Chapter Text
The city was hard at work. The hustle and bustle of people scrambling to make it on time to their respective jobs filled the air.
A cool breeze permeated the dusty drivel of mundane work life, bringing with it the prospect of spring.
Elle wiped the sweat from her brow as she poured a concrete footing for the construction job she was working on in the heart of the city. The pompous mayor insisted that town hall be remodeled to make the town great again. Mostly, he wanted a new building that suited his fancies.
After pouring the concrete, Elle noticed the crane cable lower to prepare to make a heavy lift.
The rest of the construction crew were either setting anchor bolts into the dried concrete or watching in anticipation for the huge I beam to be lifted to its permanent position in the grand structure.
Elle darted that direction to assist the others in rigging the beam to the hook.
“Elle, guide me in.” the operator yelled out as he sucked in the cable of the crane, lifting the beam by the skillfully rigged chain.
She nodded and stepped back, keeping the beam and the final destination in sight at all times.
The crane slowly flew the beam closer and closer.
Noticing the boom was getting close the overhead power lines, she made a fist and gave a thumbs down.
The operator quickly responded and lowered the boom swiftly.
Once satisfactory, Elle made a fist and opened her palm, gesturing for the beam to continue forward.
Meanwhile, a woman dressed in formal business attire with added high heels and expensive jewelry, entered the construction zone with a look of confusion on their face. The woman’s long blonde hair flowed in the wind as her golden hoop earrings dangled in her ears. Her makeup was flawless and the tight pants she was wearing showed off her petite figure. She struggled to walk due to the uneven ground.
The boss of the construction project gasped as his eyes widened in horror when he spotted the woman walking into the danger zone. He fumbled with the walkie talkie and shouted.
“Elle! Pedestrian! Shut it down! Stop work!” the sound of her boss’s voice rising through the speaker.
Elle’s eyes widened as she noticed the woman stumble a bit trying to walk through the uneven gravel and the beam flying towards her direction.
“Excuse me?” the woman yelled.
Elle gestured for the operator to cease immediately however because of the abrupt stop, the beam’s inertia still caused it to swing forward.
Elle sprinted towards the woman in a frenzy to save her from being hit by the 3 ton beam.
“Ack!” the woman gasped as she felt herself tackled to the ground and out of the way from the swinging load. Consequentially, Elle angled her body that as they fell, she would take the blow herself as they fell to the ground.
Elle winced as she hit the ground and the woman’s body fell on top of her. Elle glanced up and watched as the beam swung back into a static position.
Elle sighed a big breath of relief.
She could feel the woman’s body lying on top of hers.
“O-Oh I’m sorry, sir!” the woman apologized as she attempted to get up.
Elle cocked an eyebrow at the woman’s deeper tone. It didn’t sound like man’s voice but it definitely didn’t sound like a woman’s either.
“Ah, it’s alright. Saving a fellow woman from imminent death is always the pleasure.” Elle expressed with a bright smile while she helped the woman on her feet.
The woman‘s eyebrows raised in shock.
“O-Oh! Thank you for saving me! H-How funny… I’m actually a man…haha!” he admitted, tilting his head innocently to the side.
Elle’s eyes widened in disbelief as her eyes darted all around his petite body. His waist was tiny and his feminine features were on full display. She almost didn’t believe him until she realized his flat chest and small Adams apple.
Now that they were on their feet, Elle noticed she stood a half a head taller than him.
“O-Oh! I apologize! I-I’ve never seen a man like you before.” Elle stuttered, attempting to regain control of her nervous fidgeting.
The man smiled and tilted his head his head up.
“I can say the same about you. You’re quite the masculine woman.” he replied sweetly. The air between them stood still as both were lost deeply in each other’s eyes.
An odd feeling surged between them.
Curiosity and a hint of arousal piqued, both not able to look away.
It wasn’t until they heard the sound of Elle’s boss yelling from across the yard, they broke eye contact.
“How about y’all get each other’s damn number and get the hell out of the way!”
Elle offered her arm and escorted the man out of the work zone and onto the sidewalk.
“I’m sorry for not paying attention… I was just trying to find the phone company. Today is my first day!” he stated with glee, brushing off the dirt from his clothing.
“It’s alright, just be more careful next time.” Elle smiled softly, entirely bewitched by his beauty. It seemed that the longer she stared at him, the more and more intrigued she was by him.
“The building is just down this block and on the left.” she pointed.
“Ahh thank you, darling!” Chanel winked.
Elle felt a blush spread across her cheeks.
“O-Oh, um… I didn’t catch your name. I’m Elle, by the way.” Elle muttered shyly.
“My name is Chanel. It’s good to know the name of my handsome rescuer.” Chanel blushed.
Elle bashfully scratched the back of her head and cleared her throat, her cheeks flushing an even deeper red. “N-No problem… I… um… hope to see you around more often…”
Chanel felt himself blush.
“I hope so too!” he giggled as he turned. He ensured to sway his hips as he left.
Elle watched his backside shamelessly as he walked away. She sure hated to see him go, but damn, how she loved watching him leave.
After an entire grueling day of greeting his superiors, preparing coffee for his pushy boss, pushing paperwork, and typing on the keyboard, Chanel clocked out of work.
He stretched his arms as he walked down the street. The shoes he was wearing had began to rub a blister on his heel.
Despite this, he decided to stroll close to the construction site to see if Elle was still working.
Much to his delight, she was there.
She was wearing this odd helmet that shielded her entire face and holding a hose with a handle and a stick on the end. His eyes narrowed, a bit perturbed from what she was about to do.
She lowered the helmet and struck an arc with the stick, creating a piercing blue and orange light that hurt Chanel’s eyes to look at it for too long.
He lingered for a bit, but decided to move on. He didn’t want to hinder her any more than what he already had that day.
He cursed himself for his unawareness of surroundings.
As he walked away, Elle spotted him and almost stumbled over her feet trying to rush towards him.
“Chanel!” Elle shouted.
Chanel froze suddenly from hearing his name called.
He turned around and witnessed her swiftly run to him.
He couldn’t help but blush from her rugged appearance, sweat across her brow, the odd helmet raised up on her head, her short sleeve shirt that fit tightly around her muscular arms. He could see that pieces of metal had burned her skin from welding.
“I-I wanted to ask if you’d like to go to dinner with me sometime?” Elle asked boldly. After taking advice from some of her coworkers, she had been getting up the courage the entire day to ask him out.
Chanel was taken aback by her sudden question. He’d never asked out by a woman before on a date. It was usually men that would ask him on dates, to which he would decline.
“Y-Yes, I’d like to!” Chanel replied sweetly while fiddling with his hair.
Elle smiled brightly.
“How about next Friday night?” Elle suggested.
Chanel pretended to glance at his phone to “check his schedule.”
“Ah, looks like I am free!” Chanel replied, knowing damn well he never had any plans.
“Great! I’ll pick you up! Can you send me your address?” Elle beamed.
After exchanging numbers and Chanel sending her his apartment location she nodded.
“See you then!” she said and quickly darted away.
Both smiled the entire time on their way back home.
Elle was a nervous wreck the entire week anticipating Friday night.
“Holy shit, you’re actually going on a date with a man?” Sadie asked in disbelief as she sipped on her pink bubble tea. This particular outdoor restaurant was both Elle and Sadie’s favorite place to eat and hang out.
Elle rolled her eyes in annoyance.
“Yes, Sadie. Is it really that hard to believe?”
“Considering we’ve been friends since kindergarten and you’ve never expressed interest whatsoever in dating anyone period…“ Sadie began.
“Don’t answer that.” Elle interrupted, huffing in irritation. “Besides… he’s a bit… different than the typical man.”
“Oh? How so? Tell me nowwwww.”
“Well… it’s kinda hard to explain.” Elle contemplated the best possible way to explain Chanel’s feminine appearance without creating any bias in Sadie's head.
After noticing Elle’s hesitation in answering, Sadie shrugged her shoulders.
“You can explain later. Just go and have fun! You’re twenty-one! It’s time you get out there! Oh, and please look nice. Don’t go in your basketball shorts and t-shirt… it’s a date.” Sadie scolded.
Elle tapped her chin.
“Maybe we can go on a gym date!” Elle smirked playfully to get Sadie’s reaction.
“Oh gosh, please don’t.” Sadie rolled her eyes. “Maybe wear a pretty dress?”
“Ugh! Fuck no! Do you know how ridiculous I’d look in a damn dress? I hate those things…” Elle protested, folding her arms in disgust.
Sadie imagined Elle’s stocky muscular frame squeezing into a short dress that exposed her hairy legs and armpits. The image alone sent traumatizing chills down her spine.
“Uh… yeah maybe not…” Sadie reconsidered. “Well, you still have to look nice!”
“I know that!” Elle pouted.
“Do you? Do you really?” Sadie jeered as she playfully laughed.
Elle chuckled in response and shook her head.
“To be honest? I don’t have a clue.”
“Ah, you got this!” Sadie encouraged.
After parting ways with Sadie, Elle got up to go to the restroom. Along the way, she accidentally bumped into a man around her same age. His hair was dark, a nearly black wavy mop. He had an odd tattoo on his forearm that resembled a spider.
“Hey man, watch it!” he growled in disdain.
“My bad.” Elle replied.
The man eyed her up and down, huffing with malice. He stormed out of the restaurant, seemingly in a hurry.
Elle shrugged her shoulders from the rude behavior and stood outside the women’s restroom.
She inhaled a deep breath before entering, mustering all her courage, hoping and praying that no one else will be inside.
Much to her dismay, there was a woman in her mid thirties inside fixing her hair and washing her hands. Two little girls were behind her.
Elle hesitated, but entered anyways, averting her eyes to avoid eye contact.
The woman’s eyes bulged out of her head when her gaze met Elle’s.
“What the hell do you think you are doing in here, young man?! You’re in the wrong restroom!” She said sternly.
Elle sighed.
“I’m actually a woman.” Elle retorted.
“Oh great… you’re one of those freaks that think they are a woman just because they say so? I bet you watched us come in here so you can try and do something to us, didn’t you?! Kids get behind me!” The woman yelled loudly with fear, pushing the two little girls behind her.
Elle backed away quickly, raising both her hands in a non-threatening manner.
“I’m sorry! I-I didn’t mean to scare you, I am a woman though, truly.” Elle attempted to calm the woman down but it only made her all the more hostile.
“Get away from us you degenerate transvestite freak!” the woman yelled at the top of her lungs.
“M-Mommy, I’m scared.” said one of the little girls, with tears in her eyes.
“I-I’m sorry.” Elle felt tears prick her eyes from the guilt that welled up in her chest and ran away.
Elle quickly dashed outside to go across the street to a portable construction restroom. Once safely locked inside, she buried her face into her hands and cried bitterly.
The frightened look on the two little girl’s faces made her heart break.
After being called such derogatory names, she reconsidered going into any women’s restroom ever again to avoid another gut wrenching scene that left her feeling worthless and less of a person.
After taking some time to compose herself, she left and jumped in her truck to start home.
Along the way, she witnessed a car broken down in the median.
Upon further inspection, she recognized it to be the same woman from the restroom.
Elle wanted to look the other way, however she felt a tug at her heart to help her. Even though she knew she had nothing to prove to the hateful woman, her heart ached knowing there were children in the backseat and the highways were a very dangerous place to be.
So, Elle turned around and pulled behind them, turning on her flashers.
Meanwhile, the woman was cussing out a man she was on the phone with.
“Ron, I’m on the side of damn road with our two babies! I need help- hello? Ugh, I hate you!” the woman screamed into the phone and hung up as she gazed hopelessly at her flat tire.
She noticed someone approach her.
“Got a flat tire?” Elle asked as she inspected the blown tire.
“You! You were foll-“
Elle raised her hand in protest.
“No, I wasn’t following you. I just happen to also live down this way. Where is your spare and jack located?” Elle interjected.
“Uh… I-I don’t know…?” the woman gave a confused look.
Elle hummed.
“This is a newer model, so the spare should be…” Elle bent down and looked up underneath the car. “Here.”
“Would you allow me to access your backseat ma’am?” Elle requested.
The woman hesitated but slowly opened the back door.
“Mommy, why is she helping us? You said that she was a bad person.” one of the children stated honestly.
The woman blushed from embarrassment from her child’s brash statement.
Elle sighed and retrieved the jack, placing it underneath the vehicle.
The woman watched Elle closely, but with great curiosity and bewilderment as Elle broke loose the lug nuts holding the blown tire. After breaking the lug nuts loose, cranking the jack until the car was lifted up to remove the tire she set up the spare. Meanwhile, she had gotten hot and took off her jacket, revealing her sleeveless shirt.
Her muscles contracted and tensed with each pull and push of the wrench as she tighten lug nut for the spare tire.
“Mommy, I want to be big and strong like her!” one of the little girls stated, watching with amazement as Elle worked on the tire.
Elle smiled brightly at them.
“Would you like to try?” Elle asked, knowing that the little girl would be safe as long as she stayed close to the vehicle.
The little girl looked at her mother for approval. The mother nodded making the little girl beam with excitement as she knelt down beside Elle, eager to learn.
“This is a wrench. Turn the wrench to the right tighten the lug nuts here.” Elle instructed.
The girl nodded turned with all her might, tightening the nut.
“Good job!” Elle praised and clapped.
The little girl beamed.
The other little sister came out too and wanted to try. However, she wasn’t able to turn it as much as her big sister.
“That’s alright! You’ll get stronger one day!” Elle encouraged.
The mother felt tears prick her eyes from seeing her two daughters smiling.
Elle eventually took back over and finished the job.
“There you go ma’am. That should get you where you need to go.” Elle wiped the sweat off her brow as she stood up and placed the jack back inside the vehicle while the mother placed her children back inside the car.
“T-Thank you…” the woman expressed as tears fell from her face as she hugged Elle tightly. “I-I’m so sorry for the terrible things I said to you. You are truly a kind soul. I-I’m just… I’m having a rough time right now. I just recently went through a divorce and the father doesn’t want anything to do with our two children, mostly because they are girls. He wanted a boy, you see.” the woman sniffled.
Elle snarled in disdain, deeply disturbed that a parent wouldn’t love their child solely because of their gender.
Sympathy filled Elle’s heart and lovingly placed her hand on the woman’s shoulder.
“He’s wrong for that. That shouldn’t matter at all. I’m so sorry… but hang in there. It will be alright. I promise.” Elle smiled brightly.
The woman smiled in returned seeing Elle’s green eyes, that held so much kindness, sparkle in the sunlight.
After parting ways, Elle quickly drove to her apartment to get ready for that night.
She ensured to dress up nice like Sadie instructed. The scent of cologne filled the steamy air as she fixed her hair.
She put on her black suit and tie that fit around her broad, muscular shoulders. It took her an entire half an hour to tie the tie correctly and was convinced that she still hadn’t done it right.
She glanced at the clock and realized she was running late.
“Fuck!” Elle cursed as she grabbed her keys and wallet and dashed out the door in the frenzy.
At last, she parked outside his apartment and leaned against the passenger door waiting for him. She spared a glance at her watch.
Right on time, she proudly acknowledged.
After waiting for a few minutes, he finally stepped outside.
Her eyes widened at his attire.
He was wearing a short black dress that fit tightly against his hips. Hung around his neck was a beautiful pearl necklace with matching earrings.
On his feet were black high heels. His legs were hairless and perfectly waxed. His long blonde hair cascaded down his back. He was the most beautiful man she had ever seen. In fact, he actually didn’t look like the stereotypical man at all due to his feminine features.
Elle was enamored and felt her heart flutter with a mix of arousal and nervousness.
As Chanel walked down the entry way, he was completely mesmerized by his date’s appearance.
His gaze wandered across her strong shoulders. Her short curly reddish brown hair was fixed and her skin was sun kissed from the constant exposure from working outside everyday. Her thick eyebrows and intense eyes made his stomach flip with excitement.
She was the most handsome woman he had ever seen. In fact, she actually didn’t look like the stereotypical woman at all due to her masculine features.
“Damn… you’re beautiful.” Elle expressed breathlessly, completely enraptured by his striking beauty.
Chanel gave a smug grin.
“I can say the same about you, handsome. You clean up very nice.” he flirted back.
Elle was so caught up in his appearance she almost stumbled to the ground from trying to open the door for him and still keep her eyes fixed on him.
“A-Allow me to get the door for you.” She offered, pulling the handle of the passenger door.
Much to her horror, the door handle wouldn’t budge.
Locked.
Her cheeks flushed with heat as she tugged at the handle.
“U-Uh, hold on a minute.” Elle muttered as she anxiously ran around to the drivers side to unlock the door.
Chanel reached for the handle.
“No! I’ll open it for you!” Elle insisted.
He retracted his hand and stood back, watching with amusement as Elle ran back around to the passenger side to open the door for him.
“H-Here you are!” Elle smiled awkwardly, gesturing for him to get in, attempting to conceal her ragged, anxious breaths.
Chanel giggled at her attempt to impress him and got in the truck.
Once she closed his door, she took a deep breath to regain some composure and ran around to the drivers side to get in.
“Quite the gesture, thank you. I also want to thank you again for saving me that day… I can be a bit air headed at times.” Chanel said sweetly, looking around the interior of the truck. It was an older model standard cab with one entire row of seat.
It was blatantly obvious, Elle had just recently waxed the seat due to its slipperiness.
Elle nodded nonchalantly.
“No big deal… so… where would you like to go to eat? I have a few places picked out, but wanted your input first.”Her eyes glanced at his glossed, plump lips, fully determined to taste them that night.
Chanel shrugged his shoulders.
“I’m not picky. Whatever my handsome knight in shining armor wants is fine with me.” Chanel winked.
Elle chuckled as she shoved the truck in gear and sped off.
He watched her shift each gear effortlessly as they gained speed quickly.
“Hold on.”Elle smirked as she turned a sharp curve to the right, causing everything to slide to the left.
Chanel’s breath hitched as he tried to find something to hold onto, but instead felt himself began to helplessly slide across the slippery seat, tumbling into Elle’s shoulder, his body now pressed tightly against her.
His realization as to why she had the seat waxed finally made perfect sense now.
He noticed a smug subtle grin spread proudly across her face as she kept her eyes fixed on the road.
She knew exactly what she was doing.
“You sure know how to show a boy a good time.”Chanel let out a boyish giggle and decided to stay close to her for duration of the trip, much to her delight.
She enjoyed feeling him pressed up against her after her ploy to get him close ended in victory. During this time, she made the mistake of glancing down to his exposed thighs from the short dress he was wearing. Her hand on the gear stick was inches away from his bare knees. Arousal pooled in her core, but she instead averted her eyes back on the road.
“I know a place with good food and a great view.” Elle spoke, forcing her eyes to remain fixed on the road.
Chanel nodded.
“Sounds delightful!”
Once to the restaurant, Elle opened the door for him and helped him out of the truck.
“I’ve never been here before! It’s beautiful!” Chanel gasped as his eyes peered out into the distant horizon from where they were parked on the hillside.
“It’s one of the few places that has a good view of the city that actually has decent food.” Elle remarked as she offered her arm. He took it gleefully and strolled forward.
She hadn’t the faintest idea how Chanel was able to walk in the thin high heels. He was a bit taller than before, but she still stood a couple of inches taller than him. She was impressed that despite the uneven ground, he was able to seemly walk effortlessly.
“Ah! Welcome! How many, sir?” the waiter asked Elle as they entered the restaurant.
Elle and Chanel glanced at each other and gave a faint chuckle.
“Two, please.” Elle replied.
“Right this way.” the waiter gestured.
Chanel blushed the entire time as Elle pulled out his chair for him. He had never been treated like this by a woman before.
Elle too was blushing. She had never had the opportunity to show her chivalrous nature to a man she was attracted to.
“Damn, you’re making all us men look bad.” the waiter jested after witnessing Elle’s chivalrous gestures towards Chanel.
Elle smiled awkwardly as she sat down.
Chanel raised his hand over his mouth to conceal his laughter and turned his head to glance out the glass wall that overlooked the valley with the city and ocean below.
“Wow, you weren’t kidding! This is a very nice view, Elle!” Chanel stated. Along the horizon, he could see the port and tiny little ships docked. The sun was low in the sky, providing a comforting orange light.
“Glad you like it.” Elle said as she opened her menu.
“So tell me, how long have you been working in construction?” Chanel inquired.
“Ah, about three years now. I’m working on my degree but I still need to pay the bills and gain experience in construction.” Elle replied.
“Oh! You’re in school? What for?”
“I’m going to be an aerospace engineer. I am hoping to graduate next year.” Elle smiled proudly.
He gasped.
“Oh my! So, you’re like… really smart?” Chanel stated with awe, his mouth slightly gaped open.
Elle’s cheeks flushed.
“Matter of opinion?” she laughed and cleared her throat. “What about you?”
“I’m in school too. I want to be a psychologist. But… I have to work full time too to keep bills paid since I just moved here.” he explained.
“Do your parents help any?” Elle asked with concern.
“Oh… no. I never knew my parents. They both died in a car accident when I was just a baby. I have an aunt, but I haven’t lived with her since two years ago when I was eighteen.”
“I’m sorry.” Elle apologized. She couldn’t fathom never having both her parents as a support system or a fall back.
“No need! It sounds like you have a great relationship with your parents?”
Elle nodded.
“I do! My dad and I are very close and I try to go and see him at least three times a week. All my life he’s been a stay at home dad that works remote for a corporate business while my mom works full time on cargo barges in the Pacific Ocean. She stays gone eleven months out of the year. It’s always a lot of fun when she’s home though.” Elle explained, maintaining a happy facade. In reality, her mother rarely came home and when she did it never lasted too long.
“Oh wow!” Chanel listened intently.
Meanwhile, the waitress came up to take their order.
“Ah, what a lovely young couple! A man and woman. Men that are manly and women that are ladylike, just how it was designed to be!” the waitress exclaimed with pride.
Elle glanced at Chanel again, both doing their absolute best to hold in their laughter from the brash statement.
“Young man, you better treat her right! She’s very pretty!” the waitress said to Elle.
“Oh, I plan on it! My date is beautiful indeed.” Elle retorted casting Chanel a smug grin.
Chanel blushed and placed his hand over his lips to conceal his giggle.
After placing their orders, the waitress walked away.
“Damn, I just can’t seem to escape it.” Elle huffed.
“Happens to you often as well?” Chanel asked.
Elle began to laugh lightheartedly.
“More than I like… it wouldn’t be such an issue if people just minded their own business… I’m sure with the way you look, you get misgendered too.” she acknowledged.
“I do quite frequently. It’s a bit frustrating, but I manage. I decided it wasn’t my problem and kept living life the way I wanted.” Chanel declared.
“I like the sound of that.” Elle nodded in agreement.
After dinner, the waitress came by to deliver the check.
“Together or separate?” she asked as she stared at Elle.
Chanel reached for his purse to take out his billfold.
“Together.” Elle answered as she gave her card.
Chanel blushed from the gesture.
“Thank you, Elle. That’s very kind.”
“No, thank you for sharing this night with me. To be honest, this is my first date.” Elle admitted.
“Like ever?” he asked.
Elle nodded.
“Well, don’t feel to bad, this is technically my first consensual date!”
Elle furrowed her brows.
“Consensual?”
Chanel sighed.
“Yes, I had met this guy in college and I thought we were becoming really good friends until he invited me to watch a movie. He tried to… initiate things but I was able to get away from him before it got out of hand. I only saw him as a friend. I told him I was straight beforehand… anyways… I’m sorry to dump all that on you…”
Elle felt her blood boil with rage.
“How awful! To betray someone’s trust like that… is unforgivable. You should had called the police on him!”
Chanel lowered his head.
“I just didn’t want any trouble.”
Her heart ached for him.
Despite the conversation, she was determined to ensure the rest of the date was pleasant.
“Well, but you escaped and became stronger because of it! That’s admirable.”
Elle encouraged.
Chanel smiled feeling butterflies flutter in his stomach.
Her green eyes were intense as they gazed at him, holding so much kindness behind them.
After dinner, Elle took him to stroll through the garden area that was outside the restaurant, overlooking the city.
He kept close to her, gripping her arm to keep from falling.
He had began to regret wearing heels and wearing such a frilly thin dress without at least bringing a jacket. The temperature had dropped significantly since when they first started out.
Elle noticed his shivering.
“Are you cold?” Elle asked attentively.
“A-A little…”Chanel shook like a leaf from the cold wind.
She chivalrously took off her suit jacket and wrapped it over his bare shoulders.
He felt warm and cozy feeling her coat draped around him.
“My knight in shining armor has saved me once again.” Chanel swooned with glee, leaning his head on her shoulder, his heart fluttering with happiness.
She chuckled with delight, feeling him take her arm again.
“To save a beautiful prince in distress is a pleasure and honor.” Elle declared with a smile, a faint blush evident on her cheeks.
The sunset illuminated the cobblestone path as they strolled slowly through the lush garden.
“How pretty.” Chanel noticed the many flowers growing. He stopped to look at the red roses.
“You like red roses?” she asked.
“Yes! I love them!” he replied back as he bent down to sniff the lovely scent.
“Good to know.” Elle remarked.
Finally, they arrived to the end of the trail that overlooked the valley. The sunset slowly dipped into the ocean, casting a warm glow.
A blissful smile flickered across her features as she closed her eyes, feeling the sun’s rays on her skin. Chanel glanced up and noticed the contentment on her face and closed his eyes too, leaning his head against her shoulder, both savoring each other’s company in the sunlight.
After a few moments spent in silence, Elle spoke.
“Ready to go?”
Chanel nodded as he held tight to her arm as she led them back to the truck.
Along the way, she noticed his pace was slower and every step was labored.
His face was contorted into a strained frown.
“What’s wrong?” Elle asked with concern, stopping their trek.
“Ugh, it’s these darn heels. I knew I shouldn’t had worn them. They are killing me.” Chanel complained.
Elle glanced down at his feet and witnessed his feet were red and swollen a bit.
“I should had known not to buy shoes at a thrift store, but got them cheap and- ack!”
Chanel felt himself leave the ground as he was swept off his feet and into her arms.
Elle effortlessly picked up and carried him back to the truck.
“O-Oh my! How strong!” Chanel gasped, feeling her holding him tightly. His cheeks flushed a bright pink.
“My beautiful prince is in need of rescuing.” Elle expressed with a charming smile.
“My hero!” Chanel exclaimed as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders causing her to blush a shade lighter than her hair color.
Once back in the truck, Elle simultaneously tried to open the passenger door, while still holding Chanel.
She struggled to get the door unlocked.
Chanel giggled.
“You can put me down. I can still stand, you know.”
“I can do it.” Elle retorted as she pulled him up and hoisted him up over one shoulder.
His cheeks were a crimson red being put into this position and effortlessly tossed over her shoulder. He felt like a weightless doll.
After opening the truck door, she gently placed him inside.
Chanel noticed her trying to conceal the blush spread across her face.
He placed his hand over his mouth to hide his amusement.
“C-Comfortable?”Elle asked.
“I-I am. All thanks to you.” Chanel murmured while flashing his eyes at her.
Elle awkwardly smiled and closed the door, running around the driver’s side.
Much to her delight, Chanel didn’t wait to be slung across the seat from the sharp curves, but instead snuggled up close to her for warmth.
She turned on the radio to the jazz station and both listened to the music on their way back.
Once to his apartment, Chanel got out of the truck. She noticed he wasn’t wearing his heels anymore and was holding them by his side.
Elle offered her arm and escorted him to the door.
“Thank you so much for tonight! I had so much fun! Thank you for buying my dinner and recusing me from my wardrobe malfunction!” Chanel expressed as they both stood at the entrance.
Elle shuffled awkwardly on her feet.
“N-No worries… I-I had a great time too. Maybe we can do this again?” Elle smiled tenderly at him.
Chanel noticed her timid behavior and giggled.
“Anytime! I’ll make sure to not wear these stupid heels again.”
“I-It wasn’t a problem. They looked good on you. If it means I get to carry you the entire time, then I’m all for you wearing them again!” Elle chuckled, her voice trembling slightly.
Chanel laughed, noticing her behavior become more timid. He tipped his head up, gazing up into her eyes with anxious anticipation.
She cleared her throat awkwardly and took a deep breath, mustering all her courage.
“M-May I… kiss you?” Elle asked sheepishly, her eyes darting all across his features, desperately looking for an answer.
Chanel shyly smiled and nodded.
“Y-You may.”
Elle swallowed, taking a deep breath, and slowly leaned in.
At last, their lips met in a tender kiss.
She took in the feeling of his soft lips pressed against hers.
He melted into her lips while she took his hands in hers, caressing his lips softly with her own.
After a few moments, she pulled back, gazing down at him.
Both of them were a blushing mess.
Elle cleared her throat again for the thousandth time.
“G-Goodnight, Chanel…” Elle nervously smiled as she turned to walk away.
“Goodnight, Elle.” Chanel replied back sweetly, smiling brightly.
He watched as she jumped in the truck and sped away. His heart full of glee, noticing that he still had her suit coat wrapped around him.
After going inside, he held her jacket in his arms and cuddled it on the bed, taking in the scent, overcome with warm and fuzzy feelings that filled his heart with so much joy.