"It's really hot," I warn.
Going back to the kitchen, she grabs my hand to stop me. I stay behind the armrest, looking down at her tilting her head back to meet my eyes.
"Thank you." She says.
I smile and bend down to peck her lips three times then twice on the dip of her neck, straightening back up and going over to soak the dishes. While cleaning up, I peer my head back a couple of times to see her silently eating while watching the TV. I'm obsessed with the sight of it—a ridiculous smile spreads up my face every time. I don't know if it's because she looks relaxed or that we feel so domestic. I like to dream of a mundane world where Aven and I have a place together and live such a boring but ordinary life as a normal couple.
Once I'm done cleaning up, I walk back over and throw myself down on the couch next to her.
"Where's yours?" She looks down at my empty hands, chewing.
"I ate while I was making it."
"Are you just saying that because you didn't have enough for two or something?"
"No, I'm serious." I laugh with the whole truth. "I have no self-control when I cook. I was literally eating it while it was in the pot."
"You better not be lying."
"I do it all the time, you can ask the guys." I nod. "Is it good?"
"It's really good." She nods, twirling the fork.
I get on all fours and crawl up to peck her jaw.
"Good," I say against her skin before slumping down so the side of my head meets her stomach.
Both of us facing the TV, she continues to eat while I rest my head on her. There's something so soothing about hearing her stomach make noises; I guess it's because it's her noises. It truly puts into perspective how much you can become captivated by someone's body when you love them so much. She eventually stretches to place the bowl on the coffee table, grabbing her glass of water in exchange. I listen to the sound of the liquid rushing down her throat and funnelling into her stomach. I smile in fascination.
"I can hear your organs moving..."
She places the glass down, chuckling.
"That's such a weird thing to say."
I tilt my head up at her, grinning.
"Is it?"
She looks down at me with a nod, but I can see the amusement in her eyes. Her body slowly slides down the armrest, inching herself beneath me. Before I can say anything else, her head lifts until velvety lips meet mine. I nearly melt at the touch, shutting my eyes at the bliss of it all. She parts her thighs around my hips, gripping onto the back of my neck at the same time. The kiss isn't just a quick peck—it's fuelled with desire and need. Her legs tightening around me only adds to the notion.
"Aven—" I get out between breaths. "We shouldn't..."
"Why not?" She kisses me.
"It might be too much for you right now." I pull my head up, staring down at her.
"I'm okay."
"I don't know if you are..." I disagree. "I have no idea what's been going on in your head."
Her big blue eyes stare up at me, flicking all around my face.
"I just want to feel close to you." She whispers like a confession.
My heart clutches itself—I never thought I'd hear those words from her again.
"We've been sharing the same deodorant; we're literally the closest we've ever been." I grin and kiss her collarbone.
It's not that I don't want to—I would kill for it. I just don't have any clue what motives she has in her brain right now. She's in such a pivotal place of grief. Her world is flipped upside down, and she only has so much bandwidth. It's barely been a week, and she only just started speaking a couple of days ago. Even now, she's very selective with it. I can't read her mind—I need to hear her tell me where she's at and what she truly wants. Not to mention, she once had a breakdown when we were about to have sex because the intimacy and closeness brought back too much. What if the same thing happens and causes her to take ten steps back?
"I just want you to be in a better headspace for it, that's all." I clarify.
She nods.
"I understand."
I pull us up, bringing her to straddle my lap. I sit against the back of the couch, stroking her hair behind her ears.
"Believe me though, I really want to..." I grin and peck her lips.
"Are you sure you're still attracted to me after everything you've seen in the past week?" She places her hands on my shoulders.
I can't believe that's even a question.
"Mhmm..." I smile with a nod. "More than I ever have."
She rolls her eyes.
"Liar."
"No, I'm serious." I wrap my arms around her lower back. "I've felt so comfortable and close to you, which makes me more attracted to you than ever."
I lean into her lips and smile against her mouth, snaking my hand behind her head. She gently kisses me back, holding my face. Pure electricity rushes my body when I'm with her; I feel immortal. Her tongue lapses my lower lip, inviting itself to tangle with mine.
I suddenly hear music, party music. I nearly think it's just in my head until I notice Aven pauses against my lips. We both turn our heads to the sound, hearing it get louder and mixing with rickety footsteps and laughter. Niall suddenly emerges with a Bluetooth speaker in his hand and a beer in the other. A backward hat keeps his hair out of his face while his white t-shirt stays rolled at the sleeves. He pumps the speaker in the air to the beat of the song, a slight skip in his step because he's probably hammered. Liam, Louis, and Nova run in with him.
"Come on! Get up!" Niall shouts over the music, all four of them heading towards us on the couch like we're supposed to be doing something. "The night is still young!"
"What's going on?" I say over the noise.
Oh god—what are they planning?
Liam and Louis physically grab Aven off my lap, lifting her onto her feet before yanking me up next. Niall leaps up onto the coffee table, taking a swig of his beer. I look over at Nova, who laughs and shrugs.
"We're going to go have some fun!" Niall announces from his platform. "This house needs to break free of this funk and relish in the fact that we used to do one thing really well despite our miseries—let loose!"
"Niall..." I shake my head in warning, feeling uneasy at the thought of this making Aven uneasy.
"Scarlett and Dez have a truck waiting outside and we're gonna go have a bonfire! You both are coming whether you like it or not."
A bonfire? We live in New York City.
"Aven, we don't need to do anything you don't want to—"
"Sweetheart," Niall turns to her. "Despite the circumstances, we've been blessed with the opportunity of having you around for a bit. I know you're hurting, but spending all your time hidden away in Harry's windowless bedroom, thinking about every horrible thing that has happened, is not going to help anymore. It's time to try my way now."
![Complicity [h.s]](https://img.wattpad.com/cover/228973292-64-k394788.jpg)