Title: ticket, please
Fandom: Hidden Legacy Series - Ilona Andrews
Pairing: Catalina Baylor/Alessandro Sagredo
Length: 300 words
Rating: Teen
Warnings: no major warnings apply
Notes: set post Ruby Fever (SPOILERS for Ruby Fever)
Summary: Catalina and Alessandro arrive at the latest must-see event together, hand in hand.



To keep her hands from trembling, Catalina held tightly to Alessandro’s hand. In her free hand, she gripped the tickets to the much sought-after theatrical event they currently waited in line for. Supposedly, it was the event of the season or something. Socializing still wasn’t her cup of tea but apparently going to fancy events is an important part of being the head of one’s House. According to her grandparents anyway. Grandpa Linus and Grandmother Victoria had settled their differences and joined forces to help her better learn how to navigate the world of Primes. Catalina was pretty sure they were sleeping together but she was trying really hard not to think about it. It was deeply disturbing and more than a little worrisome. They were both a lot of trouble on their own, who knew what kind of messes they could get into together?

Alessandro’s warm and steady presence was the one thing grounding Catalina in the moment. Cameras flashed all around them and a hoard of girls off to the side were calling his name, vying for his attention to no avail.

They had yet to announce their engagement publicly. Arabella kept insisting they needed to have an engagement party first which sounded completely ridiculous and wasn’t something Catalina had time for. She had no time left between being the deputy warden, working at the firm, her family, being the head of the house, and planning a wedding. Tonight was a small reprieve from their busy lives — a little pleasure along with House business.

She handed their tickets to the man at the door and heard several gasps from the throng of Alessandro's adoring fans. They’d seen the ring. Catalina understood. Even she cried over Alessandro’s first three engagements, each one a little more painful than the last.