Basically Strangers (revised)

[4 - Stranger With Room]

[4 - Stranger With Room]

Yet another day was spent in Arkin’s apartment. You were perched on the countertop beside where Arkin was cutting up carrots to throw into the heated pan beside you that already had crumbled sausage cooking. You had your phone in your hand, and were connecting to the Rune wifi.

“What’s it called again?” You asked.

“Grim Reaper oh seven. Capital G, capital R, no spaces, all one word.” Arkin responded, not looking up from what he was cutting. You nodded and connected, looking up bad jokes as quickly as your thumbs could move.

“Hey, Arkin,” You said, a smirk spreading on your face. “Wanna play a ‘no laugh’ challenge?” Arkin shrugged, already intrigued.

“Sure, why not.” You pulled up a site.

“Why did the ghosts go to the liquor store?”

“Why?”

“They ran out of boos.” A smirk played on the edge of Arkin’s lips, but quickly disappeared as he shook his head. “You got any jokes?”

“Um… yeah. What’s at the bottom of the ocean and shivers?”

“What?”

“A nervous wreck.” You snorted loudly, covering your mouth with the sleeve of your sweater. Well, Arkin’s sweater. He glanced at you with a smug smirk. “Did I just win?”

“No. What’re you talking about?” You pushed a stone cold smirk. Arkin rolled his eyes with a smug look, turning his attention back to the vegetables before he slid them into the pan. “Why don’t dinosaurs talk?”

“Why?”

“‘Cause they’re dead, dumbass.” Arkin snorted loudly, then covered his face as he choked on the air. I believe it wouldn’t be inappropriate to say that both you and Arkin were very, very tired, and not in your right minds.

“You ever hear about three holes in the ground filled with water?” You raised your eyebrows at him.

“No.” Arkin smirked and put a hand on his hip, pushing his lips in a duck shape and shaking his head from side to side in a cocky manner.

“Well, well, well…” You struggled to contain your laughter. In the end, you failed.

“BWAH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” You fell off the counter and landed on the floor, holding your aching sides. Arkin, still laughing, tried to kneel to help you up, but ended up falling as well. The two of you laid on the ground, rolling around with tears running down their cheeks and loud, hysterical laughter emanating from your throats.

Finally, after what felt like eternity, you managed to calm down, and you glanced at Arkin, who was lying motionless beside you on the linoleum floor, the corners of his mouth turned up in a small grin and his eyes wide and sparkling in admiration. Arkin shook his head and jumped to his feet, reaching down to help you up as well.

“You alright?” he asked, the humor draining from his voice. You nodded, confused at what happened to Arkin. “We almost burned the food. Can you grab some cream of mushroom from the pantry?” You nodded and went to grab what Arkin had requested. After dinner, Arkin put on a movie. Just a small animation he thought you might enjoy. It didn’t take long for you to fall asleep on the couch, resting your head on the arm.

Arkin smiled down at your sleeping form Arkin ran his hair through his thick, curly locks. He moved slowly, shifting your body. Your head now lay in his lap. He gently pulled the blanket that lay under the couch over your body. He gently and lovingly began playing with your hair, avoiding snarls to make sure he wouldn’t wake you.