Note: Some slight language and pretty mild steaminess

When It Rains

Cor had trouble sleeping that night. It wasn't the council's decision that was bugging him. Now it was Evie. He kept thinking about her sparring Gladio and then himself earlier. He kept replaying certain scenes in his head. She had talent and would make a great fighter, if she decided she wanted training. It wasn't just that, though. When he had her pinned against the wall. When their eyes met; her dark blue eyes seemed to capture his soul every time she gazed at him. He wasn't a man of poetry, but there had to be some verse about eyes of that color. He shut his eyes hard, trying to push these thoughts away.

Get it together, man. She is your assistant. And twelve years your junior! He tossed and turned in bed until he finally fell asleep.

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Sunday was the day Evie ran all of her own errands, like grocery shopping. It was also the day she planned dates with herself. Some Sundays she binge watched movies or shows. Other Sundays she would explore the city, or simply read a book and take a long, hot bath. Today, it was rainy and cooler outside and she was enjoying the book and bath combo. The book was a mystery and she loved trying to guess all the answers before the detective did. The weather fit the genre perfectly and it distracted her from a certain Marshal, whom she had a hard time not thinking of. It made sense though, right? She did work in close proximity to him almost every day, and did a lot for him. It only made sense that she would wonder how he was and if he needed anything. Right?

I wonder if he ever thinks about me? Damn it, Evie, focus! Was it the butler? It better be the damn butler.

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Cor needed a shower. He had trained by himself and with the Prince (part of the boy's punishment for skipping training with Gladio). He walked into the locker room by himself and grabbed a towel he had brought. He checked his phone, as well, and was slightly disappointed not to see any messages from Evie. He had to remind himself that she wasn't working today and didn't need to send him texts. Still, he missed her on Sundays. He slammed the locker shut, annoyed with his thoughts again. They didn't stop there, though. His eyes were closed as he allowed the hot water to rain down his hair, face, and body. It felt amazing after the work out he'd had. Suddenly, the memory of pinning Evie to that training room wall came back up.

Gods what is wrong with me? He did his best to think of other, not so attractive things, but in the end he just ran the cold water for a bit before getting out. He toweled off, got dressed, and grabbed his stuff so he could walk back to his quarters. He felt his phone vibrate as he walked through the door.

Evie: Hey there, boss! Want me to pick up coffee in the morning? Also, don't forget, you promised to go to lunch with me tomorrow! x)

Cor smiled, then shook his head at himself.

Cor: Sounds good...I didn't forget.

Evie was still in the bath tub, half done with a glass of Chardonnay, when she got Cor's response. She smiled and set her alarm for an early enough time to pick up coffee before work.

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Cor fell asleep easier that night, but his dreams didn't let him off easy. He was back in the training room, sparring with Evie. They were the only two in the room. She was faster and stronger this time, but he was still able to catch her, and after several minutes he had her pinned against the same wall. He met her gaze again and she didn't look away this time. The tension between them was high and his lips were only inches from hers. Her eyes told him everything he needed to know and within seconds he leaned forward to close the gap, kissing her with built up passion. She met his passion with her own, and he moved one of his hands up to support her neck. The other held her as she wrapped her legs around him. He let himself go with her, and it felt amazing. It didn't last long, though, as she was suddenly gone. Cor found himself leaning against an empty wall, confused, disappointed, and short of breath. He looked around the room but saw no one. Suddenly, he heard screams from outside. Agonizing, pain-filled screams, and he knew it was her. He ran to the doors, but they were now locked some how. Her screams continued.

"Evie!" He screamed her name over and over again, trying desperately to get to her.

He woke up sweating and breathing hard. Once he caught his breath, he grabbed his phone from the nightstand. It was just after midnight. He found her number, thought for a moment, then pushed the call button.

Evie rolled over to reach her phone. She had gone to bed two hours earlier, and wondered who in Eos could be calling her at this hour. She saw Cor's name and answered immediately.

"Cor?" She asked, obviously still half asleep.

"Evie," he answered. His voice sounded funny to her, as if he were suddenly relieved about something.

"Is everything okay," she asked, worried now.

"I just...needed to check on you," he answered.

"I'm fine, Cor. Are you sure you're okay?" She sat up in bed, trying to make sense of why he would be calling her to check on her. She hadn't been sick or hurt.

"Yes, everything's fine," he confirmed, "I'll umm...I'll see you in the morning then," he said, sounding a bit awkward.

"Okay, see you then, Cor. Goodnight."

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The next day was even colder and still rainy. Evie still had not replaced the umbrella she lost in the move, and she didn't have a good, warm jacket. Lestallum was always warm, if not hot. She threw on the one light jacket she had over her nicer dress clothes for work and left her apartment to get coffee. She was thankful for good coffee lids as she ran from the cafe to the Citadel. Cor looked up as she entered his office and immediately moved from his desk to help her. She looked absolutely pitiful standing there, dripping wet and shivering while holding their coffee.

"Six, Evie!" He muttered under his breath.

"Th...thank you," she said, trying to catch her breath.

"You're freezing," he commented, "and soaked."

"I...I know," she shivered while trying to remove her sopping wet jacket. He took his own Crownsguard jacket from the coat hanger and placed it over her and found her a small towel for her wet hair.

"You need a better coat and an umbrella for this weather," he reprimanded. She sat in the seat near his and held his jacket close while drying and warming up. He handed her a coffee to help, and crouched down in front of her, his brows drawn together in concern.

"I...I know. I don't have anything better a..at home, right now." She sipped her coffee, hoping she looked better than she felt.

"After we have lunch, we are going shopping, then. We'll be picking up the Prince later anyway, since Ignis is with his uncle today."

Evie just nodded and sipped more coffee.

Time seemed to fly by and before she knew it, they were on their way to lunch. They stopped at the same sandwich place they had gone to on her first day as his assistant, and sat at a table near the center window.

"So is the council behaving themselves, now," Evie asked, before taking a bite of her sandwich.

"They want to decrease resources and training time for Kingsglaive, as they believe the time, money, and energy could prove useful elsewhere," he replied, obviously still annoyed at the subject. "His majesty disagrees as much as I do on the matter, but the council is a tough crowd and, as you know, is a major part of the decision making process of this government."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Evie said, frowning. That meant that the Kingsglaive, including her friend Nyx, could be ill equipped to take on their enemies.

"How was your day off?" He asked, interrupting her thoughts.

"Oh, it was fine," she smiled. "I went grocery shopping and read a good book to relax at the end of the day. I suppose I should have went jacket shopping, too, but I was trying to budget rent, food, and such for the rest of the month, and thought I had more time before it got too cold."

"The weather here can change pretty quickly," Cor replied, finishing his water.

"So I've noticed," she chuckled softly, remembering the state she was in. She suddenly remembered she was still wearing his jacket and started to give it back to him, but he stopped her.

"Not until we find you one," he explained, "I don't want to lose my assistant to hypothermia." His smirk made her blush softly and she looked away for a moment.

"So how was your day, yesterday?" She asked, her cheeks still warm.

"Not too eventful, honestly. Got a good workout in. Met with the King and Clarus. They asked how you were, actually. I told them you were doing well and keeping me in line," he winked after his last statement. She smiled and shrugged. "Evie, I actually wanted to ask something of you."

"Sure, anything," her eyes met his, and he felt lightheaded for a few seconds until he looked away.

"I want to train you," he said matter of factly.

"Train me?" She was confused. "Train me in what?"

"To fight," he clarified. "Evie, you have talent and you are a quick learner. And I want you to be able to defend yourself, if you need to. Working at the Citadel...and for me isn't always safe. Consider it extra job training."

"Oh, okay," she nodded, "sounds good to me then."

After leaving the restaurant, they went to the mall so Evie could find a suitable jacket, and possibly an umbrella for future use. Cor stood out pretty easy and she could tell the man would find a battlefield more comfortable than this place. She felt special that he would brave such discomfort for her.

Evie tried on several coats and even played around with a few of the more ridiculous ones, trying to get Cor to laugh. She almost succeeded, but definitely won at earning a few eye rolls. She finally found one that looked like her and fit her perfectly and even had a big, cozy hood for wet weather. She went to pay for it, but Cor beat her to the card machine.

"Wait! What are you doing?" She asked, confusion written on her features.

"Consider it a gift," the Marshal said quietly. His face was as serious as it usually was, but Evie hoped he was joking.

"Cor, that's too much! You don't have to..." she started before he cut her off.

"Evie, it is a thank you gift for putting up with my recent moods," he stared at her as the man at the counter finished the purchase.

"Thank you," she said softly, smiling uncertainly at him. He gave her the jacket, and she exchanged his for it. They were leaving to pick Noct up from school, when Evie thought she heard a vaguely familiar voice.

"Evie?" The voice rang out again, nearby. This time, Evie knew exactly who it was. She instinctively grabbed Cor's hand hard and inhaled sharply. Cor stiffened and looked over at her in surprise, but kept his hand in hers.

"Hank!" she squeaked, fear in her eyes. Cor saw it immediately and turned to find whoever it was that caused it. A young man in his mid to late twenties was approaching them fast. He had scruffy brown hair, dark eyes, and what seemed to be a constant smirk on his face. Cor looked back at Evie. She was visibly uncomfortable, and squeezed his hand as the boy got closer. Cor didn't like this boy already.

"Well, I'll be damned. Evie James!" The boy announced raising his arms up enthusiastically. Cor watched the boy's eyes dart to his and Evie's entwined hands and back up to Evie.

"Hello Hank," Evie looked down, not wanting to meet Hank's eyes, "Oh, this is my boss, Cor. He is the Marshal at the Citadel."

"Just your boss?" Cor stared the boy down, daring him to be impertinent. Evie suddenly remembered where her hand was and snatched it back from Cor, muttering an apology.

"Are...are you living here now?" Evie asked nervously.

"I'm just visiting for awhile," he answered. He cocked his head and stared at her as if trying to read her thoughts. "Jason is coming up, later this week. He really misses you. Why'd you just disappear? We thought you went the way of your brother, honestly."

"Just wanted a fresh start," Evie answered, even more tense.

Cor put his hand on her shoulder, both trying to comfort her and lead her away from Hank.

"It was nice to meet you, Hank," Cor said, his jaw slightly clenched and eyes focused, "but we have somewhere to be."

"Oh, yes, the Prince," Evie nearly shouted, relieved to have an excuse to get away.

"Yes, well, it was lovely to see you, sweet Evie," Hank replied, looking her up and down and not trying to hide it. Cor was ready to gouge the boy's disrespectful eyes out. "I'll tell Jason, you said 'hello.' I'm very sure we'll run into you again, though," his smile was creepy and almost threatening as they left him.

The walk back to the Regalia was a silent one. Evie walked close to Cor and he could tell she was upset. He opened the door for her, then got in the driver's seat before turning to face her.

"What the hell was that?" He asked bluntly but softly.

"It was nothing," she lied, "just someone I knew in Lestallum."

"Nothing? Evie, that is bullshit. You were terrified of that boy," Cor stared her down, wanting the truth. She didn't answer; she didn't even look at him. "Did he do something to you? Did he hurt you?" Evie sighed and finally looked at him.

"Look, it is nothing but complicated past drama that I don't want to bore you with. He is someone that I knew that I simply hoped I would never see again."

"Just tell me that he didn't hurt you and I will drop it," Cor offered.

"He didn't," She whispered.

"Did his friend, Jason?" Cor watched Evie closely as she considered the question.

"No."

They were silent for the rest of the car ride. They picked up Noct and Prompto, who stayed on their phones the whole drive back to the Citadel, playing some game. After dropping the duo off, they returned to Cor's office. Still silence. Evie couldn't take anymore.

"Do you need me to do anything or run any errands," she asked softly, not looking him in the eye. He looked at her for a moment before answering.

"Why don't you go to the training halls? I'll ask Gladio to meet you there, if he is not busy with Noct or on duty elsewhere."

Evie nodded and got up to leave. Before walking out, she thanked him again for the jacket.