TW: PG 16

•Wicked Games / The Weekend•
"Bring your love, baby, I can bring my shame
Bring the drugs, baby, I can bring my pain
I got my heart right here
I got my scars right here"

''This's so, so good,'' I moan, my tongue traveling around my lips.

''I told you so.'' Victor's warm breathe hits my cheek as he leans closer. My face slightly turns to the side, looking back at him.

His eyes are glazed, swimming in alcohol. His smirk is loose, loosening all the knots in my muscles. He leans back again, his fingers carrying the last empanada to his smooth lips.

Wait!

I look down, my eyebrows furrowing as I stare at my empty plate. There was supposed to be one more empanada. He didn't. No. My eyes snap towards Victor once more, an amused smile on his mouth as he chews my food. Mine.

''Hey!'' I lunge towards him, ''Keep your filthy hands off my food,'' my words come out slurred as my fingers attack Victor. He tries to escape, our carefree laughter resonating in the air. In the end, I manage to snatch the last piece, throwing the delicious food inside my mouth.

I sit back on the stool, my eyes narrowing at Victor.

''You're adorable when trying to glare, Shahrazad,'' he says, teasing me.

My elbows lean on the kitchen island, my chin lazily on top of one of my hands. ''And you...''

''I'm what? Hot, mysterious, smart, sexy, humble?'' His eyebrows wiggle as one of his arms props up on the island, the tips of his fingers reaching me.

I scoff, trying to hold back a smile. ''Cute,'' I answer calmly, ''You're simply cute, 007.''

His face frowns, just proving my point as he looks even more like a puppy right now.

I am facing the metallic island as Victor faces me, both of us lazily sitting on stools. Our aprons are long forgotten, and the radio continues blasting melodies as the yellow lamp illuminates us. He found his lost keys on one of the shelves here, making me want to laugh and slap him at the same time.

My head rises as my hand clumsily grabs the champagne bottle, bringing it to my lips. I whine when I realize these are the last drops.

My other arm stays still, Victor's fingers rubbing it. Irregular patterns are drawn on my covered skin and even though my senses are numbed by the alcohol, his touch creates a small fire on my epidermis.

His eyes are fixed on me and his intoxicating scent mixes with the butter smell that surrounds the kitchen. It melts me, making the entire world disappears. And I drink this feeling, getting drunk into oblivion as my past fades away.

''So, spill the tea. Are you guys famous or something? A lot of people were staring in the fundraiser,'' I ask, leaving the empty bottle on the table.

''It is, hmm, just my family. My dad came from one of the oldest families in the region, they have a huge construction company; it built many of the buildings here. So, not famous, but known, yes. Basic smalltown gossip mixed with some past dramas.'' He swallows, his fingers never leaving me, holding into my arm like a lifeline.

''Gossip happens everywhere, trust me,'' I mutter, our eyes locking.

A crooked smile opens on his lips, his body slightly leaning forward. ''I'm sorry for putting you in the middle of the whispers and stuff.''

''Don't worry. I looked hot, at least.'' He snorts, his fingers trailing up my arm. An idea pops in my drunken mind, an easy giggle escaping my mouth, ''Fuck, people must have thought that I was like your escort or something.''

He laughs, his nose wrinkling. His touch reaches my shoulder, the fire spreading.

I look to the side, observing the amused sparkle in his chocolate eyes. ''Well, then I must not forget to pay you at the end of the night.''

''And you better pay me well. I'm expensive, y'know?'' The words slip through my lips before I even understand what they mean.

He seems taken back by my answer, his laughter turning into a fit of cough. His hand leaves me, the fire easing as his fingers go to his chest. I turn on the stool, facing him now. My arm slips through the kitchen island, going down to Victor's leg as he's finally able to catch a breath.

''You, Elena, are actually very fun,'' he manages to say, his eyes finding me.

''Hey!'' My hand leaves his leg, shoving his chest. ''I feel attacked now. I'm an extremely fun person.'' Or I used to be.

The amusement that surrounded me soon vanishes, a heavy weight pressing down my heart. And I can't remember the last time I just was fun.

I wish I could say the fault is in the last year's events, but honestly, I have been losing my fun side way before it all happened. I may blame it on growing up and how adulthood is about responsibilities. And I genuinely didn't miss this part of me – I was fine without it; I was fine with not being the party girl I used to be in the couple first years of college.

But right now, I do miss it.

When you lose yourself, you find comfort in any small piece of you that finds its way back. And I hold on tight in this part. Because right in this second, it is the only thing illuminating the dark tunnel.

Well, it and the damn fire that Victor's touch is able to create.

''You okay?'' he asks me, his head tilting as he carefully looks at me.

''What? Yeah.'' I blink a few times, the alcohol swimming in my blood. I open a small smile, but his eyes keep watching me. ''I love this song,'' I say quickly, not even caring about the lyrics.

I get up in a quick move, the floor slipping down my bare feet. Victor's fingers come to my waist, steadying me as my mind spins a little, drunk waves crashing inside my head. I smile, grabbing his arms and pulling him with me.

He tries to get away from me, but I finally am able to convince him to dance with me.

The first three buttons of his white shirt are opened, his hair swaying. My own strands brush on my shoulders, my long sleeves rolled up to my elbows.

Victor grabs my hand, spinning me, my back crashing against his chest in the end. Our laughter easily escapes our mouths, and I find myself burning in his embrace.

Our words are slurred, our eyes glazed. But somehow, we move in sync.

The kitchen doesn't have much free space, so we just continue moving between the island and the brick wall.

''Ohmygod, I suck in the kitchen. And you clearly suck in dancing,'' I exclaim, a giggle escaping my mouth as Victor steps for the tenth time on my foot.

He rolls his eyes, his fingers digging deeper into my waist, earning a yelp from me. ''It's hard, okay?''

''I'll have to give you some classes. You embarrass me this way, and I'm way drunker than you right now.''

''So, that's how our relationship works? I teach you one thing. You teach me another. And so go on?'' He steps closer, encaging me against the island.

I look up, staring at his sparkling eyes, holding the challenge swimming in them. ''I guess so. What will you teach me next?'' I can't control the smirk that spreads on my lips, my back hitting the metallic counter.

''I've something in mind, but I've a feeling you are already the best on it,'' he says each syllable calmly. His chocolate eyes turn into black coffee, dark in lust.

Good thing I like my coffee dark. Bitter taste down my throat. And right now, I imagine what taste Victor's lips carry.

I am so sorry Akira, you apparently will be losing your stupid bet. And I will break my no-complicated-relationships promise.

''It's almost midnight,'' I mutter, my gaze finding the clock on the brick wall over his shoulder. ''What stupid thing will you do?''

The alcohol numbs my past. The silence from the rest of the world allows me to forget my problems. And the fire that victor has ignited reaches my lungs, the smoke intoxicating me.

I want more of it. I want to forget. I want to be the fun Elena again. Just for this night. Be normal. And I let the flames spread.

''Elena,'' he says, swallowing as his eyes travel my face.

The longer hand of the clock moves, indicating that there is only one minute left till midnight.

I bite my lip, my breath hitching as the words slip my mouth, ''Do me.''

''You're drunk.'' Victor shuts his eyes, but his hands remain in my waist, his thumbs running circles on the dress.

I stand on my tiptoes, our faces closer now. ''Kiss me,'' I say calmly, a plea behind my words. I want it. I need it.

My hands trail up his chest till they reach his neck. I can see the conflict behind his eyes, and I notice he wants it too. He also needs it. A night free from whatever haunts his mind.

We are strangers. We don't know each other's scars. We can be whoever we want to be. It carries an exciting and dangerous weight.

''I-'' he tries to say, his words fading away when my nose brushes his.

''Will you make me beg?''

I quickly look at the clock - ten, nine, eight. Be brave. Do something stupid. Enjoy life.

''Kiss me,'' my needing lips plea, my nails finding the back of his neck, imploring him to lean down towards me. Our mouths brush, his arm circling my waist. There is no more space between us, his fast heartbeat in sync with mine. ''Please.''

And when the clock strikes twelve, the flames turn into a forest fire. Hot blazes swallowing us.

Our lips meet. It's rough and hungry. It's more inebriating than all the champagne in the world. And it's fun.

His hands bring me closer, our bodies crashing against the other. His fingers trail my waist, fireworks exploding in my skin as my own fingers tangle in his locks.

The next thing I know, his touch tightens, lifting me, and my thighs collapse hard against the island, my legs embracing his hips.

A smile opens on my lips, enjoying how rough Victor can be. His touch, his skin, his kiss. Oh, what a first kiss.

There is no love. Maybe some passion. The hungry kind of passion. And we feed on the other.

One of my hands runs down his neck, my nails slightly scratching his skin, reaching his chest next. His tongue enters my mouth, finding mine as they tangle.

We deepen the kiss as his fingers burn my back, going up to my hair. My strands twist in his hold as he pulls my head to the side, a moan leaving me.

I can feel the smirk growing on his lips as he trails my jaw, warm kisses being planted on my skin. I have to bite my lower lip, his attack on my neck making me melt.

My hands find his bare chest under his shirt, and I enjoy his warm skin against my palms as I forcefully open the buttons, not caring if they rip apart.

My legs bring his hips closer, his bulge brushing on my inner thighs. My head falls back, exposing my neck even more. And Victor enjoys it. His tongue tastes me, his lips sucking and nibbling my skin.

My nails dig deeper into his chest, reaching his shoulders and pulling him closer. His mouth travels my neck, going down to my chest. He lingers his kisses, smirking against my skin as I tremble in his slow, pleasurable torture.

My hips move, feeling him getting harder, a moan escaping his lips as he pushes me against the island, my back hitting it, a thud resonating in the room.

''Fuck, you okay?'' he asks, his breath shallow as he slightly backs away, his eyes finding mine.

My hands grab his shirt as I pull him closer again. ''Just shut up and kiss me,'' I answer, and his expression goes back into his fucking hot smirk, his lips crashing into mine.

His hand finds my face, his thumb caressing my cheek as our kiss deepens, my legs bringing him closer to me, our hips brushing on the other.

All his buttons are open now, and my nails travel up and down his exposed chest, sensing his muscles tense.

His lips are rough against mine, and his teeth enjoy nibbling my lower lip, sucking in the end, stealing moans from me.

He gives me a coy smile, his eyes locking with mine. My breathing getting stuck as I admire his hungry irises. My legs press his erection on my wet core, a growl escaping his lips.

A wicked smile opens on my face, enjoying the fire we have created.

I dodge his lips when he comes down once more, my mouth crashing on his neck instead. My hands attack his back as his trail my breasts. His fingers skirt my curves, reaching my legs.

The dress is rolled up already, my tights exposed. I bite his shoulder as his palms run through my skin, up and down on my legs.

His right hand reaches my hip, my ankles pressing his closer to me. Soon, his left hand also finds the side of my upper thigh, exactly where a long, clean scar crosses my skin.

I feel his hand stopping, and my blood runs cold.

My nails don't scratch. Nor my lips nibble his skin. The air has left my lungs. The smoke is not an exciting type of intoxication anymore. It is suffocating.

His touch burns too deep now.

His fingers leave my scar, reaching up, but the spell has been broken already, and my hands go to his chest, pushing him away.

''Stop.'' The word is barely a whisper, my voice broken.

However, he hears me, his fingers leaving my legs in no second. He looks at me worriedly, stepping back. ''Did I..., what is wrong?'' he asks, his hand running through his hair. If it was another moment, I would appreciate the view. He looks hot and cute, with his shirt almost falling down his arms, his curls all messy, and swollen lips.

But my mind is somewhere else. And I really need to go.

''I just. Hmmm,'' I try to say, sitting as my fingers rub my face, trying to get me back to reality. ''It's late, I should go.''

He tries to grab my arm when I pass through him, reaching for the keys and my purse as I run to the bar, heading straight to the stairs that lead to the door.

My fingers shake as I try to grab the correct key. I need to get out of here. I need to breathe. I can't breathe. And all the memories I had so well managed to numb come back.

My body is not numb anymore. It is wide awake. And everything hurts.

''Elena. Talk to me, please,'' I notice the plea in his voice, his eyes dancing in concern. His hand raises to touch me, but he holds himself back, standing one step under me.

''I just need to go. Can you open the damn door?'' I throw the keys at him, desperate to get some fresh air.

He must notice the angst inside of me because he does what he is told, quickly unlocking the door. The cold breeze embraces me, making it a little easier to breathe now.

''Let me take you to your hotel. We don't need to talk or anything, okay?'' I turn, looking at him. His eyes glaze at my right thigh just for one second, but it is enough for the acid to burn my insides.

And this time, the burning is not enjoyable. It only carries pain, no pleasure.

I hold my purse tight, my throat dry. The scar is a never-ending reminder of all my mistakes. All the domino effect that led to it. All the blame that I carry. I deserve it. But it still hurts.

Hurts way more than the cut itself.

He steps closer to me, and I step back, my hands raising to create a barrier. ''I can walk myself, it's no problem,'' I manage to say. His head tilts to the side, his fingers closed in fists as he tries to read me.

''Shahrazad.'' His voice is so sweet that I almost cave. But I can't break in front of him. I can't break in front of anyone. I simply can't do it again.

And the world spins too fast right now.

''I've to go. Leave me alone, Victor.''  My tone is sharp, and I regret it the second the words leave my mouth. But I take the moment that his body freezes, taken back by my harshness, to turn and run down the street.

I don't care that my bare feet scrap against the sidewalk. I don't care that my lipstick all smudged. I don't care about my messy hair nor my watery eyes.

Victor shouts my name and a couple of swears, but I just continue running, heading to my hotel not far from the bar. I reach my room, sliding down the door as soon as it closes.

When you play with fire, you get burned.

And when you play with old scars, sometimes, they reopen.

——•:•——
HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE CHAPTER. DON'T FORGET TO VOTE. THANKS FOR READING

-I enjoyed very much writing the hot scene, I must say

-And I hate myself for ending their night this way. But first, they didn't even have a condom (always wrap it before you tap it, kids!!!) and second, for the long run it was needed. Now it will guide us to an important talk, some secrets coming out and a deal between the two of them that will set the rest of the story

•any thoughts?

•any idea of Elena's scar?

This chapter is dedicated to OMG_LIKE_LITERALLY for being so so sweet and amazing

[Sneak peek 16: our dear Elena drowns in her mind. After all, healing is a long process. And the waves come and go, crashing you down sometimes ]