I hope everyone is well! This chapter is shorter than my others, so I will probably post another tomorrow. I had a family function to attend this morning and need some serious introvert time now. Happy reading!
Growing Feelings and Concerns
Evie trained with Cor every afternoon for the next week and she was getting better and stronger. She still struggled with getting out of the choke hold, and Cor suspected she was not hitting or pushing as hard as she actually could. Evie didn't want to actually hurt Cor, though he kept assuring her she wouldn't.
She was also having trouble staying focused lately. She caught herself daydreaming about him quite a bit, and she had to force herself to pay attention to whatever her current task was. Gladio also seemed to enjoy teasing her, now that he knew of her attraction to the Marshal. She usually just rolled her eyes or tried to deny it, but she was a terrible liar.
It was finally Saturday afternoon, and she was taking a shower after their usual training session before heading home to rest and have a glass of wine. She loved working with and for Cor, but she also loved her time to herself and really needed to do some shopping tomorrow. As she turned the hot water off and started to reach for her towel, she heard something hard hit the floor. Startled, she wrapped the towel around her still dripping body. She was the only woman in the locker room and showers this afternoon, or so she thought.
"Ummm…Hello?" She called out, shakily. No one answered, but she heard the sound of a distant door swinging open. She walked around the showers quietly, and when she was sure no one was there, she quickly dried off and put fresh clothes on.
Cor was standing nearby on his phone when she exited the women's locker room. He looked her way and his expression swiftly turned to concern as he noticed something was off. He ended the call as she approached him.
"What's wrong?" He asked solemnly.
"I'm not sure," she answered, looking around, "Did you see anyone else leave the women's locker room?"
"No," he said, "but I haven't been here long."
"Oh," she sighed, then looked at him and smiled, "I'm sure it's nothing, then. I just thought I heard something, thats all."
"You're sure?" He asked, brows knitted together.
"Yes, it's fine," she smiled again, "so I guess I will see you Monday."
"Let me drive you home," he replied, obviously still concerned.
"Marshal, you don't have to do that," she said softly, "I know you're tired."
"Still, I'd feel much better if you let me take you home," he insisted, his eyes never leaving hers.
Damn those eyes.
"Okay," she relented, trying to hide her blushing cheeks behind her hair. Before he could stop himself, he reached out to fix her hair behind her ear so he could see her face. He sighed then nodded toward the exit with a strangely sad smile.
Evie followed him, half in shock at his sudden, subtle actions.
Cor drove in silence for half the ride as Evie sat looking out her window. It was going to rain again soon.
"Are you hungry?" He suddenly asked. Evie turned to look at him.
"I am, actually."
Cor nodded then turned down a street going the opposite direction of her apartment. She turned back to her window and smiled at his thoughtfulness.
He pulled into a parking lot facing a restaurant she had never been to. Cor got out and went to her door to open it while she was still looking to see where they were. He gave her his hand to help her out of the car.
"Do you like sushi?" He asked.
"Love it," she answered, happily. She had not had sushi since she and her brother visited Galdin some years back. Good sushi was hard to find in Lestallum.
He led her inside and they were seated near a window looking out towards downtown Insomnia. She really had not done much exploring since she had been here, and never realized how pretty the city looked even with rain clouds looming. After their waiter came and took their order, Cor looked out the window instead of at her. Evie wasn't sure why, but he was suddenly acting strange.
"Is everything okay, Marshal?" She asked. He swung his head back in her direction and she could tell she had broken some train of thought.
"Yes," he answered quickly, "yes, I'm fine. I'm sorry, Evie. I should have asked you here properly."
"Sir?" Her formality stung him a little. She rarely called him that these days.
"I asked if you were hungry," he began to explain, "not if you wanted to have dinner with me. As colleagues…friends…whatever." He looked down, obviously a little flustered and embarrassed.
"I always enjoy spending time with you, Cor," she admitted boldly. He glanced up at her with his lips slightly parted in surprise.
"I enjoy your company as well, Evie," he said softly, beginning to feel more comfortable, "but I should not have assumed that you wanted to be here with me."
"While I greatly appreciate your concern for my autonomy, I do hope that you could assume some things about me," she said, attempting to both ease his fears and encourage his desire to be around her. She was honestly still in shock that she was having dinner with the Marshal; with Cor. Sure they had been to lunch together and had had many moments that were more friendly than professional, but this felt more intimate. Perhaps it was just her imagination, though. Maybe he just wanted dinner and wanted company. This wasn't a date. Was it? Surely he would have made that clear by now. No. This is just a friendly dinner, Evie. But Gods, it still feels good.
They ate and talked about work and life outside of work. Evie wasn't expecting to have dinner with the Marshal tonight, but she could not have imagined a better evening. This was not helping her thought life about him, though. It was crazy of her to think, but he seemed to be having as good a time as she was. She really hoped this became something that happened more often.
Cor payed for both of them, even after Evie's protests. He argued that he had basically driven her there without asking and refused any counterargument she may have had. He drove her home and walked her to her door to make sure she made it in safe.
Cor smiled as he left her door, then immediately sighed in annoyance at himself. He was torn. He liked Evie. He was definitely attracted to her and cared about her. He was also her boss and over 10 years her senior. He didn't regret taking her out to dinner, even though it was last minute and never defined as anything more than a friendly meal after work sort of deal. He also believed it inappropriate to pursue her the way he wanted to. His mind and heart were engaged in war. As he was considering how all of this could affect her, his phone vibrated. He smiled, thinking it was her.
Unknown— You sleep with her, yet?
Cor frowned and reread the message. He didn't know the number. Perhaps it was a mistake?
Unknown— Don't get used to her…She belongs to me and I don't like sharing.
Cor— Who is this?
Cor's phone vibrated again. It was a photo message of him and Evie walking up the stairs to her apartment.
