by Blythe Stone
"I love you," Iris said.
Nat kissed her and smiled as the words really registered within. “I love you too baby.” Iris took her breath away, so beautiful and vulnerable.
“You make me want to be better,” Iris said, stroking Nat’s cheeks.
Nat snuggled into her. “You trying to make me cry in the morning?”
“Yes, that’s exactly my goal,” Iris teased.
“Keep it up then,” Nat said.
“I’d do anything to make you happy,” Iris said.
“Thank you,” Nat said, overwhelmed.
“You shouldn’t thank me. It’s selfish,” Iris said.
“I'm grateful,” Nat said. “Grateful you're here with me.”
“I feel the same way about you, ya know,” Iris replied.
“I know,” Nat said.
“Do you know how beautiful you are?” Iris asked.
“Not nearly as beautiful as you,” she answered.
“Incorrect. You’re way more beautiful,” Iris argued.
“Agree to disagree,” Nat soothed.
“That’s fair,” Iris admitted, and grimaced. “We should probably get off of this table. It’s not exactly the best bed.”
“You wanna come sleep a little more? Lay with me?” They had time to spare and the night before had been a tough one.
“Sounds good,” Iris said.
Nat moved to stand and helped Iris up too. When they got to the room Nat climbed up onto the bed and got comfortable again.
Iris followed and lay down beside her, putting her head on Nat’s chest. She was quiet and thoughtful, letting Nat get comfortable.
Nat kissed Iris's head and held her close. “I'm not gonna wanna leave,” she confessed.
“We could always move far away and never leave our property,” Iris suggested with a laugh.
“Far away?” Nat asked. She hadn't been settled for a very long time. Her youth was a bumpy ride and adulthood had Nat on the run.
“Maybe not far away. It’s more of a dream than anything else. Having you all to myself and just enjoying everyday with you,” Iris said.
“Isn't that how we are, wherever we are?” Nat asked. Iris had become her adorable puppy and Nat wasn't at all bothered by that, in fact, she now craved it.
When they were apart or alone, even for a little while, Nat missed Iris.
“It is. I’m always torn between wanting you to myself and loving to watch you interact with people. You sparkle,” Iris said.
“I am good with people,” Nat shrugged. “I really wish you weren’t going to be touring again soon. It’d be nice to settle somewhere. As crazy and odd as that feels for me to say.”
“It’s not a long tour but it is far away. After that, I’m taking time off. I already told everyone that needs to know,” Iris said.
“How are we gonna do this,” Nat asked, stressed out.
“Do you have anything after this?” Iris asked.
“I can if I want it,” Nat said. “Normally I would have booked a project already but I've been purposely putting it off.”
“Then come with me. After that I’ll go with you wherever you book something. Europe could be fun together,” Iris said.
“Yeah?” Nat asked, soft and happy at the prospect of a relationship somewhat stable.
“That’s all I want,” Iris said.
“If you're really serious, I'd love to,” Nat said.
“I’m very serious. I was so afraid you’d have something and I would have to be away from you for a month,” Iris said.
“I've been putting off my next project,” Nat said. “For the first time, maybe ever, really good scripts are coming to me. Scripts written for me,” she explained. “That indie project really changed my life.”
“Baby, if you need to take one of them I’d understand. I don’t want you to pass up something amazing,” Iris said.
“I think it's important I really choose a project I'm into this time. I mean, I'm always into my roles, no matter how stupid. But… I dunno. This one feels really different. It's the first time I actually get to decide what I want to be.”
“That’s amazing and you deserve it. You’re so good and such an amazing person. I am very happy for you. I can’t really find the right words to tell you how I feel but I hope it’s pretty clear that I’m in awe of you,” Iris said.
“Aww, sweetie,” Nat cooed. “I'm just saying your timing couldn't be more perfect. I can read scripts and send in auditions while we’re together, on your tour. My agents are going to be a little high-strung about that but it's my choice, not theirs. And ultimately, they know this next role will probably pay way more than they've ever seen for me. They also know I can leave them for other agents at any point in time which is why we work.”
Iris closed her eyes and bit her lip. She squeezed back tears and opened her watery eyes.
“That’s perfect. You’re perfect,” Iris said.
“Babe,” Nat squeaked out, her own eyes watering too. “Don’t cry. It’ll make me cry.”
“I’m trying,” Iris laughed.
Iris wiped her eyes with the back of one of her hands and sniffed.
“I’m sorry. I’m such an emotional mess sometimes,” Iris said.
“No baby.. Don't apologize for that.” Nat touched Iris's face and started to kiss her cheeks and then lips. Once her tongue invaded, her eyes rolled and she knew these past few months had been a string of good decisions.
Iris managed not to cry and make things more emotional than they already were. Nat’s kiss redirected her emotions and they poured out of her through their contact rather than through tears. When they paused Iris sighed and smiled.
“I’m so happy right now,” Iris said.
Nat smiled, still emotional with no hope of that ebbing. “That makes me happy baby,” Nat shared. “I'm so glad.”
“Thank you,” Iris said.
“For what?” Nat laughed a little, relieved.
“For making me happy,” Iris said.
“Fuck,” Nat muttered. She rolled on top of Iris and started to kiss her skin all over and tickle her sides.
“Naaaat!” Iris wiggled away from Nat but wasn't entirely successful. The tickling continued and Iris fought back as well as she could.
Nat laughed and eventually slowed her fingers to allow Iris to breathe. She stared down at her and felt her heart swell. It might burst if Iris didn’t calm the fuck down. At least, that’s what Nat thought to herself.
“You're going to give me a heart-attack someday, kinda like Demi,” Iris said.
She started to sing the song she had referenced, closing her eyes and belting it out.
Nat smiled and watched her, too in love to want to interfere. She found Iris’s hand and slipped her fingers between hers. When Iris calmed Nat rubbed her other hand over her chest near her collarbone. Nat leaned in and kissed Iris quiet, smiling into her as she lay against her chest still holding her hand. “Keep it up,” she muttered.
“Singing?” Iris smiled and reached with her free hand to tuck some of Nat's hair behind her ear. “Hmm, what should I sing next?”
Iris pretended to think for a moment and then burst into song again. This time she sang Volcanic Love.
Nat began to tickle her again halfway through.
“Stoooop! My singing isn't that bad!” Iris yelped.
“Your singing- is fantastic,” Nat corrected. “But that doesn't mean you're not distracting me with how cute you are.”
“So? that's my job as your girlfriend, isn't it?” Iris asked.
“Hey, I’m not kidding,” Nat laughed. “I really might eat you up if you don't stop with the cute. I'm having a crisis here.”
“Go for it. I won't stop you,” Iris said, raising her eyebrows.
Nat groaned and fell limp on top of her. Iris smiled and gathered up her strength to flip Nat over so she could slip down and lay her head on Nat's stomach.
Nat breathed and relaxed, running her fingers down into Iris's
hair.
“Sweet baby,” she said.
“Yours,” Iris reminded.
“My kitten,” Nat whispered. The urge to pull Iris up onto her and kiss her forever felt undeniable but Nat enjoyed the potential and therefore waited.
Iris purred like a cat to tease Nat even more. Then, she let out a sigh and squeezed Nat's sides with her arms.
“You're going to spoil me. I'm going to be overwhelmed with nice treatment and I'm already addicted to you. You've got the best soul,” Iris mumbled.
“You're right about the spoiling,” Nat said. “It's all I want to do.” Nat’s mind fled back to the previous day and the state she found Iris in, crouched alone on the floor of a locked bathroom during the festival. She hated to wonder what Iris's life would be like right now if they hadn't ever gone on that first date. The truth shone down on Nat like the burning heat of the hot white sun. The truth was that Iris needed her.
Nat swallowed down the melancholy and tried not to worry about their future. There would surely come a time when Iris wouldn't need her anymore. Nat hoped when it came that Iris's want would remain.
“I don't want to go now. I'm comfortable. Tell everyone we had very important cuddling to do,” Iris joked.
“Yes ma'am,” Nat teased, patiently. “I'll get right on that.”
“Thanks, babe,” Iris answered.
Iris cuddled in and sighed.
“Anytime,” Nat said.
The remainder of their free time was spent just being in one another's presence. There was no rush until they had to get ready and Iris just wanted to be surrounded by Nat's body and scent.
Chapter 27
A Waking Nightmare
They made it to the screening in good time and dressed in an elegant but understated way. Iris wore black satin slacks, a loose billowy gold blouse, and black ankle boots. Nat wore a nice dress and a white blazer with sleeves that tucked at the elbows.
Since this was the first film of Nat’s since her big debut win there wasn’t an empty seat and industry people lined the walls to try and scoop the story and get a first glimpse.
“Not too bad,” Nat smiled, looking over at the scene.
“There's a lot of people here to see you,” Iris said.
“See us,” Nat corrected. The entire crowd was mainly industry. Nat could tell.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“Um. Yes, water, please,” Nat said. They’d skipped the staging area and opted instead to wait at the front of the theater for the film introduction. Most of the screenings began with an intro by the director and a few words. People found it somehow thrilling to be watching the film with the actors who made it.
“You're so pretty. Your eyes are so bright,” Iris said.
“Aw, baby,” Nat flushed and stared back at her. Nat was used to flattery but from certain people it still managed to throw her for a loop. Iris always surprised her. Probably because she was so pretty herself.
“It's true! You're impossible to look away from,” Iris said.
“You're one to talk,” Nat said, raising her eyebrows.
There was flashing from the crowd, people taking pictures of them but Nat was used to that so she just ignored it and focused on Iris.
Iris leaned into Nat and kissed her cheek.
“You're sweet to me,” Iris said.
“Your waters,” a woman said. She had brought two cold water bottles over from another space.
“Thanks,” Nat said, taking one and opening it. The cool liquid felt good in her mouth and throat but she was too anxious to want to savor it. Her gaze found a few female celebrities in the crowded seats and her heart thumped harder.
“Should we sit?” Iris asked.
“What for? Brian's going to make us all stand up here while he intros the movie so we may as well wait. Plus. It makes us look comfortable. People always envy that.”
“Ha, they just envy me cause I'm with you,” Iris said.
A man walked out in front of the screen and started talking. Iris took Nat's hand and watched without really listening.
He gestured to the side of the stage and Brian, the director, came up and took the mic. His speech was short and sweet. He thanked all the stars of the film and the crew.
“This is going to be weird,” Iris whispered.
“No it won't,” Nat laughed and tugged Iris into her so she could hold her close.
“You don't think it's weird to watch yourself?” Iris asked.
“I'm not really planning on focusing on me,” Nat flirted.
“Before the film starts let's give a round of applause to our stars-”
Their names were called and they all took the hint and wandered out to the center of the floor to wave and smile for group pictures.
Iris hung onto Nat by instinct and let the camera flashes blind her before they sat back down to watch the movie.
“Does that mean you're going to watch Michael?” Iris asked.
Nat put her arm over Iris's shoulder and slipped a hand down Iris's inner thigh over her slacks. “He is very handsome,” Nat teased.
“Is he? I hadn't noticed,” Iris replied.
Nat leaned forward and reached over Iris’s body to tap Michael on the knee.
“Hm?”
Michael leaned forward to see what was up.
“You look great today,” Nat smiled.
“Oh. Thank you,” he beamed and wiped his chin as his face flushed. “You, ah. You always look great.”
“Thanks,” Nat laughed. She moved back to her previous position, secure beside her girlfriend.
“He probably heard us,” Iris whispered as the lights went down.
“Nah,” Nat soothed, pulling Iris closer to make her get comfortable. “You look hot,” she whispered. The restraint it took not to pull her on top of her and continuously makeout with her was intense.
“Baby, you’re hotter,” Iris said.
The movie was starting up but Iris refused to look away from Nat. This was her true North and the fear of looking ridiculous in the movie was tamped down when she focused on Nat.
“Shit,” Nat said, lost in her. How was she supposed to sit here for over an hour and not misbehave? “See, it only makes it worse when you say things like that.”
“The truth? I’ll try to lie more often for your sake,” Iris teased.
She put her hand on top of Nat’s, which was still sitting on Iris’s thigh. She moved it a little further up and sighed when the edge of Nat’s pinky touched her inner thigh.
“Yeah,” Nat breathed. “See, I am not gonna make it through this movie.”
“Yes, you will.” Iris pushed Nat’s hand down closer to her center. “It’s me that’s already wet for you,” Iris whispered.
“Fuck. You're not the only one, kitten.”
“I’m going to have to go to the bathroom to clean up,” Iris said.
“Iris,” Nat panted. When she teased it drove Nat up the wall.
“Yes, Natalie?” Iris purred.
Iris's finger leading Nat's was that little nudge over the edge and Nat whined without meaning too.
“Everything okay?” Michael asked, leaning over to check.
Iris covered her mouth and stifled a laugh.
Nat's whole body stiffened and then relaxed. “Wha- um. Sure. Yeah,” Nat lied.
She stole her hands back from Iris's body and tried to resist all temptation. A dark theater would usually be the perfect place to fool around but the people here were probably already watching them and staring.
The title sequence of the movie was still going but Iris smiled at Nat and patted her hand while she stood up.
“I’ll be right back,” she said.
Nat stared intently, biting her lip and shaking her head. Iris obviously wanted her to stay and she wanted to tease her.
Iris leaned down and kissed Nat softly, stroking under her chin with soft touches.
“Don’t go anywhere,” Iris said with a wink.
Na
t took a deep breath in and tried to hold back on her cravings. Normally she'd chase right after Iris but Iris had instructed her to stay and Nat knew she was always a little too paranoid when it came to leaving Iris alone.
When Iris got to the end of the row she turned and blew a kiss to Nat. She stopped next to an usher and asked where the nearest bathroom was and went in the direction that he suggested. It was out of the theater and down a hallway that joined up with the main hall to the lobby.
The light coming from the front was bright and the hall here was dark. She saw people walking back and forth in out in the lobby, ushers and other people that worked here. There were a few guests in formal wear and one blonde guy that was far more casual. Their eyes met and she turned away quickly.
He looked lost and she didn’t want to draw his attention. She walked down the hallway in front of her where the bathroom was and clenched her hands. The door to the women’s bathroom was sturdy wood and opened easily. She entered to find marble countertops with sinks across one side and a set of stalls across the right. Lights shone down onto the counters and there were some above the stalls.
She chose the far stall and walked in, pulling down her pants and using the toilet. Part of why she needed to come here was the overwhelming amount of people. Nat seemed to thrive on it and Iris would always just feel her energy being sucked away slowly. She needed breaks to refresh herself.
Her head jerked up when she heard someone come in the door. They went into a stall at the other end from what she could hear so she felt better. That made her hurry up and finish. After she flushed she left the stall and went to the sink, washing her hands and focusing on keeping the bracelet she wore out of the water.
The other stall opened and she paid no attention. She never looked up when things like that happened in a public bathroom. It was so awkward. That meeting of eyes and knowing what one another had just done.
She gasped when an arm snaked around her waist and a scruffy chin settled on her shoulder. She felt something cold and sharp slide along her other arm.
“I’ve been waiting to get you alone for hours.”
His voice was gruff and low but younger. Iris’s body went into fight or flight mode and she started shaking, trying to remember all the things she could do to get away. She struggled in his arms and tried to kick his shin with her boot.