Work Text:
What did she have to lose?
First she had woken up in a world that wasn't her own. The next, someone saved her from the chaos and alarms. And now?
Now, Pomni’s hands fumbled nervously with the fabric of the sleek dress she’d changed into. The smooth material hugged her figure in a way that was both unfamiliar and uncomfortably flattering. The dress itself wasn't bad at all: a sleeveless, silky crimson cocktail dress, graced with a sweetheart neckline, and a slit that ran up mid-thigh. She had to give it to him, the dress was gorgeous.
Honestly, she didn't anticipate it to hug as well as it did — not too tight or loose. Seemed she hit the Goldilocks zone by chance with the dress, huh. Maybe it was to do with the fact that this wasn't her body. Not really. But at the same time it was.
Well, she did design her damn avatar to look like this so...technically it was her own..?
Gods, she had no idea.
Anyway, it was difficult as hell to change in the back of the man's car — Caine, wasn't it? The supposed not-rogue AI she'd apparently chosen to trust? (That was besides the point.) No matter how luxurious it was, the space was still cramped and made it awkward to slip into the dress. When she eventually did, she caught a modest glance at the mirror at the front of the car, doing her best to smooth out invisible wrinkles. Thankfully, the heels were easier to put on. Never in her life did she think she'd put on a pair as gorgeous as this one. Black with an underbelly of scarlet red.
A deep, steadying breath escaped her.
She looked...different. Not entirely in a bad way. But not in a good way either. The poor lady didn't know how or what to feel. Probably still overwhelmed by the fact she was trapped in some surreal, digital universe that was her home now.
“Ready yet?” the man’s voice called from just outside the car, muffled, calm but laced with an almost teasing impatience. Pomni swallowed hard. She cursed under her breath, finding that there was no going back after agreeing to go in with him. It was simple. Just like he told her: stay quiet, stay close.
Ah, man...
With the pull of the handle, the door opened for her in a low huff.
Caine had been casually leaning against the hood of the car with his arms crossed. When she slowly stepped over to him, he caught her eyes. Looked up. And froze for just a moment.
Her breath ceased for a moment too, eyes widening as though she were afraid that something looked wrong. That she looked wrong. Not that she had any opposing thoughts for that but still. The usually...composed, elegant expression she had grown surprisingly quick to give way to a flash of genuine surprise. It was extremely subtle, but Pomni caught it. Especially when he tilted his head, eyes wandering.
Abashed, she coughed into her fist, eyes peering away. The material of his suit made a soft rustle as he moved, his eyes raising up to her face.
“You clean up nice,” he remarked at last, low and smooth. “Beautiful, actually.”
A pause.
“Breathtaking.”
Pomni’s cheeks heated instantly, angling her head more to avoid his eyes. Her arms crossed too, doing her best to hide how flustered she felt. “It’s just an outfit,” she muttered, trying to play it off with a nervous laugh and a rub to the back of her neck.
Why in the romcom did she do that?
The man, however, just chuckled, straightening up as she could see from what little peripheral vision he took up. “Sure, but you pull it off.” She didn’t know how to respond to that, so she settled for slowly raising her head and shyly peering up at him. Her fingers fussed at the slit of her dress too, watching the way he had reached into his pocket and retrieved a small, sleek earpiece.
Her fussing stopped when he handed it to her. “Here,” he murmured, placing it in her palm. “It’s linked to mine. Fits the way an earbud does. You'll be able to hear me and talk to me in the event we get separated.”
Separated? Oh god.
Pomni stared at the device, her fingers trembling slightly as she fitted it into her ear. It was dawning on her now, worry beginning to grace her features. She swallowed. Hard. “Caine. I-I don’t know if I can do this. What if I mess this up for you? I don't even know what's going on. Oh my god...”
“Hey,” he interrupted, his voice firm but not unkind. He placed a hand on her shoulder, the weight of it grounding her, which was surprising. The next breath she took was deep, exhaling and letting her shoulders relax. “It’s going to be fine. Just stick by me and you won’t have to worry about anything.”
The stare she gave him was almost offensive. But he understood. He was just glad to see her nod, clearly hesitant and rightfully unsure but willing to trust him for now.
Caine’s expression returned to the dark but gentle gaze he bore the first she saw him. They remained silent for a few moments before he moved. In a gesture that sent her heart racing, he reached up and brushed a stray strand of hair away from her eyes. So cliché, but so right. His touch was brief — soft — fingers lingering just long enough to make her forget how to breathe.
“You will be by my side the whole time,” he assured her, firmer this time. “I’ll make sure of it.”
Pomni stared up at him, her chest tightening with a strange mix of emotions she couldn’t quite place. But before she could overthink it, she nodded again.
By that, the man had offered her his arm, the gesture both gentlemanly and oddly intimate. “Well?” he murmured, half lidding his eyes with a smile that made her knees shake. “Shall we?”
Again, she swallowed hard. She felt like she was going to pass out. Overwhelmed couldn't even begin to explain the tightness arising within her chest. There really wasn't going back now. Then again, where would she go? Leave this man and figure out this world herself? She shivered at the thought...or maybe it was how she slipped her hand through his arm. It took a little of the weight of her worries off her chest. Feeling just a little lighter as he led her toward the casino’s grand entrance, she strolled alongside him.
From the opulent chandeliers to the polished marble floors, the building itself was a dazzling spectacle of golden light and sounds. The gilded doors opening to reveal a sprawling interior filled with the hum of conversation...scent of smoke curling the air...the clink of glasses...the trill of slot machines...heckles and laughs at different tables
...everything about it screamed decadence. But that didn't cause a break in their stride. Well, Caine's stride. She simply followed beside him. With every step came a subtle glance in their direction, immediately spotting the way a lady, none of the usual visitors recognised, clung to the Don's arm. Whispers resonated with the flow of soft jazz, though none were directly said to them. Not with how he continued his stroll, nodding to a few bystanders he must've known.
It was...captivating. How his presence commanded the attention of everyone they passed.
Like promised, Pomni remained quiet and clung to his arm, the soft click of her heels on marble more hesitant but steady as she followed his lead.
“Relax, darling,” he murmured at one point when they were stationed by the bar she didn't even realise they came by. Hands pressed to the counter, she gazed around warily.
Her brows furrowed slightly, breath catching. “This...is horrible,” she muttered gingerly, eyes downcast to her reflection in the glass she leaned against.
In it, she saw how Caine was gazing around, supposedly looking for the connection he mentioned earlier on. “Yes. But don't worry. You're doing great, hm.” As her eyes skimmed the many bottles along the shelves that a few bartenders walked past, she felt him move. His hands carefully moved to press against the glass counter too, either side of her own with his chest almost pressed to her back. While he kept scanning the room, he had easily caged her between his arms. Instinctive? Protective?
Gods, she went red either way.
Pomni figured it was his way in warding off suspecting others who thought her to be hopping around. Like how some of the casino ladies were doing. But...really? How could they with the obvious nervous, out-of-place state she was in?
She didn't...mind it. The way he kept to her. It was soothing to think it would be a protective gesture. What did she have to lose anyway?
“Do you want a drink?”
Her eyes fluttered open, heart racing a little. She didn't know if there was a correct answer to that. “Um...if that's...fine.” Her head turned a little when she answered, cheek brushing the lapels of his suit. When he chuckled, she felt against her back. The sound itself warmer, deeper, with how close he was. He didn't budge. Not that she needed him to.
Simply, she watched as he caught the attention of one of the bartenders with the tap of his fingers on the glass. She let him order, not knowing what she wanted to begin with. But...she trusted him. She had to.
Besides, what other choice did she have?
End.