The Light of my Life

The Sweetest Peach

Tamotsu and Illyana arrived at the convention center at around noon. So far they were ahead of schedule which put the manager back into a good mood. Once parked Tamotsu would look towards Illyana and sigh. 

"This is it today Lily." The woman looked at him with a determined expression. "You do well here and we can convince the company to let us go to the photoshoot in Hawaii. I'll actually be meeting tomorrow with the people I'll be planning the venue with, so we can't fall short today." He'd encourage the woman. 

Tomorrow? Wasn't that the day Liu and Tamotsu had agreed they would be settling the details with that Hawaii property? The thought made her throat dry. She felt like she was running out of time. She wouldn't be able to do much today as she had the show to focus on. 

Stepping around the car to the passenger side, Tamotsu would open the door for Illyana, holding out his hand. She seemed to hesitate, her crimson eyes turning up to look into his. Tamotsu stared back, his knuckles popping when his hand tensed. A soft smile spread across the man's features. 

"Lily, my dear. We are still dating, remember?" He'd whisper in a low voice, eyes darkening as he lowered his head. "And it's hard to concentrate with your charming, charming eyes..." He'd hint. 

The young woman would open her mouth to question the man, only for her eyes to widen when she realized what she was doing. Like a guitar chord snapping, the energy would withdraw allowing Tamotsu to relax. A shiver ran through his body as he huffed out a deep sigh. 

It was hard to describe how a Vampir's Charm felt. Some said it was like daydreaming, or a feeling of floating, that stomach churning feeling of being on a swing. Tamotsu wouldn't agree. It was a cloying sensation that pulled at his throat, forcing him into a dark pit surrounded by her scent, drowning in that sea...

When her hand finally slipped into his offered reach, the half-blooded beast helped her from the vehicle, lowering his head until his lips left a chaste kiss on the back of her hand. Illyana blushed as he pulled her against his body and pushed the door closed behind her. He used his own body like a shield to guard her from the nosy shutter snaps of the swarming paparazzi. 

"I need you to listen to me carefully Lily." He looked down to the woman, having yet to let go of her hand. 

The Vampir turned her gaze up to her manager, a questioning look in her eyes. She had never noticed before, but his toffee brown eyes were a bit dull, tired. She felt a sense of kindredship with him. Lost in her thoughts the Vampir leaned herself closer to his body, her chest pressing against his. 

 "What is it, Momo?" Her voice was soft, alluring. It was like a siren singing. 

He winced, holding his head slightly. Does she not realize she keeps...? "Your father. " He grunted. "He will be stopping by after the show, but I don't trust him. He may pop up mid show so you can't slack for a moment. I'll support Silvia as needed. Just focus on your job." He reminded her.

With his warning he walked the woman to the back entrance of the center. Security kept the paparazzi at bay, the fairy and her manager being let through in a hurry. 

Once inside the couple would no longer need to pretend, but neither wanted to let go of the other's hand. Tamotsu stared off down the hall, the feeling of claws around his throat finally fading now that Illyana wasn't looking his way. Why was she so anxious? Did the show have her on edge? 

Walking down the corridor they would make their way backstage. Tamotsu would lead Lily up the steps, watching her skip her way up he would smile and open his mouth to speak up.

"Lily!" The grating sound dug a trench in his ears, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. 

The older woman pushed past Tamotsu and pulled Illyana into a tight hug. "Finally! Was he driving like a snail through traffic? I was about to send for help!"

Tamotsu glared at Silvia, but eventually moved to the side and plucked his phone from his pocket. Running his hand through his hair the man settled to lean his back against the wall. While Silvia pissed him off, she was at least business oriented and would get her work done without too much fooling around. If there was anyone he could trust that had Illyana's well being in mind it was the siscon.

Illyana chuckled. "N-no, nee-san. That's a bit much." Silvia was dramatic and always trying to put Tamotsu down. 

It annoyed Illyana. It bothered her that her sister didn't at least try to get along with Tamotsu. She knew she would have to say something and stop her sister from running wild. She looked over to her manager, having felt he resisted her sister's abrupt interference, but he seemed his usual self. She was a little disappointed, but she had a job to do. 

"Nevermind that nee-san. I have to get ready. I'm going to eat lunch. Can you get my first outfit ready?"

Silvia perked up. "Oh, my lovely Lily~ shall we go somewhere to eat?!" She moved to grab Illyana's hand, noticing how her little sister pulled away from her.

"O-oh. No, Tamotsu made me lunch actually. I was going to sit and eat it." She would admit.

Silvia turned her head back to glare at Tamotsu, the man smirking knowingly as his eyes were glued to his phone's screen, thumb scrolling through his apps. Silvia sighed and would nod. "Alright. I'll get you what I picked out~♥!" 

The woman hurried off. Feeling relieved, Illyana would seat herself on the couch that was set up back there to give those working on stage someplace to rest. Tamotsu would set down her bento box and reach up to pat the top of her head. Looking up to her manager Illyana would smile brightly. She was thankful for everything he did for her. After a few minutes Silvia would return from the dressing room with an armful of clothes. Tamotsu bristled and moved between the sisters.

"Hold it." He glared at the older sister.

Silvia rolled her eyes. "What now ~Momo~ are you jealous that I'm going to dress her? Remember you're only pretending to date her." She grinned mockingly.

He wouldn't dignify her with a proper answer. "Are those the clothes you chose?" He stepped forward, taking one of the outfits from her arm and stretching it out in front of them. "No."

"What?!" Silvia snapped. "She'll look beautiful in these!" The woman complained.

Tamotsu held back his anger. "I know!" He huffed. "But we aren't trying to make Illyana beautiful." His words stunned Silvia, causing the woman to stagger back.

"W-what? You treacherous leech, have you forgotten--?"

"Have you?!" Tamotsu tossed the dress back at Silvia. "We're trying to make Lily cute. Cute, Silvia. Do you remember what cute looks like?! These are dresses an anime housewife would wear trying to seduce the neighbor!"

Sivlia and Illyana looked at each other, Tamotsu's example strangely specific. Illyana sat down her chopsticks and nodded in agreement. "Momo is right, nee-san. I don't want those kinds of outfits. I want to look cute, like a princess, you know?"

Silvia relaxed, realizing she was overreacting. Sighing, the older woman would shrug. "Oh fine. I will find something, but don't say I never do anything for you Tamotsu!"

"You don't." He moved to sit on the couch beside Illyana. Crossing his right leg over his left knee and letting his right arm lean over the spine of the seat behind Lily. "I'm the one that set this role up for her. You only approved the budget." 

Lily pulled her hand over her mouth, head turning away as she tried not to laugh. Silvia huffed and stalked away. When her sister was out of sight Illyana would bump her knee against Tamotsu's.

"Don't tease her too much." She warned.

"She looks for it." His voice was flat, attention completely back on his phone. "Don't worry about it." He shrugged. "What I am trying to figure out is why she was so eager to approve this venue for you. I just don't want to owe her anything." He didn't trust Silvia when it came to screwing him over. He knew she'd jump at the chance.

While Tamotsu spoke Illyana found her gaze drawn to his neck. Whenever the muscles there moved or twitched, or his heart thumped she could see the flow of blood through his veins. His strong voice rumbled against her chest, the grip over her utensils loosened. Why was she even eating this when he was right there? Her hand moved to rest against her chest as she felt her breath hitch. Turning to face Tamotsu, Illyana would lean forward and begin to crawl towards him. When he looked up from his phone, glancing over at her as she inched closer, he found that grip around his throat returned.

Shit. What was she doing?!

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