[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210620/cf49cb08fa678fd204f6a24c0e483f3a.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/i2Kaz0L.png[/img]
[sub][i][color=darkgray]A [@Venus] & [@LovelyComplex] Collaboration
Featuring [color=C81935]Caitlin Cleary[/color] & [color=19C8AC]Niles Sinclair[/color][/color][/i][/sub]
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[indent][indent][color=silver]When Niles Sinclair had asked Caitlin Cleary to pick him up from the airport so they could hang out in the city, the redhead was more than happy to oblige. After getting wind of how the last Decker letter was inviting all of its recipients to the old Edenridge that evening, the young woman had been eager to get away. Unlike some of her former classmates, Caitlin had no reasons, interest or even the slightest bit of curiosity to attend such a morbid event. Charlie’s death hadn’t affected her in the same ways it had her old schoolmates. She didn't have to spend months in rehab like Marco Brady and Roddy Callahan. She didn’t have to walk with a cane for the rest of her life like Aaron Cox. She didn’t get shot in the neck like Mei Ramsey, or have to watch a loved one die like Kylee Grimm, Jillian or Decky Boaz. Hell, she didn’t even have to live with the guilt of surviving such a traumatic event when her loved ones hadn’t, like Lanie Lancaster, Natalia Belmonte and her best friend Danny Belmonte struggled with. When the bullets were flying across the high school, Cece had been an hour away, safely sitting beside her mother inside a waiting room at a doctor’s office in the city. Because of this, she had always been considered one of the luckiest girls at Edenridge. The last thing she wanted was to tempt fate by doing as that letter said.

So while a handful of her ex-classmates were waiting at the old gymnasium for anything that could help their healing journeys, [url=https://data.whicdn.com/images/352564851/original.jpg]Caitlin[/url] was anxiously standing at the arrivals section of Boston Logan International Airport, her blue eyes peeled for any sign of her long-distance friend.

Waiting for his luggage, [url=http://cdn01.cdn.justjaredjr.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/boneta-mexico-premiere/boneta-mexico-premiere-05.jpg]Niles Sinclair[/url], the legacy of Sinclair Health, peered down at his wrist watch. As he waited in anticipation, having gotten off a direct flight from Chicago to Boston, he thought about the girl waiting for him. In high school, they were not in the same social circle and rarely had many encounters to talk to one another. On top of that, they both had introverted mentalities and avoided people, for their sanity, which left them little to no room to find each other. 

As an underclassman, he was getting himself into fights, detention, and spending time with his ex-best friend. Funny how Natalia could drop him like yesterday’s trash all because she caught feelings and he didn’t. He thought he did a good thing, stopping their arrangement because he knew he wasn’t in a place to take things further than sex. But to Natalia, he was a piece of shit who didn’t care about anyone but himself. That whole relationship taught Niles that casual sex comes with a price, especially if it’s with someone whose the only person that tried to understand his grief at the time.

As an upperclassman, he had gotten in such a bad place mentally that he started convincing himself the best solution was him being dead. The moment he and Natalia broke ties, she thrived and went into the light, which was an obvious sign that he weighed her down. He was a burden and because of him, she would never be popular. Niles knew he made the right decision but he hated that his actions hurt her to the point that she felt the need to treat him like he no longer existed, like he was invisible. He deserved it. He knew it. That doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt any less. 

As you can see, at the time, there was too much turmoil in Niles to notice such a beautiful soul that was Caitlin Clearly. So, they didn’t get close until after graduation and he was delighted that he took the chance to message her first. Past aside, he had been waiting to come home for longer than he’d ever admit. They had been talking for about six months, but even before then, they were liking each other’s pictures and showing subtle signals that they were interested. 

When they started video chatting with one another, that was a game changer. He knew the moment she spoke, she would be the sweetest melody to him. Her words were calming, yet full of drive and focus. Her presence was intensely bright and full of emotional worth. There was so much passion behind this woman that he was completely and utterly enthralled. From that point on, he knew they had a tangible thread even before they spoke. All they needed to do was look at each other and it was clear as day the attraction they shared spoke enough for them. 

Scary really, how one moment could change everything. What would’ve happened if he never sent that message? Would he have been more open to romance from someone at his college? He didn’t know what went over him that night. All he could think of was he wanted to know the woman whose smile had a hint of sadness to it. Who was Caitlin Cleary and why hadn’t he seen her like this before? Most people wouldn’t have noticed that detail because in that specific picture that drew him in, she looked happy and surrounded by love. 

Somehow though, he thought within the family portrait, it was a Christmas picture in front of her family’s tree, she was incredibly lonely. She looked sad or maybe that’s what he wanted to believe. He wanted to believe there was someone out there that could relate to him. That there was someone who understood that no matter how many people there were around you, there was always this sinking feeling. He was emotionally starving for real companionship, which caused him to fixate on her while he studied to become a doctor.

Even so, he was absolutely terrified of emotional vulnerability and knew he was still holding back. With Cece... she made him feel like he didn’t need to carry the weight by himself, that he didn’t need to walk alone. This was a feeling he hadn’t experienced before because even while he had Natalia in his life, he still felt incredibly lonely. 

With his suitcase rolling on the ground, Niles strode to the arrival area, taking extra precaution to contain the overwhelming nervousness and excitement he was feeling. Years ago, he wouldn’t have noticed her. Now all he could do was think about her. While he had no reason to mask his emotions, he still struggled at being fully transparent with others. He knew how to smile more than he ever did growing up and he knew how to use his charm to navigate through business and social events. 

Still, he struggled at lowering his shield, trusting his strengths, and unlocking the door of his own cage. He wasn’t nearly as bad as he was during the peak of his grief, but if he wanted to survive this world and look ahead, always ahead, he had to pick and choose who was worth his time and who deserved to see him for him. He didn’t want just anyone to know how much emotional pain resided in him, but with Cece, he could see himself embracing the future freely, in a healthy way.

Stopping in his tracks, he felt the oxygen leave his body when he saw her. [i]Finally[/i]. They could see each other. Niles would never claim to be a perfect lover, since he was heavily flawed, but here he knew he would work to prove himself and hoped she’d let him do just that. Caught off guard at how breathtaking she was in person, Niles found himself standing there like an idiot and just staring. 

God, she was beautiful. 

[color=19C8AC][i]Focus.[/i][/color]

Snapping out of it, he called out, which was probably the loudest he’s ever gotten in his whole life (he wasn’t one known for getting loud): [color=19C8AC][b]“Caitlin!”[/b][/color] 

When Caitlin heard her name being called out, she immediately froze. Wide-eyed and frazzled, she looked around in the general direction of the voice she would recognize even if she was blindfolded. Eventually, she caught sight of the person she had been waiting for, and felt her legs turn into jelly underneath her for all the right reasons. Pictures and video chatting didn’t do Niles Sinclair justice. He hadn’t grown a significant amount since high school, but that didn’t take away from how graciously puberty had treated him in regards to everything else. His jaw appeared stronger and more defined, while his lanky frame had filled out with muscle, bulking his figure up in all the right places. His sense of fashion had also evolved in a positive way, with him swapping out the hoodie he always wore back then for a more stylish, favorable ensemble. He seemed to carry himself in a different way, too: taller, straighter, with confidence and determination. But even with all of these changes, it was still that breathtaking smile, and the gentleness behind his green eyes, what had truly captivated Caitlin’s heart.

From there, Niles focused on catching up to Cece without making it seem like he wanted to go into a full on run, just so he can pull her into a tight embrace. There was no need to come off too strong. As he got closer, he searched in her eyes to see if she’d let him. He wasn’t going to grab her if she didn’t feel comfortable, but he hoped she wanted to because he sure as hell wanted to. 

Thankfully, he didn’t have to wait long for her response. Before he knew it, the beaming redhead was throwing her slender arms around him and wrapping him up into the tight hug they had been so desperately craving for months. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to simply melt into their shared embrace, taking in the smell of his expensive cologne and the feeling of safety provided by his strong arms.

When Caitlin had initially received Niles’ requests on her social media platforms over a year previously, she had hesitated in accepting them. It was no secret that Niles was (or had been) Natalia Belmonte’s best friend. It was also no secret that Talia wasn’t fond of her in the slightest, and the last thing Cece needed was to give Danny’s sister more reasons to hate her. But the more the redhead thought about it, the more she wanted to kick herself for even taking Natalia into consideration in the first place. High school was over: Talia wasn’t the center of the universe anymore, and all of them were adults with more important things to worry about than former classmates adding each other on social media. So, after a few more minutes of mulling things over and coming to a decision, Cece took a deep breath and accepted every single one of Niles’ requests. It wasn’t as if she was going to actively interact with him anyway, right?

[indent][b][i]Wrong.[/i][/b][/indent]
Neither of them knew how long they stood there, arms tightly wrapped around each other like long-lost lovers. But finally, it was Caitlin who moved back just enough to be face to face with the young man who had made her believe 

[color=C81935][i]“Hi.”[/i][/color] she breathed out softly, staring up at Niles with big, sparkling blue eyes while still keeping her arms locked tightly around him. 

This. This he could get used to. All they needed to [i]connect[/i] were their eyes, no words. Even if they couldn’t speak, their feelings would speak for themselves, staying all the same. In the heat of their embrace, there were welding sparks. Tracing his fingers on her back, he gave her a cheeky smirk, [color=19C8AC][b]“Hi.”[/b][/color] He had imagined this moment multiple times a week but nothing beats the reality. His imagination would always get carried away, but here, he wasn’t thinking of the what ifs. His mind was enraptured by her and all he could see was the moment. Them, together. 

Instead of going for her lips, not necessarily ready to take that step, unsure of how far they were going to take things today, he leaned in and let his lips alight on her forehead. With his lingering kiss, causing passersby to stop and look in awe, he held her there like a desperate prayer for them to succeed. 

Niles wasn’t great with saying how he felt, but he could show it, in his own way. To him, this told her he cared about her and he didn’t want her to get hurt. This told her he was serious and wanted to protect and respect her, not make her feel like a sexual object. This told her from this point on he would get in between anything that tried to bring her discomfort and harm. This told her… a promise.

Delicately, he pulled away and decided there was no better time than now to ask her the question his whole family had been waiting for. [color=19C8AC][b]“Caitlin Cleary, please don’t feel pressured to say yes, I just… need to know. I can’t say I’ll be perfect, I’m still working on things, but what I can say is I’ll be there for you. This right here has made me realize I really don’t want to let you go. What if I don’t? And give you a place in my heart permanently? What I’m trying to say is...”[/b][/color] 

Cece had opted to remain silent as he spoke, her smile still in place as she listened to what the dark-haired man had to say. Her heart swelled with joy with each word he spoke, each sentence resonating with her in ways she couldn’t quite explain. The anxiousness in Niles' voice was evident, and Caitlin understood that better than anyone. Among the many things they had in common, the fear of falling in love and getting hurt was certainly high up on their list. Both had loved and lost important people in their lives, and the remaining guilt that haunted them to this very day served as a warning to think twice before allowing someone to get so close to them again.

But, with her, Niles had nothing to worry about. No matter what path their relationship took, Cece would make sure that he was always certain of that.


Eventually, when words began to fail him, the redhead decided it was her turn to express her own feelings. But, as everyone knew, actions spoke louder than words. And before she could stop herself, Caitlin placed a hand on the nape of his neck, pulled his face towards hers and pressed her soft, crimson-colored lips to his.

Before he could ask her if she wanted to be his girlfriend, Niles found the space between them non-existent. Her lips had sealed the deal. In that moment, he knew their chemistry was steeped in a passion that ignites. Feeling her lips, he could see why a kiss was something eternal. Something [i]dangerous[/i]. Something that could make you think that there was forever, even after death. This was more than he anticipated. 

Honestly, Niles was shocked how [i]good[/i] kissing Caitlin felt, like he should’ve expected a kiss with the prolonged stares, but he didn’t really go into this expecting one, let alone imagining how it felt. There was no point in getting his hopes up if it led to a dead end. Still, he wasn’t going to complain. Emotional and physical intimacy aside, there was an electric shock radiating from the both of them, coursing through their bodies and straight to each other’s lips. 

Interlocking his fingers with one another, his rough stubble scratching against her chin, Niles shamelessly pulled her in, deep, direct, and undoubtedly desperate. Amorously, he held her in place and for a long suspended moment, their uneven breathing rocked one another, in tandem. This was all she needed to do to get her feelings across and he would lead. He just needed a silent confirmation that she wanted him to. Clearly, she did. 

When he thought he had come with a clear head, and so far, he was starting to believe he did, a question unexpectedly crossed his mind. [color=19C8AC][i]Is it okay to be happy?[/i][/color] Niles saw his mother’s teary smile as she was being rushed to the car. The butterflies turned into a gut-twisting knife feeling as he entertained the idea of letting his mother go. 

If he committed to Caitlin, he felt like he was leaving his mother behind. Even so, how would he ever be happy if he had his mother’s ghost constantly hanging over him? For the first time ever, he was tired of compromising his happiness because of his grief. For now, he built enough strength to let his mother’s memory fade so he can be present and mindful to the beautiful woman that stood before him. 

Releasing Cece’s lips, catching his breath, Niles’ green eyes softened and focused on her eager gaze. Unapologetic to their surroundings, and with enough passion built up, he unhesitantly asked, [color=19C8AC][b]“Be mine?”[/b][/color] Those were the only two words he needed to use.

Cece vehemently nodded with the brightest of smiles. [color=C81935]“Yes! Yes! Of course!”[/color] she said excitedly, trying to hold back the happy tears threatening to spill from her blue eyes and roll down her flushed cheeks.

In retrospect, Caitlin had come into this date with the mentality that it was simply a much-awaited get together between two long-distance friends who had been connecting with each other for six months. Even with the undeniable attraction they felt towards each other and the lighthearted flirting they had exchanged, she had never imagined that, less than five minutes before their first meeting, she would be accepting Niles’ proposal to be his girlfriend.

To other people, this entire exchange would seem rushed, impulsive, and maybe even a little bit reckless. But in Caitlin's mind, everything felt [i]right[/i]. It was as if the missing pieces of the puzzle that was her life were finally coming to place, filling up the empty spaces of her heart with a magical joy she never thought she would experience again. Her only hope going forward was that she’d be able to make her [b][i]boyfriend[/i][/b] feel the same way.[/color][/indent][/indent]