Chapter Text
Tootsie lived for late nights.
They were her moments of sanity and assurance that Austin actually wanted her as much as she wanted him. It was her proof that there was nothing in the way anymore to stop them. So every second night past nine, Tootsie would eagerly wait for Austin on the corner underneath the closest illuminated street light. Just far enough from her house for her mom and Cinnamon to not see her skip her way to his car in the darkness.
When she was with Austin, they were in their own reality. In love and in lust, incapable of keeping themselves away from each other. From deep conversations and movie dates, to sweet kisses and rough make-outs.
"It's so hard doing this to Riya…" She would say softly as she rested her head against the crook of his neck. Austin would sigh and squeeze her tighter against him.
"I know…" He would kiss the side of her head delicately. "But we don’t have her anymore. So it's worth it, right?"
And Tootsie couldn't deny that the warm feeling she felt in his arms was worth all the heartbreak and disappointment that had come.
"Yeah, it is."
There were moments Austin hesitated, Tootsie would be eaten away by what they were doing, and confess even more of their deception to Riya with pure spite. She would answer his calls with a shaky voice or get lost in her own thoughts as he’d hug her. In some ways, Tootsie wasn't the best person to be having a forbidden relationship with- she was never good at keeping secrets. She was emotional and at times unhinged. But she was also devoted to him and willing to lose everything to have him. And that was the most amazing feeling he had ever felt.
"I love that it’s just us," she would whisper, "I never want this to end."
He loved the way her big, bright blue eyes had beamed as she allowed him ultimate control over her heart. Was it love? Was it guilt? All Austin knew was that Tootsie would allow him to love her unconditionally now that Riya was gone from their lives.
As Tootsie hit rock bottom, she no longer had anything to lose. She was now a giver and a taker. No lies.
"I love you..." And as Tootsie’s soft, pink lips kissed his, she felt he was her perfect other half. Willing to do anything to have what she wanted. Both angel and vixen, both victim and perpetrator.