A/N: This is SUPER short, and I am not 100% happy with it, but I felt like posting it anyway. Enjoy! And afterwards...well, you know what to do.
"You're missing out on the party," Sasha said from the doorway of MJ's grand apartment. Payson smiled at him over her shoulder, taking a sip of her club soda and lime, and then turning back to the London skyline.
"Not much of a party person," she shrugged. He crossed the terrace and leaned against the iron railing next to her. He took in the skyline for a moment and then turned his head to study her; in the two and a half years since he'd known her she had grown from an unsure young girl to a poised, gorgeous woman, and sometimes the transformation still astounded him.
"Congratulations," Sasha said softly. Payson smiled.
"Thanks. I actually have something for you," Payson reached into her small purse and pulled out something clenched in her fist. Sasha wondered what it could possibly be, until she opened her hand and let it tumble from her grip, the edge of the ribbon looped around her finger. It glinted in the moonlight, swinging back and forth like a pendulum.
He reached out slowly and took it from her, the weight heavy in his palm and familiar. He let the ribbon slip through his fingers and ran his thumb over the face before turning it over.
Payson Keeler, London 2012
"As I recall, you were supposed to give me back my medal," Sasha reminded her. She bit her lip, smiling, and Sasha wondered if she realized how beautiful she was.
"I've gotten sort of attached to it," she giggled. Sasha sighed, pretending to be put out.
"I suppose this one will have to do," he teased.
"I've got five others if you don't like that one," Payson said, laughing. They fell into an easy silence enjoying the view and each other's company for what could be the last time.
"Have you thought about what you'll do now?" Sasha asked, slipping the medal into his suit coat pocket. Payson was silent for a long time, just staring out over the city. Sasha wondered if she would answer him at all, part of him hoping she wouldn't. As long as she didn't, he could pretend that she'd stay in Boulder with him forever.
"I don't know. Mom and Dad want to move back to Minnesota so they don't have to spend so much time apart."
"Would you go with them?" Payson shrugged, purposefully not looking at him.
"I guess. There's not really anything keeping me in Boulder, now that I'm not a gymnast anymore," Payson said sadly. Silence stretched between them for a few more moments and Sasha gathered the courage to say what he wanted to say. For years they had been resisting the attraction and deep affection that always seemed to be there, no matter what. They'd grown to be close friends, and Sasha trusted her more than he trusted anyone, but they had never pushed beyond that. It went unspoken between them that they couldn't, and now Sasha worried that he may have lost his chance.
"What if there was?" Sasha asked. Payson straightened and turned her whole body to face him. He did the same. Their eyes met and held and tension jumped between them. Sasha could read the question in her eyes, the cautious hope.
He took a step, closing the distance between them, and reached for her, grabbing her by the hip and pulling her in until their bodies pressed against each other. They both paused there, waiting to see what would happen. Sasha knew if he moved forward he would be crossing a line that couldn't be uncrossed.
"Sasha," she breathed, and that was all the encouragement he needed. He leaned in then, and pressed his lips against hers. Payson sucked in a breath, melting into him and parting her lips beneath his.
They kissed endlessly, exploring each other and this newness between them that felt like the only right thing in the world. Sasha wondered how they'd made it so long without taking this step, how'd they managed to so easily gloss right over it.
"Stay," Sasha asked as they parted. Payson pressed her forehead to his, smiling.
"Forever."