“Oh, trust me, you do,” Deborah said, her voice a little too casual, like she was stating a simple fact. “Like a damn freight train. I thought the bus was going to tip over.”
Deborah slid out of bed, pulling on her robe with that effortless elegance that made Ava feel like a disheveled mess by comparison. She moved around the small space with purpose, as if last night’s intimacy hadn’t even phased her.
Deborah smirked. “I didn’t say that, either.” She stood up, giving Ava a teasing look as she turned to grab her phone from the dresser. “But if you keep snoring like that, we might have to rethink the arrangement.”
Content Set to Go Live: Sep 23, 2024 on Ao3
In the aftermath of their night together, Ava wakes up next to Deborah, grappling with the mixture of intimacy and professionalism that defines their complicated relationship. As Deborah effortlessly shifts back into work mode, Ava struggles to understand where they stand, feeling both drawn to and frustrated by the older woman's casual dismissal of their encounter.
YOUR NAME
Deborah’s lips quirked into a smile, but it was brief, a flicker of amusement before she shifted her weight, placing a hand on Ava’s knee. “I’m not saying it didn’t mean anything. I’m just saying…” She trailed off, her gaze steady but unreadable. “Don’t overthink it. You’ll drive yourself crazy.” Ava chuckled, though it came out more like a half-sigh. “Too late for that.” Deborah gave her knee a soft squeeze, her thumb brushing lightly against Ava’s skin in a way that was surprisingly comforting. “I’m serious. You’re a good kid, Ava, but you’ve got this habit of overanalyzing everything. Sometimes you just need to let things be.”
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