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Nessa rolled her eyes for the millionth time. Everyone she knew always assumed that her love life was popping off just because she was a successful model. Not that it was any of their business, but her love life was as dry as the Dusty Bowl in a sandstorm.
The last time she had dated anyone was years ago, and that was... Well, let's just say that she and the Unbeatable Champion had a past, and it stayed in the past.
Right now, however, someone in particular was getting on her last damned nerve, and his stupid little Zigzagoon tail hair was really starting to piss her off. Not that she could let him know that. She wasn't about to let Piers get the upper hand.
"Look, all I asked was if you were seeing anyone," Piers said testily. "I wasn't trying to fuckin pry, it was a yes or no question. Seriously, even a simple, 'I don't want to talk about that,' would've been enough, you didn't have to jump down my throat about it."
"It's just hardly an appropriate question," Nessa said shortly, her eyes frosty. "Do you know how many reporters have asked me that in the last month?"
Piers felt his brow furrow, but he kept his tone even.
"I'm not a reporter," he said quietly. "And I wasn't asking to gossip."
Nessa rolled her eyes and stood, pushing away from the counter.
"Yeah, right, Piers," Nessa said with a stiff shrug. "Go tease someone else."
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Piers frowned as Nessa walked out of the club.
"Problem?" Marnie asked as she walked by with a tray of drinks.
"Not sure," Piers said, his voice soft. "I thought I was asking Nessa out, but she blew me off."
"Well, what did you say?" Marnie asked, switching her weight to her other foot as she adjusted the tray.
"I just asked if she was single, and she went off on me," he said with a shrug and a sigh. "I mean, I thought it was obvious why I asked, but she acted like I was a joke."
"Hmm," Marnie said as she held her free hand to her lip in thought. "There's probably something going on with that. Let me drop these drinks off real quick and I'll take five."
"Nah," Piers said, waving her off. "Don't do that on my account, save your break for yourself. I'll figure something out, or I'll just drop it."
"Alright, if you're sure," Marnie said. Her tone was warm, but her expression was worried.
"Don't worry so much, kid," Piers said with a laugh. "I'll be fine, just go do your thing."
Marnie frowned at him, but she walked away to keep tending table.
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Nessa scowled down into her drink.
"Hey, friend, what's eating you?" Sonia called out cheerfully as she approached the gym leader.
"Hey, Sonia," Nessa called out. She was smiling, but her voice showed how she felt.
"So, what's up?" Sonia asked as she sat down. Her favorite smoothie was already waiting for her, as Nessa had ordered for both of them.
"It's fuckin. Piers," Nessa said, scowling again. "He got all up in my business today. I swear, that man has no respect for privacy at all!"
Sonia frowned.
"Piers?" she clarified, and Nessa nodded. "That...doesn't sound like Piers. What exactly did he say?"
Nessa blushed, and she mumbled something to the side.
"What was that?" Sonia asked.
"I said, he asked if I was dating anyone," Nessa grumbled.
"And then?" Sonia asked, brow raised.
"That was--that was it!" Nessa hissed. "Like, the ONE question every reporter, fan, and associate ever asks me? Like, come on! I thought Piers, of all people, would respect me not wanting ALL of my life on display!"
"Why did he ask you?" Sonia asked slowly. Nessa raised a brow.
"Why does it matter? It's already embarrassing enough that I haven't met anybody, I don't need frickin Piers to know that. Besides, it's none of his business," Nessa ranted quietly. Sonia laughed a bit awkwardly.
"You, uh, really might want to ask him," Sonia said. "Like, calmly."
Nessa rolled her eyes.
"Right," she grumbled. "Because League Members can't stay at each other's throats."
"Ah, no, that's not-- That's not what I meant," Sonia said, her hands coming up.
"Well, what then?" Nessa asked, her brow quirking up.
"Look, I just-- You really need to--" Sonia struggled to voice her thoughts. "Look, just. Call him, text him, something. Just. Find out why he asked you that. You might, uh, be surprised."
Nessa frowned.
"You really think so?" Nessa asked, and Sonia nodded emphatically.
As intuitive and perceptive as Nessa was on the pitch, she was clueless about the motives of the people around her.
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Piers scowled as he waited, staring into his drink. Nessa had called him about half an hour ago and asked him to meet her in Circhester. He'd been close by, so he had ducked into the little restaurant a bit early to wait. In the time since, the light smatter of snowflakes on his coat had long since melted.
The door opened, and Piers glanced over. He felt a half smile twitch his lips as he watched Nessa walk in.
"Hey," he called out in a carefully level voice. Nessa lifted a hand half-heartedly.
"Hey," she replied as she slid into the booth across from him.
"So, about yesterday," Nessa began, and Piers ducked his head.
"Look, I'm sorry," he said, holding his hands up and shaking his head. "I shouldn't have asked that, I didn't mean to make you feel disrespected."
"I mean, I appreciate that," Nessa said, and she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear; she felt a flush trying to creep up her neck. "Why, uh, why did you ask, though?"
Piers blinked at her for a moment, considering his words before he answered her.
"You really didn't know?" he asked, lips quirking at the corners.
"Know what?" Nessa asked, crossing her arms. She could feel a scowl forming, even though the blush was spreading.
"Nessa, I was--" Piers cut off, his face now lightly flushed. "I was trying to ask you out," he spat out, glaring at a spot in the corner.
"You. What?" Nessa asked. She felt heat pouring into her face. Piers? Really? I mean, but.
Nessa thought back, to all the times they had interacted. Had he been..?
"But I didn't know if you'd want to be seen with me," Piers continued, his flush fading. "That is why you wanted to meet in Circhester, right?"
Nessa paled, and her hands went to her mouth. That actually was why, but Nessa had no idea that Piers was... That he wanted to...
"Why couldn't you have just asked me what you wanted to know, huh?" Nessa asked, her emotions turning to frustration. "I would've said yes, wouldn't have thought to--I just didn't want--look, the press is mean. I didn't want them to rip you to shreds because of me."
Piers looked up, having caught the slip up.
"You'd have said what?" he asked, a small smile forming on his face. "Will you still?"
"Will I what?" Nessa said, caught off guard.
"Do you want to go out with me?" Piers asked, looking at her with a warm intensity. Nessa blinked, and a smile slowly stretched across her face.
"How long have you..?" Nessa let the thought trail off, and Piers shook his head
"Naaa, don't ask me that," Piers said. "That's embarrassing."
Nessa smirked, and she felt a giggle in the back of her throat.
"Yes," she said, and she reached for one of his hands.
"Wow, ok," Piers said as her hand slid into both of his. "Didn't think I'd get this far, wow."
Nessa chuckled, squeezing his hand in hers. Piers caught her gaze and slowly brought her hand to his lips. Nessa felt her stomach flutter--what had she gotten herself into with this one?
Piers smiled at her, and she felt a blush cover her face as he lowered her hand.
"My lady," he said so softly he might not have said anything at all.
FIN