Jessica
Ava and Jessica were strolling through their favorite park, hand in hand and shoulders brushing. It was only 4 p.m., so they passed by the occasional stranger now and again as they walked in silence. Jessica was enjoying the sound of the leaves rustling in the breeze and the sensation of Ava's warm hand in hers while the cool wind ruffled her hair. She felt content. Happy.
They'd been walking in silence for about half an hour when Ava drew Jessica's attention by squeezing her hand. "You're sleeping at mine tonight, right?"
"That was the plan," Jessica confirmed.
Ava nodded a little to herself. "You do that a lot," she pointed out after a beat.
"What do you mean?"
"Sleeping over," Ava elaborated, clearly trying to sound casual but failing.
Jessica had to force herself to keep her expression neutral. She had a feeling about where this was heading. "I guess so, yeah."
"Zyan's noticed it too," Ava continued. "He claims you're pretty much living with me at this point and…after I thought about, I had to admit he was right. We're pretty much together twenty-four-seven. You know, we work together now, and we barely fight, even though we spend so much time around each other, so we could just…take the next step now."
Jessica felt warmth pool around her heart. She'd always assumed this feeling would wear off, like it usually did: that these emotions would decrease in their intensity, but here she was, still feeling just as smitten, just as in-love. Every day she woke up wondering how she'd gotten so stupidly lucky in running into this woman on Facebook of all places.
"So what are you saying?" Jessica asked softly, pushing Ava to spell it out for her.
"Do you, um…would you, I mean." Ava took a deep breath. "Would you like to move in? With me?"
Jessica was glad she couldn't see her own goofy expression. "I'd love to."
Ava beamed at her. "When's your lease run out? How much does a moving van cost? Do we even need one? Do you think we should repaint the living room? I know you never liked the wallpaper, and to be honest, I don't either. I'm just too lazy and cheap to change it—"
Jessica grabbed Ava's shoulder to get her attention. "Slow down, there, lady bug."
Ava averted her eyes for a beat before she looked back at Jessica with raised eyebrows. "Lady bug? Have we reached the insect level now?"
Jessica shrugged. "It's been two years. We were doomed to run out of ideas eventually." Ava acknowledged the comment with a specific facial expression that was just very her. "But yes," Jessica went on. "We will have to do some planning before the actual moving part."
"Like…are you gonna bring your desk chair?"
"That depends," Jessica replied. "Will you actually let me sit on it, or are you gonna hog it for yourself?"
"Bit of both?"
Jessica rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. "Fine. You can have it."
Ava grinned. "My coccyx thanks you."
Jessica squeezed Ava's hand and tugged her a little closer. "Selling all my furniture should get me enough money to buy a second one anyway. And maybe a few new bath towels. You know, ones that don't feel like sandpaper."
"Fabric softener is expensive!"
"I know. That's why I told you to put the towels in the dryer after you wash them."
"But they take up so much space!"
"Better that than losing two layers of skin every time you shower!"
Ava huffed. "Fine." Her voice was smug when she continued. "I'll let you get on that once you've moved in."
"I see…" Jessica hummed to herself. "Well, well, well. This was our strategy all along, wasn't it? You just want someone to split chores with."
"Of course. That, and someone to warm the sheets on cold winter nights."
"Duly noted."
Ava pressed closer into Jessica's side as two joggers passed them before she dipped back her head and pressed a kiss to Jessica's jaw. "I wish you could move in today," Ava mumbled.
"I practically already live there," Jessica reminded her.
"I guess I just want it to be official."
Jessica looked at her and couldn't help but steal a quick kiss. "Me too."
Ava's eyes were as bright as her smile when they parted. And when she leaned her head against Jessica's shoulder, her curls tickled Jessica's cheek.
Minutes passed, spent in comfortable silence, before Ava's phone signaled an incoming text. She pulled it out and rolled her eyes at the screen, even as a smile tugged at her lips.
"What's up?" Jessica asked.
"My brother," Ava replied.
"Something wrong?"
"Nah." Ava pushed the cell back into her pocket. "He just wants to know if I already asked you to move in."
"And you're not gonna answer him?"
"I'll text him later, after I've told Zyan." Ava perked up. "Which reminds me…"
"Of what?"
"I'm not the only one who might have some big news to share today. Zyan's gonna ask Carter to move in with him as well." Ava looked up at Jessica expectantly. "You think Carter's gonna say yes?"
Jessica frowned. "I thought Carter already did."
Ava smiled bemusedly. "What? No."
"No, seriously," Jessica insisted. "Carter already moved in. He didn't renew his contract last time."
Ava cocked her head. "Huh. How long ago was that?"
Jessica shrugged. "Dunno. Several weeks? Months, even."
Ava started to laugh. "Wha—what? Oh, my god. I can't."
Jessica smiled, not because she was over the situation, but because Ava's laugh was infectious.
"Ah." Ava wiped under her eyes, giggles still bubbling out of her. "I wish I could be there. Just imagine the look on both their faces."
"I mean, I told Carter to just go talk to his dumbass boyfriend…husband…whatever."
Ava sniffed as she visibly tried to compose herself. "They're both hopeless."
"They should take a page from our book," Jessica said. "Those men need to work on their communication."
"Definitely," Ava agreed. "But just think about it: we're all gonna be neighbors soon. How cool is that?"
"Pretty cool."
"Exactly! And speaking of you moving in, I was thinking we should switch out the beds. Yours is a lot more comfy. Oh! Also, I want your bathroom rugs. Those things are fluffy as fuck, and I need to feel them between my toes every day. And those curtains you have in your bedroom? Perfect color to match the sheets Joe bought me."
Jessica watched Ava, the way she waved her arms and how her eyes shone with happiness. When she couldn't take it any longer, she wrapped an arm around Ava's waist to pull her close and smack a kiss to her temple. "I really, really love you," she said softly.
Ava looked up at her with a soft smile. "I love you too," she said before facing front again. "But let's talk clothes! Are we just gonna put all our stuff into one closet and wear everything, no matter who it belongs to? Or are you one of those folks that wants to keep some items to themselves? Because personally, I'm all for sharing is caring, and you gotta admit that we look pretty damn cute in each other's hoodies, which is also the reason I buy them oversized, or you'd never fit into mine."