Once Mason -after a thorough examination of my body- concludes that I'm fully recovered we return to Morston without too much fanfare.
In the time that we spent together, we explored Meza, ate, laughed, and made love everywhere in Graham's home. Worth mentioning, that he wasn't present but he knew each time he came back that we'd done it on some flat surface, and sometimes the walls, depending on how we got caught by the lust haze. It has been amazing. Invigorating, I dare say.
Up until our mystery man appeared.
We appear in the loft where I'm currently residing at the academy where everything is just as we left it but it doesn't feel the same anymore.
" I'll get dinner on the stove," Mason offers, placing my bag on the bed.
I eye him curiously because I was expecting him to dash home the moment we came back.
Shrugging his coat and jacket off, he places them in the wardrobe and opens the fridge in search of food.
There isn't much in there, and we have been gone for quite some time, so probably most of it has gone off.
Eventually, he reaches the same conclusion as I do, and looks at me over his shoulder," How do you feel about heading home to have dinner?" He closes the fridge, leans against it, and tucks his hands in his pockets. When I don't answer, he tilts his head to the side and gives me a nod.
I do and I don't want to go home, but the thought of bumping into Ava has me spiralling. Especially now, when we've spent so much time in each other's arms, where Mason has done everything he could to show me he loves me and wants to be with me. And I want to be with him.
" It's our home, Lily," My name is used only when he tries to make a point. The firmness in his tone has me a little on edge. This is complicated.
" It is. No one said it would be easy. But we get to decide how we play this, and if we are smart enough we can make it work. I think between you and me, we could easily accomplish that," Easier said than done.
" I think living there would raise suspicions," I voice my fear, at least one of them, anyway. Not to mention, that Ava would probably hound me day and night. I'm perfectly capable of defending on myself, but it would add unnecessary complications to an already complicated situation.
He nods in agreement," We always have Graham's," He adds with a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes " You being under the same roof as me, and Enid is not possible, right now. I know, but doesn't make me want it any less," He runs his hands through his dishevelled hair, and somehow he looks even more handsome than his put-together self.
Taking a step forward," It doesn't mean that I want it any less than you do," I say quietly, and it's not out of fear of him. Mason has shown me unwavering honesty since he professed his love for me, has put forward every thought he had, and has shown that he feels just as intensely as I do. Hence, the hurt he has shown while I chose to stay away, even though it has torn me apart.
" We have to be patient. It's not just my place at the academy at stake anymore. The people in the Quarter depend on our ability to keep this quiet, " When he nods in agreement, I continue, " And let us not forget about Micah and everything that comes along with him. I still have a bounty on my head. I do not want to endanger Enid or Marie. They are innocent in all of this. Landore has already fallen victim," I pause when Mason's eyes gloss over. He cared about Landore. The haunted look in his eyes says as much.
" And now we have a half-dead man, that could possibly give some answers," I say it as an afterthought. There is too much on our plates. I've bitten more than I can chew.
" You're right," He says after a few moments of silence, then smirks," Look at us scheming and evil. I knew we'd be a perfect match," At least that makes me crack a smile.
" It's all fine and dandy, but I'm still hungry," I take a seat at the table while Mason turns to the cupboard in search of food. After a while, he pulls out a bag of pasta, slams it on the counter, and gesture to it.
" Diner will be served in approximately thirty minutes," He says pompously, grinning at me.
" What are we having?" I ask, amused that this is our life, for now. I knew it would be like this, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
" Cheesy pasta, Canim," He says casually as he rummages through the cupboards in search of a pot. A humble meal, considering what Enid usually cooks, but it's food and I'm not about to complain about it. Food is food, as long as it tastes good, and at no point in time used to crawl under or over the ground.
Once the pot is on the stove, Mason drags the seat on the other side of the table and slides next to me, but after a few minutes of fidgeting, trying to find a way to hold me closer, he stands up and motions me to stand up as well.
" These chairs are uncomfortable, " He grumbles as he strides towards the bed, kicks off his shoes and plops on the bed.
Patting his chest," Lie with me, Canim," He gives me an easy smile, holding up an arm, waiting for me to join him.
The single bed is not very roomy, so I settle at his side with my leg thrown over his while we wait for the pasta to cook.
Mason lets out a heavy sigh, pulling me closer to him," The bed is just as uncomfortable as the chairs. You should get a better bed," He mutters, his hand mindlessly drawing circles on my side, while I listen to the steady beat of his heart. I've never felt this content and at peace.
Sure, we are not a textbook couple, but at this point, I don't care anymore.
We are happy. At least I am.
" I am too, Canim. I've waited far too long for this," He turns his head to look down at me. We settled into an easy dynamic so quickly, that has me slightly concerned. It feels too easy.
We weren't exactly a couple when it all began, and then everything fell apart. We argued way too much. And when we didn't, we mostly fucked like rabbits.
Mason chuckles," You can learn a lot about a person when they are angry. I'm pretty sure that, that's the moment you truly get to know a person. When they are at their worst. You can see what truly hides behind the mask. Control slips, and all the ugly, and fetid bubbles up," Mason supplies, and the honesty behind those words makes me smirk.
" Then, if all you say it's true then that makes you a terrible person," I giggle when he scowls at me and pokes me in the ribs.
" I am. I would be worried, if I were you," He slides off the bed to check on the food with me watching his perfectly toned ass in those grey suit slacks. The sight has me reeling about how fit the man is, but what has my head spinning are his last words to me.
" I am. I would be worried if I were you,"