#assassin characters

—

You wake up with a start, gasping for air as you sit up with dizziness. The room controlled just colors for a moment as that bass like voice you’re so familiar with. “Don’t move so much.” and you felt something cool against your lips and the faint scent of your favorite sparkling water. “Drink” and you did. The world went straight again and you could see you were in the familiar bedroom of Dominic's nice apartment. The modern look of it, with tons of black and brown and that grandfather clock that held it all together yet somehow clashed with the more modern furniture. But the memory of the gruesome death quickly flooded your mind and pulled back and scooted yourself away from his outstretched hand, still holding the glass. He offered you that smile, the one he always gave you when you were scared of something; his eyebrows turned up and a pitiful curl of his lips that struggled to even become a smile in the first place.

“I'm sorry. That must have been too much.” He placed the cup down on his nightstand with a tiny clink. You didn’t offer a word back as he sat back up on the bed.

The silence was deafening, and your heart was racing a mile a minute. Sure, your number went up when Dominic was around, but it also went up at random. At home when watching videos and movies, at work, at random, you’d even wake up to find your number gone up. Death. The number dealt with death. Something in your gut told you so. Just the thought of it brought the horrible smell back into your lungs.

“I can see you are scared. May I explain to you what happened?”

You were too afraid to say no. And he could see it. Letting out a sigh, he continued. "That guy… he was a very bad man. He would go after defenseless people and kill them. Brutal and mercilessly." You could see he wanted to say more. His body language told you so with the way he was leaning, but he pulled back. "He was a terrible man who would have done more horrible things if I hadn't stepped in."

"If he was a murderer, why didn't you call the police!" You wanted to ask in a whisper, but your bubbling anxiety made it a yelp.

And Dominic's eyes darkened. “We couldn’t do that.”

And the swing of a door drew both of your eyes to a man you’ve met before with longer hickory hair, wearing a jacket with fur along the inside and puffing up around the collar. His neck sported a large necklace with an emblem of a dagger, and your nose started hurting just looking at it.

“Dom’s right. You’d be surprised just how easily these maggots squeeze through the cracks. And how little some police care for the people of this city.” And you saw everyone’s number in the room tick a number higher.

You’ve met him a very few times before. He is Dominic’s work colleague, but Dominic on the other hand, seemed to be more on edge when his friend came in. “Jack, I told you to wait outside.” but Jack ignored him and strolled up to you with a casual stride and squatted near the side of the bed, so he was eye to eye with you.

“Dom has made it a point so you never have to see the evil in this world. You are very privileged to not have seen the disgusting underbelly of this city.” He was monotone and his gaze was fierce, staring right into your eyes. “That man was going to gut you, play with your insides, and r-”

You’re yanked and your ears are covered. “JACK!” Dominic’s voice was louder than you expected. But Jack just smiled a cocky grin.

“They need to know. You can’t be the good guy in their eyes. Not anymore.” Jack stood up. “I made some food. Get your friend and bring them in.” and he walked through the door without a glance back, leaving you two in silence.

—

You three sat in Dominic's living room around a coffee table as you stared at the pastries on the table, that and some hot drinks. Your spotless white cup was filled with your favorite beverage, and the pastries were another one of your favorites as well, and while they smelled wonderful, the smell of death wouldn’t leave your mind.

Dominic was sitting across from you, stirring his coffee that smelled so much like caramel, but not taking a sip. His eyes were just focused on the dark liquid dancing in the cup and glancing up at you every so often.

“Jack is right, Bug.” Dominic said, after a long stretch of silence. “The people in this city, they overlook some of the terrible things people do... including us…”

You didn’t dare look up. You could tell they were both focused on you, and you felt trapped. “That man… his name was Ducan Walters. He has done terrible things to good and innocent people. When you were in that bar and he was eyeing you up. He was making you his next victim.”

Oh yeah, you could remember. Just going out after a long day to get a few mixed drinks without having to buy a six-pack or a bottle. That man was just staring at you and smiling the whole time. Even when you moved tables, he was still watching from afar. You didn’t think too much, besides he was creepy. And then when you heard that noise in the alley, an alley that wasn’t too deep in fact, just a quick peek… and now your here, and he’s dead.

“You damn bleeding heart! You don’t even know him and you feel sorry? The man was a murderer for fun. Sick and twisted. He killed 18 people through gruesome dissection, took their organs as trophies, and was a fucking nercophile.”

“JACK! What did I say?”

Jack just shrugged as he took a bite of a donut. “Your friend deserves to know.”

Dominic let out a shaky sigh and sat his cup down, giving you a pitiful look. “I’m sorry, bug, but it’s true. He was following you and was going to attack you from that very alley. I wish you didn’t see that, but I had to do it.”

"Well, how do you know all this?” you murmured.

“We work as… Contract men.”

Jack interjected. “Assassins”

Dominic just let out a sigh. “We know the bad folks around here, and we clean up the streets. There are people who pay us to deal with them.”

That made you feel, betterish. But quickly, Jack spoke up once again to ruin it. “So, what numbers do you see?”

Your stomach tightened. Numbers. You gazed above both of their heads. That reddish and black sphere with roman numerals inside. Dominic, who was looking at you as if it was a common question, his number was now 1878. Those numbers loom like an eclipse. Jack's is a similar 2414, and yours is a staggering 56312. Most people didn’t have more than 20, children never had over 4. The numbers above people’s heads? You had no idea.

“Bug. You see them too?” Dominic seemed concerned and confused. “You never told me about this.”

You couldn’t hold it anymore. You knocked the cup down as you stood up. “Please! Slow down! I-I’m confused. There’s so much going on.”

The room was filled with silence as you watched the carpet drink up your beverage. Dominic stood up and patted your head, moving slowly so as not to startle you. “I know. It’s okay to be scared. It’s a lot to take in.” His hand slowly moving to your cheek, a comforting act he did when you were kids, something he did from when you scraped your knee to the bullies who pushed and shoved you around. The soft rubbing of his thumbpad against your cheek.

And the nostalgic feeling flooded back to you; it tugged and battled with the anxiety and confusion of it all. But the memories of Dominic always being there for you were winning. Even after what you saw, until a cough interrupted. Dominic flushed as he pulled his hand away, squirming as he did.

So you collect yourself, take a breath and explain all that you know about the numbers that are above people’s heads. When explaining that it seems to go up at random for you, sometimes when people walk by you, and even when you meet Jack and Dominic.

Dominic gives Jack a nervous glance, but Jack returns the look with a grin, an unspoken conversion as they nod at each other. Then Dominic excused himself for a moment, walked out for a few minutes, and walked back inside. Your number went up, 56313. It was like a dance as they took turns, and your number shot up again and again, till it was 56325. And you told them every time it went up. But as they went on, you wondered why Jack knew of the numbers… did he see them too?  After a bit, they both sat back down, and Dominic seemed even more flushed than before. Avoiding your gaze.

“Tell 'em Dom. What’s their number mean?”

And Dominic squirmed just like he did as a child. Slowly, he found the words and straightened himself out. “It looks like... from our observations, your number increases based on the amount of times you pass by a… a killer.”

“But- Why is my number so high? And how come you knew about my number to begin with?”

Jack interjected this time. “Simple. The first time you saw me, you looked above my head, and you continued to look above our heads.” A grin slipped over his face as he leaned back in his chair, so lax and casual. “I see them too, much different than yours it seems.” He made circles in the air with his finger. “I see a percentage. Just how evil a person is. It helps with our job, but it’s not very reliable. A lot of people, even non-murders can have a high number.”

“As for the last part, I’ll let Dom explain himself. I have to get going anyway.” He stood up and gave us a wave as he walked to the door without even giving us a glance back. Out of the corner of your eye, you can see Dominic trying to say something, but Jack was already out of the door and slamming it behind him.

And so you’re left with your childhood friend alone in an apartment that echoed every sound, and even your breathing seemed too loud. You kept exchanging glances only to look away, and it was a game of who would speak up first.

After what felt like an eternity of dancing around the issue, you finally found the right way to ask the burning question. “Why did Jack say that? Why do you know that my number is high?"

He let out a shaky sigh, and his face turned a blood red. "Please don't be mad at me for this. … I’m begging you. I can’t have you scared or hate me even more.”

The same face he always made when he was truly terrified. You haven’t seen that face in a long time. “I promise… I just need to know. Everything is so confusing right now. I just want to understand. I don’t think I could ever hate you.” You leaned over and held his hand like you always did. You know, emotions were all over the place, but Dominic was always there for you. Even after everything that happened. You’ll make it work.

He leaned his head forward and hung his head. “I’ve been watching over you for a long time. Making sure that no one can ever hurt you. Never again.”

Stalking... well... that wasn’t the worst thing he’s done tonight. But that many times? The thought did send a shiver down your spine, but you clammed up, not wanting to make another huge deal again. And even then, how do you really process everything like this in one night?

“I promise it wasn’t out of ill intent. I’d never do that to you, Bug."

"It's okay. I already know." Your thumbs rubbed his hands in circles, comforting strokes of your thumb pads. He sits there just like you always remembered him to do. “We’ll work through everything.”

That old grandfather clock that Dominic still kept chimed again and again, breaking the trance you both were in. “Ah, bug. I'm sorry. I didn't realize how late it was. You should get in bed. I’ll find some of your older clothes, okay? You can rest in my bed and I’ll take the couch.”

“Are you sure?”

Dominic smiled for the first time since you woke up. And it’s nice, you always hated seeing him with a frown. “Of course. You’ve been through a lot tonight. I’ll let you collect your thoughts while you sleep.”

He stood and helped you up from your chair by offering you his hand. Even after everything, he still acted like a gentleman, the same gentleman he always was. He took you back to his room and retrieved some clothes you had left here about a year ago. He smiled and, before closing the door, offered you a good night as his eyes lingered on your sore nose.

You threw on the old clothes and jumped into his cozy bed, and as you stared up at the ceiling, you felt warm tears drip down your face. It was just so much. You knew so little about your friend, who had been through so much with you and you thought you knew everything about him, only to realize you knew nothing. It hurt. And even when you tried to hold them back, you ended up crying yourself to sleep.

—

You woke up to the smell of coffee and freshly made donuts being placed on the side of the bed. That smell hits you right in the nostalgic part of your brain. Those donuts he always made when he slept over at your house on the weekends. It’s been a while since you’ve smelled these. Always so busy, and recently, unable to come over.

“Good morning, Bug.” He was smiling weakly at your eyes, and you realized they must have been puffy and red.

“Morning Dom.” You slid over so he could properly place the plate down, and he offered you the cup, which you happily took. It was made just the way you liked it. And you let out a sigh after a slow sip and then taking a bite out of those freshly made treats. They taste just like you remember them, and their warmth, along with the coffee, feels like they are going to melt your bones.

It took you a moment to realize that Dominic was watching you. And when you looked up, he was smiling at you. He looks tired; he must not have slept. And so you both sat, eating away at the treats like you used to. It was almost like old times.

“How’s your nose?”

“Oh, it feels better. I didn’t hit it as hard as I thought. Glad it’s not broken, though it’s still a bit sore.” You offered a chuckle as you finished chewing..

Dominic laughed along with you and slowly pressed his lips to your nose, just barely making contact, pulling back just as quickly as he came in. “Yeah, me too.” But after looking directly at you, his face heated up and he looked away. “I mean… I’m happy.”

And you burst out laughing. Finally, something normal. And Dominic hid his face by looking away, but you know he was smiling too.

—

“What do you mean?”

Jack had found himself back in the apartment. It had been a few days since Dominic had begged you to stay home. You had just finished a major project, and they had given everyone a few days to recuperate. Now he’s leaning on your chair, speaking to Dominic.

“Their number could be useful. We could use it to hunt down some of the more elusive shitheads of the city. Mine can go from the most ruthless murderer to the angriest woman in the gas station. Evil doesn’t mean criminal, but knowing if you’ve walked by a murderer is a sure-fire way to know if someone’s a murderer. It’s the perfect way to make this city a lot safer.”

“If you’re talking about taking them with us on a job, the answer is and will always be no.” Dominic was hardly paying attention as he wore a black apron and was currently chopping the vegetables for a stir-fry.

“Come on Dom! This can make everything so much easier! Don’t you want this city to be safer for your little bug over here?” He was wrapping his arm around you and was making a mock face of sadness.

“End of discussion, Jack. It’s too dangerous.”

Jack sank, pushing his weight on your shoulder. “Come on bug. Don’t you want to make this place safer as well? Dom tried his best to let you have a normal life so you don’t know just how terrible it is out there. Why don’t we-”

“JACK!” The knife slammed down on the cutting board and Dominic’s face warped into a deep frown, a gash on his normally calm and handsome face. “If you’re going to pressure them into doing our dirty work, then you can leave!”

Jack shoots up from your side and stares back at Dominic, who is glaring holes through him. “Dom…” you couldn’t help but interject, trying to calm the situation before it devolved into something much worse. And it felt like you were standing on the cusp of a showdown, but more dangerous, in between two killers.

But Jack ended it suddenly with a shrug. "Alright, Dom, alright. Have it your way. Just realize that due to our line of work, they'll be in danger even if they aren't involved." He shoved his hands in his pockets and casually made his way to the door. And with a casual wave, he was out.

Dominic let out a heavy and shaky sigh as he continued to cut the vegetables. “Are you okay, bug?” You nodded, and he just shook his head. “I’m sorry if Jack is making you upset. His heart is in the right place, but his ways of reaching those goals have always been problematic.”

You couldn’t help but laugh at the irony of that statement now, knowing they were both contract killers. But Dominic just seemed to enjoy your laughter, bringing his smile back to his face as he started frying. “How did you meet Jack?”

“It was after the accident. His parents decided to take me in, but before that, we met at the park when you and your family were out of town.” It was old news, one that he had gotten over, as he’s stated before, but it still made you upset. His poor mother was caught up in a house fire. As much as he kept telling you it didn’t bother him, he always avoided the topic as much as he could, hardly bringing up details. “We got along well enough... but it turns out they were in the trade and well- things just ended up going down that path.”

His father was a cruel man. He was often the reason he stayed the night with you and your family. And now that you know the trajectory of his life, you wish you had more power back than that. Maybe now he wouldn’t have gone this road, even if that might have led to your demise- no… that's a can of worms you don’t feel like opening, but you do wish you could have helped more.

“I can see that look on your face bug, the one you always make with overthinking.”  He tossed the stir in a fancy display and caught it skillfully in the wok pan. “I’m happy now. I make a decent living, I can take care of the people around me. And I have you. The damage I've done is to make everything better. I just hope you’re happy too.”

You didn’t say anything, just let out a sigh that was muffled by the sounds of oil and stood up. “I’ll set out the plates, Dom.”

“Thank you, bug.”

—

You have to go to work tomorrow, and you're not sure how you would handle going into work after everything that’s happened. What kind of face do you make after this? Well, you just have to make due. Dominic was out talking with someone. He mentioned it was for a job and stocking up on certain things. What were they? Well, he wouldn’t tell you, so you could assume it was for darker means.

Left alone with your thoughts you picked up some chores to busy your mind, helping with laundry, putting away the dishes. He didn’t leave much for you to do. But as you put the last glass away, you heard the door open.

“Dom, welcome home!” You rounded the corner to the entrance and saw Jack, not Dominic.

“Ah, Hey buggy. Is Dom here?” You shook your head, and Jack smiled. “Good. I need to show you something. Come on.”

—

Jack’s car was nice, damn nice. And you were plopped right in the passenger seat. The ride was silent but metal music was playing. But after turning on a side road, Jack glanced over. “By the way, buggy, is your nose okay?”

His voice startled you a bit, but only due to the long silence. His tone was softer than normal. “O-oh, Yeah we put a bandage over it and it’s not sore anymore.”

“Glad to hear it.” and he was back to being silent.

Soon he pulled up to a more apartment-filled section of the city, pulling down to an alleyway that had a large gate and a small parking lot behind it. It was a shabby building, old with falling out bricks and rusty fire escapes.

“Come on, buggy. I need to show you something. But before we go-” He shrugged his jacket open and you caught a glimpse of a gun as he slid out a combat knife. It was massive. How in the hell did he hide that so well? And why did he have a gun? You instantly recalled how he wanted to get you into his kind of contract work. “Take this. Make sure you protect yourself. I’m not saying it’s inherently dangerous. We’re just here to check things out, but always be prepared. Number One rule of this city.” And he snorted. “Surprised Dom never gave you one, but he was always so close, I guess he never needed to get you one.”

You looked down at the knife and clutched it hard in your hand. “Then what are we doing?”

“Had a glimpse of a girl; her number was high but she was covered in bruises. I want to know what that’s about. Something wasn’t right about her, but I hadn't seen her or know anything about her. I just found out where she lives.” Jack’s face had a large crease in between his eyebrows.

You let out a shaky breath. As much as you didn’t want to be here, as much as you knew this was a horrible idea, seeing Jack so serious and determined, you couldn’t help but want to at least check it out curious about how he and Dominic worked. “Okay.” you breathed out.

“Just stay behind me.” And with that, you both left the car and headed inside.

The building was an old, historic one. Each floorboard creaked and squealed like it was going to snap in half with every step you both took. And eventually, Jack stopped at a door as he picked his phone out of his jacket. You peeked around him and saw a video of a lean woman slowly peeking out and leaving.

“You see a number off of this?”

Not commenting on how he has a video of the front door, you shook your head. “I don’t see them in videos or on screens.”

Jack nodded and slid his phone back into his pocket before digging out a lock pick. "Watch my back Buggy."

You gulped and looked around. The cracked walls and ceiling were darkened with old stains. The sounds of the light clinking of Jack’s lockpicking were the only sounds besides the occasional creek of floor boards from people in their own rooms above.

You heard a click, and the doorknob turned and seemed to laugh open. “Like I said, stay behind me.”

You both crept into the apartment, and it was trashed. Covered in clothes and trash, there was a trail through it leading to a small kitchen and two doors. You both made your footsteps as light as possible as you held the knife so tight that your hands were shaking, or maybe that was from terror. You’re not sure.

Jack opened the door closest to the kitchen, and a horrid smell hit you right in the face. You felt like you were going to puke when Jack’s hand came up and held your mouth. You know this smell. Blood was smeared all over brown and pink tiles that you knew must have been white at some point. Used bandages, gauze, broken syringes, and razor blades, even a hammer, all over the sink, floor, and even shower.

Jack didn’t say a word as his rough hand covered your mouth and nose. He glanced at you, a silent check up, and you nodded. He took his hand away and closed the door before turning and focusing on the last door.

Opening it, you saw a man bound to a chair and gagged. And everyone’s number went up. You tugged on Jack’s jacket. “Numbers went up.”

“So he’s a murderer.” He didn’t sound surprised. He made his way in, and you trailed behind him. The man was covered in wounds and, looking down at his hands and how they were bandaged, it seemed like he was missing a few fingers.

Jack yanked up his head by the hair and examined his face. The man was clearly passed out, limp in his grasp. “Gregory Hill. Didn’t expect to see you here chump.”

“You know him?”

Jack threw his head down and dusted his hands clean. “A bit. Face was on some witness sketches, Serial killer about five years back but went missing right after they identified him. Guess this is where he was.” He glanced around the room as a creek echoed from the ceiling above.

“What do we do now?”

“We kill him.” Jack opened his jacket and pulled out a wire with two handles at the end. “Simple.”

But as he fiddled with it, everyone’s number went up again. Jack turned on a dime and knocked you out of the way as a body slammed into Jack and he fell forward. The woman slammed a brick into his face and blood splatter against you. The two rolled on the ground as Jack held her arms back as the deranged woman nearly drooled over him.

“Don’t you fucking touch him! DON’T TOUCH HIM!”

Jack’s nose was bleeding heavily, and one eye was squeezed shut. “Got a thing for him? Didn’t expect you to be harboring a fugitive. Some fucked up love story?"

"Shut up! Die! Die you filthy fucking trifler!" Hitting jack again by letting off of the brick. "He loves me! He loves me!" And Jack fell limp.

She quickly turned to you. Noticing your knife instantly. Her eyes were as wide as dinner plates and she was trembling. Her voice was low. "I'll kill you too."

She grabbed the brick and flew at you, and in a moment of panic you swung your knife.

It was silent. You had your eyes screwed shut and you were shaking. But the pain you were bracing for didn't come. You forced one eye open and saw the woman's mouth agape as she dropped the brick on the ground and held her neck. Blood was pumping out of her neck and she was staring right at you. She staggered back and fell over some of the trash on the floor.

You stood there, just staring, shaking as your hand was still stuck on the knife. You just watched as the woman struggled, gasped and tried to gasp for life as more blood poured out of her. She crawled over to Gregory.

She went limp as she stared up at his unconscious form and you were alone in that room.

—

You dragged Jack into his car. His face looked bad, really bad. It was swollen and his nose looked broken. You had to get him medical treatment quickly. Luckily, it didn’t seem like any of the bones in his face were broken, and that woman didn’t seem to have much weight on her, but you couldn’t be sure.

You quickly climbed into the driver’s seat and pulled out your phone. As you dialed the emergency line a fist hit the window. You nearly jumped out of your skin. “What happened!” Dominic was sweaty and shaking as he tried the door. You unlocked it and he pulled you into a hug.

“Bug… what happened?”

“Jack was hurt. Hit with a brick.” was all you were able to get out, even though you were trying to get out more.

Dominic held you close and stroked your head, a bit harsher than normal. “It’s okay. I know someone. He’ll be fine. You’re okay. Just hop in and we can talk about this more after.” You just nodded your head, a bit too hard, as you scrambled to the other side.

—

It was a back alley doctor. It was a small place, but Dominic claimed it would be fine. And so you sat in a dingy waiting room with concrete walls and bulletproof glass protecting an empty desk. Dominic hasn’t let you go since they took Jack into the backrooms. You wanted to go, but Dominic held you back and told you that he’d be fine. You’d just have to wait.

You told Dominic everything as he just held you in his arms. He had been shaking the whole time. “Damn him. I told him I didn’t want you in there or anything around that kind of stuff.”

“He did save me… If it weren’t for him I could have been in there.”

“We wouldn’t have had this problem if he didn’t drag you along in the process. He could have just invited me, but instead he waited until I was negotiating a deal. Damn him!”

You took his face and you could feel his trembling under your hands. “Dom, I’m sorry… You’re right, I shouldn't have gone. I could've said no... but I didn't. Please don’t blame him.”

“Why… Why did you agree to go with him?” He had tears brimming that were barely held in by his eyelashes. “You might have died under the wrong circumstances… So why? Why did you leave me like that?”

Why? Even if you didn’t know that. Something inside you just boiled over telling you to. Morbid curiosity? Jack had known such an intimate part of Dominic's past. He knew him far better than you ever did, and if it wasn't for the curiosity that day, you wouldn't even know now. You'd still be in the dark about everything.

So you told him. Told him about the jealousy that you felt when Jack seemed to know you better than you, his best friend who cased off bullies, kissed his scraped knees better, shared your hopes and dreams with under the stars after sneaking out of the house. Even when his father would insult him and you would be there to assure him he's not. And hope when you finally grew up you could stand up to that monster. But at fourteen you lost that chance when his father died of a heart attack. How you wished you could have been stronger for him and how he went off on his own and took a path in life that was much more dangerous, much too violent. You told him, and you apologized, how you wish it could have been the other way around. He had already been through enough.

And you felt a warm droplet hit your cheek. You thought it was the ceiling. Looking up, after leaning into him, you saw his face was overflowing with tears.

"Bug… I didn't tell you because you were the best thing that ever happened to me. The one light in my life that felt normal. At fourteen bug, I killed my father with an air injection. My mom let my father abuse me and she drank her troubles away blaming everyone but herself for everything. I saw her leave the stove on, but I let it burn. I made my choices. I never wanted you to have to dirty your hands." He sniffled. "You are far too good for me. Even now, when you could have run and called the police. After that first night, you stayed with me."

"I'll admit I was scared."

"I know. I was terrified I was going to lose you. But you stayed by my side." He dipped his head so it was leaning on yours. "I did it because I love you. I just wanted you to live the life I would never be able to."

And that sets your heart ablaze. That confession, as he tearfully told you his reasons, made your face heat up. The emotions that fired away made your blood feel too hot for your own body, and in that instant, you knew. You know, you felt that way for a long time.

“I-I think- I love you too, Dom.”

“Really?” His voice was so low and so soft that it felt like you were holding his glass heart through his cheeks.

You nodded and laughed as tears came to your face. “I think that’s why I was so jealous! I wanted us to be together, facing this world together equally-” and you squeezed his face as your thumb pads rubbed circles. “As a team.”

His sobbing turned to laughter, and he picked you up and took you into a massive hug. “Oh bug.” You both smiled and laughed through your tears. Your chest felt light and warm. Both of your hearts were beating so fast.

—

“Dom, Did you see where I put my bag for the bathroom?” You called out from the black and brown room as the old grandfather clock struck the next hour.

“I already put it in the bathroom bug!” Dominic called back.

Your lips curled into an even bigger smile as you put the last of your clothes into your new shared closet. Taking a step back to admire the sight, your number went up and you felt a pair of arms wrap around your waist. “You know, it always felt a little empty. I’m glad to see the space is finally being used.”

You laughed as he leaned down and pressed his lips on your nose. The scar there was tiny, almost invisible to anyone who wasn’t as close as Dominic was right now. He had always found a way to press as many kisses as he could on your nose. As you were looking up, both of your numbers increased.

“Hey love birds, are you going to help me move your fucking mattress or no?” Jack stood by the door with his hand on your brand new king sized mattress. You both laughed as you ran out to help him heft it inside and onto the bed frame.

After a few shoves, the bed was firmly in place, and Jack threw himself onto the soft mattress. “Jack, we don’t get to try it out first?” Dominic huffed as he slicked his hair back.

“Snooze you lose.” Jack threw back as he panted. And you flopped down next to him. He turned and snorted at your flushed face. "Hey, you're not the one who dragged it up here. You don’t get to be out of breath.” His nose was a bit crooked now, but he tried to even it out with a new piercing. It didn’t look half bad on him.

Dominic huffed and threw himself on top of Jack, who let out a grunt but didn’t protest, too tired from his journey up the elevator with that beast of a mattress. "Well, either way, consider your debt repaid.”

“Lucky me.” All of you caught your breath, and eventually stood up from the plush mattress. Jack stretched before turning on his heel. “Well now that's taken care of. I’m going home. Tired of seeing you two flirt all the time.”

“See you in the morning, then.” Dom asked as he made his way to you and wrapped his arm around your hip.

“Yep, see you at six.” And with that, he left with his signature wave, not looking back. You could hear the door open and close.

Dominic pushed you into your new bed and nuzzled your neck. The ticklish feeling of his breath and nose made you squirm, but he chased after you, laughing as you kicked at him. “Is the new bed nice?”

He finally pulled away enough for you to answer. “Y-Yes!” you giggled. “It’s perfect.”

“I’m glad. I wanted this to be the first thing we bought for you when you finally moved in. I wanted to find the perfect one for you.”

You flipped him over and sat on his lap, and he grabbed onto your thighs. “I should have known. With all that studying me, you would have found the best one.”

Dominic flushed a bit and turned his head away, but you turned it back to face you. “Want to try being inside me?”

“We have work! I don’t want to hurt you!” Dominic gaped as he tried to stand up, but you pushed him back down. “I don’t think you could hurt me even if you tried, Dom.”

He still kept his eyes away, and his lips were pressed tightly together. He always did this when he really wanted something but didn’t want to trouble anyone. So you rocked your hips against him and he let out a sigh. "Okay, Bug. But if you’re not feeling better when we wake up, you're staying home.”