Óscar Romero

43 | Rutherford Family | Bodyguard of Yvonne Rutherford

[hasan-demir]

"Not strictly spoken for, no. Honestly, I’m not expecting much. Charity event, fancy clothes, nurses from Berkley. Last Valentine’s didn’t exactly go well either. But I guess I can try to enjoy it. Just don’t read too much into it. I’m mostly here for the cause and the free food."

[oscar-velholobo]

With a hearty laugh, Óscar nodded, "Free food? Isn't that what all these events are ever good for?" he asked teasingly before shaking his head, "But I'm sorry the last one didn't go well. If sparks were to fly, what qualities would your date have? Or...what would you look for? Want?"

[hasan-demir]

“Nora Berkeley,” Hasan replied. “She’s kind. I took her out last auction, though I think I’d already been spoken for, in reputation if nothing else.” He shrugged lightly. “I’m not expecting sparks. I’m hoping for a comfortable evening that doesn’t ask too much.”

[oscar-velholobo]

Óscar nodded with a kind smile, "Ah, sí, the nurse, right?" then blinked, "You're already spoken for? By who?" he asked before thinking, then waved his hand, "Lo siento," he corrected himself with English quickly, "Sorry," the bodyguard titled his head, "I don't mean to pry. But I do hope, even if there are no sparks, that you are indeed comfortable. And have a good time."

[drrutherford]

He claps a hand over the bodyguard's bicep in response to the man's sheepish apology. "I'm kidding, Romero... Bloody hell, you need a day off." And then, letting his voice drop to a murmur so that it cannot be overheard by even the nearest guests, he adds;

"—I'm looking forward to allowing a French criminal wine and dine me while our city's children profit, yes. Good enough for ya?"

Does Óscar know the woman is a high ranking mobster?... Gideon doesn't know. He also doesn't particularly care if this is how he finds out, though. Better to be safe than sorry.

A beat, and then he passes onto the sunnier topic—even if only by a thin margin.

"So... How long have you been sweet on Nevra?"

[oscar-velholobo]

"Don't I know it," Óscar said under his breath before knocking back the rest of his drink. As much as this job had been easy the couple years with mostly tending to and protecting the kids, it was still a job he continued to train hard for. Every day. To stay as sharp and keen as possible, Heaven forbid something finally did happen.

When Gideon's voice dropped low, the bodyguard naturally shifted closer to hear the doc. Giving small nod. Accompanied with a breathless chuckle, "Good enough," he agreed full-heartedly.

Once Nevra's name hit the air, the grin on Óscar's face brightened, "A while now. Definitely since Halloween. But, really, after a certain...night...tha left me in the hospital. And she was there for me," he grabbed another drink with a sheepish grin, "What about you, Gideon? Sweet on anyone these days?"

[hasan-demir]

Hasan let out a soft laugh. “One of these days, certainly. I’m behaving myself tonight, though, tomorrow deserves a clear head,” he said, smiling. “Still, I’d be curious about your tastes. Do you have a penchant for any particular writer, or a kind of poetry that draws you in?”

[oscar-velholobo]

"Bien," Óscar chuckled, "Let's hope it does well. Who are you taking out again?" and then shook his head with a grin, "Carlos Fuentes was always a favorite of my mother's. I'm not much of a reader, but I have broken the spine of my copy's 'Destiny and Desire' novel from him."

[hasan-demir]

“Well, I’m spoken for tomorrow,” Hasan said easily, “but after the event, not much is planned.”

He gave a small, thoughtful shrug. “It feels a bit redundant to go out drinking after free access to top-shelf liquor, so who knows. I might work on a few things for the date. Put pen to paper. Or call it an early night so I don’t miss the evening I’ve already planned.”

A faint smile tugged at his mouth. “Showing up tired or hungover feels like poor form.”

[oscar-velholobo]

"Sounds like pleasant enough plans," Óscar smiled, "Poor form, perhaps, but could still be fun," he chuckled, "One of these days, we should meet for a drink at one of these historic pubs. You can tell me all about it and your date."

[hasan-demir]

“Lately, I’ve been leaning toward A Tale of Two Cities. An epic with a charged city and factions at odds just feels, poignant, reflective of our own situation. Don’t worry, I’m not planning to introduce any of your clients to the sharp female.”

[oscar-velholobo]

Óscar gave a nod of approval. And understanding. Ever since he came to London, the factions were far more noticeable than in Porto. Felt even in mere conversation.

"Oh," the bodyguard feigned relief dramatically, "Much appreciated," he chuckled, "So, what are your plans after this Valentine's Day event?"

[drrutherford]

He wouldn't have needed to pry the truth out of Óscar; the yearning in the man's gaze as he looks at Nevra practically outs itself. "Ah." The Rutherford remarks, neither expecting the answer, nor particularly surprised by it. The woman is beautiful, no doubt, and she'd seemed effortlessly charming the few times they'd crossed paths... He'd be a liar if he'd said he didn't understand the appeal.

... But she's also an assassin. Hardly the girl next door type.

"I take it you've gotten rather used to sleeping with one eye open?" He doesn't know how much the bodyguard knows (or doesn't) about the organization Nevra belongs to, or the fact that it's headed by the same man who gives Óscar his monthly paycheck.

"I'll try not to take offense." Gideon adds, when the man expresses relief that he won't be splurging on shopping and casinos—exactly the kind of date he's anticipating in Monaco. "I'm told this is a cop-out, but I didn't have a particular girl in mind." His last relationship, with Amélie, had ended almost two years ago. And that was mere happenstance; if he'd been romantic enough to believe in it, he might've even called it fate.

But it hadn't been something he was looking for. The eldest Rutherford son hasn't intentionally looked to date since he was in his twenties, some two decades prior.

"—Preferably not a serial killer." It's yet another quip that can pass either for dry humour, or a far more literal truth, if Óscar knows about the room of sharks that surrounds them.

[oscar-velholobo]

Óscar laughed softly. Yes. He'd gotten his fair share of restless nights over the years. And knowing — albeit, vaguely — of Nevra's work might have made others nervous. But not him. Besides. They'd been training together; laughing together. Her smile was his sunshine. And so, in reply to the young Rutherford, Óscar shrugged playfully, "Maybe. But The army made that a habit long ago."

A hand covered his mouth and dragged it down to his beard as Gideon said he'd try not to take offense. A small apologies came from the bodyguard. Meeting his gaze, Óscar shook his head, "Hardly think it's a cop-out. Especially under those circumstances," Then, at Gideon's last quip, Óscar laughed behind his hand before holding his stomach, "Fair enough. You looking forward to the trip, at least?"

[erdogan-nevra]

"Remind me what that means again?" Her head cocked to the side in bemused curiosity. She did, in fact, remember what the name meant; she just wanted to hear him say it again. "Seeing as I've never been to Mexico, I'm glad I'll be going with such an expert. You know all the best food spots, don't you?" The food was how Nevra liked to explore a country, even when she only had a few hours to spare as she usually did on assignments. It would be a relief to go slow and enjoy it.

[oscar-velholobo]

A grin spread across Óscar's lips at Nevra's bemused curiosity. His arm moved to pull her in closer, gently, against him. Kissing her temple before whispering into her ear, "Little desert flower," his lips trailed down to her cheek, "Also, darling."

His hand slid to her hip, thumb brushing small circles as he nodded, "Of course! Maybe we'll even stop over in Nogales to go to La Roca. It's a restaurant built into the caves and mountains. And they have the best seafood. Then we have to get you tacos from the street vendors." The thought of showing her everything about his childhood was pleasantly surprising.

[hasan-demir]

“The Seven Stars stands out. That’s probably telling, but you aren’t bidding, so I suppose it’s safe to admit. I’m drawn to the life of it as much as the history. Dickens drank there, and it’s still frequented by barristers arguing precedent, which I like. It has memory without feeling like a husk. If the date goes well, I’d save it for the last stop of the crawl, a place to linger before dinner, and maybe a little reflection.”

[oscar-velholobo]

With a nod, the bodyguard listened attentively. And with an arch of his brow, he asked kindly, "What's your favorite Dickens story then?" he then chuckled softly, "Hope the date goes very well for you then. Sounds like a fun and interesting night."

[yvonne-rutherford]

"That includes relaxing and not being in work mode the entire time, you know." Would her words have any effect? She doubted it. But at least she could try to talk him into an actual break. "Might as well, considering the two of you were clearly sharing a brain while picking out your dates. Félix is being really annoying about it too."

[oscar-velholobo]

"Vale, vale. I know, mijita," Óscar chuckled, "I can't make a promise not to be on edge at least a little," he grinned, "But I will relax. Especially once I get some good food in me. You think you'll be up for a bit of dancing?" He then laughed, "Annoying? How so?"

[drrutherford]

"Don't worry, Óscar... Not here to give you the fifth degree." The bodyguard does enough for Yvonne without adding thrilling getaways to the job description. Gideon casts him a sidelong glance. "Who were you hoping to win? If you try to flatter me by saying my sister, I'll tell her you wanna work every Christmas, New Year, and Easter for the rest of your life."

The Monaco question is one he's been asked by those who know it's too showy for his tastes. He wonders if Diana will hear about this later and give him hell for it, but right now, he doesn't quite care. The surgeon knocks his drink back. "Wasn't exactly my choice."

[oscar-velholobo]

A sigh of slight relief left the bodyguard's lips as he looked to Gideon and shook his head, "Gracias," he gave a breathless chuckle. Then, he grinned. His eyes flicking over the bar area to his date; th deep purple on Nevra catching his gaze easily, "I may flatter, but I'm still a man," he laughed and took a swig of his drink, "It's probably for the better though," Óscar inclined his head towards Nevra, "I want to show her somewhere close to home and familiar first. Besides," he smirked lightly towards Gideon, "I'm not one to splurge on casinos and shopping in one vacation," he eyed the other knowingly, "What would your choice have been, amigo?"

[hasan-demir]

Hasan laughed. “I suppose you’ve been checking the dates. Yes, something like that. It’s a pleasure I enjoy, one most people never quite indulge in.”

He tipped his glass slightly. “Places where drinks are encouraged, when useful. A more pliable mind tends to absorb history more easily, emotional truths included. And I can hardly claim to show someone a good time if I’m not having one myself.”

[oscar-velholobo]

The laugh from the other brought a smile to Óscar's lips, "Only to scope out the competition," he chuckled and arched a brow in curiosity before Hasan continued, then asked kindly, "Reasonable enough. Any with a particular history you care for? Or at least cheap drinks and entertainment? I feel as though I'm still new to London, to be honest."

[drrutherford]

His sister's bodyguard earns what's perhaps his first real grin after the bidding results come through. "You know there's something to be said about being too good at your job, Romero... If you aren't careful, I've a feeling my nieces will start bidding on you, too."

[oscar-velholobo]

There was a truth to Gideon's statement that had Óscar holding his stomach to prevent a bark of laughter. Instead, he smiled. Chuckling in his throat before shrugging, "I should be so honored," the bodyguard grinned, "Nevertheless, I'll still make sure your sister has a nice time. Probably even end up chauffeuring," he joked, "What made you go for Monaco?"

[hasan-demir]

“You did not tailor your date to double as a little reprieve? With yachts and globetrotting trips on the table, you would be in the minority if you had not.”

[oscar-velholobo]

Óscar gave a smile to Hasan, "No," he shook his head laughing softly, "It's not really my style. I much prefer life of the locals in foreign countries," he took a long sip of his drink before asking kindly, "What about you? More akin to a historic pub crawl?"

[erdogan-nevra]

Well, she had royally fucked it all up. "Listen, I swear I was trying to decipher which one was yours but then the idea of those mud baths and spa got the better of me. Forgive me?" Clearly he had if he was willing to take her on an entirely separate date but it never hurt to beg forgiveness. "I also probably should have told you that I'm terrible at guessing games."

[oscar-velholobo]

Chuckling breathlessly, Óscar shook his head, "Mimosita, there's nothing to forgive," he brought her in close with one arm and placed a kiss on Nevra's cheek, "Mud baths do sound nice," he said wistfully and smiled down to her, seeing how cute she was, "This is actually nice though. I'd rather our first vacation be somewhere I know well and show you part of my home. My culture."

[yvonne-rutherford]

"Sorry, I know I'm clearly not who you were hoping for. But, you know you are allowed to have fun on this trip, right?"

[oscar-velholobo]

Óscar gave a big smile to the woman he protected, "Mijita, of course we'll have fun. You're always a ray of sunshine. Perhaps we'll even drop your husband and his date off on our way to the casa."

[oscar-velholobo]

Mimosita

Where: Valentine's Day 2026 Event When: Post-reveal Who: @erdogan-nevra

"Vale, vale, vale." Óscar chuckled, "Did any of my date in Andalusia sound interesting to you? Because I think we should fly to our own date. My treat, mimosita."