tongue of the serpent ➵ a.b.

Chapter 15: The Riddler

I startle awake to the grinding noise of machinery. I hear water dripping down into a saucer and the sweet smell of coffee. I toss and turn, trying to feel my way around the bed. I open my eyes to the sight of Andy making coffee in a coffee maker. How cute.

"Hey," Andy softly coos, setting down his mug and turning back to the machine. "How do you like yours?"

I struggle to keep my eyes open. I remember last night, watching Batman after the shower and cuddling with each other, nothing more. I still felt regret for what I did to Astaroth and I wondered if Andy was still wondering about it. We never kissed yet, but I don't even know if I wanted him to kiss me. I was confused in the mentally state of love.

I smile slightly, stretching my legs and yawning. "Two creams, two sugars, and a fuckload of milk."

"Milk?" Andy questions, making my coffee.

I step my way out of bed. "I'm not a fan of hot coffee. I like cold coffee. But I'll drink it warm if there's a lot of milk in it."

Andy nods and makes my drink while I sit on the edge of the bed. I feel my hair. It smelt like vanilla - like Andy. My body was soft and my hair was sticking everywhere. My bangs flooded my face, I needed hairspray.

"Hey, Andy?" I ask, neutrally.

Andy pulls out the milk from the tiny fridge. "What's up?"

"Do you have any hairspray?"

He looks at my bangs and nods, laughing. My cheeks flare up and I get a mad frown on my face.

"It's not funny!" I scream, beginning a tantrum. I fold my arms and pout.

"Yeah, I've got some. Check in the bathroom cabinet above the sink."

I go to the bathroom and lock the door. Cabinet above the sink. I find some Rave hairspray and spray it on my bangs, the rest of my hair I brush out and put in a bun.

I walk out and immediately find my way back into the bathroom. Astaroth?! What's he doing here?! I open the door a centimeter to watch Astaroth and Andy. Andy looked like he was going to beat him any second!

"What do you want?" Andy asks, taking a sip from his coffee.

"Yeah, uh..." Astaroth trails off. "I didn't mean to act like that yesterday. I couldn't sleep for the longest time and I honestly feel like shit." He pauses for a second and plays with his fingers. "Can I talk to Lethia?"

"No," Andy states, crossing his arms. He wasn't letting in. Good job Andy! Tell that dick who's boss!

Astaroth sighs inwardly and nods. "All right. I see where you're coming from." He starts to walk out the door. "Bye."

I close the bathroom door softly and collect myself. Astaroth lost his temper in me, and I know that's not his usual nature. But the very elements of sorrow and jealousy lingered upon both Astaroth and my backs.

I open the portal again and find my way to Andy. "I heard voices. What was that about?" I cringe. Andy hands me my warm coffee and I bring it to my lips, slowly. It makes my throat warm up and the liquid slides ever-so-slowly down my cold body.

"Nothing," Andy smiles. "I talk to myself a lot."

I smile and know in the back of my mind that he's just protecting me. "Ah."

Andy goes sit on the bed and I follow suit. He turns on the TV and it's Batman. "How do you always know when Batman is on?" I ask, teasingly.

"I don't," Andy confesses. "It's just that on the SyFy channel, there's a marathon all week!"

I giggle and continue to drink my coffee. I suddenly feel out of place. "What time is it?"

"Around 11:30," Andy takes a sip and then he realizes he's out. "Aw, damn!"

I start to mentally pull the pieces together. "Shouldn't we be practicing?"

"Yeah," Andy says, looking at the TV.

"Why aren't we?"

He looks at me and puts his arm around me. It felt warm from the radiation of the cup. "I thought a day off was in order for just the two of us."

He sets down his empty cup and holds my body to his. I fold up my legs and curl them in a ball. I lay my head on his chest and get a funny idea. I turn to face him and bring my own cup to his lips. He turns away from the TV and giggles at my actions. "What are you doing?" he asks.

I soften my expression and say no words at all. He grabs the cup and takes a sip and sets it down onto the nightstand. He wipes his top lip to rid of his coffee/milk mustache. I guess I had one as well, for he lowers his thumb onto my lip and brushes off whatever lies there.

I ran my hand up and down his chest, feeling his body. My hand eventually stopped, growing weak due to the feeling of overwhelming passion. I looked at Andy and he pulled my body up closer to himself. I rested my head in the crook of his neck and he wrapped his arms around my body. His throat muscles relaxed as they felt my touch. I kiss his neck softly and close my eyes. Why was I in love with a man who was so confusing?

His breath hit my chest and we watched Batman and talked about superheroes. As odd as that sounds.

We watched Batman Forever (the movie) and it was around one when it finished. It had the Riddler and Two-Face in it. Jim Carrey was so good!

Andy looked intent and happy with watching Batman for a whole two hours. He was in a good mood. "What do you wanna do now?"

I get up and pull my legs to my chest. I smirk. "I've never been shopping in LA."

Andy groans. "Shopping is okay. If we go to stores I like!" He stands up and puts on shoes. "You coming?"

I never even noticed Andy was completely dressed! I was still in pajamas. "One minute!" I step into the bathroom and put on black, ripped shorts and a Black Veil Brides tee. Haha, was this going to surprise Andy.

I step out with my hair in a high pony and Andy spits out the water he was drinking. "Dude," he chokes out, hitting his chest to catch a breath.

"You okay?" I walk towards him and feel his chest. I massage it, letting him know I'm here.

"You're just..." he breathes in heavily and coughs. He lowers his head and scratches the back of his neck. "Uh..."

I giggle and hug him. His uncertainty drains out of him and he calms himself.

We back away and I see he's blushing slightly. "You look...great." He smiles and notices something about my shirt.

"What?" I ask, laughing too.

He points at my tee. "Why is every Black Veil Brides shirt made to where Ashley is on people's boobs!"

I pull my shirt down, examining the damage done. He was right. Ashley and Jake were indeed resting on my boobs. I laughed and stuck my tongue out. Was that the topic of the day? People on other people's breasts?

"Let's go now," Andy says, leading me out the door.

Suddenly, I remember something that's going to deny me anything. "Wait!" Andy turns around to face me. "I sorta don't have my purse..."

"Your purse?" Andy checks in, "With all your money in it?"

I nod. Even considering how little money I had.

"I'll pay," Andy reassures.

How can I let him pay?! No way! That was simply uncalled for! "No!" I don't want anything if it comes out of Andy's pocket.

Andy puts his hands on his hips. Oh, you're being sassy now? "We either go and let me pay, or we stay home and be gay."

"That's not a valid insult."

Andy sits there, thinking about what came out of his adventurous mouth. "Yeah, I think it isn't."

We both chuckle and I make up my mind. "Sure, you can pay for me."

And so we set off into our adventure, as much of an adventure as you could call it.

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