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He frowned at the clock on the wall and shook his head.
“You need your sleep unlike us, but thanks,” he said with a sweet smile, and I nodded.
It was getting a bit late, but I just loved feeling the energy and zest rolling off him. It made me beyond happy.
Bug and I headed off, leaving him to work away on another creation.
“I’m glad he’s found something he loves apart from TV. We need to keep watching ‘Stranger Things’ tomorrow night though,” Bug said as we walked.
He had stepped rather close to me, and I could just catch his charred scent every few steps. I tried to be inconspicuous as I inhaled it deeply, loving how they all had the similar scent. Hellhound aroma. I smirked at the thought.
Somehow, they gave me different impressions with their scents. Jack made me think of a fire by an ocean, and I wondered if they’d ever been to a beach. Bug made me think of a clearing in a forest, quiet and secluded, while Creeper was the mountains, rugged and dangerous but utterly beautiful.
And Chumley made me think of the forest while hunting. It was strange how just their scents made me envision such things, fitting in with their personalities.
“I’ve been studying the art of writing, I think I might try to write my own book one day,” Bug said after a moment of comfortable silence.
“What do you think you’ll write about?” I asked as I stepped closer so our arms nearly brushed as we walked. I couldn’t help it, they all had a strange pull that drew me to them.
Even in the kitchen, I’d found myself slowly nudging closer to Chumley as we’d leaned on the counters talking.
My hand had brushed his, and I’d seen the spark in his eye as he’d looked at me, faltering for only a moment in his animated explanations of his techniques in the kitchen.
Was it wrong for me to be giving in to it? Especially after kissing Jack?
I couldn’t hurt Jack by allowing myself to catch feelings for the others too. Although that ship had already sailed. I knew I cared for them on a deep level, and I’d been battling feelings and emotions around them since day one at this Academy.
“I think some kind of fantasy and adventure story, maybe even with some romance. That always goes over well apparently from my studying,” Bug said as he flicked the elastic band on his wrist.
I nodded. Romance would go over well. Sure, I loved Harry Potter with its very minimal romance, but a good romcom movie or book was always something I enjoyed.
“You’ve read romance books, what sort of romance do you think is best?” he asked.
I had to fight the flush that was slowly spreading across my cheeks. Why were we talking about this now?
Oh, right, because I’d asked.
“Romantic comedy. Something that has light-hearted, sweet romance, but is funny as well,” I murmured as I stared up the hallway.
We’d slowed on our walk back to my room, and I could feel him studying me now.
“Any suggestions for things you’d think I should include to get that kind of feel?” he asked as he shifted a little and flicked his band again. I’d gotten so used to the sound of the elastic hitting his flesh, knowing it kept him from getting too anxious.
“Um, depends on where it’s set. If you go with fantasy, there may be some things you can’t do. But most girls love picnics, being made to feel special with small gestures. Like flowers, cards, letters, treats. They just want to know you’re thinking of them. Some guys think women only want their money and expensive stuff, but most women like honesty and just love,” I said, the words rushing out of me as I focused on the floor.
“Hmm, okay,” Bug murmured.
I drew in a calming breath, hating how giddy I was feeling just talking about this. But he was so close to me now as we walked, and his hand brushed mine, making my skin tingle.
“Could someone ever like someone as anxious as me? And we’re hellhounds. I think that rules out a lot,” Bug said softly, and I glanced at him through my lashes.
His jaw was set, and he looked genuinely worried at the thought as he flicked his elastic band a few times.
My hellhounds were more human than they thought. He was having usual worries, something I’d gone through myself.
“Yes, you’re still lovable. Someone will come along who doesn’t care about any of that, they’ll love you just the way you are, and they’ll help you deal with any issues that you want to overcome to better yourself. They’ll stand by your side and help you through thick and thin, and to them, you’ll be perfect,” I said, smiling at my own words. I’d always hoped I’d find someone like that. Someone who accepted my monsters and my ugly past, who understood my issues and struggles.
Now, my monsters were so much more, and I wondered if Jack cared at all about some of my issues.
