Damn.

Damn.

Iso was an attractive guy. Decent and respectful, skilled and humble, gentle and eye-candy. Everything in him screamed 'handsome'. You noticed that when you first met him, and since you two started to date, you were bathing in the warmth of his casual tenderness. He was a master of quality time. And it was by spending a lot of tender moments with him that you discovered one of his many hidden talents : making you flustered.

He did it so naturally, so effortlessly, that he wasn't even conscious of it.

The soft grunts and huffs he let out as your hands skillfully massaged his wide back —was it you or did he really get buffer ?— made you feel like the most wicked being on this universe. You almost drooled when you reminded yourself that you were straddling his hips. The weight of his hoodie on your shoulders and the sent of his cologne teasing your nose slowly made you feel like jelly. Was it how victorian men felt when they had a glimpse of a woman's ankle ?

"Are you good back there ?" he hummed, his voice muffled by the pillows.

Damn.

His voice.

"Shut up," your breath was shaky. "You're not helping."

You kept massaging his back, less and less focused when you suddenly heard him chuckling. You noticed him staring at you with an amused glint in his eyes.

"What ?" you asked.

"Nothing."

In the blink of an eye, you were suddenly pinned down, his fingers teasingly pinching your cheek.

"可爱的," he murmured in awe.

He looked at you with these pretty eyes that you loved so much, powerful but undescribable emotions screaming in his gaze. You felt your heart beating so fast that you were surprised he wasn't teasing you about it.

"Damn," you murmured.

He pressed a soft and reverential kiss on your cheek and resumed on admiring you. You sometimes wondered how on Earth you got lucky enough to date such an amazing person.

Unbeknownst to you, so did Iso.

"Your turn, now," he said with his usual calm tone. "You're tense."

可爱的 — Kě'ài de = adorable.

"There are times when I wonder if you're a masochist," Pike sighed as she used her healing ability on you.

You just giggled casually, staring at her with so much intensity that she felt herself blushing. The blood dripping from your injury on your abdomen didn't seem to phase you, which astounded Pike. You end up hurt pretty often, and you were always reaching for Pike.

"Aren't you suffering ?"

"You're presence is my painkiller," your grin widened as the red on her cheeks deepened.

She cleared her throat as she kept healing you, doing her best to ignore your stare. You kept your smile and brush a stray lock of her hair behind her ear.

"Have I ever told you how beautiful you are ?" you murmured. "I could admire you for centuries without getting tired of it."

She abruptly stood up and turned her back to you, hiding her flustered face.

"Your injury is healed !" she almost shout nervously. "Try to not get hurt too much !"

You chuckled, noticing the red of her ears.

"Alrighty, blondie !"

You did not promise, though. The only reason you let yourself being hurt was because you knew Pike would be there for you. The pain was just temporary anyway. When her golden light was near, nothing else mattered. Plus, you loved seeing her all flustered.

In a way, you maybe were indeed a masochist.

Hi!! I just wanted to say your work is amazing and I really enjoy reading it! Also as an English teacher, your writing is very good and you don't need to apologize for poor language!!! Keep doing you 💗

Thank you ^^

Even though I doubt I'll ever stop apologizing (I think it's because it's written in my DNA, my brain coding or something), I'm glad my work could be enjoyable.

I'll keep doing me (and my brain) <⁠(⁠￣⁠︶⁠￣⁠)⁠>

Even when she thought you couldn't surprise her anymore, you always managed to catch her off-guard. Deadlock stared down at the tray of food you were carrying before her eyes raised to yours. The delicious smell of food was dancing in the corridor of the dorm quarter and an odd and comforting sentiment of nostalgia gently squeezed her heart.

"What is this ?" she asked with a gruff tone.

The fake pout suddenly appearing on your face almost managed to move her.

"I made you a fenalår and a lefse," you said. "And I brought you some cider."

Deadlock looked at you as if you just came from Mars. She stayed quiet for a few seconds before letting you inside her room.

"You cooked that by yourself ?"

"No," you giggled lightly. "I've got some help from the old viking."

"From who ?" her brows furrowed.

"Breach," you put down the tray on her desk. "Despite being Swedish, he surprisingly knows a lot of Norwegian dishes."

She rolled her eyes and sat down on her desk, trying to ignore the weight of your stare. She still wasn't used to you watching over her. It was oddly comforting, almost too sweet to be real. She did not have to tell you when she felt unwell. You always knew and always have ways to comfort her.

"You know," she heard you say after she took a bite of lefse. "If you still have nightmare, you could sleep in my bed tonight."

She almost choked on her food at your words. Your tone was so casual, as if you just talked about the weather. She turned in your direction to see you standing up from her bed, stretching lightly and walking towards the door of the room.

"What ?" Deadlock coughed.

"Your biometric is already saved on my door," you shrugged as you left the room. "Have a nice meal, Iselin."

No, Deadlock was still not used to this warmth, your warmth. Even though she wasn't complaining, she found herself shyly basking into your warm comfort and tender actions.

You hated roses. Their squeamish appearance, their ridiculously smooth petals or people's weird fascination for this flower in particular. You hated roses.

But you loved Vyse.

"Don't you dare scaring me like that ever again," she murmured against your ear.

You loved her fierceness, her personality, her voice, her sole being. You adored the embrace she pulled you in even though you hated the light but unusual quake in her voice. You returned her hug, releasing a small shaky breath as you relished in the warmth of her body instead of the cold of the infirmary.

"I didn't do it on purpose though," you chuckled lightly.

Vyse was clearly not amused. She pulled back slightly and sternly grabbed your shoulders. She let out a long sigh.

"I am glad that you have enough energy for laughing, but I am serious."

You nodded and pulled her in another embrace. You hated roses, but you love Vyse. And you were ready to be her rose while she'll be your bramble bush wrapping you in a comforting protection of thorns.

"I can't promise anything," you murmured. "But please, stay with me."

"I obviously will."

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