Helios licked his nose insolently, before bending to lick drops of water off Ace’s feet. He washed one spot assiduously, before hopping in the shower and looking up at the shower head. Then he looked at Ace, tail waving, and back at the shower head.
“Someone who /cares/ about you,” she stumbled, unnerved by his reactions. “And I’m not … adorable.” Summer had no choice about looking up at him now, feeling very odd as she looked up at his grin.
He had her totally pinned against him now, unless she struggled. She felt like she couldn’t breathe for how near he was.
“Ace, don’t — don’t play with me,” she whispered. She pressed her hands against his chest, like she was going to push him away, but didn’t push.
“Maybe I don’t want someone who cares.” Ace said, the air surrounding him growing tense. “Once I have it, I don’t know how to not fuck up.”
His cheeks were still slightly tinted pink from the booze and the hostile October air whipping at his bare skin.
The lad’s breath hitched. Though he’s given her a peek into the strangest bits of his mind, he draws her nearer, almost beckoning her to dig deeper.
A part of him wishes she’d push against his chest already— but she doesn’t, and the heat of her fingertips against his bare chest scolds him for thinking so; like there was no better place for her to be, than right at that very spot.
He shivers, shifting his weight from one leg to the other with an awkward cough.
“Then don’t take my toys.” His old way of life; the one he grew accustomed to over the years; she swept it right out from underneath him, like a rug.
“I — you really think this is a game.” Her voice was much flatter, bewildered and hurt. All the anger vanished, and she searched his blue eyes for a long moment.
“What do you want from me, Ace? Just … just take it and go.” Summer dropped her hand, standing limply in the circle of his arms. “I just wish you’d be honest to me.”