#roomate

Following undergrad you hoped to move to the city and work as an editor, but you didn’t have any luck finding a place cheap enough. You didn’t know anyone willing to split rent with you that you already knew, so you resorted to Facebook Marketplace. It was nerve wrecking to find a random roommate who you’d never met before, but a background check and a couple facetime calls should suffice. You were desperate after all.

After searching for weeks you decided on Clark Kent, a tall, shy, nerdy journalist. Initially you were apprehensive of even running a background check because he looked quite intimidating throughout his profile. His records turned out squeaky clean and several facetime calls revealed his timid nature. You often had to initiate the questions and he would turn red anytime he talked about himself. The plan was to get a one bedroom studio apartment and Clark would section off a portion of the living room into his bedroom and you would take the actual room. It wasn’t ideal, but you guys were both in the same situation looking for a solution.

 You got to the apartment an hour earlier to pick up the keys and ensure everything was in order. When you walk into the lobby you note that the elevator is broken and groan at the thought of carrying your boxes up three flights of creaky unstable stairs. For your own sanity you hold off moving anything too heavy until Clark shows up.

You feel the rush of cool air hit your face as you unlock the door and gauge the size. Walking through the apartment you realize that it’s a little smaller than expected, and as you make your way to the bedroom you feel a buzz in your pocket. Clark lets you know he’s arrived and you feel a rush of nervousness with a hint of excitement.“Please be strong”, you whisper to yourself as you walk downstairs to let Clark in. Reaching the end of the stairs you look up and see the wall of Clark Kent. You knew he was 6’4, but you’re still surprised at his broad stature.

“I hope I didn't leave you waiting down here too long.” you lightheartedly say.

“Oh no you’re fine, someone let me in a couple minutes ago”

“Okay, I didn’t wanna make a bad first impression. Oh yeah, here's your copy of the key.” you say, placing the key in the middle of his open hand. Staring at how small he makes the key look, you’re brought back to reality when you hear him reply.

“You could never leave a bad impression,” he replied, flashing a quick smile.

A rush of heat fills your cheeks, quickly glancing away from him. Thankfully he can’t see you blushing and you manage to change the subject to giving him an apartment tour. “Follow me” you lightly giggle, as you beckon to him and turn towards the stairs.

“The elevator is broken so I hope you’re strong enough to carry my boxes too.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve been going to the gym just for this moment.” he jokes, glancing at you through his peripherals and flashing his dimple. You smile back, seemingly out of instinct. The door opens and you feel the familiar gust of cool air. Clark walks in and stands in the middle of his pseudo room, taking up more space than anticipated.

“Okay I may have miscalculated how much space you would take up.” you admit. 

“I don’t even know if I can fit my bed in here. Maybe I should've mentioned I sleep on a California king..” he trails off as his hand moves to his head.

“What if I take the living room and you take the bedroom? This is totally my fault, I should’ve thought about that.” you plead. Throughout this whole process you tried to make sure everything went smoothly and was afraid you would mess something up. In the grand scheme of things this probably isn’t a big deal, but you are such a people pleaser you hate to mess up in front of new people. At this point you’re pacing back and forth thinking of what else you missed. In a whirlwind of your thoughts for a moment you forgot Clark was with you.

He walks towards you and puts his hands on his shoulders to gently stop you. “Hey, hey it’s fine, it’s okay. We just might not have enough room for a couch.” he chuckles softly.

You stop walking and look up at him. “Are you sure? I just don’t wanna mess this up, I haven’t really done something like this completely on my own.” exhaling a long breath. When you inhale you notice the musky scent of his cologne lingering in the air.

“I’m 100% sure.” he assures, slightly tightening his grip on your shoulders. It’s barely recognizable, you’re not even sure if he consciously did it. You try to ignore it, but you can’t stop focusing on it.

“Okay, but let me know if you ever wanna switch, it’s your apartment too. We should start getting the boxes before it gets too dark.”

“IIII should start getting the boxes before it gets dark.” pointing to himself, showing his broad smile. You guys are giggling down the stairs and you catch a glimpse of his dimple once again. “Fair enough, but I’m here for moral support.” you say playfully.

Clark carried the boxes upstairs in the matter of thirty minutes, and didn’t even break a sweat or complain. The effortlessness of it all surprised you. You weren’t much of help, but it was nice to just spend that extra time with him.

You guys are standing in the living room surrounded by stacks of boxes and miscellaneous furniture. Preemptively you packed your couch thinking it would fit in your living room rather than selling it. Instead of dwelling on the issue you sit on the lightly worn leather seat, hoping Clark would follow suit. Subsequently, he sits next to you, taking up over half of the couch. The difference is almost undistinguishable, but the air around you becomes warmer.

“Can we wait to unpack? I just want to sit here for a little.’ you ask, leaning further into the couch. Maybe you were doing it without realizing, but you were gradually sinking closer to Clark.

“Of course” he expresses with a smile. “You did so much heavy lifting you need a break” He playfully punches your arm and you’re reminded of his touch on your shoulders. He matches your movements once again and sinks lower into the cushion alongside you. His knee grazes yours and you freeze, not wanting to make him aware of his proximity. You’re unsure if he’s even aware of what he’s doing and you tell yourself he’s too tired to realize, but his knee hasn’t moved.  The silence thickens and it gradually shifts from uncertain to comfortable. Allowing for the tension to linger in the air you stay quiet and shift your leg closer to him, closing the gap between your legs. 

The warmth of his skin radiates through his sweatpants and takes over your thigh. The only audible things are your heart beat and the quickening of his breath. Despite your fear of breaking the barrier you look up at him and make immediate eye contact with him, realizing his gaze has been on you. You guys hold eye contact and remain silent, as if you guys are scared to ruin something that may not be there. 

He makes another subtle movement and moves his arm towards you, hands almost touching one another. If you hadn’t been paying such close attention it probably would've gone unnoticed. The only sound in the air is his heavy breathing and the busy street on the other side of the wall. It feels as though you’re playing a game of cat and mouse, taking turns initiating contact. You lift your pinky and settle it on his, feeling his hand jolt a little out of surprise. 

You can visibly see his breath hitch and you understand it’s not just in your head now. Apprehensive to make another move you give the floor to Clark and wait longingly. Your eyes still hold a gaze and it’s not as awkward or nerve wrecking as you had once thought. You sit in the moment and are jolted out of it when there’s hard knocking. You freeze up for a few seconds, but force yourself to see who it is. As you make your way to the door reality strikes back in and you realize what just happened between you and Clark. You guys are just roommates, you can’t be romantically involved, right…

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