A single bullet // M.C ✔️

90

Wind whizzed through the crack in the window, making the curtains sway across the room before falling and settling down. A few strands of hair fell onto my face, but before I could personally make a move to brush it off, Michael's hand did it. His eyes were soft, staring down at me before flicking over to the marble table, drawing my attention to the small coffee he had brewed.

"Morning." My voice was barely there, vocal cords still half asleep, as I pushed my sleep-ridden body off my mattress, forcing myself into a sitting position and pain to shoot through me.

"You okay?" His eyes were full of concern, hiding any other emotion that could be lurking there; they were all overpowered.

"I am," I spoke truthfully, not having it in me to pretend like I'm not; he would see right through me now, knowing me way too well. A small bundle of fur jumped onto my legs, causing another pair of my favourite eyes to be staring at me. "You have no idea what's going on, do you, Ping?" I joked, rubbing under the small bit of fat under his chin.

"He's already been fed, so don't let him trick you." Michael's hand was placed gently on my cheek, pulling me towards him and placing a small peck onto my forehead. "He's sneaky."

"Gets it from you," I nudged his hand off me, turning my body and grabbing the small mug, bringing the pottery to my lips and tilting it, letting the warm liquid fill my mouth before sliding down my throat. "Have you heard from them?" He had messaged Sam to give a date we are free for the meeting, refusing to message Noah directly, weren't giving him the satisfaction of Michael reaching out to him first so he settled for Sam.

"No gang talk today," he whispered, shaking his head. "It's all that's been in our lives recently, and I would love a day away from it. I'm not in the office either." I couldn't hide my excitement as I physically felt my features light up. Eyes glowing and cheeks high, I fell into his arms; it was rare for him not to go into work, and the fact that he decided this without being pushed meant the world to me.

"Why?" It didn't, however, stop the confusion seeking into my voice, pushing away from him just so I could see his features. He didn't waver as he picked up Pingu, placing him on his lap and shifting to fully be spread out on the bed.

"Because it is all that's been in our life recently, and you're not used to it... feel like you need to have a bit of old normality in your life today at least. Before everything happens,"

"Why?" I repeated, stretching my legs out under the blanket, nudging him slightly with my knee.

"Just something's off with you..." he muttered, making me freeze mid-sip, looking at him from over the rim of the cup before tilting it back to normal and placing it down with a small clatter. Grabbing Michael's hand, now my own were free.

"Mikey, I'm fine," I spoke clearly, throwing the words in his direction so he actually processed the words and believed me. "There is nothing wrong with me, and trust me, you would be the first to know. Maybe what happened with Alex is just playing on my mind." I shrugged, grabbing the cup again, craving the warm liquid. He nodded once before standing up, reaching up to the ceiling and stretching, a soft groan leaving his lips.

"Yeah, possibly." There was a tone of uncertainty in his voice as if he weren't believing what I said but didn't want to bring it up in case it risked an argument, and after last night and the last few days we've had, that's the last thing I want. An appreciated look was sent to the blonde before he turned away, scooping the lurking kitten up and holding him close to his own chest. "Come on, Ping, let's wait for Mommy to get ready in the other room."

My heart fluttered listening to the usually feared man talk so softly to the bundle of fur so as not to spook him, and a small smile I couldn't hide came onto my face.