18+ | An Adult with Too Many Interests

'this is for you bye.' was your rushed response as you shoved the letter within his hands, not looking him in the eye as you quickly ran the other way to hide your mortified expression from him, cursing Kitty and Jean along the way.

Remy looked at the note you gave him and knew what kind of letter it was, for if it was any other letter you wouldn't have bolted off as quickly as you did if you weren't confessing some innermost feelings you had for him, and while he was sad that you had ran off before his brain could formulate words for him to speak he held the letter close to his chest with a smile beaming across his lips.

Remy knew he would have to confront you sooner or later regarding the letter but for now he would keep the letter tucked in the pocket of his coat, pulling it out when he was alone and reading your writting, noting the scribbles and scrawls there as if you were struggling to get your point across in multiple parts, yet it was this messy and raw and unfiltered of it that made it all the more real and special for Remy.

for it meant that your feelings were true and deep enough to show him just how he affected you, to bear your heart to him like you did in this way. Romance in it's purest form, where it was messy, uncertain, uncharted terratory for both parties, yet it's worth experiencing all it's hardships knowing they'll come out stronger and with a deeper understanding of the other.

so when he did manage to hear your confession, a sweet whisper against his ears as he pulled you away to a more secluded place that would provide a calming effect on you as well as a romantic one, he couldn't help but pull away from you with a beaming smile and eyes alight with a deep love and devotion aimed towards you and you alone.

'you really mean that mon chere?' Remy asks, not to question your true feelings for him, he just wanted to hear you say it again if you were comfortable with doing, hands holding your shoulders just enough for you to put distance if you felt as if too much was being asked of you.

and yet you stayed put, having had enough of the emotional turmoil you subjected yourself to for weeks. you've tortured yourself enough on whether or not the man who never failed to make a mean dish of red beans and rice, an enriching cajun meal that had become a somewhat comfort for you as it was for Remy himself.

'of course i do Remy, i wouldn't have said i did if i didn't, i was just-' Remy cuts you off by pressing his forehead agaisnt yours, shushing you gently. 'there's no need to explain yourself to Gambit mon fleur,' he began, bringing his hands up to hold onto your cheeks as though holding feathers you would break if he applied more pressure, 'i just been waiting so long for you to say something but forgot that you're a mouse in terms of speach.'

you didn't look to pleased being compared to a mouse. so while high on his own amuesment, remy apologised while kissing your forehead. 'i'm sorry it couldn't be helped, much like our feelings towards one another.' he admitted with effortlessly ease but in reality it was just as much as a weight off of his shoulders becuase he thought all this time you were avoiding him becuase he was offputting or he was coming across too strong.

now he knew the truth and so did you and both of you couldn't be happier, Remy couldn't be happier as he offers you his hand along with his heart and soul and all that he'll ever hope to be to you in the future and smiled even wider somehow when you took it with a smile of your own mimicing his.

xavier

zayne

rafayel

sylus

caleb

valko

xavier (word count: 625)

you called xavier while you were grocery shopping. the plan was simple. you were going to his apartment later for a baking date, and since you knew his pantry was probably lacking anything remotely useful, you decided to ask what ingredients he already had before buying everything yourself. although, if you were being honest, you suspected the answer was going to be very little.

xavier answered after a few rings. "hey. do you need something?"

you smiled at the familiar sound of his voice.

"do you have—any..."

you looked around the supermarket. the aisles were unusually crowded. boxes were stacked everywhere, carts were blocking the shelves, and employees were busy restocking. the perfect timing.

"what? can you say that last word again?"

you frowned and looked down at your phone. the call was still connected. xavier's name was still displayed on the screen. so why couldn't he hear you?

you brought the phone closer and spoke a little louder. "i said, do you—"

static suddenly ripped through the speaker. the loud crackling made you pull the phone away from your ear. seriously your service, again? you knew you should have upgraded your phone the last time you had the chance. somehow, every time you left home, your signal decided to disappear at the worst possible moment.

"do i what?"

xavier's voice came through again, quieter this time. "is everything okay?"

you tried to answer quickly before the connection disappeared again.

"no, i—i'm breaking up—" the static returned. "—with you."

the call suddenly dropped, and you stared at your phone in disbelief. the little service bar that had completely disappeared.

you immediately tried texting him - sorry, my phone lost service.

the message failed. you tried again. nothing, just the pesky exclamation mark showing it didn't go through.

you sighed, putting your phone away. you would see him soon anyway, and you could explain then.

you pushed your cart further down the aisle, reaching for a box of sugar. then everything changed. a flash of light surrounded you. the store disappeared for a moment. and a familiar voice cut through the beam.

"you are breaking up with me?"

slowly, you turned and standing in front of you was xavier. his eyes were wide, concern written all over his face.

"xavier?" you dropped the sugar box. "what are you—what?!"

you stepped closer, completely confused. "why would you think that?"

you immediately wrapped your arms around him. but for a moment, he hesitated, like he wasn't sure if he was allowed to hold you back.

"on the phone," he said quietly, "you said 'i'm breaking up with you.'"

his expression softened. "i thought you were crying. that's why your voice kept cutting out."

you couldn't stop the small smile that appeared. of course this was what he thought. it was ridiculous, and somehow, completely adorable.

"no, xavier." you pulled away and held up your phone. "my phone sucks! my service stopped working. see?"

you showed him the failed messages. the evidence was right there. for a second, he just stared, then a hint of redness crept across his ears.

"oh." he looked away, clearly embarrassed that he had jumped to that conclusion. but finally, his arms wrapped around you. relieved. "i see."

"you teleported to a grocery store because you thought i broke up with you."

"i was concerned." he muttered into your shirt.

you smiled, "you're lucky you're cute."

"please stop."

you felt him shaking his head but you couldn't stop smiling. after a moment, xavier pulled away and looked down at your cart.

"so..." he glanced at the ingredients. "are we still having baking night?"

"that was your first question after all this?"

he looked at you seriously then smiled.

"yes, xavie. we're still having baking night."

"good...i'll help."

zayne (word count: 666)

zayne knew he was going to be at the hospital late. you knew it too, which was exactly why you were currently sitting in the parking lot outside a small restaurant, a bag of his favorite food sitting carefully beside you. a surprise.

he had been working nonstop lately, taking extra shifts and barely remembering to eat anything that wasn't from the hospital cafeteria. you figured showing up with dinner was the least you could do.

your phone rang before you could start driving - zayne's caller id flashing.

you smiled immediately as you answered, "hi."

your keychains rattled slightly as you went to put the key in the ignition.

"you sound busy."

"i'm…not." you didn't want to let on that you were on your way to see him and hoped your voice wouldn't give you away.

"you hesitated."

he knew you too well. you tried to play it off, "and you spend too much time analyzing people."

"i'm a doctor it's in the job description."

you smiled to yourself as you pulled onto the road. "how's your shift?"

"long."

"that bad?"

"i've had better."

you frowned sympathetically, "did you eat?"

"i had coffee."

"that is not food."

"it had calories."

you drove through the tunnel, still talking. "so i was thinking maybe after your shift—"

the call crackled, you glanced at your phone.

"hello?" he asked

"i-was thinking-need-to-break-up " there was static. "your schedule" you tapped the screen. it was still connected. "zayne?"

then the call ended. the tunnel was always bad for service. you should have known you were going to lose him. no matter, you shrugged it off. you would see him soon anyway.

after a few more errands you arrived at the hospital. zayne had just finished with a patient when he returned to his office.

and there you were standing by his desk. setting out dinner.

you turned around with a smile, "surprise!"

for a moment, he looked like he had forgotten how to react. then his expression shifted. not confusion...something worse.

"you shouldn't be here."

your smile immediately faltered. "what do you mean?"

"i thought..." he looked away. "i thought you broke up with me."

the utensil in your hand slipped, and fell on the floor with a clatter. "WHAT?!"

zayne looked at you confused. "the call. when you said..." his voice lowered. "that you were breaking up with me."

there was a brief moment of silence then — "SO YOU WERE JUST GOING TO LET ME BREAK UP WITH YOU OVER A PHONE CALL?!"

the entire office went quiet. some of his coworkers outside the window stopped walking. zayne just stared at you.

"that's what you're upset about?"

"yes! you thought i broke up with you and your solution was just... acceptance?"

"it's not like i had much time to question it, i had patients to see."

"zayne." you said taking a step closer to him

he opened his mouth to speak then stopped, because now that he was hearing it out loud, it did sound absurd. not only would you never, but he should have never assumed.

you crossed your arms standing directly in front of him now.

he sighed, "i'm sorry, it's been a long day."

you raised an eyebrow. "that's your excuse?"

"it is the only explanation i have."

you tried to stay annoyed. you really did. but then he stepped closer, his expression softening as his hands reached for you.

your face relaxed. "i guess i should have called back when i got out of the tunnel."

"yes, you should have."

you rolled your eyes and before you could respond, he leaned down and kissed you. it was slow and gentle. the tension he had felt all day melting away. the kind of kiss that said he was still relieved you were here.

when he pulled away, he glanced at the dinner you brought, and his stomach rumbled before he could stop it.

"go eat before i change my mind and pack this up."

"yes ma'am"

rafayel (word count: 744)

you had just finished getting dinner with some friends and were about to head into a new nightclub. it was supposed to be a great night. no drama. no problems. just a fun night out.

before you went inside, you decided to call rafayel. mostly because you knew if you didn't, he would somehow convince himself you died in some horrible accident.

you waited near the entrance, watching the line slowly move forward. the second he answered, you smiled.

"hey. how's girls night?" his voice immediately turned teasing. "miss me already?"

the music from the club was already blasting through the speakers outside, the bass vibrating through the sidewalk. It was way too loud.

"good, miss you—what? having fun."

"that's good...i think."

you smiled, smushing your phone up closer to your ear trying to hear him better.

"if you need a ride home, just let me know."

you looked toward the front of the line. you were almost inside.

"i'm sorry—"

the music drowned you out. you stepped away from the crowd, pressing your phone closer to your ear.

"i am breaking up—"

there was static and rafayel's voice barely cut through. "what?"

you frowned, "i said i'm breaking up—" the connection broke again. you tried moving toward the side of the building where it was quieter. "—with you."

the call dropped. you stared at your phone. "oh, come on."

you barely had time to register that you had lost signal before your phone started going off.

once. twice. then nonstop. notifications flooded your screen - your social media. yur personal email. your work email. somehow, rafayel had found every possible method of communication and was using all of them.

you opened the first message - we can work this out, i promise.

then the next - please don't leave me. i love you so much.

you continued scrolling. there were at least twenty more. you weren't even sure when he had managed to type all of them.

i don't understand what happened but i am willing to take the blame.

are you ignoring me?

that is fair. i deserve it.

but please know i am suffering.

you covered your face with your hand. you immediately tried calling him back but it steadily beeped. you checked your signal bar. no bars.

you looked at the nightclub entrance. your friends were waiting. the night was supposed to be fun. but now you had a very dramatic boyfriend somewhere thinking his entire relationship had ended because of a bad phone connection.

you sighed, "sorry guys."

your friends looked at you. "what happened?"

you held up your phone, "rafayel."

they immediately understood. "again?"

you nodded, apologizing as you left the line, already knowing where you were going. by the time you reached his place, you weren't even surprised that the door opened before you knocked. rafayel stood there. his hair was messy, and his expression was devastated.

you stared at him, "rafayel."

he looked at you for all of 0.5 seconds then immediately pulled you into a hug.

"i thought you were gone."

"raf-"

"i was prepared to give you space." he interrupted

you couldn't help laughing. he pulled back, looking offended.

"this isn't funny. you broke up with me over a phone call."

"but the thing is i actually didn't."

"you said you were breaking up with me."

"i said the call was breaking up!"

rafayel froze, "what?"

"the signal dropped." you held up your phone. "the nightclub was loud, my service was terrible, and you heard half a sentence."

his expression slowly changed devastation turning into hope, "you mean..."

"i mean i was not breaking up with you."

there was a pause, then his shoulders dropped. the dramatic despair faded into embarrassment.

"oh...so i see now that i panicked."

"you contacted my work email."

"i was desperate!" he looked away. "i thought i was losing my muse."

you softened immediately, because underneath all the drama, that was the real reason. he loved deeply. sometimes too deeply.

you reached up and fixed his hair, "you are dramatic. "

"and..."

"and i love you."

his expression brightened immediately as he pulled you into the house and closed the door.

"good. does this mean girls night is over? i just want to know if i should order dinner."

you laughed, "you're unbelievable."

"but?"

you sighed, "but yes. order dinner."

he kissed your forehead. "next time, please don't break up with me."

"next time, please let me finish a sentence."

sylus (word count: 551)

you should have known answering a call during a mission was a bad idea - but it was sylus. and despite everything you claimed about being professional, you always answered when it was him.

your phone buzzed as you moved through the abandoned district, scanning the area for Wanderer activity. you accepted the call.

"you're calling me during work hours?" you teased.

a low chuckle came through the speaker. "and you're answering during a mission. seems we're both making questionable decisions."

you rolled your eyes. "you missed me."

"obviously."

you opened your mouth prepared to continue teasing him. then something moved behind you.

"sylus, hold on."

a wanderer lunged. you dodged, your phone bouncing against your shoulder as you fought back.

"are you seriously fighting while we're on the phone?"

"kind of busy!"

"i can tell." there was amusement in his voice.

you fired back at the wanderer, moving quickly across the street.

"stay there!"

"i am not the one you need to tell that to."

the wanderer attacked again, and you grunted, pushing it back.

"sylus, i'm breaking—" static swallowed your voice.

his expression changed. "what?"

you were still talking but all he heard was fragments.

"i'm breaking..." the signal crackled. "...with you."

he heard a crash then silence. for several seconds, sylus stared at his phone.

by the time your shift ended, you were already exhausted. you noticed the missed calls immediately. and the moment you called him back, he answered.

"i am so sorry." you begin trying to explain

"where are you?"

"uh...leaving headquarters?"

"good, when you get outside look to your right."

"why?"

you stepped outside and there he was. leaning against his car like he hadn't just appeared at your workplace without warning.

"sylus?"

"i already ordered you a new phone. your current one is clearly unreliable."

before you could respond his voice cut through again

"now get over here."

you ended the call and crossed over to him.

"are you mad at me?"

"no...i'm irritated."

"because my phone broke?"

he looked over your head off into the distance. "you said you were breaking up with me."

you immediately covered your face. "i was fighting a wanderer."

"yes, i gathered that."

"i said i was breaking—" you pointed at your phone. "—up because the call was breaking up. the wanderer must have been interfering with my signal. "

sylus stared at you for a long moment, then he sighed. "that is incredibly inconvenient."

for the first time throughout this entire situation, you laughed.

"you thought i would randomly break up with you?"

"no." he answered so quickly it caught you off guard. "because that would be stupid, kitten."

"and yet..." you lifted your phone between the two of you, holding it up right in front of his face.

he looked at the cracked screen for a second before plucking it neatly from your hand.

"it looks like i eliminated the greatest threat."

he turned the phone over once, inspecting it with all the seriousness of someone evaluating an enemy combatant.

"you are such an old man."

you stepped into his space and looped your arms around his neck. shaking your head, you leaned up and kissed him.

when you pulled away, he was already slipping the phone into his pocket.

"the new one arrives tomorrow."

caleb (word count: 632)

caleb answered your call while walking toward the transport bay, his tablet tucked under one arm.

"where are you?" he asked.

you smiled at the immediate question. "hello to you too."

"hello." his tone softened slightly. "now answer the question."

you glanced around your surroundings. "i'm outside."

"outside where?"

"work."

"you're just leaving?"

"yeah. i had to stay late."

"you said that two hours ago." he complained

"and yet here i am."

he huffed quietly, but you could hear the amusement in it. "unbelievable."

"you're one to talk!"

caleb smiled to himself as he listened to you talk. this was the part of missions he hated most—the quiet moments before leaving, when he had to memorize the sound of normal things. you complaining about work and the two of you arguing over nothing.

"anyway," you continued, "i was just calling because i wanted to—"

your voice suddenly felt very far away. caleb pulled the phone away slightly, checking the screen. your id was still glowing right back at him.

"hello?"

"i'm here." your voice came back, but faintly.

stupid reception. of course being so close to the deepspace tunnel. the signal always got weird around this area.

"where did you go?" he asked.

static swallowed half your words.

"i'm breaking" the connection broke then returned for half a second. enough for him to hear the next words clear as day. "up with you"

before he could ask what you meant the call dropped. for a moment, his brain refused to process it. then it did, and the colonel who had faced down impossible missions, hostile enemies, and things most people would never survive—stood completely still in the middle of the transport bay.

caleb never made it onto the airship. he told himself it was because the mission could wait. clarification was more important.

the moment command cleared him, he was already moving. by the time he reached home, he was still in uniform. he didn't even take the time to change. the second the door opened, he was already inside. you barely had time to look up from the couch.

"caleb? why are you—"

you didn't get to finish because he was already crossing the room. and then he was holding you. not a casual hug. not the kind where he pulled you close and teased you about worrying too much. this was desperate. like he needed to feel you breathing before he could believe he was home.

you froze, your arms hovering awkwardly before slowly wrapping around him.

"caleb?"

his grip tightened. "we can't break up." his voice came out rough. "not now...not ever."

you pulled back just enough to look at him. "caleb, what are you talking about?"

his eyes were red. actually red. and that was when the confusion turned into concern.

"you said it...on the phone" he whispered.

faint amusement played on your lips, "oh...oh my god."

but caleb still looked at you serious.

"my love we were losing signal," you said slowly. "i was literally telling you the call was breaking up."

the realization hit him all at once. at the same time you stared at his uniform.

"wait." your eyes narrowed. "did you leave the mission?"

"i thought you were leaving me."

the quiet confession made your heart ache.

you reached up and touched his face. "what did you tell them?"

"that there was a family emergency."

"caleb you cannot be serious?!"

"well it wasnt exactly a lie!"

you laughed softly, shaking your head. "you really scared yourself."

"i know." he said so quiet you almost didn't hear him.

"you cried, didn't you?"

his silence answered for him.

your expression softened turning teasing, "the big bad colonel cried?"

"don't start."

his forehead rested against yours, and for the first time since that awful phone call, he laughed.

"lets hope i don't get fired"

valko (word count: 674)

valko had dealt with system failures before. servers crashing. technology malfunctioning at the worst possible moment. he had built an entire company around solving those problems. so when his phone failed him, he took it personally.

the call had started normally. you were on your way home, talking about your day while valko finished up some work.

"you're still in the office?" you asked.

"yes."

"you know, most people leave work eventually."

"most people are not running a company."

"no i am pretty sure even those people go back to their normal lives."

he was still smiling when the call started breaking up. at first, he assumed it was a minor connection issue.

then your voice distorted. "valko, i'm—"

his brows furrowed, turning the speaker off and bringing the phone closer to him.

"i'm breaking up—" the words jumbled together slightly. then the line dropped but right before it did he could have sworn you had said "with you"

valko stared at the screen. for several seconds, he didn't move. then he looked around his office. the same office where his employees had spent years developing cutting-edge technology. and somehow...his own phone had just delivered the worst possible message.

within the next hour, his executive team walked into a meeting expecting quarterly reports. instead, they found valko sitting at the head of the table with his phone placed in front of him.

one employee hesitated before asking. "is there an issue?"

"there is."

everyone became serious. "security breach?" someone said

"no."

"system failure?"

"no...my phone."

the room went silent. "your phone?" his assistant asked

valko nodded. "it malfunctioned."

someone looked confused. "we can replace it."

"that is not the point." valko continued. "it caused unnecessary emotional distress."

one employee slowly realized what happened. "sir."

"no." valko's expression remained completely serious. "i am exploring legal options."

"against who?"

"the manufacturer," valko said evenly. "the network provider. possibly both."

he clasped his hands behind his back and continued pacing.

"i am considering emotional damages."

"valko."

your voice cut cleanly through the room. every head turned toward the office door. one of his assistants had called you the moment valko started pacing around his office, throwing papers across his desk and, according to the assistant's very panicked words, "absolutely raging."

you'd changed directions immediately and came straight to his company. now, standing in the doorway, you looked between the nervous employees and your boyfriend.

"what's going on?" you asked carefully. "your assistant called and said it was an emergency."

the moment valko saw you, every ounce of composure disappeared. he crossed the room in seconds and wrapped his arms around you without a second thought, completely ignoring the audience.

"valko?"

he held you tighter. "explain the phone call."

you frowned, "what phone call?"

"the breakup."

then your eyes widened. "break—" you slapped a hand over your forehead. "oh! i was saying the call was breaking up!"

the office went completely still. valko slowly turned his head toward his employees. then, with all the dignity he could still salvage, he cleared his throat.

"everyone out."

no one argued. laptops, notebooks, coffee mugs—everything was abandoned as the room emptied in record time. when the door clicked shut, only then did valko finally look back at you.

he glanced down, suddenly finding the floor very interesting. "i see..."

you stared at him for exactly three seconds before bursting into laughter.

"you thought i broke up with you? and you were going to sue your own industry as a result?"

he sighed, sat down in his chair, and effortlessly pulled you into his lap.

"you are never letting this go, are you?"

"oh, absolutely not."

a reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. you brushed a thumb across his cheek, still smiling.

"you owe me an apology."

he considered that then shook his head. "no. you owe me."

"for what?"

he looked at you with complete seriousness. "emotional damages."

you groaned, laughing as you buried your face against his shoulder.

xavier - his hoodie

date night had somehow turned into another movie marathon. neither of you were complaining though. halfway through the second film, a chill crept through the apartment.

"i'm cold," you mumbled, rubbing the goosebumps on your arms.

you slipped off the couch going to your bedroom. xavier barely looked away from the screen.

a minute later, you returned bundled in an oversized hoodie, sleeves hanging past your hands as you settled back against him.

without thinking, xavier wrapped an arm around your shoulders.

"you warm now?"

"mhm." you mumbled against his chest

he smiled, content to sink back into the couch. it wasn't until you reached for the popcorn that he noticed the embroidered constellation on the sleeve. his constellation. his hoodie. his favorite one actually. one he had been sworn got lost while he was doing laundry.

he lightly grabbed your wrist bringing the sleeve closer, "that's mine."

you looked down, "it is?"

"you grabbed the wrong one."

you laughed, tugging the hood over your head.

"i guess i did. i should probably change. "

before you could fully manage to pull it completely off he tugged the hem back down to your waist. "you can keep wearing it. i like it."

the words came so simply that your heart skipped.

"you do?"

he nodded, his expression as soft as ever.

"it looks more comfortable on you."

a small smile tugged at your lips, "i think it's a little too big."

he pulled you closer until you were tucked against his side again.

"it makes you easier to cuddle."

"that's your reasoning?"

he rested his cheek lightly against the top of your head.

"and..." his voice grew quieter. "it smells like us. i like that too."

you felt your face warm up as you completely settled against him again. then, as the movie continued playing in the background, he intertwined your fingers with his and gave your hand a gentle squeeze.

"you can borrow my hoodies whenever you're cold."

after a brief pause, the corner of his mouth lifted into a sleepy smile.

"or even when you're not."

zayne - his button up shirt

you'd been excited about this dress for weeks. it was the perfect mix of elegant and comfortable—a crisp white shirt dress with an oversized fit that somehow managed to look effortlessly chic. you'd imagined pairing it with knee-high boots for date night with somr chunky accessories.

so, without thinking much of it, you reached into the closet and grabbed what you assumed was the dress hanging in the garment bag.

only...it wasn't until you'd buttoned it nearly to the top and rolled the sleeves that you noticed it felt a little longer and baggier than when you first tried it out.

you frowned at your reflection, "wait. something isn't right."

the bathroom door opened before you could investigate further. zayne stepped inside, fresh from his shower, towel slung over one shoulder. his damp hair framed his face, and he paused the second he saw you. then the faintest smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"i think," he said, voice calm as ever, "you have something that belongs to me."

your gaze dropped to the embroidered initials on the cuff. heat rushed to your face.

"oh. well that makes more sense"

you buried your face in your hands with a laugh. "i grabbed the wrong thing."

"i can see that" he said stepping closer to you

you held your arms up showing him how the cuffs fell way over your hands, "i was wondering why the sleeves were so long."

still laughing, you reached for the top button. "i'll change. give me two minutes."

before you could undo it, gentle fingers wrapped around your wrists. you looked up and zayne had stepped close enough that you could smell the clean scent of his soap.

"you don't have to."

"but what about your shirt? don't you want to wear it tonight." you frowned

"i own more than one."

his hands slid from your wrists to your waist, pulling you a little closer. his eyes lingered on the oversized sleeves that nearly swallowed your hands before settling on your face.

"i can't say i mind. i think it suits you better."

he adjusted your collar with practiced precision before smoothing an invisible wrinkle from the front of the shirt.

"i guess my new dress can wait."

he leaned down, pressing a brief kiss to your forehead.

"it can besides," he murmured, "i like knowing you're wearing something of mine."

rafayel - his cardigan

you weren't the most keen on having couple items since your style differed from rafayels. you prefered simple, oversized items whereas he could be a little more...embellished. he picked you up for a date one day carrying two gift boxes wrapped up in a cute bow.

"they're not matching," he'd say with a perfectly straight face. "they just happen to be from the same collection."

sure...you gave him the benefit of the doubt. despite the identical pearl buttons. despite the tiny embroidered fish hidden near the cuff. the only difference being your's was cream and his was navy.

after spending the afternoon at his studio, you didn't think twice about grabbing the one hanging on a hook beside the door on your way out.

it wasn't until you got home that your phone buzzed.

rafayel: comfortable?

you: yeah?

a picture came through moments later. your cream cardigan hung neatly on the back of his chair. exactly where you had actually left it.

you looked down — navy sleeves. pearl buttons.

"oops."

before you could type an apology, your phone started ringing.

"you stole my cardigan!" rafayel declared the second you answered.

"i stole it by accident. i thought it was mine."

"you could have just told me you liked the blue one better i would have switched with you."

you laughed, "it's not like that!"

"you know..." his voice softened into that teasing lilt you knew so well. "i think i like mine better on you."

"you just want an excuse to keep buying us matching clothes."

"i have no idea what you're talking about."

you shook your head, smiling despite yourself.

"so... should i bring it back?"

"no. i'll just wear yours until i see you again."

you could practically hear the grin in his voice.

"then everyone will know we're a matching set."

sylus - his jacket

you hadn't even realized you'd grabbed the wrong jacket. running late for work, you'd reached for the black leather hanging by the door and shrugged it on without a second thought. it was a little oversized, the sleeves covering half your hands, but paired with your fitted top and skirt, it somehow worked.

you'd gotten more compliments than usual that day and by the time your shift ended, sylus was already waiting outside, leaning against his motorcycle.

the second he looked up, his eyes settled on you. he had that mischevious glimmer that made you twitch with nervousness.

"why are you staring at me?" you asked, smoothing your hair.

a slow grin spread across his face, "no reason."

which, coming from sylus, meant absolutely something.

he pushed himself off the bike, holding out another leather jacket.

"here."

you stared between the jacket in his hand and the one on your shoulders.

"wait." you looked down at yourself. "this one is yours?"

"i was wondering where it disappeared to this morning."

you quickly shrugged it off, laughing. "sorry! i didn't even notice."

before you could hand it over, sylus simply folded his arms.

"keep it."

"but you'll freeze!"

he lifted the jacket in his hand, "i brought yours."

he chuckled, trying to slip your actual jacket over one shoulder.

your face warmed.

"so...you came all the way here just to swap jackets?"

"i came to pick up my girlfriend."

his gaze swept over you one more time, completely unashamed.

"though now," he admitted with a smirk, "i'd squeeze into yours if i could."

you laughed, "why?"

"because mine looks a hell of a lot better on you."

the confidence in his voice made your heart stumble. he stepped closer, tugging lightly at the collar of his jacket still draped over your shoulders.

"keep stealing my clothes." his smile turned just a little softer. "i like seeing everyone know who you belong with."

caleb - his sweatpants

you'd borrowed the gray sweatpants so many times that you never questioned whether they were yours anymore.

they were your designated lazy-day pants—soft, ridiculously oversized, and perfect for curling up on the couch. although...you did have to keep hiking them back up every few minutes.

"were these always this loose?" you muttered, rolling the waistband over again. even after cinching the drawstrings as tight as they would go, they still threatened to slide right off your hips.

the legs weren't much better. the hems pooled over your feet, and you'd nearly tripped over them twice just walking from the kitchen to the living room.

"did i stretch them out somehow?"

caleb looked up from where he was making lunch.

his eyes landed on you, then slowly traveled down to the comically oversized sweatpants swallowing your legs. a grin spread across his face.

"what?"

he crossed the room without answering. before you could ask again, he hooked a finger through one of the belt loops and gently tugged you toward him.

"come here."

"caleb—"

he folded the waistband down just enough to peek at the tag sewn inside.

a laugh escaped him almost immediately.

"there it is!"

"what?"

"they're mine."

he held the waistband out from your body with both hands, shaking his head as another laugh slipped free.

"i was wondering where these went."

you looked down at yourself in horror.

"i've been wearing your sweatpants all day?"

your face flushed. "i seriously thought they were mine."

"I know." He couldn't stop smiling. "That's the funny part."

he gave the waistband another playful tug before letting it snap gently back against you.

"i swear i could fit two of you in these."

you huffed, trying—and failing—not to smile.

his expression softened as he looked at you, practically disappearing inside clothes that were never meant to fit you in the first place.

"they're kind of cute on you, though. even if they are a hazard."

valko - his t-shirt

the apartment was quiet when valko got home. the only light came from the moon filtering through the bedroom curtains.

he eased the door shut behind him, careful not to wake you. before he even reached the bed, a familiar scent drifted toward him — his laundry detergent. his cologne.

he smiled to himself. "no way."

as his golden eyes adjusted to the dark, he finally made out your sleeping form, curled beneath the blankets.

you were wearing one of his t-shirts. the oversized fabric bunched around your shoulders, the sleeves nearly reaching your elbows, and the hem disappeared beneath the comforter.

something in his chest completely caved. you hadn't borrowed it to make a statement. you'd simply fallen asleep in it, surrounded by something that reminded you of him while he was away on business.

his heart melted. he brushed a strand of hair away from your face before pressing the gentlest kiss to your forehead.

"you're too cute," he whispered, mostly to himself.

the next morning, the smell of breakfast pulled him into the kitchen. you stood at the stove, humming softly, still wearing the same oversized shirt. his shirt.

without a word, he walked up behind you and wrapped his arms around your waist, resting his chin on your shoulder.

you smiled. "morning."

"morning." he nuzzled into your neck, breathing in the familiar scent that had somehow become uniquely yours overnight.

"nice shirt."

you glanced down before laughing.

"oh. i forgot i was wearing yours. you don't mind do you?"

he let out a quiet laugh, squeezing you a little closer.

"mind?" his lips brushed your temple. "i don't think i've ever liked one of my shirts this much."

you turned in his arms, smiling up at him. "so i can keep it?"

he didn't hesitate. "you can keep every shirt i own."

then, after a beat, he added with a grin, "just...leave me one so i have something to wear to work."

One could wonder what he is up to on his device. Maybe Flambae sent another meme at the Z-team group chat that he always denies laughing at. Or maybe he’s watching one of the funny videos you sent him, if he is then he has to go through a dozen of them and they’re definitely not giggle worthy, they’re guffaw worthy because you have carefully curated it to Robert’s funny bone. But Robert has been giggling, annoyingly adorable in fact that you’ve found yourself reading the exact same line in the book you’re reading.

Or maybe he’s giggling because he’s texting someone who is way hotter and smarter than you with better powers— your heel presses against the inside of his thigh and Robert almost drops his phone, a squeak leaving his lips.

“Sweetheart, fuck…” He turns his attention to you, nursing his so-called injury with a slight pout. “What’d I do?”

“Nothing.” You smack your lips together, tongue rolling over the front of your teeth that you know annoys him. His head tilts at you with raised brows. “Just wanted to bother you.”

“You could’ve just said you demand attention, you fucking brat.” He says sweetly, so lovingly as his hand wraps around your ankle, a thumb caressing your heel. “What do you need, sweetheart, hm?”

Your mouth is suddenly dry. “I just have one question.”

“Yes, I can definitely run to the bedroom and get the—”

“Who are you talking to on your phone?” Your brows furrow. “Wait, what?”

“Nothing.” He smiles innocently, cheek pressing against the plush seat. “I’m not talking to anyone.”

“Yes you are, you’ve been giggling nonstop. And I’m sorry to pry but my Robert doesn’t giggle.”

“So I’m your Robert now even when you stabbed me with your foot?” He moves slowly, a hand sliding from your foot and over to your knee then over to your thigh until he’s fully crawling atop you. You don’t waver even when your heart thuds loudly against your ribcage. “You were dangerously close to my groin, y’know. You could’ve killed our future kids.”

Rolling your eyes, you place the opened book on your chest, hiding how your breathing shudders from his hand tracing the length of your side. “I’m not nosy.”

“I know, sweetheart.” He coos, his large palm cupping the plush of your hip.

“You know I trust you.”

“I do know, and I trust you too even though you like reading smut with men built like a brick house.” His head tilts teasingly, eyes flicking at the book on your chest, fingers hitching up the hem of your shirt. “You can just ask, I’m not hiding anything.”

You deflate, relenting with a sigh as your hand moves away a stray strand of russet hair away from his face. “What are you giggling at, Robbie?”

A grin slowly spreads, taking the fallen phone between you as he wakes the screen up with a tap. “This, I was giggling at this.”

Eyes squinting at how bright his screen is, you see yourself on his lockscreen. You’re grinning widely in the picture, face covered in slobber as Beef licks at your face. You remember the day specifically because you’re in your birthday dress, it was taken on your birthday and Beef was giving you your birthday kisses before the party started. Your heart warms at the sight, completely forgetting about your initial worry.

“Oh, Robert…” hand on your chest, you pout, looking apologetically at him.

“Will you ever forgive me for laughing without you?” Chest to chest, he cups your chin in between his index and thumb, looking at you through his lashes teasingly.

“You’re forgiven.” Squeezing his nose, you huff and chase his lips when he leans away playfully. “Robert, I’m sorry. Kiss?”

“Gladly, but first.” He shows you how to open his phone, an act that makes you want to get down on your knees and either pull out a ring or tug at his zipper, either way, he shows you that he trusts you completely and there is nothing to worry about. “Look.” Not only is his lockscreen of you and Beef, but his wallpaper is of you in between him and Beef, both giving you a kiss. “I think it’s perfect now.”

You beam at him, tossing the book and phone on the coffee table as you pull him close, hands on his face and leaning up for a kiss that he smiles atop of.