It was typical for him to leave before she woke, they were still casual. Definitely still casual. He had... what was it? Other side dishes? Right. It was honestly better this way. Less messy. Sure, she had feelings but she hadn’t been in a new relationship since the 10th grade so...

It was humid and sweaty under the bedsheets. She woke up to hair sticking to her forehead and sticky limbs twisted in sheets before she even noticed he was gone.

Any lingering feelings of longing, any fantasties of staying for breakfast, walking to a cafe... that was scrubbed off in her morning shower. Swallowed with coffee and a brisk walk to work. You get what you get. She was simply lucky to be alive and remain in his good graces.  This... these extra benefits.. were just for fun.  Besides, she couldnt afford to -

Beth’s spiral was interrupted by the bedroom door clicking shut.  

“Coffee.”  He slipped back into the room without a sound, his hands occupied with two large to-go cups.

She snapped her hand back from the left side of the bed where it had been exploring his absence, lost for words but also momentarily distracted by his five o’clock shadow and crumpled tee-shirt that had been haphazardly thrown back on.

“You.. ‘re still here?”

“Ya. Nothin on this morning.”

She must of looked a strange mix of alarmed and confused, as he chuckled when she rolled onto her back, pulling the sheets up around her neck.

“Am i interrupting somethin’?”  He mused. 

“No, no, .. I just...”   This was just new that’s all.  The outstreched coffee was welcomed into her hands and she adjusted her poisiton to sip.

He seemed unfazed. Soft, even, as he took off his jeans and sighed back under the covers. 

They drank their coffee in content silence, chitchatting as they took their time adjusting to the day. It was... eerily straight out of fantasties but she pushed the thought away. Casual. Hooking up. Side dish.

Yawning and laying back down, Rio pushed himself up against her side, breathing in her neck.

“Mm. Love that shampoo you got. Love you.”

Beth shot upright, threatening the coffee to spill onto her brand-new duvet.

“Excuse me?”

Rio moved (annoyingly) slow up to sit, laughing as he did.

“Said I like the way your hair smells.”

“Uhuh, the other thing.”

The way he grinned was truly infuritating.

“Said I love you. why, wassup?”

She turned to face him head, her heart beating audibly in her throat.

“Rio...”

“Watchu think this is?” His faced quirked in faux-disbelief “This ain’t no like situation sweetheart.”

“But I... I’ve..” Her eyes drift down to the ragged skin framing his shoulder. 

They stared at each other for a moment or two, his eyes a little sheepish.

“Exactly. I’m still here aren’t I?”

“I - I..”

“Nah, nah. You don’t gotta say nothin’. Thats not how this works. I don’t needta hear it back.”

‘You don’t?

“Nah. Been loving your stubborn ass for a long time now. You haven't exactly made it easy either.”

“Oh.”

They laid for an hour or two, drifting in and out of sleep, and he stayed. He stayed. He stayed.

He huffed a laugh again, rolling to his side and pulling her in. Unfazed, while her world continued to rock upside down.

She turned to face him finally, burying her face in his chest.

“Say it again.” She heard his laugh rumble.

“Fuckin' love you Elizabeth.”