The Devils Advocate

Chapter Two: Tender

The sun shines though the gaps in your blinds, waking you out of probably the best sleep you've had in, well since you can remember. Remembering last night, you slowly shift round so you can face the handsome man still snuggled up with you, god he was handsome, even with his eyes closed. 

"You're not very discrete . . ." his morning voice mumbled, a small smirk following "I can feel you staring, creep." he teases before opening his eyes gently at the sound of your laughter. 

"Couldn't help it, promise I'll tone down the creepy. . ." you blush a little as his eyes land on yours, his fingers already tracing your arm. 

"Its alright, creepy looks cute on you" you both let out a small laugh. 

"Breakfast?" 

"If you're offering. . ." 

"I take it you won't want bacon with your pancakes?" You say kissing him on the nose before putting on and oversized shirt and standing at the bottom of the bed as he slowly sits up. 

"Yeah no I don't eat animals anymore. . . "

"That must have been some party you attended if it put you off meat" you laugh intrigued remembering his half story from the night before. He'd stopped himself from saying too much which only made you wonder more.  

"Hmm well you know how us medical students are, go hard or go home" his laugh is light but there's an edge to it, maybe it wasn't worth pushing it yet. 

"Well, I prefer mine with fruit and syrup anyway so" you beam, before walking into the kitchen leaving Steve to lean back on the bed, you didn't quite hear the sigh coming from his mouth before he follows you into the kitchen wrapping his arms around you as you cook, both singing along to the radio. 'You're Not Good Enough' by Blood Orange making you both sway, although the lyrics didn't match how you felt about him, it was still a beautiful moment as he spins you round like on a ball room floor causing you to laugh uncontrollably before finishing off by splattering your with mixture. 

"Oh my god, you menace" you scoff, trying to sound mad but with a smile as you stand gobsmacked arms out, Steve holding back a laugh behind his huge grin. 

"I couldn't help it, you just looked so unaware I just . .  ." you stop mid sentence by splattering his face mixture everywhere. 

"Hahahahaha... you were saying?" You say amused as he wipes off the pancake mix from his eyes. 

"You're going to regret that. . . " His tone was suddenly very very cold, like something had snapped, you knew that look, it felt familiar, your roommate's voice echoed though your head. 

"I'm sorry I . .  ." at your reaction to him he immediately softened up, like he hadn't actually meant to scare you, the regret creeping onto his face in seconds. 

"Shit sorry, Y/N I'm only kidding" he comes over, hesitantly you let him come over and hold you. He looks down at you, stoking some hair out of your face "here. . ." he whispers gently as he licks off some of the mix that was on your cheek and nose before kissing it softly. "Better?" 

"Better" you smile shyly "I think there's still enough mix for a pancake?" you look up at him though your lashes, melting his icy heart. 

"I have a better idea.  . . " and with one quick swoop, you're in his arms giggling again being taken back into the bedroom. 

. . . . . . . . . . . . 

Work had kept Steve pretty busy for the last few months, his new job apparently required him to suddenly be away a lot, but today, today he was coming to pick you up and take you on a long weekend trip. Things has been nice, peaceful, no Ann, she'd been gone a while, your job wasn't too stressful and when you did see Steve, he was loving and caring. Had you finally found piece form your chaotic past? 

You stand in the middle of the dining room, staring at your suitcase trying to remember what it was you think you've forgotten when the doorbell goes, you skip  happily to the door, swinging it open to let Steve in. "I could get used to someone being this happy to see me. . ." he kisses you on the cheek as he walks in. "Got everything?" he looks around and then at your suitcase. 

"I think so I. . . ." 

"These?" He chucks you a box of tablets from the side bored along side your toothbrush. 

"Ha! New it. . ." you then put them away slightly embarrassed. 

"Hey, its ok . . ." 

"Most people don't believe me when I say I get so anxious I take pills . . " you say muffled into his jumper, the box you kept them in wasn't labeled and you'd tried to hide them but he was very observant. 

"Well, I'm not most people" he says kissing the top of your head before stepping back. "Shall we?" He smiles, grabbing your suitcase for you as you head out the door, he loads the car while you lock up. 

"So, where are we going?" You ask excitedly as you put your seatbelt on. 

"You know you said you wanted to see the renovations to my house when they were done?" He says with a warm smile. 

"Ooooh I finally get to see your house" you clap "I'm going to feel embarrassed by the state of mine now aren't I?" you wince remembering he was a very wealthy doctor. 

"Nonsense, you're flat is beautiful and homely. . . mine. . . not so much." 

"Well can't agree or disagree until you show me . . ." you say cheekily earning a kiss on the cheek before you drive off into, quite literally the middle of nowhere. 

. . .

"When you said you wanted to find somewhere without neighbours . . . " You look around at the picturesque hills and trees whipping past you. 

"I was hoping the scenery might inspire you and your painting, the place needs art." he says looking at you. 

"I think you're all the inspiration I need. . ." You smile at Steve before day dreaming out the window. You smiled widely taking in the place as the evening begins to settle, Steve taking your bag and opening the front door, you look at your phone to check for messages. . . nothing  . .  and also no signal. You shrug, makes sense, you'd grab the wifi password off Steve later. 

You walk around the living room, absolutely in awe "You designed all this yourself?" You smile as he hands you a drink. 

"I had a bit of advice but, I wanted somewhere I be private when I'm not living in the city for work you know?" 

"I think I do. .  " you look round sipping your drink "It really does need some art. . . especially over that weird wall cupboard. . . ." you point behind you. 

"How did you . . ." Steve frowns looking a little concerned. 

"I can see the lines look . . ." you trace your finger over the wall "don't worry . . . " you sway a little, Jesus this drink was strong . .  "I will help you keep it secret just give me a paint brush . . ." you smile almost tripping over. Steve holds you up, leading you to the sofa. You plop down beside him. 

"Where did you learn to paint . . ." 

"What??" Your eyes began to blur and you couldn't concentrate on him or what he was saying at all. 

"Where did you learn too paint?" He repeats. 

"Oh I erm . . . my friend taught me  . . .  Steve?" 

"Yes baby?" 

"I don't . .  ."