"I don't understand why you want to work here," Markus sighed, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hands. "Why didn't you talk to me about this before I left for work this morning?"

Bisto rolled around the floor of the office between my outstretched legs, attacking some frayed rope that she'd found under the desk. She held it between her paws as her sharp, needle-like puppy teeth gnawed on the knot I had tied in it. If Dev hadn't already gone home, I'm sure he'd throw a fit.

Markus, sat behind the disorganised desk, had paid very little attention to us until now as he sorted through papers. And he had completely ignored Lynch, who'd been sitting on the corner of the desk for the past fifteen minutes of his lunch break, rudely playing TikTok out loud on his phone, despite the fact that Markus had been trying to work.

"Hold up," Lynch interjected. He gestured between the two of us, a coy smile lighting up his face. "Late night booty call? You started at seven this morning. Did you spend the night together?"

Both Markus and I completely ignored Lynch. "It was an impulsive decision. I didn't know this morning that I was going to ask Dev for a job. And I told you, I really hate the cafe." Not a lie. Every additional day I spent at the cafe had my depression worsening just a little more. I had grown too comfortable there, and the monotonous nature of the job had me wanting to peel my own face off just for something interesting to do.

"What about University?" Markus asked, not seeming happy with my answer.

I waved him off. "It's just a temp job. Besides, the second year isn't that important. I can get by on Roman's notes, as long as I still attend my personal tutor sessions."

Markus still looked displeased.

"Do you not want me to work here?" I asked, firmly. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but I really do want this job."

Markus scoffed. "Don't be stupid. Why would it make me uncomfortable?"

"I'm not being stupid," I huffed. "I'm trying to be considerate, seen as you seem very fucking unenthusiastic about me working here."

Lynch clear his throat. "Should I leave?"

"Yes." Markus and I both responded without hesitation. Unsurprisingly, Lynch didn't move.

Finally, Markus explained, "I don't care if you work here. Dev hired you. That's the end of it. Stop stressing about irrelevant shit."

"Well then. Okay."

Silence settled between us for all of five minutes as Markus returned to his work and I continued to play with Bisto before Lynch unlocked his phone and he subjected us once again to Tiktok.

"You coming to Roman's tonight, Daisy?" Lynch asked, without looking up. He swiped up the screen, and another video played with an obnoxious background music. I wanted to snatch the phone out of his hands or shove a pair of earphones deep into his fucking ears.

"What's tonight?"

"Bonfire night," he murmured. Again, he swiped up the screen of his phone and another annoying video played. How Markus hadn't smacked him yet was a wonder to me. If only I wasn't too lazy to get up. If only there was something for me to throw at him.

Bisto, baby, get ready to be launched.

"Yeah, I'm gonna' need more information than that."

"Roman's place," Lynch added, which only slightly satiated my curiosity. When I made plans, I liked to plan them down to the last detail.

"Right. I wasn't invited."

Lynch rolled his eyes and shoved his phone in front of my face. My squinted eyes quickly focussed on the open WhatsApp conversation.

Roman's nickname, and the off guard profile picture, drew my focus before anything else. Way too cute and unexpected of Lynch.

"He's having a barbecue, and his flat mates bought fireworks. I'll be the one cooking everything since they're all incapable shits, and little miss vegetarian here gets squeamish around raw meat."

Markus flipped him off. "Enjoy being Roman's bitch all night while we relax."

"Yeah, okay," Lynch snorted. "Like you're gonna' be relaxed. His flatmates have invited their friends. You'll be standing in a corner on your phone for an hour and then leave without a word, as usual."

Markus' expression slipped into a scowl. "How many people are invited?"

"I don't know, about fifteen?" Lynch rolled his eyes and reached out to pat Markus on the shoulder. Markus shrugged him off. "It starts at nine. Roman has bought you veggie stuff, bring your own alcohol, leave whenever you want. If you get a few drinks down you, you'll be fine. Pre with Daisy or something."

"I'm cutting out alcohol for the next month."

At that small bit of information, my head snapped in his direction. To my knowledge, the last few times he'd got drunk we'd slept together, and now he was swearing off alcohol? Should I be offended, or were the two completely unrelated?

"Of course you are," Lynch laughed. "Is this another weird health thing of yours that you read on the internet?"

"What, you think drinking a shit ton of vodka and beer is good for you?" Markus asked. "You think cutting alcohol is a new, revolutionary idea?"

Lynch shook his head, grinning. "This is just like the time you ate salmon and spinach for an entire month, or you tried Keto."

Markus rolled his eyes. "Get back to work."

"I have another couple of minutes."

"I don't care, you're irritating the shit out of me," Markus grumbled.

Ignoring him, Lynch turned to me. "So are you coming?"

I pressed my lips together, narrowing my eyes as I pretended to think about it. "How old is everyone going to be there? Like, is it not going to just be a bunch of teenagers? Isn't that weird for you guys?" I asked instead, screwing up my face in distaste.

Lynch's head cocked to the side. He looked confused as he asked, "How old do you think we are?"

"Twenty-five, twenty-six? That's so old comparatively," I teased. "Bit creepy, really, hanging out and getting drunk with a bunch of teenagers."

"I'm twenty-four, and it's my boyfriend's party," Lynch defended flatly, and I had to try hard to hold back a laugh at the offended expression on his face. "It's not creepy if I'm there."

"Yeah, that's even creepier," I pressed sincerely. Over Lynch's shoulder, Markus was watching me with an amused expression. We shared a smile. "Real nonce behaviour that."

Lynch's eyes narrowed, and his nostrils flared as he exhaled deeply. Pushing off from the desk, he was still scowling as he stalked towards the door and called over his shoulder, "You're uninvited."

"See you at nine-thirty!" I called after him enthusiastically. The office door slammed shut behind him. I turned to Markus with a grin. "He's surprisingly easy to tease. Very similar to Roman in that respect."

"Both of them are a pain in the arse," Markus said flatly. "Are you going then?"

"What?" Going where? Home? Did he want me to leave?

"Tonight. Roman's. You going?"

"Why? Do you not want me to?"

Markus rolled his eyes. "Don't be ridiculous."

So he wanted me there? "Yeah, I'll go. I haven't got anything else to do tonight."

"Good." He nodded once, glancing at me only briefly, but he was smiling.

Alright then.

Good.

***

Hours later, I arrived alone at Roman's place. Markus had already arrived to help Lynch set up the barbeque, and I had wanted to change back at my flat before setting off. I didn't bother knocking on the paint-chipped front door of the familiar student house. If everyone was out in the back garden, it was unlikely they'd hear it. Instead, I sent Roman and quick text. Thankfully, it only took him a few minutes to appear. The door swung open in one energetic motion and instantly the pungent scent of burning wood assaulted my nose.

Roman, already seeming tipsy as he greeted me with a wide, un-inhibited smile, reeked of smoke. The earthy scent clung to his clothes; joggers, and the hoodie I had seen Lynch wearing earlier today.

"You're here! I knew Lynch was lying. He kept saying you weren't coming. That bastard," Roman said quickly, his words slurring together as he giddily ushered me inside. I tugged consciously on the hem of my cropped t-shirt, my knuckles grazing the waist of the straight-legged blue jeans I'd worn. I should have worn something more comfortable, like Roman, something that I didn't mind stinking of smoke. But I had wanted to make an effort considering I would meet Roman's housemates for the first time. I didn't want them to judge me if I arrived in the same old lounge-wear I'd had on all day.

Instead, I had braided my hair back, applied a light layer of makeup and even worn some cute, dangling gold earring. Perhaps I had put too much effort into my outfit.

Roman led me through the small house, heading straight towards the back door in the kitchen. Already I could hear the loud music. My nose wrinkled as I identified the Ed Sheeran song playing.

"I did tell Lynch I was coming," I replied as I swung my backpack off my shoulders, unzipping it to pull out a couple tins and some other stuff I'd bought from the Tesco Express on my way over here.

"He just likes to fuck with me," Roman dismissed, with a laugh. "Oh good, you brought drinks. Have you eaten yet? I know it's late but Lynch just put some more stuff on and there's snacks and stuff outside. We've got a firepit going, though there aren't that many chairs, so you might have to fight for a seat or sit on the grass-"

"Roman!" Lynch's voice yelled from somewhere out in the garden, his voice cutting above the music and the sound of people laughing and talking. Though it was dark outside, there was a glow of lights visible through the kitchen windows.

Roman tutted in faux annoyance, clearly smitten with his boyfriend if the broad smile blooming across his face was anything to go by. He swiped a cup full of something from the counter. "Right, I was supposed to be getting him a drink. Come on."

With a can in one hand, and a bottle in the other, I didn't protest as he hooked his arm through mine and dragged me outside with him. There were a handful of people stood by the back door collected around a table of food, most of whom were women. They didn't seem to notice us and Roman didn't stop to introduce me to anyone, leading me straight to Lynch, who was standing at the barbeque by the side of the house.

"You were uninvited," Lynch said as soon as he saw me. He accepted the drink from Roman, leaning down to peck him on the cheek. "Thanks, mate."

"No probs, Baby-cakes," Roman cooed jokingly.

"Gross," I muttered against the rim of my drink before I could stop myself. Baby-cakes, Roman? Really?

Roman ignored me and slapped Lynch on the arse; the loud smack sounded painful but Lynch didn't bat an eye. Instead, he handed Roman a plate of well-cooked burgers. "Take these to the table and go get something to eat before you drink anything else."

Roman reached up to kiss Lynch on the edge of his jaw and dutifully followed his boyfriend's instructions, leaving me behind without even a glance. Had he forgotten about me already? What the fuck?

"Two drinks at once, you trying to catch up or something?" Lynch nodded down at the unopened bottle of beer in my left hand. "Rome's had about fifty million drinks and counting, so you'll have to be quick."

"It's alcohol free Heineken." I hadn't planned on buying it, but it had been on sale.

Lynch made a disgusted noise in the back of his throat. With a pair of metal tongs in hand, he gestured over to the fire pit. "He's over there. Go save him from the horror that is socialising with others."

Indeed, Markus was sitting in a large fold out camping chair by the fire, a glass of water in his hand. To his left sat a dark-haired, attractive girl. She was turned towards him as she spoke; her knee almost touching his. Her cheeks were flushed, but I couldn't tell whether she was blushing or if it was because of the can of Dark-Fruit gripped tightly in her hand. Either way, jealousy sat heavy in my chest.

"Ah," I breathed. My throat felt a little tight as I added, "Does he need saving? She looks like she's having a good time, and she's really pretty."

"Cut that shit out." Something cold smacked the side of my arm. Lynch, holding an unopened pack of sausages, gave me an unimpressed look. Had he really just hit me with uncooked meat? "He doesn't like talking to people he doesn't know, regardless of how pretty you think they are. Don't be a jealous tit; he's already looked this way about five times since you arrived."

"He has?" I asked, a little too eagerly, my gaze instantly snapping towards him. I hadn't noticed him looking, but this wasn't something I thought Lynch would lie about. Besides, Lynch was right. It was stupid of me to feel jealous. Even if Markus and I hadn't discussed what was happening between us yet, even if we hadn't mentioned exclusivity at all, it was me who had woken up in his bed this morning and it was me he had kissed goodbye on his way to work. There was no need for me to feel insecure.

Now that I really observed him, it was clear that he looked uncomfortable. He was far too tense and his grip on the glass of water was too tight. Even though he wasn't ignoring the girl chatting to him, he didn't appear to be saying anything in response.

Lynched laughed and nudged me away with his shoulder. "Piss off to your lover boy. You're distracting me and I'm gonna' end up burning the food."

"Okay, okay," I said, holding my hands up innocently. "I'm going."

Markus didn't notice my approach, and if he did, he didn't react. It was the girl that noticed me first, her eyes quickly flitting towards me, then back to Markus as she continued talking before falling back to me once she realised I was heading straight towards them.

I tried my best to plaster a friendly smile across my face as I breathed a cheerful greeting.

Markus jerked in his seat, arching his neck to glance behind him. Upon seeing me, an enormous smile broke across his face. That expression alone was enough to reassure me. "Hey," he murmured softly, eyeing the two drinks I was holding. "You're late."

I thrust the alcohol free beer towards him. "Here, this is for you."

"What is it?"

"You said you're not drinking," I explained, a warmth blooming in my cheeks, "and Tesco were selling this alcohol-free Heineken. I mean, I don't know what beer you like, and I've never tried alcohol free before, so it could be absolutely shit, but it was on sale. I thought it would be better than drinking water or pop all night."

"Right," Markus said, still smiling. He accepted the bottle, examining the label. "Thanks."

"No problem - Oh, I don't have a bottle opener, though."

"I have one," a quiet voice said. Fuck, I'd forgotten about her for a second.

"Oh shit, sorry! I'm being really rude." I whirled to face the girl, who was still sitting beside Markus. She held out a set of keys towards him that had one of those free University Thorpefield bottle openers on it. I waved awkwardly in her direction and offered her a sheepish smile. "Hi, I'm Daisy, I do Illustration with Roman."

"Cally," she introduced, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "I'm friends with Kat. She lives with Roman."

"Ah right, cool. Nice to meet you." Cally repeated the sentiments back to me and then there was an uncomfortable silence that settled between us all as I struggled to think of anything else to say. Cally seemed just as uncomfortable as she shifted in her chair and glanced back towards the house, probably thinking of a way to excuse herself.

"So, ah, how's the party going? I meant to get here earlier, but I dicked about a bit too long at Tesco's. I couldn't decide what drinks to get or if I was supposed to bring any snacks over. I don't know what this evening's plan is. Is this like a proper bonfire night? Have you guys roasted any marshmallows? Done any sparklers? Toffee apples? Have I missed the fireworks yet?"

"You haven't missed anything-"

"Yeah, there's still some more people coming, I think," Cally said.

"-and I don't eat marshmallows," Markus finished.

"Of course not. Do you just hate everything that's good, or what? Do you enjoy living a joyless life?" I sighed teasingly, squeezing his shoulder. My thumb casually stroked against the tense muscle beneath the fabric of his hoodie. Cally was staring at my hand on him, and for a second I wondered if I was acting like a jealous bitch, staking a claim on Markus. But that was ridiculous. It wasn't as if I was full-on groping him in public.

Markus, who hadn't looked back at the other girl once since I arrived, stared at me blankly. "They have gelatine in them."

"Well then, it's a good thing Sarah works at a fancy sweet shop, and I was smart enough to bring vegan marshmallows with me, isn't it? Though I don't know how well they're gonna roast. It could get messy. I'm a bit worried they might just melt straight off the stick."

"I didn't know they made those," he said dubiously. "Sounds disgusting."

"Oh, they make vegan everything now. You ever been to Aldi in January? The Veganuary selection is fucking huge."

"Veganuary?" Markus looked unimpressed.

"I'm going to get another drink. You guys want anything?" Cally said, suddenly standing to her feet. Her gaze shifted awkwardly between Markus and I, and I tried my best to smile bright enough for the both of us considering Markus looked about as miserable as a five-year-old at a business meeting.

"I'm good, thanks," I said. Markus, of course, didn't say anything. His eyes flitted towards me, as if he expected me to answer for him. How the hell did he get through an entire conversation with her before I arrived? How the hell did he talk to people at work if he was too anxious to talk to one attractive, curvy girl at a bonfire?

How the hell did he ever approach me that night in the bar?

***

True to Roman's word, after more people had arrived, there hadn't been enough chairs for everyone to sit around the bonfire; and once all the food had gone, and the air had become so cold it fogged against my breath, people were quick to claim a spot close to the crackling flames.

Cally had moved to the other side of the bonfire, and some guy had taken her place, chatting with what looked like his girlfriend. Markus sat alone, picking at the label of his beer bottle. Which left me, having just returned from raiding Roman's wardrobe for a spare hoodie, to hover awkwardly by him.

I caught Roman's eye from across the garden as he helped Lynch with the fireworks. Though, Lynch looked rather irritated with the drunk boy's help and had repeatedly told him to, 'Go sit with everyone else, you fucking piss-head.' Roman grinned sloppily, and wiggled his fingers at me in a small wave, teetering precariously on his feet while Lynch staked a firework into the grass. He didn't leave Lynch's side.

I waved back, just before a hand, large and warm, caught mine, curling around my fingers in a loose grip.

"What are you doing?" Markus asked in a low murmur, looking up at me from his seat with a soft frown. He'd pulled his hood up over his head, and the pale skin of his cheeks and nose were flushed with colour. I really want to pinch his cheeks.

"Waiting for the fireworks."

"I meant stood there, looming over me," he grumbled, tugging a little on my hand. I shuffled closer. "It's creepy."

I gave a short laugh. "Maybe that's the vibe I'm going for."

He shot me a pointed a look and said nothing. "Goal achieved. Really, though, what are you doing?"

"Well, where am I supposed to go?" I asked, my voice dropping into a whisper as I side-eyed the group of Roman's friends who had brought a blanket from outside and were now sitting on the grass, one of which was the girl that had been flirting with him. I certainly wasn't about to join them. How fucking awkward would that be? I didn't even know anyone's names. "I don't wanna' sit with them."

"Do you want my seat?"

"No, it's fine."

He tugged on my hand, and again I shuffled closer, my knees brushing the side of his leg.

"What are you doing?" I asked with a huff. Almost imperceptibly, Markus' other hand tapped against the top of his splayed thigh. My eyes widened dramatically, and I nearly choked on my breath as I quietly hissed, "Are you joking?"

Did he want me to sit on his lap? In front of all these people? What if the chair collapsed from under us? Or my weight crushed his legs? I eyed everyone around us - none of them were paying even the slightest bit of attention towards us - and then I eyed his lap again. Those thick, muscled thighs sure didn't look weak. They could probably support a whole damn bus.

He shrugged. "Stay standing all night, then."

With narrowed eyes locked on him, I worried my lower lips between my teeth. I was very close to just sitting on the grass beside him, but when he tugged on my hand one last time and offered me a small teasing smile, I found it too hard to reject his offer a second time. Besides, I really wanted to sit with him.

His thighs were warm and sturdy beneath me; and as his arm curved around my waist, the pressure of his fingers pressed against my ribs, and the graze of his breath against the side of my neck had my hairs standing on end. I sprawled sideways in his lap, my side pressed up against his chest. Gosh, this is cosy. Can I live here?

"Comfortable?" He asked, his voice a low, almost sultry whisper. Don't think dirty thoughts, don't think dirty thoughts, don't think dirty thoughts.

I was suddenly so thankful it was freezing outside and my cheeks were already pink enough to hide my blush, because my traitorous brain had decided to bombard me with a fun array of filthy scenarios, all featuring sitting on Markus' lap.

"Uh-huh," I murmured uncertainly, swallowing against a lump in my throat. He was staring down at me, looking amused, with his hood hanging low on his forehead. His cheeks were still flushed, either from the cold autumn air, or the pulsing heat of the bonfire just a metre away. Glancing up at him beneath my lashes, I couldn't resist the urge to poke his cheek. They were burning.

"Are you hot?"

He seemed amused, raising an eyebrow and smirking at me. "I am hot, thank you. Hottest person here."

I poked his cheek again. "You know that's not what I meant. I meant temp wise, so close to the fire, in a thick hoodie. You're like, really warm - which is great, 'cause I'm freezing and you're like a little hot water bottle."

"So I'm not hot?" Markus asked too seriously, head tilting away from me. "Are you saying I'm ugly, then?"

I kissed my teeth and curled my upper lip as I gave him a slow, disgusted once over. "I am, actually. Repulsively so. I'm uncomfortable just looking at you."

"Well," Markus said dryly, biting back a smile, "I'm so grateful you've stomached it so far. Guess I'll have to hold on to you if my chances of attracting anyone else are so slim."

I hummed, turning my face into the warmth of his chest to hide my smile. Like Roman, the smell of smoke clung to his clothes, but I didn't mind it. "Woe is me."

Markus' arm tightened around me. I felt his cheek rest against the top of my head, and his lips brushed against my hairline. Warmth bloomed across my chest. "The fireworks are starting."

A high-pitched screech cut above the sound of everyone's conversations as the first firework shot up into the sky. Everyone quietened, enraptured by the sudden burst of golden yellow the illuminated the otherwise dark sky.

"This is nice," I murmured, grabbing the hand that held me around the waist, threading my fingers through his. I was too busy staring at the smooth angles of his face beneath the lights to watch the fireworks. It was strange seeing him without his stubble. I couldn't quite decide which I preferred. He was handsome either way.

"Yeah?" His arm flexed.

"Yeah." I couldn't remember the last time I'd relaxed like this outside of the house with people I actually liked. Usually, the only times I socialised with people were when Sarah dragged me out with her friends. It was only at the beginning of Second year that I became friends with anyone on my course - Roman - and only after meeting Markus that I started doing things like this again.

God, Quinn will be ecstatic to know I'm longer hiding myself away, living like an 'anti-social prick'.

After fifteen minutes of enjoying the fireworks in silence, Lynch disappeared inside for a quick break, shoving Roman towards his friends so that he didn't set off any remaining fireworks without him.

"Where's Bisto? At your aunt's?" I asked, my head rested comfortably against his shoulder. Markus had his head rested atop mine, and with his arms still wrapped securely around me, I'd never felt more snug. If I wasn't careful, I would fall asleep like this.

"Alec is at home with her." As he spoke, I felt his lips brush against my hair and his chest vibrate beneath me. All of it served well to make me hyperaware of our position. The heat of his body had long since seeped into every inch of me that pressed against him, warding off the previous chill of the November night air. Now, like him, my cheeks felt hot and my stomach had tied itself into knots.

Mouth dry, I swallowed heavily and asked, "How is she with loud noises?"

"What do you mean?"

He pulled back abruptly, and I cursed myself for ruining the mood. Already, his brows were furrowing and the corners of his mouth tilted down.

"Well, some dogs are scared of fireworks. My friend's dog used to hide in the bathroom every time someone let them off." She also used to cry all night and couldn't sleep - but it didn't seem necessary to tell him that when he already looked concerned.

"Oh." He glanced away, checking the time on his watch, still frowning. "Right."

I squeezed the hand that was still clasped with mine, drawing his attention back to me. "What time did you say you'd be back? I'm sure if Alec's not messaged you, everything's fine."

"I didn't give a time," he said thickly.

"Do you wanna leave and go check on her?"

He arched an eyebrow. "And leave you here alone?"

"Well, I wouldn't be alone," I corrected. "Lynch and Roman are here. But I actually meant for both of us to leave together."

Markus looked surprised by my suggestion. "You're enjoying yourself, though."

"Well, yeah," I agreed, earnestly, "but we can still have a nice time at yours with Bisto. Plus, Alec and I never finished watching the third Insidious film."

Markus simply stared at me. He stared at me for so long, saying nothing, that I worried I'd been too presumptuous inviting myself back to his. His dark eyes, brown with faint flecks of gold, softened.

"You-" he began, only to cut himself off abruptly with a sigh. Before I could ask what was wrong, Markus' hand cupped the back of my head and his head dipped towards me. A quiet whimper caught in my throat just as his mouth slanted across mine in an unexpected kiss.

Woah.

He pulled away slowly, his tongue swiping across his lower lip. Through a blinding smile, he said, "Okay, then. Let's go back to mine." As an afterthought, he added, "We're not watching a shitty horror, though. I don't care what you or Alec says."

Tried to ramp up the chemistry between them for this one