{Eizkel's POV}
My face was buried deep within Kate's chest. I mean, I couldn't escape—and not that I would try to either. She was so happy right now, and I didn't want to ruin the moment. I was happy that we moved on from all the serious stuff.
Grrrrrrnnnngh
'D-Damn you, stomach!' I already knew what was next.
"Figures you'd be hungry. I'll go order something!" Kate separated from me and left the room. She was probably heading off to grab her phone, but I couldn't care less. I'd been kicked out of heaven...
"Hah~" Sighing, I followed after her, making it downstairs just as she stepped outside. I reached the front door and leaned on it for support while she opened the passenger side of her car. She bent over, and whether she realized it or not, I had no clue.
'One heavenly experience to the next. I understand now, God. Opening up really was the right decision!' Her butt swayed and danced in front of my eyes, sending me into a thankful daze. I was so out of it, I didn't even notice when the show ended.
"P-Pervert!" At some point, she had appeared in front of me, jabbing me in the side. She grabbed my hand and dragged me behind her toward the living room. She threw me on the couch and took the spot to my right, leaning her head onto my chest.
'It seems that I underestimated her.'
[Bro... you should've known she had this side to her.]
'How?'
Ezryn should know that she's such a random ball of emotions! A beautiful one at that, though, I should add.
[Whatever. Just ignore me, please.]
That was a first. But I listened, shifting my focus back to Kate, who had practically claimed my body like a greedy child with her favorite stuffed animal.
I let myself sink into the moment. Her scent—warm, faintly floral with a hint of shampoo—lingered in the air between us, soft and grounding. Each breath she took brushed against my chest in gentle waves, steady and comforting. The weight of her leaning on me wasn't heavy; it was warming.
She absentmindedly scrolled through some food app, her finger swiping lazily, her nose scrunching in the tiniest of pouts whenever something didn't look right. It was these tiny gestures I felt like burning into memory.
"Hey! Hey! They have this limited-time ice cream!" She looked at me with stars in her eyes, and all I could do was smile. I didn't really care what we ate as long as we had food.
"What flavor?"
"Um… Rocky White Road with Caramel!"
"Is the white part white chocolate?"
"I think so."
"Add it to the cart then. But it should be dessert."
"I know, stupid. Bleugh!" she teased, sticking her tongue out with a childish smirk.
"Put that tongue up before I take it," I warned, my voice low and slow, more instinct than thought.
"O-Oh."
Her breath hitched. The air shifted just a little. She turned her face back to her phone, the tips of her ears glowing pink. I could feel the warmth of her cheek pressing deeper into my chest, her earlier bravado melting into something soft and flustered. The rhythm of her scrolling slowed, as though her fingers had forgotten what they were doing.
'I-I didn't mean it like that!' I knew how it sounded, but I didn't mean it that way—I promise.
"That was... Hehe~"
I couldn't catch exactly what she said, but she definitely liked it. Kate might be a bit of a freak, and honestly, I couldn't wait to find out. However, everything would come in due time. There was no need to rush things—that would only ruin the progress. Of course, I couldn't afford to be too slow either. So, when the moment comes, I'll seize it!
[All that reflection for you to modify it like this.]
'Sometimes you have to adjust to the situation.'
[Aren't those people called hypocrites?]
'Uhhh, I'm not sure.'
[Intriguing. Mortals—besides you—are so entertaining.]
'...'
Kate tapped my shoulder and gently pushed me down onto the couch, laying us out. My body took the outside while she snuggled into the inner side.
"Wouldn't you feel more comfortable right here?" I asked.
She looked at me and shook her head.
"This is best!" She went back to ordering our food while I closed my eyes, relaxing. Her body in my arms and the heat from her was deadly. Before I knew it, I fell back asleep.
----
{Katelyn's POV}
"Hey Eiz, wanna have some?"
'Oh. He fell asleep. How could he sleep for two days and still be tired?'
I took executive action and just ordered whatever I thought we'd both like, a simple ol' family box of fried chicken with biscuits, mac 'n cheese, and honey mustard for me. I didn't get drinks because that'd be stupid, considering they'd just be sitting out way too long. Oh! I got the ice cream too—a whole quart of it—so we can have some and then some more. Mainly for yours truly.
I chose the inner part of the couch for various reasons, but the main one…
'This closeness~' I loved the feeling of being sandwiched between the couch and him. Mainly him and only him. It gave me a sense of security. Totally not because I'm a rough sleeper and didn't want to risk falling off the couch and embarrassing myself.
What kind of idiot can't stop themselves from falling? Right? RIGHT?!
So, what if I've fallen off my own bed more times than I can count? Speaking of which, I'm so happy I didn't embarrass myself on call the other day! If he had seen me like that, I don't think I'd have been able to face him.
Ring Ring~
"Hey Ophi," I whispered, barely moving my lips. The phone was cradled between my shoulder and ear, my fingers too preoccupied gently tracing the curve of his forearm draped around my waist.
"Why are you whispering?" Her voice cut through the quiet, too loud for the sleepy hush around me.
"'Cause he's sleeping," I murmured, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face. Eiz's breath ghosted against the back of my neck, warm and slow, making my skin prickle despite the cozy blanket wrapped around us.
"Who?"
"Eiz," I said, glancing over my shoulder at him. His face showed nothing but relaxation.
"…Come again?" Her voice was laced with disbelief, and I could almost picture her leaning forward, eyes wide.
"Eiz is sleeping right now," I repeated. The weight of his arm grounded me, his heartbeat a subtle thrum I could feel through the thin fabric of my shirt.
"And how exactly is he sleeping?"
"Peacefully." I smiled without meaning to. The steady rise and fall of his chest, the warmth of his body pressed along mine—it all made the world feel a little quieter.
"No, you dumbass! You know what I meant."
"W-With m…" My voice cracked, heat pooling in my cheeks as I shrank deeper into the couch cushions.
"Hm?"
"With me," I admitted in a breath, half-buried in my pillow, half hoping the universe would swallow me whole.
"N-No. How can this be?! That damn pushover Eizkel can actually move so fast?!"
"That's mean! He's not a pushover. An adaptable person is what he is."
"Uh huh. Did you two…"
"Not yet."
"Phew~"
"Why are you so relieved?" I felt irked that she was reacting like this. It's not my fault she's single and can't ever keep a boyfriend!
"I just didn't want you two to start before dating."
"We are dating. Why else would I be in his arms?"
"Oh…"
Silence lingered. I took my phone off my ear to make sure the call was still connected, but she still hadn't spoken. Minutes passed, and the silence got heavier.
"Ophi?"
"Kate!"
"Y-Yeah?"
"I'm getting a boyfriend soon!"
Oh god.
"Just don't be stupid. Actually, Eiz might be able to help you once he gets a few things settled."
I didn't want to reveal his business, but I'm sure over the coming months he'll have more male friends. Honestly, I'm glad he doesn't have any right now because that means I can steal him all for myself. One of the reasons our relationship got here so fast might be because he didn't have any male friends—or any other friends, for that matter!
Damn, that's awful. I'm sorry, Eiz! I'll make it up to you somehow! Luckily, I didn't say anything out loud, but I still felt bad thinking like this. It wasn't right by any means, and it totally made light of his situation.
The call disconnected. I guess she didn't like the idea of getting Eiz's help… or maybe I rubbed it in?
Hmph! That's what she gets anyway for trying to mess with me. I loved Ophi—even with all her quirks. She's my best friend, and I know she wasn't truly offended by any means. She could stand to be a little less physical, but I'm sure some dude out there likes that.