36 - Domestic Lovebirds

                                    

                                          
M A R G O T – 2 0 2 4
HER heart pounded in her chest from the anger rising when the fourth attempt at nailing her eyeliner wing with precision didn't work out the way she wanted it to.
She scoffed, "Fucking hell."
Bennois, leaned against the sink next to her, just laughed. His fingers ran along his scalp to spread out a bit of oil for moisture.
“You look fabulous, Margot. Don't stress it,” he muttered and checked the braids along his hairline for any frizziness.
“No! You don't understand,” she huffed. “Once you've started, you gotta finish it. If I don't put on eyeliner now, the whole look is ruined.”
“Want me to try?” he offered and put down the tiny bottle with braid olive oil. When they took a shower just half an hour ago, he had explained in detail why exactly the oil was so important for his hair.
“Oh-” She eyed him from the side. “Are you sure that you can do that?”
Bennois chuckled. His hips moved so he could lean one side against the marble stone slab, which the sinks were embedded in. He frowned. “I have three sisters, my love. Let me promise you that I know everything that matters about make up.”
“I'm probably just nervous,” she hummed and reluctantly handed the slim pen over.
Bennois nodded. His hand carefully brushed her cheek once before he held her head in place. “No need to be,” he gently reassured her. “My father will like you.”
“I have a weird knack to always fuck things up when it matters most,” she groaned and let him press one gentle kiss to her lips. His thumb caressed her skin lightly. “You won't, trust me,” Bennois assured.
He gnawed his bottom lip while drawing the wing onto her eyelid on both sides. His hand was steady and controlled. It felt like she sat in a professional's chair.
“Looks even,” he mumbled and let her open her eyes to check. A grin spread out on his lips. 
“Even?!” Margot gasped and leaned in towards the mirror to get a better look. Her eyes widened. “That's amazing!”
She whirled around and nodded eagerly. “Perfect, thank you!”
“I am glad I could help,” he whistled happily and returned to his scalp. Once she had applied her lipstick, she glanced at him from the side.
“May I?” she asked and watched his eyes flicker over to her in the mirror. He nodded.
Margot took the oil bottle from his hand and let him sit down on the edge of the bathtub to get better access. Attentively, she worked the nourishing, rich liquid into his skin, her fingers gently running along the edges of his braids.
His body slouched a bit when he relaxed and closed his eyes to fully immerse into the feeling.
“Is it difficult to take care of them?” Margot queried and wrapped one braid around her finger before dropping it.
Bennois shook his head slowly and mumbled, “Would be more difficult without the braids.”
“I see,” she hummed and finished the last few edges. “Voilà!”
He smiled and let his eyelids flutter open. His hands skidded up to her pelvis to hold her close and lower his lips on her still naked stomach. The trail of kisses let her skin tingle.
The days without Charles in her life had passed quickly. One moment, she still clung to the idea of a man who didn't exist anymore, and the next thing she remembered, she had already found comfort in the arms of another.
Yet, the thoughts of her past haunted her. They felt as palpable as a horrid gut feeling tearing one's insides. Whenever she didn't pay attention, his image resurfaced from the back of her mind.
However, Bennois let her feel alive. And not just alive—desired, beautiful, free.
It was relieving to feel like herself after years of adjusting her behavior and appearance to an illusion which she figured someone had of her. 
Bennois showed her what she was worth.
That she was worth a lot.
And she craved it—the warmth filling her body at every yet so gentle touch, the sweet kisses and rough sex, the pizza nights, midnight walks and sightseeing tours.
She chose this life.