"Cas!"

"What?"

Twenty-eight year-old Casper Dalles closed his book, peering over the top of his glasses. He had obtained them little over a year ago, and it did all but make him happy.

"I can't..."

Her words faded off in a endless stream of mumblings, but Casper only laughed, pulling off his reading glasses and setting it gently on the wooden table beside him. After dog-earring the Lord of the Flies (a habit he wasn't proud about), a teenager-years favorite of his, he also put the book to the side.

Alieen Parkison, a twenty-one year-old that had moved in once Casper's twin, Mo, had moved out to join his girlfriend, Lynn, was leaning against the doorframe, her arms crossed over her chest.

"I need help with something," she muttered, clearly not pleased with the fact that she had to admit it.

Casper stood, walking over casually to his 'roommate' and ruffling her hair. With a dark look that looked more joking to Casper then anything else, Aileen followed him into the kitchen.

Upon spotting the open cabinet and the clear signs of things moving around, Casper understood what was wrong almost immediately.

With a short laugh, Casper looked towards Alieen. "Shortie," he said after a moment with a small grin.

"Oh, shut up, Cas," Alieen frowned, although the action was light and teasing.

He laughed again, a light twinkling noise that cut through the air with precision.

Reaching up, he pulled at the container she was trying to reach, going up on his toes to reach it before tugging it towards it.

"Thanks," she mumbled, looking to the side as Casper handed it to her.

"No problem... shortie."

"Cas!"

Another laugh, and Casper pushed the hair out of her face, leaning down to press his lips to her forehead.

"But you're my shortie."