Pairing: Rudy pankow x Athena (oc)
Warnings: brief talk of panic attacks, anxiety, eating disorder, childhood trauma, fluff, brief makeouts
Weâve gone on a few more dates since our last one, and weâve managed to keep everything between us a secretâexcept Amelia, whoâs still in Charleston, and Mads and Bails. No one else knows Iâm dating Rudy. I still canât believe it. Iâm Rudyâs girlfriend.
Right now, Iâm sitting in my trailer with Rudy while the rest of the cast and crew film the few scenes that donât need us. I made sure everyone was busy so no one could walk in unannounced, and we even locked the door just to be safe. Weâre cuddled up on my little sofa, his arms wrapped around me.
âHey, Ruds,â I say quietly, leaning into him.
âWhatâs up, baby?â he asks, looking down at me, that familiar soft smile tugging at his lips.
I take a deep breath, my heart pounding a little. âThank you⊠for everything youâve done for me since we met. Iâm really glad Iâm your girlfriend. I honestly thought⊠I thought youâd think I was damaged and wouldnât want to be anywhere near me.â
He leans down, brushing a strand of hair from my face. âYou are definitely not damaged. I would never even think that. And I love being near you. But⊠youâre welcome,â he says softly. âAnd Iâm glad Iâm your boyfriend. Thank you for becoming my girlfriend.â
He leans in and kisses me, slow and tender, and I melt into it. I smile against his lips as I kiss him back, feeling the warmth and security that only he seems to give me.
When we finally pull back, our phones buzz at the same time. I glance down and see a notification from the group chat.
âWhat are they texting the group chat for?â I whisper, raising an eyebrow at Rudy.
âI donât have a clue,â he says, peering over at my phone just as I open it.
The message thread lights up the screen, full of random questions, emojis, and teasingâclearly something is going on. I glance at Rudy, who smirks knowingly, and I canât help but laugh. Even with our secret, it seems like the cast has a way of keeping life chaotic.
But right now, in this trailer, with him wrapped around me, it doesnât matter. Itâs just him and meâand I wouldnât want it any other way.
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âI think we might have to tell everyone,â I say to Rudy, âbecause Bails said theyâre on to us.â
Rudy smiles. âOkay⊠letâs tell them. But first, letâs see what they wanted to say in the group chat, okay?â
I laugh and nod. We both open the chat on our phones.
Slowly, everyone finally stops going crazy. I look up at Rudy and smile. Without thinking, I lean up to kiss him. He kisses me back, soft and sweet, until a knock at the door makes us both pull away. I grin at him before getting up.
I walk to the door, unlock it, and swing it open to reveal the whole cast.
âHello,â I say as I head back to the couch where I was sitting. Rudy wraps his arms around me, pulling me close.
âHey!â they all say in unison.
âSo itâs true,â Drew says first, breaking the silence. âYou were telling us the truth when you said you and Rudy were dating?â
âYes,â I say, smiling.
âHow? Tell us everything, I wanna know,â Austin adds eagerly.
I take a deep breath. âWell⊠after everything with my dad, when he showed up at the apartment, I was having a panic attack in my room. Rudy came in. We⊠we kissed, and admitted we had feelings for each other. Then he asked me on a date. He managed to sneak out and back to his apartment while I was leaving, which is why he wasnât thereâand why he was smirking when I came back from the date.â
The room goes quiet for a second before everyone erupts into murmurs and soft laughter, clearly processing what I just said. I lean into Rudy, feeling safe in his arms, and for the first time, it really hits me: weâre not hiding anything anymore.
The room bursts into chatter and laughter, everyone clearly excited.
âSo you guys really kissed?â Drew asks, leaning forward with a grin.
âYes,â I say, blushing, snuggling closer into Rudyâs arms.
Austin elbows JD. âDude, I told you! Heâs been grinning like a maniac for weeks.â
JD laughs. âYeah, but now we know why.â
Chase, standing near the door with his arms crossed, shoots Rudy a pointed look. âAnd you didnât scare her or hurt her, right?â
Rudy meets his gaze steadily. âNever. Sheâs safe with me, Chase.â
Chaseâs expression softens slightly, but he still hovers like a protective big brother. âGood. I donât want to see any of that change.â
I laugh softly, squeezing Rudyâs hand. âHeâs perfect, Chase. I promise.â
Madelyn and Bails plop down on the couch next to us, grinning. âFinally! You two couldnât hide it any longer.â
âYeah,â Bails adds, nudging me. âWe knew something was up the moment you two kept sneaking glances at each other.â
I glance at Rudy, and he smirks, brushing his thumb across my knuckles. Our eyes meet, and for a moment, itâs just the two of us in the room, the chaos of the cast fading away.
âOkay, but seriously,â Drew chimes in, âhow was the date? Did he take care of you? Was it romantic? Did he flirt?â
âOh my god, Drew!â I laugh, covering my face. âYou guys are relentless!â
Chase shakes his head, muttering under his breath, but I can see the tiny smirk tugging at his lips. âRelentless is an understatement.â
Rudy leans down, whispering in my ear, âI think theyâre just jealous youâre mine.â
I giggle, hiding my smile against his chest. âMaybeâŠâ
Bails leans in, eyes sparkling. âPower couple confirmed. We need updates on every single move, by the way.â
I roll my eyes playfully. âYouâre impossible.â
âAnd you love us for it,â Madelyn says, laughing.
Rudy presses a quick kiss to the top of my head, murmuring, âYouâre stuck with them, and me.â
I look up at him and grin. âYeah⊠I wouldnât have it any other way.â
Even with all the teasing and questions, with Chase keeping a careful eye on us, and the rest of the cast bombarding us with curiosity, I feel completely safeâand completely in love.
âWell, that clears that up,â JD says, and we all laugh. We keep talking for a while until I get called to hair and makeup. Rudy leans in and kisses me goodbye, and I smile before heading off toward the makeup trailer.
âHey,â I say as I walk in, spotting Elaine along with Lilah and the rest of the hair and makeup crew.
âHey, Thea,â they all reply.
My hair and makeup donât take longâjust a simple look, my hair left down for the scene. Once theyâre done, I head over to wardrobe and grab my outfit, a completely new look waiting for me.
âHey,â I say as I walk in, spotting Elaine along with Lilah and the rest of the hair and makeup crew.
âHey, Thea,â they all reply.
My hair and makeup donât take longâjust a simple look, my hair left down for the scene. Once theyâre done, I head over to wardrobe and grab my outfit, a completely new look waiting for me.
My outfit is a pair of ripped denim shorts and a cropped top that ties around my waist, along with some slider sandals covered in tiny diamonds that catch the light every time I move. I walk out of the dressing room in the wardrobe trailer and head into my own trailer, shutting the door softly behind me.
I start digging through my makeup bag, trying to find my concealer to cover the scars on my thighs. My fingers finally brush against it, and I let out a small breath of relief. I slip my shorts off and carefully apply the concealer, blending it in until the marks fade just enough to not be noticeable on camera.
Just as Iâm pulling my shorts back up and buttoning them, the door bursts open.
âHey, AthenaâJonas says heâs ready for you and Rudy now,â Elaine says, slightly out of breath. She stands in the doorway, tablet tucked under her armâalways moving, always organized, exactly how an assistant should be.
âOkay,â I say, trying to sound calm even though my nerves are starting to spike in my chest.
I follow her out, my sandals clicking softly against the ground as we walk toward set. The closer we get, the louder everything becomesâcrew members talking, equipment shifting, the low hum of preparation filling the space.
When we step onto the set of my characterâs bedroom, I immediately spot Rudy standing beside Jonas.
He looks upâand the second his eyes land on me, he smiles.
That soft, easy smile makes my nerves settle just a little, and before I can stop myself, I smile back.
I walk over to them, script already in my hands.
We go over the scene together, Jonas explaining the blocking and the emotional beats he wants us to hit. He glances between the two of us before nodding.
âYou guys can improvise wherever you think it fits best,â he says, tapping the script lightly. âMake it feel natural.â
I nod, taking a slow breath as I walk over to my mark, which is at the little desk in the corner of the room. I run my fingers along the edge of it, grounding myself.
Across the set, Rudy moves into position outside the fake window, waiting for his cue.
Everything goes quiet for a momentâthe kind of silence that only happens right before filming starts.
Jonas looks around the set, making sure everyoneâs ready.
I hear the window slide open, the soft scrape breaking the quiet of the room as Rudy climbs inside, landing lightly on his feet.
âHey,â he says, trying to stand up straight like he totally didnât just sneak in.
âJJ, what are you doing here?â I say as Sage, keeping my voice low but sharp, like Iâm annoyed⊠even though thereâs that hint of curiosity underneath.
âWell, I wanted to see you,â Rudy says as JJ, brushing his hands off like breaking into my room is the most normal thing in the world.
âMissed me that much, Maybank?â I say as Sage, letting a smirk pull at my lips as I tilt my head slightly.
âDefinitely. Youâre addicting,â he says, that same cocky smirk settling on his face.
I push back from my chair, the legs scraping softly against the floor as I stand. Slowly, I walk closer to Rudy, closing the distance between us step by step.
The air feels heavier nowâcharged, like the tension between Sage and JJ is thick enough to feel.
I stop just a foot away from him, close enough to see the flicker of amusement in his eyes, close enough that my heart starts beating a little faster even though I know itâs just acting⊠just the scene.
âBreaking into my room now?â I murmur as Sage, folding my arms across my chest, but keeping that teasing edge in my voice.
My eyes flick down to his hands, then back up to his face.
âYouâre getting bold, Maybank.â
I step closer until thereâs barely any space left between us. Iâm so close to Rudy that I can hear his breathingâslow, steadyâand feel the warmth of it brush against my skin.
The tension in the room feels electric, like the air itself is holding its breath.
His hand reaches out, fingers wrapping gently around my wrist before he turns me, guiding me back until my shoulders press lightly against the wall. The movement is smooth, confidentâso JJ.
My breath catches as my back hits the wall, and suddenly heâs right there, towering just inches away.
âDo you know, SageâŠâ he murmurs, voice low and rough, âwhat you actually do to me?â
His gaze drops to my lips for a split second before flicking back up to my eyes.
âBecause, God⊠Iâve never met a woman who makes me feel the way you do, Sage,â he says as he leans down slowly, his voice softer now but filled with something deeperâsomething raw.
My heart pounds hard against my ribs as I tilt my head up to meet his gaze, trying to stay in character even though the closeness makes it harder to breathe.
âAnd what exactly do I make you feel, Maybank?â I whisper back, my voice barely above a breath, a teasing edge slipping through despite the heat rising in my chest.
The space between us shrinks even more as he leans closer, close enough that our noses nearly brush, the moment stretching tight with anticipationâlike the whole world has gone quiet, waiting to see what happens next.
He leans in, his breath warm against my skin before his lips brush just below my ear, trailing down to my neck. I let out a small, involuntary moan, staying in character as his lips move slowly along my skin, careful and deliberate, like JJ is savoring the moment.
His hands slide to my waist, steady and firm, before he lifts me up. I gasp softly, my hands instinctively moving to his shoulders as he carries me, still pressing soft kisses along my neck while walking us slowly toward the bed. Before connecting our lips
The tension in the room feels thick, the kind that makes it easy to forget the cameras, the crewâeverything except the scene and the moment.
âCutâhold up,â Jonas calls out suddenly.
We pause just before reaching the bed as crew members step in, shifting lights and moving cameras into new positions for the next part of the scene. The spell breaks slightly, reality settling back in as the set fills with movement and quiet chatter.
I let out a slow breath as Rudy gently sets me back down on my feet.
A moment later, Rudy walks over to me, his expression softer now, concern replacing the intensity he had just seconds ago in character. He leans down and presses a gentle kiss to the top of my head.
âAre you okay?â he asks quietly, his voice low enough that it feels private despite the busy set around us.
âYeah, I am,â I say, giving him a small smile, still catching my breath slightly from the scene. âIâm glad itâs you Iâm doing this with.â
He lets out a soft breath, the corner of his mouth lifting into a reassuring smile, like he understands exactly what I meanâhow scenes like that can feel intense, vulnerable, even when theyâre just acting.
âMe too,â he murmurs, nudging my shoulder lightly before glancing back toward the crew as they finish resetting the cameras.
Across the room, Jonas calls out again, letting everyone know theyâre almost ready to roll into the next, hotter part of the scene.
I take a steadying breath, trying to slip back into Sageâs mindset as I glance over at Rudy, knowing in a few seconds, weâll be right back in character.
Weâre walking back to my trailer after filming when suddenly Rudy stops mid-step. Before I can even ask what heâs doing, he bends down and scoops me up into his arms.
I let out a surprised laugh, grabbing onto his shoulders. âRudy!â
He just laughs along with me, holding me easily like I weigh nothing as he keeps walking toward my trailer.
âPut me down!â I say between laughs, though I donât actually try to get free.
âNope,â he says simply, grinning like heâs way too proud of himself.
By the time we reach my trailer, Iâm still laughing. He pushes the door open with his shoulder, carrying me inside like itâs the most normal thing in the world.
The moment we step in, I freeze slightly when I see the whole cast already inside.
âHey guysâhow was filming?â Mads says, already laughing like she knows exactly what just happened.
âWell, Rudy definitely enjoyed it, didnât you, Ruds?â I say, laughing, completely forgetting Iâm still in his arms.
That makes everyone burst out laughing even louder.
âAthena Kingsley, do not make me drop you,â Rudy says, laughing right along with us, tightening his grip slightly like he actually might.
âPlease donât!â I say quickly, wrapping my arms tighter around his shoulders and hanging onto him dramatically.
That only makes the laughter grow louder around the trailer.
âYeah, it was really good,â I add, still smiling as Rudy finally shifts his hold a little, though he still doesnât set me down just yet.
The trailer feels warm and loud, filled with teasing comments and inside jokes as everyone keeps laughing, the nerves from filming fading into something lighterâeasierâlike this is the part of the day that makes everything worth it.
He slowly puts me back on my feet, his hands lingering at my waist for a second before letting go. I grab the clothes I wore earlier, about to head off to change, when Rudy walks over to me.
He leans in slightly, close enough that only I can hear him.
âYou look beautiful,â he whispers softly into my ear.
Heat rushes straight to my cheeks, and I feel myself blush instantly. I duck my head a little, trying to hide it as I turn away before he can see just how flustered he made me.
I quickly slip into the bathroom connected to my trailer, shutting the door behind me. The quiet gives me a second to breathe. I grab some makeup wipes from the counter and carefully wipe the concealer off my thighs, watching as the marks slowly fade back into view.
Once thatâs done, I change back into what I was wearing beforeâmy gray joggers and a loose T-shirt. The soft fabric feels comforting after the tight outfit from set. I move to the mirror, taking off the rest of my makeup, wiping away the last traces of the day until my face feels clean again.
With a tired sigh, I gather my hair up and twist it into a messy bun, securing it loosely at the top of my head.
After one last glance in the mirror, I open the bathroom door and step back into the main part of the trailer.
I pause when I realize itâs just the girls left inside. Theyâre all staring at meâgrins spreading across their faces like they know something I donât.
I narrow my eyes slightly, confused.
âWhat?â I ask, walking over to hang up my clothes neatly so I can take them back to the wardrobe trailer later. âWhy are you looking at me like that?â
They exchange looks with each other, barely holding back their smiles, like theyâre seconds away from teasing me about something I definitely donât want to admit out loud.
âYou gave Rudy a boner,â Bails says, smirking like sheâs been waiting all day to say that.
My face heats up instantly.
âMaybeâbut it wasnât meant to happen⊠but it did,â I admit, blushing as I grab my bag with my phone, keys, and water bottle stuffed inside.
The girls laugh as we switch off the lights and step out of my trailer, the cool evening air hitting my skin.
âI heard jonas say that it was an amazing scene,â Mads says as we walk over to wardrobe and hand my clothes to one of the girls waiting outside the trailer.
âYeah, I had a great scene partner.â I say, smiling softly without even realizing it.
We keep walking until we reach Rudyâs trailer. I push the door open, stepping inside with the girls behind me.
Iâm about to sit down when the bathroom door opens. Rudy walks out, now back in his regular clothes instead of JJâs outfit. His hair is slightly damp, and he looks more relaxedâless like JJ, more like himself again.
âHey, baby,â he says casually, walking straight over to me and pressing a quick kiss to my lips.
âHey,â I reply, kissing him back before smiling over at the rest of the guys. âHi.â
They all greet me back with nods and teasing looks, like they definitely heard the girls earlier.
After a few more minutes of talking and laughing, we all start heading out together, piling out of Rudyâs trailer and making our way toward the car park. The sun is starting to dip lower, the sky turning soft shades of orange and pink as everyone splits off toward their cars.
I walk over to Rudyâs car and slide into the passenger seat while he gets into the driverâs side.
Once the engine starts, music begins playing through the speakersâand within seconds, weâre both singing along loudly to iloveitiloveitiloveit by Bella Kay.
Completely off-key. Completely dramatic.
âYouâre on the phone with your girlfriend, sheâs upsetââ I sing loudly, pointing at him dramatically.
He laughs, shaking his head but singing along anyway, tapping the steering wheel to the beat as we drive back toward the apartment complex.
By the time we pull into the parking lot, weâre both laughing so hard itâs hard to breathe, the stress from filming completely goneâreplaced with music, jokes, and the kind of easy happiness that makes long filming days feel worth it.
We get back to our apartment building, and instead of splitting off, we all decide to head up to the apartment that Rudy, Chase, and JD are sharing.
The second we walk in, everyone spreads out across the living room like we live there permanently. Itâs loud and comfortableâpeople talking over each other, laughing, tossing snacks around.
Me and Rudys end up on the couch. Iâm laying down with my head resting in Rudyâs lap while he absentmindedly plays with my hair, gently running his fingers through it. The motion is slow and calming, and it makes my whole body relax after the long day.
I tilt my head back to look up at him, smiling softly.
He notices immediately and smiles down at me, his hand still moving through my hair like itâs second nature.
âHey guys, you know Carlaciaâs coming here today, so we should go out when sheâs here,â Chase says from across the room.
Everyone else agrees almost instantly, voices overlapping with excitement.
I glance back up at Rudy, curiosity flickering across my face.
âWhoâs Carlacia?â I ask quietly.
âSheâs playing Cleo,â Rudy answers, his voice casual as he looks down at me.
âOh, okay⊠why ainât she here yet?â I ask.
âThe reason sheâs not here already is because she only just finished filming another project,â Mads explains from the other side of the room.
âOh, okay,â I say, but I can feel my anxiety starting to rise in my chest anyway. Meeting new people always makes me nervousâespecially people everyone already knows.
âSheâll love you, I promise,â Bails says, clearly noticing the shift in my expression. âI mean, we all love youâand Iâm being serious. Youâre literally dating Rudy.â
That makes me smile a little, her reassurance easing the tight feeling in my chest.
âSo are we having a night out or what?â Drew calls from the armchair, leaning forward with a grin.
We all answer at the same timeââYes.â
Me and the girls head off to get ready, gathering our bags and disappearing into the bedrooms to start picking outfits. Carlacia will be landing in about half an hour, and once she gets here, sheâs coming straight over so we can all get ready together before heading out.
As Iâm sitting on the edge of the bed, scrolling through outfit options in my bag, my phone buzzes in my hand.
I smile slightly at the message. He mustâve picked up on my nerves earlierâhe always does.
A few seconds later, another message pops up.
I set my phone down on the bed, taking a slow breath as I start getting ready, trying to shake the nervous energy and focus on the excitement of the night ahead.
I hunt through my wardrobe, pushing hangers aside as I try to decide what to wear. Shirts, skirts, and dresses blur together until I finally pause, pulling out a black skirt and holding it up against myself in the mirror.
After a second of thinking, I grab a white long-sleeve V-neck top to go with it and my sandal heels. Nothing too over the topâjust simple and cute since we all agreed it was only a casual night out.
Once Iâve decided, I head into the shower. The warm water helps calm my nerves a little, washing away the stress from filming earlier. By the time I step out, wrapped in a towel, I feel more relaxed than before.
I get dressed, pulling on the black skirt and white top before slipping into my sandal heels. Then I move to the mirror, brushing through my hair slowly until it falls smoothly down my back.
I part it carefully and braid two small sections on either side, tying them off so they frame my face. Itâs simple, but it looks niceâeffortless in a way that fits the casual vibe of the night.
My makeup is simple tooâjust enough to highlight my features without looking too done-up. A little concealer, mascara, soft blush, and lip gloss. Nothing dramatic.
Once Iâm finished, I step back from the mirror and look at myself for a moment, adjusting the hem of my skirt slightly.
Not too much. Just right.
I grab my phone from the bed just as it buzzes in my hand with a notification.
My heart does a small flip as I unlock it.
A text from Rudy lights up my screen.
I smile to myself without even realizing it, typing back quickly.
Another message pops up almost immediately.
I bite my lip slightly, feeling that familiar warmth spread across my cheeks as I glance back at the mirror one more time, smoothing my skirt nervously while waiting for his next message.
Once Iâve finished texting Rudy, I walk out of my room toward the front door, fixing the sleeve of my top as I go. The second I open it, I barely have time to react before Rudy grabs my waist and pulls me into a kiss.
I laugh softly against his lips, surprised but not complaining.
âIâm glad the cast know,â he says once we pull away slightly, his forehead still resting against mine. âBecause I can do that now.â
âYeah⊠Iâm glad too,â I say, smiling up at him.
He leans down and kisses me again, and I happily kiss him back, my hands resting lightly on his chest.
âOkay, guys, get a room,â Madelyn says from across the room, smiling at us.
My cheeks instantly heat up, and I duck my head a little, embarrassed.
âWe would,â Rudy replies casually, grinning, âbut if we did that, there wouldnât be a night out⊠because weâd be making out and cuddling.â
That makes everyone burst out laughing.
I shake my head, still smiling, and take Rudyâs hand, leading him over to the couch. We sit down together, and Mads drops down beside us, tucking her legs underneath her.
Soon, weâre all caught up in conversation about Madelynâs new movie thatâs going into production after filming wraps. Everyone throws in questionsâabout the role, the filming locations, how excited she is.
Time passes quickly, laughter filling the room as the conversation jumps from topic to topic.
All of our phones go off at the exact same time.
I glance down at my screen at the same moment Rudy and Mads do, all three of us reacting in sync.
âHere goes the Goonies,â Rudy says jokingly, glancing between us.
That makes all of us laugh instantly, the familiar chaos of group messages already starting before any of us have even opened the notification.
I look up from my phone at the same time as Rudy and the others , all of us grinning at the chaos already starting in the group chat.
I laugh, leaning slightly into his side as more messages start flooding in.
I feel a small wave of nerves againâbut this time, excitement mixes in with it.
âLooks like sheâs almost here,â Mads says, glancing up from her phone.
Rudy nudges my shoulder lightly. âTold you sheâd like you.â
I glance up at him and smile, squeezing his hand a little
We stop texting in the group chat when thereâs a knock at the door. The whole room seems to quiet for a second beforemadelyn jumps up to answer it.
A moment later, she walks back into the living room with carlacia following behind her.
Carlacia smiles warmly as her eyes land on me.
âHi, Iâm Carlaciaâyou must be Athena?â she asks.
âHey, yeah, Iâm Athena. Nice to meet you,â I reply, stepping forward to greet her.
Thereâs something instantly comforting about her energy, and after a few more words, she heads off to get ready. It only takes her about twenty minutes, and by the time she comes back out dressed and ready, itâs already around eight at night.
We send a quick message to the group letting them know weâre heading down to the lobby.
Madison is already with her girlfriend Mariah, whoâs meeting us at the club instead of the apartment.
When we get to the lobby, the rest of the group is already thereâeveryone except Bails and Mariah. Thereâs laughter, teasing, and the sound of rides being ordered.
Soon enough, we pile into Ubers and head to the club.
The music hits us the second we walk inâloud, pulsing, lights flashing across the dance floor. After a few drinks, the nerves melt away.
Me and Rudy are dancing together, laughing, moving to the beat while the rest of the group scatters somewhere into the crowd.
After a while, Rudy leans close to my ear.
âIâm gonna go to the bathroom,â he says.
âOkay, Iâm gonna go get another drink,â I reply.
He pulls me in for a quick kiss before we separateâhim heading toward the bathrooms, me toward the bar.
I order another drink and lean against the counter, waitingâfor the bartender⊠and for Rudy to come back.
Thatâs when I feel someone step beside me.
âHey, gorgeous, what are you doing alone?â a guy says, smirking.
âHi. Iâm waiting for my boyfriend,â I reply firmly.
âWhy donât we have some fun while youâre waiting?â he says, leaning in closer.
âNo. I have a boyfriend. Iâm not interested,â I say, trying to step away.
âHe doesnât have to know,â he says, grabbing my wrist when I try to walk off.
âI said noâleave me alone,â I say, trying to pull free.
âPlease leave me alone,â I say again, my voice shaking slightly.
I hear Rudyâs voice behind him, sharp and cold.
I look up and see Rudy standing there with the rest of the group behind him.
The guy turns around to face himâand suddenly I see Rudyâs face go pale.
âTyler⊠what do you want? Leave my girlfriend alone,â Rudy says angrily while I keep trying to pull free.
âRudy, itâs been a while. My sisterâs okay, just letting you know,â Tyler says casually.
I finally manage to wrench my wrist free and run straight to Rudy. Heâs already moving toward me. His arms wrap around me instantly, holding me tight as he presses a kiss to my forehead.
âGo to the girls,â he murmurs softly.
I hesitate but nod, stepping back toward the others while he turns back toward Tyler.
âTyler, itâs been whatâeight years? Get over it. I never did anything to Rosie. She dumped me, then played the victim,â Rudy says, stepping closer.
âYeah? Thatâs what you say. I donât believe you. You were my best friend, and you got with my sister and broke her heart,â Tyler snaps.
Rudy lets out a bitter laugh.
âYou know that never happened. But since weâre having this reunion, should I call the police about the time you and your friends jumped me and put me in the hospital because your narcissistic sister said I cheated on her and abused her?â Rudy fires back. âNews flashâshe was the one abusing me mentally.â
âThatâs bullshit! Rose would never do that, and you know it!â Tyler shouts, stepping closer.
âYour sister acts like a perfect princess around you and your family,â Rudy replies coldly. âBut in private? Completely different.â
âWatch your mouth, Pankow!â Tyler shoutsâthen suddenly swings.
The punch lands, and my heart drops into my stomach.
I start crying instantly as the fight breaks out.
Rudy hits backâharder, faster. The two of them trade blows, and the chaos around us grows louder.
I look over at Chase, tears in my eyes along with panic. He sees the panic in my eyes.
âGuysâbreak it up!â Chase shouts.
The others rush forward, grabbing both of them and pulling them apart.
Once theyâre separated, Rudy looks straight at me. His chest is rising and falling quickly, but the second his eyes meet mine, something softens in his expression.
He shrugs the guys off and walks straight toward me.
Then he pulls me into his arms.
I cling to him tightly as he kisses the top of my head.
âI thought you were gonna get hurt really bad,â I whisper into his chest.
âItâs okay. Iâm okay, I promise,â he whispers back. âAre you okay?â
I just nod, still shaken, watching as Tyler storms away into the crowd.
âIâm glad your okay,â Rudy murmurs, leaning down to kiss me gently.
I kiss him back, still holding onto him.
No one says it out loud, but we all know the night is over.
We all agree to leave the club, calling Ubers again and heading back to the apartment buildingâquieter this time, the earlier excitement replaced with tension and
Me and Rudy get back to my apartment, the hallway unusually quiet compared to earlier. The others had gone to chaseâs apartment to give us space, and honestly, Iâm grateful they didâbecause now Rudy and I can finally talk about everything without distractions.
The second the door shuts behind us, the silence settles in. Not awkwardâjust heavy with everything that happened at the club.
I step closer to him, reaching up slightly.
âIâm glad youâre okay,â I murmur softly, leaning up to kiss him.
He kisses me back immediately, his hands resting gently at my waist.
We pull away slowly, and Rudy smiles at meâsoft, reassuring, the tension in his shoulders easing a little.
He leans in again, brushing his lips against mine in another gentle kiss. I smile into it before pulling back slightly.
âI think Iâm ready, Ruds,â I declare quietly, my voice soft but certain.
His expression shiftsâgentler now, more careful.
âAre you sure?â he asks, searching my face, making sure I really mean it.
âYeah⊠I am. I promise. I trust you, Ruds,â I say, leaning forward to kiss him again.
He kisses me back, slower this time, more deliberate, like heâs making sure I feel safe and comfortable. The kiss deepens, turning heavier as his hands slide to my waist, pulling me a little closer.
After a moment, he pulls back just enough to look at me.
âLetâs take this to the bedroom,â he says softly.
I nod, smiling slightly, leaning in to press another kiss to his lips before taking his hand and letting him guide me down the hallway, my heart poundingânot from nerves, but from trust and the quiet closeness building between us.
He stands up, pulling me gently with him as his lips stay on mine. We stumble slightly down the hallway, still making out, laughter mixing into the kisses as we bump lightly into the wall.
I hear my bedroom door open, then close behind us. A second later, I feel my back hit the bed as he leans over me.
I giggle softly into Rudyâs lips, breathless from laughing and kissing at the same time.
Our kisses grow slower, deeper, more meaningful than rushed. While weâre tangled together, we both start helping each other out of our jackets and shoes, movements clumsy and filled with nervous laughter. I let out a soft moan into his lips when his hands brush along my sides, sending a shiver through me.
He pauses for a moment, pulling back slightly like he wants to make sure Iâm still okay. His hands rest gently at my waist, grounding, careful.
He leans down, pressing soft kisses along my thigh, then pauses, looking back up at me.
âAre you okay?â he asks quietly, his voice gentle and serious now, making sure I feel safe before anything goes further.
I meet his eyes, my heart still racing, but thereâs trust thereâcomfort in the way heâs looking at me, waiting for my answer before moving again.
He pauses for a moment, pulling back slightly like he wants to make sure Iâm still okay. His hands rest gently at my waist, grounding, careful.
He leans down, pressing soft kisses along my thigh, then pauses, looking back up at me.
âAre you okay?â he asks quietly, his voice gentle and serious now, making sure I feel safe before anything goes further.
I meet his eyes, my heart racing but steady at the same time.
âYeah⊠Iâm okay,â I whisper, my fingers sliding into his hair, holding him there for a moment. âI trust you.â
A small smile spreads across his face at my words, relief flickering in his eyes. He presses another gentle kiss against my thigh before moving back up toward me, slow and unhurried, like he wants to take his time with every moment.
He leans over me again, bracing himself on either side of my shoulders as his lips find mine. The kiss is softer nowâless rushed, more meaningfulâlike heâs trying to memorize the moment instead of rushing through it.
I let out a quiet breath into the kiss, my hands moving to his shoulders, tracing along the muscles there as he shifts closer. My heart pounds loudly in my chest, but not from fearâjust anticipation and the warmth of being this close to him.
âYouâre so beautiful,â Rudy murmurs softly against my lips.
I feel my cheeks warm at his words, even in the dim light of the room.
âYou always know what to say,â I whisper back, smiling faintly before pulling him into another kiss.
His hand slides gently along my side, slow and careful, like heâs making sure every movement is welcome. I tilt my head slightly, deepening the kiss, letting myself relax into the moment.
The room feels quiet except for our breathing, the earlier chaos from the club feeling far away now.
He presses his forehead lightly against mine, pausing again, giving me another chance to stop if I need to.
âWe can go slow,â he murmurs. âThereâs no rush.â
I nod softly, brushing my thumb along his cheek.
âSlow sounds perfect,â I whisper.
He smiles at that, leaning down to kiss me againâgentle, warm, and patientâas the moment between us builds slowly, filled with trust and closeness rather than urgency. Kissing down my body, coming face to face with my pantie covered centre. His hand reaches unbuckling my bra.
I bite my lip watching him.
âcan i take these off?â he asks tugging at my panties
âyes pleaseâ i say softly despite the growing heat between my legs
he pulls my panties down and kisses my centre i moan softly he looks at me and chuckles which vibrates of my centre.
As soon as the underwear have joined our clothes on the floor he leans down kissing lower and lower till heâs where I need him. Making me gasp.
His strong hands grip your legs, pulling them over his broad shoulders as he settles between your legs. He presses his face into your wetness, his tongue immediately finding your clit and swirling around it. You moan softly, your hands gripping the sheets as he eats you out with fervor.
He growls into your centre, the vibration sending shockwaves through you. His fingers spread you open, allowing his tongue to delve deeper. He pushes two fingers inside you, curling them upwards to hit that sweet spot. You cry out, your hips bucking against his face.
âRuds, I need you.â I say my voice a kind of needy thatâs never happened before. He looks up at me. As he kisses up my body.
âWhat do you need princess?â Rudy asks face to face with me now, he leans in kissing me deeply
âI need you, inside me.âI whine between kisses Â
âWhat the princess wants, she gets.â Rudy says while pulling his boxers of and rolling on a condom I look at him and it's massive
âRudy, I don't think it's gonna fitâ I say
He lifts your leg up around his waist, positioning himself at your entrance. Despite your worries, he starts to push in slowly, stretching you. You gasp, your nails digging into his back as he pushes deeper. "Shh, it'll fit, princess," he murmurs against your ear.
âPlease Rudyâ I whine
"Good girl" he says thrusting gently
I moan softly dragging my nails across his back, while heâs kissing my neck.
âRudy, faster pleaseâ I say moaning loudly he starts going a little faster which makes us both moan
âYou feel amazing.â Rudy says groaning kissing me deeply
This feels amazing it really does- better than I could ever imagine.
He keeps the slow, gentle pace. heâs being sweet with me, holding my legs up and kissing me softly between thrusts. heâs treating me like porcelain, like I might break if he goes too hard.
honestly, it's really hot how gentle he's being, but can tell he's holding back because he's worried about hurting me. I want to tell him that I can take more, that i want him to let go and fuck me properly. I moan softly my head falling back as he kisses my neck. âYou good pretty?â He says softly between thrusts
I can feel his restraint in every careful movement. His kisses are soft, his thrusts measured. I arch my back slightly, trying to take him deeper, giving him a silent plea for more intensity. He catches my eye and pauses briefly before kissing me deeply again.* "Shh... easy baby."
He starts picking up the pace slightly, his thrusts becoming a bit deeper and more intense. I can feel him hitting that spot inside me with every stroke, making me moan louder. He swallows my moans with his kisses, one hand holding my leg up while the other grips my hip.
Rudyâs breath starts to hitch as he realizes Iâm taking it better than he thought. He bites my neck softly, his control slipping just a little. He pulls out almost all the way before slamming back in, making me yelp.* "Fuck... you're taking it so well."
âYesâ mphmâ I whine my eyes fluttering shut as he kisses me softly despite his deep thrusts
Rudy smiles against your neck, realizing Iâm enjoying it. He starts moving with a bit more force, his hips slapping against my own. He pulls back slightly to look at me, seeing your flushed face and heaved chest. He realizes youâre close. Close to falling off the edge that youâre hanging on by a thread.
He circles my clit with his thumb, applying just the right amount of pressure while his cock hits that perfect spot inside me. I can feel my walls starting to clench around him, my breathing getting ragged. He knows Iâm close, and he's not going to stop until Iâm screaming his name. "Let it go baby, I got you."
My head falls back against the pillow, a broken moan escaping my lips. His name tumbles out as i feel that familiar tightness building in my core. "Rudyâ Iâm gonnaâ" my thighs tremble around his hips, my back arching off the bed as i come apart underneath him.
He feels me clamp down on him like a vice as i release, and it sets him off. He buries his face in my neck, biting down gently as he starts to fuck me gently through my own orgasm, chasing his own release. A fee thrusts later, he's coming inside me with a low groan.* "Fuck... yes..."
He gives it a few minutes enough time so we can catch our breath a little before pulling out. Discarding the condom. After a while, everything slows. The rush of the moment fades into something softer, quieter.
We both lie there, trying to regulate our breathing fully, the room filled only with the sound of our soft exhales and the faint hum of the night outside my window. My heart is still racing, but it slowly starts to settle as I feel his arms wrap securely around me.
Rudy pulls me closer against his chest, one arm draped protectively around my waist while his fingers trace slow, lazy patterns along my back.
âYou okay?â he murmurs quietly, his voice low and a little breathless, pressing a soft kiss to the top of my head.
âYeah,â I whisper back, nuzzling into his chest. âIâm okay.â
He lets out a quiet breath, like heâd been holding onto tension and finally let it go.
We shift slightly until weâre both comfortable, tangled together under the covers. I rest my head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my ear. His hand moves up to my hair, gently playing with it the same way he always does when weâre relaxing together.
The earlier chaos at the club, the fear, the fightâeverything feels far away now. Safe. Quiet.
âGet some sleep,â he murmurs softly, his voice already sounding tired.
âMhm, love you,â I mumble, my eyelids growing heavier by the second. The last words I hear before sleep consumes me is âlove you Athena.â
His arms tighten slightly around me, holding me close, warm and safe.
Within minutes, the steady rise and fall of his breathing lulls me into sleep, and we drift off together, wrapped in each otherâs arms, the world outside fading into silence.
I wake up slowly to the warmth of sunlight shining through my bedroom window, the light spilling across the bed and warming my face. For a second, I just lay there, still half-asleep, listening to the quiet sound of our friends in the apartment.
Then I turn my head and see Rudy lying next to me, still fast asleep.
A soft smile spreads across my face as I watch him for a moment, his hair slightly messy, his arm still loosely draped around my waist from where we fell asleep.
Just as Iâm about to settle back into the pillow, the bedroom door suddenly swings open.
âHey Theâoh god, my eyes!â Chase shouts, immediately covering his eyes and turning his head away dramatically.
I gasp quietly and quickly clutch the sheets to my chest, my face heating up instantly.
Rudy groans softly beside me, starting to wake up from the noise.
âYeah, I am now,â I say dryly, still holding the sheets tightly as I glare toward the doorway.
âOkay, I can see that,â Chase mutters from behind his hands. âAnyway, Iâll let you guys get decent⊠I wish I knocked now.â
He backs out of the room quickly, still shielding his eyes like heâs just witnessed something traumatic. The door clicks shut behind him.
For a second, thereâs silence.
Then Rudy finally opens his eyes, blinking sleepily as he looks over at me.
âWhat happened?â he asks, voice still rough from sleep.
âChase happened,â I reply.
Rudy groans again, dragging a hand down his face before glancing toward the door, clearly putting the pieces together.
I look at him, laughter bubbling up as the embarrassment hits all at once.
âWeâre in for it when we walk out there⊠I hope you know that,â I say, laughing softly.
Rudy lets out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head as he looks back at me with a crooked smile.
âOh, yeah,â he says. âTheyâre never gonna let us live this down.â
That only makes me laugh harder, already picturing the teasing waiting for us the second we step outside that bedroom door.
âYeah, I know,â Rudy says, grinning as he grabs my hips and gently pulls me up so Iâm sitting on his torso.
I laugh softly, still holding the sheets around me with one hand while reaching over to grab my phone from the nightstand with the other.
He narrows his eyes at me suspiciously. âWhat are you doing?â
I donât answerâjust unlock my phone.
The second he realizes what Iâm about to do, he quickly throws a hand over his face.
âOh, noâdonât you dareââ
I snap the picture before he can stop me.
âHey!â he shouts right after the flash goes off.
I burst out laughing, clutching my phone to my chest like I just committed a crime.
âThatâs blackmail material right there,â I tease.
He shakes his head, laughing despite himself, before grabbing me and pulling me down into a kiss.
I kiss him back instantly, still giggling against his lips.
âPayback,â he mutters playfully.
A second later, he shifts and gently lowers me back onto the bed. I lay there smiling up at him while he reaches over and grabs his own phone.
The moment I realize what heâs about to do, my eyes widen.
âOh noâRudy, donâtââ
I quickly cover my face with both hands.
âToo late,â he says with a grin.
I groan behind my hands as he takes the picture anyway.
âYouâre the worst,â I mumble, still hiding my face.
Just then, thereâs a knock on the door.
âHey guys, hurry upâstop hooking up with each other!âCarlacia calls from the other side of the door, her voice full of laughter.
Me and Rudy both freeze for half a secondâthen burst out laughing.
âGive us a minute!â Rudy calls back, still laughing as he sets his phone down.
I peek through my fingers at him, shaking my head.
âWe are never hearing the end of this,â I say, laughing.
âOh, absolutely not,â he replies, grinning as he leans down to press a quick kiss to my forehead before climbing off the bed to finally get dressedâboth of us knowing the teasing waiting outside that door is going to be brutal.
âComing!â I shout as Rudy groans dramatically.
âI donât wanna go out there⊠I wanna stay here with you,â he pouts, resting his head against my shoulder.
I canât help but laugh as I pull on my underwear and slip into one of Rudyâs oversized shirts, letting my hair fall loose around my shoulders.
Heâs already getting dressed, sliding on his boxers, some shorts, and a loose t-shirtâhe keeps them here for when he stays over.
Once weâre both semi-dressed, Rudy grabs my hand, tugging me along the hallway.
âYou canât walk properly,â he teases, laughing as I stumble slightly over the oversized shirt.
âThis is your fault,â I whisper into his ear, mock-serious.
He just shrugs and leans down to kiss me, ignoring my complaint.
We step into the lounge, and the voices immediately get louder.
âJeez! Finally, the lovebirds make an appearance!â JD shouts from across the room.
I groan and bury my face in Rudyâs shoulder while he just laughs, clearly enjoying every second.
âYou traumatized Chase,â Madelyn teases, laughing. Along with JD, Drew, Madison, Laci, Austin, Amelia and even Chase laughs a little
I hide my head deeper in Rudyâs neck, muffling my words.
âHe should knock next time,â I mumble, my voice soft and muffled.
âGood thing he didnât come in a few hours earlierâif he had, he wouldâve been traumatized for life,â Rudy says with a grin, and I lightly hit his chest in playful protest.
Suddenly, I hear the girls squeal, and before I can react, Iâm ripped away from Rudyâs side, being dragged back into my bedroom by Amelia and the rest of the girls.
âRudy, help me, please!â I call out, laughing as Iâm pulled away.
He just laughs, shaking his head as the door closes between us, leaving me giggling and pretending to struggle while the girls surround me, teasing and fussing over me like Iâm some kind of prize.
As soon as we step into the room, the girls immediately take in the sceneâthe sheets rumpled and tangled, clothes scattered across the floorâand they all know exactly what went down last night.
I sit on the edge of the bed, trying to play it cool, a small, guilty smile on my face. That is, until my eyes land on something I thought Rudy had thrown away: the used condom sitting on the bedside table.
My stomach drops. I quickly try to slide it behind a book, anything to hide it before the girls noticeâbut itâs already too late.
âAthena, whatâs that?â Amelia asks, narrowing her eyes as she sees me fumbling.
âWhat? Nothing!â I blurt out way too quickly, my cheeks heating instantly.
âIs that a⊠used condom?â Laci shrieks, pointing at it like the skyâs fallen.
âNope, not at all,â I mumble, my eyes darting everywhere except at their faces, wishing I could vanish into the floor.
The girls exchange knowing looks, suppressing laughter, and I feel my blush deepen as I realize thereâs no convincing them now.
The girls erupt into laughter, their teasing filling the room.
After the girls are done grilling me, laughing at my every reaction. Eventually, me, Madison, Amelia, Laci, and Madelyn join Rudy, Drew, Chase, and Austin, the group slowly merging together with laughter and chatter filling the space.
Rudyâs eyes find me immediately, and a mischievous grin spreads across his face. Without a word, he walks over and scoops me up in his arms.
âRudy!â I squeal, half-surprised, half-laughing as he spins me slightly.
Everyone bursts into laughter at the sight, teasing us relentlessly. âClassic Rudy!â Drew shouts. âCanât leave the girl alone for a second!â
I bury my face in Rudyâs shoulder, laughing, while he just chuckles, holding me securely.
The day passes in a blur of fun, teasing, and little moments with everyone joking and enjoying each otherâs company. By the time evening rolls around, weâre all exhausted but happy, already gearing up for the night shoot.
Rudy sets me down gently, brushing a strand of hair from my face and flashing me that smile I canât resist.
âReady for tonight?â he asks softly, his thumb brushing over my hand.
I nod, feeling that mix of nerves and excitement. âYeah⊠letâs do this.â
He leans in and kisses my forehead lightly before the group starts moving toward the set, laughter still echoing around us as the night shoot looms ahead.
The walk to set feels different tonightâquieter somehow, like everyone can feel the anticipation hanging in the air. Lights glow in the distance, casting that warm, golden haze that always makes everything feel a little more cinematic.
Like maybe⊠this is how things are meant to be, just us. Together. And for the first time, forever didnât feel scary, it felt like home.
Okay so this isnât proof read, itâs also not perfect, I did write this at the age of 15. So Ofc it wonât be perfect. I have edited it to make it less cringey. But I hope yâall are having a good day! Mwah <3
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