Shadows of Our Pasts

Chapter 7 - Getting Settled

With the tension of the proposal out of the way, it was finally time to get to cleaning their wounds and assigning them to rooms. I led them through the house, stopping at each door to have each member drop their stuff off on the beds they'd be sleeping in.

At the end of the mini-tour, I turned back to the group with a smile, my arms coming to rest comfortably, crossing in front of my chest. "That's pretty much it. We've got plenty of space for training and such. Oh, and if you need me for anything I'll usually be either in my room, the training room, or the library. Feel free to come find me whenever." I explained, leaning against the wall as our conversation continued. 

The group was still distracted by the size of my house. It was one of those that definitely did not look as big on the outside as it was on the inside because of how far back the building seemed to go from the front door to the back wall. 

"So...are you're sure you'll be comfortable with me sticking with you?" My attention was pulled to my side as Cry walked over to lean against the wall next to me. It was decided that since we'd have limited space due to having another group join us, they'd have to bunk up in groups to make room for the others. Plus, it would be more comfortable for them to stick together anyway, after all they'd been through together. However, the way the group was divided, it was decided that Cry would be staying with me instead of them. 

...

"So, you guys don't mind sharing rooms, do you? Each room has two beds and a couch that extends into a bed, so even though I do have a few guest rooms I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to bunk together since my other team is arriving tomorrow." I rubbed the back of my neck as I spoke, diverting my gaze as I worried it was rude not to allow them to have more space for themselves.

"No worries!" Russ was the first to speak up, leaving the others to nod in agreement. "We don't mind staying together at all. I mean, we've been friends since before the apocalypse, and we've been together this entire time. I'm just glad there are actual beds here." He gave a hearty chuckle, and I swore his smile was contagious. 

I smiled back, relieved that they were okay with the arrangements. "Alrighty then! So, three of you can take one of the guest bedrooms, and then since I have a couch in my room, the fourth can just stay with me. Sound good?" I thought nothing of this suggestion, but Snake immediately raised an eyebrow at me. 

"...wait...so who will be staying with you? Are you sure you'll be comfortable with a man you barely know sleeping on your couch?" 

I paused but quickly burst into laughter at the image that ran through my brain. "Don't worry. If I was worried about it, I wouldn't have offered or you guys wouldn't be here. Plus, believe me, I can handle myself. I wouldn't be where I am today if I was afraid of offering a man a spot on my couch just because it'd be a man in a woman's bedroom." I giggled again, tilting my head at them. "So, who'll it be? Anyone brave enough to stay with the leader of the Shadows?" I joked, watching their amusing reactions.

They looked between each other, trying to decide who wouldn't be with their group. After a couple of minutes of deliberation, I sighed and stepped in. These boys are taking way too long for something as simple as this. I rolled my eyes, still more amused than anything. 

"Alright, time's up. I've got an idea, how bout the leaders stick together?"

...

"I'm totally comfortable with it!" I assured him, giving a small smile. "Will you be okay with staying on the couch? It does pull out into a bed, but I'm sure it's not exactly the most comfortable thing to stay on."