Within Our Lines

Azzi was probably pre-wired to help people. She hates seeing people hurting and would do anything in her power to take away the hurt from vulnerable populations. Not in a savior way, but in a genuine desire to help.

She was barely ten when she was in a car accident with her aunt Amber.

Her aunt had always been her one safe adult. She was an adult incapable of being anything less than perfect all the time. Azzi loved her aunt and wanted to be just like her. The idea of her hurting was nearly too much to bear for Azzi. Being in a front row position to witness this was an impossible task for an already fragile ten year old.

Winters on the east coast had always left the road conditions slick at their best. On rainy evenings that were already slick, the limited visibility became a true hazard. Amber had become Azzi’s babysitter when her parents were working late–though Azzi could handle staying home alone, thank you very much.

Azzi’s mom didn’t have a functioning vehicle due to repair costs being far above what they could afford, so Amber had offered to take her to and from work. She had a late shift and Amber knew that the night drive would require extra care and attention. Unfortunately, not everyone had the same idea.

They had been at the intersection before the hospital that Azzi’s mom had done some janitorial work at. The light was green and Amber slowly made her way through. In the dark with limited visibility, a car of teenagers hadn’t seen them and continued through the intersection. They connected with the side of Amber’s car.

Their proximity to the hospital allowed for people to reach them very quickly. Azzi had been on the opposite side of the car and was left with nothing more than a few scratches and aches. Amber, however, had taken a majority of the impact.

In those moments, Azzi saw medical professionals put themselves at risk to help the one person who felt consistent and present in her life. They didn’t know her or Amber. They had no idea who they were outside of this car or the walls of the hospital, and yet they did everything to save her. And they did.

Beyond this incident, Azzi quickly realized that seeing people in distress brought out something in her. She had learned from this moment and many more moving forward, she wanted to dedicate her entire life to helping people.

In high school she took every opportunity to go on mission trips that involved providing medical care in community centers around the country. She became a certified nursing assistant and worked almost every evening.

Her entire world was helping people. It made applying to school and deciding to go into nursing a fairly obvious choice, though never an easy choice.

She was a first generation college student in a highly rigorous nursing program. Many students struggled with the courseload, but in addition to this Azzi had to work. Even with government grants and all the help she could possibly receive, she fell thousands short of what her program asked of her.

With her coursework, she dedicated 8-4 for any classes she may have–with homework between. After 4, she had an hour to get ready and go to Lusso, the high end bar in her college town. She would work as a bartender from 5 until 2 am. Afterwards, she would return home and sleep, repeating the schedule the following day.

The schedule wasn’t ideal, but she found that it was the way to make the best money to afford her tuition and campus housing costs. Rich people saw a young, attractive girl and tipped her with abundance.

“Azzi, could you grab me a bottle of that new Chardonnay?” Elena, her coworker, asked from her spot at the computer, ringing in a customer's order.

“Yeah, one second,” Azzi finished wiping off the counter in front of her.

She stepped back and went towards the liquor cabinet in the back of the bar. She took the moment of silence as a reprieve from the bar which brought a headache from the heady perfumes and colognes that mix heavily on busy evenings.

She passed the back office mirror and stopped to look at herself for a second. She brushed a piece of lint off the mandated black dress pants. She then moves to smoothing out the black button up shirt that she had left the top two buttons undone–rich men with too much money reacted better to that. Gross.

She moved on towards the liquor closet with a sigh. People tended to get a little needier if there was a product that they could label as new and more expensive. They introduced a winter wine collection and Azzi swears they were going to hit their step counts just from the liquor closet trips.

By the time she returned with the wine bottle, she had a new guest sitting at her end of the bar. She smiled and let out a soft breath. Paige had been a regular that often sat in Azzi’s section. Many of the regulars had their preferred bartender, but none were as loyal as Paige was.

“Azzi,” Paige brightens at the sight of the younger girl in front of her.

“Hi,” Azzi was sure her voice and body audibly relaxed at the sight of Paige, “I am actually really excited to see you today.”

“Rough night?” Paige frowns tilting her head while Azzi grabs a coaster and begins pouring the iced tea–light ice, two sugars–Paige always starts the night with.

“Just busy, new collection dropped,” Azzi explains, setting the glass in front of the woman as Paige nods solemnly, clicking her tongue to the back of her teeth.

Before Paige could respond, an older couple a few seats down flagged Azzi down. Azzi smiles softly at Paige before turning on a distinctly customer service smile and walks over to the two.

“Bill,” the man said, hardly looking away from the woman. His attention never waivers and his voice seemingly cold and blunt.

At the start of her time working at Lusso, Azzi was offended by the lack of pleasantries. She was mainly worried they hadn’t deemed her service worthy of kindness. She often learned that some of the rich couples simply wanted to be left alone and would leave a heftier tip to respect that. She has long since stopped trying to force conversations and pleasantries on these types of guests.

Instead, Azzi closed their tab with the card provided and returned this to the couple. “Thank you both for coming in, please let me know if there is anything else I can do for either of you.”

Azzi chooses to ignore the way the woman slightly turns her nose up at the sight of the young bartender, wrapping her hands firmly around her husband’s arm as he signs the check with a smirk. She makes sure her obnoxiously large ring is visible, shining against the mood lighting of the bar.

Azzi just smiles softly and walks back to Paige before she does something stupid. Something like telling the woman that her husband also brings in a younger woman every Tuesday. Despite how tempting it is to tell her that her ring means a lot less to her husband than to her, Azzi does need this job.

Paige snorts as Azzi approaches, trying to hide her grin in the glass. She was likely making the same observation Azzi was. Azzi was positive Paige was making the same observation. Paige is the most regular regular. She is in at least every single day Azzi is, which is every day except for Monday and Tuesday.

She only ever sat in Azzi’s seats and made sure to fill one for a majority of Azzi’s shifts, as she was able. Paige was also a notoriously good tipper, more than probably necessary, but Azzi was not going to complain. Outside of her bills, she appreciated the occasional spending money she had.

“Ya know,” Paige starts, voice low. Azzi has to lean in to hear her over the hum of the bar around them, “I think you should play confused on his wife suddenly being grey and wrinkly instead of blonde and stuffed full of filler at the ripe age of thirty.”

Azzi laughs, leaning her head back lightly. Paige smirks, proud of herself.

This is how her nights went. Azzi usually started the shift with some dickhead older couples before the younger crowd of rich people who have too much money they don’t know what to do with start rolling in.

Paige usually came in a bit before the younger crowd came in and gave Azzi entertainment and reprieve from the shit that would inevitably come. Paige hardly ever drank anything with liquor, usually preferring to stick with her iced teas, Shirley Temples, or the occasional water. Azzi didn’t mind the non-alcoholic beverages filling her shifts so long as Paige provided the company.

When Paige first started coming in, Azzi would’ve thought they were the same age or a lot closer than they actually were. Paige looked a lot closer to Azzi’s 24 years than her own 38. She didn’t look hardened by life in the way so many rich people who came in tended to. She often had irritatingly clear skin that obviously did fine without makeup, curled hair in a sort of half up hair-do, and the nicest clothes that as a gay woman Azzi appreciated very much–she had eyes.

Tonight Paige had come in with her hair slicked back into a bun which exposed her neck. Her button up undone far more than necessary for Azzi’s sanity. The sleeves rolled up past her wrists exposing her hands.

“If it wouldn’t cost me my job, I totally would,” Azzi grins, peaking over her shoulder at the couple waiting for them to leave.

Paige’s smile falters at that slightly, but just as quickly returns to her lazy grin. She nods and returns to the drink in her hand.

Azzi floats easily between the customers and Paige. Her coworkers long since gave up trying to talk with Azzi. When she wasn’t with her guests, she was talking with Paige.

This is how the night goes. Paige makes corny jokes at the expense of assholes while Azzi smiles and puts up with the bullshit. Paige stays firmly planted in her seat the whole evening. The buzz of the bar becomes background noise as Paige watches Azzi carefully, only occasionally checking her phone and replying to a few emails.

Their routine is so natural and fluid that Azzi hardly blinks when Paige holds her card up towards the end of Azzi’s shift. When Azzi’s manager lets Azzi begin her closing tasks, Paige begins gathering her jacket and quietly stepping out of her seat to stand beside the front door. Azzi works to quickly complete her closing duties and count her tips. It was a decently busy evening, Azzi earning enough to cover an additional grocery trip for the month–no doubt thanks to Paige.

Azzi grabs her coat and purse then walks to where Paige waited. Paige began walking Azzi to her car fairly soon after she began staying for the entirety of Azzi’s shifts. Azzi never felt uncomfortable with Paige who always seemed driven by safety.

By the time Azzi finally got home, did her nightly routine, and went to bed, it was around 3 am. She had no problem falling asleep as her body was full of exhaustion. Exhaustion carried her to sleep until 7:30 when she woke up.

She hurries in getting ready and heading to her first class to meet with her friends, Caroline and Kaitlyn, the only two other students around her age. She didn’t go to college directly out of high school in order to save money. She now sat around a bunch of 20-21 year olds. She met Caroline and Kaitlyn in the introductory courses for her nursing cohort. They all stuck together.

“Jesus, Az,” Caroline bluntly states as Azzi slides in the seat Caroline saved for her between the friends, “how much sleep did you get?”

Azzi reaches into her bookbag grabbing out her laptop and an energy drink she had hastily shoved into the side pocket. She stifles the yawn that would no doubt cause more concern from Caroline who understands Azzi’s need to work but wishes she wouldn’t run herself so thin.

Azzi shrugs in response to Caroline as she opens up her laptop and logs into her email to see if she missed any important course announcements or work schedule changes. They were pretty consistent in Azzi’s schedule, but on occasion they had to schedule her on her off days.

“I got a few hours,” she mumbles, immediately taking a drink from the energy drink that her pharmacology professor will certainly mention the dangers of, like she always does.

“Emphasis on few,” Kaitlyn mutters.

Azzi looks at her and frowns, nudging her lightly with her knee. Normally Caroline will fuss over Azzi and Kaitlyn will remain quiet until she feels like saving Azzi is more important than the fussing. Right now, Azzi sighed at the betrayal knowing no one will be there to save her.

“I know you need the money, but I really wish you would let us help you. At least a little,” Caroline’s voice is soft but stings all the same.

Azzi knows that if she asked, Caroline would personally write a check to cover at least the rest of this semester for her. She knows this because Caroline has offered to dip into her savings multiple times. Her parents have both worked hard to ensure that she was set up no matter what she decided to do in the future. Azzi wishes her parents were able to do that, but they were too busy working to make ends meet.

It wasn’t like she couldn’t afford school, she just had to work for it. Azzi didn’t want anyone to pity her or look down at her. She knows the intentions Caroline had were genuine and innocent, but it didn’t help her feel any better about needing to ask for help.

“Carol, I really wish you would stop offering, I am not budging on this. I know how it looks, but I promise, it will be fine in the long run. I want to be able to do clinicals without working my senior year,” Azzi reminds, the same talking points she has repeated in their two years of friendship.

Caroline just sighs and nods, likely ready to spill apologies. Their professor walks in right in time, immediately saving Azzi from any more of this conversation, instead allowing her to focus on the monotonous droning of her professor on the various chemical effects on coagulation.

On Fridays, Azzi only has this class and then a study group with Caroline and Kaitlyn. She wasn’t too sure she wanted to attend, but she knew if she went home earlier than normal she would just sleep the whole day and accomplish nothing. While she didn't like the acknowledgement of how exhausted she was and the potential harm it was causing, she knew it came from very valid and genuine concerns. She was exhausted.

If she made it through today and tonight, she would be able to sleep. That was all she had to do.

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Making it through the day wasn’t the hard part, it would be making it through her shift that was the hard part. After class, Caroline hadn’t brought it up. In fact, she let Azzi buy her a shitty overpriced coffee as their own version of an apology. Things had gone smoothly.

By the time she clocked in that evening, the bar had been mostly full. The bar being mostly full left her on tables, which was not her preferred place to be. Not having a bar separate her tended to leave guests feeling bolder and more like assholes.

Her first table was a group of young girls who spent more time glaring and laughing in a way that felt so distinctly middle school than actually ordering drinks or interacting with Azzi. She then didn’t get a second table until right when Paige was walking in. It was a Friday night and she worried she wasn’t going to make what she needed to match her normal weekend goals.

“I’ll be with you in one second,” Azzi smiled tiredly at Paige as she set a coaster and a water in front of the older woman.

She didn’t even have a chance to get Paige her iced tea before the table of rich college-aged douchebags were grinning at her, realizing who their server would be. Azzi collects herself for a moment and smoothes out her shirt before plastering her sweetest customer service smile and approaching the table.

“Well, hello there,” a guy near her age grinned, leaning back in his chair and spreading his legs in a way that he likely thought was a show of power and money. Instead, it made Azzi throw up a bit in her mouth. She bit through that and returned a kind greeting.

“What can I get you all started to drink?” She smiles looking at the first guy as she scans the group.

She quickly realizes the entire group seems to carry that same douchebag energy that is oozing off the first guy. With this particular type of group she has to lean into a saccharine sweetness that is not her normal. Today she wasn’t exactly in the mood for that, but she had to do what she had to do.

“What would you suggest?” His grin grows ten-fold as he leans his elbows onto the table, pushing his body as close to Azzi as he could with the table still separating them.

“Well, if you are looking for something on the lighter side, we have a new wine collection that is incredibly popular. But if you want something with a bit more depth to it, we have some bourbons that you might like. We can also do anything we have on tap or mixed drinks,” Azzi recites in a tone far sweeter than she felt staring at the group who perked up at her.

“Hm, I think we could handle some depth, thoughts?” he turns to the table for a moment before those around him nod with smirks, “how about Boulevardiers with bourbon for the table? Are you familiar?”

Azzi throws up in her mouth a little bit at his tone. She was used to the condescending tone adopted by rich assholes who tended to look down at her and assume she had no knowledge. They looked at her as a young woman who wasn’t white enough for them, if we were being honest. She bites back the quick remarks she wants to spew, instead smiling at the group.

“Yes, of course. Five Boulevardiers coming up,” she closes her book and walks back to the bar.

She immediately rings in the drinks while Paige watches her prepare the drink. Azzi feels a frown settle into her features with a tight look of concentration. She knows she gets hyper-focused when making drinks, but she also was feeling slightly irritated at the table. She was hoping Paige didn’t bring it up when she came back. Dwelling on it doesn’t solve it, so she would rather move past it.

When she returns to the table handing off the drinks, the main guy raises his eyebrow, condescending surprise registering on his features, “not bad. Thank you, beautiful.” Azzi just offers a tight lipped smile before returning behind the bar.

“God, Azzi, those guys are awful,” Paige groans, giving her full attention to Azzi.

“Unfortunately they are the kind of customer this place attracts,” Paige lifts her eyebrow at Azzi’s words, “typically.” Azzi amends.

Paige snorts and looks down at her glass. Her lazy grin slowly settles into something heavier. Something more akin to worry, she has been doing this a lot lately. Azzi has brushed off the behavior, assuming it has something to do with Paige’s work life–the one area they tend to not touch.

“Everything okay?” Azzi asks, gentle but inviting Paige to share if she felt comfortable enough to do so.

Paige looked up at Azzi. The look on her face gave Paige pause. She had no idea what this look could possibly mean. All she knew is this woman was staring at her with her eyebrows pinched and jaw tight in a way that made the gay woman panic more than necessary. But like panic in a way that buzzed under her skin.

“Listen, as much as I love seeing you here, and trust me I do,” she pauses with a look of sincerity, “I wish you didn’t have to put up with their bullshit.”

Paige points over her shoulder with her thumb. Azzi scans Paige’s face and notices no malice, just a genuine concern rivaling that of Caroline. Paige has been witness to far more incidents like this than Azzi would want to admit. More than her friends have heard about.

“I know, but I need this job,” Azzi drops her eyes to the counter, wiping something with a towel, avoiding Paige’s eyes. Paige sighs.

“I’m on a payment plan for college,” Azzi flushes with vulnerability, “I have deadlines to meet. I can’t just quit with no back up,” Azzi shrugs and before she knows it she is being waved over by the grinning group of douchebags, “plus, without this you wouldn’t get to see me.”

She didn’t spend as much time with the group before. She hurries through the motions, not wanting to spend any more time than necessary with guys who would only treat her well if they thought they were getting something in return.

When she returned, she was flushed, but seemed more annoyed than anything else. Paige noticed and looked over her shoulder, shooting daggers at the table before returning her attention to Azzi.

“Do you like pancakes?”

Azzi pauses her pour and sets the bottle in her hand down before looking at Paige with a funny look, “is this a punchline to a joke?” Azzi laughs but her words come across confused more than anything else.

Heat spreads upwards on Paige’s neck, but she chuckles.

“No, a genuine question,” Paige shrugs. Azzi laughs but shakes her head before replying; “yeah, I do.”

Paige nods and stores the information. Azzi looks at her quizzically before returning to the motions of her work routines. She tended to get in a groove that was only interrupted when it absolutely needed to be.

Serve guests, clean tables, make drinks, talk to Paige, clean glasses, cut garnishes, talk to Paige, and repeat. Her nights went with the normal motions until she began her closing tasks at the late hours of the evening.

She had been ready to leave when Paige stopped her at the door.

“Would you want to go to iHop…with me?” Paige’s words were careful and shy, unlike the bravado that she normally carried. She almost seemed, almost, nervous.

When Azzi didn’t respond after a moment of pause, Paige immediately explained further, “you had those tables who were full of assholes, and you said you like pancakes so I thought–”

“That would be nice,” Azzi’s smile stopped Paige in her tracks. Paige nodded, putting her hands in her pockets, “I can drive.” She offers, Azzi nods.

Paige opens the door, leading the way to her car. In the dark, Paige walks at a slight angle, always with an eye on Azzi. It might’ve been doing too much, but it did help Azzi feel safer in her college town. When they got to Paige’s car, she walked to the passenger side and held the door open for Azzi. Azzi smiled politely at Paige and bashfully stepped into the passenger seat.

Paige closed the door behind her and walked swiftly around to the driver side. Azzi noted her polite mannerisms and appreciated them greatly. Paige has never been anything short of respectful and Azzi always noted the kindness.

“It’s nice to see you outside the Lusso lighting,” Azzi jokes as Paige starts the car. Paige laughs in response, settling one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the gear.

Azzi’s dumbass lesbian brain immediately stores that in her brain under a nearly full file of things that Paige does that are stupidly attractive but might make her cringe if others did them. The list was non-exhaustive but contained far too much for it to be considered healthy in Azzi’s mind.

“Lusso lighting isn’t doing me any favors in my old age,” Paige jokes in return and Azzi laughs. Her laughter partially stemmed from the corny joke, but mostly from the fact that it couldn’t be farther from the truth. Paige looked good no matter the lighting. Paige just looked good. Always.

The local iHop wasn’t too far from the downtown strip that held Lusso. The drive took under five minutes and Azzi spent a majority of it carefully watching the veins on Paige’s hand that rested on the gear. God, she needed help.

When they arrived, Paige didn’t even give Azzi enough time to fully unbuckle before she was out of the car and at the passenger door, opening and holding the door for Azzi.

Azzi smiled kindly at Paige, stepping out and brushing down her shirt, trying to ease some of the wrinkles settling into the fabric. Paige smiled patiently at her before moving to shut the door, guiding Azzi towards the entrance.

It was well after midnight and Azzi was pleased when she noticed they were the only people in the place outside of a single waitress who sat them at a booth, grabbed their orders, and then disappeared into the kitchen.

“Thank you for inviting me out,” Azzi mumbles shyly as she takes a sip from the water the waitress brought her.

Paige smiled, “like I said, had to redeem myself outside of Lusso lighting.” Her joke landed softly and Azzi giggled at the words, slightly too tired. “On a real note, I have really appreciated getting to know you and figured I needed to treat you since you are always taking care of me.”

Paige shrugs in a way that seems more bashful than dismissive. Azzi smiles at how thoughtful Paige always is.

“Well, that is literally my job. But even if it wasn’t, you always provide great company and companionship. You didn’t have to do this,” Azzi smiles shyly and looks down at the table. She has always struggled taking compliments. She didn’t realize how hard it would be to accept the kind words from a newly budding friendship from a gorgeous older woman.

Before Paige had a chance to respond, the waitress returned with two plates of pancakes stacked with sugary toppings that were far too irresponsible this late in the evening. The two of them elected to ignore that fact and instead focus on being present.

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After dropping her off back at her vehicle, Paige waited for Azzi to safely be in her car. The younger girl has been filling her mind a lot more recently. Azzi is nothing short of an amazing person. Since Paige’s first time coming into the bar, she had been all smiles and brightness. She was everything Paige wasn’t, and Paige really wished they had met under different circumstances.

After the very first night, in which Paige was admittedly not in a great headspace, Paige found herself drawn back far more than she wanted to admit. It eventually became a daily routine. Her routine involved leaving the office by 5 and arriving at Lusso by 5:30. At first she felt creepy, but she genuinely felt at peace when around Azzi.

Azzi’s carefree nature and genuine kindness brought Paige a peace of mind that she hadn’t felt since before she graduated college. She would never tell Azzi this. She was sure Azzi would carry the weight of that far too heavily. If Paige had anything to say about it, Azzi would never have to struggle another day in her life.

She found herself out in her car, dialing her old college roommate. This friend now worked at the local university, specifically overseeing the bursar’s office.

“Paige?” the voice crackled through the speakers of her car, startling her attention back to the road she had pulled onto.

“Hey, Val. How are you?” Paige’s voice was tired but friendly.

Her and Valerie had always gotten along well. She helped Paige prepare for countless interviews before finding the job that would propel her into wealth. Valerie had supported Paige when no one else had. Paige was endlessly grateful for her.

“I’m good. I will say, I didn’t expect to see your name on my phone this evening,” Val huffs out a small chuckle and Paige chuckles in return.

“I know we usually stick to our monthly texts and meetings,” Paige jokes, “but I had to break routine to ask a question. Hypothetically, if I wanted to pay the tuition of a student, what would I need and how would I do that?”

Valerie only breathes for a moment, primarily out of confusion. Paige had called her with many random requests, questions, and ideas, but never regarding money. That tended to be something Paige saved and kept to herself.

“Well, you would need to have that student’s name, university identification number, and you would come to the office.” Valerie explains.

Paige nods to herself.

“What if I wrote it as a grant? Would I still need the student identification number?” Paige pushes.

She is met with silence on the other end of the phone. There is slight shuffling while the question hangs. She really doesn’t need too many questions, she hopes Valerie understands that.

“Well, I suppose not. Since when are you feeling charitable?” Valerie jokes and Paige sighs at the obvious avoidance of asking the questions she truly wants to.

“‘M turning a new leaf. When can I come in?” Paige is quick to the point.

“Well, aren’t you just so lucky. I actually took a half day today and need to go in tomorrow to catch up on a few things.”

Paige smiles at the words of her friend. She quickly gets out plans of where she needs to be at the bursar’s office and when they will meet.

She hopes that this could help Azzi.

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Azzi swore some weekends were harder than others. This weekend was the perfect example of that. She must’ve been running on pure spite as she finally made it through the door on Sunday evening. She barely remembered to set her alarm before finally crashing on her bed.

In her lapse of energy and stumbling through the darkness, she didn’t notice that her electricity had been out. It wasn’t until her phone alarm went off the following morning. She blindly reached for her lamp and the light didn’t switch on. That gave her pause and she blinked rapidly. She looked around in the darkness and didn’t notice the faint glow from extension cords or power buttons on the television in her room. Great.

She looked briefly at her phone and saw it was only at five percent, having likely not charged at all throughout the night. She would need to charge that up before she could get a hold of someone to come in and fix this.

Her motions this morning were quick, but tired. She didn’t have class until the afternoons on Mondays. She figured she could go to a local, off-campus cafe, charge her phone, and get some work done. Normally she would enjoy doing these things at home, but without a functioning outlet, she wouldn’t be able to spend a morning in.

By the time she had left her apartment, she had changed into leggings and an old cropped tank top. Her hair had been thrown into a bun on her head, messily. Her bag was stuffed to the brim with chargers, textbooks, and her devices. She had every plan of spending as much time at the cafe as she was able to.

The cafe was near her apartment and just off campus. It was in the business district of her town. The streets were lined with buildings filled to the brim with individuals in suits that were too obnoxious for Azzi to normally put up with. She usually chose an on-campus alternative, but this would do for now.

The door opened to the sound of soft music filling Azzi’s senses, overtaking the sound of vehicles that were honking far more than necessary. The smell of coffee filled her and wrapped in a warm that was surprisingly refreshing despite the heat that clung to her skin.

Azzi’s shoulders relaxed lightly, drooping with the weight of her bag. She smiled as she got to the counter.

“Hi, what could I get for you?” the young barista smiled nervously and politely at Azzi while an older, more intimidating figure loomed over her shoulder.

Azzi smiled back at the girl, “could I take a large iced matcha latte?” She goes to reach for her wallet, but gentle hands brush along her wrist.

She quickly looks over and sees Paige standing there with a wallet already out, Paige smiles at Azzi with a soft smirk hidden there.

“And I’ll take a large black coffee,” Paige adds on before handing the barista her card while Azzi puts her wallet away.

The barista handles the payment, and Azzi smiles kindly when Paige signs the receipt offering a hefty tip for the younger girl whose eyes widen at the kindness. The younger girl murmurs a thanks while looking over her shoulder at the older individual who smiles.

“Do you have a table yet?” Paige smiles at Azzi, who shakes her head, “why don’t you grab one and I’ll wait for our drinks?”

Azzi acknowledges the people filtering in at the late morning rush of people. She nods and holds her bag tighter as she walks over to a table on the side near a plug in. She gets her computer charger and phone charger plugged in, building her set up.

Her computer is barely turned on when Paige walks over and sets her drink down in front of her.

“Here is your very green looking drink,” her face grimaces in mild disgust and Azzi laughs at the older woman before taking a drink.

“Thank you for that, I owe you.” Azzi smiles as Paige sits at the table across from her.

“No, you’re all good. I am sure you charge me a lot less than you are supposed to at the bar, least I could do,” Paige shrugs, effectively waiving off Azzi’s worries, “I’ve never seen you here before, what’re you up to?”

Paige smiled and wrapped her hands around the warm coffee cup as if it wasn’t far too hot outside for all that. Azzi took a moment to look over Paige who looked far too good for a Monday morning. She had fitted slacks that showed off how long her legs truly were. She had a pinstripe button-up with sleeves rolled to her elbows. She had a few of the top buttons undone and seemingly nothing underneath. Azzi had to look away, taking a sip of her drink to hide her face for a moment.

“Yeah, I woke up to no electricity, this is the nearest cafe,” Azzi shrugs looking down at her computer.

“Damn, that sucks,” Paige sympathizes, “you able to get anyone in?”

Azzi remembers that she needed to let her phone charge before calling the maintenance team. She checked her phone charge and sighed at the low percentage, locking it and placing it face down. She shakes her head and looks back up at Paige who had her elbows on the table and attention undivided on Azzi.

“Not yet, need to charge my phone and put in a request. Not sure how soon they’ll get to it,” Azzi explains and Paige narrows her glance and tightens her jaw lightly at the response. Nonetheless she nods.

Paige looks around and pulls out her phone. Her thumbs make quick work typing away, though Azzi pays her minimal attention. Instead, she opens her emails and makes sure she submitted her portion of the group projects that needed to be completed. The two worked in a comfortable silence around each other, simply focused on their own tasks.

Azzi is ahead in her classes but uses Paige’s quiet presence as a motivation to stay on task. She silently works through a discussion post on drugs and their impact on the cardiovascular system. This is a topic that typically drones on, but Paige–the epitome of success–served as a steady reminder to keep working.

“Ya know, I was never quite as good of a student as you seem to be,” Paige chuckles at one point.

Azzi looks up, having not realized Paige had been watching her.

“Really?” Azzi raises her eyebrow. She was shocked at the information Paige was offering up. She usually imagines Paige in such high regard and was shocked to learn that she had any faults.

“Does that surprise you?” Paige crosses her arms and leans back in her chair. Her legs unfairly spread in a way that does things to Azzi’s lesbian brain.

She tries to keep it cool around her, but it would be remiss to ignore the attraction she felt towards the older woman. Paige might be over ten years her senior, but Azzi had eyes and a deep rooted and unsated lesbian mindset that often wandered and spent more time thinking about Paige and her helpfulness than necessary.

“Honestly? Yes. Your success had to come from somewhere. You strike me as the type to work for her keep rather than taking handouts,” Azzi leans back in her chair.

Paige looks at Azzi a moment too long. Azzi flushes under the weight of Paige’s stare. Azzi needed to get out more.

“I wouldn’t say that is inaccurate, but it also helps to network,” Paige tilts her head to the side, studying Azzi in her pause, “what about you? You work so hard. Tell me about that.”

It wasn’t a question, but it wasn’t a demand either. Paige opened it up for Azzi to explain. Azzi knew she didn’t have to, but she wanted to. She wanted to share these pieces of herself with Paige.

“I’ve always wanted to help people. I experienced some…not so fun things growing up. The people who had the power to show up everyday and help, those were the ones that inspired me. I went into nursing for that reason. It is hard,” Azzi pauses with a small laugh, “so damn hard. But every day I show up. I want to be there for the little Azzi’s out there.”

“Who is there for grown Azzi?” Paige’s words were soft but hit a little lower than Azzi had anticipated.

Azzi looked into the blue eyes that seemed to see far deeper into Azzi than she wanted. She knew that there was no reason for the question to feel so heavy, but it did. She wasn’t fully sure how to answer.

“Well, I am here for myself,” she offers after a moment, “I have a few friends and my family, but even with them at times it is just me. Don’t really have the picket fence family situation,” she laughs it off as if her story was just another aspect of her. Brown hair, brown eyes, shitty upbringing.

Paige doesn’t immediately jump into the sympathy that Azzi typically receives when she opens up. She just listened. She heard the words and really processed them, as if she truly tried to understand every syllable Azzi offered her.

Azzi wanted to laugh, brush it off even. She has learned to expect the lighthearted sympathies. The start of every friendship offered her this.

Instead; “well grown Azzi is pretty damn lucky.”

Azzi pauses, she tilts her head and lets out a slight noise of confusion.

“Anyone who has Azzi on their side is pretty fucking lucky,” Paige smiles. Her grin reaches her eyes with sincerity.

Azzi smiles up at Paige, “thank you.” Her bashfulness shines through and Paige simply shrugs it off.

Paige’s phone starts buzzing. Azzi can tell she is hesitant to answer, not really seeming like the type to enjoy disrupting a conversation. Azzi waves her off.

“I’ve kept you longer than necessary, take it,” Azzi reassures with a smile. Paige pauses and seems to consider ignoring the call. Instead, the phone buzzes harshly against the table and she groans before looking back up at Azzi.

“It was good to see you, Azzi” the way Paige said her name so softly and sincerely wedged under Azzi’s ribs and deep into her chest in a way she wanted to ignore. She wasn’t sure she could.

“It was good to see you too, Paige. Thank you again for the drink,” Azzi gets out but is brushed off with a wave by Paige who is already answering her phone with it pressed firmly against her ear.

✩*⢄⢁✧ --------- ✧ --------- ✧⡈⡠*✩

By Wednesday, a full day of classes and her return to work, she had worked ahead in many of her courses, cleaned her apartment, and read an entire book. She felt like she was unstoppable, thank you very much.

She was feeling good, but all good things must come to an end. This Wednesday marked the first of the month, which meant it was the day her payment plan shifted to the new cycle and Azzi would have to go to the bursar’s office to pay her bill. Even with the grants and scholarships she had, each semester was around $5,000 at her school.

Every month she had to go in and offer up 1,000 of her hard earned dollars to a school that drained so much more than her wallet. It was arguably her least favorite part of the month. She typically saved it for right before her work shift so she could drown out the sorrow by earning more money.

“Hello, I am here to do the next installment of my payment plan,” Azzi explained to the lady at the desk in the office.

The lady had a bored look on her face that she attempted to smooth over with a practiced customer service smile. Azzi can’t imagine some of the situations she might have had to handle. No one liked spending large sums of money or dealing with the mishaps that inevitably occurred within the financial process.

“Sure, and can I get your first and last name as well as your student ID number?” the lady’s voice was plastered with clear calm training prepared to handle any emotions shared her way.

Azzi mindlessly rattled off her information while pulling out her checkbook. She had laughed when her mom said having one would come in handy, but here she was.

“Azzi, it looks as though you have already covered the cost for this semester,” Azzi freezes in her search through her bag.

“Uhm, no, I should owe about $3,000 still this semester with $1,000 due next. Can we check the numbers again, I don’t want to miss a payment or accidentally owe more later,” Azzi explains.

The woman looked confused but nodded nonetheless as Azzi, again, rattled off her nine-digit student ID. The woman narrowed her attention on her computer screen. The faint sound of an air conditioning unit–likely older than Azzi–buzzed uncomfortably loud. The keys on the woman’s keyboard seemed louder at the encouragement of the irritating buzz.

“Right, so it looks like you had this amount paid off this past weekend. It looks like the final check, covering the rest, was processed fully on Monday,” the woman explained.

Azzi was thoroughly confused. She kept a thorough check on her bank account. She had not seen $3,000 withdrawn from her account–trust her, she would’ve seen.

“I’m sorry, but there must be some sort of mix up,” Azzi laughed awkwardly, her voice cracking on the last word.

“You are Azzi Fudd, correct?” The woman narrows her stare at Azzi, who nods dumbly, “right, well a check was written and processed to cover the tuition expenses of Azzi Fudd.”

“By who?” Azzi asks, she probably came across like a total bitch, but that was not her intention. She was far too confused to be having this conversation before going to deal with rich people who didn’t really see her as a human.

The woman narrowed her eyes at the screen trying to understand what she was reading, and let’s be real, trying to find the answer that would make Azzi leave fastest.

“It just says it was paid, not by who. I am sorry,” the faux sympathy was enough to have Azzi nodding and biting her tongue. She truly didn’t have the time or energy to continue this conversation before work.

She sighed before turning to exit the office, pretending she didn’t hear the exaggerated sigh from the woman as the door closed behind her.

By the time she had got to her car, she was more confused than when she was in the building. Did she apply for a scholarship she didn’t remember? Did she sign up for a competition that had a tuition coverage prize?

Her thoughts were so loud she didn’t hear the rattling sound of her shitty car as she drove the entire way to the bar. The rattle of the car only served as the fuzzy tether to reality. The reality in which she had to go to work, pay her bills, and apparently go to school for free this semester.

She pulled into her parking spot, letting the battered old car ease to a sputtering stop. Pulling down her visor that no longer had a mirror attached, but rather a small circle mirror hotglued to the loose fabric. She twisted her head side-to-side, scanning herself. She brushed away a stray curl and reapplied chapstick before deeming herself ready for the evening.

Much like every evening, she walked in with quiet, polite greetings to her coworkers. Unlike every evening, Paige was already sitting at the bar when she arrived. Azzi raised her eyebrow at the older woman who just looked in her direction with a smile. She looked tired and distressed.

Before Azzi could walk to the bar, Paige met her where she was.

“Azzi, before your shift starts, can we talk?” stress was obvious in Paige’s voice and Azzi immediately nodded.

Paige grabs Azzi’s hand. This was…unusual for their new friendship.

Azzi ignored where Paige was leading her and instead focused on the feeling of Paige’s hand on her own. Paige’s hand was calloused with her years of experience and work. Azzi knew Paige wasn’t one who committed to manual labor, but her hands would never show that. Her hands felt steady and firm, and far too warm for the mush Azzi’s brain was in.

Paige led Azzi out the side door. There were few cars parked over here. Azzi was sure the door was primarily installed for employees to go out and smoke, she wouldn’t know for certainty.

Her thoughts don’t dwell for too long as Paige stops abruptly and faces Azzi, reaching out with both hands holding onto Azzi’s. Azzi couldn’t see herself, but she was sure she was flushed from head-to-toe with lips agape in her shock.

“Listen, I know that you prioritize this job for financial security, but I really think you should reconsider. I think you can provide for yourself with other work or with what you currently have.” Paige’s sincerity helped ease the brazenness of her words.

“Paige,” Azzi starts with a sigh, “I know how you worry about me, but there aren’t any jobs that pay quite like this. I know you have seen some not so great moments, but that is going to happen with any job I take on.”

Paige looks into Azzi's eyes. Not a normal glance, but rather with a weight so heavy, Azzi would likely feel this look for days. Paige looked with a concern Azzi hadn't felt outside of her family.

“Azzi, what you have saved up, can’t that support you through the rest of the semester?” Paige asked.

“That really isn’t your business,” Azzi pulls her hands back slightly, creating space, “but I still need to pay for classes and living expenses.”

She crosses her arms and takes another small step back. Paige shakes her head.

“We have talked about how good you are doing with saving, it should be enough to cover your cost of living. That is all you are really going to have, right?”

Azzi scoffs, her frustration growing. She knows Paige was trying to show she cares. Their friendship was fresh and it was possible she didn’t understand the fierce independence Azzi exhibited. But it didn’t really give her room to talk to Azzi like this.

“All I have? I have to be able to go to school. I am not planning on dropping out. Tuition and housing are expensive,” Azzi offers defensively.

“Azzi, look, I know that your tuition has been covered. You don’t need to worry about that,” Paige stresses, at which Azzi pauses.

“Excuse me? How do you know that?” confusion quickly flickers onto Azzi’s face. Paige pauses and takes a deep breath before stepping softly towards Azzi. Azzi steps back in response.

“Look, I knew how much you were struggling working here and being able to go to school. I had some connections and made a few things happen,” Paige shrugs as if her words weren’t hitting so deeply on Azzi.

“What the fuck,” is all Azzi mutters, taking two larger steps backwards, “did you pay for my school?”

Paige didn't take a step forward like she wanted to. She put her hands at her sides, tightening her hands and releasing.

“I wanted to help,” Paige offers weakly instead.

“I told you how much this matters to me. How much it means that I do this thing on my own. Why would you do that?” Paige would’ve been able to deal with anger right now, but this wasn’t anger. This was disappointment.

“I swear, I wasn’t trying to upset you. I just wanted to help. I hate seeing you get treated the way you are. You deserve better–” Paige explained. Azzi cut her off before she could continue down that train of thinking any further.

“And how would you know that? You don’t know me,” Azzi’s voice broke at the last word.

She hated feeling ungrateful, but damn. She had told Paige how money had been held over her head her whole life. She had the one thing in life she was able to work for. One thing was hers because she earned it, not because someone else had to buy her way into it. She wanted this one thing and now she was indebted to Paige.

Paige’s face flickered at those words. A pain of knowledge. Of course she knew this, she knew that she didn’t understand Azzi at the level of those closest to her. But she knew Azzi had a heart for helping other people. She knew Azzi worked way too damn hard and was treated way too horribly. She knew Azzi was an amazing person with a heart better than anyone she had met. She knew all of this and just wanted her to be taken care of in the way she took care of others. She helped the only way she knew how.

“Azzi–,” again Azzi cut her off before she could really speak, “Paige, you need to leave. I have to work a full shift and I really don’t want to see you right now.” Azzi’s voice sounded fragile.

Before Paige had a chance to respond, she cut herself off. She nodded and swallowed around the lump in her throat. Azzi didn’t want to hear her right now. She wanted Paige gone. Paige would do anything for her. So she did what Azzi wanted. She looked over at her once more before turning towards the parking lot.

Azzi let out a breath she had been holding. The breath came out shaky, and the unsteadiness spread throughout her whole body.

Money has been held over her head her whole life. She now felt indebted to a virtual stranger. Right as she was starting to get close to her. Right as things were starting to settle into a routine–something similar to a friendship. They were almost friends. Now Paige had something she could hold over Azzi’s head.

“Hey, you okay?” Aaliyah, a bartender similar in age to Azzi, asks as she stepped out. Aaliyah looks over Azzi’s shoulder seeing Paige in her car, pulling away with a stern expression.

Aaliyah was newer at the bar. She hadn’t fully built the illusion of distance that Azzi had established with everyone else. Azzi should probably ignore everything and tell her she was fine. Probably.

“Yeah, sorry,” Azzi rubs at her eyes, attempting to ease the burn that was forming in her eyes.

Aaliyah is quiet for a moment, looking over at Azzi.

“Was that your girlfriend?” Azzi can’t help the laugh of disbelief that escapes her at the words.

Azzi wouldn’t lie how good it felt to imagine that she could pull someone like Paige. That someone could look at her and believe that Paige would be someone she could pull naturally, without the promise of anything else. Bile burns in her throat at the thought that Paige could be paying for her school in the belief that she might get something in return. She had no reason to believe that Paige would do that, but damn if anxiety wasn’t convincing.

“No, she is just a customer,” Azzi offers, which settles somewhere between what Aaliyah believes and the truth.

“Really? I thought you guys were together. She is always here for you,” Aaliyah replies simply.

Azzi sits on the bench that she was pretty sure has never been used. Aaliyah sits beside her. Instead of unease that would normally wash over Azzi, she lets out a breath.

“No, she’s just,” Azzi pauses, unsure of how to continue. She chews the inside of her cheek as she thinks of how to respond, “she is just sort of here.”

The woman beside her nods. She lets silence settle around them. Azzi had no intention of talking anymore or adding at all to the silence, but for some reason the words came spilling out before she even had a chance to think of stopping them.

“We have been getting closer recently. She did something that she knew would really bother me. It seems like she didn’t really plan on telling me. I know she just wanted to help, but she knew how badly I would react.” Azzi vaguely explains.

Aaliyah doesn’t respond right away. She just listens and nods, taking in the words. Azzi had no reason to tell her any of this, but it did feel nice sharing it all.

“Did she mean to hurt you?” Aaliyah asks simply, again earning a scoff from Azzi.

“Of course not, she wouldn’t do that. But it doesn’t change the fact that she did, she also knew it would piss me off,” Azzi crosses her arms defensively. Defensive of Paige or herself? She wasn’t sure.

“Well both things can be true,” Aaliyah nods and Azzi pauses at that, “you’re allowed to be mad. But she is also allowed to want to help you.”

Azzi’s arms tighten around herself. She hugged herself closer, almost defensively.

“Look, I don’t know her or really you all that well, but I wish you could see the way she looks at you. It really seems like she cares,” Aaliyah pats Azzi on the shoulder before standing up to head back towards the bar, “don’t forget to clock in.”

Azzi laughs at her coworker. Aaliyah was right, Azzi knew that much. She also appreciated the way the other woman had managed to remind her that she was here to do a job. A job that was going to have to break routine with Paige not here.

It was noticeable very early on into her shift how much she relied on Paige’s presence. Paige typically brought laughter and reprieve from shitty customers in the brief moments she got to herself. Now these moments were left to consider Paige’s actions.

Azzi knew Paige wanted to help. She was trying to take the stressor away from Azzi in the only way she knew how. Paige truly cared and Azzi believed that. Azzi believed that from the way Paige would walk her to her car every evening, buy her dinner after shifts with shitty outcomes, and serve as a steady presence for Azzi.

Azzi cared a lot more than she wanted to let on.

✩*⢄⢁✧ --------- ✧ --------- ✧⡈⡠*✩

A few days go by with Paige not stopping back in. Azzi only allowed herself to think about what Aaliyah said. It was the only thing bringing her a bit of comfort right now. Aaliyah said anyone could see Paige truly cared.

“You don’t find it weird she is that much older than me? Like it does seem like anything shadier than that?” Azzi had quizzically asked Aaliyah later that evening as the crowd fizzled out and they had been cutting garnishes side-by-side.

“Honestly? No. Like no offense, but you’re still twenty-four. You’re over eighteen and well over an age I would actually consider it weird,” Aaliyah had shrugged.

Azzi laughed at her bluntness, but appreciated the words. Azzi had appreciated that Aaliyah seemed to be scheduled many of the same shifts as her. It did happen to make the time go by quicker without Paige there to keep her company. It wasn’t quite the same, but it was all Azzi had right now.

Even Caroline and Kaitlyn had noticed the sudden shift in the little things Azzi did.

“So, I am not trying to be rude or anything,” Caroline had started while Kaitlyn grimaced, Azzi rolled her eyes, “you look like you’re sleeping even less.”

Azzi sighed, narrowing her attention on the mistake she was trying to erase off the homework the trio had been working on in the library study room. She hadn’t been sleeping less, she was just less awake during the day. Nothing seemed to be addressing the daily exhaustion.

“‘m not sleeping any less,” Azzi mumbled as she got to a particularly stubborn mark that wouldn’t seem to erase, “does anyone have a better damn eraser?”

Azzi groaned, slamming her pencil down. Kaitlyn just blinked at her before handing over the pencil directly out of her hand. Azzi’s thanks was muffled by the snort that Kaitlyn couldn’t help but let out at Azzi’s theatrics.

“Well if your sleeping hasn’t changed, that makes this,” Caroline waved her hand in the general direction of Azzi, “even more concerning.”

Azzi loved how blunt Caroline was. It was normally one of the most reassuring things about her. She always said what was on her mind, and usually Azzi loved to hear that. Azzi loved honesty, and Caroline was full of it.

“I think you need to get laid,” Caroline’s face was completely deadpan and Kaitlyn laughing only added to the irritation that was only growing.

“Excuse me?” Azzi actually paused and lifted her head with a raised eyebrow and pointed look directed at Caroline.

“Didn’t you say there was that hot woman at the bar?” Kaitlyn supplies unhelpfully towards Caroline, grin growing as Azzi directs her glare in Kaitlyn’s direction.

“Exactly,” Caroline claps her hands together brightly, “you need yourself a hot older woman. Could clear this up.”

Caroline is smiling brightly while Azzi’s arms tighten defensively around herself.

“She doesn’t come in anymore,” Azzi mutters, more to herself than anything else.

Caroline’s grin grows as if she had finally figured it all out. Azzi doesn’t let Caroline’s grin bother her anymore than it did already, she returns her attention to the paper in front of her.

“Well that explains this,” Caroline adds on, and Azzi ignores her. Well, she does her best to ignore her.

Does the lack of Paige’s presence really have this big of an impact on her? She knew that it affected her work. Her shifts were better when Paige was there, she knew this. But impacting her daily functionality? That was more than she had previously admitted even to herself.

Paige has always been this unobtainable older woman in her head. She had never allowed herself to want, even for a moment. It wasn’t until her friends began pointing out to her the disruption she was causing to her life by not having Paige around that she truly began to notice this. Even then, all she had was Aaliyah’s words ringing around her head. Paige looked at her with so much value and concern.

Azzi tried not to carry the weight of the words too heavily, she didn’t want to get hurt. She wanted to talk to Paige. She wanted to explain that she cares about her and understands that Paige was just trying to help, but money has never been something that people have used with genuine intentions when it came to Azzi.

To put it simply; she missed Paige.

It was the following Wednesday before Paige returned to Lusso. Her absence had been noted by Azzi and her coworkers, and when she first stepped into the bar, eyes turned to her. The older couples who prissily sat observing everyone within their line of sight seemed to even pause as Paige entered the door.

Azzi had been facing the other direction, wiping the counter, but she stiffened slightly. The entire air in the bar seemed to tilt when Paige entered. Aaliyah brushed behind her, she muttered something that fell short of Azzi’s ears, though Azzi supposes it was the reassurance she needed.

As if on autopilot, Azzi grabbed a glass and began preparing a Shirley Temple. Paige hadn’t gotten one in a while, and Azzi figured it would get the message across that it was for her.

Her hands moved slowly but correctly accounting for each step and each pour. It wasn’t a difficult drink, by any means, but Azzi was nothing if not a perfectionist. She topped the soda and grenadine off with extra cherries.

She hadn’t yet turned around, but she knew Paige would be sitting at the bar rail. She would be just right of the register that Azzi spent a majority of her time working at. Paige would be there. She would be waiting for Azzi to get her a drink.

Azzi turned around and almost gasped. Paige looked good, too good.

A syrupy smile melted onto her face before she could stop it. Paige had an indecipherable look on her face as she watched Azzi. Her eyes were narrow, but not angry or upset. She watched Azzi with the intensity of the nurses Azzi had seen in rotations. A keen eye scanning for anything to be wrong, but finding nothing. Just a smiling, happy Azzi.

“Hi,” Azzi’s voice was soft as she set the drink down in front of Paige, her smile not once dimming, “I’m glad you came in.” The words stretched out and each syllable hit Paige with an individual weight.

“Me too,” Paige’s look melted into a softness that Azzi was used to seeing on Paige’s face. Azzi smiled a bit brighter at that. Paige had an Azzi look, “how shitty of me would it be to say I missed you?”

Paige’s voice was quiet with a hint of insecurity. Azzi slowly shook her head, “not at all. I missed you too, actually.”

Azzi leaned forward, hoping that proximity might settle the feeling that had settled into her bones at the sight of insecurity on Paige’s face. Azzi’s eyes did a quick scan of the bar, it was quite empty. Paige had been the first guest to sit at the bar in Azzi’s section and it was quickly passing the time when it would normally pick up.

“Azzi, I really want to apologize.” Paige starts, wrapping her hand around the glass in front of her. Her hand seems to tighten and her jaw clenches as her words soften and her voice cracks slightly.

Azzi reaches out and puts her hand on top of Paige’s. She didn’t want this to happen here. She wanted a chance to talk to Paige. A chance outside of this shitty bar.

“Not here,” she rubbed her thumb alongside Paige’s hand and smiled reassuringly, “we’ve been pretty empty tonight, let me check with my manager and see if I can get out of here early.”

Paige looked up for a moment, softening at Azzi’s hand on her own and the smile on her face. She nodded.

As Azzi went off in search of her manager, Paige sat with her hand on the glass. She had been sitting with the weight of what she had done for a week now. All she wanted to do was help, and instead Azzi saw it as a belittling action. Paige didn’t think less of Azzi, she never would. In the week since she had seen her last, she had been working to craft an apology that never seemed good enough, not for Azzi.

By the time evening had rolled around and it was time for Azzi’s first shift back after her weekend, Paige realized she missed her too much to just go home. She had wrapped up her work at a time later than her employees had been used to and left later into Azzi’s shift.

Luckily for Paige, this meant that Azzi was able to get permission from the manager to leave early. She quickly closed out of her register and completed her closing tasks.

By the time she walked around the bar, Paige had been waiting to see all of her for far too long. Her knees almost gave out underneath her.

“Let’s go outside,” Azzi starts, reaching her hand out towards Paige. Paige grabs her hand and follows Azzi towards the side exit. To the place where Paige had so royally messed up just a week prior.

Azzi’s hand was warm in Paige’s. Her skin softer than it had any right being and it made Paige’s brain go all fuzzy at the feeling. She was a grown woman who was supposed to be the mature individual in this situation, but instead she was stuck on the warmth and softness that made her brain virtually obsolete.

As Azzi opened the door, Paige only snapped slightly back into reality at the feeling of the wind hitting her cheeks. The burst of air washed over her the reality that she was going to have to communicate why she did what she did and apologize for her presumptuous actions. She couldn’t exactly take back the action, but she wanted Azzi to know she would do anything asked of her. Even if it meant never talking to Azzi again.

Paige’s heart dropped into her stomach a bit at the thought. Azzi’s smile earlier was the hope she needed that Azzi didn’t completely hate her.

It all felt a bit silly to Paige. The anxiety of apologizing for her actions sent her into a spiral that she should really be beyond as a grown adult, but here we were.

Azzi guided them to the bench that was tucked against the wall of the building. They were hidden in the little alcove from the window view.

“Azzi, I really need to apologize,” Paige started, her voice coming out steadier than she felt, “I completely crossed a line and that wasn’t okay. I don’t want to sit here and offer up excuses, I am going to explain why I did it. Looking back it was poor judgement, but I need you to hear why.”

Azzi’s hand hadn't left Paige’s and that was enough to somewhat ease the nerves that had overtaken her.

“You have been nothing but kind to me since I first came in here. The first time I came here was after a long night at work and people treating me as nothing more than a burden. I came in closer to closing and you never once made me feel like the nuisance I was certainly being.” Paige pauses at the sweet giggle Azzi tries to cover with her free hand, Paige smiles at that, “Each night I kept coming back. Not for the drinks or anything, but for you.”

Azzi flushes and tips her head down. The smile still etched into her face and Paige really wanted to sear this into her memory.

“You are truly meant to be working with people. You have a heart for others and it shows in everything you do. I have a problem of trying to help people and never fully understanding how to help them. When I went in and paid for your schooling, I wanted to ease a burden off the person who deserves it least in this entire world. I acted without thinking of your past that you have shared or how it would make you feel. Azzi, I am so sorry.”

Paige’s voice never waivers in her words. She stays steady despite her anxieties. She wanted to be honest at this moment and share her side with Azzi. She owed that to her.

“Paige,” Azzi started and Paige swore her name had never sounded so good in someone else’s voice, “I was hurt. I can’t lie and say I wasn’t. I was hurt because money has never been easy for me. It is never something anyone has been able to freely hand out. Money has always been this untouchable thing that was held above my head whenever someone expected something for or from me. I let my bad relationship with money dictate my response. You didn’t deserve that. I am sorry.”

Paige paused for a moment, “you know you have nothing to apologize for, right?”

Azzi’s hand tightened slightly around Paige’s own for just a brief second. Her smile was soft, though something sad was present as well.

“You’re too kind, but I absolutely do. My reaction wasn’t fair,” Azzi explains, “I won’t lie and say I don’t think I had reason to feel the way I did, but the reaction piece was not okay.”

Paige chewed on the ragged skin of her lip but nodded along to Azzi’s words. She didn’t want Azzi to feel like she had done anything wrong, but she needed to let her apologize if she felt that she needed to.

Paige hadn’t noticed that her thumb was tracing lazy, soothing circles on Azzi’s hand until Azzi looked down at their hands–still intertwined–and smiled. Paige smiled at Azzi.

“I’m sorry money has been used to take advantage of you, but please know I expect nothing in return. I just want life to be easier and you to be happy,” Paige’s voice was quiet in the shared space between them, Azzi’s eyes still shifting down.

“Why are you so nice to me?”

Azzi’s words were whispered but Paige felt as if they had been screamed in a way that packed a punch. She swore the weight of the words was heavier than anything she had ever felt. They were heavy and ugly in a way Paige couldn’t name. They came from an insecure place of having a limited experience with kindness and care.

“I care about you,” she pauses, “I think you are a really special person. Since I began coming in and the couple of times we have met up outside of here, you’ve come to mean a lot to me.”

Azzi looked up and met Paige’s eyes. They were dilated in a way that was more telling than she was ready to admit. Her cheeks slightly flushed but her grin was easy.

“I really like you, Paige. In a way that feels too immature to be dealing with someone of your age,” Azzi laughs in a self-depricating way but also at her own joke. Paige fakes a frown but breaks it up quickly with a laugh.

“I like you too, in a way that is too immature for my age,” Paige huffs out a small laugh and Azzi leans in smiling brightly. The space between them was smaller but the bubble they have created around them grew. “If we do this,” she starts back up, “I want to do this right. Treat you right. I want to get to know you and build something outside of Lusso.”

Paige gestured vaguely over her shoulder and Azzi looked back with a sigh, only slightly dimming at the mention of the bar behind them.

“I want to get to know you and really understand who Paige is. But I need to be clear, I can’t stop working here. I want to be prepared for clinicals and the final push of nursing school that will hit heavily starting next year.” Azzi was firm in a way that softened all the sharp edges Paige had around the idea.

Paige nodded. She wanted to explain how she was sorry–again–and offer to support her through all the shifts she worked. She knew that she couldn’t take back what she had done, but she knew it wouldn’t do her any good to explain she would do it over again if it meant easing the burden off of Azzi.

“But, I don’t disagree that this is too much,” Azzi said after a moment of carefully considering her words, Paige raised her eyebrow, “I am going to cut back to two shifts a week. Weekends only.”

Paige melted into a smile instantly at the idea. She nodded eagerly and squeezed Azzi’s hand slightly in an effort to remain composed but convey her emotions, “that sounds awesome, Az.”

The nickname was new. Azzi flushed at the implications. The two had not introduced nicknames, but Azzi knew it felt right the moment it left Paige’s mouth. Azzi grinned just as brightly and nodded.

“I talked to my manager, Alisha, today. She agreed to only weekends starting after this weekend.”

“Let me take you on a date…Monday night,” Paige’s excitement bubbled and blurted into her words, Azzi flushed.

“That would be nice,” Azzi’s voice shyer than it had been moments ago.

If they were going to do this, they were going to do this right.

✩*⢄⢁✧ --------- ✧ --------- ✧⡈⡠*✩

Azzi had been on first dates before. She had been on good ones, bad ones, and everything in between. What she hasn’t done is prepared for a date with someone she was so genuinely interested in. She was stressed out. More so than when she was taking her first anatomy exam–that was saying something.

“Dude, you look good, why are you so stressed?” Her best friend who is hundreds of miles away said through the crackling connection over FaceTime.

Azzi groaned. “KK, you don’t get it. She is over ten years older than me and hot as hell. I can’t walk in looking like a child who has no idea what she is doing.” Azzi has explained this a hundred times already, but KK still struggled to grasp what she was actually saying.

“You don’t look like a child who has no idea what they are doing,” KK’s voice was reassuring if not exasperated.

Azzi faced her mirror again looking down at the outfit. Paige hadn’t given her much direction or an idea of what they were doing. Her instructions were to dress cute. Azzi scoffs again at the message that rang through her head for hours after receiving the message.

Azzi was on her fourth outfit of the night and she knew Paige would likely be here within the next thirty minutes. She was stressed. So, she did what any normally stressed twenty-something year old would do. She called her best friend for reassurance.

This outfit was an off the shoulder fitted cream sweater. It was neatly tucked into a denim skirt that was snug around her waist with a dark brown belt. The skirt was the one part she was sure on–it made her ass look good. Underneath the skirt she had dark tights with dark brown boots with a slight heel. Her hair was braided slightly back and then left down in the back. She could acknowledge she looked good, but did she look good enough for Paige?

“Okay, Az, listen to me. You have been on more first dates than I can even remember. You know what you’re doing. She is used to seeing you in your work uniform, so I guarantee anything is a step up from that. This looks good. You look good. Go grab your coat and reapply your lipgloss. You’re good,” KK always knew what to say. She knew how to talk sense into Azzi.

“Thank you, KK,” Azzi’s voice conveyed her genuine appreciation. Everyone needed a KK.

Azzi’s phone buzzed as the two said their goodbyes. KK made her promise to call the following day with a play-by-play prepared for her. KK was nothing if not invested in Azzi’s love life.

Paige: I’m around 5 minutes out (:

Azzi: Third floor apartment 302, come on up when you’re here

Azzi panicked a little bit. Suddenly hyper aware of everywhere fabric was covering and everywhere it wasn’t. Was this too much for a first date? Oh my god, what if Paige thought she was a slut. Azzi winced at the thought.

She grabbed her purse making sure to fill it with her wallet, keys, lip gloss, and charger. You know. The essentials.

The knock at her door came far quicker than she was prepared for. It was soft and gave Azzi pause. She could do this. Paige was Paige and she wouldn’t judge Azzi. She was too kind for that.

With her hand on the door, she took a deep breath. In through her nose and out through her mouth before opening the door.

Damn. She failed to consider how Paige was so attractive her knees might give out. Maybe the boots weren’t a good idea.

Paige stood in front of her grinning with her hands in the pockets of baggy fitted light wash jeans. She had a white shirt and a black leather jacket that fit nicely over her shoulders. A chain necklace hung over the front of the shirt slightly. Her hair was slicked back into a neat pony tail. The cherry on top of it all? Glasses. She looked too good, Azzi might not survive.

After a moment of staring induced silence, Paige grinned even more. “Hi, Azzi.” Azzi flushed at the reminder Paige had eyes and could see her staring, “you look beautiful.” Azzi’s face might be on fire right now.

“Thank you,” Azzi tucks her head slightly down to avoid Paige’s eyes, “you look insane…I mean that positively.”

Paige chuckles at how flustered Azzi clearly is. “Thank you, Azzi.”

God, Azzi wasn’t going to survive if Paige kept saying her name.

“Are you ready?” Paige asks, relieving Azzi from the embarrassment she was feeling at being caught.

Azzi puts her coat on quietly and grabs her purse before nodding at Paige. She quietly steps out of her apartment, turning around and locking the door behind her.

“Could I hold your hand?” Paige asks politely and Azzi honest-to-God, almost melted. She had never gone on a date with someone polite enough to ask. Or someone who frames it as something they want instead of asking if Azzi wanted to hold hands. That was new.

“That would be nice,” Azzi smiles shyly. Paige holds her hand out and Azzi intertwines their fingers. It all felt so natural.

Paige led them through the hall, down the elevator, and to her car. Azzi didn’t know cars, but figured it had to be the nicest or newest SUV she had ever been in. This one was different from the one she had rode in previously with Paige.

“Watch your step,” Paige’s eyes were down as her hand stayed low on Azzi’s back helping her in. The SUV was high off the ground, and Azzi appreciated the support in getting up, especially with these damn shoes.

Once Azzi was comfortably inside on a heated seat, Paige smiled at her before closing the door and walking around to the driver’s side.

Azzi needed to get her shit together. She found everything Paige did so effortlessly cool and attractive. She might not survive a full date if she almost combusts at the sight of Paige walking around the car with a small grin to herself.

She made it to the driver’s door and got into the car with far more ease than Azzi had.

Then she had the nerve to do a one handed drive with the other hand stretched out towards Azzi. Paige didn’t say anything. She just smiled and nodded her head down towards her hand. She was offering it towards Azzi.

Azzi, once again, intertwined their fingers. She pulled their hands towards her lap and smiled out the window ahead of them.

“Are you going to tell me what we are doing?” Azzi turns her head towards Paige, whose eyes were directed on the road ahead of them with an intense focus.

A smirk works its way onto her face at Azzi’s words, “do you trust me?”

Azzi pouts at that, “you know the answer to that, but I think you should still tell me. Let me get my anxiety out of the way so I can focus on the date.” Paige just smirks more at Azzi’s words, not budging.

“Please, Paige,” Azzi whines, pulling at Paige’s arm lightly.

Paige was unfairly poor at her ability to ignore an Azzi pout. She knew that from an early experience with Azzi having an off night at work and Paige being willing to damn near go behind the bar herself.

Now at a red light she turned her attention to Azzi, who was pouting at her, “you mentioned the art exhibit being installed downtown. I got us some of the tickets, after that I have reservations at one of my favorite restaurants.”

Paige explained gently, turning her head right as the light turned green and eased the vehicle into motion. Azzi flushed. She briefly mentioned an art exhibition she had seen on social media maybe a month ago. Paige remembered and bought tickets. God, this girl was going to be too good for her.

“Paige,” Azzi starts and Paige hums in acknowledgement but doesn’t turn her attention away from the road, “thank you.”

Paige pauses at that slightly. She shifts her eyes quickly to Azzi and smiles before turning her attention back to the road.

“You’re welcome. You said you wanted to go, so I hope you like it.” Paige replies and Azzi feels her cheeks start to hurt as she grins in response.

Azzi let those words hang in the air around them. The ride shifted to silence, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. No, instead Azzi looked out the window while she relished in the feeling of Paige’s thumb soothingly rubbing at the skin just where their hands met. Paige’s hand was steady but warm. As if she carried an absolute certainty of life and lived experiences.

It was weird for her to feel so comfortable so immediately, but around Paige, she just was. The two of them had settled into silence on the busiest nights in the bar, and now they could handle the silence in the car. It didn’t hurt that Azzi kept looking over and taking note of Paige’s side profile.

The way the sun hit her lashes. The lashes are long and curved almost in motion with the sun. Her nose perfectly sloped in a way that made Azzi want to run her finger along the edge. Down to her lips, which looked perfectly soft and slightly rugged from the skin she has chewed in the midst of anxious moments. Her jaw was set, though not angrily. Rather, it was in its default state. Paige was solid and sculpted in a way that showed just how perfect she might be. God, there weren’t enough positive ways to describe the Paige Azzi saw.

“We’re here,” Paige said with a light squeeze on Azzi’s hand, softly snapping Azzi’s attention off the side of her face. Azzi smiled lightly, with a flush high on her cheeks at being caught. Paige, of course, didn’t tease or even acknowledge this.

Paige let go of Azzi’s hand and walked around to help Azzi out of the car. They were at an old brick building downtown. There were high windows that showed the relative emptiness inside. The bright lights filter out through the windows showing the large displays of sculpted art with the occasional framed piece hung on the walls.

The artist was a local woman who centered her work in this exhibit on the growth and development a woman might experience through her changing life. With all the change she had experienced since beginning school and deciding to establish herself away from home, she had really resonated with the concept.

She had gone into great detail explaining to Paige the importance of this art work and Paige had listened. Not only had she listened she had made it clear she heard her. She brought her here.

“Thank you for bringing me here,” Azzi softly reiterated her gratitude. She couldn’t begin to explain how much it meant to her that Paige had thought of what she wanted.

“Seriously, you’re welcome, Azzi,” Paige quickly found Azzi’s hand again.

Azzi had never been super big on physical touch as a majorly important part of her relationships, but Paige made it so easy. Her touch was more grounding and soft than anything Azzi was used to.

“You know, I really like how you do that,” Azzi mused after Paige had led the two of them through the entrance with tickets in hand.

Paige hummed, waiting for Azzi to elaborate, “do what?”

“You always say my name,” Azzi flushed, realizing how she sounded, “it sounds so silly, but it shows me that you value me as an individual.”

Paige looks at her for a moment as she reaches out for Azzi’s coat, “what do you mean? Of course I value you as an individual.” She tilts her head to the side.

“Well in every other world, I am just my role. Hey bartender, hey nurse, hey you,” Azzi starts, “but I am always Azzi to you and that really means a lot to me. Plus I don’t think anyone says my name quite as nicely as you.”

Azzi leans in to nudge shoulders with Paige with a small laugh.

The two fall into a comfortable quiet as they work their way through the exhibition. Azzi occasionally points out a few pieces providing light commentary as it comes to her. Paige will provide her own commentary, usually lighthearted with the goal of making Azzi giggle. Paige might’ve thought there was no sound better than it.

“You really might be the smartest person I have ever met,” Paige said at one moment of silence, Azzi immediately flushing at the words.

“Well, you might need to meet some new people then,” Azzi deflects with a small laugh, ducking her head.

They round a corner into the last stretch of sculptures.

“I’m serious, the way you see things and just seem to understand them is unlike anything I have ever seen. You have such a power in the way you see things and how you can convey that, I really enjoy listening to what you have to say,” Paige’s voice never once shifts outside of the soft tone Azzi has realized is reserved for her.

The two of them finish making their way through the exhibit and find themselves outside the door. Paige helps Azzi drape her coat over her shoulders, the two of them leaning closely in towards each other, hands almost immediately finding each other.

Paige leads the way towards the bar which was only a block away from the exhibit. Paige having carefully planned their date made sure that the weather was reasonable enough through the chilly walk to the restaurant.

By the time they were at the restaurant, Azzi was just starting to feel the discomfort of the chill. Paige quickly ushered them inside towards the hostess introducing them as a reservation for Bueckers. The hostess guided them towards a secluded table near the back corner with soft faded lighting.

“This place is beautiful,” Azzi lets out as she looks around, the dim lighting added to the ambience of the place. Each table with a center warm light hanging over and a tealight candle in the middle of the table. This place was far nicer than anything she had ever been to.

“My parents brought me here when I got a promotion a few years back, I have been coming back ever since,” Paige explains gently as she lifts the menu, “apparently a couple of family friends opened this place so I also get a nice discount.”

Azzi looked at the menu and immediately felt overwhelmed by the amount of options. She wasn’t necessarily the most indecisive person, but this was a lot.

“What would you recommend?” Azzi asked and Paige returned her full attention to Azzi.

“Do you have a preference on pasta, greens, or protein based meals?” Paige asks, unwilling to recommend something that Azzi truly might not like.

“Greens or grain based are usually my go-to meals,” Azzi explains, trying to quickly scan the menu for anything that might fall into that category.

“If you look on the second page,” she pauses to allow Azzi time to flip, “there is a Moroccan bowl that might be good for your taste.” Paige was so patient, not once sounding annoyed at Azzi flipping through and reading the items that she was describing.

Azzi read through and agreed that it did sound good. She immediately felt the burden of having to choose from so many options ease off of her.

When the waitress came around to take their order, Paige smoothly offered to do the talking and Azzi nodded gratefully.

The two of them continued to move with ease, seeming to respond exactly to what the other needed and never once feeling like they had to fill the space. Azzi easily picked up when Paige needed her time just as Paige was doing for her.

“I had a really great time,” Azzi’s voice was quiet as they stood outside her apartment, Paige had walked her up after their date and neither seemed to want the night to end.

“I did too,” Paige’s voice was just as quiet, her eyes flicking downwards toward Azzi’s mouth. She hadn’t meant to, the action more mindless than anything else. But Azzi noticed.

“Would you want to come in for a bit?” Azzi’s voice was quiet but sure. Paige nodded.

Azzi turned towards her door unlocking it as Paige settled her hands gently on Azzi’s waist. The action was grounding, much like everything else Paige had done for Azzi. The door finally opened and Azzi led them inside, taking off her shoes and coat, inviting Paige to do the same.

She gestures towards the couch while offering to go get them glasses of water. Paige listens of course and Azzi takes only a few moments to allow herself to breathe and grin to herself before returning quietly with the glasses, setting them on the coasters in front of them.

Paige turns sideways so she is facing Azzi, sitting on one foot with her elbow propped against the back of the couch. She leans her head on her hand and just looks at Azzi.

“You look really good,” she doesn’t mean for the words to slip out, but of course they do. She doesn’t even let herself feel embarrassed as Azzi copies the sitting position but leans in a bit closer.

“Thank you, Paige. You look really good as well,” Azzi smiles and leans forward slightly.

Paige quietly gets the message and leans forward to meet Azzi. She stops about a breath away and looks in Azzi’s eyes one more time for any hesitations. Azzi just smiles before closing her eyes and meeting Paige.

The kiss was something out of books. Their lips seem to melt together in a way that would be unrealistic if Azzi read it in a book, but felt just right as their mouths collided. Paige’s lips were soft and moisturized with the slight roughness from being chewed at.

Their mouths moved in perfect tandem. Paige’s hand reached out to softly hold at the side of Azzi’s face. Azzi tilts her head to lean into the touch. As she shifts her positioning, her mouth falls open slightly.

Paige pulls back for just a moment, looking for any change of mind in Azzi. Seeing none, she uses both hands to pull Azzi in closer and meet their mouths in more assured, open-mouthed kisses. Their tongues quickly found each other.

Azzi felt a rising heat in her body at how perfect they seemed to fit together. Wherever one ended the other started right back up. Azzi pushed in more trying to deepen the kiss even further. Paige pulled back. Azzi immediately frowned at the action.

“Did I do something wrong?” she barely let Paige put distance between them before the words were tumbling out of her mouth.

Confusion immediately crossed Paige’s features, “what? No, of course not.” She sighed and turned her head to the side slightly, “I don’t want to stop, that’s the problem.” She chuckles.

Now Azzi was confused. After a moment of silence, Paige looked back over, noting the confusion on Azzi’s face. “I’m confused,” Azzi said, Paige noting her lips swollen and kiss slicked.

“I told you I wanted to do this right, I didn’t want you to think I was taking advantage of you after everything that has happened,” Paige reaches out grabbing Azzi’s hands that started to ball into a fist in her lap, “I want to be with you for more than this.”

Azzi softens at the words, “Paige, I know that. You have made that very clear. You planned a date that showed you listen and then continued to ease every worry that crossed my mind. I'm not doing this because I feel like I owe you. I am doing this because I want to.”

Paige looked for any sign of anything in Azzi’s eyes, but she saw none, “Okay, but I want you to tell me if at any point this is something that you don’t want.”

Azzi nodded with a grin before reaching out with both hands on either side of Azzi’s face, pulling her in gently. Immediately, the heat that had been present moments ago is surrounding them. Their mouths tangled quickly with each other.

Any signs of hesitations were not present and instead a heat was growing between the two of them. Paige’s hands settle on the sides of Azzi’s sweater pulling her body closer. Azzi pulls back from the kiss needed to catch her breath.

Paige took the moment to kiss down the side of Azzi’s jaw. Azzi’s hands drop and Paige takes advantage of the new found space to put one hand behind Azzi’s head tilting her to the side. Paige wants to taste every inch of Azzi. Her mouth makes quick work of the skin. Her open-mouthed movements leave a trail of her on Azzi that does something entirely too hot for Paige.

Azzi’s hands work their way up to Paige’s shoulders and are sliding under the shoulders of her jacket. Paige quickly receives the message and pulls back slightly to get the jacket off quickly. Azzi responds by putting her hands under the bottom edges of Paige’s shirt. Paige’s stomach tightens under the touch.

“Can I take this off?” Azzi’s voice was thick but quiet with her eyes hooded over. Paige bites her lips but nods, “your’s too.”

The two separate only for a moment letting their hands make quick work of the shirts. Paige uses a moment to look at Azzi.

Fuck, Azzi looked insane. Her skin easily flushed red with a layer of heat visible from the slight sweat beading at the top of her chest. Azzi’s bra was a black lace thing that showed off her full tits in a way that made Paige’s mouth water.

Azzi reached down between them grabbing Paige’s hand. Paige looks up to meet Azzi’s eyes. Azzi’s eyes still hooded over as she pulls Paige’s hand to her chest. Paige immediately notices the heat of Azzi’s skin and Azzi begins pushing her hand down to wrap around the fullness of her chest. Azzi’s hand still on top of Paige’s squeezes and lets out a breath that was more of a whimper than anything else.

“You’re so beautiful,” Paige’s voice cracks but she is immediately leaning back in to press her mouth to the newly exposed skin.

She makes quick work of kissing and sucking until she reaches the edge of Azzi’s bra. Her hands wrap around towards the back, blindly undoing the buckle. Her eyes shift upwards and meet Azzi’s in a way that immediately jolts towards her core.

Azzi reaches forward and gently pulls the hair tie holder out of Paige’s hair. Her nails immediately scrape through the hair, as soon as Paige has shifted the bra off of her shoulders.

Paige’s mouth finds Azzi’s nipple immediately mouthing at the skin. Azzi’s hands tangle in Paige’s hair, pulling her back lightly. Paige could’ve sworn her pupils would be completely blown out if Azzi looked too closely, but luckily for her, Azzi stands up and pushes Paige’s shoulders softly into the back of the couch. Azzi takes a step back, clad in just her tights and skirt.

Paige’s hands reach out for Azzi’s hips but are quickly swatted away as Azzi grins down at her, “fuck, you are insane, you know that?”

Azzi laughs a little but shrugs, “maybe.”

One single word was enough for Paige to start feeling discomfort at the growing wet spot in her underwear.

Azzi stood still in front of her before reaching towards the front button of her skirt. She paused and when Paige’s eyes finally met hers, she could see Azzi continue her movements.

“Eyes up here,” Azzi’s voice was sultry in a way that was way hotter than she had any right being.

Paige listened, because of course she did. Her eyes stayed with Azzi’s as the movements continued. The sound of the button and zipper being undone settled easily into Paige’s skin. Azzi reached forward slowly grabbing Paige’s hands, setting them on her waist.

“Help me get this off,” Paige immediately obeyed, gently tugging the fabric past Azzi’s ass, the tights easily coming with the skirt.

Using the top of the skirt, Paige pushed it down her legs, but leaned forward to follow the skin slowly with her mouth. Azzi was so warm everywhere and Paige felt every instinct pull her towards the heat, pulling her towards Azzi.

Azzi now stood in just a lace black pair of panties. She was the most beautiful person or thing Paige had ever seen. Paige’s eyes move slowly back up to meet Azzi’s as her hands settle on her waist. Azzi grinned down at Paige and ran her hand along the side of Paige’s face pushing the hair behind her ear.

“Fuck,” Paige groans, eyes pinching shut for a moment, “I’m trying really hard to be respectful right now.”

Azzi settles one knee on the side of Paige, her hands on Paige’s shoulders. This left her chest dangerously close to where Paige’s breath would be hitting. Goosebumps erupting all over her body.

“How insane of me would it be to ask you to ride my face right now?” Azzi immediately moaned, the words having the desired effect on her. Her body slick with heat and now her own arousal, no doubt coating her and her thighs.

“God, I want that so badly,” she responds instead and Paige looks up at her.

“Step back for a second, ma,” Paige’s hand rubs soothingly down Azzi’s side and lands just for a moment on her ass, kneading slightly at the skin. Azzi pulls back until Paige can adjust. She leans to the side, letting her weight settle horizontally.

Paige pulls at Azzi’s hip slightly bringing her back to where she was, Azzi’s clothed pussy now directly in front of Paige’s face. So close, yet just out of reach.

Paige’s hand rubs down Azzi’s ass and the back of her leg until she is pulling her knee closer and lighting slightly. Azzi gets the message quickly and lifts her leg over to the other side of Paige’s face.

“Paige, your glasses,” Azzi reminds as Paige’s hands pull down on her hips, slightly encouraging her to settle.

“I don’t care,” her voice was desperate and Azzi felt the air from her words hit her core, “Please ride my fucking glasses,” Paige's eyes meet Azzi’s and Azzi just lets out a huff of air before nodding.

With one leg over her face, Azzi settles down slightly. She reaches down to pull her panties to the side, one finger trailing through her arousal. The feeling immediately caused her to lean forward and finally settle down.

Paige’s hands reach up and push the underwear to the side, nudging Azzi’s hand out of the way. Her mouth makes quick work of licking a stripe from Azzi entrance to her clit. She immediately moans at a taste so distinctly Azzi. The vibrations caused Azzi to shudder slightly.

“You taste so good, ma,” Paige groans out, using her free hand to wrap around Azzi’s hip.

Azzi had heard that before, heard it in the heat of sex. But with Paige she genuinely believed it. With the movements Paige followed with, not letting up for even a moment, Azzi believed her. Paige’s mouth alternated between licking and sucking in a way that Azzi couldn’t help but believe her.

“Fuck, Paige, so good with your mouth,” Azzi whispers down, one hand on the arm rest and the other moving into Paige’s hair, brushing it out of her face.

Paige responds simply with a harsh suck on Azzi’s clit that had Azzi moaning out her name. She really wished she didn’t live in an apartment.

Azzi shifts her hips forward slightly, feeling the edge of Paige’s glasses and the brush of her nose against her clit. She tightens her grip in Paige’s hair at the feeling and Paige moans again.

Paige shifts her focus to Azzi’s clit as she takes the hand on Azzi’s hips and moves it back to reach a finger up to circle in the arousal gathering near Azzi’s entrance. She drags her finger through before gently pushing inside.

“Jesus,” Azzi moans out, leaning forward slightly.

Paige takes the encouragement and continues to flick her tongue across Azzi’s clit as her finger slowly pumps in and out of Azzi. The noise fills the living room as Azzi’s arousal sounds out.

“Add another, please,” Azzi’s eyes tighten shut and she quickly realizes she was going to come with a very embarrassing quickness, “c’mon Paige, need another, gonna come soon.” Azzi’s voice was whiny and her hand tightened again in Paige’s hair, hoping to hurry the older woman up.

Paige obliged and quickly pulled her finger out before lining two up. She slowly drags them through the arousal meeting her tongue that has not let up despite the slight edge in her jaw.

Azzi feels the fingers right there and tightens her core a moment before settling down on the fingers and further onto Paige’s face.

“C’mon, beautiful, use me, use my face,” Paige mumbles into Azzi and Azzi feels each word as they leave Paige’s mouth.

She nods eagerly despite how Paige couldn’t see her. She settles her weight and rides Paige’s face, eagerly seeking her approaching climax while Paige’s fingers move inside of her. She felt the building of her orgasm and detangled her hand from Paige’s hair, instead leaning both hands on the arm rest and she pushed her core further into Paige’s face.

Paige responded with eagerness, picking up the pace of her fingers and pressing her tongue flatly against Azzi’s clit, still moving in firm circles.

Azzi rocked back and forth as the feeling built, her pace picked up until it all became too much. She snapped as her orgasm rocked through her. She leaned forward catching herself on the back rest of the couch with one arm as she moaned out loudly.

Paige licked her through it and kept her fingers moving, slowing down as she worked Azzi through the aftershocks of it.

“Jesus, Paige,” Azzi breathily moans out with a slight laugh.

She eases herself slowly off of Paige’s fingers and face instead sliding back to settle onto Paige’s hips. Paige grins and she leans up on her elbows, catching sight of Azzi shakily catching her breath.

“Damn,” was all Paige said as she moved her fingers that had just been inside Azzi to her mouth, eagerly licking the taste off of her fingers.

“You’re really good with your mouth,” Azzi groans out leaning forward to settle her head on Paige’s chest, now fully laying on top of her.

Paige lays back down, huffing a small laugh and wrapping an arm around Azzi’s shoulders. Azzi felt Paige move underneath her as she reached towards the side, hands finding her shirt which she pulled up, likely using to wipe the arousal that remained off of her face.

“Thank you, beautiful,” Paige settles on, reaching her hand forward, settling on Azzi’s back, nails gently working up and down her back.

“Need a minute before I get you right,” Azzi mumbles sleepily into Paige’s still clothed chest, Paige snorts at the girl.

“I’m good, ma. You just take the time you need and rest. You don’t have to do anything,” Paige kisses at the top of her head, and Azzi sighs contentedly into the touch.

“Want to” she leans up so her chin is resting on Paige’s chest and she is looking Paige in the eyes.

“I mean I won’t say no,” Paige grins and Azzi jokingly rolls her eyes, “but seriously take your time, beautiful.”

They lay like that for a bit longer, Azzi settled on top of Paige’s chest, snuggled and feeling her warmth easily.

“Hey, Paige,” Azzi starts after a few moments of them laying like this.

“Hmm,” Paige’s eyes were closed, but Azzi was sure she was awake based on the hand that hadn’t stopped rubbing up and down her back.

“Does it make me young and corny to ask you to be my girlfriend,” Paige opens her eyes at this and smiles down at Azzi who was already looking at her.

“Damn, the head that good?” Paige jokes and Azzi rolls her eyes, swatting at Paige’s chest.

“Shut up, I’m serious,” Azzi pouts, Paige laughs at Azzi lightly rubbing her hand down the side of Azzi’s face.

“No, it doesn’t make you young and corny. It makes you a few steps ahead of me,” Paige smiles softly and Azzi flushes at the implication.

Azzi doesn’t respond for a moment, she just grins brightly at Paige who was still settled underneath her weight. She looked at the girl who not too long ago was just another customer at the bar she worked at. She supposes that wasn’t a full truth, Paige had never really been just another customer. She has always been a bit more than that.

“So will you,” her voice was quiet but the weight of the words hit Paige just the same, “will you be my girlfriend?”

Paige just smiled down at her with a dopey look entirely too fond of the girl who lay atop of her.

“Nothing would make me happier,” Paige smiles before shifting her weight slightly and pulling herself up to meet Azzi’s face. She grins leaning in and meeting their mouths in a kiss far softer than anything they had done today.

It doesn’t stay that way too long before Paige is cashing in on the promise of Azzi returning the favor.

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