Chapter Text
Tig could still smell the lingering smoke from the sweets shop as he sat in the back of the van. Honestly, he hadn’t even registered the explosion until Venus jolted away from their kiss.
Maybe his dulled senses were thanks to the gunshot wound bleeding under his ribs, or maybe it was because, in that moment, kissing Venus had trapped him inside a bubble. A bubble that smelled of delicate florals and tasted of cherry lipstick. He wanted to stay wrapped in it forever.
But the bubble popped as soon as Venus and Rat Boy carried him down the stairs and across the shards of glass. Now, the scent of florals fought against the disgusting smell of smoke and the grime of the van. Exhaustion pulled his head down, lulling him toward sleep. He tried to mumble something, but Venus’ gentle, lilting voice stopped him.
“Hush now, Alexander,” she whispered, “you need to rest.”
He didn't want to rest; he wanted another kiss. Tig leaned his head to lie on Venus’ shoulder.
And there it was, florals.
The van jolted over a few bumps, giving Tig the perfect excuse to reach for Venus’ freshly manicured hand. With his head on her shoulder, he caught more than just a pleasant view—his eyes landed on a smear of blood staining Venus’ low V-cut top. Another mumble slipped past his lips. He meant to tell her he’d clean it up for her. Hell, he’d buy her twenty new tops in a heartbeat. But then—was it her blood? The thought hadn’t crossed his mind till now; so much for being a gentleman.
“There’s…” he whispered, fingers brushing over the stain that conveniently happened to be on Venus’ left breast, “... blood.”
The woman smiled as she laid her head over his.
“Well, the credit for that has to be given to you, baby,” she gingerly said, “nothing a good wash can’t fix.”
Tig savored the gentle weight of her head resting atop his; it grounded him, made him feel less alone. He and Venus. What a thought.
“Hey, is he awake?” Rat Boy asked from the driver’s seat, “I don't know where he lives, I'm kinda driving in circles over here.”
A beat of silence.
“Be a sweetheart and take us to my place,” Venus finally answered, “our dear Alexander needs that wound attended to all night.”
If Rat Boy didn't like that idea, he didn’t let it show.
Tig had been lucky enough to visit Venus’ apartment a few times before. The first was after Venus took Joey to the bus station; Tig had driven a teary-eyed Venus home and given her his personal phone number, just in case she ever needed anything. She’d kissed him on the cheek that night, and Tig had thought about it for weeks. But tonight, after finally tasting her lips, he wasn’t about to get anything less than.
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A kettle whistle cut through Tig’s nightmares. He laid shirtless on the softest bed imaginable, the crisp sheets and pristine room telling him he was in a woman’s place. But whose? Oh, right- Venus.
Last night was a blur. The medication had scrambled his memories, except for the kiss. That remained quite vivid.
As if conjured by the mere thought of her name, Venus appeared in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame with two steaming mugs in hand.
“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty,” she said.
After a few blinks, Tig’s vision cleared and landed on her. Sunlight framed her silhouette, making her look almost angelic. He’d never seen Venus like this; no makeup, no glamorous clothes, just a robe and a wild bun. Part of Tig feared he might only be attracted to the glitz and glam, but now, seeing her like this, he’d never found her more beautiful. Her grace and kindness weren’t tied to dresses or shoes.
Venus stared at his puzzling expression, her smile wavering.
“I… haven’t had time to get ready for the day,” she said, walking over and setting a mug—Tig assuming it was probably filled with tea—on the nightstand. “Sorry for not lookin’ proper.”
“You’re so beautiful,” Tig blurted, “so, so beautiful…”
Venus’ gasp was barely audible, her cheeks flushing. Tig took her hand and gently pulled her to sit beside him on the bed, mirroring their position from last night, before the explosion and nasty smoke. He brought her hand to his lips, lingering too long, holding too tight. The ache from his wound was nothing compared to the pressure in his chest when she was this close. With her free hand, Venus softly rubbed Tig’s chest, not missing the feeling of his racing heartbeat.
Tig closed his eyes, Venus’ hand still pressed to his lips and just like that, he was back in the bubble.
“The boys called just now,” Venus said, her usual lilt missing. “They asked how you’re holding up, but I think they just wanted to know if you’re ready to join them again, it sounded important.”
Tig sighed and let go of Venus’ hand. That was an answer.
“Better drink your tea fast, then,” she joked with a smile, though her eyes betrayed her.
“Yeah…” Tig whispered, sitting up.
Venus nodded, her lips pressed into a strained smile.
“I’ll be back soon, baby,” he promised. “Look what I’ve got waiting for me.”