They were well-accustomed to hiding what they shared; stealing away to the safety of a locked dressing room or secluded backstage corner, seeing one another in the security of their own homes so long as no one else was around. Still, instinct caused Fiona to stiffen when Caroline drew her closer, simply because the fact that commotion in the hall could still be heard outside the closed (and most certainly locked) compartment door gave her the illusion that they were not entirely alone, not unseen. She forced herself to relax, though, and nodded at the suggestion—she did need a drink, badly, to settle her nerves and still her mind.
A grin twitched up her lips when she raised her eyes, taking in the other woman’s beautiful, angular countenance as she had done a thousand times before. Linda—no, Caroline now—remained lovely as ever, maybe even more so now that they were older. Fiona was not delusional enough to believe that she would ever regain the beauty possessed in her youth, but Caroline… Caroline had only blossomed with those years, even in spite of all she had endured. “Nothing wrong with that at all…” Her fingers wrapped around Caroline’s there at her collarbone, and she bowed her head to press a kiss to the back of each one. “A little liquid courage might do us both some good.”
she welcomed the warmth of her kisses with an even gentler smile, the soft light that played across the other woman’s features a sight caroline would never want to miss. fiona was there, with her —- even after everything that had happened, all the heartbreak and sleepless nights that had followed the loss of three special lives, she hadn’t walked away. she hadn’t left her alone, and a surge of love and devotion overcame the once young actress.
knowing they were out of sight, having locked the compartment door herself, caroline lifted her hand and placed it beneath fiona’s chin, tipping her head back and leaning her own. painted lips danced against hers, for a split second before retreating so that she could look her in the eye.
❝ and you’ve never been more right, my love. ❞ what she wouldn’t do for a taste of something strong, strong enough to soothe her thoughts and bring her some peace of mind. she deserved it, they both did —- one last indulgence before the moment she had planned so carefully finally arrived. ❝ after you? ❞