━━ CHAPTER EIGHTEEN / cuddling
episode three, part one.

It was the second time that Demi had woken up in a bed that wasn't her own and it was strange to her. She was so used to her bedroom that when her eyes slowly blinked open and she was faced with the wall of Lockwood's room, she nearly bolted out of bed before the memories of the previous night came trickling back. She let out a small smile as she buried half her face in the pillow.

After she had trudged upstairs, she had changed into her sheep hoodie and some loose grey sweatpants before she went back to Lockwood's room. He wasn't there when she trudged inside but it was only a few minutes later that he appeared with her glass of water. He placed it on the bedside table and walked over to his wardrobe.

The conversation was sparse but comfortable as he changed into pyjamas and she snuggled up in his bed again. He had asked whether she wanted him to wear a t-shirt (since he usually went without) and Demi insisted that she didn't mind either way. Anthony wore a t-shirt just to make sure she was comfortable and she was glad.

Because his chest was currently pressed against her back, one arm wrapped lazily over her waist while the other one rested underneath his pillow. Demi's hand had been intertwined with his but she gently pulled it away as she woke up. It was inappropriate. It was stupid. And she wasn't sure whether she had done that in her sleep or when she was awake.

She didn't really remember falling asleep. She remembered Lockwood getting in beside her and they talked quietly, looking at each other but it was a blank after that. Not that she hated the feeling of Lockwood pressed against her. It was comforting even though the pain was beginning to spread across her back again. Not because of him, simply because it hurt. Another two days and the pain should hopefully stop.

As Demi laid awake, she suddenly had the urge to turn over. Her body was becoming uncomfortable lying on the side she was on so with great difficulty, caution and a little bit of pain, she turned onto her other side. Anthony let out a soft 'hmph' of annoyance at the movement but when he felt Demi snuggle up to his chest, he didn't seem to object.

She gently pulled her legs up towards her chest and in her attempt to get comfortable, she knocked his crotch with her knee. He let out a soft groan of pain as his eyes opened sleepily.

"Did you just kick me?" He mumbled through his sleepiness. Demi chuckled softly and turned her face away from him, "Bit rude," He added. His tone was entirely teasing and it made Demi's face flush bright red.

"It was an accident," She responded as she turned her gaze up. His eyes were still half-closed and the charming smile was sleepy as he watched her, "I was just trying to get comfortable." He rolled his eyes playfully and lifted his arm up, letting her adjust which she happily did. Her legs stretched out again and she ended up kicking him in the shin this time.

"If you're gonna keep kicking me, you can go to your own bed," He said softly. It was all teasing but the thought made Demi pause. She really didn't want to go back to her own bed.

"Please don't make me go to my bed," She mumbled. Anthony opened his eyes properly this time and he moved his hand to her face. The concern etched across his features as he looked into her eyes. His thumb ran across her cheekbone.

"I won't," He promised with one of the more serious tones she had heard from him, "Are you comfortable?" He asked. Demi shuffled closer to him. Her legs tangled with his and her arm moved to curl over his waist under the covers. She then let out a 'hmm' of approval and he chuckled softly. He pushed some hair behind her ear before he pressed a kiss to her forehead, "Good." The way that Demi's face flushed was hard to miss but Anthony didn't comment. He let his eyes fall closed again and his hand moved to rest over her body, keeping her close.

"Is George going to the Archives today?" Demi asked softly. Anthony let out a mumbled 'yeah' and Demi nodded. She let her head rest against the pillows, watching as his breathing evened out. He was tired, that much was obvious.

"What time is it?" He asked quietly. Demi glanced over at the clock on the bedside table.

"Nine." Anthony let out a 'hmph' in response and she chuckled softly. Her fingers began to trace patterns across the back of his t-shirt as she snuggled her head under his chin.

"Are the others awake?" He asked. His voice was sleepy, a little husky and Demi was quiet for a moment, trying to remember if she'd heard anything while also listening out.

"Don't know. I didn't hear anyone but I've not been awake long," She admitted. Anthony let out a noise of approval before he let his body relax again.

"We have a hearing tomorrow," Anthony mumbled after a moment. Demi's eyebrows furrowed and she lifted her head up so she could look at him properly. He opened his eyes properly again and looked down at her, "Over Sheen Road. I'll need you and Lucy there. George can do his research." Demi sighed and she closed her eyes, the dread filled her chest and it was like Lockwood could sense it. Because his hand moved to cup her cheek again and he nudged her to make her eyes open again, "It'll be fine. You just have to tell the truth. I'll sort it." The corners of Demi's lips turned up into a half-smile and she let out a little 'hmm' of agreement. He looked down at her and there was this look on her face which just made him want to kiss her. Kiss away the anxiety, the worry, the pain that he knew she was feeling.

"I need to get some ibuprofen," She mumbled after a moment. The pain was becoming hard to ignore, even with the heat that spread across her chest and cheeks from Lockwood being so close. He rolled over in bed and pushed himself to sit up before he opened the bedside drawer. He pushed through the random piles before he found a box of painkillers he had thrown in weeks ago.

"Here," He said as he pulled out one of the foil strips. Demi took it from him and popped out two pills. He then put the strip back in the box and dropped the box onto the table as Demi leant back against the headboard. She placed the pills on her tongue and took a sip of water. Before she then took two gulps, getting the pills down her throat.

"I need to eat something now," She mumbled. Anthony shrugged and she placed her glass back down. She pushed her hands across her face before letting them flop down on the bed beside her.

"Can I check?" He asked, gesturing vaguely to her back. Demi nodded and shuffled back so he could pull up the back of her hoodie. The strap of her bra was digging into the skin which certainly wasn't helping the ache but she hated not wearing a bra. Anthony was cautious but he did gently prod at the skin with his free hand, testing to see how she'd react. And she winced every single time. He stopped when he realised it just hurt, "If the ibuprofen isn't working, we should go to the GP. They can give you stronger painki-" He began but Demi cut him off with a wave of her hand.

"The ibuprofen is fine and the pain will stop in a day or so. It's fine," She responded. He let the hoodie drop back over her back and he watched as she shuffled off the bed. Every movement was slow and cautious until she had her feet on the wooden floors. The shiver ran up her spine and she turned around, "Breakfast?" She asked.

"I'm cooking," He responded simply.

-

The hearing had happened. Demi didn't really know how to feel about it. It only ended up with her and Lockwood going in the end and it was something to say the least. It felt like how she had been treated at Fittes. None of them were listening and no matter how truthful she was, it wasn't enough for them. Demi tried not to be annoyed by it all but she was.

So, by the time her and Lockwood got back to the house and night had fallen, she went straight to her room to tinker. Being around other people would only make her more frustrated and considering how everything had been teetering dangerously between okay and volatile, she didn't want to be around for an argument.

Which meant that her prototypes got most of her attention. That was until Anthony knocked on her door and they ate dinner downstairs. George had cooked for all of them and it smelt heavenly. As they ate and spoke, Demi stayed relatively quiet. Her mind was still reeling from the hearing and when Lucy nudged her, repeating the question, she realised that she needed to sleep. The exhaustion was still heavy in her bones and although her back pain had almost entirely cleared up now, it had led to multiple nights of interrupted sleep.

So, she needed to sleep. Which somehow led her, once again, into Lockwood's bed. She had opted for slightly less fluffy pyjamas that night and as she sat on her bed, she found herself gazing at the bedside table. Her fingertips were tingling and in seconds, she pulled the drawer open to find that the ring had slipped out of its casing.

Her eyes widened and she grabbed it from its place, fiddling with it to try and get it back all while the scream reverberated through her head. The dread settled heavily in her belly as she slammed the casing shut just as Lockwood knocked on the door. There was a small smile on his face and she sent one back in kind, hoping it disguised the dread.
"Do you want to sleep in here tonight?" He asked. Demi shook her head and pushed her bedside table drawer closed.

"No. I was just checking on something," She lied smoothly. Lockwood nodded and then he held his hand out which she took. The pair then took the stairs past the locked room and into his bedroom. Demi got in on her side - where Lockwood had already placed the glass - and he stripped his t-shirt off before he got in beside her.

It took a few nights but they both eventually agreed that if he was more comfortable sleeping without a shirt on, he should. Especially considering he had taken it off in his sleep once or twice while they were in bed together. It was better this way but Demi tried to ignore the way it made her blush.

-

The days passed quickly. About three days after the attack from Annabel, the pain on Demi's back had subsided and whenever she checked it in the mirror, it looked better and better. There was still a long way to go for her skin to heal but it was getting better everyday.

Demi was glad that they had decided to take a break while they worked out what to do about the fines. Lockwood had tried to attest them and get the insurance to cover them since they had been told misleading information, among other things, but DEPRAC were sure of what they wanted. The £60,000 had to be paid and Demi got that wonderful news regarding the hearing after her shower as she appeared in the kitchen.

George had made a breakthrough with some research and Demi had assumed they would wait for her, they didn't. And she walked in just as Lockwood pocketed the keys and the locket where he had just put the ring.

"Now, the final ruling for Sheen Road just came in and if we don't get our shit together now, this agency's done," Lockwood said as George snatched up the letter from the side. The general neutral aura that had surrounded her since she had gotten back from her run was now replaced with annoyance and sadness. The frown appeared on her lips as she dragged the chair out and sat down opposite Lucy on the table.

"Mandatory indefinite oversight?" George asked as he read over the letter. Demi already knew what that meant before Lucy even asked and it made her want to slam her head against the table. Suddenly, she regretted ever leaving the warmth of Lockwood's bed.

"What does that mean?"

"It means we still owe 60 grand but now we can't do anything without adult supervision," Lockwood responded, his arms crossed in front of him. It was the first time that Demi had seen him so serious in a few days. The domestic bliss they had been vaguely living in had meant that all the shit that was waiting for them just beyond the door of the bedroom didn't mean much. Now it did and Demi wanted anything but to be here.

"No, no, no. This... this must be a joke," Lucy responded. Demi scoffed and got up from her seat, walking over to the kettle. She filled it up and flicked it on.

"No. It's a chokehold but I've got a plan. We're going to see a man about a ghost," Lockwood said with a small smirk on his face. Demi paused in her grabbing of a mug and she turned around on her heel.

"Are we going now?" Demi asked. Lockwood looked over and sent her a smile before he nodded his head, "I haven't had breakfast." She crossed her arms over her chest, the annoyance evident on her features. He rolled his eyes playfully as he got up from the seat.

"We'll get you something on the way."

-

NOTE

have some (unedited) basically just fluff because episode three is about to give demi some trauma and we need happiness before what is gonna happen so enjoy <3
(and thank u for all the support, ily all <3)