DASHIELL
A few hours later, after dinner and too many questions I tried my best to answer honestly, it was time to sleep.
Selene had happily claimed my room ("It has the aquarium! I'm stealing it for a week!"). My parents took the only other proper guest room. That left me with one option.
I gathered my things from my room: my weighted blanket folded neatly, my laptop, charger, a small pouch with my nighttime stim toys, and my softest pillow. I carried everything down the hall to Alexander's room.
His room was always cold, the AC set low, exactly how he liked it. I didn't mind. The cool air felt good against my skin after the long day.
I set my things down carefully on the large armchair, arranging them in a neat pile. Then I sat on the edge of his massive bed, laptop on my lap, and opened it. I wanted to review Sophia's latest post-op notes and maybe watch a short calming video about deep-sea creatures before sleeping. The blue glow of the screen helped settle me.
I could hear the shower running in the attached bathroom. Alexander was bathing and the sound of water was steady and soothing.
I tapped lightly on the keyboard, hyperfocused on the medical notes, foot rubbing gently against the plush rug.
A few minutes later, the shower turned off.
Alexander stepped out, wiping his hair with a towel. He wore only black pajama pants that hung low on his hips. Water droplets still clung to his broad chest and shoulders, sliding down the defined lines of muscle. He looked powerful and dangerous even like this, relaxed, but never truly soft.
I stared for a second, fingers pausing on the keys.
Alexander noticed. A tiny, almost playful smirk tugged at his lips. He dropped the towel and walked straight to me, leaning down to press slow, open-mouthed kisses along my neck. Cold water droplets fell onto my hoodie and collarbone.
I shivered, tapping faster against the laptop.
"Alexander," I said, voice a little breathless. "You're dripping water on me. And on my laptop. That's not good for electronics."
He chuckled against my skin, completely unbothered, and kissed the spot just below my ear.
"You're cute when you're trying to focus," he murmured, amusement coloring his voice. "I like distracting you."
I let out a small, embarrassed huff and closed the laptop, setting it safely on the nightstand.
"You're succeeding," I admitted. "Very effectively."
He pulled back with a rare, almost pouty expression, the closest a psychopath like him could get to one. It was strangely endearing.
"I was being nice," he said, voice flat but with a hint of complaint. "I came out clean and you're already scolding me about water droplets."
I couldn't help the small laugh that escaped.
Alexander's expression shifted with amusement. He moved to the couch across the room and lounged back like a panther, long legs spread, one arm draped over the back, shirtless and radiating heat in the cool room. The sight was ridiculously attractive.
I stared for a second, then stood up, leaving the laptop behind.
"Do you have a manual hair dryer?" I asked. "The hand-pump kind. I want to dry your hair."
Alexander raised an eyebrow but pointed to the top drawer of the dresser without protest.
I found the small, old-fashioned pump dryer and walked over to him. He watched me with dark, focused eyes as I stood between his spread legs and started gently pumping the dryer, warm air moving through his damp hair.
My free hand combed through the strands carefully, gentle and precise.
"You have very nice hair," I said honestly, focused on my task. "Thick. Healthy. It dries fast."
Alexander let out a low, content sound, tilting his head to give me better access. His hands settled on my hips, thumbs stroking slowly.
"You're spoiling me," he murmured.
I kept pumping the dryer, a small smile on my lips.
"You protected me today. And yesterday. And every day, really. This is fair."
He pulled me closer until I was practically sitting on his thigh, still drying his hair with careful strokes.
The room felt warm despite the AC.
For the first time since the family arrived, my brain was almost completely quiet.
I kept gently pumping the hand dryer through Alexander's hair, combing my fingers through the damp strands. He stayed perfectly still, letting me take care of him in my own quiet way.
"You know," I said quietly, focused on a stubborn section near his temple, "when you were talking to my parents earlier… you sounded very normal. Almost charming. That was surprising. Your prefrontal cortex must have been working overtime to maintain that social mask."
Alexander let out a low, amused sound, his hands resting heavily on my hips.
"I was being efficient," he murmured. "They're important to you. So I treated them as important."
I paused the dryer for a second and looked down at him.
"That's… sweet. In a very calculated way."
He smirked, a faint gleam flashing in his black eyes.
"Only for you."
I resumed drying his hair, a small, content smile on my lips. "I like when you're like this. Calm. Not thinking about breaking wrists."
Alexander chuckled softly and suddenly stood up, lifting me with him in one smooth motion. I let out a surprised sound as he carried me toward the bed.
"To bed," he said simply.
He dumped me onto the mattress without warning. I bounced once with a little yelp, my pyjama top riding up.
"Alexander!" I scolded, pushing myself up on my elbows, cheeks warm. "That was not gentle. I could have landed badly. You're supposed to be careful with me."
He crawled over me, caging me in with his larger body, a rare playful glint in his eyes.
"You're fine," he said, sounding utterly unconcerned. "Complaining again, little anomaly."
Before I could reply, he flipped me onto my side and pulled me back against his chest, spooning me tightly. One strong arm wrapped around my waist, the other hand sliding up to stroke my hair in slow, soothing motions.
I sighed, relaxing into him despite myself. His body was warm and solid behind me.
"You're still evil," I mumbled, but I was already closing my eyes. "But… this is nice."
"Sleep," he ordered softly, fingers continuing their gentle strokes through my hair.
I hummed in agreement, safe and grounded in his arms.
Sometime in the middle of the night, my eyes fluttered open.
The room was dark except for the faint blue glow of my laptop screen on the nightstand. Someone had left it open.
A pair of black eyes was watching me.
Alexander was awake, propped on one elbow, staring down at my face with that intense, unblinking focus. His expression was completely unreadable in the dim light.
I blinked sleepily, too tired to feel startled.
"…Alexander?" I whispered, voice hoarse.
He didn't answer.
He just kept watching me.