Darcy could hear Juliet’s quiet footsteps as she came closer, walking right up behind Darcy. She laid her hand softly against her back, her touch warm and entirely too comforting.
“I really don’t want to go anywhere. Which is a little crazy for me, if I’m being totally honest. But if you want me to be here, I’d like to be here,” Juliet whispered, stroking her thumb back and forth.
It was Juliet’s touch that did it. That made the sob break out of her throat, unable to be held down any longer.
When the cry broke from her lips, her shoulders sagged, unable to really hold herself upright. All of the tension snapped, both physical and emotional.
Her knees felt week and her tears started rolling down her cheeks like a fucking waterfall. She simply closed her eyes, because she couldn’t even see through them anymore.
Then Juliet was in front of her, arms wrapped around Darcy’s waist, grasping her tightly. Taking her weight and holding her up, which was fucking fantastic because Darcy really didn’t know if she’d be able to keep herself upright at this point.
She shook her head.
“I – I don’t–” She didn’t know what she was trying to say, exactly. Trying to apologize for this? Trying to explain the tangled knot of emotion inside of her to justify it?
But she couldn’t manage more words than those strangled sounds.
“Just tell me later. Whatever it is, tell me later,” Juliet’s tone was soft, but her words were an inarguable order, and the combination was precisely what Darcy needed, somehow.
Juliet telling her what to do, telling her in the tone she needed to hear.
She dropped her head on Juliet’s shoulder, curling her hands into tight fists in the soft material of her sweater, and cried.
Darcy hadno concept of time by the time she felt cried out.
Or… almost cried out?
She was still hiccupping, and even when she thought she might be done, some more tears stung at her eyes, dripping down her cheeks when she blinked.
She felt completely wrecked from the inside out, in the worst way possible. In a way shedefinitelynever imagined she’d feel while in Juliet’s embrace.
And driven by that feeling of all of her emotions like an exposed nerve, she bit the bullet. Clearing her throat, which was scratchy and hoarse and absolutely something she needed to be concerned about regarding her show tonight, she asked, “Why have things felt weird? Please don’t tell me it’s just in my head.”
Was she begging? Or was she simply exhausted? Could be both.
“And I know you don’t necessarily owe me anything, and we didn’t establish what we are,” she broke off on a sharp breath, then used that moment to collect herself. Inhaling measured and controlled, before she pulled back enough to actually look at Juliet. “But I just thought…”
She’d thought things were settled, if somewhat ambiguous.
Juliet didn’t blink or look away. Which, admittedly, a part of Darcy – even now – thought she might have.
Instead, she reached up and used the sleeves of her undoubtedly designer sweater to gently swipe over Darcy’s cheeks. Her bottom lip poked out in a thoughtful pout before she answered, “This is your first tour; it’s crazy and it’s hectic and it’s… a lot. You’re doing four shows a week, traveling two or three nights a week on the tour bus.”
Darcy frowned. “Yeah, I know all of this.”
Juliet paused her motions and locked her eyes on Darcy’s, arching her eyebrow up at her. But there was a smile that curled up at the corner of her mouth. “I can’t even eyeroll your mouth because I’m happy to hear you.” With that, she very gently rubbed her fingers right under Darcy’s eyes.
She fluttered them closed with a sigh.
“What I’m getting at is that I’ve been trying to be… thoughtful. You know, not calling you as soon as your show is done. Giving you space to experience it all. You have wanted this for so long; you should be able to experience it all.”
“Okay, but what, exactly, do you think I’d be missing out on experiencing? Hooking up with someone after a show?” She couldn’t help but snort, incredulously, at the very idea.
Juliet swiftly brought one of her hands down to Darcy’s chin, tilting her head down to directly look in her eyes. “Absolutely. Not.” She stated, firm and intense and deadly serious.
Darcy’s breath caught in her throat, her stomach fluttering. “I have no interest in that, anyway.”
“Good,” Juliet murmured, stroking her thumb over Darcy’s lips.
