One of my entries for PyarkaTropeFest (entry #4)
Trope: Forced proximity/ fake relationship
Setting: crime
characters: Vincenzo from Vincenzo and Felicity Smoak from Arrow
graphic-er: ssttuuttii / Stuti
Partners in Crime
Felicity Smoak was a genius, a world-class hacker, and an exceptional problem solver. But she also had many regrets in life. Agreeing to go undercover as Mrs. Vincenzo Cassano was rapidly climbing to the top of that list.
"Remind me again why I’m pretending to be married to a dangerous ex-mobster?" she muttered under her breath, gripping Vincenzo Cassano’s arm as they entered an exclusive Manhattan gala.
Vincenzo, ever the embodiment of suave confidence, glanced down at her with a smirk. "Because The Syndicate only does business with influential, powerful couples. A married duo looking to ‘invest’? Perfect cover." Felicity huffed, keeping her bright fake wife smile firmly in place. "Right. Because nothing screams ‘trustworthy’ like holy matrimony with a man who definitely has a body count."
Vincenzo leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "Only the deserving ones, tesoro." She shivered, annoyed at herself for reacting. "Ugh. You are so smug." "And yet, you’re still holding my arm," he teased.
She glared at him but didn’t let go, because as much as she disliked his methods, she knew she needed Vincenzo Cassano's help.
Her hacking skills had uncovered financial records and offshore accounts linking Moretti Pharmaceuticals to a vast drug cartel. She had handed over the financial evidence to a trusted FBI contact, only to find out the case was shut down within hours. The agents assigned to it? Compromised. The Syndicate had buried the case before it could begin.
When she told Vincenzo about this, he just shook his head and smirked. She wanted to both punch that sinfully handsome face and kiss him too. She had spent years believing in the law, even when it disappointed her. She wasn’t naive. She knew some battles couldn’t be won in a courtroom. But was she ready to cross that line?
That’s when she realized she needed someone who didn’t play by the rules. Vincenzo had insider knowledge, underground contacts, and the ability to get people to talk—even the ones who really didn’t want to. Together, they could expose The Syndicate, if only they did not kill each other first.
Forced proximity wasn’t just part of the cover—it was constant. Vincenzo had a frustratingly natural way of invading her space. At the gala, he kept his hand possessively on her lower back, leaned in just enough when he spoke to her, and whispered endearments in ridiculously smooth Italian.
"Relax, cara mia," he murmured as they scanned the crowd for their target, Dario Moretti. "You’re tense." Felicity scoffed, keeping her smile in place. "Gee, I wonder why." Vincenzo chuckled. "Could it be because you like this?"
She shot him a withering glare. "Please. I’d rather marry a feral raccoon." Vincenzo smirked, undeterred. "Would the raccoon whisper sweet nothings in Italian?" "Ugh!"
Before she could argue, Moretti approached. "Mr. Cassano, Mrs. Cassano," he greeted, studying them. "I hear you’re interested in investing."
Vincenzo smiled, easy and deadly. "That depends. Are you offering something worth our time?" Felicity pretended to lean into Vincenzo, playing the role of an indulgent wife, while secretly scanning Moretti’s watch—a disguised hard drive containing crucial intel. Bingo. She’d be hacking that later.
Vincenzo shot her a side glance, noticing her focus. And just like that, he was impressed again.
The penthouse suite Vincenzo had booked was a five-star luxury dream—and unfortunately, had only one bed.
Felicity froze at the sight. "Nope."
Vincenzo set his suitcase down, amused. "Problem, tesoro?"
"Yes! You have got to be kidding me. I am definitely not sharing a bed with you!" she glared at him. He smirked. "Would you rather I sleep on the couch?" "Yes."
Vincenzo sighed dramatically. "You wound me, cara mia." She huffed, sitting at the desk, opening her laptop. "I’ll take first watch anyway. I need to hack into Moretti’s system." Vincenzo raised an eyebrow. "You’re hacking now?" She flashed him a grin. "I don’t need a gun to get what I want." Vincenzo chuckled, shaking his head. "Admit it, you love showing off how brilliant you are." She did.
But she’d rather die than say it out loud. Instead, she stuck her tongue out at him. "Go to sleep, Cassano. Let the adults work." Vincenzo smirked. "You are so utterly charming." Her cheeks burned bright as she focused on her screen. She absolutely was not going to think about how his voice sounded like sin and espresso.
Felicity’s hacking had paid off. She cracked Moretti’s disguised hard drive, unearthing a shipment schedule. "Tons of synthetic opioids arriving at Pier 47 in two days," she whispered through the earpiece as Vincenzo infiltrated Moretti’s office. "If we expose this, we dismantle the entire network."
"Good work, tesoro," Vincenzo murmured. "Almost like you were made for this life."
Felicity scoffed. "I still believe in laws, thank you very much." Vincenzo chuckled. "And yet, here you are, breaking them."
Moretti was too smart. Because the moment they entered his private suite, he pulled out a gun.
"You’re not investors," he said coldly. "The real Vincenzo Cassano doesn’t do investments. And Felicity Smoak? You’re famous in hacker circles." Felicity’s heart pounded. Crap. Crap. Crap. Vincenzo reacted instantly. In one fluid motion, he disarmed Moretti, twisting his wrist until the gun clattered to the floor. Felicity grabbed a champagne bottle and smashed it over Moretti’s head and the man crumpled. Vincenzo let out a low whistle. "You are full of surprises, tesoro." Felicity was still panting, her pulse racing from adrenaline. "Yeah, well, remind me to never do this again." The sound of security approaching killed the moment. Vincenzo grabbed her hand. "We have to go. Now."
They sprinted down a back hallway, escaping into an alley behind the hotel. The adrenaline was still coursing through Felicity when they finally stopped, breathing heavily.
"Vincenzo—!" A gunshot and Felicity's stomach plummeted. His voice, smooth as ever — "Miss me already, amore?" Felicity nearly collapsed from relief. "I hate you."
"Focus, tesoro. I need a distraction.", Vincenzo said. Felicity smirked. "Oh, I can do that."
She hacked the entire building’s power, plunging it into darkness. The chaos was instant and gunfire erupted, shouts filled the air, and Vincenzo disappeared into the shadows. Minutes later, he was beside her, gripping her hand. "We need to run." She nodded breathlessly. "Agreed."
They sprinted through the back alley, sirens blaring behind them. Vincenzo pushed her against a wall, shielding her as guards rushed past. Felicity’s heart pounded—not just from adrenaline. "This is a terrible hiding spot," she whispered. Vincenzo smirked. "I don't agree."
Before she could argue, he tilted her chin up and kissed her. It was supposed to be a distraction, but didn’t feel like one. His lips were slow, deliberate, teasing and coaxing, claiming. Felicity insides melted, feeling like a puddle of goo, when they finally broke apart. She felt breathless.
Vincenzo smirked. "If I knew that’s what it took to get you to stop talking, I would’ve done it sooner." Felicity groaned, covering her face. "I hate you." Vincenzo chuckled. "You really don’t." She sighed dramatically. "Fine. I mildly tolerate you." His smirk softened. "I’ll take it."
Days later, they met again. This time, there were no crime bosses, no weapons, just two people who had learned to respect each other despite their differences.
“I have to admit,” Felicity said, sipping her coffee, “for a guy who thinks murder is an acceptable problem-solving method, you’re not entirely terrible.” Vincenzo chuckled. “And for someone who believes in a broken system, you’re surprisingly effective.”
They shared a look—one that carried understanding, respect… and maybe something more.
“So,” he said, smirking, “what now?” Felicity tilted her head, smiling. “Now? We pretend we didn’t almost get each other killed. And maybe, just maybe, we stay in touch.” Vincenzo leaned in slightly. “I think I’d like that.”
And for once, he wasn’t thinking about vengeance. He was thinking about her.
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approximately 1310 words
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