to have and to hold office | part III teaser
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Bucky stood at the sink shaving. Standard fake-married roommate behavior.
The bathroom smelled faintly of cedar soap, mint toothpaste, and the tea he had made you before coming upstairs. The mirror was beginning to fog at the edges from the shower he had taken earlier. Morning light came in through the frosted window, softening the lines of his face as he drew the razor carefully along his jaw.
You watched him for perhaps two seconds too long, then looked back down at the crossword because you had survival instincts.
“Seven letters,” you said around the pen. “Old-timey word for handsome.”
Bucky’s eyes flicked to you. “Why’re you askin’ me?”
“I’m consulting a primary source.”
He rinsed the razor. “Debonair.”
You removed the pen from your mouth and stared at him. “Of course you knew that.”
He looked unimpressed, going back to shaving. “You gonna write it in?”
“Don’t rush me. I’m deciding if I want to give you the satisfaction.”
His mouth twitched, which nearly ruined the clean line he was shaving beneath his cheekbone.
You pointed the pen at him. “Careful, honeybun. Wouldn’t want to have to clean up bloodshed in the bathroom before eight.”
“Honeybun?”
You nodded. “Yeah, m’trying out old school pet names. Trying to meet you where you’re at, and all that.”
Bucky snorted. “Yeah, alright, babydoll.”
Part III out May 31st!