Celeste slipped into her room and gently closed the door behind her, the soft click of the knob sounding louder than it should've. The moment she stepped inside, she released the breath she didn't know she was holding.
Rowan was still asleep. Thank god.
She turned, tiptoed past his door like a burglar, and dove straight onto her bed with a muffled thud—still wearing Ash's jacket. Her heart pounded in her chest, not from guilt, but from the pure chaos of what just happened.
Her fingers brushed over her lips.
She could still feel the way he kissed her…
Like he needed her.
A dumb, helpless smile spread across her face.
Unable to contain it, she pulled the blanket over her head like a kid hiding from the world and grabbed her phone, thumbs moving fast.
Celeste:
I made it back, rowan still asleep hihi
A reply came just seconds later.
Ash:
My heart dropped 3 times. I kept thinking you'd get caught.
Celeste:
Hahahah scared? 😏
She smirked at the screen, already imagining his pouty face.
Ash:
No.
If Rowan found out, I'm ready to get punched.
She laughed. Even though it was a little cheesy, it still made her heart flutter. He meant it.
Then she saw the 'typing...'
Ash:
Hope my face won't disconnect from my neck.
Celeste snorted, laughing out loud.
"What the hell Ash" she whispered, still laughing, her voice muffled under the covers.
Celeste:
HAHAHAHA
Don't worry, that won't happen ekekeke
She stared at the message, grinning to herself.
Then, softer, she murmured to herself,
"You have no idea… if I'm a man right now, I'd be the one getting punched for seducing his precious bestfriend."
But her grin faded slightly as her hand touched her neck.
"…But the problem right now is… how can I face Rowan with these marks?"
With that final thought, her eyes began to close—and she drifted off to sleep.
_________
*Knock *Knock *Knock
"Cel? Are you still sleeping? It's already lunch time."
No response.
Rowan stood outside her door for a moment before sighing.
"Haaayss… fine," he muttered, turning away.
.
.
.
Inside, Celeste stirred.
Her eyelashes fluttered, her face half-buried in the pillow. She groaned lightly and reached for her phone.
10:21 AM
Below the time was a cluster of unread messages.
[Ash 🐰]
7:59 AM
Sorry again…
I didn't realize I left that many marks.
8:02 AM
If it hurts or looks bad, just tell me.
I'll be more careful next time.
8:40 AM
Did you fall asleep?
8:53 AM
Sleep well then.
I'll wait until you wake up.
Celeste stared at the screen, smile creeping back.
.
.
.
Ash sat on the couch, legs pulled up and arms lazily resting on his knees. The TV was on, some random show playing in the background—but he wasn't watching it.
His phone was in his hand. Again.
He checked the screen.
Still nothing.
It had only been five minutes since he last looked, but it felt longer.
His thoughts wandered back to last night. Her soft moans. The heat of her skin. The way she whispered his name like it was something precious.
It was supposed to be just a kiss, but it turned into something else. Something they barely managed to stop.
Ash covered his face with his hand, groaning into his palm.
"God, I'm going crazy…"
He tried to focus on the TV again, but it was pointless.
Even when he ate earlier, he kept replaying every second of what happened—her lips, her touch, the way she clung to him.
Even doing the dishes didn't help. All he could think about was how her breath hitched when he kissed down her chest… how her fingers curled around his hair… how she tasted.
Ash shifted on the couch.
"I need to stop thinking about this."
He grabbed his phone. Still no reply.
His heart sank a little.
Maybe she's asleep… or maybe she regrets it?
He stared at the screen, chewing the inside of his cheek.
Then—
*Buzz.
He almost dropped the phone.
His heart thudded as he unlocked the screen and saw her name.
Celeste:
Yuh i fell asleep.
I just woke up.
What're you doing right now?
The marks don't hurt.
It looks like a tattoo lol
You don't need to be careful next time
He blinked at the message, a small smile tugging at his lips.
She's not mad…?
No… she's joking. Teasing.
God, she's really not helping.
Then another message popped in.
Celeste:
Instead, buy a pack of condom
Or make it 3 packs hihi
Ash stared.
Then choked.
His ears turned red. His whole body felt hot.
Did she really just—
He read the message again, just to be sure.
Then again.
"…She's gonna kill me," he muttered under his breath, grinning like an idiot.
His thumbs hovered for a second before he typed:
Ash:
I will.
Simple. Short. Honest.
And judging by how fast his heart was beating, he knew she'd see right through him.
Still smiling to himself, he dropped the phone on his chest and let his head fall back on the couch.
"I'm so screwed" he murmured.
And somehow, he didn't mind at all.
Celeste read the message. Grinning to herself.
"Ohh~ looks like we just tamed a beast," she murmured, stretching lazily.
She stood and took off Ash's jacket, folding it neatly and hanging it on the cabinet door. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.
Her neck had faint marks—some already fading, but others still prominent. She lifted her shirt to see the other marks on her stomach.
"Ash, you maniac…" she muttered under her breath—but she was smiling.
She hadn't even showered yet. But the problem was—the bathroom was outside, near the living room where Rowan usually hangs out.
Celeste opened her drawer and grabbed a plain oversized shirt and a pair of loose shorts. She slipped into them quickly. She even grabbed her own jacket again just to be safe.
She sat cross-legged in front of her mirror, she grabbed her makeup pouch, rummaging through for a concealer stick, and started dabbing over the worst ones around her neck.
"This is not what I imagined I'd be doing first thing in the morning…"
Her chest was covered, at least. After a few careful pats and blending, the marks were invisible—or at least close enough.
Then she stood, slipping into the jacket once more and pulling the zipper just high enough to hide everything. and walked out of her room.
Rowan sat at the dining table, eating alone.
He looked up.
Celeste caught her breath.
Can he see it?
"You should eat now, I cooked for lunch," he said casually.
She inhaled in relief.
"Wow, you cooked?? For real??" she beamed.
"Bruhhh. Just eat," he replied, grumbling.
"Hehe~" she laughed, finally joining him.
________