starving [hailee steinfeld one-shots]

my rotten mind and how much it worships you [H.Steinfeld]

Hailee doesn't want silence, though, and she makes that crystal clear.

"I want you."

You know what she's talking about but the mere thought of it is too much to comprehend so you do what you do best: deflect.

"You've been awake for ten minutes and you're already thinking about sex?"

"That's not what I mean."

"I know," you say through a sigh. "But sleeping together doesn't mean we're fated to fall in love."

Her hands tug at your waist, a silent request for you to turn over. You don't want to fulfill it and yet your body moves before you can stop it. You turn onto your other side and pretend not to notice the satisfied grin on her face.

"Can't a girl be a hopeless romantic?" She mutters once her eyes find yours.

"I don't think you can afford to be much of anything right now."

It's subtle but it's a reminder of why you're here. You're not a real couple, you're not friends, and you barely even like each other...or at least, that's what you thought before last night.

She's quiet for a few seconds and you foolishly assume she's changed her mind. But of course, she hasn't. Because when has Hailee Steinfeld ever made things easy for you?

"I want to try." Her voice is barely above a whisper but it carries more weight than you're used to hearing from her. "I want to be with you."

"Why?" You blurt out. "You don't even like me."

You half-expect her to roll her eyes at you or call you stubborn but she doesn't. She doesn't even try to put her walls back up. For once in a long time, Hailee's finally being honest, with herself and with you. "Because you get me. You see through all the bullshit without even batting an eyelash. It's annoying but it's refreshing. And I think I'd have to be an idiot to let you slip away."

"You are an idiot."

Despite your words, you're already halfway to kissing her. It might be a foolish decision but it feels far too right for you to ignore.

Most of your day is spent like that, kissing Hailee and letting her show you how much she means her words. And, considering the amount of marks she leaves all over your neck, she really means them.

It's not until late afternoon that the two of you manage to untangle from each other. The brunette keeps her hands to herself long enough for you to shower and by the time you come back, her whole demeanor has changed.

You're about to ask her what's wrong when you notice the way she's clutching her phone.

Right.

You're still in the middle of a, frankly ridiculous, PR stunt and whatever it is you're doing doesn't fit the narrative the media has created. One that's very intent on keeping Hailee inside her glass closet.

"y/n-"

You stop her before she can get too far, not ready to hear the hundreds of excuses she always has on hand. "It's fine. You don't owe me anything."

"I know." She sighs. "But I meant it. I want this. With you."

It would be incredibly easy to push back. To tell her you've changed your mind and you want no part in whatever PR mess she's created for you...but that's not the truth. And, as much as you hate to admit it, you're far too deep to turn back now.

"Just keep your hands to yourself during dinner, Steinfeld."

The smile she gives you is the only evidence you need that you're doing the right thing. Even if it's not necessarily the easiest thing.

The time for your dinner reservation arrives far quicker than you'd like and before you know it, you and Hailee are sitting out in the open in some random restaurant pretending you don't notice the bunch of paparazzi waiting on your every move.

It's strange but also not the weirdest thing you've ever done so you do your best to focus on the brunette and nothing else.

"They'll go away in a bit," Hailee says while her hand finds yours under the table. "They'll take a few pictures and then leave once nothing exciting happens."

"You don't think I'm exciting?" You reply, allowing her to intertwine your fingers.

"You're impossible."

You merely chuckle and listen to her while she swiftly changes the topic. You nod along as she tells you some random story from her time shooting Hawkeye, trying your best not to get distracted by her affectionate touches.

You've learned a lot of things about her during this fake vacation and yet, her constant need to be in contact with you might be your favorite one. Twenty-four hours ago you couldn't wait to never see her again and now you're actively trying to plan out when to spend more time with her.

You're in the middle of wondering how the hell you got here when you feel her arm wrap around your shoulders. You assume the paparazzi are gone so you don't say anything. You merely let her rest her chin on your shoulder and admire you like you're some priceless painting.

"You okay?" She whispers.

"Yeah, just thinking."

You turn slightly to be able to look at her and she takes the opportunity to kiss you. Your hand reaches up to cup her face as you return the kiss, completely oblivious to the pictures that get snapped at that moment.

You don't even make it to dessert before both of your phones are blowing up with endless posts and tweets, all talking about the two of you and the sweet kiss you're sharing in the attached pictures.

"Hailee," you say softly, your voice tinged with the slightest bit of regret. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." She shakes her head before turning off her phone and giving you her undivided attention once again. "I created this whole mess in the first place, I can deal with the backlash. I just...don't want to hide anymore."

"Who are you and what have you done with the real Hailee Steinfeld?" You joke.

She rolls her eyes but there's no annoyance in the action anymore. There's nothing but that goofy grin she can't contain no matter how many times you push her buttons on purpose.

"And somehow I'm the one who doesn't have feelings."

You have no time to reply and for once, you don't really care. All you care about is the feeling of her lips against yours.

Everything else can wait until later.