tempt you — tatiana .

[TEDDY.]

[align=center][div style="width: 430px; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 6pt; letter-spacing: 2.5px; word-spacing: 0px; line-height: 12px; color: #000"]The brassy live music was no more than a distant murmur, sounds swallowed by the soft sea-song of waves steadily lapping at the sand. It was no secret that Theodore Knope weaved together an intricate life that could be likened to a stage play; this world was his backdrop, these people were uncredited performers and Teddy was the star of this show. Loafers kicked off, boater hat and mask left together in a pile beside a nearby tree, Teddy trod barefooted across the beach. Rolled trousers could only try to protect his outfit from the inevitable but, with his drunken stumbles, waves embraced his ankles, soaking the bottom of his trousers with saline.

Lifting his head, he blinked as he gazed ahead towards the woman that inspired him to wander the beach in her company. Teddy thrived in the tenebrous and sweaty heart of the casino, enveloped by the nightlife scene and receiving the ample recognition that he so craved. This world here was his oyster, and he had been the one to crack it open and reveal the gems that it provided. Here, everyone knew his name — they loved him and they hated him with such an intensity that he was indifferent to either outcome. Any attention was still good attention in his eyes, especially from a man who’d been raised in a life where people like him meant nothing to the world.

Despite his desire to stand proudly in the spotlight, indulge in the casino scene where men and women alike would wait in line just for the fraction of a chance that they’d be able to be drawn in with Teddy’s irresistible charms, Teddy stood alone on the beach, lips curling into a simpering closed lip smile as eyes fondly gazed across the sand towards the beautiful dancer that he was sweet on. ❝ I swear, you are not human. ❞ He exclaimed, stumbling over the sand before resting a hand on her lower back. ❝ An angel, perhaps. Because, you know, us humans are very flawed beings but you — ma catin[sup]1[/sup] — are as pure as the driven snow. ❞ 

He swivelled around so that he could face her, a broad smile sat on his lips before he held a hand out for her to take. ❝ The sun is rising, and soon the night will be all over. So please — allow me to have one more dance with an angel. It just might be my last. ❞

[sup]1[/sup] my doll (in creole french. please lets not translate this in modern french)

[TATIANA.]

[align=center][div style="width: 400px; text-align: justify; font-size: 12px; font-family: times new roman; letter-spacing: .6px; color: #494949;"]no matter what she was doing or who she was with, there was always a pull that tatiana felt towards the ocean. there was always some point in the day where she stopped what she was doing and took the time to walk out there and either just sit on the beach enjoying the view or actually swimming in the water. most of the time, she was almost always by herself whenever she spent her time out on the sand or in the water, there was some typing of comfortable familiarity in being alone for the woman, her parents never spent much time around her so it was something she had to get use to from an early age.

this time, she had company - theodore knope. even with the enjoyable moments of being alone and her tendency to be wary of everyone around her, there was an unexplainable feeling of being in his company to the point where it was almost passing her love of solitude. it was a foreign feeling for anya and it almost made her nervous, if it weren't for the drinks she had drank throughout the night, she probably would have been a bit quiet like normal, but she had decided to take advantage of the tipsiness she had and just decided to enjoy the time with him. after all, people like him were rarely seen without a crowd far behind him, and she wasn't quite sure she would have the same confidence around him with his entourage around.

anya didn't have very many fancy dresses or just nice clothes in general, but she didn't hesitate to walk right into the water without bothering to hold it up at all. she had a tall glass of champagne in each hand, one still full and the other  empty as she drank the last sip of it. a small, drunk laugh left her lips as a bigger wave crashed against her legs and left the bottom of the sage dress soaked. she turned to look at teddy as he spoke to her, a coy smile forming on her features as her head dipped. "careful with your words, mr. knope - they just might make me blush and we wouldn't want that to happen."

she crossed the beach momentarily to set down the glasses by where she abandoned her heels. her eyebrow quirked upwards at his request, trying to keep a serious look on her face before it only dropped as she let out some giggles. "another dance? that's an awfully big request, are you sure you can keep up with me?" there was a playful glint in her eyes as she took his hand in hers and wrapped her other arm around his neck and closed the distance. she had danced with him a lot during the night, but being close with him this time had starting to make her cheeks heat up as she swayed to the muffled music from the casino.

[TEDDY.]

[align=center][div style="width: 430px; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 6pt; letter-spacing: 2.5px; word-spacing: 0px; line-height: 12px; color: #000"]Slowly, Teddy shook his head as parted lips curled into a mesmerised smile. This woman was so effortlessly herself, uninterested in any desire to keep up appearances for a man like Teddy. He watched as she enjoyed the cool waves lapping against her calves, her dress being emerged in saline in the process. Whether it was the alcohol or this beautiful woman, he was drunk all the same. Yielding freely to this desire to follow suit just like her; in the moonlight, he too could be effortlessly himself. Tomorrow morning when the sun would showcase him once more like a spotlight, he’d return to wearing the mask he wore so well. But, Anya made it so easy for him to lower his guard, even if only for tonight.

She giggled such an infectious laugh, Teddy soon huffing with amusement before he held a hand out for her to take. ❝ Not at all, but I’d regret it if I didn’t at least try. ❞ He pointed out as he raised his brows, settling into a peaceful smile as they stepped closer to begin to dance. Hand carefully glided across to rest on her waist, as if she were the one thing that he truly did wish to cherish. This moment of repose in a life that had tormented him for years. Trapped within a lifestyle full of lies, this feeling felt like the one true thing he could appreciate. Moments like this were far and few between, and so he’d saviour every moment he’d get with her.

Gently, Teddy lowered his head to rest his forehead against hers, quietly taking in the moment before baby blues met her gaze. A carefulness to examine the situation — the last thing he wanted was to ruin a moment like this — but nothing felt more right than this. Perhaps this had been a well practiced move on his part, but never had he moved in this way whilst feeling such a warmness in his chest. Usually, he felt nothing at all. He inhaled a gentle breath through his nostrils, then fluttering his eyes shut to cautiously press his lips against hers. In a moment as perfect as this, with a woman so perfect that her mere grace was enough to stupefy him, a kiss would certainly seal his affection for her.

He’d barely realised that they had stopped slow dancing until he eventually pulled away from the gentle kiss, quietly tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear before he held her closer, breath soft against her cheek. ❝ You’re so beautiful, inside and out. What are you even doing with someone like me? ❞ A question asked so simply, but one that held a lot more than his usual empty words.

Why would an angel risk being around a man as dangerous and flawed as Theodore Knope? A man whose mask painted the picture of a charming man, but refused to reveal the fact that he was no more than some miscreant on the wrong side of the tracks. So flawed compared to the woman in his embrace. He was unworthy of this. All of this. The smiles and the butterflies, the giddiness in his chest as they danced throughout the night and the fondness in his eyes every time he looked at her.

He would never deserve somebody like Anya, as much as his mask tried to paint another reality.