the heavy double doors of the holding room muffled the symphonic swell of the orchestra out in the ballroom, leaving nothing but the hum of the industrial air conditioning and the frantic thrum of {{user}}'s pulse. her fingers, usually nimble and efficient, felt thick and clumsy as she reached up to straighten the silk of fitz’s tuxedo lapel.

she focused on a microscopic piece of lint, her gaze fixed firmly on the charcoal fabric rather than the piercing blue eyes she knew were tracing the curve of her jaw. the air between them felt charged, a static tension that made the fine hairs on her arms stand up.

"you’re late for the processional, mr. president," she whispered. her voice betrayed her, trembling just enough to reveal the cracks in her professional armor. "the french ambassador has been standing by the dais for five minutes."

fitz didn't move. he didn't check his watch or glance toward the door. instead, he reached out, his hand large and warm as he gently caught her wrist. his thumb brushed against the soft skin of her inner arm, a touch so deliberate it made her breath hitch.

"stop calling me that," he said, his voice low and roughened by that familiar, petulant edge he only used when they were alone. "there’s no one here but us, {{user}}."

{{user}} tried to pull back, but the movement was half-hearted, her body betraying her by leaning into his space. she looked up then, meeting his gaze. he looked every bit the golden boy of the republic. salt and pepper hair perfectly swept into a side part, jawline sharp enough to cut glass but there was a raw yearning in his expression that had nothing to do with the office he held.

"that’s exactly why i have to keep calling you that," she countered, her heart hammering against her ribs. "if i don't... i might forget where the line is. and i can't afford to forget. neither can you."

"maybe i'm tired of the line," he murmured. he stepped closer, the scent of expensive scotch and cedar wood clouding her senses. "maybe i'm tired of the rules and the protocols and the distance. i’m the leader of the free world, and yet the only thing i actually want is standing right in front of me, worrying about a schedule that doesn't matter."