Title: Finding Home
Author: JustDunkMe
Pairing: Villanelle/Eve
Rating: M for strong language, violence, sexual content, dark humor, mention of drug use, and adult themes.
Disclaimer: All copyrighted material in this story belongs to their respectful owners.The acts and characters in this story are in no way a representation of any person, place, or religion but purely fictional and used to help aid the overall character development and story.
Chapter 1 – Do you have fire insurance?
"And I know I should walk away
But I'll follow you down to the grave
I don't know how many times
I can fall onto your knife
But if I leave you, it kills me just the same
It kills me just the same"
- Kills Me Just the Same, Cimorelli
-x-x-
London nights are getting colder, winter has truly settled into the city. Scarfs, hats, and puffy jackets are becoming a normal sight on the busy streets. Now would be the perfect time for the function to outweigh fashion. Right like that is even the slightest possibility. But as the icy wind cuts through her yellow Loewe coat the thought does pop up for a split second.
Despite the cold wind Villanelle can't help but smile, seeing Eve looking back at her. All pink-cheeked and wide-eyed, her wild curls dancing in the wind. After she desperately asked Villanelle to help her make it stop, make the monster go back into hiding.
Eve is looking back at her.
Villanelle gave Eve the perfect out, to just walk away and never look back simple as that. No more chasing, no more manipulation, and no more obsessions. Just to keep walking until Villanelle was just a ghost faded into the back of her mind. But Eve turned around. When the time came, Eve couldn't walk away.
Of course, Villanelle turned around as well, she wasn't fooling anyone least of all herself thinking she could just walk off like that and let Eve just disappear like smoke into the night sky. Villanelle may not completely understand why Eve so desperately wants to get rid of the monster or even why she was willing to give up Eve just because she asked her to. But what she does know is that Eve is… different. She is special. She makes Villanelle feel things. Some may call it obsession or love, but in a stuffy ballroom full of old people in sparkly dresses Villanelle finally understood the difference. Because yes there is a difference.
Eve moves to take a step forward, but Villanelle doesn't move. She is frozen in place. Konstantin would call her dramatic or spiteful, but she needs to do this. She has given Eve what she asked for her escape from this life so if Eve wants to stay, she is going to have to make that choice on her own.
One step closer and then another, slowly the distance between them shrinks away until they are right in front of each other again.
"You turned around." Villanelle breaths out in a barely loud enough whisper.
"I did."
"Why?"
"I didn't like your plan."
"It was a good plan."
"But not the one I wanted."
A large smile breaks across Villanelle's face. Neither one of them moves they just stand there close together smiling at each other taking in every little detail of this moment.
"So, what do we do now?"
Eve didn't think past turning around and what would happen, she just knew not seeing Villanelle never again wasn't an option. And now for the first time in a very long time, there is no assassin to chase, no Twelve to track down, no Niko to rush home to. For a moment there are no obligations.
"Well, I'm pretty hungry. I missed dinner."
Villanelle scrunches up her face thinking about the candy she swiped at Bitter Pill right now that feels like a lifetime ago. Eve should be surprised at the random train of thought, but she is not. If there is one thing she knows for sure it's that the assassin has a love for food like no one else. Hell, she was waterboarded in her own bathtub for Shepherd's pie.
Most places are already closed at this time of night, most decent places anyway. With Eve's current financial status or better yet lack thereof, she isn't seeing any fine dining in her near future. But great food doesn't always have to be expensive. They both have had a hellish day they deserve some greasy takeout.
"Have you ever eaten fried chicken that tastes like orphans dipped in crack?"
Villanelle's eyes almost bulge out of her head, that being the absolute last thing she imagined to come out of Eve's perfect little mouth. Eve immediately realizes her mistake and starts studdering trying to backtrack.
"No wait that didn't come out-"
"Huh," Villanelle cuts her off. "And they call me the psychopath."
A smirk starts to pull at her lips and Eve pokes her shoulder when she realizes, she is messing with her.
"You don't get to judge until you have tasted it. Trust me it is going to blow your mind." Eve steps next to Villanelle as they start to make their way off the bridge - together.
"I'm looking forward to finding out what these drugged-up orphans taste like." Villanelle gives her a wink.
-x-x-
Jenny's Restaurant is pretty much empty except for a group in their early twenties on the other side of the room still buzzing from a fun night out on the town. To say Villanelle was unimpressed by the run-down and in desperate need of a proper deep clean fast-food joint was the understatement of the decade. Maybe she can give them the number of a good crime scene cleaner. But Eve stuck to her guns just telling her to trust her, so a reluctant Villanelle sat down at one of the rickety green tables while Eve ordered for them at the counter.
Eve soon arrives with their trays excitedly placing them on the table. Eve doesn't touch her food instead she watches Villanelle like a hawk.
"So?" Eve asks not being able to wait any longer for the assassin's verdict.
Villanelle has her elbows spread out on the table leaning slightly forward protectively over her tray, a drumstick held with both hands in front of her. She is chewing extra slowly to torment Eve. She lets out a loud sigh making a big show of admitting defeat.
"You were right."
"Yes! I told you."
After Eve's little victory celebration, she starts digging into her own food, with not as much vigor as the blonde thought. It's wrong that such simple food can taste this good.
"You know I have eaten at the best places all around the world, but this is so much better than overpriced pasta," Villanelle says waving a fry in the air before munching on it.
"The way the meat just falls off the bone is a pretty religious experience." Eve agrees before she starts slurping on her overly sugar drink.
"I am not too experienced with crack, but I am on orphans and usually we tend to be… tough."
The slurping stops.
Villanelle doesn't offer up any more information, she just keeps picking at the crumbed skin of her drumstick refusing to make eye contact. Eve sees it for what it is, a sneak peek behind the curtain of some of the pieces that make up the beautiful enigma that is Villanelle.
Eve places her cup back on the table, she does remember reading about it in Vil- Oksana's file. She was six when she became an orphan, after which she bounced around between orphanages and juvenile detention centers for a wide array of crimes and misbehaving. When she turned sixteen in a last-ditch attempt she was sent to a school in Moscow to help set her on the right path. It set her on a path alright. A path that led her to prison and straight into the arms of The Twelve.
But this is the rare time when Villanelle has mentioned her past, given information willingly even if it is disguised as a joke about drugs and…
"Wait, are you saying you have done crack before?"
Villanelle tilts her head to the side almost like a puppy before popping her last fry into her mouth.
"Once, I'm not sure what it was, some pills a guy sold me in Amsterdam. It was horrible, and I'm pretty sure I threw up on Konstantin."
Villanelle pushes her now empty tray away and leans back in her chair with her arms stretched out on the short divider wall behind her, content to watch Eve finish her food.
"Yeah, drugs will do that to you. I personally like being in control of my mind and actions. Besides my mom found out when I smoked weed for the first time and let me tell you she was not happy. Made sure I think twice before trying anything again."
Eve subconsciously runs her thumb over her cheek and of course Villanelle doesn't miss it. Unfortunately, it's something she is familiar with. So she leans forward and raises her star-covered takeout cup to Eve.
"To shitty moms."
Eve can't help but smile as she taps her takeout cup against Villanelle's.
"To shitty moms."
Villanelle has begun to stealthy steal some of Eve's fries, well at least she thinks she is being stealthy. It's rather cute, so Eve pretends not to see the world-renowned assassin's long finger fumble with the salty treats.
"I'm guessing we won't be flying to Alaska tonight?" Eve asks wiping her fingers on her napkin.
"Please Eve this is not an outfit you waste on stuffy air travel."
Eve tosses a fry at her head, hitting her just above her left eyebrow making Villanelle's jaw drop in fake shock.
"Can you be serious for a minute?"
Villanelle groans loudly, obnoxiously kicking the leg of Eve's chair.
"Ugh fine, for one minute."
"Thank you. So, what are we going to do now, since technically we are both unemployed and it's not like there is help wanted signs around for an ex-assassin and an ex MI5 agent?"
Villanelle shrugs.
"I guess we have to find our new normal."
Eve snorts throwing her balled-up napkin onto her tray.
"Normal is overrated." That earns her an almost there smile from Villanelle. "Are you saying you are just going to walk away and be done with everything, done with The Twelve?"
"I'm saying I'm done being their murder puppet."
"And I'm done losing people I care about." They lock eyes each trying to desperately know what the other is thinking. "They have taken so much from us can you honestly say you can just leave and pretend none of that happened?"
Villanelle scoots back up in her seat resting her arms on the table.
"I'm not sure about down the line but I know right now I need to step away. I need to know I can be more than what they made me."
They look at each other, really looking.
"And this?" Eve waves between them. "Are we just going to pretend like there is nothing here, that there is not some invisible force pulling us together all the time? That we don't feel… that we don't have feelings?"
Villanelle slowly slides her hand over the table until the tips of her fingers can reach Eve's, carefully running over them.
"I think past experience showed us that there is not much that can keep us apart. Not a knife to the stomach."
"Not a bullet to the shoulder," Eve adds.
Villanelle looks up at that as her finger traces the cool metal of Eve's wedding band.
"We really need to work on our communication skills," Villanelle says scrunching up her face. "And besides we are both still married so."
"Yeah, but Niko- wait what?! You are married?" Eve pulls her hand out from under Villanelle's like she has been burned.
"A little bit."
Villanelle looks every bit like a guilty child as Eve stares at her in complete shock. After about thirty seconds Eve finds her voice again.
"To who?"
"Maria."
Villanelle leans back in her seat creating some more distance between her and a clearly upset Eve, she pulls her cup with her chewing on the disgusting red and white paper straw just so she can have something to do.
"Maria… Villanelle seriously what the hell when did that happen?"
"Well after you know…" Villanelle waves a finger gun at Eve. "I was sad and alone. And at the airport, I saw a lady with very nice shoes."
"So, you followed her home?" Eve throws her hands up in exasperation.
"Sort off. But Dasha showed up at the wedding reception which was actually really dumb since Maria's father is an arms dealer and-" Eve drops her hands back down on the table cutting off the nervous ramble.
"Villanelle! You can't just go and marry a random stranger just because you are upset. Marriage is about love and commitment."
"Ugh fine okay, I'll get a divorce." She says with a pout, she doesn't know what the big deal is. It's not like she married Maria against her well. She was a very willing participant. "But only if you do too. Like you said marriage is about love and commitment." She holds up her pinky with a challenging eyebrow and smirk.
Well, there it is, the arrogant asshole hidden underneath layers of impeccable fashion and delicate features. But this time Eve is a little more versed in the working of Villanelle and sees it for what it is Villanelle doesn't like to show weakness. Doesn't want others to know she made mistakes. It is how she was trained to survive when you are trapped in a corner you have one hit and so you hit where it hurts. So instead of reaching over the table and slapping the smirk off her face, she lifts her hand from the table in an offering.
"Deal," Eve says hooking her pinky with the assassin. Not bothering to tell her about the divorce lawyer's number at the bottom of her handbag.
Villanelle is clearly surprised by Eve's response but quickly recovers and gives her the biggest shit-eating grin as her defenses fall back down again and she relaxes back into her goofy self.
"Don't be jealous Eve, your hair is so much nicer than Maria's," Villanelle says cheekily reaching over and tugging on a curl as Eve swats her hands away.
-x-x-
Being the chivalrous person that she is Villanelle walks Eve to her bus stop. You never know what kind of people are lurking around at this time of night. Villanelle knows Eve is a trained agent and can take care of herself, the scar on Villanelle's abdomen can attest to that. But Villanelle isn't going to take any chances and besides, she would never give up the chance for spending a few extra minutes with Eve before they have to part ways again.
"Tell me something no one knows?" Villanelle asks hanging off one of the bus shelter's sides while she watches Eve who is sitting on the bench wrapped tightly against the cold.
"What?" Eve asks with a chuckle.
"Tell me something no one knows about you." Villanelle repeats rocking on her heels.
"You want to know my secrets?"
"Well yes, but it doesn't have to be a secret just something you never bothered to tell anyone because it's so boring."
Eve shakes her head, sure her life these last few years hasn't been the most exciting time. Well not up until Villanelle strolled in flipping everything on its head, but Eve's life was by no means a boring one.
"When I was in college I needed some extra money so I would volunteer to be a model for the art classes."
Villanelle stops her swinging.
"Wait was it with or without clothes?" Eve just smiles at her and Villanelle's jaw drops. "Kinky! So somewhere out there, there are oil paintings of a beautiful naked Eve Polastri in a nerdy artist student's portfolio?"
"Actually it was mostly charcoal drawings."
Villanelle lets out a low whistle as she mentally starts to go through everything she knows about Eve, she is sure she can easily figure out what college she is talking about.
"Now it's your turn to tell me something I don't know about you." Villanelle finally stops playing with the pole and sits down next to Eve, close enough that their shoulders touch when one of them moves.
"That's not fair you have files full of information about me, you were in a task force dedicated to finding out things about me."
"You didn't research me?" Eve asks interested in how this crazy journey unfolded for Villanelle.
"I did Google you, but that was mostly pictures of old ladies. I've always been more of a hands-on kind of student anyway."
"I think the word you are looking for is stalking."
"I prefer the term appreciative gazing."
"You are ridiculous."
Villanelle just smiles at Eve bumping her shoulder with hers.
"I can play guitar."
"Really?" Eve was not expecting that.
"Yeah, I had to learn for a job, the guy visited a bar often that held open mic nights," Villanelle says with a shrug.
Eve will give her that she never half-ass anything. That's what made her so good at her job she was always fully committed to her character and wasn't afraid to do the work.
"How did he die?"
"Stage light crushed him."
"Well, that was convenient."
"Yeah, I thought about strangling him with a guitar string, but those things are brutal on the hands."
Eve hates that she is still completely fascinated by Villanelle's kills, there is a strange magnetism to it that screams for your attention. Her work seems like it should rather be gazed at in a museum instead of crime scene photos. Villanelle the Picasso of death.
"I'll play for you sometime if you want?" Villanelle breaks her out of her thoughts, her eyes shining bright at the possibility of getting to show off for Eve.
"I'd like that." Eve smiles back at her. "So, now that you aren't working what will you do?"
Villanelle leans back against the hard bench.
"I think I might take a holiday somewhere. Maybe somewhere I've never been before. I can go to Japan. I could learn to make sushi with a master. I've always wanted a Yanagida knife." Villanelle kicks her feet out in front of her. "Besides I'm sure they will be looking for me soon enough."
Villanelle can imagine Hélène's angry face when she realizes Villanelle pushed her new shiny toy in front of a train. That will teach her for gaslighting her into becoming a so-called Keeper.
"You know I can't even remember the last time I went on holiday."
Villanelle looks over at Eve who is just looking up at the night sky. Villanelle tries really hard not to imagine Eve lounging on a beach in Greece, or drinking hot chocolate in front of a wood fire in Norway. Villanelle starts to shake her head both at herself and Eve.
"It's better for you to stay under their radar. Right now, you are not a problem for them only an… inconvenience. And I would like to keep it that way. You are safer that way."
"What if I don't care." Eve turns in her seat to look at Villanelle who is already looking back at her.
"I care!" Eve reaches over placing her hand on Villanelle's cheek who leans into the touch. "I care."
Villanelle reaches up lacing her finger through Eve's bringing her hand down to place a kiss on Eve's palm before holding her hand in her lap.
It's silent for a moment only the night noises around them, Eve watches as Villanelle plays with her fingers like it's the most delicate glass that will shatter at any moment. How can it be those same hands that have taken so many lives? Instead of feeling scared, Eve feels privileged to be able to see and feel this side of the young woman. Eve is broken out of her thoughts when Villanelle starts to speak.
"Let's forget about The Twelve for a second then. I think that we have just spent so much time lost in the chase that we forgot who we are outside of it. We can't build a relationship on only mutual obsession."
Villanelle knows obsession has gone out the window a while ago but that doesn't mean she won't do everything she can to protect Eve from her demons. Even if it means she can't stay with her right now. Boy having feelings really sucks sometimes.
"Gosh, how is it that you are both the most childish and mature one in this relationship?"
Villanelle lets out a breathy chuckle before she looks back up at Eve her cocky smirk sliding effortlessly back into place.
"I am a woman with many talents Eve."
"Oh, trust me I believe that."
The soft rumbling of the bus can be heard in the distance making its way slowly towards them. Villanelle reaches into her coat pocket and pulls out a burner phone giving it to Eve.
"When did you get this?"
"I was supposed to leave with Konstantin I wanted to be prepared. There is only one number in it, mine. Don't use it for anything else. And it might be best if you get rid of your phone just in case they are tracking it."
Their moment is broken by the bus pulling up to the bus stop and the doors swinging open. They both stand up, not sure how to act. Villanelle reaches up taking a piece of Eve's hair between her fingers.
"Be careful ok." Eve nods.
"You too." Villanelle lets go of the lock of hair stepping back slightly.
Eve moves towards the bus stopping to look back at Villanelle. Somehow this goodbye feels completely different than the one on the bridge like they both know this is not a goodbye forever but rather just until later.
"See you around," Eve says before stepping onto the bus.
-x-x-
The city looks different at this time of night. Villanelle has always felt at home in the darkness of the midnight hours. Blending into the shadows, invisible to the rest of the world.
The day has been an interesting one, but talking to Eve, honestly talking to Eve has been an eye-opening experience. Who knew AA could be so helpful. And it just cements her mission to prove to Konstantin, Dasha, her mother, Eve, and everyone that she is not just the darkness they all see. But rather than the darkness is a part of her that has been pushed to the forefront and nurtured and molded into the monster that The Twelve needed to do their dirty work. Their perfect killing machine.
Villanelle is strolling down the dark streets making her way back to her hotel. She is in no particular hurry because she knows she'll just have to pack up her things again and move to a new location all over again. Living out of a suitcase has weirdly become her normal. She hears that the Maldives is lovely this time of year, or maybe even take a trip to South Korea.
She was just starting to consider buying a Korean dictionary when she spots a large building across the street, laced with decades of history. An old stone building, with a decretive tower in the middle reaching up to the heavens. Before she knows what she is doing her feet are taking her across the quiet road and up the stairs leading to the large wooden doors. Villanelle can almost feel the air around it crackle as she places a careful hand against the rough stone feeling the cool texture. Her finger picks at the small crack running across the stone.
Creek!
Villanelle's head snaps to the building running along the side of the church. It looks like a little sister building to the majestic church. One of the side doors starts to open with rather a difficulty. Villanelle's hand shoots down on instinct wrapping around the hilt of her hidden knife gripping it tightly.
An elderly woman dressed in black nuns' robes and habit appears in the dark doorway. She is making a soft clicking sound as she places a small bowl onto the sidewalk. A skinny ginger cat appears from behind the building striding towards the offered bowl.
Villanelle watches with rapt attention as kind eyes spot her, yellow isn't really a color for blending in.
"Oh, hello there." She greets Villanelle with a sweet smile. She looks like she must be in her late fifties or early sixties and she is a good measure shorter than Villanelle.
Villanelle lets go of her grip on her knife but don't answer.
"Can I help you, dear?"
Villanelle looks back up at the church her fingers continuing their exploration of the rough stone wall.
"Do you live here?"
"This is my home yes. Not the church itself, we stay in the convent." The nun points to the door she just came out off. "I'm Sister Agnes what's your name child?"
"It looks old."
If she is surprised by the lack of answer, she doesn't show it instead she moves closer to the blonde with the cat in tow, purring at her feet.
"The church has been here since the seventeenth century."
Villanelle's eyes grow large as she whispers wow under her breath.
"Then there must have been a lot of good people who came from here."
Neither of them says anything for a minute, Villanelle's eyes still glued to the building while Sister Agnes studies her quietly.
"Do you want to come inside it's rather chilly tonight?" She rubs her arms to emphasize her point.
"No."
"Why ever not dear?"
"Do you have fire insurance?"
"You want to burn down the church?"
"No. But it is hallowed ground." Villanelle looks up at the large metal cross on top of the tower shining like a beacon in the night
Then it clicks and the nun can't help but smile.
"I think you overestimate the Lord's love for pyrotechnics."
"I think you are underestimating my darkness," Villanelle says softly picking at the cracked stone and watching the specks of dust fly off.
"You sound troubled."
Villanelle pulls a face. You have no idea lady. You try being an international assassin for a mysterious organization with a sexy lady chasing you.
Sister Agnes takes another step closer.
"Besides we all have darkness in us, it's just all comes down to the choices we make every day. A lot of people forget that the devil was once an angel."
Villanelle looks at the nun then, her hand dropping away from the church. Sister Agnes doesn't look judgmental, but rather understanding.
"Come on child there is warm tea inside."
The cat lets out a rather loud mew not enjoying being ignored anymore before rubbing against the nun's legs. Villanelle looks between the lady's kind face and the church before taking a step back.
"Your cat smells like piss."
With that, she turns around walking away from the church down the steps.
-x-x-
When Eve arrives back at Jamie's apartment all the lights are off. She quietly makes her way to her temporary and drops face-first onto her unmade bed completely physically and mentally exhausted after the most emotionally draining day.
Dancing with Villanelle, running all over London on a treasure hunt for Russian nesting dolls, Carolyn's wild hostage situation, walking away from Villanelle on the bridge, not walking away, Villanelle…
Eve flips onto her back and pulls out her new burner phone, she flips it over in her hands a few times before powering it on. It takes a moment to start up before the lock screen appears.
Enter Pin
Eve looks confused at the screen why would Villanelle put a pin on her new phone and not give her the code… oh that asshole did not. Eve quickly starts typing.
1…2…3…4
The phone unlocks. Eve rolls her eyes so hard it almost hurts. She quickly navigates to the text messages seeing the only number saved on the phone.
V
That's it, nothing more nothing less, just V.
Eve's fingers hover over the keyboard, should she text her? Eve locks the phone quickly again before putting it back in her pocket. No, maybe tomorrow after she got some sleep. But if she wants to get some sleep she is going to get a move on.
Eve forces herself back up and off the bed. She moves to the closet and takes out her suitcase opening it up on her bed and starts to haphazardly throw unfolded clothes into it. It's still half-packed from her recent trip to Scotland making the job much easier.
"Eve?"
She looks up to see Jamie leaning against the doorjamb in his pajamas still half asleep.
"I'm sorry if I woke you, I'm just going to grab my things then I'll be out of your hair." She says going back to her horrible packing job.
"You are leaving? Why?" He pushes off of the doorjamb stepping into the room suddenly more awake.
"I had one hell of a day."
"Tell me about it, we had a visit from your girlfriend today at the office."
Eve stops looking at him confused.
"What? Oh, Villanelle. Yeah, we were… helping each other with something."
He raises an eyebrow at that but doesn't comment on her helping an assassin.
"She is something. I think Bear had a mini heart attack."
"Yeah, she will do that to you."
"Is that why you are leaving because Villanelle is back?"
Eve zips up her suitcase pulling it off of the bed.
"I saw someone kill a member of The Twelve tonight."
"What?" Jamie steps next to her concerned.
"Yeah, and I know for a fact the remaining eleven is not going to be happy about it. So, no I'm not leaving because of Villanelle."
"Eve we can help you."
"No Jamie you can't. You have kids for goodness sake! I can't bring that danger into your house."
"You can't go after them alone."
"I'm not. I'm not doing anything. Not now anyway." She places a hand on his shoulder. Thank you for your hospitality."
"Where are you going to go?"
"I have no idea."
Eve struggles her way with her suitcase out of the apartment. Eve knows she has just enough small change saved up for one night in what will most likely be a very crappy hotel room. Oh, how the mighty has fallen.
-x-x-
Villanelle has spent the rest of the night packing and finalizing everything she needs to before leaving. She is going to miss misses her beautiful Barcelona home. But going back there is not an option and neither is staying here anymore. Currently, she is sitting in the hotel bathtub cutting out her DIY stitches on her upper arm. Dasha didn't do the most delicate patch-up job but it was what it needed to at the time. It just hurts like a bitch to get out again. Villanelle drops the scissors and bloody string into the tub before washing off the few stray drops of blood from her arm.
Knock-Knock!
Villanelle jumps out of the tub grabbing her gun from the counter. Quietly making her way to the door she hides the gun behind her back. She unlocks the door before carefully opening the door.
"Villanelle-"
SLAM!
The force of the door closing echoes through the room followed by the rapid knocking again.
"Go away, Konstantin!" Villanelle still has a hand on the door from closing it so forcefully.
"Villanelle open the door." He pleads and she hates that it affects her with a groan she opens the door again.
"You here to push me off the roof too?"
"Villanelle I-"
"What do you want Konstantin I am very busy?" She cuts him off moving into the hotel room pretending to pack while he follows her inside closing the door behind him.
"You are leaving."
"Yeah." She emphasizes her point by throwing a tiny bottle of shampoo into her duffle bag.
"I thought you and Eve-"
"Don't!" She turns around on him. "I do not have the energy or patients for this conversation so just tell me what you want. I thought you would be halfway to Cuba by now."
"I need your help."
She scuffs, leaning against the table crossing her arms over her chest staring at him with a raised eyebrow.
"The Twelve has noticed that some money has gone missing from their account. And now with Paul's death, it makes things difficult."
"You planted the money on him." It's not a question just a statement.
"I had no choice."
"Still doesn't explain why you are banging on my door."
"I need money."
Villanelle just looks at him before shrugging.
"Why is that my problem?"
"They locked up Irina."
"What?" That gets her attention, sure Irina is a little shit but last she checked that wasn't a crime.
"She killed her mother's boyfriend." Well, who knew that the little Konstantin would actually take her advice Villanelle thinks. "I need to get her out of that place. Please Villanelle you know better than anyone what it is like being locked away."
"No! You do not get to bring that up!"
"Ok, ok I'm sorry. But please I know you have money stashed all over the place." He says slapping his hand over his heart. "Please."
Villanelle pushes off of the table and starts to dig through her stuff pulling out a box of tampons grabbing one she pushes into his chest. He looks at her confused, but she just stares at him not saying anything. Reluctantly he opens the wrapping and a small bronze key falls out onto his open palm.
"It's for a locker at Rue des Gravilliers."
"Thank you, Villanelle you have no idea how much, this means to me." Konstantin grips the key tightly in his fist. When he turns around to leave her voice stops him.
"You know for a moment I actually thought you were here for me." Turning back around he can see her eyes start to tear up.
"Vil-"
"Just take it and leave." She says dismissively wiping angrily at her cheek at the tear betraying her.
Before he closes the door behind him he looks back one last time.
"Don't be naughty." The door clicks softly closed behind him.
Villanelle grabs the glass on the table throwing it at the door shattering it into a thousand pieces. She tosses the last of her belongings into her bag before grabbing her chance of clothes and storms into the bathroom again more ready than ever to get out of this stupid city.
Two hours later in a crowded airport Villanelle is sitting in an unnecessarily uncomfortable chair. She is staring down at her new Italian passport, flipping it open and closed. When did her life turn to shit? Was it when Konstantin rescued her from that godawful prison? When she killed her mother? Or was it when Eve stepped out of that car not a care in the world that she was facing an assassin? Maybe it was one of them, maybe it was all of them, or maybe life really just sucks until you die.
Villanelle feels her phone vibrate in her pocket. Without looking she knows who it is. There is only one person who has this number.
E [07:26]:
The Lion King
Villanelle looks at the message confused, she double checks that it came from Eve's new burner phone. Her phone buzzes with a new message.
E [07:27]:
I hate popcorn, but love chocolate with movies.
Villanelle lets out a chuckle, Eve remembered. And honestly, she isn't surprised that Eve has a secret love for animations. She herself has a love for Disney movies.
V [07:29]:
Not liking popcorn is a crime. But I'll forgive you because
what you lack in taste you make up for in great hair.
Villanelle smiles down at her phone, but before Eve can reply there is an announcement.
"Flight AS412 now boarding from gate D2."
-x-x-
Eve barely had any sleep in her crappy hotel room the previous night, if she wasn't being kept awake by the fighting couple a few rooms down she was trying not to decipher the different stains covering her blankets. Only to have a long day collecting her things from Bitter Pill with a very reluctant Bear. The next stop was Korea town, she needed to get her shitty kitchen job back. Sure it's at least an income and the occasional free dumplings. It will have to do until she can get a job where she doesn't smell like steamed pork all the time.
Now it's already dark again as Eve pulls her suitcase along the sidewalk. Thankfully her destination was just up ahead. A few minutes later Eve stops in front of the house, looking up she can see the lights on inside. With a deep breath, she walks up the steps and knocks on the door. A minute passes with no answer and then she hears muffled movement behind the door and the click of the lock. The door swings open casting a warm light over Eve holding onto her suitcase handle for dear life.
"I'm sorry to just show up like this. But I don't have anywhere else to go."
TBC