Löded summer

It don't matter what the strand...

"Greg?" Y/N looked down at him, her brows furrowed in pain. "You're supposed to be in bed. What's wrong?"

Rodrick shadowed her, looking murderous. "Why the fuck are you snooping on us?"

His younger brother peered up at the pair, his face bright crimson. "I... I just heard a lot of movement down here."

"And stop coddling him." Rodrick pulled her backwards by the nape of the neck towards him. "Go upstairs, now."

Greg fell forward again but caught himself; not only was his face burning red, but his ears and neck were scorched.

"What are you guys doing in here?" Greg looked from his brother to the babysitter. "And what's that smell?"

Y/N scratched her head. "Just chillin'. Manny's asleep, why not?"

"Yeah, shouldn't you be asleep too?" Rodrick butted in, condescending.

"No, I don't have to go to bed until 11:30." He crossed his arms, self-assured. Y/N could tell that the smirk on his face was a hereditary Heffley trait.

"Well, you should go upstairs and leave us alone since you have the time." Rodrick put an arm around her shoulders and glared down at his brother.

"No, I think I should stay and get to know our new babysitter too."

His older brother smiled through gritted teeth. "Gregory, I don't think that'd be a good idea."

"Well, I think it'd be the perfect idea."

"Excuse me, let me talk to my brother outside." Rodrick shifted from behind her and grabbed his brother.

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Rodrick's POV:

He escorted him out of the room and curtly shut the door.

"What the fuck, Greg?" Rodrick's eyes were nearly popping out of his head, and his voice was at a deadly whisper. "What are you trying to achieve?"

Greg thought for a moment before replying, "I'm protecting her from your perversion."

Rodrick's eyebrows raised. "My perversion?"

Greg blushed. "I know exactly what you're up to."

Rodrick tongued his cheek, amused. "Which is?"

"You know," Greg nodded suggestively.

"I know?"

"Rodrick, stop playing dumb. I don't have to say exactly what I know, but I know exactly what you're doing, and it's gross." His voice cracked.

"Okay, fucker," Rodrick stopped beating around the bush, crouching down to his level. "I haven't gotten any action in months, and you're not going to stop anything that's bound to happen. Go upstairs, close the door, and go to bed before I put you to sleep."

Greg's jaw dropped, and his older brother closed it for him. "Go."

Gregory turned on his heel, then stumbled up the winding staircase.

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Y/N pressed her ear against the thick wooden door. She couldn't hear a thing, which was unfortunate. The conversation hadn't lasted long, but she still wanted to know what was going on.

Rodrick roughly pulled open the door, agitated by his brother's insolent behavior. His guest stumbled into him with a thud. "You too?" he asked, exasperated.

She looked up at him, heat rushing to her face while her blood ran cold. Y/N skimmed her brain for an excuse but found nothing.

Fucking hell.

Rodrick smirked, saying, "If you wanted to know what we were talking about, you could've just asked."

Y/N cleared her throat and steadied herself. "What were you two talking about?"

He paused for a moment, then replied, "I'll tell you, on the condition that you do two things for me."

Y/N's brow furrowed. "What do you want?"

Rodrick bent down to meet her gaze. "Come back tomorrow and leave your back door open tonight."

"Why would I do that?"

He shrugged. "Then I guess you don't want to know."

"Fine, I'll do it," she lied.

Rodrick took her by the hand, and they shook on it.