2 Years Later
Zyan
Zyan was sitting on Ava's sofa. Almost a month had passed since they'd been in the same room without their significant others around. Carter had dragged Jessica along to see some musical, and since he'd only bought two tickets, Zyan and Ava had decided to send them off and use the evening to catch up on lost time.
They'd started by watching TV and eating lunch, but had soon started to get bored by the reruns. Now Ava was reading a book while Zyan played quiz games on his cellphone. To outsiders, it might seem like they were ignoring each other, but upon closer inspection, they'd realize their feet were nudging each other every few seconds and both were frequently looking up and catching each other's eye with a smile.
Ava huffed a frustrated breath.
When Zyan looked up, he caught her rolling her eyes. "What happened?" he asked in a teasing voice. "Did an author write a character who puts their chin on their knees again?"
Ava lifted her head to glare at him. "Nobody does that! It's incredibly uncomfortable!"
"I know, honey, but you'll keep running into that phrase anyway."
Ava clenched her jaw and looked back down at the pages. "So frustrating," she muttered. "So annoying."
Zyan's phone was momentarily forgotten as he watched Ava, her brow still furrowed in irritation. A handmade illustrated bookmark peeked out between the first few pages of her book. "Did Jessica make that?"
"Huh?" Ava looked up and followed his gaze. "Oh, yeah, she was just doodling the design, but I liked it, so I got it laminated."
"Cute." Zyan cocked his head. "So when's she moving in?"
Ava froze. "Wh-what?"
Zyan raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you've never even considered it before. I mean, she's practically living in your pocket as it is. I can't even remember the last time she hasn't slept over at yours."
She shook her head and dropped the book into her lap. Her eyes were wide, as if the revelation had physically slapped her. "Oh god. How have I never—?" She trailed off and groaned as she sunk deeper into the cushions. "Shit, Zyan, Jess has probably been dropping hints for ages! What if she's just been waiting for me to ask her?"
Zyan shrugged. "Then she probably would've asked you."
"What if she didn't because she wants me to set the pace?"
"Look, Ava," Zyan said patiently, "next time you're alone with her, you just sit her down and bring up the possibility of her moving in. Easy."
"I can't!"
"Why not?"
"Because…" Ava huffed a breath. "Because I—" She crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Well, if it's so easy, why haven't you asked Carter to move in yet?"
Zyan shrugged again. "We're comfortable living on our own. We like to have our own space."
"Oh please," Ava said. "Carter hasn't slept at his own place in months. You're practically married again."
Zyan sighed. "Okay," he said. "Fine. If you ask Jess, I'll ask Carter."
Ava smiled widely, and whether it was because of Zyan's use of Jessica's nickname or his actual statement, he wasn't sure. Most likely both. "Really?"
Zyan rolled his eyes. "Really."
"And they're both gonna move in with us?"
"Yes."
"We'll all be neighbors?"
"That would be the inevitable outcome, yes."
Zyan could see how much Ava was trying to keep her excitement contained, and wondered if he'd just doomed himself to a mortal life-span of frustration and annoyance. Or at least, pretend frustration. The thought of having everyone nearby where he could keep an eye on them filled him with ease.