Chapter Text
David knew he was doomed the moment he looked into her eyes. They were wide with curiosity and a hint of playfulness as she responded to his all-too obvious flirting.
“Dance with me.”
“Are you asking me or ordering me?”
“Whichever one works.”
He held his hand out expectantly, and Audrey didn’t disappoint. David generally despised the loftiness and formality of these sorts of high-brow occasions, but for once he didn’t mind it as he pulled her into a slow dance.
The distance between them shrunk and his heart beat faster in complete opposition to the soft music. He was utterly captivated by the woman before him, as if he’d known her for more than just a few hours.
The music wound down, but they didn’t part. Instead, he clasped her waist and pulled her even closer. The tip of his nose brushed her cheek, a hairsbreadth away from her lips. But he didn’t cross the line, waiting. Audrey didn’t break his hold. Her hands grasped his shoulders a little tighter. She closed her eyes and tilted her head upward slightly. And as soon as he was granted permission, David seized the opportunity. He moved slowly and deliberately, feeling for the boundaries of what was allowed. He only froze when she gently moved back.
“Not here,” she whispered hoarsely, and tugged him into the hallway that led to the rest of the hotel.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
His brain told him it was a bad idea; his heart couldn’t care less. It was without regret that he pulled her into a hotel room. And he couldn’t bring himself to feel any guilt as she arched under his hands, gasping out his name.
When the morning sun spilled through the curtain gaps, he forced himself to pull away. He didn't know whether to feel relief or disappointment as they each went their separate ways. He knew he should avoid entanglements…but something drew him to Audrey, and he didn’t want to let go. Rules be damned.
Has she bewitched me?
The thought came to him days later, when the woman snuck into his mind yet again. It wasn’t the first time; yesterday, he’d woken up sorely needing a cold shower.
And now he found himself struggling to focus on the case files in front of him, much to the ire of Felonia, who was already irritated that Mikael had sent him to double check her words. Fortunately, she’d done her work well, and there was no need for him to expend much energy confirming it. He returned to the agency quickly. Cassiel looked at him oddly but he dismissed it, eager to turn in his report. He paused in the doorway to Mikael’s office.
“I didn’t find anything new. Everything was exactly as Fel said.”
“I see.”
“Is that all? Or do you have any other assignments for me?”
“No assignments,” Mikael said. “But you do have a guest.”
The guest David hadn’t noticed rose from the chair.
“Audrey?”
Mikael graciously left the room, closing the door to his office with a soft click.
Hands in his pockets, David strolled closer, stopping a chaste distance away.
“What brings you here? Cursed item? Haunted house?”
“I–What? No.”
“You know, I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately, little witch. And here you are, like magic.”
Audrey didn’t smile back. “I came here because we need to talk. You might want to sit.”
“Believe me, Audrey, there is very little in this world that can surprise me.”
And yet surprise him she did:
“I’m pregnant.”
“That’s not possible.”
“Not probable,” she corrected. “But protection isn’t always effective. And I wouldn’t have come here if I wasn’t sure.”
David leaned against the desk, suddenly feeling very unsteady. When he stayed silent, Audrey stepped closer, placing her hand on his shoulder in an attempt at a comforting gesture. He looked into her eyes – and her memories. He found what he needed and abruptly pulled back, leaving her hand hanging in the air. Audrey followed his lead and moved away.
She cleared her throat. “I know this is a surprise, and you need time to think about it. I didn’t come here to pressure you or force you into anything. I’ve already made my choice. I just wanted to give you the chance to make your own.”
He barely noticed her pressing a card into his hand and leaving the room. Only one thought was running through his mind: fuck.