The response I got to the first chapter was incredibly overwhelming. I'm so glad that you all liked it and can't wait to go further with the story (which, as you can see, I'm doing right now).
In regards to my lovely anon (who's review has been deleted), I clearly said, even before you clicked to open the story, that if you disliked the pairing, don't read. That's all I'm going to say. Do what you will, stop reading my other stories if you're so against what I write, but if you don't like, don't read.
DISCLAIMER: This is purely fictional. I'm in no way affiliated with either Lucy or Ian. Everything in this story is something that popped into my head.
Come on skinny love just last the year.
Pour a little salt, we were never here.
Once her feet reached the tarmac, Lucy could feel the pulse of New York City vibrating through her entire body. Sure, LaGuardia was a little ways out from the heart of it all, but she wasn't very far from the city that had claimed her heart much more than Los Angeles ever had. California held her career, but deep down, Lucy knew that later in life, she'd find her way back to New York. She'd have herself a little townhouse and perhaps would sing on the stage. But the future depended on the now and Lucy was going to do her best to set things in the direction that she wanted them to head. Her rolling suitcase was probably being transported to the carousel, causing Lucy to walk fast in order not to miss it. She had it packed to the brim with clothing, seeing that she wasn't heading back to Los Angeles until the New Year or possibly later.
Her Yankees baseball cap shaded her face from anyone recognizing her, at least, so Lucy hoped. A few people stared and one asked for an autograph, which so nicely accepted, but refused to take pictures. She wasn't exactly in the mood to give an everlasting smile to the camera. Lucy's manicured hand went up to touch the brim of the cap and sighed. More often than not did she and Ian debate on sports teams, even with the little knowledge that they knew of them. He fought for the Red Sox, which she continuously went back at him with the Yankees.
"You know they're better," Ian chimed, swiping the hat from Lucy's hair as they walked to Crafty. The petite brunette jumped up, trying to take it from his hands, but Ian raised his arm upwards so that any attempts to jump on Lucy's part would be squashed.
"That's not fair," she pouted, her hand grappling towards the brim of the baseball cap. "Just because you like the opposing team doesn't mean you can steal my hat."
"Ah, yes. But, the fact that you refuse to admit the Red Sox are better gives me grounds to take the hat. I could even destroy it as contraband."
Lucy's brow furrowed as an amused smirk appeared on her lips. "You make no sense sometimes," she jested and that was all the incentive Ian needed to plot the hat back on her head.
Her luggage had just come around the carousel as Lucy got to the area. Walking over quickly, she grabbed the suitcase with hast and made her way out of the airport. Today was going to be challenging enough as it was without navigating through the crowded airport. After going to the event for Duracell to give back to children in need this Christmas season, she'd be back in LaGuardia to jet off to Memphis for Thanksgiving. Lucy somewhat regretted not giving enough time to venture around the city this go around, but that was why she allotted enough days after the ABC Family Upfronts at the beginning of the next month to spend some time gallivanting.
The shuttle to take her into the city was ready and waiting for her when Lucy came to the sidewalk. A man came out and helped her with her luggage and she climbed into the small SUV without another word or look behind her. If anything, Lucy wanted to be caught up in the city, so much so that she couldn't take a moment to really ponder her thoughts. But, the forty five minute car ride alone seemed to be challenging her. Lucy took out her earphones, hoping that blasting a bit of music would drown out the pestering ideas that kept popping into her hand. However, the sample tracks she'd laid down the previous week in the studio weren't numbing her mind. If anything, the melody coming over the small buds reminded her of her misery. It had been a new song she'd written on the spot; one about feelings that had gone unnoticed for quite some time.
Sighing, she shut off the music app on her phone and cast her gaze out the window to watch the building go passing by. Perhaps time alone would be a good thing. There was no doubt in her mind that if someone like Claire had come along with her, it would've been impossible to get any thinking done. Lucy needed to decide what she wanted and what her options were and fast. Keeping things suppressed was a learning curve for the brunette; more than often, not speaking up or facing things was detrimental rather than beneficial. Soon enough did her eyes drift shut, exhausted from the plane ride and slight time difference that the East Coast had to offer.
I tell my love to wreck it all.
Cut out all the ropes and let me fall.
Ian felt entirely frazzled as his plane came rolling into LaGuardia airport that afternoon. At first, the aircraft had engine trouble, so they needed to switch to another. Then that one was running late. By the time his plane finally took off, Ian was worried he wouldn't make it to New York on time and Lucy would already be heading off to Nashville. Luckily, there was still time as he grabbed his carryon and headed down to get the luggage, which consisted of one suitcase. Ian wasn't picky with his clothing. A few shirts and pairs of jeans would do him good along with a suit and various button down shirts to pair with it. Nobody recognized Ian under his newsboy-esque cap and sunglasses and that was just the way he intended things to be. Any photos or autographs would hold him up for sure.
As he grabbed his bag and jetted off to a waiting taxi, Ian tossed a few bills to the driver and gave him the address of the Duracell event before finally relaxing in his seat. As the world went flying past him, he thought of his rash decision to fly out. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that he wasn't there to just try and win Lucy over. He was going out to redeem himself as a friend. The past few months had played back in his head, and while at first, Lucy had been the one shutting him out, the card suddenly switched to where it was his being the culprit, his biggest felony being the party the other night. What happened to the Lucy and Ian that told each other everything? The more he pondered the question, the more Ian was determined to find out and fix it.
"What are you watching?" Ian poked his head into Lucy's dressing room to find her camped out on her couch with her laptop open on her lap. A slight smile was splayed on her face as she watched something on the screen. Curious, he made his way over, one eyebrow quirked upwards.
"Friends," Lucy replied, not taking her eyes off the screen. She shifted so that Ian could take a seat next to her and made the volume louder so that he could hear the dialogue. "Sometimes, I wish I could have a group of friends like theirs; one crazy enough to dance around in a fountain or something with me." She sighed, Ian realizing that she was, without a doubt, talking about the fountain from the show that was on their lot.
"Sucks," he joked, earning a punch on the shoulder from Lucy. "But, you have me and that's got to count for something, right?"
"Right," Lucy agreed, resting her head on his shoulder as the television sitcom continued to play across the screen. Ian looked down, sighing in contentment. Nothing could've been more perfect in that moment.
The taxi cab pulled up to the auditorium that the event was to be taking place. Ian jumped out, taking his carryon bag with his and suitcase trailing behind him as he walked in. To anyone on the street, he would've looked absurd, but Ian was barely fazed by any passing glances. He had one goal set in mind and that was pushing through those doors to get to Lucy inside. He only prayed that he wasn't too late. Upon entering, he saw a small room for coats and set his along with his bags aside in there. The lobby was vacant, but he could hear noises beyond the door; a cheer that could only be from a corral of children. He pushed open the door, smiling at the sight he saw. Standing above the seat of children was Lucy on a stage, looking radiant as ever as the curtain behind her pushed back to reveal a mountain of toys.
Who will love you?
Who will fight?
Who will fall far behind?
Lucy swore she almost dropped the microphone when whirling around from the toys that were piled up on the stage behind her. To any other person, he would've been undetectable, but Lucy could always pick Ian out of a crowd. He stood in the back, bangs matted against his forehead by his cap. The first few buttons were undone on his plaid button down to reveal a slight bit of chest hair and she smiled in fondness. His chest hair had always been Ian's signature trade mark and he was always devastated when having to shave it off for shirtless scenes. Realizing that she hadn't been speaking for a good two minutes, Lucy coughed and then pushed a smile back on her lips. "And with that, Happy Holidays," she spoke into the microphone and gave a little wave before heading off the stage. A round of cheers from children sounded as parents escorted them to the stage to pick out one of the toys.
The heels of her booties were high, but that didn't stop Lucy from propelling herself towards Ian in the back of the room. She couldn't help but feel elated that he'd come all this way for her. It wasn't some coincidence; Lucy hadn't told anyone about her taking part in this until she tweeted about it earlier. Ian had come specifically for her. It made her heart race and pound against her ribcage and slight tears spring to her eyes. Ian stood in front of her with outstretched arms, waiting to receive her. At first, he was shocked she was so willing to come towards him. Ian expected Lucy to be cautious. But when she threw herself into his arms, something told him that things would be okay.
"What are you doing here," she asked, her voice muffled into his shoulder. Lucy's face was pressed against Ian's chest, listening to the steady sound of his heartbeat. It soothed her nerves and helped her realize that he was truly here and standing right in front of her.
"I haven't been there for you enough," Ian replied, a hand rubbing up and down her back. He could feel the chiffon type fabric of her shirt. "I've been a bad friend, but not only that, there have been things I've been feeling and I…"
It took a lot for him to admit the words that he'd been trying to deny for the entirety of a year, but Lucy's hand over his mouth silenced him. "Thank God it's not just me," she sighed, pulling her cheek away from the left side of Ian's chest to look at him. "It's too hard denying things."
Ian chuckled, tilting her face up towards his. Surprisingly, nobody seemed to be paying attention to them in the back of the room, even with Lucy being the host of the event. The children were too busy playing with their new toys and the parents ogling over the gifts. It was the perfect opportunity. Chastely, Ian placed his lips against hers. For a fleeting moment, they embarked up a kiss until Lucy pulled away, looking over her shoulder down to the floor. There was no ignoring the sparks that erupted between them, but she couldn't continue this. Not when she was still confused about what she really wanted.
"What is it," Ian asked, noticing her expression. His mind began to jump into overdrive. Perhaps she had been talking about denying different things than he was. Biting his lip, nerves swirled in the pit of his stomach and wouldn't rest during the long silence that seemed to be lingering between them. Lucy's hazel eyes gaped up at him, still registering what had happened while Ian's blue ones were filled with worry. Finally, Lucy shook her head.
"It's nothing. It's me. I…I know what I've been feeling Ian. And it's been more than just platonic. But, I can't just jump into something right now without really thinking about what I want. And you can't either." Lucy looked up at him sheepishly.
"What are you saying?"
"What I'm saying," Lucy spoke carefully. Her fingers, painted a bright red, pushed a stray curl away from Ian's face. His hair had been growing out longer as filming began to wrap up. When her hand went down to press against his cheek, Ian couldn't help but sigh in relief whilst leaning against her palm. "I'm saying that we both go home to our respective Thanksgiving celebrations and take the time to think about what we want. Then, when we come back for the upfronts, we'll talk and figure things out. I just can't jump into something and jeopardize not having you in my life when I've just got you back. Those six months were hell without you."
Ian took the moment to weigh Lucy's words. An incredibly selfish part of him wanted to grab her and kiss the living daylights out of her until she realized that going home to think would bring them the same solution as they would probably go for now. But, he needed to be considerate. And perhaps thinking about it, no matter the outcome, would be more beneficial than jumping into a bucket of cold water. Those six months were hell without you. The words rung clear and true in his head. "Agreed," Ian murmured. "We'll take the time and then come back with fresh and open minds."
A smile graced Lucy's face as she brushed her fingers through his hair once more in appreciation. "But one last thing before we part for a week or so." Cautiously, more so than the first time, Ian lowered his lips till they were pressed against Lucy's. Her hands twined in his hair, holding her small body against his. The kiss was still short, but it instilled enough hope in the both of them that things would be okay in the end.