{Eizkel's POV}
"Eiz! Eiz, food is here!"
"Hmm."
Nodding, I dragged myself off the couch and shuffled toward the kitchen, every step heavier than it should've been. Lazily, I dropped into a chair, the cold wood pressing against my legs, and let my head slump onto the table. I was still feeling super tired; the kind of tired that made even breathing feel like work.
A chair scraped across the floor next to me, the sharp sound making me flinch slightly. I didn't even have to look up. The soft thump of Kate settling beside me, followed by the warm bump of her shoulder against mine, told me everything I needed to know.
"You've got to get up, silly."
I very, very, very slowly lifted my head, blinking against the kitchen light that felt way too harsh. The scent hit me first; warm, savory, a little spicy. My stomach gave a lazy, hopeful grumble. On the table sat a takeout container brimming with tacos, their golden shells peeking out beneath a messy layer of shredded lettuce, melted cheese, and bright splashes of red salsa. The rich aroma of seasoned meat, toasted tortillas, and tangy lime made my mouth water before I could even focus my eyes properly.
"Tacos!"
"Yep! I figured it would be way better to have than something like pizza."
"O-Oh god. Not pizza." The memory of John's wonderful pizza and the horrible pain that followed flashed through my mind like a sucker punch. I seriously didn't want to go through that again.
Kate laughed at me. "Idiot."
She gave me two and took two for herself. Our plates bumped against each other, barely an inch apart, and after grabbing her food, she somehow edged even closer.
"Any closer, Kate, and I'll get crumbs in your hair."
"Um, I guess that's fine as long as it's not any salsa!"
"Y-You're serious?"
"I want to be close. " Her voice was light but sure, and the way her shoulder pressed against mine sent a weird, jittery warmth spiraling through my chest.
"I get that, but do you really want food in your hair?"
"Will you help me clean it?"
"Wh—"
[SHUT IT!]
'What, Ezryn?'
[You fucking dumbass, just go along with her before you piss me off!]
'Okay...?'
I nodded stiffly, and Kate giggled while digging into her food. Her mood seemed lighter for sure, but I still didn't get why Ezryn had overreacted so hard.
[Overreacted...? I'm just protecting myself from your embarrassment.]
'From what?'
[FROM YOU! Now shuu~ shuu~, I might've overstepped the bounds a bit.]
'Whatever.'
I reluctantly ate my food over Kate's head but made sure to shield her with my hand so the least number of crumbs would fall. As my brain started booting back up and I kept eating, Ezryn's panic finally made sense.
My body linked with the thoughts of my mine and started reacting like a damn lunatic. Blood rushing everywhere, skin burning, heartbeat thudding stupidly fast and for once, I was glad Kate couldn't see my face.
'Son of a bitch, Ezryn, my damn savior.'
I finished my first taco quickly, miraculously keeping her hair clean. Reaching for the second, I was stopped. Kate grabbed it and handed it to me without missing a beat, like we'd done this a thousand times before.
'Is it just me, or does she seem different after I confessed?'
No answer.
I felt strange since Ezryn would've answered even if it was some snarky comment.
Left to my own thoughts, it was obvious she was closer that much was plain. But something else buzzed underneath it. She felt... not just attached, but open, vulnerable in a way she hadn't been before.
The more I tried thinking about it, the more I just stopped. There wasn't any point in thinking about it because I was happy.
'Perhaps not getting my first crush back on Earth was more detrimental to me than I thought.I'm starting to think too much.'
"Eiz, um. Do you want to do it now?"
That question nuked every functioning thought in my brain.
I spiraled through possibilities and probabilities in seconds, mentally rivaling a damn supercomputer but still couldn't figure out how we got here. And in the kitchen, of all places?!
"S-Sure?"
"Why are you questioning it? Hehe~"
"I'm not, I'm just surprised the kitchen is where you want to do it for the first time."
"Huh? I'm talking about you doing my hair. You know, you can put it in any style you want, whatever you find better! I read online some men like to do that..."She mumbled the last part, but I caught every word.
'My mind needs a serious chill pill.'
"Yeah, I don't know why I was acting weird." I shook my head hard, trying to reboot my brain.This was it. Mental reset. No more strange thoughts!
"So..." She paused. "Is the kitchen where you want our first time to be?"
'I regret speaking too soon.'
"God no!" The words burst out before I could even think. It wasn't even up for debate whenever that day came, the fucking kitchen was not where it was going down.
"O-Oh. Where. Um. W-Would you?" She peeked up at me through her lashes, cheeks dusted in soft pink, lips parted just enough to send my sanity into free fall.
"You know," I rasped, voice rougher than I meant, "like my bedroom. A normal place."
I couldn't stand it. My body was short-circuiting, emotions crashing into each other faster than I could handle. My heart thudded against my ribs, heat coiled up my spine, and a restless energy jittered under my skin, making it impossible to stay still.
Kate nodded and tucked her face into my chest. I felt her hair brush against me, her fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt, anchoring me when everything inside felt ready to burst. She mumbled something, her words vibrating against my skin, but this time, I didn't even try to hear it.
My sanity was already hanging by a thread.
'I swear I'm not taking another nap. I can't let this happen again!'