Softer than feelings, brighter than fire❤️

Part 3. Love

After all, having laughed and finally subdued their wild laughter, the couple still remembered about Zeus, who was obediently waiting for them in the corridor. Cursing, they ran to the dog, who immediately made an offended look as soon as she saw them.

- Baby, why didn't you say anything, - the girl unhooked the leash from the door, removing the dog's collar and lifting the animal in her arms, - We completely forgot about you!

The brown-haired man stroked the dog on the top of his head, and he turned away from him resentfully, putting his head on Mia's shoulder.

- Buddy ... - the brown-haired man grinned, following his friends into the bathroom, - will a yummy as an apology do?

The dog wagged his tail, immediately forgetting about everything, and the couple laughed, looking at each other. The girl turned on the water, starting to wash the dog's paws, while the guy in the hallway was looking for dog treats in the bag. When it was over, Zeus, clean, wet and happy, was jumping on the sofa, gnawing a special bone.

Finally, they were able to change their clothes in peace. Mia is in the bathroom, and River is in the bedroom. When they both returned to the living room, the atmosphere felt different. The girl was wearing pajama pants and a T-shirt, and when the brown-haired man looked at her, it felt so homely.

- To be honest, I would have eaten something. And you? - the redhead stretched and crunched her vertebrae, and then jumped onto the sofa, immediately jumping back when the dog shook himself off, splashing on her, - Zeus!

River laughed merrily at her reaction. Zeus growled, playfully looking at her with a bone in his teeth, and the girl could not stay angry for long, sitting down on the sofa again. The guy looked at her.

- Actually, I would order something from Dottie Rae, - he stretched his shoulders, and then sat down next to the girl, having previously pushed the dog aside, - We rarely took delivery at the circus.

Mia nodded.

- It sounds great, - she smiled, leaning on the arm of the sofa, - the main thing is that the courier is not Ethan, otherwise all "our time alone" will turn into "our time in a noisy company."

They both snorted, laughing a little. River chuckled.

- Yeah, that's for sure, - he picked up his phone, opening the delivery app, - so, what are we going to take?

Said and done. Twenty minutes later, they were happily eating pizza, sitting under the same blanket, and watching some cheap comedy. As a result, they no longer laughed at the jokes in the film, but at the jokes that they themselves joked about this film. Mia's cola went up her nose twice from laughing, and she almost choked, laughing at how River screamed with laughter next to her.

- Ugh...

They finally calmed down, sprawled on opposite sides of the sofa, and periodically shoved each other with their heels. The girl exhaled, putting her hands to her cheeks.

- I already have... - she snorted again, because laughter was still coming out of her, - my mouth already hurts to laugh...

The guy nodded in agreement, smiling.

- To be honest, five minutes ago I thought that dying of laughter was a damn interesting idea.

The girl's lips broke into a smile by themselves, and she covered her face with her hand, at the same time noticeably kicking him in the thigh.

- Stop making me laugh!

The brown-haired man grinned, raising his hands in surrender.

- Okay, okay, that's it! - he nodded to her in defeat, - I won't do it anymore.

The movie was on the background, but the couple absolutely didn't care. They looked at each other, feeling an incredible tenderness. River moved closer, raising his palm to her face and tucking a stray strand behind her ear. Mia was a little embarrassed, but she didn't move away.

- River?

He smiled at her, and she smiled back, feeling her pulse quicken at the mere sight of him.

- What?

- I think we need to talk... - the girl hesitated a little, feeling her heart raging in her chest, - About us.

The brown-haired man's gaze became uncertain for a second, and he wanted to remove his palm from his friend's cheek, but the girl's hand held it. Mia looked into his eyes. The guy smiled gently at her again, but when he spoke, his voice faltered for a second.

- You don't want to?

He waited for her answer, carefully watching her body language. Despite the excitement of the conversation, the girl looked very relaxed and cozy. She shook her head.

- No, I want to. And I've been wanting for a long time, River, - she felt him relax, taking her palms in his, - I just... I was afraid.

The brown-haired man squeezed her palms a little harder, looking at her with gentle confidence.

- No matter how our relationship develops in the future, - he leaned slightly towards her, lovingly stroking her knuckles, - I will always be your friend.

Mia squeezed his hands.

- Just a friend?

The brown-haired man shook his head negatively.

- I want to be more than a friend, Princess, - he looked into her eyes carefully, - But do you want it?

The redhead smiled gently, confidently looking at the guy.

- Definitely.

She shifted, releasing his hands only to pull him in for a hug. The brown-haired man immediately replied, nuzzling her temple and wrapping his arms around her waist. Mia whispered softly in his ear.

- Perhaps now I will say something that is already obvious, - she hesitated, stroking his back with her palms, - I love you...

The guy smiled, pressing his cheek against hers. He could feel his heart pounding wildly, ready to jump out of his chest with joy.

- I love you too.

They huddled into a small pile of love, clinging to each other. Mia rested her cheek on his shoulder, feeling the warmth radiating from both of them. It's freezing outside, but they'll never freeze if they're together. River's gentle whisper touched the top of her head.

- I feel happy again... - he kissed her hair, - you smell... comfort. You're my home, Mia.

She giggled, lifting her head and stroking his cheek.

- It's always nice to come home, right?

They looked into each other's eyes, smiling. Zeus, who was chewing his bone, realized that something was going on between his people, and when their faces began to come closer, he jumped forward, finding himself in the middle. The couple pulled away with a cheerful laugh, realizing that they had just kissed the dog. Zeus crawled between them, starting to trample on them, and they let him under the blanket with a cheerful laugh.

River put his arm around his girlfriend's shoulders, and Mia let the dog climb into her arms, hugging him, and Zeus happily sprawled on her. The couple exchanged glances, and then returned their attention to the TV, where the next movie had just started.

They are a happy little family.

They felt at HOME.
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To be honest, such a format is new and unusual for me, I rarely write big solid fan fiction, so I hope you will appreciate it. What do you think about this chapter? Write in the comments!