AN: LIFE UPDATE... I'm ALIVE!
Oh, I started playing some new games. But then I uninstalled them because I feared the possibility of reincarnating or transmigrating in them, ugh... Downsides of being to into those genres.
Oh, read a lot of those vtuber and streaming genres too. Pretty neat. The MC's are usually genderbent, but the love interest is still female, so.... I'm sold.
ALSO: 40+ ADVANCE CHAPTERS IN PATREON AND KOFI. WE'RE AT CANON TIMELINE. WOOOO!!!
~~
1980 – Los Angeles, California
Robin's POV
Guys... Guuuuuuuuuys... Big update, I, Robin Liesha Cullen, am the personal bodyguard of THE....
Drum roll please...
CHER!
Okay, let me just say—being a bodyguard for Cher wasn't the worst idea I've had. Past-me had this wild fantasy of protecting celebrities from deranged fans or rogue paparazzi, and I thought, Why not?
So, here I was, walking next to Cher, my hair dyed a rich brunette, my hazel contacts in place, and my face covered by a sleek black mask. Sure, it was 1980 and masks weren't exactly a thing yet, but I'd cooked up a solid excuse.
"Skin condition," I'd said when Cher asked, arching one of her perfect eyebrows. "Sunlight sensitivity. Can't be too careful."
She'd stared at me for a moment, her expression unreadable, then shrugged. "Fair enough. Just don't pass out on me during a show."
And that was that. She didn't push. Probably because Cher was cooler than the other side of the pillow.
Now, I know what you're thinking—wasn't it hard to protect her while hiding my supernatural strength and speed? Not really. I had just enough self-control to refrain from yeeting an overeager fan into the next decade. And besides, Cher and I had this easy, teasing dynamic that made the job feel more like hanging out with a really fabulous friend.
One of my favorite parts of the job was escorting her during her day-to-day outings. Today? Grocery shopping.
"Do you think these sunglasses make me look mysterious or just hungover?" Cher asked, holding up a pair of oversized shades.
"Mysterious," I said, deadpan. "But in a 'don't talk to me unless you're delivering champagne' way."
She grinned. "Perfect."
As she tossed the sunglasses into her cart, she caught me adjusting my mask. "You know," she said, smirking, "the mask kind of ruins your mystique."
I raised an eyebrow. "Ruins it? Or enhances it?"
I'm hiding from people, so can't remove it, there's paparazzi everywhere. Also I know, ok? It's dumb to be in hiding and then go be a bodyguard for a high profile person.. But it's on my list.
"Enhances," she admitted, her tone playful. "But it's infuriating. You've got those eyes that could melt the polar ice caps, and yet the rest of us are stuck imagining what's underneath."
Contact lenses, yeah, I look good regardless of eye color.(mental smug hair flip)
I snorted. "You'll survive."
"Will I, though?" she shot back, her voice dripping with mock despair.
"You're Cher. You've survived worse."
She laughed, tossing a bag of oranges into the cart. "Fair point."
On our way out of the store, a couple of photographers were waiting near the parking lot. Cher groaned.
"Ugh, they're like cockroaches," she muttered under her breath. "What's the protocol here, Batman?"
"Stick close to me," I said, positioning myself between her and the cameras.
As the paparazzi swarmed, shouting questions, I moved smoothly, blocking their shots and guiding Cher to the car.
"Cher, who's the masked woman? Is she your new Lover?"
Cher smirked but didn't answer, sliding into the passenger seat while I closed the door behind her.
Once we were safely driving away, she glanced at me. "Lover, huh? Should I be flattered or concerned?"
"Flattered," I said without missing a beat. "They clearly have good taste."
She burst out laughing. "I like you, Robin. You keep me sane."
"Part of the job description," I replied with a wink.
~~
Cher's POV
Let me tell you about the first time I met Robin.
It was backstage at one of my concerts, and my manager had introduced her as my new bodyguard. I remember thinking, Why does a bodyguard look like she just stepped off the cover of a romance novel?
Even with the mask covering half her face, she was drop-dead gorgeous. Her eyes—hazel and piercing—practically glittered under the dim backstage lights. Her posture, her confidence, the way she carried herself... It was absurd.
"Nice to meet you," she'd said, her voice calm and low, with just a hint of mystery.
I'd barely managed a coherent response. How was I, Cher, supposed to stand next to this woman and still call myself a celebrity? It felt like a joke. She was the one who should've had cameras following her around.
And then there was the mask.
When I'd asked about it, she'd given me a reasonable-sounding excuse about a "skin condition." But I knew better.
Robin wasn't human.
I'd met a vampire once during a trip to Italy. It's a long story, but let's just say I'd been spared because the vampire happened to be a fan of my music. Ever since, I'd been able to spot the signs—the slightly unnatural grace, the sharpness in their gaze, the subtle way they tried (and failed) to mimic human behavior.
Truth be told, I'm not saying that she wasn't good at acting human, but she just had this aura to her, that made it weird for her to do mundane things, like she was holding back? I'm not sure how to explain it.
Ah, and the fact that they sparkle in the sunlight, but I Haven't seen her sparkle... she was always careful around sunlight, avoided it, or was covered.
Robin had all the tells, and honestly? It was kind of adorable how hard she was trying to act normal.
Big reason why I think she was supernatural was her secret stash of blood I accidentally discovered, Ok, I didn't actually see a stash, but I saw a handful of times in the trash,
empty blood bags.
She can still be just a weirdo, but she's too pretty to be one... Cannibal? can't picture it, supernatural makes more sense.
~~
One afternoon, we were lounging by the pool at my house. Well, I was lounging. Robin was standing a few feet away, arms crossed, scanning the perimeter like an overprotective hawk.
"Relax," I called out to her. "It's not like the paparazzi are hiding in the bushes."
"You'd be surprised," she replied, her tone dry.
I patted the chair next to me. "Come sit. Unless standing around looking intimidating is part of the gig?"
She hesitated but eventually sat down, still keeping her mask on.
"You know," I said, smirking, "if you're trying to avoid a sunburn, I've got extra sunscreen."
She chuckled softly. "I'm good, thanks."
"Come on, Robin," I teased. "You've got this whole mysterious thing going, but aren't you even a little tempted to take off the mask? Give me a peek?"
She shook her head, clearly amused. "Tempted? Sure. But I like keeping you curious."
"Fair enough," I said, leaning back and adjusting my sunglasses. "But just so you know, I have a vivid imagination."
Over the weeks, we fell into a comfortable rhythm. She'd deflect my flirtations with sharp wit, and I'd keep pushing, enjoying the way her eyes sparkled when she tried not to laugh.
I do know she has someone, but they the other person was away in another country. And she's still loyal to that person. I'm impressed, disappointed and jealous of her lover.
But every so often, I'd catch her watching me with a look that felt... different. Not just protective. It was softer, like she genuinely cared.
I never brought up the vampire thing. It didn't matter. Robin was Robin, and whether she was human, vampire, or some otherworldly creature, I was glad she was in my life.
~~
Robin's POV
Cher had this uncanny ability to make me feel like I was just as fabulous as she was. I knew she was joking most of the time, but there were moments when her words carried a warmth that felt genuine.
Like the time she told me, "You're the only person I trust to have my back, mask or no mask."
Or when she'd catch me off guard with a compliment that made me blush under my disguise.
It was strange, this dynamic we had. Playful, teasing, but also... something more.
And while I wasn't planning on staying her bodyguard forever—this was just another experience to check off my list—I couldn't deny that I'd miss her when it was time to move on.
For now, though, I was content to sit by the pool, keeping her safe from the world, and maybe—just maybe—letting myself enjoy the warmth of her company a little too much.
After all, even vampires need a little sunshine sometimes.
~~
Robin's POV
It was late evening in Los Angeles, and after a long day of Cher-related shenanigans, I finally had a moment to myself. Setling into the plush chair in my modest apartment, I dialed the familiar number.
The line clicked after the first ring, and her warm, melodic voice came through.
"Robin," Rosalie said, her tone instantly lifting my spirits.
"Rosie," I replied softly, unable to suppress the smile spreading across my face.
"About time you called," she teased. "I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about little old me."
I chuckled. "Impossible. I'd sooner forget my own name than forget you."
"Good answer," she said, her voice dripping with mock smugness. "So, how's life in California treating you? Have you finally decided to settle down and live the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle?"
I rolled my eyes, even though she couldn't see me. "Glamorous, sure. I spend most of my time dodging paparazzi and pretending not to be terrified of Cher's wardrobe choices. Seriously, she wore a dress made entirely of chains the other day. How do you protect somone in that?"
Rosalie's laugh was as light and musical as ever. "Sounds like you've got your hands full. Meanwhile, I've been learning how to rebuild a car engine from scratch. I think I could open my own garage at this point."
"Of course you could," I said, pride evident in my voice. "You're amazing at everything you try."
"And don't forget medicine," she added, smug now. "I stitched up a guy's leg last week. It was like I was in one of those hospital dramas humans are so obsessed with."
"Rosie the mechanic-doctor," I teased. "Is there anything you can't do?"
"Miss you less," she replied softly, and the words hit me square in the chest.
My voice dropped to a whisper. "I miss you, too. So much."
There was a moment of silence, the kind that wasn't uncomfortable but rather filled with all the unspoken feelings we didn't need to put into words.
Rosalie broke the silence with a laugh. "You'd better visit soon, Robin. Or I might just have to track you down myself."
"You're always welcome," I said sincerely. "Though, I'm not sure you'd enjoy LA. Too much traffic, too many people."
"Oh, come on," came a mischievous male voice in the background.
I blinked. "Was that—"
"Isaac, don't you dare," Rosalie warned, but her voice had a playful edge.
Suddenly, Isaac's unmistakably cheeky tone was right in my ear. "Robin! How's it going, superstar? Or should I say... bodyguard to the stars?"
I froze. "Wait. What?!"
Rosalie groaned. "Isaac, give me the phone back."
But Isaac wasn't done. "No, no. I have questions. Like, how's it working with the Cher? And, oh—what's this about your hand on her waist in that paparazzi pic? The one that made the papers?"
My stomach dropped. "What?! What are you talking about?!"
"Oh, don't play coy," Isaac continued, his tone dripping with amusement. "It's right here in the Los Angeles Times. 'Cher's Mystery Bodyguard: Who is the Masked Woman?' And there's a picture of you, all brooding and protective, with your hand—very casually, I might add—on her waist."
"Isaac!" Rosalie's exasperated voice came through, followed by some muffled shuffling.
I was still frozen, my mind racing. "I—how did you—where did you—Rosalie, why didn't you stop him?!"
"Stop him?!" she exclaimed, finally wresting the phone back. "I didn't even know about the article until five minutes ago!"
I groaned, burying my face in my free hand. "This is why I didn't tell anyone what I was doing. Disguises don't mean anything when Isaac's involved.", I rolled my eyes, "Bitch, don't let me catch you when we cross paths again you raging switch!" I added, since I knew Isaaac could still hear me. Which was confirmed when I heard him and I was sure was Emmett laughing in the backgound.
"Come on, Robin," Rosalie said, her voice filled with amusement now. "You have to admit it's funny. You, the most private person I know, in the papers as Cher's 'mystery woman'? It's priceless."
"It's not funny!" I protested, though the corners of my mouth were betraying me with the urge to smile.
"Uh, it's hilarious," Isaac chimed in from the background.
"You're not helping!" I snapped, though my voice lacked any real heat.
"Okay, okay," Rosalie said, her laughter finally subsiding. "Let's be serious for a moment. Are you okay? Do you need us to handle anything?"
I took a deep breath, touched by her concern. "I'm fine. Really. Cher's cool about it. She's been famous long enough to know how to handle these things."
"That's good," Rosalie said, her tone softening. "But if you ever need backup, you know where to find us."
I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through me. "I know. Thanks, Rosie."
"And Robin?" she added, her voice teasing again.
"Yeah?"
"Next time, maybe tell me when you're working with a living legend? I feel like that's something I should know about my best friend."
I laughed. "Deal. But only if you promise to keep Isaac on a leash."
"Good luck with that," she muttered, and we both dissolved into laughter.
After the Call
As I hung up, I leaned back in my chair, still smiling. The call had been equal parts mortifying and heartwarming—classic Isaac, classic Rosalie.
I glanced at the pile of newspapers on my coffee table, wondering if I should hide them before Cher got any ideas.
"Robin!" Cher's voice called from the other room, startling me. "I'm out of Diet Coke. Be a dear and run to the store?"
And just like that, it was back to work.
Grabbing my keys and mask, I headed for the door, shaking my head.
Life as Cher's bodyguard wasn't exactly normal—but then, normal had never been my style.
~~
AN: guys, at this point, I'm not doing much of research like if diet coke was already available at this period. Or other things, I just right asI go. I wanted to have Cher.. Cher is Mommy(don't judge me, I can feel you judging🥹).
We have some new readers as always! Thank you so much for saving our story. Thanks for the powerstones and comments(I wuv you guys*🫰). Please continue to do so, the FF won't get burried in the algortihm/list.
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