the fire between us

chapter 25

The next morning, the apartment is unusually quiet. I wake up feeling the weight of exhaustion but also a sense of relief. I shuffle into the kitchen to make some coffee, the rich aroma filling the space and providing a small comfort.

Later in the day, Marcus and I are settled on the sofa, having just finished a simple dinner that Marcus cooked. The food was comforting, a welcome break from the chaotic events of the previous night. We're both still in casual clothes, relaxed but with the remnants of the night's stress hanging in the air.

The soft hum of the television provides a backdrop to our conversation. Martinus is upstairs, sleeping soundly in his room. His recovery is a top priority, and we're both relieved to see him resting peacefully.

Nora, on the other hand, is dealing with the aftermath of her inebriated state. I hear her groans and the occasional thud as she moves around in her room, clearly suffering from the worst hangover of her life. I can't help but feel a bit of sympathy for her, despite the trouble she caused.

Marcus glances at me, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "How's the wrist feeling?"

"Better, thanks," I reply, showing him the bandaged area. "It's still a bit sore, but I think it's healing well."

"Good to hear," Marcus says, nodding approvingly. "You should probably keep it elevated and take it easy for a few more days."

"Yeah, I'll do that," I agree, feeling grateful for his concern. "What about you? How are you holding up?"

Marcus gives a slight shrug, his expression relaxed. "I'm okay. Just glad things are settling down a bit. It was a long night for all of us."

I nod, appreciating his calm demeanor. "Definitely. I'm just hoping Nora feels better soon. She's been really struggling this morning."

"Hangovers are rough," Marcus comments, a small chuckle escaping him. "But hopefully, she'll recover soon. Maybe some water and rest will help."

"I hope so," I say, a touch of concern in my voice. "I've tried to get her to drink some water and rest, but she's not exactly in the mood to listen right now."

Marcus offers a reassuring smile. "She'll come around eventually. It's just going to take a bit of time."

As the evening wears on, we continue to chat and relax on the sofa, the quiet comfort of the apartment slowly easing the tension of the previous night. Marcus's presence is a steady comfort, and I'm grateful for the calm moments we're able to share.

a few hours later Marcus heads up to sleep with Nora. 

I make my way upstairs, gently knocking before opening the door to Martinus's room.

"Hey, y/n," Martinus greets, his voice softer than usual. He's propped up on the bed, looking more rested but still noticeably sore.

"Hi," I reply softly, closing the door behind me. I walk over and sit on the edge of the bed, looking down at him with a mixture of concern and affection.

I settle on the edge of the bed, looking down at Martinus with a mix of concern and affection. "How are you?" I ask softly.

Martinus meets my gaze with a small, appreciative smile. "I missed you," he says, gently ignoring my question.

I can't help but smile at his words, though I still feel a twinge of concern. "I missed you too," I reply, reaching out to gently squeeze his hand. "But I do want to make sure you're okay. How's the pain? Are you feeling any better?"

Martinus's smile widens slightly, though his eyes show the fatigue of the night's events. "It's not too bad. Just sore and bruised. But having you here makes it a lot better."