all the stars

“Not much goes on in it. Work stuff mainly and all the food competition shows. Have you seen this season of Hell’s Kitchen? It’s so good,” She definitely had more of the brains in their relationship, but he always found himself to be pretty entertaining. 

He didn’t want to wait for a kiss so instead he did his best pouty lips, “You’re gonna make me wait? Really? How can you resist this face?” He asked as he motioned towards his smug mug. “I’ve missed you all day.” 

“I can be quiet,” He knew that he wasn’t going to win this conversation but he figured he should try. And he knew he was being pushy with the subject but he just couldn’t help it. He really liked her and just wanted to be with her as much as possible. “And you know I could replace your roommate that way we could have our own spaces.” It was fruitless talking about this, it was but he wanted to show her just how serious he was when it came to her. 

“For someone who likes anything that food is involved, I hate to admit it but I have not seen an episode of Hell’s Kitchen until you came?” She scrunched her nose in a sheepish look. There were a lot of things she would never had done without Archie. It was easy to say that her life was far less entertaining before she met him. Long story short, she was that kind of boring.

“You’re gonna have to earn it.” She replied, making a kissy face at him but keeping him at arms length. “I missed you too, but I feel it’s a fair punishment.” Nodding to herself for the good judgement — and to tease him. “Plus, I’m trying to not give in to your whims.” Keyword was trying. It was hard to say no to him, but the apartment was another matter.

He could’ve looked both ways, sure but he just assumed that the car would’ve stopped for him. It was a bad mentality to have but hey, everyone had their flaws. “I’d put you on my payroll if you did that,” He reassured, “And I think you’re way scarier than me. You probably would’ve scared off that guy. And I would’ve been turned on while you did it.” 

He looked at the food before looking back at her with a sly smirk on his face. “Is it working?” He sure as hell hoped it was, figuring that his meatballs were to die for. That had to count for something. “And because you’re my girlfriend and you deserve it.” He really did like making her happy. Though he still couldn’t understand why she didn’t want to live with him. 

“It’s not even a man cave. That’s some misogynistic bullshit guys made up years ago to keep their wives out of a room,” He believed it was all bullshit. “I could move in with you then. Problem solving, V.” He said as he tapped his finger against his temple. “I could afford being late and I bet you there’s even less people trying to run over jaywalkers near you.” 

“Of course, you managed to turn this into something sexual.” She teased at him, shaking her head. Why is she dating this man again? She couldn’t very well answer — because she’s head over heels with this idiot. Yes, he’s an idiot, but he’s her idiot. “I really don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours Archie. I’m afraid to ask what.”

“Yes it’s working. And I hate you for it.” She really was just an easy girl to please. Food is one of the best ways. “Aw, that’s so sweet. I could kiss you right now but you have to suffer a bit about the whole incident earlier.” Let that simmer on him for a while. Although, knowing Archie, he’s going to find a way around that. He’s pretty damn smart (despite calling him an idiot, there’s a major difference), she’ll give him that.

“I know, I know, I just want to get a rise out of you. I like it when you get your feminist face on. That’s definitely a turn on for me.” Sighing, she softly argued, “You know I have a roommate right? My prime location isn’t cheap. I’m not saying that I don’t want to move in with you, I do. I just... I still like my own space.”

“He’s adorable. But I’m not a cougar. Pass.”

“Really? My partner? Pass. But if he wasn’t someone I work with — smash.”

“You know, you’re hot when you’re scolding me,” He reminded her, a smirk appearing on his face. “But something did happen,” He reminded her, “I almost got run over. Or well, I was close to it happening. Would you really want that to happen?” It was more of a rhetorical question, knowing her answer to that. “I could totally defend myself, I think. Or I’d tell him that I’m gonna get my girlfriend. You’re way scarier than me.” 

He gave her a nod, "Yes ma’am. Only the best for you. I figured if I was going to make you come over here all the sudden, the least I could do is cook for you. I got the pasta going too.” He pointed to the other pot on the stove. “You could have my meals every single night if we lived together.” 

Vanessa had to literally stop herself from rolling her eyes. Pressing fingers into her eyelids in exasperation, she gave him a look — the look — of annoyance. “It wouldn’t have happened in the first place if you looked both ways.” She pointed out, pretending to be annoyed but she knew it wasn’t working. Damn this idiot. “Yeah, you should just go get me, I’ll sort him out.” Snorting, she leaned against the counter. “Can you imagine calling me every time you get into trouble? I better get paid more than my actual job.”

“Is that why you cooked my favorite for me? So that I wouldn’t be annoyed?” She gave a brief pause before nodding because it was working. She had to hand it to him — everyone thinks she’s hard to read, but here comes Archie who reads her like an open book. Or maybe that she just really loves food. Her good mood was going until he had to bring it up. Them moving together. Not that she didn’t want to (sort of) but a girl needs her space. That and her current cases were all over her apartment. Work wasn’t supposed to be brought home, but work never really stops especially for her.

“We’ve talked about this. You get to keep your mancave and I have my own. Also that way if I ever need to get away from you, I can just hide in my cozy corner and ignore your calls —” Which has never happened during the entirety of their relationship because she was too worried that he might get himself killed. “— plus, PLUS! I get prime location, I have a lovely view and it’s just near work. I’m always going to be late if I come from here. Like the last time?”