𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 ¹

|𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓕𝓸𝓾𝓻 | 𝓚𝓲𝓼𝓼𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓢𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓻𝓼|

Chapter Four - Kissing Strangers

Kissing Strangers 

'Til I find someone I love

Kissing Strangers 

'Til I find someone I trust

Open heart open mind never know who you'll find

Open heart close your eyes,

Kissing strangers

-DNCE, "Kissing Strangers"

***

"Ronnie?" he called out into the darkness of the apartment as he slowly closed the door behind him, 

"Ronnie?" he called out again, but wasn't met with an answer, he made his way towards her room, pushing the door open slowly to see her laying there sobbing quietly,

"Ronnie?" he whispered, she shot up at the sound of his voice wiping away her tears quickly, before she extended out her arms, he stood at the door examining the sight before him for a bit, she was in one of his hoodie's, it was about four sizes too big for her meaning whenever she lifted her arms they'd be engulfed by the sleeves, her hair was up in a messy bun a few strands were set loose falling gracefully onto her face, her cheeks were tear-stained and she had a sad puppy dog look on her face, he had to bite the inner corner of his bottom lip in order to stop himself from smiling,

"Arch? Come here," she said pulling him away from his thoughts, he began to walk over pulling his shirt and zip-up jacket off leaving him in a pair of sweatpants, he climbs onto his side of the bed, as soon as he's under the covers with her she shuffles closer burying her face in his bare chest, which was glistening, she assumed he'd refused to drive his truck and opted for running, which wasn't unusual for him, he valued the truck it was his most prized possession as it was a birthday gift from his dad, the last thing he'd given him before his passing, 

"What's wrong?" he asked softly, as his hand sneaks under the hoodie and he proceeds to softly scratch her back,

"Nothing," she mumbles, her eyes are half-closed, the exhaustion mixed with his soothing scratching makes it almost impossible to stay awake, 

"It's three in the morning, why'd you call?" he asked,

"I just wanted you here," she whispers,

"Really?" he asked, his hand stopping its soothing motions resting on her hip, her eyes flutter open at the disbelief she hears in his voice, she stares into his eyes and shakes her head a slight smile sitting at the corner of her lips, 

"Is it so hard to believe I love you?" she asked, playfully,

"After everything, yeah," he says, she sighs one of her hands moving up to gently caress his red-tinted cheek, as she leans up and presses a soft reassuring kiss to his lips, 

"I love you, Archie," she reminds, letting her head fall back onto the pillow watching as he smiles slightly, his eyes still shut tightly while his hand holds hers against his cheek so she doesn't remove it, 

"I love you too, Ronnie," he whispers finally opening his eyes, she smiles a bit before shifting to lay on her back, as soon as she does, her eyes shut and she's fallen back into that groggy half conscious state she'd been in previously, he lets out a small laugh at this before shifting so he lays on his stomach, he wraps one of his arms around her spreading the other across the pillow he was previously laying on, one of his legs makes his way in between hers so he lays half on top of her, he burries his face in her neck inhaling, a small smile sits on his lips as he takes in the familiar scent, she has shelves upon shelves of high-end perfumes in her closet yet she always opts for the same one, the one she's been wearing since she was ten, which is why to him the scent is so comforting it reminds him of better days, he presses his lips against her neck softly making her squirm a bit at the wet feeling left behind courtesy of his unusual habit of licking his lips for no apparent reason, he laughs at her actions before proceeding to burry his face in her neck again,