✧ heaven sent ✧

[hudson-everett]

Hudson barely had a second to react before Angel was already on his lap, her warmth settling there like she belonged. His hand instinctively steadied her waist, dark eyes flicking up to meet hers as that familiar smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. Of course she pressed closer. Hudson let out a quiet breath through his nose before standing, lifting her with an ease that came from doing physical work most days. His arm slid securely under her, hand settling beneath her as he carried her toward the counter. At her question, his brow lifted slightly. “Security and pleasure,” Hudson said smoothly, though the hint of amusement in his voice gave him away. His grip shifted just slightly as he walked. “Wouldn’t want you falling. That’d be tragic. I also just love your ass." His lips brushed her jaw in passing, casual, almost absentminded, but he felt the way she reacted anyway. Hudson set her down on the counter, expecting her legs to drop. They didn’t. Instead, they stayed wrapped around his waist, and he huffed out a quiet chuckle when her hand caught his collar. “You seem pretty steady to me,” he murmured. Then she leaned in. The teasing kisses along his neck made Hudson tilt his head slightly, letting out a low breath when she left the lipstick mark behind. His hand came up instinctively to rest against the counter beside her, trapping her there without really trying. When she pulled back to admire her work, Hudson glanced down briefly at the faint mark before looking back at her. “Tattoo it?” he echoed with a small laugh under his breath. His thumb brushed lightly along the edge of the counter near her hip. “Angel,” he said, voice warm with quiet amusement, “I already let you vandalise me once tonight. Let’s not make your lips on my skin permanent just yet.” He leaned forward just enough to bump his forehead lightly against hers before stepping back half a pace, giving her room but not really leaving her space either. At her question, Hudson pushed himself off the counter and turned toward the kitchen area. “Well,” he said casually over his shoulder, opening the fridge, “that depends.” He glanced back at her with a crooked grin. “Are you actually hungry,” Hudson added, pulling out a few things from the fridge, “or are you feeling something more sweet?" His eyes flicked back to the lipstick mark she’d left before he smirked. "You feeling like a fully cooked meal or some chocolate cupcakes? If you choose the cupcakes,” Hudson added, a teasing glint in his eyes, “maybe I’ll even let you lick the icing spoon clean.”

[angclsharma]

as he walked them to the kitchen, angel felt like she wouldn’t mind staying like that forever, in hudson’s arms, his hands on her, feeling warm and cared for by him. "i think more pleasure than security though," she pointed out just before he admitted he loved her ass. "best ass ever, if i can say so," she winked at him, a playful smirk on her lips. as he set her on the counter, she wasn’t quite ready to let go of him yet, her legs still loosely wrapped around him. she noticed the shift in his breathing as she pressed her lips to his neck, and she couldn’t help but enjoy the reaction she caused. when he leaned against the counter, keeping her close, she smirked. "vandalizing? i think some people would call that art," she whispered. as he pulled back slightly, she tilted her head, still smiling. "just yet? are you already planning your next tattoo?" she teased, the playful glint still in her eyes, she liked knowing what crossed his mind, especially when it came to the body she practically worshipped at this point. as he moved toward the fridge, she let out a soft sigh, almost wishing the moment would stretch a little longer. at his words, she tapped her chin with her maroon-painted nails. "you convinced me with the whole licking the icing spoon thing," she smiled. "i want cupcakes," she nodded. "i can’t say no to something sweet… or spicy, i’m not picky," she added with a grin. "and i can’t help you? i just sit here… or do i get to be a little distracting?"

[optimism-blooms]

COSTA D'ANGELO as Alex & GRACE VAN PATTEN as LUCY ALBRIGHT in Tell Me Lies ( 2022 - 2026)

[hudson-everett]

Hudson’s teasing expression faded the second she said she wasn’t going anywhere. He didn’t joke right away. He just looked at her. “You can’t promise ‘not ever’ like that,” he murmured softly, thumb brushing slow circles against her waist. “You say it like it’s easy. Like I won’t build my whole world around it.” But he was smiling when he said it. Because he already had. When she brushed off being the voice of reason, he huffed a quiet laugh. “Oh, I know you’re not the voice of reason. You’re the voice that says, ‘This is probably reckless but it’s hot, so let’s proceed and see how things work out." He kissed her nose again just to watch her melt. It was his favorite trick. When she pointed out that she’d just said she loved him, he gave her that look, half smug, half completely undone. “Yeah,” he said softly. “But I’ve been waiting to hear you say it like that.” At her mortified realisation about the drunken confession, he actually laughed, warm and unrestrained. “Yes,” he confirmed. “You begged me to sleep with you. Very persuasively, by the way. Then you told me you loved me. I had to let you down slowly because you wouldn't stop trying to get into my pants the whole ride home." He grinned. “It was one of my favorite nights.” When she called it embarrassing, he shook his head gently. “Angel, you could never embarrass me. You were honest. Drunk, but honest.” Then she shifted. Got serious. Three years. Understanding it. Choosing it. Hudson’s humor quieted again. He listened to every word like it mattered. Because it did. When she said she wanted more, wanted to live with him, wanted a life where they didn’t have to hide, his jaw tightened slightly, emotion flickering across his face before he covered it with a soft smile. “You have no idea,” he said quietly, leaning his forehead against hers, “how many times I’ve pictured waking up next to you without checking the door. Cooking with you. Arguing about stupid stuff. Existing with you as my girlfriend." His hand slid up her back slowly, holding her closer. “I love you,” he said again, not teasing now. Not waiting. Just certain. “Not in a secret way. Not in a temporary way. I love you in a build-a-life with you kind of way. Not just some phase." When she said knowing he loved her back was enough for now, he kissed her before she could finish the thought. Slow. Lingering. Like he was sealing something. Then she pulled back with that teasing smile and asked about the face tattoo. Hudson blinked once. “Your face?” he repeated, laughing. "I don't know if I'd get your face. I think that might be a bit too obvious. Maybe the word angel on the back of my neck with devil horns above it though." He smirked. “I’d get something small. Somewhere only we know about.” His voice dropped softer. “Because you’re not a trend. You’re permanent.”

Hudson didn’t even warn her. “C’mere,” he murmured, already lifting her like she weighed nothing. He shifted her easily onto his lap, adjusting her so she was straddling him properly, one arm secure around her back. He looked up at her like he’d just won something. Then, without breaking eye contact, he stood up from the couch with her still in his arms. He steadied her against him, one hand under her ass, the other at her waist, carrying her toward the kitchen like it was the most natural thing in the world. “Now,” he said smoothly, leaning in to kiss just beneath her jaw as he walked, “let’s go cook dinner or something. You can sit there and look all pretty on my kitchen counters,” he added, flashing that charming grin. “I’ll give you things to taste test."

[angclsharma]

when he said she could never embarrass him, she laughed immediately. “i wasn’t talking about embarrassing you, idiot,” she shook her head, her cheeks turning pink. “that was embarrassing for me,” she added, squeezing her eyes shut for a second. still, she had opened her heart to him anyway, even knowing that. when he used the word girlfriend, she blinked softly. he had never said it before, just like she had never openly called him her boyfriend, even if the feeling had always been there between them. hearing it now made it feel suddenly real. “i don’t agree about the arguing part,” she chuckled, though her dark brown eyes stayed locked on his, warm and certain. her hand moved to rest over his chest when he said he loved her. “i love you the same way,” she promised quietly, and she meant every word. when he kissed her, everything felt right—like she belonged exactly there. she smiled against his lips before he pulled away, her thumb brushing over his mouth to wipe away the lipstick stain she’d left behind. “oh, that’s a shame,” she teased softly. “i bet my face would look really pretty on your skin.” she shook her head when he joked about an angel with devil horns tattoo. “you’re so much trouble,” she rolled her eyes fondly. when he said he’d get something small, something only they would understand, she nodded. “in that case… maybe i’d get something too.”

she was still looking at him when he lifted her onto his lap, her smile growing as their eyes met. she pressed closer without thinking, but before she could decide what to do next he stood up, holding her easily in his arms. “is that hand there for security or pleasure, everett?” she asked playfully, feeling his hand under her butt as he carried her. angel had never been someone who melted at the lightest touch—at least not before him. with hudson, though, it was different; every little gesture seemed to undo her completely. when his lips brushed her jaw, she bit her lip. “i can absolutely sit down and look pretty,” she mused, her eyes sparkling with amusement. when he set her on the counter she kept her legs around his waist, one hand holding the collar of his shirt. “you don’t get to make me melt and then act like nothing happened,” she murmured, her hands sliding behind his neck as she leaned in to press a few teasing kisses along his neck and beneath his jaw, leaving a faint lipstick mark behind. pulling back, she smiled with satisfaction. “there. now you should get that tattooed,” she said with a wink. “i can still see some skin under all those tattoos.” she tilted her head, studying him before adding lightly, “so… what are we eating?”

[hudson-everett]

Hudson let out a soft, shaky breath as he listened, his gaze locked on hers. When she spoke, cupping his cheek, he tilted his head slightly, a small, grateful smile tugging at his lips. “You really know how to make a guy feel better, huh?” he said, voice low and warm, trying to keep the edge of worry out of it. He ran a hand through his hair, then let it drop to rest on her waist, holding her close. “I, yeah, Zayn’s important,” he admitted quietly, eyes flicking away for a moment before meeting hers again. “And losing him, losing any of you two, it scares the hell out of me. But hearing you say that, it, it helps.” When she teased about the “I don’t deserve you” line, he couldn’t help but laugh softly, shaking his head. Hudson’s chest rose and fell as he listened, eyes soft and focused on her. “Oh, so now you’re the voice of reason, huh?” he teased lightly, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “Careful, I might start expecting this level of wisdom from you all the time.” Then, unable to resist, he leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her button nose, letting out a gentle laugh as he did. “I know you do ,” he murmured, grinning, eyes sparkling with amusement. “You already told me when you were drunk and you wanted me to fuck you. You kept trying to come onto me while I was driving you home." He pulled back just enough to smile at her properly, still holding her gaze, full of warmth and playful affection, letting her feel how utterly happy he was in that moment. Hudson chuckled, shaking his head as he cupped her face again, thumb brushing over her cheek. “I told you—no, obviously,” he teased, voice warm and playful. “And I even tucked you into bed, sick bucket at your side, and then you whispered it to me before you fell asleep.” He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her button nose, grinning as he pulled back just enough to look at her with that familiar mix of amusement and affection. “And I’ve been waiting to hear it again ever since.”

[angclsharma]

she felt bad for hudson, having to keep things from her brother; she knew how hard it was, the fear of losing someone important because of who you loved wasn’t something easy to carry. when he pulled her closer, she smiled warmly. “you’re not going to lose me. i can promise you that, hudson—not now, not ever,” she assured him, her voice calm, steady in a way that meant she intended to keep that promise. “i never said i was the voice of reason,” she added lightly, “i’m just saying we’re way too deep into this to start throwing around cliché lines,” she chuckled softly. when he kissed her nose, she melted a little; she loved how they could go from zero to a hundred in seconds—the intensity, the sleepless nights, the way they always found each other when they wanted to be close—but moments like this, sitting on his lap while he looked at her like she was the only thing that mattered, were her favorite. she frowned slightly when he said he knew she loved him. “yeah… because i just told you,” she pointed out. when he reminded her she’d said it once before—drunk—her cheeks flushed. “so i begged you to sleep with me and then told you i loved you?” she repeated, mortified. “wow. that’s… impressive. what an embarrassment,” she shook her head, though she was smiling. when he admitted he’d been waiting to hear her say it again, her expression softened. “it took me three years to really sit with what i felt for you. it was obvious i’ve always been attracted to you… that i’ve only ever wanted you. but now i understand it—it’s love,” she said gently, her gaze drifting from his eyes to his lips. “that’s how i know i want more. i want us to take the next step. i want to live with you when we don’t have to hide, when people know and we don’t have to keep this from my family,” she sighed softly. “but for now, knowing you love me back is enough.” she leaned in to kiss him, lingering for a second before pulling back with a teasing smile. “so… does this mean you’re going to get my face tattooed somewhere?”

[hudson-everett]

Hudson’s chest felt tight as he held her there, guilt and love tangled together in a way he didn’t know how to separate. He rested his forehead against hers, eyes closed for a beat, like he was steadying himself before speaking. When he did, his voice was quiet, careful—but honest. “Hey,” he murmured, thumb brushing lightly against her wrist. “You’re not selfish for wanting that. Not even a little.” He swallowed. “I just… I’m scared. And I hate that I am, because it feels like I’m failing you somehow.” He shook his head slightly. “Zayn’s my best friend. He’s my family. And the idea that telling the truth could change that—it messes with me more than I want to admit.” When she pulled back to look at him, he met her eyes, nerves plain on his face. “I talk to you because you make it safe,” he said. “This just feels like one of those moments where every choice has consequences, and I don’t want to hurt anyone—especially you.” Her words, the way she called herself his, hit him harder than he expected. His breath caught, and he leaned into her touch instinctively. “You’ve been my angel longer than you know,” he replied softly. “Even when I didn’t deserve you sneaking into my life like that.” His life wasn't easy but she somehow made it feel simpler. When she kissed him, he stayed still for a moment after, like he was afraid to break something fragile. As she pulled back and hesitated, he lifted his hand to hers, squeezing gently. “You don’t have to say it,” he said, voice barely above a whisper. “I feel it. I’ve felt it for a long time.” He offered a small, shaky smile. "I love you, too."

[angclsharma]

angel kept her eyes closed as he spoke, as if she were afraid he might disappear if she opened them. she let herself sink into the closeness, needing to calm her racing thoughts before anything else could happen. when he admitted he was scared, she sighed softly; she could understand why. her hand lifted to cup his cheek, her thumb brushing over his skin in a slow, gentle caress. “you’re not failing me, hudson,” she promised, opening her eyes to meet his. “i know you don’t want to lose zayn, i get how important he is to you, and i feel guilty for keeping this from him too, but i guess you’re the one who has more to lose here,” she said quietly, her voice steady as she tried to reassure him. she wished she could stay there forever, wrapped up in him, the rest of the world locked away while they looked at each other like nothing else mattered. “don’t start with the ‘i don’t deserve you’ thing now, everett, it’s way too late for that,” she tried to joke. when she kissed him, it was her way of letting him feel what she felt, because the words had never come easily. she had tried to say it, tried to confess with her voice, but hudson spoke first. as he admitted he’d felt the same way for a long time, her heart raced, and then he said it—he loved her. angel smiled, the strong girl finally melting, a wide grin pulling at her lips. “i love you,” she breathed, a relieved sigh escaping as the words finally left her. “i love you,” she repeated, pressing her lips to his once more.

[hudson-everett]

Hudson felt her words before he truly heard them — like they seeped into him, slow and quiet, filling the cracks between unspoken words. He’d always admired that about Angel — her fearlessness, the way she said what everyone else was too scared to. But now, watching her tremble while trying to stay brave, it hit him differently. This wasn’t the fiery Angel everyone saw; this was the real one — scared, soft, and trying. His throat was tight, and for a long second, all he could do was look at her — really look at her — and see every late night, every shared secret, every quiet moment they’d pretended didn’t mean more than it did. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and rough, the kind that came from somewhere honest. “Angel…” he started, and even saying her name felt heavy. He tried to smile, but it didn’t hold. He rubbed the back of his neck, searching for the right words, the real ones. “I don’t want to hide either. I don’t want to keep acting like I’m not already halfway in, because I am. I’ve been scared too — scared of what it means, what people would think, what we’d have to face if we stopped pretending.” He shifted closer, his voice gentling. “But I’m tired of pretending. You deserve more than that." His chest ached with the truth of it, but there was something freeing about finally saying it out loud. “I just want to be real with you,” he said quietly. Hudson’s throat tightened, the words catching before he forced them out, quiet but edged with worry. “Do you think telling everyone will change things?” he asked, searching her face. “With your parents? With Zayn?” The last name lingered heavier than he meant it to, the weight of it pulling something uneasy through his chest. "He’s my best friend. I don’t even know how to look him in the eye after this, let alone tell him I’ve been with his sister for three years.” His tone softened, almost pleading. “What if he doesn’t understand?” Hudson let out a slow, unsteady breath, the worry still shadowing his eyes. Then, without another word, he slipped an arm around her and pulled her gently against his chest. Then he lowered his head and pressed a soft kiss to her temple, a wordless promise caught between fear and love.

[angclsharma]

as she heard the heaviness in the way her name fell from his lips, she exhaled shakily. she’d gone too far. she’d been too straightforward. she just wanted what everyone else had — she’d been fine with the sneaking around, the secrets, the stolen stares and kisses, but part of her ached that she couldn’t simply be with the guy she loved out in the open like other people did. it was obvious they were both scared; if it had been only a few weeks or months, maybe it would feel different, but three years was a long time to live in the shadows. she just wanted more. when he asked her what she thought would change if they told people, her heart cracked a little. of course there were risks. her family might not react well. hudson was terrified of losing his best friend. maybe she’d been too careless, falling for her brother’s best friend. when he pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head, she felt the burn of tears behind her eyes. the girl who always felt fearless, loud, strong — suddenly felt small. because he was right. things could change. and she hated that. she held the tears back, refusing to let them spill. “i don’t want things to change,” she finally said, voice barely above a whisper. “you know my family loves you. you’re important to every single one of them. but… i know there’s a chance zayn won’t be okay with it.” she sighed, pulling back just enough to meet hudson’s dark, searching eyes. “but i also know i want this with you. maybe it’s selfish, but i want this. i’ve dated so many people, and nothing has ever felt this right — especially not for this long.” she let out a breath, shaky and small. “and maybe i sound like a little girl, but i really thought… maybe we could take a step further. maybe i was just being crazy.” she gently slipped out of his arms and sat on the couch, staring down at her hands like they suddenly belonged to someone else. “i fucked things up,” she whispered. “i’m sorry. i should’ve stayed quiet.”

[hudson-everett]

Hudson shifted beneath her, sitting up enough to close the space between them, one arm curling around her while the other rose to cradle her face. His thumb brushed along her cheek, tender and grounding, and his eyes flicked down to where the soft streaks of color now filled the empty spaces of his tattoos. Those marks had always been his to carry, private and locked away, but watching her colour them in with her love left something in him unraveling. When his gaze lifted back to hers, it wasn’t guarded the way it usually was—it was raw, heavy with the weight of his secret and the pull of not wanting to let her go. “Angel…” he said quietly, voice roughened with something he couldn’t hide anymore. “You don’t know what you’re asking.” He searched her eyes, his hand holding her just a little tighter, like he was afraid she’d slip away if he didn’t. Then, softer, almost like a confession, he added, “But I don’t want you to go either. I’m just scared of what Zayn’s gonna think,” he admitted, voice low but steady, the honesty cutting through the quiet between them. His gaze flicked down, then back up to her, like he was bracing himself against her reaction as much as anyone else’s. “But one day soon… we’re gonna have to say something. To everyone.” He swallowed, the hand at her face tightening just slightly, grounding himself in her presence. “I just can’t keep pretending I'm okay with you leaving my place either, Angel."

[angclsharma]

angel could feel the weight of her own words pressing against her chest long before she said them out loud, like they’d been echoing inside her for months, maybe years. she wasn’t the type to hesitate — she always spoke her mind, always knew what she wanted and went for it. but this was different. this was hudson. the way his eyes found hers, steady and heavy with something that made her breath catch, made her want to run and stay all at once. then he said her name, and it almost broke her. she instantly regretted it — all of it — for a second. she should’ve stayed quiet, played it cool like always, not risked making things complicated. her heart was thudding so loud it almost drowned out her thoughts. when his arms tightened around her, though, she forced herself to meet his gaze again. “i know,” she started, her voice soft but shaking, a sigh falling from her lips, “and i’m scared too, but… i feel like we think about everyone else more than we think about us, about this.” her eyes flickered down, the honesty raw and unpolished. “i don’t want to hide anymore,” she admitted, her voice a whisper that felt too small for how big the words were, “it was fun at first, but it’s been three years, hudson. people start thinking about… bigger things after that — living together, kids, marriage,” she breathed out, her tone almost embarrassed, “and i don’t even want to think about all that right now. i just want you. i just don’t want to hide anymore.” her voice trembled near the end, but she didn’t look away this time. she didn’t say i love you, not yet, but her eyes were saying it over and over, louder than words ever could.

[hudson-everett]

Hudson stood frozen in the doorway for a beat, watching the shift happen before his eyes—Angel going from fire and teasing smiles to completely undone, her body melting into his bed like she’d been carrying too much all night. The zipper she’d cursed at was still caught halfway, her dress clinging to her like armor she hadn’t managed to shed. He crossed the room, quiet and steady now, tugging a blanket over her small frame so she wouldn’t wake up cold. The sharp edges of her earlier words softened in his mind when he looked at her like this—lashes brushing her cheeks, lips parted in the gentlest breath, her hand curled against his sheets. “God,” he muttered under his breath, a helpless smile tugging at his mouth as he brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead, “I’m so fucking in love with you.” Leaning down, he pressed a careful kiss to her temple before stepping back, not to leave, but to make sure she’d be okay. He found an old bucket and set it by the bed just in case, then grabbed a glass of water to leave on the nightstand. Finally, Hudson eased down beside her, close enough to listen to her breathing but careful not to disturb her, content in a way he didn’t think he could ever explain. He propped himself up on one elbow for a moment, eyes tracing the soft lines of her face. She looked so peaceful, so unlike the whirlwind she’d been only minutes ago, that he couldn’t help the way his chest swelled. Reaching out, he let his fingers barely graze over her hand before settling back, head against the pillow. A crooked smile tugged at his lips as he whispered, voice low and fond, meant only for her even if she couldn’t hear it. “Night, sleeping beauty."

[angclsharma]

angel was stretched out on the couch, draped over hudson as she carefully filled in the empty spaces of his tattoos with a washable marker like he was her personal coloring book. it had all started after she’d seen a video of someone doodling over their partner’s ink, and now she was lost in the rhythm of it, happily coloring as her gaze kept drifting up to him, soft and full of love. she wasn’t even thinking when the words slipped out, honest and unfiltered, because that was where she wanted to be—right there with him, not just tonight, but always. “hudson… i don’t want to go home tonight,” she murmured, her voice low as she capped the marker and let it fall from her hand. “i don’t want to go home anymore, just for family dinners.” her heart beat faster as she lifted her eyes to his, searching his face, desperate to see what he’d say, if he felt the same.

[hudson-everett]

As his neighbor stepped out of the elevator, Angel turned to him —and before he could ask what she was doing, she closed the space between them with a heat that hit him like a punch to the chest. Her arms wrapped around him, and then her lips were on his—urgent, unrelenting. It wasn’t just a kiss; it was a plea, a challenge, a last-ditch effort to change his mind. Hudson’s hands found her hips almost automatically. He didn’t pull away. He should’ve. But the way she pressed into him, the way she tasted like alcohol and need—it made every part of him ache. She was drunk, yes, but not stumbling, not slurring, just bold. Reckless. Tempting as hell. He tried to ground them both, to keep it from going too far. His hands tightened at her hips as he pulled her closer, then steadied her as she arched back against the elevator rail. Her gasp hit his mouth like a spark. He broke the kiss reluctantly, forcing himself to breathe. But when he pulled back, her face tipped up to his, her breath hot between them, and her eyes—God, those eyes—locked onto his like she could see straight through every wall he’d tried to put up. Hudson swallowed hard. He was looking at her like that. Like he wanted to lose all sense of control. Like he wanted to forget every line they weren’t supposed to cross. She rolled her eyes, exasperated, and he hated how much he liked even that about her. The fire. The push-back. He watched her step out of the elevator, nearly tripping on those ridiculous heels. His hands twitched at his sides, resisting the urge to catch her, to pull her back in and damn the consequences. "Angel—" he started, but she was already walking. Hudson followed, jaw tight, heart thudding. Reaching his door, he pulled out his key card, swiped it with a practiced flick of the wrist, and waited for the soft click of the lock disengaging. The little green light flashed. He pushed the door open and stepped aside, holding it for her. She didn’t even need to try to tease him; it was just how she moved, how she existed. But he could feel it in the air—the tension, the unspoken dare. She was going to try and break him. She always did. He ran a hand down his face, then across the back of his neck, forcing a breath through his nose before calling after her, voice low and warm with just the right amount of edge. “Please,” he said, the hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Behave.”

[angclsharma]

angel didn’t get it. sure, she’d been drinking, but she was one hundred percent sure of what she wanted—she wanted hudson, and that wasn’t anything new. before him, she’d never craved someone’s touch twenty-four seven, never needed a hand on her hip or fingers around her neck when they kissed, but with him, she did, she needed it. still, she knew that night wasn’t going to be more than making out, and even if she knew it, the alcohol made her stop caring. she kissed him like she needed it to survive, desperate for him to change his mind, but when he pulled away and swallowed hard, she only shook her head and stumbled toward his door, nearly tripping as he followed behind. her drunk, slow thoughts searched for some way to make him cave, her eyes meeting his as he unlocked and pushed open the door. stepping inside, she slipped off her heels and left them by the door. “my name is angel, but i don’t behave, you know i don’t,” she teased, heading straight for his room, so familiar with the way she could’ve found it blindfolded. fingers fumbling at the zipper of her dress, she muttered, “damn it,” when it wouldn’t budge, before climbing onto his bed. the first thing she did was sprawl across it, a drunk little smile on her lips, trying to strike a pose or two before her head fell back against the pillows with a long sigh. her eyelids grew heavy, too heavy, and before she could push him further, she was asleep—still in her dress, makeup untouched, no devilish smirk left, just the soft look of someone tired and worn out.

[hudson-everett]

When the doors finally slid open and he guided her inside, her breath caught as his hand slipped just low enough to make a point. She started to turn toward him—and then the man walked in. Hudson stiffened. The stranger barely said a word, just met Hudson’s gaze. Hudson didn't flinch, didn’t speak. Angel, on the other hand, just melted further into him, all mock innocence and quiet pleasure. He stayed still, jaw set, eyes forward. The man stepped out on the next floor. The second the doors closed, she turned toward him. Then her arms were around his neck and she was kissing him like the entire night had been a game with only one possible ending. She didn’t explain, didn’t ask, just whispered. And that was all he needed. Hudson didn’t hesitate. The second her lips met his, something sharp and undeniable surged through him. Her hands gripped the back of his neck like she needed him, like she was done pretending otherwise. He kissed her back, hard. His hands moved from her waist to her hips, anchoring her to him, grounding them both in the middle of that cramped elevator that suddenly felt too small for everything that hadn’t been said. She tasted like trouble and tequila, like every bad decision he’d never stopped wanting to make again. He surged forward pressing Angel back against the elevator's rail that some people held onto. The elevator chimed as it reached his floor. Hudson didn’t move to step out—not yet. He pulled back just enough to look at her, their foreheads nearly touching, his voice low and rough. “I knew you were going to pounce as soon as you clocked me staring at you in the mirror,” Hudson murmured, his voice low and teasing as his hand slid down, giving her a soft squeeze that made her breath catch. “I love making out with you,” he said gently, thumb brushing against her bottom lip. “But I can’t let it go further tonight. You’re still tipsy, baby.” The heat between them didn’t fade, but something else settled in its place—something quiet and real. He wasn’t pulling away because he didn’t want her. He was staying close, staying present, because he cared. Hudson smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face as she leaned into him. “I want you, drunkie,” he murmured, the warmth in his voice wrapping around her like a blanket. “I promise I do. Just… when you’re sober.”

[angclsharma]

as his neighbor left the elevator, angel couldn’t bring herself to stay away—not that she even wanted to try. she wrapped her arms around him, erasing the distance between them, her lips crashing against his in a desperate attempt to change his mind. his hands settled on her hips, pulling her closer, steadying her as they kissed. she had been drinking all night, but now, all she wanted to get drunk on was him—his lips, his gaze, the way he made her feel. his touch was warm, grounding, and as he pressed her against the elevator’s rail, a soft gasp melted into his mouth. if that didn’t show hudson how much she was loving it, she didn’t know what would. when he pulled away, she pouted—she might’ve been breathless, but she didn’t want it to end. their foreheads nearly touched as she looked at him, her dark gaze locking onto his through long lashes. "you look so hot looking at me like that," she nodded, biting down on her lower lip. a soft gasp slipped out as his hand slid lower, giving her butt a playful squeeze. if his plan was to stop things there, his teasing wasn’t doing him any favors. when he said again he couldn’t just make out with her that night, she rolled her eyes—she wasn’t getting what she wanted, and now she knew it. for the first time, she wasn’t going to win. "i hate your responsible-self, hudson," she muttered, pulling away and stepping out of the elevator, nearly tripping over her heels. "can we just go? i need to go inside, to torture you so you regret your decision"

[hudson-everett]

Hudson watched the road, jaw tight, one hand gripping the wheel a little too firmly as the silence stretched between them. He wasn’t ignoring her—at least not intentionally—but hell, the weight of the situation made it impossible to talk like nothing was happening. Every minute in that car with her slouched in the backseat, tipsy and too damn beautiful for his own good, was testing every last shred of his self-control. He’d told her, voice low but steady, that he wasn’t the kind of guy to take advantage. And when she scoffed at him—actually scoffed—crossed her arms like he was the one hurting her, it hit harder than he expected. Of course she didn’t understand. Of course she thought this was just about sex. She didn’t see what it was costing him to hold back. When they finally pulled up outside his building, she stared out the window like she couldn’t even look at him. And he could feel it—her disappointment, her frustration, her heartbreak radiating off her in waves. He turned to her, met her eyes, tried to level with her. She shook her head, seatbelt clicking as she unbuckled it. Then came the words—biting, drunk, and desperate. Hudson flinched like he’d been struck. The words landed too fast, too hard. Love. She said she loved him again. And then she was gone, storming out, not even sparing him a look, her heels scuffing the sidewalk as she walked toward the building. He sat frozen for a beat, watching her from the car, then cursed under his breath and shoved the door open. By the time he caught up to her, she was already at the intercom, pressing random buttons in her drunk haze like muscle memory was going to save her from embarrassment. She hit one, then blinked when a very groggy voice buzzed back in confusion. Hudson dragged a hand down his face, trying and failing not to smile despite himself. She was a mess. A gorgeous, maddening, reckless mess. And she was his mess. At least, that’s what scared him most—how much he wanted that to be true. He exhaled a soft laugh through his nose, stepping close behind her, hands sliding instinctively to her waist. She was warm beneath his palms, soft in a way that made his restraint feel like a noose. “Oh, he’s definitely home,” he murmured, voice low by her ear. His fingers tightened just slightly on her hips—possessive, grounding, not entirely innocent. He reached with one hand to buzz himself in, then nudged the door open, keeping a guiding hand on her lower back as he steered her inside. The hallway was dim, quiet, the time of night when the building felt like a half-sleeping thing. Hudson didn’t say much as they moved toward the elevator. He didn’t need to. Angel leaned into his side, that scent of hers—warm and faintly floral—curling around him. His thumb absently brushed against her as they walked, his thoughts a tangle of want and worry, the weight of her words in the car still pressing against his ribs. At the elevator, he reached out and pressed the button. Once. Twice. Three times. Like it would make the damn thing arrive faster. His other hand never left her waist. The doors dinged open, empty and inviting. He guided her inside, letting his hand drop just low enough to make her breathe catch before it returned to something resembling appropriate. Just as he leaned back against the wall, eyes drifting toward the mirrored surface opposite them, a shuffle of movement caught his attention.

A man in his thirties - suit and tie - slipped into the elevator at the last second, nodding awkwardly before pressing the button for the fourth floor. Hudson resisted the urge to groan, jaw flexing slightly. Of course. The elevator jerked into motion, and Hudson’s eyes met Angel’s in the mirror. He smirked. Subtle. But loaded. As the stranger’s floor arrived, the man exited with a polite nod, leaving the two of them alone once again. The doors slid closed, and without missing a beat, Hudson leaned forward and pressed the button for the first floor—their floor. “Think we’ve got about a minute,” he said with a crooked grin.

[angclsharma]

when hudson reached her side it was already too late, she’d probably woken someone up by pressing the wrong intercom. she just wanted to get to hudson’s place—it wasn’t her fault she was too drunk to even remember where the boy who’d been stuck in her mind for way too long actually lived. that wasn’t something angel ever forgot, she went there too often to forget where he lived, but in her current state, nothing was sticking. as his hands pulled her closer by the waist, her eyebrows furrowed. "how can he be, if you're here?" she muttered, confused for a second—it wasn’t like she really understood what she was saying anyway. as he guided her inside, she just walked. she didn’t have anything to say. she was supposed to be angry, supposed to want him to chase her, to beg for her attention. she wasn’t going to cave. angel didn’t want to look at him, but the way he held her close, how warm he felt, how familiar—it made staying mad nearly impossible. he kept pressing the elevator button over and over. she glanced at him, amused by his sudden nerves. "that’s not working, the elevator must not be home," she said, shrugging. when it finally came and he pulled her inside, her breath hitched as his hand slipped lower—this was it, this was what she’d wanted all night. she started to turn toward him, ready to give in, when someone else stepped into the small space. she looked the man up and down before he glanced at hudson through the mirror. she didn’t say a word, just pressed herself closer to hudson, trying to look innocent while clearly enjoying every second. she fought the urge to laugh until the man finally stepped out. once they were alone, angel turned to him. "enough," she smirked, hands sliding around his neck as she pulled him into a kiss. she didn’t need to explain anything—that kiss said everything. "please, hudson."

[hudson-everett]

Hudson could feel the heat radiating from her, the tension in the air as Angel’s words danced around him like a challenge. It wasn’t like him to get flustered, but there was something about the way she was looking at him, the way her touch lingered on his skin, that made everything different. It was like she knew exactly how to get under his skin, how to make him question everything. She was pushing, testing him, and Hudson, for the first time in a while, didn’t know how to handle it. His grip tightened on the steering wheel, knuckles white, but he didn’t break his gaze. He never let anyone see how much they affected him—especially not her. When she sighed, leaning back, her soft protest about being "not that drunk" lingered in his mind, and for a moment, Hudson’s chest tightened. “Look,” he started, trying to keep his voice steady, not wanting to show how much her proximity was throwing him off. “I’m not ignoring you.” His gaze flickered to her for a second before quickly darting back to the road. His grip on the wheel was tighter now, almost painful. He knew what she wanted—he knew exactly what she wanted. The problem was, it wasn’t that simple for him. There was a part of him that wanted to cave, to take her hand in his, to let her break through all his defenses and just give in to what she was asking for. But another part—the smarter part—told him to hold back, to not let things get out of hand. He looked at her again, his expression unreadable. "You might know what you want, but I’m not gonna be some guy that takes advantage of you." Hudson turned the corner sharply, the tires of his car skimming the curb as he slowed, his jaw clenched tightly. His mind was racing, the tension in the air thick enough to make him feel suffocated. The way Angel had been looking at him—her touch, the words she’d thrown at him—he couldn’t ignore it, couldn’t pretend it didn’t stir something in him. The car slowed to a stop outside his place, the headlights cutting through the dark street, illuminating the quiet neighborhood. He pulled the handbrake up with a small click and took a deep breath, letting the silence settle for a moment. His fingers were still curled around the steering wheel as he finally turned to face her. He shifted slightly in his seat, his gaze meeting hers with an intensity that matched the tension between them. There was no doubt in his mind that she was testing him, trying to see how far she could push him before he caved. But Hudson wasn’t the type to be easily manipulated, not when it came to this. “Look,” he started, his voice firm, almost cold as he turned fully to face her. His hand rested on the gearshift, his knuckles still white from gripping the wheel too tightly. "Making out is as far as you're going to get tonight with me - I'll be honest."

[angclsharma]

angel was conscious of what she wanted, she was conscious she was drunk, but she didn’t care—she wanted that night with hudson. she didn’t want to think straight, she just wanted him. not just because she was needy, but because the thought of falling asleep next to him was the only thing keeping her going, the reason she was insisting so much. she stayed silent while he drove, listening as he said he wasn’t actively ignoring her, but if she was being honest, it felt like he was. and she was going to keep trying. when he said he wasn’t going to be the guy who takes advantage of her, she scoffed and crossed her arms—couldn’t he understand that she loved him? that she trusted him? all she wanted was to be with him the way they always were, and it hurt that he was pushing her away. when the car stopped in front of his building, she stared out the window before turning to him as he finally looked at her. when he said the farthest they were going was making out, she shook her head, unbuckled her seatbelt and looked at him, her expression a mix of frustration and heartbreak. "can’t you just see i love you and i trust you? but no, just making out, blah blah blah," she muttered, rolling her eyes before opening the door and stepping out without another glance. she stumbled slightly on the sidewalk but kept walking toward the building, hoping maybe her storming off would make him change his mind. she wasn’t thinking clearly enough to realize what she’d just admitted out loud, again, because all of this felt more like a challenge now than anything else. she got to the intercom and hit one of the buttons, muscle memory guiding her like it always did when she came over. then she blinked, realizing hudson was literally right behind her. "oops," she said, shaking her head with a little laugh, "i don’t think hudson is home." she had no idea who she’d just woken up in the middle of the night.

[hudson-everett]

It was moments like these that tested Hudson's resolve to its limits. Watching Angel speak so openly, her thoughts spilling out without hesitation. She wasn't hiding how she felt, not tonight, and certainly not while she was like this. He knew her honesty was both a strength and an edge that could easily destabilise him. As he focused on the road, her words lingered in the space between them. Angel was relentless, her every move an attempt to break through his restraint. Hudson could feel the tension mounting with each glance she shot through the rearview mirror, with every shrug or touch that made his grip on the wheel tighten just a little more. Hudson almost allowed himself to smile at Angel's audacity but resisted the urge. He respected her determination—even admired it—but that didn't mean he'd succumb to it. "I know you like causing trouble. Tonight's different though." Her persistence had its charm, but Hudson knew there was more at stake than her whims or his desires. Angel's pleading tone, soft and persuasive, tugged at something deep within him. Yet Hudson remained steadfast, his focus never wavering from the road ahead. "I can't, Angel. I'll get a fine if I park around here." She leaned forward, her fingers grazing his arm—a touch that sent electricity through him despite his attempts to brush it off. Her words, brimming with longing and unmistakable vulnerability, hung heavy in the air. Hudson's jaw tightened in response. She was right, of course. That was the crux of it—the thing he was trying so hard to manage, the reason he was fighting against her pull so desperately. But Hudson wasn't the type to give in easily, not when the right path was so clear, even if it meant denying something he wanted just as much as she did. "I wish I was on my motorcycle too but I wouldn't have been able to get you all home safe if I was." Hudson's thoughts wrestled with the intensity of the moment. Angel might not understand his hesitation, but it wasn't about indifference; it was about doing the right thing, even when it was the harder choice. He couldn't afford to lose control, not now—not ever. And even if her words and actions tempted him beyond measure, Hudson held firm. He drew in a sharp breath, the weight of her words pressing heavily against him. He couldn't deny the truth in her plea, nor the pull of the moment enveloping them. His voice, steady yet tinged with vulnerability, broke the silence. "You think I don’t want this? You think I don’t feel it too, Angel?" He tilted his head slightly, his gaze locking onto hers, as if searching for answers in the depths of her eyes. "You’ve got me figured out—every hesitation, every longing I’m trying to fight it. But I'm sober and you're not and that's what matters the most to me in this moment."

[angclsharma]

when angel was around him, limits and filters seemed to disappear, that didn’t happen with anyone else, but if she held something to herself, her drunk state made her talk without thinking about the real meaning of her words. she had admitted loving him, she was there begging for him to look at her, as if she would ever do that when she was sober. she wouldn’t have dared saying those three words out loud, maybe she had thought about that feeling she felt but, she didn’t want to make things awkward, she didn’t want their fantasy to break because of her feelings. in that moment, she just wanted one thing, she wanted him. it was as simple as that, nothing could make her change her mind, the way she looked at him, the way her words and pleas dripped from her lips like pure sugar and her fingers gently touched his skin. everything was planned, she wanted that and she knew he wanted that too. "why is it different? it’s as normal as always, just us, no one can see us, no one can listen to us, it’s the same as when we’re at your place" she pointed out. as he mused if he parked he would get a parking fine the girl sighed. that wasn’t what she wanted to do. she wanted him to listen to her, but it wasn’t working. her subtle touch didn’t stop though, just wanting him to crack, to let her in. she couldn’t understand why he was being so difficult, she couldn’t picture a moment where hudson said no to her. she noticed how his hand held tighter around the wheel, her eyebrows furrowed, not really being able to read him as she normally did. "i don’t know what you want" she mused, "if you want it, you’re really doing a good job ignoring me" she pointed out, her eyes locking on his. for a second she went silent, just focused on his gaze. at his mention of him being sober and her not, she sighed, her hand moved away from his arm. she leaned against her seat, offended as if he had said something that wasn’t true. "i’m not that drunk" she pointed out, "i know what i want" she pouted.

[hudson-everett]

Hudson could feel the weight of Angel’s words pressing on him as she leaned in, her teasing never letting up. Her playfulness was part of who she was, and while it usually made him smile, tonight, it made him feel something else—something stronger. She had a way of pushing his buttons that he couldn’t deny. "Yeah, I guess you're right," he said, smirking. "I don’t know what I’m talking about anymore when I’m around you." Her teasing was light, but it carried a deeper edge, one that made him want to give her exactly what she was asking for. But part of him held back. Her eyes were on him, and there was no mistaking the intent in her voice. She wanted him. She always did, and he could feel it. But he couldn’t just give in—not yet. Not when she was this drunk, not when there was so much more to consider than just the heat between them. When she leaned in and kissed him, Hudson’s resolve almost shattered. Her lips were warm, urgent, and her hands cupped his face with a desperation that mirrored his own. But when he pulled back, he couldn't shake the unease that crept up on him. He needed her to want more than just a kiss, to want this as much when she was sober - not when she was drunk. "Angel, I can’t take my seatbelt off either. I’m driving, remember? If the cops pull us over, we’re both in trouble." His tone was playful, but there was an underlying warmth in his voice. He gave her a reassuring smile, trying to ease the tension. "We’ll get there in one piece, no worries." As much as he wanted to lean into the moment with her, safety came first. "You know, maybe once we're parked, you can have all the attention you want." Her response of 'I want' was simple, yet it made his chest tighten. He knew exactly what she wanted, and part of him wanted to give it to her. But the frustration in her voice, the way she rolled her eyes and pouted, made something inside him hold steady. She was being stubborn and pouty, and he knew she wouldn’t back down easily. But that didn’t mean he would either. Hudson was quiet. He wanted her, no question. But something in him resisted. He wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol, or the fact that he didn’t want her to regret this when the morning light came. For a long moment, he simply stared ahead, processing the mix of emotions that were racing through him. He wanted her—he did—but he needed more than just a fleeting moment. Hudson’s grip on the wheel tightened as he focused on the road, the tension between them making it hard to think clearly. He could feel Angel’s presence even though she was in the backseat, her teasing energy pulling at him like a magnet. “We’re nearly back at mine, Angel,” he said, his voice steady but with an edge of raw honesty. He glanced at her in the rear view mirror, his gaze heavy with feeling. “I do want you. I want you so damn much that it’s taking everything in me to ignore you back there.”

[angclsharma]

when people say the only ones who speak the truth are kids and drunk people, that assumption definitely applied to angel. she had no filter whatsoever, speaking without a second thought. she wanted hudson—had been thinking about the possibility of falling for him—but those thoughts didn’t seem as scary while she was drunk. in that moment, nothing could stop her from spilling how she really felt. as he told her he couldn’t take off his seatbelt because he was driving, she leaned back against the seat, arms crossed over her chest, looking at him through the rearview mirror. "i like being in trouble," she mused before looking away. right now, angel wanted one thing—him—and there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do to have him. she didn’t understand why he was trying so hard to do the right thing. she didn’t care. "then park," she shrugged, as if the answer was that simple. if that was what it took to get his attention, then so be it. she sighed, trying every move she could think of to convince him, but she was failing miserably. still, she kept pushing—because that was all she could do. she wasn’t the type to beg, but in that moment, that was all her mind could focus on. "you’re cooler when you drive us on your bike," she mused, leaning forward, fingers grazing his arm. "when i’m pressed against you, and it only takes us a couple of minutes to get there... throw our clothes around, have fun," she smiled, a longing glint in her eyes. "don’t ignore me, then," she said softly. "you never ignore me—don’t start now." her voice was low, almost pleading. "i know you want this as much as i do," she purred, her fingers trailing down his arm. "please, hudson."

[hudson-everett]

Hudson's eyes twinkled in the rearview mirror as he heard Angel's words, his lips curling into a knowing, mischievous smile. He had soon learned that Angel, when tipsy, could be an open book—sometimes too open for her own good. But damn, if it wasn’t the most entertaining read. She was leaning into the moment, testing him, and Hudson couldn’t help but be drawn in by that fire she carried. "You know," he drawled, voice laced with a playful teasing, "a knight doesn't just kiss anyone. He waits for the right moment." He glanced at her, letting his eyes trail over her for a second longer than necessary, watching her every move like a slow-motion game. "And as for 'doing what you want'..." His voice was quieter now, seductive. "Maybe I’m just waiting for you to realise that you’ve already got me exactly where you want me." The smirk never left his lips as she continued. She had no idea how much power she was giving him, how easy it was to pull those strings she thought she controlled. But it didn’t matter. He liked it. He liked watching her dance on that edge, getting closer to the line without quite knowing if she was willing to cross it. Then she spoke of that damn tattoo, and Hudson’s smirk deepened. "I’ve got a feeling that’s not the only thing you’re thinking about kissing right now," he teased, his voice low, his eyes catching hers. Angel leaned in, and Hudson’s heart raced just a little. There it was—no more games, no more teasing. She was pulling him in with a simplicity that only Angel could make so damn complicated. He didn’t hesitate. The moment she unbuckled, he met her halfway, lips pressing against hers with the kind of intensity that made all the previous banter fade into the background. Hudson felt the gentle but firm pull of his seatback as it shifted him back into place, just as he was leaning in closer. It was a soft, almost affectionate resistance—like the seatbelt itself had a quiet way of reminding him of its presence. He chuckled, pulling back slightly with a smile, fingers grazing over the buckle, almost as if he were apologizing to the seatbelt for trying to break its rules. “Of course, right when I get close, this thing has to step in,” he said, his voice warm and playful. His gaze lingered on her, amused but fond, as he leaned back against the seat. He leaned back, giving her a teasing, almost skeptical look through the rear-view mirror, his brows slightly raised. “Begging already?” he asked, his voice laced with amusement and curiosity. “You sure you want to give in so easily?” His eyes searched hers, the playful smirk still tugging at his lips. “I’ve got to admit, I’m a little surprised. I thought you’d make me work for it a bit more."

[angclsharma]

angel wouldn't be able to take responsibility for her actions in that moment. she had no filter, acting so carelessly like nothing mattered. she was lucky everyone in the car was just as drunk as she was, or they might have realized just how much of her teasing was actually meant for hudson. at his playful words, angel giggled. "a knight waits for the right moment?" she shook her head. "i'm pretty sure you mean a gentleman," she corrected, teasing him. "you don’t even know what you're talking about anymore." her eyes stayed on him as his voice grew quieter, but she was too drunk to really register what he was saying. "you're not, because i keep telling you to kiss me, and you're not doing what i want," she pointed out, eyebrows raised. she knew exactly what she wanted—it wasn’t any different from what she’d want sober. she wanted him, in every way, even if she wouldn’t admit it out loud. when he smirked at the mention of his tattoo, angel smiled. "oh no, it's just one of the things i would like to kiss," her voice was playful but full of challenge. she was determined to kiss him, and she did, unbuckling herself and leaning in, their lips meeting in an intense kiss she had been waiting to share with him all night. her hands cupped his face, not wanting to pull away just yet, but he did. as he pulled back because of the seatbelt, she furrowed her brows. "take it off," she smiled, leaning in closer. she had him where she wanted—or at least she thought she did. but then he sat back in his seat, avoiding direct eye contact and only glancing at her through the rearview mirror. she sat back in her seat too. "i want," she simply answered. she was going to make him work for it—she didn’t beg, at least not unless it was part of their little game. "you're making me work, i keep begging and all i got was a kiss," she huffed, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms over her chest like a child. "you don't want to kiss me." her drunk mind couldn't comprehend why he was holding back. "let’s go to your place, i need you, hudson," angel said softly.

[hudson-everett]

Hudson glanced into the rear view mirror at her, a playful glint in his eyes as he caught the shift in her tone. His lips curled into a confident, easy smile, sensing the vulnerability beneath the tipsy bravado. He could see through her teasing; she was letting herself slip into something more real. "Oh, I'm annoying?" he repeated, his voice warm and smooth, teasing her back with a light chuckle. "I’m hurt, angel. Here I was, thinking I was being your knight in shining armor tonight." He shot her a wink through the mirror before his eyes flicked back to the road, but the corners of his mouth stayed turned up. This was amusing to him. Hudson knew exactly how to play it, keeping his tone light but his words honest, letting her feel heard without pushing too hard. “You know,” he said, voice lowering just slightly, “I don’t think you’re really mad at me. You’re just pretending to be, 'cause you’re not getting what you want.” His grin spread, playful but thoughtful. He knew her too well. She wasn’t really angry. She was just frustrated. And had maybe had a little too many drinks. Her next words hung in the air, and Hudson couldn’t help but lean into the quiet for a moment, letting the weight of them settle. He met her eyes briefly in the mirror, that teasing edge in his smile never fading. "I want you too, Angel," he said, the sincerity behind the words lingering a beat longer than necessary. "But... I’m not so sure you know what you want." Angel’s words hung in the air, a delicate confession that felt almost out of place. Her tone was dramatic, a hint of mockery dancing with vulnerability in her voice. He could tell from the way she said it, slurred and teasing, that she hadn’t meant for it to come out that way. It wasn’t just the words, though, that caught him off guard; it was the stark contrast between her outward jest and the underlying sincerity. She wouldn’t have said it like that if she had been sober. But he knew her well enough to see through the bravado, to understand that even with the layers of sarcasm, there was a tenderness she hadn’t quite managed to shield herself from. Hudson swallowed, his heart racing for reasons he couldn’t quite articulate. But hearing it, feeling the weight of those words, shifted something inside him. This wasn’t just about physical touch or playful teasing anymore. It was about trust, about being seen and accepting the possibility of loving someone without reservation, even when the world around them seemed anything but certain. He wanted to reach out, to close the distance, to let her know that he wasn’t running from this moment, from her. But the smile on her face, the deflection in her tone, made him hesitate. He clear his throat, trying to refocus, now wasn't the time to play back those words. Hudson smirked, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel. "You know better than to bait me like that," he teased, his smile playful but tinged with something unreadable. He stopped at a red light and turned his head to look at the girl sitting in his backseat. "What do you think, Angel? Should I?"

[angclsharma]

angel wasn’t really in control of her words right now. she’d regret it in the morning—she knew that—but at this moment, all she could think about was that she was alone with hudson, and that was always a good thing. "yes, you’re annoying," she nodded, watching his reaction. "you seem surprised. you shouldn’t be." she smirked, her eyes meeting his in the rearview mirror. "knight in shining armor? knights kiss the princess when they save her, and you haven’t kissed me. you’re not a knight." she knew what she wanted. she always did. when he spoke, her eyebrows furrowed. how the hell was he able to read her like that? how did he always know she wasn’t really mad at him? "i don’t get why you don’t give me what i want," she mused, shrugging, like it wasn’t a big deal. "you’re supposed to do what i want. that’s how this works. i tease you, and you give me what i want." a slow, amused smile tugged at her lips. she didn’t even realize what she had just said. didn’t realize that the words had slipped out. she loved him. hudson went silent for a second, and angel leaned closer, trying to figure out what was going through his mind. "bait you? that’s not bait." she leaned back against the seat, shaking her head. "if i wanted to bait you, i’d have kissed that tattoo on your neck that i like so much." her voice was dripping with playful intent. then, as he turned toward her, she caught the smirk on his lips. she smiled. she knew she was going to get exactly what she had been wanting all night. "yes," she breathed, watching him. "see? i always get what i want." and before he could say anything else, she unbuckled her seatbelt, leaned in, and pressed her lips against his. "please."

[hudson-everett]

Hudson couldn’t help but smile as he watched Angel laugh, the way her eyes sparkled in the dim light, her voice carefree and bubbling with laughter. He’d always known her to be a confident, vibrant person, but tonight—drunk and playful—there was something cute about her. As her words echoed in his mind, he found himself drawn to her more than he expected. When she teased him, winked at him, and threw that playful challenge his way, Hudson's heart skipped a beat. Hudson chuckled, feeling that familiar warmth flood his chest. He liked this side of her, the side that came out with a few drinks and the energy that wrapped itself around the both of them. Normally, he wouldn’t encourage it, but tonight, he couldn’t resist. Her next words had his jaw dropping. “Stop flirting with your driver, you pretty girls." Her friends cheered, urging her to keep going, and Hudson just laughed, trying to play it cool, but deep down, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Angel had a way of making everything feel alive in a way he wasn’t quite used to. It'd only ever been a secret between them. As the car filled with chaos, the noise of laughter, and the chatter of friends, Hudson couldn’t help but feel the pull of Angel’s attention. It was like she was always somewhere in his peripheral vision, and even when she wasn’t speaking directly to him, he could feel her gaze linger, almost as if she were searching for something. When her friend waved goodbye and the car fell into a quiet lull, Hudson felt the shift. The energy between them changed as Angel leaned back in her seat, and she caught his eyes. Her confession made him raise an eyebrow, and he couldn’t help but grin. The silence that followed wasn’t awkward at all. In fact, Hudson found himself savoring it, liking the ease of it. "I can't risk you being right up front next to me." What if someone that Zayn knew drove past and saw Angel there? Hudson knew he needed to get Angel home safe and at this present moment the backseat was the place he could keep an eye on the girl. Her words were soft, and Hudson could feel the heat of the moment intensify. It was like everything about her was right there, unfiltered, unguarded. “Yeah?” he whispered, his voice low, his eyes never leaving hers. He could feel his pulse quicken, the playful tension between them now taking on a new weight. "I don't know if you'll be able to live up those words of yours tonight, drunkie. I think you need a nice cool glass of a water when we get back, to be lifted onto a bed or couch, and have a sick bucket placed next to you, just in case."

[angclsharma]

angel sat in the backseat, arms crossed and sulking just enough to let hudson know she was annoyed, even if the annoyance was mostly playful. the quiet in the car felt strange after the chaos of the club and the noise of her friends. it was a reminder of how loud her life had gotten lately—and how comforting the quiet with hudson could be. if only she weren’t stuck in the backseat. she hated that he was right, though. they couldn’t risk it. what if someone saw them together? still, in the moment, she didn’t care. she wanted what she wanted, and right now, that was to be close to him. her annoyance didn’t last long, though. her pout dissolved into a soft smirk as she leaned forward slightly, her flirting slipping back into their rhythm like second nature. "you’re really annoying sometimes," she muttered, throwing him a side glance through the rearview mirror, her tone dripping with mock indignation. but the teasing gave way to honesty as she spoke again, her voice softer. "yeah, i want to have fun tonight... with you," she admitted, her words slower, the alcohol in her system making her more bold, less filtered. "but i don’t need water, and i’m definitely not going to need a sick bucket. i didn’t drink that much." she shifted in her seat, leaning forward again as she tried to catch his gaze. "i just want to be with you. you know that, right? like always." her voice dipped into something more vulnerable. "you want that too. i know you do. or is that it? you don’t want me anymore?" her words hung in the air, heavy and raw in a way only drunken declarations could be. she was at this point having a conversation with herself in the back of the car, coming to the conclusions her drunk mind wanted to think of. she slumped back against the seat with an exaggerated sigh, her arms falling to her sides. "nice, i love you, and this is what i get." her tone was dramatic, those wouldn't have left her lips if she was sober, it didn't matter if she felt that was, she didn't want to scare him. "god, what a night," she muttered under her breath before looking at him again, her eyes narrowed in a way that was more mischievous than angry. "so, you’re not even going to touch me? not even a little?" she teased, her lips quirking up into a small, almost daring smile.