the public transit they have to take to his parked car. She's silent the entire tram ride, he sees the conflicting emotions hanging heavy on her face. Like a gentleman, he pulls the door open for her, ushering her into the passenger seat as he throws her luggage into the back ones. "Alright, we're in the safety of my car. Now talk to me, what's going on?" He's quick to put the car in reverse, and heads them in the direction of his Los Angeles home.

[stassi siminski]

Stassi couldn't help her mind wandering to Niko's past. Had he left a heartbroken girl back in Indianapolis when he made it big? He had all the hallmarks of a long term boyfriend. He had true intuition around women, surely that had been honed over the course of a meaningful relationship? Stassi wonders what happened between him and the woman she has just made up in her head. She even feels sorry for her, head swimming with visions of a sobbing raven haired girl, tasteful tattoos down pale arms, maybe a septum piercing. The stilling of the tram shakes her from her thoughts, and before long they are in the sanctuary of his car, her bag on the smooth black leather of the back seat. She mourns the trip she could have had if she hadn't gotten that text message. "It's stupid, really," she says, finally able to stop crying. Despite herself, she feels a thrill as palm trees blur past the windows, Los Angeles blooming with sunshine. She pulls it together. "I'm so excited to see you. I'm sorry my face isn't showing that but I swear I am. Where do you live? Please say Beverly Hills."

[niko blackwood]

"Whatever it is, it's not stupid," he assures Stassi, giving her a look after he pays for the parking at the box. His long tattooed arm sticking out the window as he feeds the machine his credit card. Soon enough, the arm goes up and they're exiting LAX. He begins to wander what could be upsetting her this much. Was it something he said? It definitely couldn't have been, their last conversation filled with excitement on seeing each other soon. So it must be about Pat, he thinks as they slide into some typical Los Angeles traffic. What had occurred in the last few days since they spoke? The city was still fairly new to him, but even the seasoned residents knew that using a GPS system was a necessity when maneuvering through the constant stop and go. "I'm excited to see you too, you've been on my mind all morning." he  omits the part that she's actually been on his mind all week, waiting in such anticipation for her arrival. "Sorry to disappoint, it's West Hollywood. But we can definitely check out Beverly Hills while you're here." Buying a home was the first thing he'd done when the money began flowing in for his career with Cat's Cradle. The house was four times the size of the one he'd grown up in, in Indianapolis. His mom hated to visit because she felt so out of place when she stepped foot in the space. It took them about forty fives minutes to get from the airport, to his home. He pulls the car. "Will this do?" He smirks as he puts the park in car, opening the door and heading the back to retrieve her suitcase.

[stassi siminski]

She turns in her seat to get a better vantage point of him, preferring to look at Niko than even her new surroundings. Sat with him she can feel herself start to calm down, eased by his generosity, flattered by his willingness to spend his Saturday with her. His reassurance makes her smile, reaching across to give his thigh a squeeze as they sit in traffic that feels as much a part a DNA of this city as the sun and palm trees. Every car seems to have tinted windows, suggesting that the whole place was crawling with people searching for privacy, celebrity or otherwise. "Oh, no, that's great, I know that one too!" Excitement finally fights through guilt, her eyes wide as she finally looks at the passing sights, lots so low and sprawling compared to her home. When they pull into his drive she gives him an are you serious look, the place similarly huge compared to her childhood home. "All this just for little old you?" she says, following him inside and openly looking around, twirling on her heels to get the full 360 view. Now that they are alone and she's managed to stop crying, she pulls him in for another kiss, her tongue parting his lips as she deepens it. She finally pulls away, though keeps her face close to his, eyes meeting. "Hi."

[niko blackwood]

It's good to see the excitement present on Stassi's face when she states that she recognizes that part of Los Angeles that he resided in. The sad emotions slowly drifting from her features as they get closer and closer to his home. He smiles when her hand slips on to his inner thigh, giving it a tight squeeze. Niko throws her a look that says 'really, I'm driving' and another smile perks up on that gorgeous face. He locks the car as soon as she's out and gawking at the front lawn. "Yep, all for me." The space was precious to him, not realizing how much he craved the alone time and openness of his home as he got used to the larger dimensions. He places her suitcase against a wall in the kitchen. Stassi is twirling through the open space, vocalizing many 'wows' as she sees just the first level of the house. Niko stands with his arms crossed, chuckling at the dramatics and the popping of her green eyes. She stops in front of him, pulling him in for another long delicious kiss. His arms falling to her waist as she looped hers against his neck. It's deeper than their first, now that they're alone and out of the public eye. His tongue slides across hers just as she breaks the kiss. "Hi." Niko murmurs back his, hands sliding up her thin body and slowly lifting her legs up off the ground once they were tucked underneath her armpits. Welcoming her legs wrapped around his waist. His legs carry them to the large gray sectional sofa, a few feet away in the living room. Gently backing up, he sits down on the couch. Never breaking their bodies contact. "Now let's talk."

[stassi siminski]

The juxtaposition between her brooding so-called goth boyfriend and the sunny city only made Niko more interesting to her. She belonged in her apartment with its lace, dark wood and infinite candles, but Niko carried a world unto himself. She had never truly understood the phrase 'containing multitudes' until she met him, the placid, even exterior belying an emotional complexity that she had been caught off guard by. It had made intimacy of all kinds easy, not just physical but emotional too. "I'm proud of you," she says to a man she met not so very long ago. Soon their lips are together and when they kiss nothing feels so off kilter as it does when they aren't kissing, lips slotting together, tongues mingling like this was meant to be. She's easily lifted and her legs instinctively wrap around him, his body rigid and unbending as the trunk of a tree. On the couch with him between her thighs, she kisses him again, sweetly this time, always alternating between raw desire and tempered affection. "Aw, do we have to?" she pouts, slipping her hands under his shirt and feeling the bare skin of his chest.

[niko blackwood]

"Aw, thanks Stassi." Niko clutches his heart, making light of the situation. They haven't known each other for very long, but the words feel nice upon her lips. Niko still wasn't used to all of the fame and many appraisals that came with it. He came from such a simple life back home that. But he did as anyone would in Hollywood, he faked it with a cocky smile on his face. The position he's placed them, with her on top of him, straddling his waist is intimate. The two of them locking eyes once he has them settled, comfortably. Stassi wastes no time in closing the small distance between them, ignoring his words and kissing his mouth ever so sweetly. Their kisses varied, often going from passionate to these lighter moments. She pulls away, taunting him with her pouty lips and not wanting to discuss what had previously made her upset. He wants to keep prying, but she slips her cold hands underneath his shirt, sliding along his stomach. "Make out session first, then we're talking." Niko chuckles, cupping her jaw to bring her lips back down on his. His tongue enters her mouth, desperate for a longer kiss now that they were alone. Instinctively, his hands fall from Stassi's face. Trailing down her waist, and cupping her bottom, bringing her warm body in closer.. A small moan slipping out as their kiss deepens.

[stassi siminski]

Their whirlwind relationship had been so unexpected that Stassi had started to worry that perhaps she was turning manic, her illness morphing reality like clay, making it take on new shapes that were visible only to her. But stood with Niko now, she can look at him and see the same intensity reflected back at her, an easy laugh paired with unwavering eye contact. She knew what it was to be desired, to be seen as an object, to be seen through. Niko was seeing her, that much she was certain of. His breath hitches at her cold touch, his skin teasingly warm under her touch, the corner of her lips curling into a smirk. She liked having an effect on him. "Sure, sure," she agrees, waving away her feelings for now as she melts into the kiss. He moans into her mouth and the world falls away, her arms slipping around his neck as she kisses back just as hungrily, her hips starting to press against him.

[niko blackwood]

Another laugh escapes when she agrees, each of them waving the caution that greeted them upon her arrival. Her tears still needed to be talked about, whenever Stassi felt ready. Before they kiss again Niko wonders if it's a good idea to brush that off, wanting her to feel comfortable and safe to talk about anything. But as soon as their lips touched, all sensible thoughts like that slipped further away from his mind.  The only thing on his mind now his own attraction to Stassi and how good her body felt pressed against his. His hands continue to roam, moving to her inner thighs that straddled him and then comfortably resting on her back. The fabric of her shirt pulling up a bit, giving him easy access to finally slip his hands underneath it. They still don't feel close enough, even if all parts of their bodies were fused together. Her hips press against him, rolling them so effortless as he grabbed her bottom once more. Loving the friction that came from the rub, he lets his hips meet hers in desperation. Niko hates when his lips pull away, but they don't leave her body. Coasting down her neck, leaving sloppy wet kisses and nibbling at the skin of her collarbones. "Still no talking, right?" He dares her, knowing this road they were going down would not just be a simple make out on the couch moment.

[stassi siminski]

She can feel his hesitance fizz away, touched by his concern for her and thrilled by her ability to distract him from it. Sun pours in from the floor to ceiling windows, glimpses of cloudless blue sky and palm trees swaying in the slightest of breezes. It's easy to leave her feelings on the tarmac, pulled in to the heady mix of a strange city, sunshine and the taste of him. They slot together so well, their bodies speaking a shared language they had each been surprised to be so fluent in. The familiarity that usually came with years of sleeping together. Her breath catches in her throat as his kisses trail her neck, her lip pulled between white teeth as she suppresses a moan. "Not unless it's to tell me what you want," she murmurs against his lips, her eyes flashing with challenge before she dips down for another kiss.

[niko blackwood]

She confirms what he's thinking too. They're way past the point of talking. He loves the power that beams off of her as she challenges him, her eyebrow quirked up and her lips even more full from their hungry kisses. Niko's thumb brushes her bottom lip, pulling it down and seeing the fire in her eyes. The two of them just breathing, looking at each other with such a want.  "There's no way I can stop kissing you now," he meets her halfway, lips capturing each other. His tongue slides into her warm mouth, as she continues to rock her hips against his. He returns with press of his own, feeling himself growing harder underneath her. Wondering if she was wet beneath the fabric between them. A satisfied smirk breaking their kiss as Niko earns a moan from her. The sound so sweet to his ears. "We have one or two options," he speaks between kisses, his voice laced with desire, and deeper in tone. "You can be the first to help me christen this new couch, or we go upstairs. Tell me what you want, Stassi."

[stassi siminski]

He feels so solid between her thighs, and that's what he was. Solid. Hard muscles and clear intentions, never any need to second guess or doubt. Even the way he's looking at her makes Stassi feel secure, secure in his desire, in his care, in his home. His thumb tracing her lip. She takes it into her mouth, sucking gently, the flat of her tongue against the pad of his thumb. She grins into another kiss, grinding harder into him as it deepens. She can feel him stiffen through his clothes and she lets out another moan, pressing against him ever harder, as if by sheer will she could make the clothes that kept them apart disappear. She trails kisses behind his ear as he lists their options, his breath hot against her skin. She sits back, mock offence on her face. "Are you telling me you've had other women in your bed?" She tries her best to look shocked, maybe hurt, but she's not able to carry it off, her devilish grin returning. "Let's christen the couch. I want you to think of me whenever you sit on it."