Milkshake Hearts

Chapter 4: Chill

A/N: Mild spoilers lie here, but I'm going to put a warning here for direct mentions of sexual content, but of course, no actual sexual content (that's in another book). I still intend to have no actual sexual content in this book, however, I am firmly of the view that healthy, open conversations around the issues surrounding sexual activity are something that should be encouraged (and adults can discuss sex in open and mature ways without those discussions being themselves explicit).

Also: Nothing said in here is genuine medical advice, it is merely conveniently placed plot-driving content. See a health professional to discuss appropriate sexual health measures for your own situation.

A little shorter this time too, but I'm also simultaneously posting the actual sexual content that follows this over in that other book, if you choose to read that. Back to the fic!

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"You want to hang out tonight or something?" Courtney texts Shayne, later in the afternoon. She doesn't expect a quick reply, but he must be killing time on set at his other job, because she gets a reply within a minute.

"Sure, I'll be home from like 6 – come over whenever?" He suggests in reply, and she sends a thumbs up and a heart in response, not feeling the need to actually type any words.

"Hey," Shayne greets her softly when she knocks at her door a little while after six. She steps inside when he gestures for her to do so, following him to sit down on his couch. He immediately places his arm around her shoulders and she takes the opportunity to cuddle up to his side, head resting comfortable atop his shoulder.

"Hey," she answers, finally, and he laughs.

"How you?"

"Eh, alright, pretty quiet day at work and I'm in a pretty low key mood now too," she answers, "you? How was work?"

"It was decent, a lot of waiting around not doing much but I got some study in amongst it all, so that's something, I guess. I'm kinda up for a quiet night with you, I think."

"Yeah," she replies, agreeing, and they fall into a comfortable silence, until there's a knock at the door.

"I ordered food, hope Thai is cool with you?" Shayne tells her, reluctantly pulling away from her and standing up to collect the order from the door.

"Sounds good," Courtney gives her approval, watching as he leans against the door to hold it open while he takes the food and tips the delivery driver. She doesn't move, and Shayne returns to the couch beside her with the food, pulling out her favourite and handing it over as he takes his own usual chicken Pad Thai.

"There ya go," he tells her.

"Thanks babe," she answers, liking the way the pet name rolls naturally off her tongue. The sudden smell of the food makes Courtney realise how damn hungry she is, and they both quickly dig into their dinners, conversation drifting freely between their work days and a TV show they'd both been watching on Netflix over the last week or so.

Courtney offers to clean up the rubbish after they finish, packing it back into the takeaway bag and sitting it up beside his kitchen bin to go out when appropriate. She grabs a glass of water for each of them as she does, reaching up into his kitchen cupboard to grab a couple of glasses and filling them from the pitcher she knows he keeps in his fridge.

She's been here a few times before.

"You want to play a game or watch something or whatever?" Shayne asks, when she returns, quickly thanking her for the water when she does.

"Hmmm, not sure," Courtney muses noncommittally as she settles back against his side, glancing around the room for a moment.

"Or we could just chill," Shayne offers an alternative, and she grins.