Peiskos : The feeling you get when you sit in front of a fireplace and enjoy it's warmth.

The inside of the house was beautiful, so beautiful that one could never guess that six guys lived here. The lightings, the furniture, heck even the black marble flooring was done amazingly.

But at the same time, it had a homey feeling to it. Somewhere you could curl up and joke around with your loved ones. So different from my house back in New York where everything was planned and done based on how expensive it was.

Maybe that's why everytime I go back, I feel like I'm staying at a hotel and not my home.

The smell of baked goods and hot food wafted in the air. I turned around to look at Zeph, "You baked?" I asked him curiously.

He grinned in that mischievous way of his that made me slightly breathless.

"Ofc-" before he could complete what he was about to say, a fluffy ball of brown and black body whizzed past me and slammed into an unsuspecting Zephyr who went down with a thud.

The puppy barked excitedly and tried to lick his face as he laughed, "Groot! Down boy, I said down!" He yelled but his puppy was apparently just like his owner and continued to jump all over him.

"Tiny woman! Save me from this beast before it bites off my sexy neck!" He howled. Atleast he got that sexy part right.

And the so called "beast" barely reaches his knees.

I sighed and moved forward to pick up the little monster in my arms and almost squealed in deligh.

So fluffy.

And a bit heavy too, he barely fit in my arms as he let out excited little barks and tried to lick my face making me smile.

Zephyr stood up with a dramatic wince, "M'lady, meet Groot," He rolled his eyes and glared at the large puppy that was now cuddling into my arms.

M'lady?

You know what? I give up.

"He's yours?" I asked him to which he playfully grimaced, "Unfortunately, do you know he eats more than even I do?" He exclaimed.

"Wow, I thought that was impossible." I muttered under my breath, he gasped in outrage and put a hand to his heart, "You seriously wound me," he paused and then grinned, "but it's a good thing I have a very thick skin. Now, come on." He ushered me in.

"What breed is he?" I asked as I followed him further into the mansion. The hallways were decorated with aesthetic paintings, clearly this house was furnished by an excellent interior designer.

"He's a Tibetan mastiff." He mumbled and muttered something in what I'm guessing is Spanish as he glanced at the quiet puppy.

I nodded and looked around awkwardly, "So, umm, what are we doing today?" I asked.

"You didn't eat breakfast, right?" He asked, raising a brow.

"Um, no?" I mumbled.

"Good, good. Why don't you wait in my room? Just follow Groot. I'll bring you breakfast." He said cheerfully and waved his hand.

Was he always this happy?

"Do you want any help?" I asked politely.

Okay fine, maybe it was because he was a klutz.

"Don't worry, darling, I have everything under control."

I don't really believe that.

Nonetheless I gave him a small smile and followed Groot. We walked through the long hallway decorated with pictures. Photos of six boys and I instantly recognised Azrael and Zephyr from them. It honestly warmed my heart to know that Zephyr had such a close knit of friends.

It was not something that everyone had.

Groot stopped in front of a large door and let out a small whine, scratching the door.

I think my heart just melted. 

I gave him a small pat on top of his fluffy head and opened the door, he snuggled against my legs and ran in. Taking a deep breath, I followed him in and stopped short.

Wow.

A large bed was placed in the centre, silky black duet neatly made on top of it. He was definitely a nature lover judging how his room was so...green. Even his floor was done perfectly with artificial grass. I looked up to see that the roof was transparent, the dull sky looking beautiful from here. I've always loved this kind of weather, it was like the best time to curl up in bed with a good book with big tub of ice cream.

One side of the room was made of glass, overlooking a garden. It was not the typical kind where everything was organised or cultivated, this one was kind of wild. Yet it was all so gorgeous.

Just like the man who lives here. Wild yet gorgeous. Imperfect yet somehow perfect.

A small 'woof' broke me out of my thoughts and I snapped my head to see Groot lying on a miniature version of Zephyr's bed.

Adorable.

I chuckled and bent down to give him a belly rub. I've always wanted dogs but I couldn't do that when I was younger because my mother was allergic to dog fur.

"You like that, don't you boy? Who's a good boy? Yes, you." I cooed and kissed the top of his head. I stood up straight and looked over. There were two doors visible, one of them probably is the washroom and a comfy looking couch with a huge flat screen.

I awkwardly sat on the couch.

Why am I so awkward?

Just then I noticed a framed picture on his nightstand. I squinted my eyes to see it from where I sat. The last thing I needed was him to see me snooping through his stuff like a creep. It was one thing I learned from romance novels.

Not that I think he's my love interest or anything.

It was a picture of a baby with wild bronze curls, big green eyes that looked curiously at the camera, his small hands and face smeared with chocolate. Zephyr.

Beside him stood a beautiful woman who basically looked like a female version of the baby. Except for his eyes. They were dark instead of those beautiful greens. She was laughing as she looked at the camera, her eyes full of warmth.

Had she ever guessed that the baby in her arms would grow up to inherit her warmth?

I leaned back against the couch and sighed contentedly, it was kind of nice to have something to do on a holiday and as much as I hated human interactions I couldn't help but feel that maybe I had been a bit lonely.

Just a tad bit.

It's been a while since I've really spent time with someone like this, a few months back I had Willow to spend time with me but nowadays she was barely even at the dorm. But I couldn't really blame her, Will and Az were so smitten with eachother it was almost too mushy for anyone to handle.

I don't hold anything against her, it's just that sometimes I wish she would spend some time with me too, maybe hang out once in a while.

I almost feel selfish for even thinking that but I was a human after all. And we humans are always too selfish for our own good.

The door slammed open and Zephyr stumbled in, trying to balance the large tray in his hands. I jumped up and rushed to hold it before he dropped it.

He sighed in relief and then huffed noticing me watching him with poorly veiled amusement, "I had it all under control. Yeah, I totally did, y'know?"

"Sure you did." I mumbled.

He jutted out his plump bottom lip like a child and stalked out to place the tray on the stone table in the garden.

"Do you think it'll rain?" He asked me, his head tilted.

I shrugged. 

He merely grinned and patted the seat next to him. Groot let out a small bark and galloped towards us as Zeph placed his food down for him.

I gaped as I beheld all the delicious looking food on the tray. There was a large plate of a vibrant looking dish and I couldn't help but lean towards it as I inhaled the smell of salsa and cheese. There was also a plate of brownies and a jug of iced tea.

Raspberry iced tea. My favourite.

It was as if he knew just what I loved.

"Umm, I'm not sure if you'll like it but I made Chilaquiles. I can make you something else if you don't want to try it though. Seriously, it's no problem. Y'know what? I'll just go-"

"Zephyr. I love it, thank you so much. It's been a while since someone has cooked especially for me, I'd have gladly eaten even if you made me a bowl of cereals." I said and gave him the biggest smile that I could muster.

He gaped at me wordlessly and I suddenly felt conscious. Was there something stuck in my teeth? Maybe there was something wrong with my smile, it's been too long since I've smiled that big.

"What?" I murmured, looking anywhere but his eyes.

"Nothing," he paused and shook his head lightly and I watched in slight awe as his unruly curls bounced, "It's just, it's the first time I'm hearing you speak more than five syllables."

"Oh." I could feel the tips of my ears heating up.

"It feels nice."

I think I'm hyperventilating.

"How did you know I like Raspberry tea and brownies?" I asked curiously.

He tensed and then flashed me one of his easy grins, a grin that most probably had the ladies fawning all over him, "I have my ways, darling."

"You mean Willow." I coughed.

"Ofcourse not." He said a little to quickly and I watched his left eyebrow twitching.

Definitely a nervous tic.

"Come on, have you ever tried Chilaquiles, tiny woman?" He asked cheerfully to which I shook my head.

"Well, it's awesome." He said and piled a huge spoonful of it onto my plates.

I gazed at him and picked up the fork and shoved a mouthful of it. And my eyes rolled back in delight.

Holy shit.

This is the most amazing thing that I've ever had in my life. It had a very rich flavour with a slightly tangy sauce, that creamy cheese and fuck, those perfectly fried nachos.

"You like it?" He asked nervously,

"I think I've died and gone to heaven." I asked him seriously.

His lips twitched at the corners as he bit his lips to hide his large grin, "You really like it?"

"I love it. I'd sell my soul if I could have this everyday."

And it was true.

"I'm glad to know that,darling." He said as he too picked up his fork.

"Wait, try the brownies. But I'm not really sure if that's good because it's my first time making a dessert."

I nodded gratefully and took one from the plate and took a bite and almost choked. While I was a good baker, I was a terrible cook and the same applied to him.

Only in the other way.

He added salt instead of sugar.

I looked at his hopeful expression and smiled at him around the brownie, giving him a thumbs up. Because even though his brownie.....was not the greatest, the thought was what really mattered. He made brownies for the first time because he knew I loved it and that was more than enough for me.

And I'd happily eat it without any complaints.

"It's okay?" He asked.

"It's good. Thank you." I told him sincerely.

"Really? Wait, let me taste." He said and snatched the second brownie that  I was munching on and before I could somehow stop him, he popped it into his mouth.

And choked.

I immediately rubbed his back as he coughed and gave him a glass of water.

"Are you alright?" I asked him worriedly as I saw his eyes watering. He took the glass from me and gulped it down.

"Darling," he gasped, "that's the most horrible brownie I've ever had in my life. And I've had a hell lot of brownies."

"No, it was not." I lied

"Yes, it was. How the hell did you even eat the whole thing?" He asked, horrified.

I shrugged.

"Even Groot wouldn't eat this shit." He mumbled.

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        SURPRISEEEE!!! 💃💃💃

DOUBLE UPDATE

I know that I've been posting irregularly but please understand that I'm in the last year of high school and I have back to back models and exams. But I'll try my best to update faster.

So what do you guys think about this chapter? Man, Zephyr is a horrible baker but he's a cutie so🤷‍♀️

What do you guys think about Mel?

Have a nice day!!

XxAelinAsh