by Blythe Stone
Iris watched: first the joy and then the fear and then the love that flashed through Olivia's roulette of readable reactions. Nat's hands held at Olivia’s lower back and her ass, rocking her sweetly as she said secret sweet things.
On the other side of the coin, Nat and Olivia were already safely nestled into their familiar state of indescribable bliss. Every time they parted, the distance was like a searing pain; a fresh brand on a cow, or the burning feeling of Harry Potter’s very notable scar.
“Thanks for coming,” Nat said.
“Are you kidding? I would’ve gone crazy if I stayed at home.” Alone was not a good place for Olivia. When she was younger she could handle it but growing up meant not wanting that much alone time anymore.
“I'm sorry she's so busy,” Nat said.
“It's her dream,” Olivia protected. “Everyone seems to have one of those.”
Nat leaned back and smiled. “What's yours baby?”
Olivia smiled and shrugged, drinking in the moment with her. Feeling good like this was more important than any dream.
“I wish to remain anonymous,” Olivia teased.
Natalie laughed. “You little liar,” she said, taking Olivia's hand and kissing her fingers.
Olivia watched tenderly. There was a time when you couldn't pull the two of them apart and though they'd grown in life a lot of that sentiment had not changed. If anything, their love for one another and their complete state of adoration had only stretched and grown.
“You are so fucking beautiful,” Olivia said, taken over.
“Does it bruise your sensitivities?” Nat joked.
“Very much so. Yes,” Olivia huffed a laugh and stared. “Between Avery and you I'm the biggest mess of hopelessness.”
“Well, that's why we always protect you,” Nat smiled. “Do you wanna meet Iris now?”
“Mhmm,” Olivia nodded her head, holding her own tummy with her free hand. Meeting new people who Natalie liked was always nerve-wracking. Olivia wanted this person to like her just like she wanted for things to be normal and fun.
“Fuck babe,” Nat groaned, all attracted. “Your hair looks so good today. What did you do?”
“Nothing,” Olivia laughed. The dark hair had obviously been well taken care of: tended and conditioned, definitely styled to purposely appeal to her friend.
Nat ran her fingers through it and Olivia had to try not to feel her so much, try not to close her eyes in the touch. She rested her hand on Nat's abs and felt her best friend petting her. Attention from Nat was insanely pleasurable. Olivia felt that Nat owned her and she was her pet.
The result of all this was that they always looked like intimate lovers to those on the outs. They did love each other and they always would. Their friendship was more important to them than possibly anything more.
Iris was half in and half out. She could see the love they shared and it was hard to watch in a few ways. She got out of the car and walked up, holding still in front of them.
“Oh, babe! This is Olivia, which you know,” Nat teased.
“Hey!” Olivia smiled. She walked closer and opened her arms, pulling Iris in for a hug. There was a time when Olivia knew for a fact she was an awkward person. Years had passed and now she was the kind of person who would force a complete stranger into a hug, as long as she knew this was Nat’s stranger and not someone else.
“Nice to meet you in the flesh,” Iris said.
“I know, it’s better,” Olivia hummed as she hugged her.
“Yeah, for sure. Too bad we have to work,” Iris said.
“I’m sure there’ll be plenty of time for me to drive you both nuts,” Olivia laughed. She stepped back and tried to take the handle to her suitcase but Nat snatched it and put it into the trunk of the car. “Wow, this is nice,” Olivia said. The car was brand new and built for speed.
“I knew you’d like it,” Nat yelled from the back of the car.
Olivia smiled at Iris and shook her head before opening the back passenger door and crawling in.
“You can ride shotgun if you want. I know you guys have catching up to do,” Iris offered.
“Don’t be silly,” Olivia said before closing her door.
Iris shrugged and got in the front passenger seat. She watched Nat get in the driver’s seat, checking her out for the thousandth time that morning. Olivia’s presence in the back was felt. Iris couldn’t deny that Nat’s ex smelled amazing and looked even better.
Nat smiled over at her, excited. “So, what do you think? Breakfast?”
They had to be on set around 10 but it was only 7ish now.
“I’m up for anything,” Iris said.
Nat touched a hand to Iris’s knee and squeezed it.
In the backseat, Olivia was texting someone.
They started to drive and Nat floored on the gas.
“Whoa!” Olivia said, bracing herself. Nat smirked and then slowed, glancing into the rearview mirror and locking eyes with Olivia who then shook her head.
“Seat belt,” Nat bossed.
“Yeah,” Olivia laughed, moving into the side seat and buckling up.
“She has a need for speed this morning,” Iris informed Olivia.
“Apparently,” Olivia laughed.
“How do you deal when Avery’s away? I’m guessing she has to do this relatively often,” Iris asked.
“Uhh… Apparently, I fly to a different country and mope about,” Olivia smirked. There was a bruise to it though, you could tell by the way she clutched her phone that she missed her wife and was hoping to hear from her.
“We’ll keep you occupied. Nat’s always entertaining and I have guitars,” Iris said.
“Olivia’s easy to entertain. Just give her a book.”
“Hey, I brought one,” Olivia smiled.
“See,” Nat laughed.
“I’ve got some, if you finish that. I don’t go anywhere without at least five books,” Iris said.
“I might take you up on that,” Olivia chatted.
“They’re in my trailer. I haven’t had much time to read since Nat’s been keeping me busy.”
“I bet,” Olivia said, with no doubt.
“I’d apologize but I don’t feel bad about it,” Nat flirted.
“I’m not complaining, just explaining,” Iris laughed.
They were pretty quiet after that, staring at the buildings and the people. Nat pulled up to a curbside valet and they all got out. From the outside, it looked like a hotel or something. Nat walked to the door and held it open for them. Inside, it was a pretty busy cafe.
“Mmm.. Smells good,” Olivia said, staring off at some plates as they passed her.
“What do you think? Over there?” Iris said, pointing to an empty booth with high sides.
“Love it,” Olivia said. Nat smiled, watching them both.
“Michael recommended this place,” Nat said. “He’s been doing an unofficial food tour.”
“He's the co-star, right?” Olivia asked, scooting into the booth.
Nat got in next to Iris. “Mhm,” she nodded, fixing her hair.
“I’m still teasing her about the sex scene,” Iris said, leaning over to speak low.
Olivia laughed. “Yeah, I can't imagine doing that.”
“Uhh, you'd be good at it,” Nat said, sure of herself. “You like naked bodies.”
“Shut up,” Olivia said, a little embarrassed.
“She does,” Nat teased, shrugging and speaking to Iris.
“I can’t think of Michael again, thank you,” Iris said.
“Aww, he's a sweetie,” Nat defended.
A waitress came by and took their drink orders. Olivia was already itching to eat.
“Yeah, he is but I don’t want to see him naked,” Iris said.
“This is a lot of naked talk for eight am,” Olivia teased. She was mindlessly staring at her menu.
“Agreed, and it’s naked men on top of that,” Iris shook her head.
“Ew. Men,” Olivia tea
sed, glancing up to see Natalie's reaction. A blush spread across her cheeks as well as Natalie's.
“Did you fire that teacher yet?” Nat asked, changing the topic.
“No, I wish,” Olivia said, being gruff.
“What teacher?” Iris asked.
“Oh, Olivia's got this crazy professor who talks down to everyone and kicks them out of her class.”
“I literally can't speak in class. I'll get a better grade if I don't go.”
“Which means you're obviously going,” Nat teased.
Olivia pouted.
“Awww,” Nat teased.
“She sounds like a raging bitch,” Iris said.
“Thank you, Iris. I wholeheartedly agree.”
“I never disagreed,” Natalia shrugged.
Olivia sighed, a little overwhelmed, she didn't want to talk about class.
When the waitress came, they all ordered specials. Olivia was a fan of pageantry so she ordered two things.
“Hungry today?”
“I just wanna see,” she whined. “Plus, you can both try mine. It’s justified.”
“Uh-huh,” Nat poked at her.
They put the menus back and stared around.
Iris played with her sunglasses and took them off her head, folding them and using one earpiece to store them on the neckline of her t-shirt. Her golden eyes strayed to Nat and then back down at her phone.
“God your eyes are gorgeous,” Olivia said, suddenly staring at her and then at Nat.
“Yes. They are insane,” Nat concurred.
“Um, thanks,” Iris said. She looked between them, unsure of what to do with that compliment.
Nat touched her next and pet her a little.
“Sorry,” Olivia said, looking down at her hands and blushing. “I see why you got the role,” she swollowed.
“Mmm, she's intense on set,” Nat explained.
“What do you mean?” Iris chuckled.
“You're just really good baby,” Nat soothed, rubbing her thigh.
“Oh, thanks. You’re one to talk though. You totally transform into your character,” Iris replied.
“I get lost in your eyes though,” Nat flirted.
“I know I would,” Olivia said.
“You guys are crazy. They’re pretty but not that pretty,” Iris said.
Olivia absentmindedly played with her ring.
“They're that pretty,” Nat fought.
“Hmm, it’s good you feel that way,” Iris replied. “But Olivia’s eyes are the crazy ones. That was the first thing I noticed.”
“I agree,” Nat said. “Olivia, you do have the eyes of a crazy person.”
“Ha!” Olivia fake laughed. “Once it takes hold you're kinda screwed. People know.” She flared her eyes and Nat smiled. “Luckily I'm under no obligation to be sane.”
“Imagine,” Nat teased. She tugged on Iris to get her to cuddle up and be even closer to her. Once Iris turned enough she gently kissed her.
Olivia watched, noticing how sweet Natalie was. Also, Iris was taken.
Iris gladly let herself be pulled in and she opened up, putting her arms around Nat, taking extra time to look down her shirt after the kiss.
Olivia whistled, teasing them. Nat blushed an intense color of red.
“Did you see our pictures on TMZ, apparently we’re scandalous,” Iris rolled her eyes.
“Mm. Yes, very scandalous,” Olivia smiled. “I'm sure this is great for press. Your agents must be happy.”
“Iiii wouldn't bet on that,” Nat laughed.
“Whaaat?” Olivia asked. Since she was confused her voice naturally rose up in pitch.
“My manager went a little nuts. He was supposed to be in L.A. but he showed up at Nat’s apartment and chewed me out,” Iris explained.
“Um, what?” Olivia asked, overwhelmed by the information. “That sounds insane.”
“It was, it scared the hell out of Nat with good reason,” Iris said, focusing on Nat and frowning. “I’m still sorry about that.
Olivia watched them and pouted with concern. “What about you?” Olivia asked. “Does that kind of thing happen a lot?”
“It’s never happened,” Iris said. “Some asshole was apparently posting terrible things about the whole thing and my manager got worried.”
Olivia froze a little and carefully looked over at Nat. “What kind of things,” she asked. “You didn't tell me that,” Olivia stared worriedly at Natalie.
“It’s um. Just some internet thing. We haven't seen anyone,” Nat explained. “Plus, it was happening before the movie, so, it's not…” She stopped talking and smiled encouraging at Iris.
“Yeah, it was a guy who has been following me for a long time. I didn’t know about him. He’s just crazy.”
“He doesn't follow you in person though, right?” Olivia asked.
“Oh, no…. No. He just sends letters and has a blog or something.”
“Okay, good,” Olivia calmed. She looked around the restaurant, searching for someone who could be dangerous but everyone was normal and if anything way too polite.
“Sorry, I know that must have sounded scary. I feel like I should tell people though, just in case,” Iris said.
“I wish you didn't have to deal with that,” Olivia said. “People can be terrible.”
“We have a pretty intense past when it comes to the psychotic stalker type,” Nat explained. Just the mention of something creepy put Olivia on edge and she wouldn't be over it today. Always having to look over your shoulder was a nightmare.
“Oh, that’s unfortunate,” Iris commented. She put her arms a little further around Nat.
“So, if I've been jumpy it's that, okay?” Nat spoke to Iris.
Olivia smiled, softening inside as she watched them.
“Yeah, I pulled this lovely person into my own nightmare,” Olivia sadly sad.
“That wasn't your fault baby,” Nat reminded.
Olivia shrugged sadly, she’d never been able to atone for such a heavy thing.
“I’m sorry I added on to that,” Iris apologized.
“Oh no, sweetie, don't feel bad. You can't control this stuff.”
Iris let it pass but the argument in her head went on. Her actions directly affected everything.
The food came then. Everyone was quiet while the servers put it down.
“Mmm. Remind me to thank Michael,” Olivia teased.
“Hey, I thought we weren't talking about him,” Nat smiled.
“We can talk about him, just not naked him,” Iris reminded.
“Aw man,” Olivia pretended to be conflicted. “Now that's all I want to talk about.”
“Shut up,” Nat laughed, tossing a packet of sugar at her.
“Ow!” Olivia said. She hadn’t acted quick enough and the packet of sugar pelted her chest.
“I can always go get some earbuds so you guys can talk about naked dudes,” Iris suggested, laughing.
“Nah it's fine,” Olivia grumbled. “I'm not in the mood to be murdered.”
“She could never murder you. She’d just refocus your attention. She does that to me easily,” Iris determined.
“What do you mean?” Olivia asked, eyeing Nat. They were starting to eat now, placing napkins on laps and piecing out their silverware.
Olivia cut some of her meat and pushed it over onto Natalie's plate.
“She’s good at redirecting my attention with a look or a word,” Iris said.
Iris had ordered the granola and some coffee. She stirred the yogurt, granola, and fruit together and took a bite. After she swallowed she put the spoon back in the bowl and leaned back on the seat, finding Nat’s thigh under the table and putting her hand on top of it.
Nat placed her hand onto Iris's to help keep the point of contact there. “You wanna try some babe?”
“Ya know, I get that about Nat. She’s insanely good at reading people.”
“Yeah, except you,” Nat reminded.
“I guess I’m just an easy re
ad,” Iris said.
“Olivia's not as conscientious,” Nat teased.
“I can't even argue,” Olivia shrugged and laughed before tasting her coffee.
Iris’s phone vibrated on the table and she looked down.
“Damn,” she said, picking it up. “I’ll be right back. I need to answer this.”
Nat had to let her out of the booth. Iris walked out to a quieter place near the bathrooms to answer her phone.
Olivia watched her and then fixed her eyes across the table at Natalie.
“So…” Nat said, knowing that her gaze would soon find her when it had.
“So,” Olivia repeated.
“Oh come on, don’t be an asshole.”
Olivia laughed. “What do you want from me, she’s sweet.”
“That's it?”
“No, that's not it,” Olivia said, taking a bite of the bacon and savoring it.
“God, I should not have invited you. You're a terrible guest.”
Olivia frowned and Nat chuckled. “Well, she’s gorgeous,” Olivia said. “Not sure how you managed to attract her.”
“Shut up,” Nat laughed. Olivia always made her laugh too much, it was cute.
“That stuff with the stalker. Nothing’s happened right?”
“Ah, no. No,” Nat sobered. She took a bite of Olivia's food and tried to act calm.
“Little terrifying,” Olivia commented.
“Yeah,” Nat agreed. “I mean. Obviously, when she first told me, I freaked out.”
Olivia sat back on the booth and watched her.
“But then I got more of a time-frame. Ruled out our number one suspect and that really helped.”
Olivia didn’t know what to say. They’d all been running from tragedy for such a long time.
Iris came back to the table with her phone in her hand. She waited for Natalie to let her back in.
“Sorry, that was Stan checking in. He’s insisting I at least text him every few hours.”
She slid back into her seat on the bench and leaned on Nat’s shoulder when they were both settled.
“Is that your manager?” Olivia asked, “the one from before.”
“Mhm,” Nat nodded, getting all cuddly with Iris again. “Baby, you have to try this.” She raised a fork with some sausage and potato so that Iris could taste it.
“Ah,” Iris took the food in her mouth and chewed. After she swallowed, she focused on Olivia. “Yeah, he’s been with me for a long time. He’s like family.”