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“Iquestioned everyone we could that was present that night at the bowling alley. CCTV helped, but there were a few we couldn’t identify, or didn’t appear on their shitty camera. So, that was pretty much a dead end. We couldn’t find any prints anywhere, not even on the…present he left. We did go through the photos that were included, but there really wasn’t anything to go off of. We even tried to visit all of your normal stomping grounds and question anyone as to whether they saw anybody following you or taking the pictures. No one. Not a damn person could tell me anything! Everyone is just so far up their own asses, they don’t bother paying attention to anyone or anything around them.” Alan is on his fifth glass of wine, his voice slurred as he updates us–more like rants at us–with what the department is doing on the case. “Useless. The lot of them!”
I’m a few glasses in myself, the buzz helping to quell the chaoticism of my gift, letting my head feel more…quiet. Sometimes I just need the silent darkness.
“Well, I’m going to get going. I’ll just-” Alan tries standing, but cuts off as he stumbles forward. Luckily, Kai is there to catch him and set him back on the couch.
“You’re not going anywhere like this, Gumdrop. You can sleep there.” I manage to stand up and grab the soft blanket I was curled under and take it over to him. Kai helpfully grabs it from me before settling Alan in. In moments, soft snores fill the room and I giggle at the absurd speed in which he went from all business to sleeping like a Snorlax.
Ezra had already retired to his bed with Snitch a few hours ago and Nic only surfaced from Nana’s room to grab a box of pizza and then sequester himself away once more, Spanish grumbles sounding out the entire way.
Which just leaves me and Kai.
I quickly realize the situation and start to feel my way to the hall and get to my room, but only make it about a foot before crashing into a wall. At least, I think it was only a foot. My depth perception is just a little bit off right now.
“Woah! Are you okay?” Kai’s strong hands wrap around my biceps, pulling me from the floor where I inevitably ended up, and depositing me back on my feet.
“I’m good. I’m good. The wine is just throwing off my ability to count my steps. I swear I only took two!” I rub at my ass, where I’m sure a bruise will be forming, before realizing Kai is still very much holding my arms. His aura flairs with intrigue when I don’t immediately move away and I’m not going to lie and say mine doesn’t mirror it.
“That was quite a few more than two! You practically tried to race from the room like it was on fire.” He leads me away and I blindly follow like a puppy.
“I was afraid you would start trying to use your ridiculous pick up lines on me again! It’s like sandpaper on my eardrums.”
“I’m wounded! As if you could do any better!” He stops and I realize we’ve made it to my room.
Kai is in my room with me. Just me and Kai. Alone.
And suddenly my entire body feels like it’s on fire.
“It doesn’t have to mean anything.”
“What?” Kai swirls with confusion at my random word vomit and I mentally chastise myself for letting my mind wander to where it shouldn’t.
“Do you know CPR?”
“What? I mean, yeah?”
“Good. Because you just took my breath away.”
Silence swallows the room whole, only the faint sounds of Alan’s snoring from the living room cluing me in that any time is passing at all. That is, until Kai erupts with laughter and the heat in my spine rapidly moves up to my cheeks.
“And you say I need to work on my game!”
“Fine, fine! I see your point. Let me try again!” I crack my knuckles and rotate my head like I’m stretching out for a big fight.
“Okay, go for it!” Kai steps back, crossing his arms over his chest. At least, I assume he is based on the sound.
“Are you a burger?” I smile widely, trying not to laugh. “Because you can totally be the meat between my buns!”
“Oh for fuck’s sake.” Kai groans. “You are terrible at this.”
“On a scale of one to ten, you’re a nine.” I rub my hands together like an evil villain hatching a plan. “And I’m the one you’re missing.”
“No! My God! Here. I got one.” He steps in close, heat emanating from his form as he lowers his voice. “Can I borrow a kiss? I’ll give it right back, I swear.”
My back arches towards him of its own accord and I ball my hands in a fist to prevent myself from jumping him right then and there. Cheesy lines be damned.
“Do you like Harry Potter?” I distract myself from the animalistic urge.
“Uh, duh! Who doesn’t?”
