Love was a funny thing.

I would put my pride on the back burner and belittle myself just to get your attention or approval. It was what I was doing as I sat on the couch, next to you, with just inches of leather to separate our legs from brushing against each other, with cups of now lukewarm hot chocolate in both our hands, your mug almost finished while mine sat half full.

You finished your mug a second later and laid it down on your coffee table, your slender hands moving away from the mug and tugging gently at the bottom hairs at the back of your head as you gave me a glance.

"So," you began, somewhat awkwardly but I was glad that one of us decided to break the silence. My heart was still in my throat with what I'd just done that I could barely form a coherent thought on how to instigate a conversation with you. This was all I had been waiting weeks for but I'd shown up at your place even though you made it clear to me that you really weren't keen on my company.

I smiled at your attempt, commanding my heart to stop acting so wildly.

"How are you?" you finished, feeling yourself ease more at the sight of my smile.

"I'm doing all right, I guess," I said with an added shrug. "It's just been a shit couple of weeks."

"Oh yeah? Why is that?"

Because you abandoned me, I wanted to say, but of course I chose a much wiser set of words.

"Heather at work has really been drilling me. I hate holiday season." I rolled my eyes to exaggerate my aggravation.

You laughed, your eyes lighting up at my annoyed expression. "It's the time to be fun and jolly."

Your eyes twinkled with humour and just like that we slid back into our normal selves, settling into a conversation that didn't warrant the other to have any awkward feelings. Granted there was a little hesitation when you said something that you thought might implicate the mended friendship we suddenly seemed to share, but it was better than the weeks of silence I had to endure.

Time was slipping by fast when you enjoyed yourself and I, Bradley, always enjoyed myself in your company, today more so than ever.

"I should get home. I'm starving and I totally forgot about dinner. I'll probably order in," I admitted a bit sheepishly as I looked for my shoes. I had removed them at the base of the couches so that I could tuck my feet under my legs to get more comfortable on your couch.

Having you sit just inches away from me was difficult and it took great restraint for me not to jump you there and then. With the way your talked, the way your eyes twinkled in mirth or happiness, I found myself wanting to feel what I felt that night. The night we had sex. But I had to convince you that you wanted me as much I wanted you and I couldn't just jump you now. We had only mended our relationship. If I wanted it to survive this time I had to take baby steps with you.

"That's okay," you said, smiling. "You can have dinner here if you don't mind pizza. You said you were going to order takeout anyway."

And that was how we found ourselves at the foot of the coffee table, sat in front of the television on your fine Egyptian carpet, watching a movie. I think we were watching a Marvel movie since you were a huge fan of the franchise but I could not remember specifically which one for your presence right next to mine distracted me throughout the movie.

What I do remember was that when I thought the movie was finished, I turned to talk to you and you held your hand up, fast forwarding the movie a little before you let the credits continue to roll. And that's when the end credit scene came on.

The first thing I thought was why anyone would add a scene right at the end of a movie but I didn't bother. I merely smiled when the movie finally finished and you turned to me, your eyes holding an excited glint. The look in your eyes made my heart lift. It was like what had happened these last few weeks—you giving me radio silence—didn't happen at all. We were back to who we used to be. And I would have been just happy with that if we hadn't crossed the line all those nights ago. I knew I said I would be happy with just a portion of your attention but I came to your house with the notion that I could convince you that you needed me in your life as much as I did, and that didn't just include movies and dinner. It included much, much more.

So I excused myself to the bathroom and quickly freshened myself up.

I looked at myself in the mirror and tilted my head. I was here to win you. And that was exactly what I was going to do. With a deep breath, I undid the two buttons at the top of my shirt, giving a better view to my cleavage. I pulled the collar of my plain shirt to the side so you could see the length of my neck and all it lead to downwards. I reached for the back of my head, releasing my hair from the high pony I kept it in. When I was satisfied that I looked sexy enough to seduce you, I made my way back to the living room to find you on the couch with your next beer bottle for the night in your left hand while your right held onto your phone.

"We should do this again," I said as I plopped down next to you. I tried my very best to appear calm but with how hard my heart was bashing against my ribcage I was afraid you could see just how fucking nervous and excited I was. It was thrilling, to be diving into the unknown with you.

You put your phone aside, taking a swig of the bottle and giving me a slow grin. "We should. I've fucking missed this."

"Me too," I said softly, lowering my gaze momentarily to your alluring lips. Lifting my eyes back to yours, I tilted my head and smiled lightly. "So tell me, Bradley, how exactly have you been doing?"

With multiple bottles of beer in your system, your answer could not have been more honest as your lips turned downwards, that beautiful smile of yours watering down into a frown which I still found adorable on your lips. "I've had a shit couple of weeks to be honest."

I frowned at your words, showing empathy and silently rejoiced when this gave me an excuse to inch closer to you and place a comforting hand on your shoulder. I rubbed down your arm, trying to offer you comfort and for you to know that I was here for you. I would always be here for you, Bradley.

"How so babe?" I asked so you would know that I was interested in why it was you felt so shit lately but if I was being completely honest with myself, I just wanted to get close to you. And with all that beer in your system, your vulnerable side was beginning to show. If I did not take advantage of that then what sort of opportunity would I be passing at?

I was always yours, Bradley.

And you were mine. You only needed to open your eyes to see that.

Looking back at that night I have to admit that I was tipsy even after we had dinner and watched that movie. I wouldn't have done the things I did afterward. Or so I told myself.

"It's been so terrible this past month—" clearly you had been suffering without me, "—I've had so much at work to do. I was aiming for this promotion at the end of the month but it got handed off to someone else so what a waste of time that was. My fucking boss is insane to think that Nathan is better suited to take on assistant finance director when clearly it should be me. I've worked so hard. I'm good at what I do. And I'm fucking dedicated to the company like it's practically family!"

You ended off in a high note, your voice reflecting on the frustration that built inside of you. "And to top it off, I'm apparently going to become a father. Does it look like I'm ready to take on such a role? I'd be the worst father ever. I'd win that award, if there was one, I tell you." You sighed, running your hand over your face in fatigue, but your words fell to deaf ears. It was like you were saying them and I was hearing them but I couldn't quite register them.

"Jesus Christ," you breathed out, blowing at a strand of your hair that had come out from the bun that sat at the back of your head, now settling over your forehead. The strands refused to move from your vision, and you got angry quickly, cursing like a machine under your breath as you rubbed furiously at your face, trying to rid them.

But the beer must have rendered you clumsier than usual. So I reached out and placed my hand above yours, the touch instantly ringing through my body and making images flicker through my head. If things went according to plan, we'd have a repeat of what happened that night and at that moment, it was all I could think about. I longed for it.

I needed it.

I needed every part and inch of you.

Your eyes caught mine. Something shifted in them and I could not decipher the emotion that ran through those stormy beautiful eyes of yours but I took whatever it was as a good sign. I pushed the strands of hair off your face and tucked them behind your ear. I offered you a smile and leaned in a little closer, my next words a whisper as if I was telling you a secret.

"You'd be an amazing father," I told you, my voice low as I angled my head towards yours, maintaining the best seductive stance that I was able to muster. I partly wanted to hit you. You slept with another woman, you got her pregnant.

For all I knew, this could have been before you acknowledged me as a woman rather than a friend and got drunk enough to cross that line with me.

But it didn't matter, because whether it was after or before, it still meant you had sex with another woman, and now you were going to be a father. I didn't want to acknowledge the mother. I knew I should. I should have asked where you and her stood in this little predicament. But I didn't. Because I was selfish. Bringing her up was sure to ruin the moment and this moment had to be perfect if it was going to end up with me in your bed.

"You think so?" Your entire being glowed at my words.

I brought my hand up to your face, my hand cupping your cheek. I felt the rough stubble brush against my palm and my heart began to beat erratically, the thrill pumping wildly within my own system. You had the beer in your system to get you through this moment. All I had was my love for you (and a little wine from earlier on in the day). And that was enough.

"I know so, sweetheart," I whispered, smiling.

You seemed pleased with my answer and for a few seconds we stayed like that, within close proximity of each other, our faces only inches away, our lips only a tilt and slight push away from meeting. Then, your eyes flickered down to my lips and your body grew slightly rigid against mine. You were nervous, or so I thought.

This was all the confirmation I needed.

With certainty, and a gentle smile, my lips met yours.

《 ▪ ▪ ▪ 》 

a/n: i just want to put this out there--i am a marvel fan AND kareena's thoughts do not reflect mine. in fact, she and i are more different than the alike. that's not to say i don't identify with her in the least because i do. she's just not me.

i know this chapter took long to get out but i've been busy the last couple of days. nano is kicking my arse. anyway, i will have a bit more free time next week so maybe you lovelies have an update to look forward to ;)

this is how i imagined her in this chapter:

until next time, xo.