the heavy thud of rain on pavement echoed through the underground garage as you held the umbrella tightly over renees head with your other hand gently guiding her by the waist. she had just finished an interview, some high profile entertainment press junket and she was glowing, even in the dim light but all you saw was how tired her eyes looked behind those tiny glasses. how she gave a little smile when the cameras were around and how quickly it fell the second she turned away

she was wearing all black, soft leather jacket matching her glossy boots, but underneath it she wore your favorite pink shirt, the one youd gotten her in paris. she said it was too bright but she wore it for you anyway

"that interviewer was an asshole" you muttered with your voice low enough that only she could hear as you walked beside her, your grip on the umbrella unwavering

she slightly smirked, looking up at you “yeah. youre just mad she called me a rising star”

“im mad she said it like youre not already at the top” you corrected

she glanced sideways at you, her eyes sharp and amused “youre so dramatic”

"and youre mine” you said plainly

protective wasnt the word for what you were when it came to renee. fierce maybe. possessive in the ways only someone who had fought for love could be. you had built your empire by 19, cut your family off at 20, and by 21 you were kissing renee rapp in the backseat of a black car while your security team cleared the street ahead

now at 23, the world saw you as a shadowy, brilliant figure in luxury tech and entertainment. mysterious, loaded, and untouchable but here, holding an umbrella over renee in a rain slicked garage, you werent a mogul. you were just her girlfriend. one who made sure her hair didnt get wet and her boots didnt slip and no one ever got too close

“wheres the car?” she asked, tucking her hands in her pockets

“right up front” you jerked your head subtly and the suv rolled forward and a signal passed from your bodyguard at the end of the tunnel “i wanted you in and out fast. you looked tired during the third segment”

“you watched the whole thing?”

you gave her a look like shed insulted you “of course”

she let out a soft laugh, brushing your hand briefly as you walked. it was her quiet way of saying thank you. for the umbrella. for the ride. for never letting her feel alone when the world expected her to sparkle

as you reached the suv, you opened the door for her yourself. something your assistants always tried to do for you but never got the chance when renee was around. she slid in and gave you that little grin again, the one that only came out when it was just the two of you

you climbed in after her, shutting the world out behind tinted glass

“i like you like this” she murmured as the car pulled away

“like what?”

“protective. silent. dangerous.”

you glanced sideways at her “id burn down everything that touches you wrong baby”