Tessa screwed her face in a look of disgust. "Ech, no kidding. And I've been told I have a weird thing." She crossed her arms over her head as she leaned it back, closing her eyes. "Yup, we are two really fucked up people. It's a miracle we met, really."
"true miracle. whatever god out there really just felt generous one day, huh. wild." he propped his head on his elbows, effectively hunching into a ball.
She hummed in response, then sighed and got up. "I'm really hungry, and I need to get the taste of alcohol out of my mouth. What're you hungry for? We have a world-class chef in our midst, and I'm gonna use this opportunity."
"ah, i don't care. whatever is fine. i don't have a very large palette, so surprise me." he said lightly, wondering what he might be getting himself into.
"Kay," she chirped, then headed towards the door of the basement and opened it. "PRINCEEESSSS!! You're needed up here!" She turned back to Nik. "I can't cook for shit."
"yeeaah, me neither. never got the chance to learn. i can make like… maybe cupcakes, and it's been 9 years." he chuckled lightly, cutting himself off.
"damn it, you're gonna get me back in the habit of laughing again. curse you for being a good person." nik joked
She waggled her finger playfully. "That's on you. I am far from a good person."
"I can attest to that," Cinthia mumbled as she walked out of the basement, unraveling the cloth around her knuckles. "I take it I'm going to have to make you lot some food? Or at least chubs here?" She poked Tessa's side, earning a hiss and pout.
"I've been craving some chocolate chip pancakes for this past week," Tess said, poking Cinthia back.
A sigh. "Fiiiiiine. But then I'm leaving." Tessa gave her a mock salute with a grin, and the girl went into the kitchen to start her work.
Tessa came back to the couch, sitting next to Nik cross-legged. "As I was saying… I can't help that I'm a naturally entertaining person. Good, however, is not the case."
"while i can agree that you're entertaining, i've hung around professional comedians and kept it under control. only certain people can get me… at least comfortable enough to actual do more than the Grin™. you're a real wonder."
She looked surprised as she blinked at him, a small smile working its way on her lips. "Awwwww, I feel so special now! You've managed to worm your way past my walls as well. Not many people see past the emotionless bitch side of me."
"i'm flattered." he half-teased, genuinely touched.
(aaaah sorry im being kinda short im vv tired today and my brain is,, not workin)
(It's all good! I have those days as well)
She grinned. "Don't get too cocky, though. There's yet another side of me you haven't seen." She studied him for a few beats, then shook her head. "You're allowed to leave whenever you want, y'know. Don't let me keep you captive for any longer." She still remembered last night while they were drunk–a curse she really wished she didn't have–so she remembered him trying to leave and she telling him not to. She also remembered her cuddling up to him, and she really hoped he didn't.
"oh trust me, if i wanted to leave i would've. just being able to sit not on a concrete floor for once is the height of luxury. even being used as pillow, i am more comfortable than i have been for a loooong time. but please, feel free to kick me out," he inclined his head slightly at 'being used as a pillow', wondering if she had gotten to the blackout point of drunk.
Her eyes widened and she groaned, head falling into her hands in embarrassment. She could hear Cinthia cackling in the kitchen, and she only got more embarrassed. "Please tell me you're not referring to what I think you're referring to," she pleaded.
"i think i am referring to what you think i'm referring to." nik adopted a sly smirk, his lack of shame really coming in handy.
She groaned again and brought her legs up to her chest, burying her face in her knees as she wrapped her arms around her legs. "I really wish you weren't. I almost never get like that." Her voice was slightly muffled as she spoke.
his voice softened. "you know i'm just kiddin around, if you legitimately want me to just drop it i will."
"I know, I know," she said, turning her head so that she could see him with the one eye. "It's not that big of a deal, I just can't believe I got that way with you."
"yeah, me neither. one moment we're running away from an explosion and the next we're asleep on top of each other on your couch. wild."
She rolled her eyes but perked her head up as Cinthia walked over with two steaming plates of chocolate chip pancakes. "Here you go, lovebirds. Feel free to continue your flirting once I'm gone." She set the plates down on the coffee table, then waved to the two as she headed out.
nik faked an exasperated huff, but didn't deny cinthia's words, and waved back as she left.
attention free of the unfamiliar woman, he looked towards the food she set in front of him
"wow."
"Ditto," Tess said as she picked up her plate, unaffected by the heat. "I've been friends with that woman for…" She counted under her breath. "Bout 'round 3 years or so, and I have yet to not be impressed with her culinary skills."
"lucky you, then." nik blew on the food, gingerly picking it up and setting it in his lap. when it had cooled enough for him to take his first bite, his eyes widened.
"oh thats so fucking good. tell cinthia i could and will willingly marry her, now."
Tessa pouted a little, then chuckled and shook her head. "You'd have to fight Demitri for that honor. He's been pining after her since they were kids." She, too, started eating. "And she denied me, so there's a blow to my ego. And I can't even have the twin 'cause he's strictly men."
"aw, damn. well, i could name a few i'd rather have, if we're going th' sour grapes route." he wiggled his eyebrows ridiculously at tess, smile wide and bright.
She laughed at his expression, covering her mouth. She finished off her mouthful of pancake before she spoke. "You're such a dork," she said, still laughing slightly. "Alright, shoot."