lxi. HOME SWEET HOME.
March 6, 2018. | Third Person POV.
Los Angeles, California.

The familiar hum of LAX filled the air as Sedona stepped off the plane, the cool rush of conditioned air swirling around her. After thirteen hours cramped in first class, she was more than ready to stretch her legs. But the jet lag weighed heavy on her, making each step feel like she was moving through water.

Still, a soft smile played on her lips. She was back in Los Angeles. There was no better feeling than returning to the city she loved.

Beside her, Kendrick adjusted his carry-on, his eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses. Even in sweats and a hoodie, he moved with that effortless cool that always drew attention. But today, the usual buzz of excitement was replaced by fatigue.

She nudged him gently as they walked through the terminal. "I don't know 'bout you, but I feel like I been hit by a truck. Thirteen hours ain't no joke."

Kendrick chuckled, his voice rough from sleep. "Yeah, I'm feelin' it. Jet lag is whoopin' my ass right now." He glanced down at her, his smile softening. "You good, though?"

Sedona yawned, leaning into his shoulder for a moment. "Mm-hmm. Just ready to get home and collapse. Ain't nothin' like your own bed after bein' on the road."

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in close. "I feel that. But I gotta handle somethin' before I can even think about sleep."

She looked up at him, her brows knitting in concern. "Can't it wait? You been runnin' nonstop."

Kendrick shook his head, his jaw tightening. "Nah, this one's important. Gotta take care of it today."

Sedona stopped walking, planting her feet as she turned to face him. "Kendrick, when was the last time you took a break? Like a real vacation? No music, no business, just... rest."

He blinked, clearly not expecting that question. He opened his mouth to answer but then hesitated, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "I... I don't even remember, honestly."

She sighed, reaching up to cup his face. "You need one. Hell, we both do. You can't keep runnin' on empty, babe."

Kendrick leaned into her touch, his eyes closing for a moment. "I hear you. But I gotta handle this first. After that... I'll think about it."

Sedona dropped her hand, knowing better than to push. He was stubborn, always had been. But she wouldn't let this go. Not when she could see the exhaustion in his eyes.

"All right," She relented, her voice softening. "But don't keep me waitin' too long when you finally decide. I got plans for us that don't involve no studio or business meetings."

His lips curved into a smirk, the tiredness momentarily fading. "Oh yeah? What kinda plans?"

She gave him a playful shove. "You'll see. Now go handle your business."

He leaned down, pressing a lingering kiss to her lips. "I'ma hold you to that."

Sedona laughed, the sound light and sweet. "You better."

They walked together through the terminal, their steps slowing as they reached the exit. Sedona's driver was already waiting, holding the door open as she turned back to face Kendrick one more time.

"You sure you good?" He asked, his voice soft with concern.

She smiled, her eyes warm. "I'm good, Kenny. I just need to go home and get myself situated. You go do what you need to do."

He nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a beat longer than necessary. "A'ight. I'ma check on you later."

"You better," She teased, stepping into the car.

Kendrick watched as the door closed, his figure growing smaller as the car pulled away. Sedona leaned back against the seat, her eyes drifting shut as exhaustion finally caught up to her.

She was home. And that was enough... for now.

—

As the car pulled away from the curb, Sedona sank into the plush leather seat, her body finally relaxing after hours of stiff airplane cushions and airport chaos. She let out a long sigh, closing her eyes for a moment before glancing over at Monica, who was busy typing away on her phone. 

Monica looked up, her expression brightening as she caught Sedona's eye. "Glad to be back?" 

Sedona smiled, resting her head against the headrest. "You have no idea. I swear, if I see another plane anytime soon, I might lose it." 

Monica laughed, tucking her phone away. "I hear you. This tour's been a whirlwind, but you killed it. The shows, the interviews, everything was on point." 

"Yeah... it was," Sedona admitted, a sense of pride washing over her. "But I'm exhausted, Mo. Like, deep down in my bones tired." 

Monica nodded knowingly. "I figured. That's why I already cleared your schedule for the next few days. You've got time to recharge before things pick back up." 

Sedona reached over, squeezing Monica's hand. "You always look out for me. But I got one more thing to add." 

Monica raised an eyebrow. "What's that?" 

Sedona smiled, her eyes warm. "You got the rest of the week off." 

Monica's eyes widened, clearly taken by surprise. "Wait... what? Sedona, you don't—" 

"Uh-uh," Sedona cut in, her tone firm but gentle. "You need and deserve it. Hell, you been runnin' just as hard as me, if not harder. Besides..." She gave Monica a knowing look. "I'm sure Matthew misses you." 

A blush crept up Monica's cheeks, her shoulders relaxing as she laughed softly. "Yeah... he does. Been complainin' about me bein' gone so much." 

Sedona's smile softened. "Then go home to him. Spend time with your husband, Mon. I'm serious. Don't worry 'bout me—I'll be fine. I just plan on sleepin' and eatin' for the next few days anyway." 

Monica's eyes glistened with gratitude as she looked at her friend and boss. "You're really somethin' else, you know that?" 

Sedona waved her off. "Don't get all mushy on me now. Just go home, relax, and enjoy yourself. You earned it." 

Monica leaned back, a wide smile on her face. "I think I just might. And if you need anything—" 

Sedona cut her off with a laugh. "I won't. Not this week. You and Matthew better be sick of each other by the time I see you again." 

Monica shook her head, laughing. "I'll try not to be, but no promises." 

They continued to chat, the familiar streets of Los Angeles rolling by outside the window. For the first time in a long while, Sedona felt at ease, knowing she was home and that the people she cared about were exactly where they needed to be.

—

The car pulled up to the house, and Sedona let out a slow breath, her eyes lingering on the familiar front door. It felt good to be back. Real good. She stepped out, thanking the driver before heading up the walkway, her keys jangling as she unlocked the door.

The quietness welcomed her first, a soft, serene silence that settled around her shoulders like a warm blanket. No bustling crowds, no loud music, no schedules—just peace. She stepped inside, shutting the door behind her as she took in the familiar space. The faint scent of sandalwood incense lingered in the air, grounding her instantly.

"Home sweet home," She murmured, slipping off her sneakers and wiggling her toes against the cool floor.

Sedona dropped her bags by the couch, her eyes sweeping over the living room. Everything was just as she'd left it—neatly arranged and untouched, waiting for her return. She let out a satisfied sigh, glad she'd thought to clean up before leaving. It made coming back that much sweeter.

Her stomach growled, and she chuckled to herself, walking into the kitchen. She opened the fridge and found exactly what she expected: nothing. Not even a stray bottle of water. But that was a good thing. Clearing out the fridge before she left meant no surprise science experiments waiting for her. It also gave her the perfect excuse to order takeout.

"Mm, Thai sounds good," She mused, already imagining the spicy-sweet taste of pad thai.

But first, she needed to put away the few things she'd brought back from the tour. Heading back to the living room, she started unpacking, humming softly to herself. A couple of souvenirs, gifts from fans, a new jacket she'd found in Berlin... and a little something extra.

She grinned, her fingers wrapping around the cool glass of the bottle she'd managed to sneak in on the plane—a crisp white wine she couldn't resist grabbing when they passed through duty-free.

"Well, hello there," She cooed, holding up the bottle and inspecting the label. "You and me are gonna get real familiar tonight."

Sedona went back to the kitchen, pulling open a drawer and grabbing a corkscrew. A few twists and a satisfying pop later, she was pouring herself a generous glass. She took a sip, the cool, fruity notes dancing on her tongue, and let out a pleased hum.

"That's hittin' just right," She said, leaning back against the counter as she took another sip.

For a moment, she just stood there, letting the stillness of the house wash over her. No demands, no obligations—just herself, a glass of wine, and the comforting quiet of home.

She pushed off the counter, her shoulders finally relaxing. As she moved around the house, putting things away and tidying up, she felt the exhaustion begin to melt. The jet lag was still there, but it didn't feel as heavy now. Being home made all the difference.

Sedona set the now half-empty wine glass on the coffee table and sank onto the couch, letting her body sink into the plush cushions. She pulled out her phone, already scrolling through her favorite Thai restaurant's menu.

Her eyes drifted around the room, a small smile forming as she took in the familiar details. The framed photos on the wall, the stack of magazines she never quite got around to reading, the throw blanket draped over the arm of the couch. It was all here, just waiting for her to come back.

Home.

She took another sip of wine, her body sinking deeper into the couch. Yeah, it was good to be home.

—

After lounging on the couch far longer than she intended, Sedona finally got up, her body protesting with every move. She stretched, groaning softly as her joints cracked, before gathering the leftover Thai takeout containers. She padded into the kitchen, putting the food away neatly in the fridge. Her eyes lingered on the open bottle of wine still on the counter, and with a small smirk, she picked it up by the neck, deciding it was coming with her. 

As she walked down the hall, she flipped off the lights behind her, leaving the house bathed in a cozy dimness. Her bedroom door creaked softly as she pushed it open, the familiar space greeting her like an old friend. She paused at the threshold, taking it all in—the way the moonlight filtered through the blinds, casting pale silver stripes across her bed; the faint scent of lavender from the diffuser she'd left on low. 

"Oh, how I missed this," She whispered, her eyes landing on her bed, perfectly made just as she left it. The plush comforter, the mountain of pillows—it was calling her name. 

She set the wine on her nightstand, then grabbed her robe and headed to the bathroom, already peeling off her travel-worn clothes. The hot water felt like heaven, washing away the remnants of jet lag and exhaustion. Sedona closed her eyes, letting the steam envelop her as she massaged her scalp, working the conditioner through her curls. 

By the time she stepped out, her muscles were relaxed, her skin warm and soft. She slipped into a thin white tank top and a black thong, the soft cotton whispering against her skin as she ran a hand through her damp hair, letting it air dry. 

Back in her bedroom, she climbed into bed with the bottle of wine in one hand, remote in the other. She scrolled aimlessly through the movie options, finally settling on some random rom-com she'd seen a hundred times. But her focus kept slipping. 

From the corner of her eye, she kept catching glimpses of her pole. It stood elegantly in the far corner of her room, gleaming in the moonlight like it was calling her name. She sipped her wine, her gaze lingering on it. It had been so long since she'd danced—really danced. 

She wondered if she was rusty. If her body still remembered the fluid movements, the way she used to bend and twist with ease. 

A sly smile played on her lips as she took another long drink straight from the bottle, the sweet wine warming her chest. "Ain't no harm in a little practice," she murmured. 

With a new burst of energy, she slid out of bed, her bare feet padding softly across the floor. She grabbed her phone, scrolling through her playlist until she found it. The soft, sultry chords of Cherish the Day by Sade filled the room, the bass vibrating gently beneath her skin. 

Setting the phone down, she took a deep breath, letting the music wash over her. Her body moved instinctively, stretching slowly to loosen her limbs. She bent at the waist, fingers brushing her toes as she felt the familiar pull in her hamstrings. A few more stretches—a deep lunge, a twist of her torso—and she was ready. 

Sedona approached the pole, running her fingers along the cool metal, reacquainting herself with the feel of it. She gripped it firmly, her muscles flexing as she pulled herself up with ease, settling into a simple fireman spin. It was like riding a bike. Her body remembered every move, every trick. 

Confidence surged through her, the wine humming in her veins as she moved effortlessly from one position to the next. She wrapped one leg around the pole, leaning back as her body arched gracefully, her hair cascading behind her like silk. The music swirled around her, guiding her movements as her body contorted, muscles flexing in perfect harmony. 

She climbed higher, her thighs gripping the pole as she inverted herself, her toned body hanging upside down with perfect control. Her fingers slid along the metal, guiding her into a twisted ballerina pose that showed off her flexibility, her back arched beautifully. She transitioned smoothly into a jade split, her legs extending in opposite directions as she held the position with ease, her body curving with practiced elegance. 

The song's hypnotic rhythm continued, each beat syncing with her fluid movements. She let herself get lost in it, the music, the dance, the way her body moved like liquid silk. It was freeing, and exhilarating. 

Sedona was fully in her element, her body flowing effortlessly from one move to the next, her limbs extending gracefully as she twirled around the pole. The music swirled around her, a sensual rhythm that matched her every movement. She arched her back, letting her hair cascade behind her as she slid down slowly, her toned body curving with perfect control.

Just as she was about to transition into another trick, her phone lit up, vibrating insistently against the nightstand. She rolled her eyes, her rhythm faltering for a moment. Who was interrupting her groove?

With a playful huff, she slid down the pole, landing softly on her feet as she sauntered over to the bed, wiping a light sheen of sweat from her brow. Her irritation melted away the moment she saw the name on the screen—Kenny.

His contact photo stared back at her, a candid shot she'd taken when he wasn't paying attention, his face twisted in mock confusion. She bit her lip, a small grin curling at the corners of her mouth. Well, wasn't this perfect timing?

She answered the FaceTime, leaning against the pole casually as the screen connected. Kendrick's face appeared, his eyes bright yet visibly tired. He was sitting in the driver's seat of his car, the streetlights casting shadows across his features.

"Hey, superstar," He greeted, his voice warm and smooth. But then his eyes narrowed, his head tilting slightly. "Where you at?"

Sedona arched a brow, her free hand lazily spinning the pole as she leaned into the camera's frame. "Where you think?"

His gaze shifted, and she could see the exact moment it clicked. His eyes widened slightly, his lips parting as his gaze zeroed in on the background behind her. "Oh, you back home already?"

"Mhm," She purred, her voice dripping with mischief. She took a deliberate sip from the wine bottle still in her hand, letting her fingers trace the rim as she watched his reaction. "Figured I'd get a little comfortable, unwind a bit."

His eyes dropped to the thin tank top barely covering her curves, then flicked to the pole she was leaning on. He licked his lips, his voice dropping a notch. "You lookin' real comfortable, alright."

Sedona's grin widened, her fingers twirling around the pole absentmindedly. "Oh, I'm just gettin' started." She took a step back, giving him a better view of the pole, her body angled just right to show off her toned legs. "Y'know, it's been a minute since I practiced... thought I'd see if I still got it."

Kendrick's jaw clenched, his eyes glued to the screen. "Oh, you definitely still got it."

She giggled, her Southern drawl lilting playfully. "You sure? I mean, I could give you a lil' preview... if you can handle it."

He leaned back in his seat, his hands gripping the steering wheel. "Girl, you know damn well I can handle it."

She took another slow sip of wine, her eyes never leaving his as she slid her free hand up the pole, her body curving into a lazy stretch. "Well then, maybe I'll give you that private show... if you behave."

Kendrick's gaze darkened, his voice dropping to a low rumble. "Keep playin', D. I can easily come over."

Sedona's laughter was light, teasing. "Don't threaten me with a good time." She spun slowly around the pole, just enough to make his eyes follow her every move. "Guess you'll just have to use your imagination for now."

He groaned, his head falling back against the headrest. "You somethin' else, girl. You really gon' do me like that?"

Sedona winked, blowing him a kiss through the screen. "I'll let you know how flexible I still am whenever you decide to pay me a visit."

Kendrick's eyes gleamed with anticipation, his voice turning rough around the edges. "We'll see."

She ended the call with a satisfied smirk, her heart racing from the playful exchange. She took another sip of wine, her body buzzing with adrenaline and something more electric.

"Well," She murmured, her fingers trailing along the pole's sleek surface. "Guess I better keep practicing."

With Cherish the Day still crooning softly in the background, she continued her routine, her movements even more fluid, more enticing, knowing Kendrick's thoughts were probably still on her. Just where she wanted them.

By the time the song ended, her chest was heaving, her skin glowing with a light sheen of sweat. She slid down the pole, her feet landing softly on the floor as she caught her breath. A satisfied smile played on her lips as she looked up at the pole, still gleaming under the moonlight. 

"Guess I ain't rusty after all," She whispered, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. 

With a content sigh, she padded back to her bed, collapsing onto the mattress and reaching for the wine bottle. She took another sip, her body buzzing from both the alcohol and the adrenaline rush. As she settled back against the pillows, a deep, satisfied exhaustion washed over her. 

What a tease.

—

©kashdemi
Volume I- Redamancy.
Chapter Sixty-one.
— ０２／２５／２５
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Spam dumping chapters until we reach the long awaited chapter. ;) LISTEN THE TOUR IS OFFICIALLY OVER SO WE'RE CLOSE TO GETTING ALL WHAT WE WANT YEAHHHH.

Stay tuned for the next chapter, & til next time!
-shea