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Miss Sarah was an endearing drunk. She was giggly, carefree and incredibly affectionate. Golden, blonde curls tumbled over her shoulders, down her back. A pink flush to her cheeks every time she noticed him looking at her. Long eyelashes that fluttered as she looked up at him. The smell of something sweet that he guessed was floral of some kind. She was lovely. If Sky thought Miss Sarah Brown was beautiful before, he was not prepared for how enchanting she was with her hair down, top buttons of her dress undone and the charming way she floated around - which was very much like a clumsy ballerina - after a few too many Bacardi infused dulce de leches.

Sky had never had to discourage a doll’s affection and attention before, but it was different with Miss Sarah. She was pure and lovely, and he didn’t want to ruin her, even if she was the one throwing herself at him. He didn’t want to mess her around or break her heart. Whilst he was enjoying how emboldened she was, even if it was the Bacardi that gave her the courage, he needed to be sensible; she was pure and saintly. Sky Masterson was nothing if not a gentleman, when he needed to be at least. Even so, there was something about the way her lips felt against his.

For a young lady who had never been kissed before, she kissed with an adorable viridity and confidence. There was an unintentional possessiveness when she wrapped her arms around him and pressed her lips to his. The way her fingernails lightly grazed at his nape as she ran a hand through his hair, gently holding him closer to her with the other. How she had to stand on her toes to reach him. The way she hummed in delight and the feeling of her smile when he ran his thumb along her jaw, causing her lips to part further, allowing him to kiss her deeper. All of it had elicited an unfamiliar fluttering in his stomach.

By this point in their evening, he had guided her to a nearby bench. After all the rum and sugar that was now buzzing through her veins, he knew she would appreciate the fresh air. Her head rested against his shoulder as he wrapped an arm around her, gently tangling his hand in those lovely curls. His other hand holding hers. He couldn’t help himself. She was hypnotic, and he was strangely giddy at the thought of pursuing her when she was sober.

Except this was a bet, a bet that he had now won. He was so cocky when Nathan had bet him he couldn’t take Miss Sarah to Havana. He knew the effect he had on dolls and, despite her initial reluctance, prissy Miss Sarah Brown. She was just like every other doll he’d managed to seduce. Smugly, he wished he could have seen Nathan’s face when he realised the mission doll hadn’t joined the others on their rally this afternoon, or even the way she was currently sat across his lap. He’d managed to do the impossible. He just didn’t bank on growing attached as well.

Sarah yawned quietly, as she moved enough to wrap her arms around him. Sky found himself enjoying having her in his arms. It was in this moment that Sky knew he was in trouble; the prim and proper mission doll had truly stolen his heart. 

“I wish we could stay here longer.” She murmured into his shoulder, pulling him out of his thoughts. “I’ve had such a wonderful time. I wish we didn’t have to go back at all.”

He would be honest, after this evening, he would have said the same thing. Instead he held her a little tighter, willing himself not to let his guard down any more than he already had.

In the real world, they’ll never work. She will sober up and remember that he’s a gambler. That her work is devoted to reforming sin, not falling in love with it. That the one she dreams of is absolutely not a gambler. He knew he would have to burst the bubble and confess the true intent as to why he brought her here, before he fell any deeper.

It’s not how reality worked, but in this little spot of Havana, they knew nobody but each other. For a moment, they could pretend they were the only two people in the world. Where he could enjoy their ‘fond caressing’, as she had put it. He would worry about real life later, for he had a lovely doll who seemed to appreciate his company on a much different level to others. One who he wished he could hold on to a little longer.

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Soft breaths, sparse freckles and that intoxicating floral perfume she always wore. He had been gently running his fingers through her hair as she lay beneath him. Those blue eyes looking up at him through long lashes, drowsy and just as drunk in love as he felt. It hadn’t taken long after they had made love for the first time that Sarah drifted off to sleep, and he held her, as she curled up and fell asleep into his chest.

As Sky lay in the dark, he wondered when things had changed. So much at least that Miss Sarah Brown had delighted in her acceptance of his marriage proposal, and he was now holding her hand as she slept peacefully beside him. Marriage was something he had never considered and yet here he was, revelling in the intimacy of it all.

Earlier that evening, Sky had cheekily bought her a glass of Bacardi. Sarah, in response, blushed bright pink, but accepted the drink with a shy laugh and a smile. Only the two of them understood the gesture, an inside joke between them.

Havana felt the most obvious and only place for their honeymoon. There was no rush and there was no need for either of them to rein themselves in so much this time. She was a darling, but he now knew just how feisty and fierce she could also be, in more ways than one.

They had spent the evening walking around the same spots they had that night, from her guidebook - he made sure she had packed it. Then some dulce de leches were enjoyed, but not so many that he was carrying her out of the bar this time. Before they finally found a secluded spot and just swayed in a slow dance as he crooned in her ear. Sky wasn’t quite sure when he had turned soft or into such a romantic, but the dazed smile that had graced Sarah’s face made him realise he didn’t care.

Now, the warm Havana sun was beginning to rise. Sky Masterson was used to being awake at such an hour. Except this time, instead of roaming the streets aimlessly, he had indulged himself and spent the hours watching and holding his new bride as she slept. 

Lately, he had found himself trying to pin point when it was that he had fallen for the mission doll. Sky kissed her nose gently, causing her to stir slightly. He’d had dalliances with many a beautiful doll before, so he knew it wasn’t just physical attraction. Perhaps it was the way she was so adverse to him at first, had practically loathed him. How she’d become a challenge to prove himself to her, but got carried away. Maybe it was because he knew she was forbidden fruit, untouched and holy. It was obvious to all those around that they had a lot of chemistry. Was it also because Sarah Brown knew her worth and accepted nothing less?

Sky Masterson wasn’t used to chasing women. It was always the other way around, but he couldn’t deny that trying to court her, despite her defiance, was thrilling. Sarah Brown was a stubborn young woman with a lot of pride, but he knew she was just as intrigued about him as he was of her.

“Sky?” Murmured a feminine voice. “Please tell me you have slept.” Sarah had her eyes closed still, but still managed to entangle her hand with one of his. Sky chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

“Have you forgotten? It’s my time of day.” He stroked her hand.

Sarah’s eyes were open now and she moved slightly to face him. Sky seized the opportunity to catch her lips in a proper kiss, leaving her breathless, as he always seemed to do. She was easily distracted when it came to his lips, he’d realised very early on.

“Perhaps, but aren’t you tired after travelling, sightseeing and-“ she paused abruptly, but even in the early morning sunlight he could see her blushing.

“I suppose you’re right, I am. I’ve just been unable to take my eyes off you.” Sarah rolled her eyes at him. “But I also I think there is a worry that if I fall asleep I’ll wake up and you’ll be gone.” He had intended to tease her, instead vulnerability tumbled from his lips.

“You are a silly man.” She smiled at him. “You must know by now, if I didn’t want to be here, laying in your arms like this-“ Sarah blushed again “I wouldn’t be here.”

And of course, she was right. Miss Sarah Brown never did anything she didn’t want to do. She was real. She was actually there. She was now his wife. 

“Te quiero.” He murmured into her ear as she lay back into his embrace. 

Sarah giggled. “What on earth does that mean?”

Sky looked into her eyes again. “It’s how they say ‘I love you’ here.” 

The blonde mission doll smiled at him, reaching up to kiss him again.

“Te quiero, too” she replied, with her awful Spanish pronunciation.

Sky laughed and held her tighter to him. He may have fallen victim to a sucker bet, but when he looked to his left, he realised that he was by no means a loser.

Everyone knew Sky, but only she would know Obadiah.