Author's note -

Those of you who follow me on Tumblr (hello!) will recognise this drabble - it's part of a series that grew and grew, and I'm now moving it over here as this rather angsty fic has some way to go yet! It was based on a prompt (which I will not yet reveal, as it's a spoiler for those of you who haven't read this story yet).

Special thanks to the wonderful team at Allen Leech Online, who shared the image of Allen (taken on his visit to Australia - yay!) that I've used to illustrate this story.

As always, I love to hear what you think! :)

Chapter 1

"And it's 61-48, Knicks-Hawks, at the end of the second quarter, it's still anyone's game …"

The crowd was close to raising the roof at Madison Square Garden as the players left the court. Gwen waved down the guy selling hot dogs and beer, then turned to Sybil.

"Isn't this so much fun! Now aren't you glad I dragged you over here to visit me in New York!"

Sybil smiled at her friend. "I certainly needed a break now that exams are over," she agreed. "And we were so lucky to get these tickets on my last night, weren't we? How did you do it?"

Gwen winked, putting a finger to the side of her nose. "Let's just say I have a guy."

"You're such a local already, aren't you?" They shared a grin.

"Kiss, kiss, kiss!" the crowd chanted. Sybil looked up to see what all the fuss was about, and saw something that made her gasp. Her face, several feet high, paired with the face of a total stranger in the next seat.

Oh my God, what do I do now!

Still staring at herself, she saw the man recognise his own face on screen. They turned towards each other in the same moment and she felt a fluttery sensation in her stomach as a gaze as blue-green as a tropical ocean met hers.

"Um, this is rather an awkward s-situation, isn't it," she stammered.

"You could say that!" He gave her a crooked smile.

"What should we do?"

"Well, it does seem a shame to let the crowd down, doesn't it?"

Sybil remained silent for a beat as they stared at each other, and that was just long enough. As if mesmerised, she leaned towards him, her eyes closing as she felt his fingers rest gently on her throat.

It started out soft and sweet, their mouths barely touching. Then, she surprised herself by putting her hand on his shoulder, sliding it around to rest on the back of his neck. Everything changed after that.

A deep groan escaped him as he deepened the kiss. As his arm came around her, pulling her closer, the world beyond his embrace vanished, no more than a memory. All she could feel was him.

When he lifted his lips from hers, she felt a physical ache at being parted from him, and let out a whimper only he could hear. Then, she realised the camera was still on them as the crowd clapped, cheered and stamped their feet, showing their approval of what they had just seen.

She looked up at him through her eyelashes, heart still racing in her chest. Their eyes locked as his hand found hers, and he traced a path across her palm with one finger in a way that sent a shiver up and down her spine.

"I don't suppose…"

He didn't finish his sentence, but that didn't matter. Whatever he wanted to ask, Sybil already knew her answer.