Bound to Earth

45: Bunyip

A warm breeze swept my dark hair to the side, a few strands tangling in my vision. I blew a breath of hot air into my hands and rubbed them together. 

The streets were bare this late a night. I was tempted to find a bar and get myself something to drink, to mute what was keeping me up. It was still early enough for a few bars to be open.

When I'd left, none of the guys had followed. Possibly to give me some space. I'd get a few minutes alone before one of them showed up. If not, I'd go back up and drag one of them down with me. I was sure one of them was up for a small glass of liquor.

My nails dug into my palms, the pain dragging my thoughts away from a drink.

Another breeze ruffled my hair, carrying a sweet scent that put me at ease. Alistar's hand wrapped around my wrist, smoothing my nails from my palms. The bitterness of my blood tingled in the air.

"Do you mind if I join you?" Alistar's voice curled into me, his arm wrapping around my waist.

"Depends," I whispered. He had the ability to steal the breath from my lungs, they all did. "Will you tattle if I go out for a drink?"

"Depends." He pressed his smile into my hair, a soft kiss. "Do I get a drink too?"

"Only if you want to." If I was being honest with myself, I was glad he came down with me. Their company was something I craved, aways. Even when I was bitchy or left to be on my own.

"Of course I want to." The softness in his voice had me wondering if he meant more than a drink with me. "Do you have somewhere in mind? There aren't very many places open this late at night."

"I was thinking about going to the place you got the hot chocolate from." I turned in his arms, resting my chin on his chest to peer up at him. His loose blonde hair brushed against my cheeks, tickling slightly.

"How did you plan on finding it without me?" He leaned down and gently brushed his nose against mine. His eyes sparkled like icicles in sunlight.

"Well, I took Malachi's phone, which has a working GPS. But now that you mention it, I think this is a much better option." I knew they'd all throw a pissy fit if I left without a word. Which is why, I took Malachi's phone and left a note on the desk before leaving. 

My phone was still lost at the bottom of the ocean.

He snorted, his breath brushing on my skin. "Out of everyone's phone, you took Malachi's?"

I rolled my eyes, a grin playing on my lips. His home screen wallpaper had me cringing. "I should've taken yours. Malachi had to find the worst picture of me for his wallpaper."

"I think it's cute. Your hair, tied in a messy bun and your usual sweats." He tugged at my sweatshirt to prove a point. 

"Cute? You think I'm cute?" I was glaring at the camera, at Malachi, when I caught him taking the photo. It'd been too early and I'd barely sent Mirai on her way to school when he'd picked a fight with me.

"I think you're cute, sexy, terrifying, and so much more." He pecked my lips. "Besides, it's better than Rune's wallpaper."

"What's Brynjar's wallpaper?" The last time I'd checked, it was an image of dead bodies from jobs or his favorite axe, the double bladed one. His home screen was worse. It was still his axe, but the blade was embedded in a skull so marred, I couldn't recognize the species.

"A beautiful picture of your ass." He pressed another kiss to my lips. "I'm surprised you don't already know. He's been taunting us, not letting any of us have that picture."

Laughter bubbled from my chest. I should've known he'd have my ass on his home screen. "How'd he even get a picture of my ass without me noticing."

Alistar grinned sheepishly and entwined our fingers, tugging me down the street. "We've made it into another competition. Who can get the best photo without you noticing. It was supposed to be of your face though."