MIDNIGHT SKY.
﹆ . ⁺ . ✦ ﹒₊˚𓂃 ★﹒₊‧
⌞ 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗌𝗂𝗑𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇 .ᐟ ⌝

The cabin hummed around them, the faint vibration of the plane preparing for takeoff filling the space.

"You okay?" Drew's voice sliced through her thoughts. Saige snapped her eyes towards him. He was leaning close to her now, his voice low.

She glanced at his slightly parted lips—pink, inviting. Then, her eyes fluttered to meet his. "Yeah." She murmured in reply, her voice softer than she intended.

He had insisted they sit together on the flight to Hawaii, though he didn't bother explaining why. Not that Saige needed an explanation—she wasn't about to complain.

"Want to hold my hand?" Drew asked, amusement in his tone, as he held out his hand to her. "You know, for your jitters?"

"For mine or yours?" She nudged him playfully. Hesitantly, she settled her hands above his. Her stomach churned as he intertwined both their hands together. 

"We both know who's really the pussy here," Drew murmured, his voice low and deliberate as his breath brushed her ear. He pulled away, leaving Saige stunned, her lips parted in disbelief.

"Don't say shit like that to me!" She hissed, smacking his arm with her free hand, a mix of panic and fluster coloring her tone.

       Drew only chuckled, the deep, rich sound reverberating between them as they fell into an easy silence. The pilot's calm voice crackled through the speakers, announcing their impending takeoff but the heat emitting from Saige's palm drowned out every word.

Truth be told, Saige wasn't afraid of flying—or heights, for that matter. She didn't particularly enjoy them but fear had never taken hold of her the way it did for others.

       Yet, in this moment, she played her part perfectly, feigning just enough distress to justify keeping his hand in hers a little longer. The warmth of his touch, the way his thumb absently traced over her knuckles, sent a rush of electricity through her veins that had nothing to do with the altitude.

She shifted her gaze to Drew, who had leaned his head back against the headrest, his eyes softly shut. The dim cabin light cast a golden hue over his sharp features, and for a moment, he looked completely at ease—an image so rare it tugged at something deep in her chest. A faint smile formed on her lips as she took him in.

He had confided in her about his insomnia—the relentless, sleepless nights he endured after the breakup. It was a wound she couldn't mend but seeing him now, so tranquil, made her heart swell with an unspoken hope. Could she be the reason behind it?

And if she was... did it mean he was starting to feel the same way about her?

Drew's eyes fluttered open, startling Saige out of her reverie. She quickly averted her gaze, pretending to be far more interested in the in-flight magazine she hadn't opened.

       As if on cue, the seatbelt sign blinked off with a soft chime, signaling that the plane had finally leveled out.

The hum of the engines was soon accompanied by the low rumble of carts being rolled down the aisles. Flight attendants moved, offering drinks and snacks to passengers with practiced smiles, their cheerful tones contrasting the storm of thoughts swirling in Saige's head.

"Good day, ma'am! Would you like coffee or iced tea?"

"Iced tea, please." Saige replied with a polite smile.

The flight attendant returned the smile, quickly handing her a plastic cup of iced tea. Saige reached for it, murmuring a quiet "thank you" when the next words froze her mid-motion.

"And for your husband, ma'am?"

Her head snapped up, eyes wide. "Oh! We're not—"

"Coffee, thank you." Drew cut in smoothly, leaning back with an air of nonchalance, completely unfazed by the assumption.

The flight attendant nodded, handing Drew a steaming cup before moving on, leaving Saige sputtering in disbelief.

She turned to Drew, her jaw nearly unhinged. "She thought we were married!" she whisper-yelled, her face flushed. "Do I look that old?"

Drew smirked, taking a deliberate sip of his coffee. "Thought you'd like the idea of us being called a married couple."

Saige glared at him, though her lips betrayed a hint of a smile. "Shut up."

His smirk widened, and he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a teasing murmur. "I think we made a pretty convincing couple, babe."

Her eyes narrowed, though the playful gleam within them betrayed her. "Call me that again, and I might start thinking you're flirting with me."

Drew's smirk deepened, a teasing challenge sparking in his eyes. He leaned in slightly, his voice dipping just enough to send a shiver down her spine. "And if I was?"
Saige's breath hitched but she quickly masked it with a roll of her eyes, feigning nonchalance. "Then I'd say you're not as subtle as you think you are."

Drew's low chuckle sent a ripple of warmth through her. He leaned even closer, his breath grazing her ear as he murmured. "Oh, I wasn't trying to be subtle."

Her head snapped toward him, her wide eyes meeting his amused ones. His smirk was downright infuriating—and utterly irresistible.

"Unbelievable." She muttered, shaking her head, though her flushed cheeks betrayed her flustered state.

Drew just leaned back in his seat, looking far too satisfied. "What can I say? You make it too easy."

A smile tugged at Saige's lips but she quickly masked it with an exaggerated eye roll, unwilling to let Drew see just how much his teasing affected her.

The hours melted away, the flight passing with a surprising lightness that neither of them had expected.

Gathering their luggage, they made their way to the lobby, where the rest of the cast waited in a lively cluster, their energy filling the space. Reunited with familiar faces, Saige couldn't help but feel a buzz of excitement for what lay ahead.

Madelyn had arranged for a van to take them to the resort, where they'd be spending most of their time over the next few days. The energy was buzzing, laughter and chatter filling the air as they piled into the vehicle, excited for what awaited them.

"Drew and Saige, you good back there?" JD called over his shoulder, giving Saige a thumbs-up as if seeking her approval.

"Yup." Drew returned the thumbs-up before turning to Saige, a faint smirk on his lips. "You good?"

"Like I always say, anywhere with you is a yes." Saige winked, a teasing tone in her voice.

"Oh my god!" Madison exclaimed from the seat in front of them and pointed to Drew's ears. "He's blushing!"

"Am not." Drew shook his head a little too defensively in Saige's opinion.

"Denial is a river in Egypt!" Saige pointed out to him. "Come on, baby, don't crush my ego like that."

Drew rolled his eyes at her playfully before giving her a thumbs up. "Whatever you say, baby."

Saige gave him a mischievous glint. Before she could even say anything more, a white van pulled up in front of them. Drew and Saige had gotten in first, followed by Madison, Raella, JD, Rudy, and Austin. Carlacia had a different flight today considering she came from her hometown.

The car ride to the resort was twenty minutes or less, and Saige had spent every waking minute making fun of Drew, who was super jet-lagged.

"I know I said insomnia was my hidden talent but I slept on the flight and boy did it make my butt sore," Drew muttered under his breath.

"Admit you slept 'cause you were next to me," Saige said in a sing-song.

Drew shook his head at her and laughed. "You're impossible."

"You love it." Saige nudged him with a smile.

"Maybe I do." Drew shrugged, smirking.

Then, Drew adjusted himself in his seat and his head dropped down to lay on Saige's shoulder. Saige felt herself stiffen which didn't go unnoticed by Drew.