First Day (01)

I love the way Knox still makes my stomach flip and my toes curl with anticipation. I just stop myself short of squeeing excitedly in response and instead hop up from bed to lock my door.

"I'll be waiting," I tell him before I hang up. I shuck off my clothes, tossing them on my desk chair then take a second to try to rub out all the little lines they've left in my skin over the day. I primp my hair and put on a little chapstick before I scurry into bed and throw the covers over my head, listening and waiting in the dimness, my breath eager and already quickened.

You wait with only your own soft breaths filling the air, your heartbeats thrumming your chest, and your body tingly with excitement. After a small forever, you hear the creak of your closet door opening slowly.

Is it him?

Footfalls on the floor. The sound of a belt being unbuckled. The quiet rasp of a zipper. Cloth drops to the floor.

It must be him.

You feel the bed shift as he sets a knee on it. The bottom of the covers slide up, exposing your leg, but he doesn't pull them above your knees. The soft bristles of his beard tickle the inside of your left thigh and you feel him kiss your skin warmly.

Only his kisses burn like this.

You feel his large hands slide up to your hips and he pulls you down a few inches before he lines up his hardness and slides inside of you. He starts with a hungry rhythm, groaning softly as he takes his pleasure without pulling away your covers from your head.

What do you do?

The excitement of the waiting and the mystery from hiding under the blanket thrill me. My breath catches feeling his beard brush my thigh and then when he slides into me, I let out a soft moan of pleasure. I move my hips with his, welcoming him before even seeing his face and forgetting, for a moment, about everything else. It's just he and I here now.

"Gods, I missed you," I murmur.

After a bit, I want to see him. I want to kiss him. I start pushing the blankets aside, tossing them to the floor, eager to drink him in with my eyes as well as my body.

I blink in shock, my breath catches, I stare up at him. My heart leaps and yearns and burns. I ache and thrill all at once, a mixture of denial and acceptance colliding at the impossibility. Did Donna actually do it? Did she actually bring him back to me?

I reach a hand toward him, fingertips brushing his arm like it is made of glass. "Is…is this a dream?"

Seconds later, you see Knox's face where his once was. Knox scoops you into his arms, "No, spider, it's real." He leans in to kiss you fervently, his body still joined with yours.

It was only a memory. A dream. It must be because of Will.

What do you do?

I don’t know how to handle the fleeting moment of disappointment that comes when I see Knox’s face clearly. Of course it’s not Ares. I’ve been too wrapped up in the past after realizing who Will is. And Knox is my incredible, dream-like boyfriend god, here with me right now.

I’m glad, though, that he scoops me close because I hope it means I’m too close for him to read whatever expression might have momentarily crossed my face.

"Yes," I answer softly, tightening my hold around him anew. "Yes, this is real."

Knox catches your look and the question tumbles in his mind. His movements slow and quickly stop. He pulls back. "You did know it was me, right?" Arches a brow. Gently pulls out.

Frell. Knox and I have an open relationship, but he literally just texted me that he was coming over for this. How could I have been thinking of anyone else?

"Of course. Yes." I lick my lips quickly then put on a small smile. "Who else would appear in my closet like a thief in the night?"

Knox peers at your smile for a few heartbeats that feel like forever, and then he leans in to plant kisses on them. Everything seems to settle back into rhythm and you slip your arms around him. You almost miss the doorknob jiggling. But you don't miss it, so when you hear JS asking, "Auntie Jooz? Are you okaaaaaay?" you aren't completely surprised.

When he hears JS, Knox stops, pulls back from you, and starts to quietly rise to his feet and look for his clothing on the floor.

What do you do?

I'm just starting to relax again, certain I've gotten away with everything, when I hear the doorknob. Thank the gods I thought to lock the door first. JS just barging in here on this? I don't know how I would handle that.

"Dren," I whisper as Knox gets up and hunts for his clothing. I don't want to stop. Our time together is so limited already. "I'm. Getting dressed!" I call to JS. "What do you need?" I'm not moving to start putting my clothes on again yet. I'm hoping I can still salvage this.

"Gods," I mutter, frustrated now. I look at Knox and whisper, "Just hide in the closet for a second. I'm not done with you yet. Let me get rid of her."

I feel terrible saying it like that, but we were literally frelling and now we're not and I'm frustrated. I throw on my robe and go to my desk, hunting around in the drawers. Finally I find a little baggie tucked in the back of one with a single pill inside. I think it's some of Booker's stuff. I'm honestly not sure, but it's good enough.

I go to the door, unlock it and open it just a crack. "Here," I tell JS, handing her the baggie. "Save this for tonight after we've left. Now you won't be bored."

I shift to try to block her view again. "JS. Look, I've had a really long day, and I just want to chill and pick out a fun outfit to unwind. ...by myself. Okay?"

I close the door after she leaves, locking it again then resting my forehead against it momentarily as I sigh. I feel kind of bad, kind of relieved, kind of annoyed.

I lift my head and move over to my closet. "Can we start this again?" I ask as I open the doors.

He's dressed again. When you open the doors, he looks at you and gives an apologetic smile. "I got a text, Luna needs help with a few kegs. Do you... wanna come with me and hide out in my office?"

My heart sinks at his news. "Dren," I answer. I sigh. "I’d love to come hide out, but I’m literally in a robe and I know that works for YOU..." I grin and wink, trying to keep things lighthearted. "…but I don’t think it’s going to work for the rest of the party. Plus I should be here when my dad gets home. He gets weird if he doesn’t see me for too many days in a row."

He isn't surprised by your refusal and shrugs, "Worth a shot. Make sure and butter him up so you can stay out late. I'll be busy until most of the guests start pairing off. But you can have lots of fun until I'm... free." He gives a wolfish grin. "Oh, and your uncle is helping out, so be advised of that."