The night air was chilly as she pulled the fur coat closer around herself. It was not often she would walk out in the cold evening unaccompanied, but she did not fear being attacked. She knew her knight in black leather was close by, watching her walk home from the theatre. He always watched her walk home when she needed to be left alone. He only accompanied her this way unless she was actually in danger. If anyone saw him walk her home, even with other people accompanying them, there would be fan riots and news harassment to deal with. She was safer this way.
Practice had run long, as usual. The ballet would be a masterpiece when the crowds saw it. She had not thought she was fit for the lead, resigning herself to only being a costume designer or one of the background dancers if she was lucky, but Andre had encouraged her to audition and now she was practicing more than ever before to live up to her leading role. Andre was her partner with the role of the prince of the fashion world seeking out a bride. She was the lowly seamstress who dreamed of being a fashion designer whom he stumbled upon and fell in love with her. The two would face countless obstacles to fight for their love and power in the fashion world.
She smiled at the thought of Andre and how he held her throughout practice. He held her the same way at night, soothing her fears and nightmares away. She was startled out of her thoughts, only a block away from her apartment, when a man clad in a full black leather suit with a matching mask and faux cat ears landed in front of her on the pavement, crouched on all fours and looking up at her with a devilish grin. She released her breath and let herself relax as he stood up, reaching out to her and pulling her against his chest.
“Evening, princess,” he purred.
She giggled as he swept her legs into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck, and he launched the two of them into the air. They landed on the roof of the nearest building, and he ran, still carrying her in his arms, leaping across any gaps between buildings. They were headed toward her apartment.
“What was it this time?” she muttered into his jacket.
“A couple of guys around the corner too close for comfort,” he replied with lightly heavy breathing. “I wasn’t going to take any chances that they were harmless.”
She nodded into his shoulder as they reached her roof. He stopped there and set her down but did not let go. They both looked over the edge, sat down, and slid off the roof onto the small balcony. She opened the balcony door and led him inside. He took off his mask as he reached for her once more, pulling her back against his chest and pressing his face against her shoulder.
“I’m fine, Andre,” she told him with a sigh, lifting her hand to run through his hair. “You have nothing to worry about, kitty.”
“I always worry,” he muttered against her clavicle.
She hummed and turned to face him. “You protected me, like you always do. Now let me sooth your worries away.”
He nodded at her with a shy smile.