One week later….

Over the past few days, our brains had been stretched the max with the emotional toil that had been going on. Tuesday was my mom and dad’s funeral back in Denver. Yesterday had been the funeral for Phil out north, where he was born.

The boys had been nice enough to accompany me to Denver to finally bury my parents. Jack, Alex, Anarchy, Ghost, Chris, and Quinn had all made it out as well since they had gotten in touch with Aaron regarding our recent situation. It was comforting to see them all there with me at our small little service.

The group had stayed at the house until Friday for Phil’s funeral. Everyone had been told of the recent “excitement” that we went through last Saturday and I had gotten many little side notes saying that they were glad that I could stay here with them. Late last night was when the last of our friends had left. Jack and Alex gave me a tight hug before departing.

Needless to say, we were all emotionally drained. Yet, we were happy. The ultimate threat had been removed. Nicco was down, the head of most operations in the US. Would this mean the collapse of the black market?

I sure hope so.

So for now, I read a book while lounging on the couch. Sometimes, it was better to read a story and delve into the world of the characters than it was to be in reality.

I set the hardback novel of Lord of the Flies down on the coffee table as Austin came into the room. The book was okay, but a little creepy at parts. Overall, it wasn’t too bad so far.

Wordlessly, he sat down on the couch and switched positions so I was curled up next to him. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and I just stared blankly at the TV in front of us. Evening was quickly invading the landscape and now I was hungry, but I didn’t want to get up right now.

“Doing okay?” He asked me. I nodded.

“Doing okay?” I asked him. He nodded.

We had both lost someone very special to us. The pain was hard to deal with. My life hadn’t changed too much since my parents weren’t there for me for the last seven years. For Austin, it was very different.

“Can we watch a movie tonight?” I asked him quietly, staring up at him. His lips twisted into a small smile.

“Of course.” He responded. Alan rushed into the room.

“I HEARD MOVIE NIGHT!” He cried out in glee. Alan was always the optimist. Tino and Aaron followed in behind the ginger, attracted to the noise that Alan created.

“Whose turn is it to pick?” Tino asked. We all thought for a moment.

“MINE!” Alan and I cried out at once. Movie nights, no matter what the situation, always brought our little house happiness. Aaron backed out of the room, cautiously avoid eye contact.

“Well, I’m going to make popcorn while World War Three breaks out.” He slid into the kitchen. Rattling from the cabinets followed his departure.

Alan and I stared each other down. I got off the couch until we were inches away. His golden eyes were on fire with the intensity of the moment.

“Transformers.” I stated.

“Avengers.”

“Transformers.”

“Avengers.”

“TRANSFORMERS!”

“AVENGERS!” We were both laughing and shouting and having a good time while not taking the opponent seriously. Eventually Alan relented as Tino and Aaron came back to the room with popcorn. Alan got first dibs on the chair since he had chosen to back down. I popped in the disc for Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon. I don’t know why, but I just enjoyed watching the movie although Alan didn’t like it as much

The opening credits started to roll as we all settled down. Alan was in a recliner, Aaron found a spot on another chair, and Tino sat cross legged in front of the screen on the floor. He had snagged a blanket and was curled up, ready for the action.

Half way through the movie, the only ones left awake are Austin and I. His fingers ran through the loose strands of hair that fell freely over my shoulders and back.

“Kyn….Kynder…” he whispered. I turned and looked at him with sleepy eyes.

“What, Austin?” I asked. Aus smiled. I would never get tired of looking at the brilliant smile he always wore.

“I just wanted to see if you’re awake.” He kissed the tip of my nose. I closed my eyes. Just last Saturday, I thought I would never be with him ever again.

“You’re adorable.” I smiled. Even in the very dim light with the Autobots fighting in the background, I could tell he was blushing. I turned around in his arms to continue watching the movie. Currently, Optimus Prime was kicking some Decepticon ass. Despite Optimus being the main hero, Bumblebee was always my favorite. I thought he was pretty cute and deadly at the same time.

I think we related through that pretty easily.

As the final battle scenes were starting to take shape, I felt Austin’s breath tickled my cheek. His warm lips found my jaw and the spot that always made me shiver in pleasure. Little love pecks trailed from my ear down my jaw.

“Aus…”I complained. He chuckled softly into my ear.

“Am I distracting you?” He asked quietly. Amusement tainted his voice. I groaned as he ran his fingers through my hair.

“Yes!” I whimpered under his tender touch. I mean really, the Autobots were destroying half of the city and I wanted to watch!

I tried to wiggle away, but he caught my arms and his legs entangled my feet as we lay down on the couch. He stopped kissing my jawline and pressed his lips against my cold skin, smiling.

“I want to watch the movie!” I griped and complained. He must’ve thought that I was being extra cute because he just hugged me tighter and kissed my neck.

“But it’s almost over.” Aus countered. I sighed and fell limp in his arms, just waiting out the final battle scenes. He never loosened his grip on me and kept me his prisoner. Once the credits started to roll, Austin picked me up and carried me through the halls. I was too tired to complain.

“Austin Carlile, this is not my room.” I yawned. He had deposited me on his bed where I promptly took the sheet, crawled under them and turned to face the wall. Who needs boys when you’ve got a warm bed and sleep?

Aus kicked off his shoes and threw off his shirt before crawling into bed next to me. I felt too exhausted to even turn around to face him, so instead, he grabbed me and pulled me on top of his chest. I just flopped down and listened to his heartbeat. Was he trying to talk to me? I don’t know. All I heard was a vibration in his chest.

“Wha?” I grumbled and looked up at him. The clock on his bedside displayed eleven at night. His light colored eyes peered at me from the darkness. Alan’s snores could be heard from the living room.

“You’re really tired, aren’t you?” He chuckled and lightly ran his fingertips down my spine, tracing a path up and down my back.

“Mmhmm.” I replied simply and laid my head on his tattooed chest again. I think he was still trying to talk to me because his chest vibrated like it usually does when he talks.

“I’m sorry, I think I fell asleep for a little.” I apologized. He just smiled. Despite what had happened over the past week, Austin was smiling tonight.

“I was just saying you’re cute when you’re sleepy.”

“I shot someone and watched their brain explode.” I countered.

“It doesn’t make you any less cute.” He ran booped the tip of my nose and I made a face.

“What makes me so cute?” I scowled. Although my brain screamed “SLEEP, YOU FOOL!” I wanted to stay awake and know why everyone thought I was so “cute”. Seriously! I blew out someone’s brains and shoved another man out a window!

“Well, for one, when you get really tired, you curl up like a little kitty and tuck your head into your arms. Like right now.” He pointed out. I uncrossed my arms to prove my point.

“That’s Alan, not me. Alan’s the cat, don’t you remember?” I joked. Austin laughed a deep rumble of remembrance. We always teased Alan about being the family ginger cat. Austin went from poking the tip of my nose to stroking it like one might stroke a dog’s muzzle.

“Stahp! I don’t know whether that’s tickling me or making me sleepy.” I grumbled. Austin laughed but didn’t halt so I just set my head down on his ink chest and didn’t complain.

“It’s making you sleepy. I can tell because you can barely keep your eyes open.” He laughed. I stuck my tongue out at him.

“So I’m cute just because I tuck my head into my arms? Explain this mystery!” I laughed. Austin leaned back on the pillows and sighed.

“You’re really cute when you tell me to stop kissing you.”

“It tickles!” I defended. Aus raised an eyebrow in suspicion. I just closed my eyes and yawned again. For a long minute, we just lay there in complete and beautiful silence.

“I feel like this conversation could be some part of a cheesy romance novel.” I stated lazily. Sleep was starting to overtake me. I was willing to succumb.

“Well I never got a chance to tell you this before I almost lost you forever.” Aus mumbled. My eyes shot open and I looked up.

“I love you lots, Aus. That’s in the past and never going to happen again.” I promised, as if I could see the future. Before he could open his mouth to counter my statement, I leaned forward and pressed my lips against his, passionately letting him know that I wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. As soon as I released from him, he whimpered at the loss of contact.

“I’m too tired.” I yawned again and crossed my arms on his chest, tucking my head into the crook of my elbow.

“The sky’s awake, so I’m awake!” Austin quoted. I sat up straight and glared at him.

“Quote Frozen one more time and I will leave.” I glared. He pouted.

“I’m sowwy.” He apologized. I kissed his cheek one last time and finally settled down, letting the ocean of sleep drown my thoughts.

Notes

Okay guys, we're wrapping up the story! There's only a couple more chapters before it's FINISHED! Thank you all so much for reading and helping make this story so wonderful! Feel free to comment your thoughts as we start to end the story.

Stay beautiful!