#evolnoomym

”You shouldn’t have done that.”

You don’t need to look at Joel to know that he’s pissed off. And you know he’s pissed off because he’s worried. You have no idea what Joel was like before the world went to hell, but you know him now, and you know that he cares so very deeply without having the right words for it. He never tells you he loves you, but will chew you out when you’ve done something he thinks is too risky. It’s only when he thinks he could have lost you that he talks.

”Maybe so, but I did, and I survived,” you shrug.

It’s your latest stunt that’s causing him grief. It wasn’t even a particularly bad one, and you had no trouble getting out of it on your own. You didn’t even tell Joel until after you were back in the shitty little apartment you share with him in the QZ. The pills you had swiped from a rival were on the table, and Joel had inquired about them. And you told him how they came into your possession, nonchalantly.

And here you were.

”The plan was solid,” you add, ”and you know it.”

”Even the most solid of plans can go wrong. And you know that, because you keep avoiding to look at me.”

You look up from your dinner prep immediately, and meet his disapproving stare.

”I’m only trying to avoid a fight,” you tell him, putting down the knife and wiping your hands on your jeans. ”But if you want one...”

”What’s the use?” he grumbles, crossing his arms in front of his chest. ”You’re going to win, like always, and do as you please.”

”And don’t you forget it,” you quip, but with softness lacing your voice. You take a glass from the sink, reach for the bottle of amber liquid on the sideboard, and pour two fingers into the glass. You then take it to Joel, who begrudgingly accepts it.

”It’s not like you’re letting me forget it,” he sighs, still frowning at you. ”Ever.”

”That’s what you like about me. I keep you on your toes.”

”On my toes into an early grave. Look, baby, you need to be more careful – ”

Joel interrupts himself mid-sentence when he realizes that you’re heading into that fight that he wants to avoid. You cock your head and raise a brow at him, waiting for him to say more, but he just glowers over his glass before emptying it. You take the glass from him, setting it down on the table, and then you wrap your arms around his neck.

”I’ll let you in on my plan beforehand next time,” you promise. ”Okay, baby?”

He still looks like he’s ready to go murder a man, but you’re not deterred. It’s just how he is. You lean in, chest pressing up against his broad frame, and nip at his lips. He doesn’t budge, but you feel the corner of his mouth twitch, so you press your lips to his. The taste of liquour gives a sharpness to the kiss, but you don’t mind. It’s a short but sweet kiss, and you place another, even lighter on his lips before stepping back.

He’s still frowning, but his hands come to your hips, and you see the twinkle in his eyes.

”I know what you’re doin’, sweetheart,” he murmurs. You bat your eyelashes coquettishly.

”I don’t know what you’re talking about?”