Veto Syndrome// m.c

[9]

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The overwhelming smell of air freshener was the first thing to welcome Steph, Michael, and Nic when they entered the Riordan home. Michael helped Steph shrug off her heavy coat, placing it on the arm of the coffee brown sofa. 

Daryl walked down the hall, the air freshener still in his hands. Nic groaned, taking the spray bottle from his hands. "This," she turned to the teen couple, "is why I don't let him help me clean. He goes way too overboard!" Her husband narrowed his eyes as he turned into the kitchen, returning from the other room with a gift basket in his hands. 

"Welcome home!" He greeted, stepping forward and holding out the basket.

Steph let out a small chortle as she took the basket from her father's hands and stood on the tips of her toes to place a kiss on his cheek. "Thanks, dad." She peered into the plastic wrapped basket, spotting a large bag of chips, a couple candy bars, and the TV remote. "The three items I cherish most in life."

He nodded at his daughter, ruffling her hair as he looked to his wife and kissed her. His eyes then fell on the platinum blonde teenage boy that had accompanied his family home. "Hey, kid."

"Hi, Mr. Riordan."

Daryl rolled his eyes as he placed a heavy hand on Michael's shoulder.

Steph watched her father and Mikey interact, a smile growing on her lips. It amazed her how well he got on with her family.

"Do you need anything, baby?" Nic asked, stroking her daughter's hair.

The pale girl shook her head, her smile still on her face. "I think I'm good. Plus, I've got Mikey. Well, that is if you're planning on staying for a while...it's cool if you hav-"

Michael cut her off. "Nope, I'm yours for as long as you want me, love."

Nic stared adoringly at the couple, her hands pressed to her chest. She looked over at her husband, expecting for him to be glaring at them, but even his features had softened at the sight.

"I'm going to get started on dinner. Is macaroni and cheese okay?"

"Hell yes!" Michael exclaimed, blushing when he realized how intense his reaction was.

Steph chuckled, tugging his hand as she began heading towards the stairs and to her room. "That sounds great, mum. Michael loves mac and cheese."

The parents walked to the kitchen, laughing as they mocked Michael's reaction.

"I just embarrassed myself in front of your mum and dad. Oh, god."

"Yes, you did." She saw how embarrassed he was and shook her head. "It's fine, Mike. My parents think you're great and dorky, which is good. They like you."

Michael looked down at her, crossing his arms across his chest. "I make one mistake and I promise you they'll hate me. I'm bound to fuck up."

"Guess we'll have to cross that bridge when we reach it then, right?"

"I don't wanna reach it."

Steph slid a hand up one of his arms, gliding up to the back of his neck. Her soft grip gestured for him to bring his eyes to her level. Her other hand slid to caress his cheek, the presence of stubble brushing the tips of her fingers. Michael's eyelids fluttered at the gentle contact, feeling her warm breath on him, the mint toothpaste coating her breath filling their space. It was when he could feel her lips graze his lightly that he jumped back.

He inhaled sharply, having forgotten how to breathe in the small moments of close proximity.

Steph stared up at Michael, confused by his actions. Did he not want to kiss her? 

Michael saw a look of insecurity flash across her face. "Steph, our first kiss is not gonna be like this. Your parents downstairs making mac n cheese, you just getting back from the hospital, and me having just embarrassed myself in front of your parents. Excuse me for thinking it lacks romance."

"Who gives a fuck about romance?" She pouted, attempting to bring him back to her.

Michael quirked an eyebrow, leaning away and standing at his full height. "You give a shit about romance?"

A scoff left her. "Romance is lame, you should just kiss me."

He finally leaned forward, only to place a firm kiss on her forehead. "Good enough?" He asked.

She ran her hand up to his hair, diddling with it. "Not what I wanted, but I accept it."

Michael shook his head, following her as she tugged him toward her bed. He jumped onto the bed, lying down on the pillow and bringing her down beside him, his arm wrapping around her waist- resembling the position they had fell asleep in just hours ago.

"Thank you for staying by me, Mikey. I'm so surprised that this hasn't scared you away yet."

"Yet." Michael jokingly emphasized. 

She shoved him, sitting up. Her bones ached from having spent so much time in a stiff hospital bed, laying wasn't what she wanted. She scooted so that her back was up against the wall. Michael moved so that his head was in her lap, his face in her direction so that they could continue their conversation. 

"I'll always stay by you, by the way."

Steph's round, blue eyes met his jade ones, dark circles surrounding both pairs. "Thank you." Her nimble fingers twirled a strand of his whispy hair.

"You keep saying 'thank you'. Stahp."

She giggled, ruffling his bleached hair. "I have a lot to be thankful for, idiot."

Michael retrieved her hand from his hair, bringing the fragile body part to his lips to place a kiss on it.

A soft smile was on her lips as she watched. "Still not the place I want the kiss, but I'll take it."

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"Thank you for dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Riordan! It was absolutely delicious," Michael praised as he and Steph made their way towards the front door.

"It was no problem, sweetie. You are welcome to join us for dinner anytime." Nic responded, Daryl waving as he walked out of the Riordan home.

Steph shivered, wrapping her hoodie clad arms around her body. Michael stared down at her, an adoring grin on his face. "Go back inside, love."

"I'm saying 'bye' to you, nitwit!" She attacked him in a tight hug, burying her face in his chest, like she had learned she enjoyed to do.

Michael's arms immediately followed suit, embracing her. "You'll get sick."

"Eh. I'm already sick."

He sighed, not bothering to start an argument against the stubborn girl. "So I'll see you tomorrow?"

She pulled back, excitement bright in her eyes. "I'd love that!"

"Cool. I'll be here tomorrow." He kissed her cheek, his lips lingering on her pale, cool skin.

At the exact same time Michael said "that's not where you wanted the kiss," Steph said "that's not where I wanted the kiss." The couple broke into laughter, Michael's warm hand parted from Steph's grip, shivers immediately traveling up her body.

She watched as he got into her car and pulled out of her driveway, a final wave sent her way before she hurriedly ran back into the warm confines of her house. 

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Ahhhhhhhh I finally updated!!! So what'd you think? I'm already working on the next chapter, I really want to try to update it today. Woah, a double update, I know. I hope you liked this, I know it was pretty short. 

Next Chapter: Shit is about to go down...beware...

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