"They called it codependency — I called it photosynthesis."

sunleaf

[sunxleaf]

Episode 2 - "A Collection Worth Seeing" 3.1k Words

It had just hit 8:10 AM when Icarus unlocked the bakery’s front door (She was 10 minutes late to opening but her regulars knew the last two weeks have been hard opening on time with Achillies), keys jingling softly in her hand as she slipped inside right after Achilles. The wind chimes above the door gave a light little ring before the silence settled back in.

The shop was dim, save for the blush of sunlight that was finally sneaking in through the blinds. Dust floats lazily through the golden light, catching on the tops of counters and the hanging chalkboard menu (Which she really needed to change to spring specials). Everything smelled cozy the flour, sugar, and distinct cinnamon smell almost like you were sitting in a coffee shop.

Achilles padded in before her, his tiny paws soft against the tile. He wore his little “Therapy Dog In Training” vest a size too big for him but he’d eventually go into it. Of course this was his favorite place in the world, well second to Icarus’s lap. He let out a sneeze as he adjusted to the bakery’s cooler air, then trotted to his little mat in the back corner, circling once before flopping down with a satisfied sigh.

“Oof, bless you babycakes I need to get you some allergy medicine and I guess now you’re all tucked out huh you couldn’t be this tired earlier?,” she said with a laugh , dropping her tote on the counter. “Let’s get these pastries done, I have an online lecture at 12:30 PM” Icarus murmured, cracking her knuckles as she glanced at the clock 8:13 AM.

She moved her tote bag to be under the counter in a cabinet, kicking off her black converse switching to her kitchen shoes, then pulling out her chef’s coat from her backpack along with a cap to keep the hair out of her face. The crisp white fabric was soft with wear, and the golden embroidery reading “Icarus P.” shimmered faintly as she slipped it on over her orange tube top buttoning it up.

Her apron followed, it was obviously worn, slightly stained, she’d need to wash it soon. Icarus rolled her coat sleeves to her elbows.

The fridge door swung open with a slight creek, she peeked inside with a grateful smile. “Oh thank fuck I prepped a shit ton of stuff last night.” The muffin batter was chilled and ready to be put into the baking tins. The fruits were washed and chilled. Some of her dough was being chilled and the others were being proofed overnight in the proof box. Cakes were being chilled and just need to be decorated (Past her wasn’t a complete bum)

She set the ovens to 375° to preheat, turned on the warmers and heat lamps, She was buzzing through the kitchen and display. It was years of practice. She’d connected her phone to a small bluetooth speaker she kept near the espresso machine. Icarus put on her shuffled playlist and Wanna Be (With Megan Thee Stallion) By GolRilla was the first song to pop on.

Icarus danced along following the rhythm as the song went on. She washed her hands and grabbed all her batters and doughs from the fridge. Along with all the pans and other equipment she needed. 

“I guess I should start with the muffins and cupcakes” She lines up six muffin tins each being able to hold 35. “Chocolate chip, Blueberry, Banana” She murmurs the flavors as she scoops each into their designated tins. She glanced over at Achilles as she puts the tins in the oven he’d fallen asleep. “Ol’ lazy ass,”  she chuckled, putting on a timer for the muffins and cupcakes.

Icarus wiped the batter she got on her hands onto her apron looking up at the time 8:55 AM. “Shit the signs been off this whole time?” She cursed walking over to turn on the Open sign and flip the sign on the door to say open.

She spun around heading back to the kitchen, but the soft jingle of the wind chimes on the door cuts through the music. (She can’t be too surprised. She was almost 1 hour late to opening).

Icarus hopped the counter to get behind the register “Good Morning Welcome To The Golden Crumb” She spoke in her customer service voice only to realize it was Meli. “OH DUCKSTER What are you doing here so early don’t you have class?”

Meli seemed a little disheveled and slightly out of breath. “Oh you’re late aren’t ya Ducky?” Icarus smiled leaning against the counter. Once Ducky caught her breath she spoke “I am hungry” Icarus laughed “I bet hang on I’ll get you a snack” 

Icarus grabs one of the to-go cups and scoops some fruit into it and she grabs a chocolate croissant from the fridge which she froze last night, throwing it in the toaster for three minutes. “Not as flaky as normal but the best I can do since everything is still baking” 

“Thank you!” Ducky eats the croissant and makeshift fruit cup trying to pay for what she was given. “Ducky IF YOU DON'T PUT THAT MONEY BACK! You don’t pay and you know that you’re like my little sister” Icarus hops the counter patting Ducky on the head sending her on her way. “Don’t forget to do your homework and all that good stuff! SEE YA LATER YEAH!” Icarus yells with a smile as she sends her off Ducky waves and yells back “YEAH!” 

Just as Icarus was about to get behind the counter the timers for the muffins and cupcakes go off and she heads to the back glancing at the digital clock 9:30 AM. “Fuck time sure is flying I have to be in that lecture soon” (she had a good 3 hours).

She took all the muffins and cupcakes out leaving them to the side to cool. She then starts prepping the cinnamon rolls and breads. Once that was all in the oven Icarus set another timer.Time passes a little slower with a few customers wandering in new and old. Some kids come in with their parents to pet and play with Achilles and get a snack.

Icarus smiles at them all as they look around as she starts to frost the cupcakes and put the muffins in their displays. After some time passes and the flow is steady since normally everything slows down around this time only picking up again when the local high school gets out, Icarus pulls her laptop from her backpack, opening up her online lecture to play in the background as she works.

Alhaitham stepped inside casually, the faintest lift to one brow as his eyes scanned the cozy interior. He looked a little out of place since he rarely ever came to the bakery. Icarus looked up from her lecture at the sound of the chimes. “Afternoon welcome to OH! Alhaitham, your morning lectures just ended?”

Alhaitham nods looking at the goods on display Icarus chuckles “I have a green tea and a chocolate chip muffin with your name on it~” She teased as she bags his chocolate chip muffin she knew what to choose for him something not to sweet that would pair with the hot tea. He rolled his eyes but accepted the muffin. “Green tea's gonna take a few so give it a minute hon” Icarus turned away to make the tea.

Alhaitham feels the heat rise to his neck but his face remains neutral. Icarus often called him pet names she called everyone pet names there was no need to get flustered over a habit. “Soo when’s your next class?” She asked while her back was facing him. His eyes never leave the back of her neck. “Psycholinguistics in about an hour” he answered a bit stiffly (his Psycholinguistics class started 30 minutes ago but he’d lie to give himself time). 

“Ooh sounds cool and fancy. I am technically in an Accounting class right now” she turns with the tea in her hand and a smile. “Gonna hang out til your next class then? I could use the company” Icarus smiled leaning against the counter Achilles barked offended as he made his way towards Alhaitham to lay at his feet. “Though Achilles is great and all! I need a human to talk to who’s not a customer”

“Aren’t I technically a customer?” He questioned “No since you got it for free and you’re my friend plus Kaveh and Alexis won’t be here for another hour or so since Kaveh’s classes don’t end til 1:30 PM ish? At least I think he always strolls in around that time on Mondays.” She complained fully laying on the counter now.

His finger twitched at the word friend as he grabbed the tea from her. Though he loved how animated she was all her emotions were just right there. “I can stay a bit” (He really couldn’t but he’d already missed most of his class coming here already). All his attention is on her as he stands there drinking his tea listening to her as Achilles leans on his legs.  Not once does his eyes leave her as she rambles on.

“Oh and I watched Fight Club last night for the first time in a while. I've been watching so many movies since I got a DVD player again” That catches his attention he’d known from Kaveh and Alexis that she had a deep love for movies. “Really?” He asked with a raised brow. “Yeah sucks you can hardly find DVDs for cheap now especially older ones” Icarus slumps into the counter leaving her lecture as it just ended.

“I have some DVD’s if you’d like to borrow them” Alhaitham offered the tip of his ears dusting a light pink. “Really can I come over later to see what you have??” She smiled at him. 

Alhaitham hesitated for a moment, not that it would be obvious he has self control. He’d done mental hoops trying to figure out an excuse to say no: He’d be busy studying (she’d just suggest coming over after or studying with him), the state of his and Kaveh's place (she wouldn’t care she just say its fine and come over anyway), the fact that he couldn’t handle the idea of Icarus being in his room looking through his collections (he definitely couldn’t tell her that last one).

Yet none of those excuses come out. “If you want to,” He cleared his throat trying to make sure it wouldn’t crack. Icarus lights up immediately…‘How pretty’ he thought as he watched her light up as if he’d given her the highest honor. She’d been over many times to see Kaveh since they’ve known each other since high school sharing a few classes. Alhaitham noticed how she only had one dimple on the left when she smiled.

“Wait for real? Like I can come over and actually go in your room?” Icarus smiled. Every time she’d come over to help Kaveh with something he needed help with (which more often than not was just her listening to his rambles about Alexis or helping him get materials).“I don’t make a habit of offering things I don’t intend to follow through on.” Alhaitham defended himself.

“That sounded like a yes, and don’t you literally back out of helping Kaveh with things all the time?” Icarus accused with a laugh “He complains about it all the time.”

“...That’s different” ‘Kaveh isn't you’ he wants to say but instead. “Thats Kaveh” he defends weakly making Icarus laugh. “Okay well I hope you know I will definitely be taking advantage of this you never let me see inside your room before.” She grins as Alhaitham rolls his eyes.“I assumed as much and I don’t see why you’re so interested in seeing my room outside of wanting to see all the DVDs.” He says in a slight teasing tone. “I don’t know it's kinda like a secret camber or like an undiscovered part of the map in a videogame” she tried to explain without sounding insane.

Achilles shifted at Alhaitham’s feet pressing himself further into his legs, his tail flicking lightly against the floor. Alhaitham places down his tea and muffin to bend down and pet Achilles but his attention never really leaves Icarus.

She rests her chin on her palm watching him as he pet Achilles. “You know I never thought you of all people would have a movie collection. I always thought you’d like books over movies honestly” she said absently, watching him intently. 

“I only keep physical media since paying for all those subscriptions to watch a few movies is idiotic…and I like movies” Alhaitham weakly defended at the end making her laugh. “Honestly a fair reason I would love to have a collection so do you have more than just movies?” she smiled.

He looked up at her “You’ll just have to see when you come over” Icarus rolled her eyes with her smile growing wider. “Oh so you’re gatekeeping your collection are ya?” 

“I’m preventing you from making inaccurate assumptions”Alhaitham exhaled through his nose, sounding almost like a laugh. “It’s too late for that, I already have assumptions.”

“I’m aware.”

She huffed a small laugh, shaking her head. “You’re so weird.”

“And yet you’re still asking to come over to see my collection.”

“Yeah, well,” she shrugged, a little softer now, “you’re…interesting is the nicest way I can put it.”

Alhaitham froze, petting Achilles, just for a second. Interesting. It was vague, loose and completely unhelpful. He preferred when she just said exactly what she meant.

“…You are terrible at describing things,” he said, quietly. She blinked, “HEY! IT'S A GOOD THING, a compliment if you will!” He rolled his eyes, “That's dumb.” She laughed straightening up playfully pointing at him. “Okay okay here is a better way of describing what I meant you’re nothing like I expected. You always manage to surprise me, weirdly interesting and-” She stopped letting the rest of her sentence die in her throat.

It was subtle. Anyone else would miss it. But Alhaitham didn’t miss things like that, especially not when it came to her.

“and what?” he prompted.

Icarus didn’t say anything at first. “Nah it's nothing I forgot.” Alhaitham raised a brow. She always said that as an excuse “That’s not a real answer.” She rolled her eyes “Too bad, that’s all I got for you.”

He exhaled quietly through his nose, standing at his full height brushing the dog hair off his legs. “You’re not as composed as you think you are.” She huffed “And you’re not as unaffected as you pretend to be.” That was close. Waaay too close for comfort.

Icarus looks up, their eyes meeting for a moment, neither of them moving until Achilles shifts at Alhaitham’s feet. Icarus broke the silence first, pushing herself off the counter. “Sooooo uh— we’re still on for later, right? Your place?”Alhaitham nodded.

 “C-c-c-c-c-c-c-c-c–c-c-cool cool yeah yeah uhm I’ll bring snacks.” She lingered for half a second too long, like she was considering saying something else but she didn’t.

“…Okay.” Alhaitham said quietly his gaze not leaving her even as she turned away, busying herself with absolutely nothing, and Alhaitham stayed right where he was for longer than necessary. The silence was a little awkward.

Then—

“Icarus.” She looked back. “If you’re coming over,” he said, tone carefully neutral, “try to arrive on time.”

A beat. “Whyyyy you excited?” she teased,a smile creeping back on her face.

“No.”he said a beat too fast. Her grin widened. “Suuuuure you’re not.”

He didn’t respond to that. He rolled his eyes before picking up his things along with the tea and the muffin, adjusted his headphones back into place though as he left, the faint color at the tips of his ears hadn’t quite faded.

“See ya!” Icarus waved goodbye as Achilles huffed from losing his pillow. “Oh you big baby” Icarus came out from behind the counter moving Achilles back to his bed. As Icarus was getting back behind the counter the bells on the door went off once again.

“Welcome to The Golden Crumb give me a second!” She says as she washes her hands from touching Achilles only to turn around and find Sam. “Hey shouldn’t you be in class still?” Icarus glanced at the clock 2:30…woah she’d been talking to Alhaitham for a while. “Did you hit your head or something?? Class ended 20 minutes ago or is it cause Alhaitham was in here” The younger boy teased. 

“How do you even know about that it takes you like 20 minutes to walk here from your school with your short legs? And Yeah a little earlier on the counter grabbing something for a customer” Icarus scrunched her nose, her face felt a little warm..probably from the oven. "You HIT YOUR HEAD? Well no wonder you forgot about school.. wait.. my legs aren't THAT short I grew an inch like a week ago" Icarus looked unimpressed with his defense on his height.

“If you grew an inch I grew a foot ya look even shorter than you were last week what are you now 4’8?” She cackled as she pushed muffins and croissants to the front with tongs. “I AM 5’0 OFFICIALLY NOW AND YOU KNOW IT!” Icarus cackled harder at his outburst. “Oh I apologize” She laughed softer now, bagging him a plain croissant and pouring hot chocolate.

“Here what you came for” Icarus tossed the bag on the counter and placed the hot chocolate right next to it. “Cause you definitely didn’t only come to see little ol’ me not since you get this stuff for free” She snickered. “Side note, your little friend is waiting for you to go pet him” She motions to Achilles who is now standing in his bed waiting for attention from Sam. 

Icarus smiles as her little brother goes to play with the dog. ‘Funny how fast a kid will warm up to you when you offer them free food almost everyday and let them play with your dog.’ She thinks, looking at Sam and Achilles before turning her attention to the door. “I wonder where Kaveh is, he was supposed to be here like 30 minutes ago..bet he’s gonna come in complaining about something too” She muttered watching the door waiting for her close friend from high school to walk in.

After a few minutes Sam leaves, taking his snack and giving Achilles a few farewell pats. Icarus smiles and waves goodbye. But of course the bells on top of the door ring one more time cause Icarus can never have a moment of peace. “You will not believe what happened to me on the way over here” The blonde starts immediately, not even a hello or a how is everything of course.

“Hey Kaveh” Icarus gives him a lazy smile leaning  against the counter. “What happened now huh?”

[sunxleaf]

Episode 1 - "Even Thunder Can't Stop Achilles" 2.6k Words (Rewrite)

It was a stormy morning, the kind where the sky forgets the sun exists. Soft rumbles rolled through the clouds as the world was still asleep. It was 4:30 AM on a Monday, most of the city was tucked into dreams but of course Icarus was already awake.

A thump shook the mattress as Achilles, her gangly Great Dane puppy (which she’d gotten 2 weeks ago on a partial ‘whim’), pounced onto the bed with all the elegance of a baby deer . When she picked him he was the runt of the litter apparently, she thought he would have been calm and tranquil because of that. Boy was she fucking wrong. He was all paw and heart, who apparently was very passionate about early morning walks. Which Icarus normally wouldn’t mind but it was 4:30 in the fucking morning. She didn’t have to be up for another hour. 

Icarus groaned into her pillow. “You know it’s thundering out there, right?” she mumbled. Achilles let out a bark, his tail wagging; he didn't care (Not a care in the world that one).“Okay Okay I am up I am up be quiet before you wake up Alexis” Icarus grumbled burying her face into her pillow. 

Lightning lit up the room for a blink. Silence filled the room “I love this dog too fucking much”, she sat up slowly with a groan, her bonnet falling off, her tank top slouched from Her weird sleeping positions. Achilles pressed his cold nose to her arm with a whine, a sign for her to hurry up.

She groans looking at her phone as it reads 4:33 AM.

“Okay. Okay, you won, I am getting up not like I am gonna be able to fall back asleep.”

She shuffled out of bed, groggy and barely upright, dragging on a pair of loose jeans that were laying on the floor and an oversized spider-man sweater that still smelled like laundry detergent and flour. Her red converse sat by her room door, the sides of her shoes covered in dirt from yesterday’s detour through the park chasing Achillies after he’d run off to attempt catching a squirrel. 

Achilles ran in an excited circle on the bed, knocking his tail into the bed’s headboard, Icarus crouched to tug at her shoe lace, the leash on the floor next to her. 

Rain pattered against the windows like a lullaby meant for someone else.

And outside, the world waited—clouds heavy, airsoft, and something just on the edge of beginning.

“You’re gonna be the death of me,” she muttered, more fond than frustrated, she picked him up looping the metal clasp of the leash through the metal ring on Achilles’ collar. He responded with a sneeze and a lick to her hand as he tried to wiggle his way out of her hold.

They slipped out into the hallway quietly, Icarus tiptoeing past Alexi’s door trying not to wake the girl up before needed. The last thing she needed was her roommate waking up and questioning as to why she was dressed in the same clothes as yesterday, eyes barely open, holding a dog with enough energy to fuel the house if you put him on a wheel at 4:36 in the fucking morning. 

Icarus quickly opened the front door and the second she opened the door, the wind hit her cool, damp, and smelling like wet grass. Achilles didn’t care of course he didn’t. He immediately tried to drag her into the wet grass as soon as Icarus put him down, his nails clicking against the pavement of the sidewalk, his little head held high like he’d won in life.

The city itself was still wrapped in a blanket of night aside from the few people out this late (Early?) either because of work or partying and a few 24 hour convenience stores. Rain lightly tapped against the windows like it was trying not to disturb the sleeping world. 

“I swear to God, if you chase a squirrel into a storm drain I am not gonna get you again”

He barked, offended almost like he understood her.

She exhaled through her nose, muttering something halfway between a prayer and a curse, pulling her sweater sleeves down past her hands as they crossed the street.

It was barely light, just a smear of gray creeping over the tops of buildings, but there was something... soft about it. Like the world was briefly suspended. Like this moment, ridiculous and rain-slick and unplanned, belonged only to them.

Achilles slowed as they reached the corner, sniffing at something invisible on a patch of damp grass. Icarus stood there, arms folded, hoodie soaked at the shoulders.

And despite everything the hour, the storm, the bone-deep tiredness she has a tired smile on her face.

“Alright, Achilles you’re so lucky I love you cause its fuckin cold. Lead the way.”

The dog’s ears perked. He took off down the block, leash taut between them, Icarus jogging now to keep up as the rain fell, her shoes splashing through shallow puddles. Somewhere in the distance, thunder rumbled again.

But this time, she didn’t mind.

After about an hour of weaving through puddles, stopping to sniff every interesting leaf, and chasing exactly zero squirrels (but definitely thinking about it), little Achilles finally started to slow down.

Icarus crouched beside him, brushing rainwater from his velvety ears. “Okay, babycakes. You’ve used the bathroom and had your fun,” she said huffed trying to catch her breath from that early morning work out. “Now we really gotta go.”

She pulled out her phone with one hand, the leash coiled in the other.

5:50 AM.

Her heart dropped to her fucking ass.

“Oh no no no—”

She scooped Achilles up without thinking, tucking the damp bundle of puppy against her chest like a warm, squirming loaf of bread. “We’re late and I haven’t even started breakfast!”

The streetlamps still glowed faint orange as she ran down the sidewalk, her soaked Converse splashing in shallow puddles. “Alexis is gonna wake up to zero eggs and negative pancakes and I’m gonna feel like a terrible roommate/older sister.”

Achilles wriggled slightly in her arms, nose twitching, big paws dangling over her elbow. He wasn’t quite used to being carried while Icarus was running, but he didn’t seem to mind the warmth—or her heartbeat thudding against his tiny ribs.

Icarus pushed into the gate running right past the little garden in front of the house. “I hope you know you're the reason we’re running so behind” He sneezed and huffed, his tail thumping weakly against her side. “You are so fucking sassy you know that babycakes?”

The house was quiet, no lights under Alexis’s door, no shuffle of slippers or sleepy voice calling her name. Icarus exhaled hard trying to catch her breath, gently lowering Achilles onto the welcome mat just inside the doorway.

She stripped off her soaked hoodie and kicked off her shoes, leaving her in a soaked tank top and jeans as she tiptoed to the kitchen.

The clock above the stove glared at her: 5:59 AM. (Shit That’s a new record for her running home)

Just in time.

She moved fast—flipping on the burner, grabbing the mixing bowl, cracking eggs with a practiced rhythm. Achilles trotted behind her, tiny nails tapping the tile, before curling into a ball near the fridge where it was warm and he could watch her.

A faint shuffle behind her made her pause but it was just Achilles shifting in his spot. Alexis wasn’t up yet.

“Well aren’t you lucky to get some more rest” Icarus spoke sarcastically, spatula in hand. “Okay, babycakes,” she cracked her knuckles. “Let’s do this fast but still make it good, yeah." (She should really stop talking to the dog as if he was human)

The smell of cinnamon and butter began to fill the room. The day hadn’t even started, but already, something about it felt golden.

The kitchen smelled like comfort sweet butter, cinnamon, maple, and warm vanilla. Two strawberry crepes sat perfectly golden on a plate beside a small pile of scrambled eggs, a few pieces of sausage, hashbrowns and a small bowl of fruit Alexis’s favorite. 

She wrapped the plate loosely in foil leaving a little room for steam to escape so it doesn’t get soggy and set it on the table. Then, on a sticky note shaped like a slice of cake, she scribbled in her slanted handwriting: 

She stuck the note onto the foil, giving it a soft pat before arranging everything neatly on the table. The silverware was laid out with care, a napkin folded in the shape of a flower. It was a small habit that started when they first started living together, but one Icarus loved. Alexis deserved something nice to start her day, and Icarus liked to think she’d smile when she saw it.

“Alright, Achilles,” she started turning to the tiny Great Dane puppy lounging by the fridge. “Time for me to not smell like you.” She crouched down, booping the dog's nose.

Achilles sneezed wagging his little tail. She gave him a quick scratch behind the ears before padding off to her room Achilles as always not far behind her, tail wagging, tiny paws tapping against the floor like he was already on duty. 

“Alright, boss man, Time for a speed shower cause I cannot smell like a wet dog.” Achilles on his bed in her room almost offended by the comment. Icarus rolled her eyes.

She grabbed her towel from behind her room door quickly making her way to the bathroom and hopping into the shower, washing off the early morning rain and puppy drool. By the time she stepped out, the sun had fully crested the buildings, casting warm light through the bathroom window. She glanced at her phone that was playing soft music. It read 7:09 am…yeah she was definitely going to be late to opening.

Icarus wrapped her towel around her damp body before she walked out of her bathroom to her bedroom. She rummaged through her closet, pulling out an orange tube top that hugged her figure and showed just a peek of her stomach across the front, in white cursive it said ‘Here Comes The Sun’. Next came her low-rise, baggy jorts, hanging casually around her hips and cinched with a fraying canvas belt. 

She paused by the mirror to pull her thick 4C coils into a puff bun. A few delicate coils framed her face, and she smoothed down her edges with an edge brush before putting on her lip gloss feeling too lazy to do anything else.

Her red converse is normally what went on next but they were still wet from this morning so she opted for her black converse instead, the white parts scuffed to hell, paired with white socks that slouched just above the ankles.

And as she moved through the room, she carried the soft scent of cocoa butter, laced with orange peels, and vanilla. She grabbed her tote with her bakery logo stitched on the side, and finally turned to Achilles, who blinked up at her from his bed. “Oh now your tired come here you”

She knelt beside him and gently slipped on his tiny therapy dog in training vest. It was still a bit too big for him (Maybe she could feed him a bit more..even if the vet specifically told her he was fine), But for the runt of the litter he stood tall well, as tall as eight pounds and 18 inches could get. His tail wagged slowly as she adjusted the straps and gave him a quick scratch behind the ears.

“You look so official,” she said with a smile scratching behind his ears as she fixed the straps. She looked up at the clock one more time and immediate panic hit her bones. “7:30?!”

Icarus rushed, shoving her umbrella, keys, her water bottle, phone and a few other miscellaneous things in her bag. Before running to the front door she knocked softly on Alexis’ door “Lexi start getting up. You're gonna be late for class. I left you breakfast! OH and don’t forget an umbrella, okay bye love you!” Leaving as she heard Alexis shuffle

Icarus balanced her heavy backpack, her tote bag and Achilles leash awkwardly as she tried to open the front door. She cracked the door open forgetting that Achilles currently has no leash on and of course the puppy’s previous sleepiness gone he made a run for it.

“Achilles, WAIT FUCK!” Icarus dropped her things to chase after the little thing but it was already too late. He ran right into the cute neighbor from next door Alhaitham who Icarus assumed was off to his morning classes.

Icarus ran over with Achilles leash in her hands, almost running into Alhaitham. “haha…Morning.”

Alhaitham looked at the dog. Then at her. Then at the dog again.

“Morning…Is this official therapy dog patrol?”

Achilles barked proudly, licking and sniffing Alhaitham’s shoes.

Icarus grabbed the little escape artist (though it was entirely her fault he escaped) with a sigh as he tried to climb up Alhaitham. “We’re working on it. Sorry for him and uhm also running into you. Uh… how about you stop by The Golden Crumb later after your morning lecture? I’ll give you uh a treat free of charge from the bakery”

Alhaitham blinked. “You’re offering me baked goods as… compensation for your dog attacking me?”

“He didn’t attack you okay he’s just very uncoordinated with greeting you, it's all affection and poor motor control.” Icarus chuckled as she explained. Alhaitham opened his mouth, closed it, then glanced down at Achilles, who was now sitting smugly in Icarus' arms like he knew exactly what he’d done.

“…Some people would call that attacking and I don’t eat sweets.” (He really didn’t he just ate it because she made it)

“You liked the scone I gave you last Tuesday.” Icarus raised a brow.

“That barely counts,” Alhaitham countered. “It was a fluke”

“‘Flukes’ don’t happen every time I give you something now, that's just a pattern,” she laughs “Here help me get my stuff will ya?” Referring to all the stuff she dropped in favor of running after Achilles.

Icarus smiled. 

Alhaitham stared at her. Stared a little too long. “You’re staring Alhaitham , are you gonna help or not?” Icarus brought him back down to earth and just as he was about to open his mouth to say something. 

Achilles barked. Snapping Icarus back to reality looking at her phone 7:48 AM it read. “Fuck I am so late.” She picked up her car keys from the driveway and unlocked the car, putting Achilles in his little dog car pen.

Alhaitham helps pick up the rest of the things that fell, putting them back in her bag. Alhaitham sighed, holding the bag out to her as she dealt with Achilles and if Icarus had looked up a little sooner she would have seen the red color of his ears. “…I’m going to class.” He walks away after handing her bags over.

Icarus puts everything into the car “I’ll save you a fluke scone, remember to stop by later,” she called after him with a smile as he walked away stiffly, doing everything in his power not to watch her leave before he did. Right before he got into his own car, he glanced over his shoulder just as she got into the car singing along with whatever was playing on the radio as she drove off.