Heterodox (BOOK 2)

Chapter 16 |1|

~Vesper~

"Okay me first; why did you grow out your hair?"

"I had short hair before but decided to grow it long. My dad thinks it looks gay so I just grew it shoulder length to piss him off without getting myself disowned. Besides..," He flips his raven hair, simultaneously looking glamorous and silly, "I think it just highlights my best assets, don't you think?"

Answering with an eyeroll, I sip at my chamomile again, gagging reflexively afterwards. Cold. "Your turn."

"Yeah," He picks up one of my locks, twisting it between his fingers. "Why dreadlocks?"

I should have known this question would come. "I started growing my dreads around six. My mom couldn't really deal with it because of the curly texture I had inherited from dad, contrary to her flax straight hair."

"After a thousand complaining renditions," Talon raises his eyebrows, "my dad came up with a solution; dreadlocks. That's how after a few painstaking hours of washing, drying, moisturizing, dividing and twisting, my journey of dreadlocks began." I shrug, "Plus, it is low maintenance and has a lot of other pros."

Talon simply nods, playing with the stick between his lips.

"Um...what do you love?"

He raises a quizzical eyebrow at my question. "Kinda broad, don't you think?"

I only shrug, secretly cursing myself for not being more specific. But it's like Talon can read minds because he somehow picks up on my discomfort. "Don't worry about it Feisty," he says,seemingly smiling to himself, "I'll answer anyway."

"I love the cloudless, bright mornings. I love waking up before the sun rays sneak up on my sheets and touch me. I love sliding out of bed and into the warm shower. I love my flannel shirts. I love the aroma of breakfast in the morning; especially eggs prepared anyhow. I love sneaking away boiled egg slices from Circe's plate and admittedly I love bickering with her in the morning." He laughs softly, looking boyish and adorable. And I am well captivated. "I love Darci's cheek pinches before we head off to school. I love driving with my friends to school while we argue over what music to listen to on the way. And then I take a break off loving and just doing the things that are supposedly making me qualified to do what I love in the future." He rolls his eyes at that.

"It will help though," I argue in vain.

"Whatever. I love going back home and tinkering with old screws and bits to- to make art. I love hanging out with you, my sis and MB. I love to play video games with MB in the games room. I love to prank Circe sometimes. I love talking and laughing with you."

I feel my cheeks grow red at his mischievous smirk and complimentary wink. "You do?"

"Of course!" He grins. "And why not? Besides- there is another thing I love."

"What's that?"

Talon wags his eyebrows and whispers in my ear, "I love sleeping...nude."

"Talon!" He laughs at my now red, embarrassed face while I swat him over and over for leaving me to my impulsive imagination.

"Lot's of pros. It allows a lot of freedom-"

"TALON!"

"increase male fertility, because ya know-"

"STOP!"

"no overheating; the list can go on. You should try it sometime, Feisty!"

"You sound too excited," I grumble, "Your question."

"What do you love?"

"YOU'RE JUST STEALING MY QUESTIONS!"

"So?"