A/N: I will post ten chapters as a late Christmas present today. This doesn't mean I am done with the story, so don't expect more chapters soon. 

Nia's Pov:

I needed space. The fact that I don't fear them is scary by itself but the fact that I just taunted Roger into taking a bite out of me is crazy...Right?

Maybe I should call Liera and Hope, they have more experience with magical creatures than I do, which means they probably know what to do. I bit my lower lip as the memory of them working for my uncle resurfaced.

Oh yeah, who knows how they'll react to my little dilemma? They could tell Alphonse and he'll probably do everything in his power to keep me away from Cody, Auden, Roger, and Gannon.

Then again I'm doing a pretty good job of keeping my space from them right now on my own. So there's no point in involving Alphonse or Liera or Hope, right?

What if they do get involved and plan to hurt Cody, Auden, Roger, or Gannon? Just the thought of it pisses me off to no end, I wouldn't let that happen no matter what.

Those four men are mine. My...friends. I am always fiercely protective of my friends.

I glanced over at my phone charging on the nightstand. Maybe I should check on them and cash in those rainchecks I owe.

Reaching for it I checked the time and saw 11 pm. I took a deep breath and locked my phone before deciding to stop thinking about them and get some sleep.

I did have class in the morning with Cody. It was the only class of the day, which means I can totally handle being in a room with him for an hour.

Even if there is something about him that draws me in like a moth to a flame, helpless to fight against its instinct to get to the warm glow, even if it means burning to ash.

I turned over in my bed, grabbing my phone to write down that thought. It seemed just poetic enough to fit into my story somewhere.

Great, I can't seem to stop thinking about Cody and it might even help with my writing, urg. I locked my phone and placed it back on the nightstand crawling back into the bed and facing the wall.

"Go to sleep", I whispered to myself as I pulled the blankets up high.

Closing my eyes, willing myself to sleep.

The slamming of the door woke me up with a jolt. My eyes snapped open and I turned my head to face the door and came to the conclusion that it was my roommates' fault, from the sounds of their voices going down the hall.

Last year of this, of shitty roommates, of classes, of grades and I'd be all done. I rolled over, trying to get a bit more sleep but it wouldn't come to me.

Reaching for my phone, I decided a little self-loving was in order. I mean it would help the day start off way better.

Unlocking my phone I found three texts waiting for me.

Good morning Sweetness. Missed you yesterday. Our hangout would have been soooo much better with you there. -Auden

Good morning Nia. I hope you slept well. -Gannon

Good morning, I'll see ya in class. -Cody

I gnawed at my lower lip as a warm spread through my chest. When was the last time someone I liked texted me good morning, as in 'Good morning I just got up and the first thing I wanted to do was talk to you in some way'.

No. It can't be as deep as that. I only like Cody as a friend. I only like all of them as friends, mythic creature friends.

Friends whose touch makes me feel so many things that just get more addictive since the last time.

Friends who show up in my dream about sex.

Friends who linger in my mind nearly all the time.

Friends whose good morning text has me fighting back my dopey smile and reading too much into it.

I sat up in my bed and wondered who to text back first as well as what to text back. Funnily enough, it didn't take much wondering.

Good morning, Auden. If this is really you. How did you get my number? -Nia.

Four seconds later my phone rang with an unknown number. I answered it after a few deep breaths to calm myself.

"Gannon gave me your number after a bit of bribing on my part", Auden's rough voice came through clearly.

I couldn't think of anything else to say other than, "Oh"

"You're not mad, are you? I just wanted to tell you good morning and well I forgot to ask for your number last time", He went on to explain.

"No not", I paused as a yawn ripped from my mouth ending in a small moan as usual, "Mad just surprised is all. It's ok for you to have my number we're all friends right? Does Roger have my number too?"

"Roger no. I can give it to him later after my interview with him", Auden explained before adding, "Wanna get breakfast with me, my treat?"

"I don't have any money or a ride", I explained as I stood from the bed and stretched my body.

"I didn't ask all that. Now answer my question, Sweetness", he spoke smoothly until the last word where his voice lowered an octave.

I pressed my thighs together from the sudden ache between them, "Yes. I'll have breakfast with you"

"Great, I'll be on campus in twenty minutes in front of the food court. Don't make me wait or punishments will be in order, Sweetness", he chuckled, making my heart pound.

I bit my lower lip wondering if I wanted him to be joking or not. Shaking my head I cleared it of dirty thoughts for now.

"We're not fucking, stop talking like we are", I teased him back before ending the call.

A smile came on my face as I wondered what sort of punishment he meant. No, we are just friends, that's all.

After shooting off good morning texts to Gannon and Cody, I rushed to the shared bathroom to take a shower, wash my face and brush my teeth. Once back in my dorm room, I went through my little collection of clothes to pick something nice to wear.

I picked out a cute outfit, a nice powder blue string blouse that shows off my breasts nicely and hugs my slim figure. Paired with ripped light blue jeans and sneakers.

The longer I looked at myself in the mirror in this outfit I realized that this would be something I wear on a date. Romantic date, not a friend date.

Ugh.

I threw on my blue hoodie that said the name of the university. Then brushed out my hair, sliding on a headband to have my hair out in a neater way.

I made sure I had an extra hair tie on my wrist before stuffing my pockets with my phone, headphones, keys, and wallet. Taking my phone out again I checked the time to see that I had five minutes left.

My inner brat told me to take my time and make him wait. While the good girl in me encouraged me to run, being on time is the same as being late.

I licked my lips as I stared at myself in the mirror, "This isn't a date. This isn't a crush. This is friends having fun"

I kept repeating this as I made my way down to the food court. The second I landed my eyes on Auden wearing a diagonal dark green and muted orange zip-up hoodie, dark blue ripped jeans, and red sneakers.

He had his headphones in and was bobbing his head to whatever it was he was listening to. For some reason, I had the urge to go up to him, take an earbud from him and start listening as well.

But I wasn't sure if we were close enough to do that. Did I even want to be?

I closed my eyes and I found that the answer was yes. Who cares if I'm not scared of them, we're friends.

"What are you listening to?", I questioned once I got close enough to him.

He smiled at me, and I swear for a second all light and warmth and color came from him and not the sun.

"Music, Sweetness. What are ya hungry for?" He asked as he moved to my side, slinging his warm muscled arm around my shoulder.

"Um, Muffins?" It sounded more like a question.

"Aw. Is someone still too sleepy to make a simple choice?" He teased me as he turned his head enough for me to feel his breath against my neck with his low chuckle.

I recoiled my head with a scowl on my face as I threatened, "I can still choose to eat alone."

Auden lifted his hand to grip my chin, squeezing a little until brown eyes locked with brown eyes, "You are so beautiful, Nia. Even when you're being a brat"

I looked down and away, ignoring the way his touch and words made me feel. His hand slowly dropped as he said, "Let's go, I know this place that makes the best muffins and coffee."

Another scowl came on my face, "I don't like coffee, I'm more of a tea drinker"

He gasped loudly, placing his free hand on his chest, "You don't like coffee, oh dear I don't know how we're going to stay friends after this reveal"

I didn't stop the laugh that bubbled up in my chest, following beside him as he started to lead the way to his car. Rolling my eyes I hit his chest as well, noticing how solid and warm he felt there too.

"Ok well. Let's go down the list of the most important things ever to see if we have any other differing options. Orange juice or apple juice?" I started the conversation by leaning into him and forgetting about the world around us.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed it! Please leave a comment, letting me know!