cheerfire | girls don't like boys

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the bodyguard timeline

girls don't like boys

[ Eddie had never been able to figure out what he'd do once he actually graduated. But then one day he had found himself with a piece of paper clasped in his hands and completely directionless. Part of him had wanted his band to take off, to be famous in his own right. They had made a go of it, had built their own little fanbase, but ultimately, Corroded Coffin had never quite gotten off the ground. Just hoping to be famous wasn't enough, and Eddie had to face reality and find a different direction for his life.

Gareth is the one that had offered him a job a the private security company he worked for, and Eddie was surprised at how much he enjoyed the gig. Most of the guys were physically imposing, tough looking, even if on their off time they were sweethearts. It didn't take him long to realize that half the job was just about image. Eddie himself wasn't the sort of buff, muscled protector, but he quickly found he didn't need to be. Being tatted and tall took care of a lot.

He can hardly believe when he's handed his next assignment, working security for pop princess Chrissy Cunningham. He knows that name, he's sure of it, and an ancient memory rings through him. Middle school, he thinks, cheer routines and a school talent show. Eddie keeps all of that to himself, folds the paper with the details of his job and tucks it away the same as he does the memory.

All things considered, it's a good gig. She's got plenty of security, and at first Eddie barely needs to do anything. He just exists among a squad of men that are designated to hold back screaming fangirls. It's several days onto her tours before Eddie finds himself assigned as one of her personal body guards. She's just finished up a show, and Eddie is the one that shepherds her from stage to dressing room. He can still hear the screams of delight as he finally closes the door behind them.

Her dressing room is bright and airy, filled with floral arrangements and cards proclaiming love and well wishes. Eddie positions himself in front of the door, watching Chrissy as she begins her routine in unwinding after a show. ]

Let me know if you need anything, okay?

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[She's absolutely exhausted after the show, but knows that she wouldn't have it any other way. Her fans love her almost as much as she adores them, and she's so grateful she's able to perform on tour. It's a great life to have, and she's definitely in a place where she's thriving. Sure, she goes home alone to her cat at the end of every night. But she's getting to do what she loves.

Which is why she's smiling as she sits at the vanity in the room, drinking water and trying to catch her breath. When the only other person in the room speaks up, she pauses mid drink from her bottled water and glances over his way with a smile and nod. Talking is still a little difficult at this point.

She notes that her manager had done what she asked and switched to the new bodyguard on duty. There's something familiar about him, but she just can't place it. It's like she's seen him before, but not like this. ]

Your name isn't Steve, is it?

[The question comes when she's not breathing so hard and feels hydrated enough to exist as a functional human being.]

I'm sorry! [She laughs, looking genuinely embarrassed about asking.] It's just that you're new, and I swear you look like someone that I used to know. I just can't remember who.

It's Eddie.

[ He waves a hand through the air, dismissing the fact that she's called him by the wrong name. He's certainly been called far worse than the wrong name by previous clients, so he doesn't take things too personally. The fact that she's remembered him at all, however vaguely, is enough for him. Eddie remains stationed at the door, fingers fumbling over the cigarettes in his pocket. He briefly considers bringing up that they know each other, however distantly, but decides against it. ]

You don't need to worry about me. [ Eddie flashes her a smile, remains pressed against the door to her dressing room. He can hear the chaos outside, the noise of fans and crew blending into one. None of them seem like they're about to burst through the door, and Eddie is grateful for that. ] Just let me know when you're ready to head out.

Okay, Eddie.

[Chrissy sets to getting changed after that, heading into the small bathroom attached to the dressing room. She showers and gets changed into shorts and a tank top before making her way back out to join him. She's towel drying her hair when she looks his way. Smiling when he catches her eye, she finds herself staring and has to glance away before she blushes.

He's too cute, and she wonders if maybe it was a bad idea for her to request him to be her personal bodyguard after the show tonight. She's too distracted by him to really do her normal routine in a timely fashion. She can hear the cheers of fans still out there though, and knows that she'll have to head out soon. She can't disappoint her biggest supporters.]

Are you sure we haven't met before?

[She speaks up as she's packing her backpack with all of her personal items. Her phone is the only thing she keeps on her, tucking it securely into the pocket of her jean shorts. The backpack she leaves behind for her assistant to pick up later.

Almost done, she just focuses on pulling her wet hair up into a high ponytail. But she's listening for his answer, glancing at him through the mirror she's using.]

[ This isn't the first time that Eddie has had to keep watch over a beautiful woman. Some of them had even seen fit to undress directly in front of him, and a small few have even tried to invite something more. But Eddie has always remained nothing but professional, kept his hands to himself and his gaze trained towards the ceiling. That proves true even now, even with Chrissy opting to change in the bathroom. ]

Maybe in another life.

[ Eddie says it with a little shrug. It's for the best that he maintains distance. He doesn't think anything good can possibly come from Chrissy remembering him, and so he remains a stoic pillar that separates her from the crowd. Things have quieted outside her door, at least somewhat, with only the most hardcore of her fans left hoping for pictures and autographs. Eddie tries not to think about how lovely she looks fresh out of the shower. ]

Your car is ready. [ He glances down at his own phone, alight with notifications about the whereabouts of her limo and the rest of her staff. ] Most of the crowd is gone now, so it should be an easy trip.

[It still bothers her that she can't place him, but doesn't say anything more about it. Instead she nods and pulls away from the vanity, downing the last of a bottle of water before making her way over toward him. She knows the drill by now, knows that he leads and she follows.

He opens the door and carefully escorts her out to her fans, who scream loud enough that her ears are ringing. A new bodyguard is always tricky at first, until they learn one another well enough to know what to expect. Chrissy signs autographs, offers hugs, and takes pictures until she feels his hand press against her back. She glances up his way with a smile, signaling for him to wait a minute more. There's a few fans left that she hasn't gotten a chance with yet, and takes a little time with all of them before she lets him start ushering her out of the stadium tunnels and toward her waiting car.

He gets her through the hoard of screaming fans that try to grab her, and ducks his way in to sit beside her. They sit in silence as the driver carefully starts to head out, Chrissy's head falling back against the seat.]

That part scares me every time. I'm always afraid someone might grab me.

[ They emerge out into the chaos, and Eddie is careful to keep close to her. As much as he would like to keep his attention only on Chrissy, his job demands otherwise. He keeps a carefully trained eye on every fan, makes sure that no one crosses a line. For both their luck, he doesn't have anything special to worry about. Eddie watches as teenage girls scream at the the chance to be close to her, but none of them cross a line over to inappropriate.

Eddie lets out sigh once they're in the back of her limo. All that's left is to make sure she gets to her hotel room safely, and then he's off for the night. As the car pulls away, Eddie watches the surge of people that are still desperate to get some sort of contact with her. ]

That's what you've got me for. [ He flashes her a smile, hoping it will put her at ease. ] You've got nothing to worry about now.

[She's surprised when that smile of his does put her at ease. There's just something about him that makes her feel safe. Which means that she's able to actually produce a genuine smile as she turns to glance over at him.]

For now.

[There's a curiosity if he's been made aware of all the issues that they're facing right now. He's not head of her security detail, but she knows he's only her personal bodyguard because she requested it. All because she felt drawn to him for a reason she still doesn't even know.

But maybe it all moved so quickly that he hadn't had time to be briefed on things like paparazzi that follow her, or stalkers. ]

I think I feel safer with you than I have with anyone else.

[Not just recently. Not in a long time. Ever. He makes her feel safe, and that's valuable to her.]

I'm glad to hear that.

[ He doesn't know Chrissy, not in any way that matters, but he really is happy to hear that she feels safer with him around. It's his job, of course, and he's always happy to hear that his clients feel well and properly protected. ]

Have your assistant tell my boss that, I might get a raise.

[ There's no denying that he feels relaxed around her, more so than he probably should with a client. Being relaxed can easily lead to getting sloppy, and that's the last thing he wants. The rest of the limo ride is easy, they make light conversation as Eddie checks his phone, keeping up to date on the rest of her people. Everything is in place for an easy drop off, and then he can call it a night.

Except things end up being not entirely easy. They arrive at the hotel, Eddie watches her carefully, offering a hand to her as she emerges from the limo. And then he's suddenly shoved back, his back slamming against the trunk of the car. It all happens so fast, Eddie is still catching his breath as he watches a man rush up to Chrissy, grabs at her, snaps photo, desperately pulls at any inch of her he can reach. ]

Hey! [ Eddie surges forward, his voice a powerful shout. He grabs the guy by his collar, flings him back against the sidewalk. A strange sort of rage surges through him, he wants to pound the guy into the pavement, teach him a lesson about invading a woman's personal space. ] Get the fuck out of here!

[ Chrissy is more important, and he wraps an arm around her shoulders as he hurries her inside. They're in the elevator in a matter of seconds, and Eddie finds himself still holding her close, even though that is completely agains the rules. ]

Are you okay? I'm so sorry about all of that.

[The experience of getting into the hotel is frightening to her. No matter how many times things like this happen, she's still afraid this might be the time where something awful happens. At least this time, the worst is a scratch to her arm from when the guy grabbed her.

She's trembling as he ushers her inside, and can only manage a half mile to try and reassure him. His arms around her feel strong and safe, and it doesn't take long before he's leaning up against him, her arms wrapping around him in return. This definitely isn't protocol. It's irresponsible of her. He would have every right to want to quit after she holds him for so long.

The elevator dings as they reach their floor, and Chrissy reluctantly pulls away enough that he can lead her safely down the hall and into her suite. He has her stay close to him as he investigates every inch of the room to make sure it's safe. It's only once he's positive they're alone that she feels okay to sink down on the sofa in the living room area of the suite.]

You apologized earlier. [Her voice is shaky when she speaks, and she hates it.] You should know that there's a few people out there that try things like this a lot.

[And it shakes her to the core every time it happens.]

[ Protocol is out the window, because Eddie can't imagine pushing her away in the name of professionalism. She's trembling against him, and all he can do is hold her close, hoping it might provide some comfort. It's hard not to feel like he's failed her, even when there's little he could have done against the surprise attack. He keeps his arms around her as they make their way down the hall to her room, only releasing her so he can examine things.

Eddie takes his time, examines every corner of the suite, picks things up and examines them with intensity. There's no such thing as being too careful, not now. Once he feels confident that her room is safe, he returns to her, finding her settled on the couch. ]

Yeah, I... I'm sure.

[ That's the price of fame, he supposes. Without the crazies of the world, Eddie wouldn't have job, but that doesn't mean he likes the fact. He hesitates a moment, standing in front of her, before deciding to settle himself on the couch beside Chrissy. He doesn't touch her, despite the fact that part of him wants to. ]

Are you going to be okay?

[ He hates the fact that he's even asking, thinks he knows the answer. But strictly speaking, his job is done, and he should be heading out now. ]

[She tries nodding, but her heart isn't in pretending like everything's fine. The thought of being left here alone shakes her to her core, and it's because of that she scoots in closer to him. Her hand rests on his arm, a gesture to signal that she's not okay before she's able to put it into words.]

No.

[It's hard to say that, even though it's just a single word. Chrissy doesn't like to inconvenience others. Doesn't want to show that she's not as put together as the world wants to think.]

I'm a little freaked out after what happened. Do you...

[Hesitating, her hand drops away from his arm, and she looks away from him. This is a new low point. Begging for company.]

Do you think you could stay tonight?

[ The rational answer is, of course: absolutely not. It violates about every rule that's been laid down by the company works for, and yet, Eddie can't imagine telling her no. All things considered, he's officially off the clock now, having returned her to her room. If he wants to make bad decisions on his free time, then that's on him. ]

Yeah... [ His voice is soft, purposefully gentle. He lifts a tentative hand to curl his arms around her shoulders, trying to offer comfort. ] Yeah, okay.

[ Eddie gives her a little grin, ignores the way his heart gives a kick inside his chest. ]

Just promise you won't tell my boss.

I wouldn't.

[Chrissy's answer is immediate, and she looks up at him with wide eyes. Yes, his arms around her feels nice. And it makes her feel safe. But she realizes there's a little of an imbalance here, with her being a client and asking him to break the rules.]

I don't want to lose you.

[Which sounds dramatic, and she visibly winces at the realization. She's really messing this up tonight.]

I just like having you as my personal bodyguard, is all.

[It's a poor cover up, and she hates herself for not trying harder.]

It's fine, really.

[ He wants to reassure her, and as long as word doesn't get back to his boss, it really is fine. Even if he knew this would be found out, if he would lose his job for it, Eddie can't imagine leaving her now. He pulls her close for a moment, giving her a squeezing hug. Then he stands, surveying the room. ]

You want something to drink? Water, coffee? [ His gaze drifts towards the corner where a great many of gift baskets have been heaped together, a mess of flowers and balloons and snacks. ] I think there's a few bottles of champagne tucked in there, if you need something to take the edge off.

[ It isn't the smartest idea, but then, neither is him staying. He just wants to help her feel a little more comfortable, more relaxed. As many security jobs as he's worked, he can't imagine what it really feels like to have to worry about some insane fan taking things too far. ]

[This has terrible idea written all over it. And yet, Chrissy doesn't tell herself to let him go home. She doesn't insist on water or coffee.]

Champagne sounds great actually.

[Anything to relax a little. She knows that it's stupid to be this freaked out by a crazed fan. It happens regularly enough she never really feels safe. But Eddie's her new bodyguard. Something could have happened to the both of them, and the thought of that scares her. She tries not to think about what worrying about his safety means, because when he grabs the champagne and some glasses and makes his way back over to the couch, she's smiling a little. It's natural to feel at ease with him there.]

What was your last assignment?

[She wonders as he opens the bottle, and gives a little jump at the sound of it practically popping open.]

I mean, I'm not your first one. Am I?

[ Champagne is definitely a bad idea. That doesn't stop him from springing to his feet the moment she decides upon it, returning quickly with a bottle in one hand and a pair of glasses in the other. Eddie pops the cork with relative ease, pouring both of them a glass that is just shy of spilling over. He passes a glass to her, before raising his own so they can bring their glasses together in a toast. ]

I'm not really supposed to say.

[ But then, he's also not supposed to be spending time with a client after hours. All sorts of rules are being broken tonight, so what's one more. Eddie takes a sip, enjoys the tingling of carbonation against his lips as he watches her. ]

Ah, let's see. You're the first pop artist I've worked for, but I recently did detail for Jason Carver. You know, the basketball player? He's kind of a dick, between you and me. Did a stint in New York for a while with an author. Nancy Wheeler, maybe you've read one her books? She's a big true crime author.

[ For someone that's not supposed to be spilling industry secrets, the names bubble out of him without restraint. There's just something about talking with Chrissy that lowers his inhibitions, and he hopes that it provides something of a distraction for her. ]

[He's not really supposed to say, but he tells her anyway. Chrissy's amused when he quickly winds up spilling some details, laughing as he mentions Jason Carver. Of course he's worked for Jason.]

I dated Jason for a little while, actually.

[But she doesn't ask when Eddie worked guarding him, doesn't really want to know. Because bodyguards often walk in or see things they don't really want to with their clients and whoever is falling into bed with them. Things with jason hadn't been serious, but they had been fun. ]

He's a total asshole.

[She can agree on that much, at least. It's after raising her glass to a toast to that sentiment that Chrissy takes a sip. She's not ever a huge fan of champagne, but she needs to get at least a little tipsy tonight. So a second drink is chased right after the first, this one a bigger gulp that she swallows down with no regard to actually tasting what's in her glass.]

No shit.

[ Eddie looks amused, watching Chrissy from over the rim of his champagne glass. He's never been one for celebrity gossip, so this is all news to him. He tries to picture Chrissy and Jason together, his hands on her, and the image simply refuses to form in head. Good, he thinks, that they're no longer together and that she confirms he's an asshole. Not that it should matter to him-- but of course it does. ]

Easy there.

[ He laughs a little as she practically inhales two drinks, one after the other. He knows what it feels like to need to take the edge off, so he can't say he blames her. It should probably be his job to make sure she doesn't go too crazy, and yet his train of thought veers in a different direction. ]

Hey, why don't we play a game? [ Eddie finishes his glass, drains it in one last swallow. ] To take your mind off things.

A game?

[Chrissy tries to remember the last time she had played a game. It's been a while, she realizes. She doesn't really surround herself with people who want her to take the time to do things like relax. So to have Eddie suggest a game is so charming to her that she can't stop smiling from behind her glass.]

What did you have in mind?

[Even without knowing what he's planning, she already has a look on her face that says she's going to play.]

You familiar with 'never have I ever'?

[ He's reaching for the bottle, tops off her glass and pours the last dregs into his own. He needs to open a second bottle to top off his glass. It's a little careless, and champagne spills over the glass and runs down his fingers. He leans back, licks the few drops from his knuckles before looking back at her. ]

One of says something we've never done, and if you've done it, you drink.

[ Eddie raises his glass as though to toast, waits for her to do the same. ]

So I could say, never have I ever sung in front of thousands of people, and you'd have to drink. [ He grins at her, mischievous. ] I mean, I assume you've done that.

[She laughs at the fact he chose the most obvious route to get her to have to drink, and all she can do is smirk in amusement as she raises her glass in a toast before taking a drink.]

So if I said, never have I ever had long hair, you'd have to drink?

[Both eyebrows arch as she grins impishly up at him.]

Or do I have to actually be telling the truth?

[Her eyes glance to his hands, taking note of the fact his fingers are still wet from the champagne. She wouldn't mind watching him lick off more once they get tipsy enough. It takes great effort to shake that though from her mind, and she glances back to his face to wait for his answer.]

If you don't tell the truth, then the game's no fun.

[ He gives her a wink, raises his glass to take a drink. What he's just said is true, under normal circumstances. But the way his heart flips when she asks the question makes him think she could lie to him all evening and he'd still enjoy it. ]

You barely squeak by with that, you know.

[ Eddie smirks in her direction, openly eyeing the length of her hair. It's more to make her laugh than anything, rather than open up a debate about whether her hair counts as long or medium. ]

My turn. [ He thinks for a moment, trying to stick to more innocent questions, for now. ] Never have I ever... cried at a party.

I haven't!

[She gasps as she answers the question verbally, forgetting she can just not take a drink. But then she's left laughing right after she says it, giving a light shrug of her shoulders.]

Unless you count laughing so hard you almost cry.

[But she's not taking a drink, and instead runs her finger along the rim of her glass as she thinks something over.]

Never have I ever fell asleep watching TV.

Nah, I said cry, after all. Not almost.

[ Though he's glad to hear it's never happened, at least not in the way he had imagined. Something about her strikes him as being a crier, but he keeps that thought to himself. Besides, she's nailed him with her next question, and he raises his glass to drink. ]

I can't believe you never have. [ Eddie has spent far too many nights passing out in front of the tv, but thankfully this game doesn't include follow up questions. ] Never have I ever been outside the country.

[ Which is a little bit cheating, seeing as he knows she's done at least one world tour. But she's gotten one up on him, and he'd like to even things up. ]

[She gives him a look that says you know I have, before she takes a drink. And since he can play to win, she can too. Laughing, she leans over to rest her head against the back of the couch. But she turns so she's watching him completely.]

I've fallen asleep reading books. I've even fallen asleep in a movie premiere once or twice. But never in front of the tv.

[She takes another little sip, just because she wants to.]

Hmmmm...never have I ever peed standing up.

[Yes, she knows that it's tacky. But she's hoping to surprise him enough that he laughs. And takes a drink, of course.]

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