Ian gets nervous when they enter the neighborhood Aika lives in because he's completely open on a bike and he remembers Aika does this every day. Odir tries to hide he's worried about this neighborhood, fearing she might think he would feel ashamed.
When they arrive, it just got dark, Odir takes his luggage and Ian's from the cab. Aika points to Ian where to park the bike, then they meet in front of the building.
"Why don't you come up too? Normally, Aidan and I just order some pizzas, but if you want you can ask for anything else. This way will be less tense for Odir and Aidan, I think. What do you think, babe?" Aika says to Ian, then asks Odir.
"I think it's great. If you don't mind having both of us. It would help indeed." Odir answers.
"I'm on it. Thanks. Pizza is my favorite food, actually." Ian says.
They come up the stairs of the building, there's no elevator and Aika lives on the third floor. It's the last floor, it's a little building.
When they get inside, Odir and Ian are impressed with how little the apartment is, but it's very well-cleaned and organized. It's actually cozy there, even if it's tiny.
"Welcome to my little cave. Feel free as if it was your home. At the end of this hall, it's the kitchen and mudroom. That door on the right is the bathroom, the last door on the left is my room and the first one here is Aidan's." Aika points out everything.
She opens Aidan's bedroom door and he was watching classes online, when she calls him he finally notices her. He removes the headphone and smiles.
"Welcome home, sis!" He stands up and hugs her, then he sees Odir and Ian.
He does what Aika told him to do which is not looking to their ears.
"Aidan, this is Odir and that is his brother Ian. Say hi." She presents them.
"Hello.." Aidan softly says.
"Hey! Your sister told me a lot about you. Did you like the mouse?" Odir asks.
"Yes... Thank you. It's actually full of nice functions."
"Which one do you like the most?" Odir tries to keep a conversation and make Aidan more comfortable.
"I can save a macro on one button."
"A macro?" Odir asks, not really knowing what Aidan was talking about.
"It's like a process you usually do. When I open the computer, I go to one website, put the password, and open files. I save all these steps in one button of the mouse, so when I press it all of that happens at once." Aidan explains.
He really sounds older than he looks, even more in person.
"Oh.. That's awesome. I actually didn't know it could do that." Odir chuckles.
"I actually didn't even know this was possible." Ian says.
"Yeah, me too. I'll get me one and you need to teach me how to use it." Odir says to Aidan, who just nods quietly looking away.
Aika smiles at Aidan and kisses his head.
"I'll be ordering some pizzas and you choose the game or movie." She says to Aidan.
He nods smiling at her, and from that smile, Odir could see how much Aidan loves Aika.
"Well, we only have one bathroom. Do you guys want to go first?" Aika asks Odir and Ian.
"You go first. You had a long day of work, you need to relax. And relax your shoulders too." Odir answers.
"All right. Ian, the sofa turns into a bed so you can sleep here if you want. It's not a 5-star hotel, but it's comfy."
"Oh yea. Thank you very much." Aika has no idea, but Ian is so happy for being treated that way by his Queen.
Aidan goes back to his computer and Aika walks Odir to her bedroom. It's little, she had put all her things on shelves or hanging on the wall, like her musical instruments. She has a little office table to put her notebook, a little wardrobe, and many books on shelves. He can see she did the best to use the space the best she could.
The mattress on the carpet on the floor is something that makes him feel bad, he wants his mate comfortable. She just watches his behavior while he puts his luggage on the side of the wardrobe and removes his shoes.
"I know it's tiny. Feel comfortable using anything. Don't worry, you won't be breaking anything." She says, taking off her jacket slowly, then she starts opening the buttons of her uniform and shows the black shirt she uses under it to preserve the uniform.
"It's smaller than I imagined, I must admit, but you organized things in a way that makes it cozy. I liked it." He takes his jacket, smiling at her.
"I'm glad." She answers, walking to him and hugging his waist.
She kisses his lips, and he melts, feeling his whole body buzzing.
"If you're curious, I don't have a dildo in my wardrobe." She whispers, making him laugh.
"I wasn't thinking about that."
"No? Good. I heard the guys from the company asking the girls today. I'm so happy it's not a common curiosity and those guys are just perverts."
"Yeah. It's not a common curiosity." He answers, laughing, but then kissing her lips again. "I'm glad you don't have one, though. I'm no match for that." He whispers, she laughs tickling his sides.
She takes clean clothes and goes to take a shower. Odir sits on the mattress on the ground, trying it and promising himself to buy the best bed for when they start living together.
After Aika finished showering, Odir is next. He looks around the bathroom, which is also tiny, but it's very tidy.
Aika puts boots on and leaves her bedroom. Ian sees her leaving her bedroom, noticing that she is wearing very comfortable clothes, a white t-shirt and jeans shorts, but also seeing some of her tattoos around her legs and arms.
"Nice tattoos."
"Thanks. Do you think 3 pizzas are enough?" She asks.
"Yeah. I think so." He answers.
"Nice. I'm going to get some drinks. What do you prefer?" She says, taking her keys.
"Whatever you guys have, but are you leaving?"
"Yeah. Downstairs and just next door there's a little market." She answers.
"Wait. I can go with you." Ian says wearing his shoes quickly again.
They walk downstairs and literally next door to the building there's a market. He helps her carry the basket.
"So, for how long do you live here?" He asks her.
"4 years. Since I entered Alpha Airways. Believe me, this place is heaven compared to where I lived before." She answers as she takes some snacks Aidan likes and some juice.
He imagines how it could be worse, then remembers she was homeless once, and that made his heart sink. After meeting her personally, thinking about that makes him even more sad.
"Did you ever imagine dating someone like my brother?"
"No. Actually, I didn't imagine dating anyone soon... But Odir feels different. I hope I'm right." She sincerely answers. Ian just smiles.
"If it makes you feel better. He doesn't date anyone for a long time. I got actually surprised when he told me about you. He really likes you." She only smiles while walking on his side. "And I'm not saying this just because he's my brother."
He doesn't let her pay anything, and while they go back he carries the groceries. She can see that it's a family thing to be a gentleman, at least it's what she believes.
"I must admit something. He showed me your art as a tattoo artist. I would like to book someday, how much is your signal booking?" Ian says, as they go up the stairs.
"Oh sure. But paying is not necessary. I would feel bad."
"Why?"
"Would you make me pay for your work?" Well, maybe not, out of pity, she thinks.
"Never.." Because she's his Queen!
"See? I would feel bad making you pay. You're my boyfriend's brother." She says, putting the keys at the door.
The same moment she opens the door Odir opens the bathroom door and sees them arriving.
"Where were you?" Odir asks, confused.
"Grocery shopping. I went to help Aika carry things." Ian answers.
"How fast.." Odir calculates the time he was in the shower.
"The market is literally next door."
Ian and Odir the groceries down, checking around to see if they're going through a hard time with food, but apparently they're well. Aika is on her phone asking for the pizzas, so Ian decides to take his shower. After ordering the pizzas, she goes to the fridge and prepares a cold compress.
"How is your shoulder?" Odir asks, worried.
"Sincerely? Sore." She answers, pulling her shirt off her right shoulder.
"Wait." He spots something on her shoulder. He moves the compress and sees a red and purplish bruise on her shoulder.
It looks very serious and his heart almost stopped.