milo could hardly remember the last time he’d had a somewhat stable place to live — if that’s what you would call the current situation; he supposed a place to sleep would be a better word for it. he’d forgotten how nice it was, though, to not have to worry about finding someone to take him home or chance it outside for the night. and august had a nice fucking house, one of the best he’d ever staying in, probably. it was something a person could get used to, and that’s exactly why he didn’t let himself. every two or three days he allowed himself the privilege of climbing in through the guest room window and waking up to breakfast in the morning, because somehow she always knew when he’d stayed over. but he’d be gone again by noon, off to a shift at the diner or kahlo’s or wherever he’d managed to pick up work for the day. lather, rinse, and repeat again a few days later.
the book in his hands was a battered copy of the time machine by h. g. wells he’d swiped from the library’s donation bin, knowing full well it wouldn’t make it to the shelves in its condition. three-quarters of the way through it already, it was a short read that fit in the pocket of his hooded sweatshirt, and careful fingers flipped to the next page as his eyes pored over the words. it took him a second to register the knocks, but when the door cracked open he managed to pull his eyes away from the book, widening slightly at the girl in the doorway. “hey,” he said, allowing himself a quick but appreciative glance over her figure; he was seeing much more of it than he was accustomed to. his eyes moved back to hers with the ghost of a flush on his cheeks, words caught in his throat before he could answer — luckily, she didn’t give him much of a chance to. but who was he to turn down such an invitation? setting the book down carefully on the nightstand, he slipped out of bed and followed after her, his pace quickening so as to not lose his way. “you really do have everything here, don’t you,” he said, more of a statement than a question. “next you’re gonna unveil a movie theater and underground bowling alley.” he’d meant it as a joke, but feared his tone had come out more bitter than he’d meant. “maybe i’ll have to stick around a little longer sometime and explore.”
a quiet, breathy laugh left her at the mention of what other extravogent things she could be hiding throughout her home. things she was sure other residents who lived in the houses that carved out aquila drive did possess, but her family did not. however, august wasn’t quick to dispute his guesses—whether he was joking or not. not if keeping it something of a small mystery meant he’d stay even just a bit longer. she’d grown fond of his company, of him. while becoming acquainted with someone new often gave the opportunity to be someone new—present them with any number of sides you might have—august felt, already, even now, that she could be her whole self with him. despite the fact that, lately, she herself hadn’t been fully aware of what that looked like or meant. there was something refreshing about being in his company, something relaxing and reassuring. since a young age she’d formed a habit of always moving on to the next thing; the next thrill, the next place, the next job. seemingly against her own nature, she didn’t want that so badly now. she wanted things to stay as they were, if not become more somehow. she wanted them both to stay, if only for a little while.
but saying those sorts of things aloud usually ruined them, so halfway down the staircase, as one hand came to rest atop the railing, august came to a stop. there she looked over her shoulder and at him for a few long seconds, then said, “i’d like that.” for a moment her smile grew, only to disappear from view as she returned to looking forward and continued down the stairs. with quiet, hastened steps she padded towards the french doors at the back of the house that lead into the backyard, opening them without pause and breathing in the night air. “last one in sleeps outside.” allowing only a brief moment for the comment to register, august practically leapt through the doors and across the porch, doing a full sprint across the grass until she met the far side of the pool. then she dove in.
