Um…hi…

-dodges rain of rotten eggs-

I know, I know! It's been over a month. Almost two. I truly apologize to keep you waiting! I at least hope you all had an amazing summer.

I unfortunately had a small adventure with my health, which kept me from writing. But no worries, I'm fully recovered now and ready to go! And all your lovely reviews help me get through it with a smile! :D

This is a huge chapter, so I hope it pays back for my equally ridiculously long absence. And it's actually 100% unadulterated Chloe and Bucky spending time together, so yay? At some point I think I will edit the previous one too; I was re-reading recently and I found it looks more like a rough draft rather than a complete chapter…:/

Oh, and since I was asked about the pronunciation of Bucky's alias, I think the best way is for you to hear it:

"Serge" rhymes with "urge" , while "Sergiu" is pronounced like "Serge" if you add an "ew" at the end.

By the way, I was considering uploading this story in other platforms too. Do you think this is a good idea?

As always, thank you for the lovely reviews, favorites, follows and your overall support and love! You are the best!

Xoxo,

Lady Turwaithiel

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OCs


Of flowers, coffee and plum tarts

Chapter 7: The horrors of nature, part 2

It was cool autumn night outside, clear skied and smelling faintly of rain; the air chilly and fresh against the skin. The streets were silent and dark but for the small pools of light beneath the street lamps, and with the exception of the occasional frightened cat, completely empty.

Chloe closed her eyes and took a deep breath, enjoying the sensation of fresh cold air filling her lungs.

"Where does your friend live?" Sergiu's voice echoed from behind her.

She turned towards him. He was standing in the doorway, arms crossed.

"A few blocks from here." she told him, nodding towards the general direction of Annika's home.

He nodded and started walking towards there. Chloe quickened her pace; she needed to lead the way after all, and his strides were significantly longer than hers.

After a while, Chloe shifted the weight of the colander in her hands, and raised the towel just a little.

The mouse turned to look at her in fear, but besides being clearly shocked, it seemed to be completely fine.

Chloe smiled and covered it again.

After a few moments, she looked again and the mouse locked eyes with her and twitched its little pink nose.

Little white fluffy cutie pie…

She really couldn't understand how anyone could be afraid of something so cute. Rats she could kinda get, but mice?

So tiny, so vulnerable…she thought, eyeing the small rodent once more.

That's when she heard a meow from behind her.

Turning, she saw a grey, long-haired cat looking at them from the shadows.

Chloe looked at the cat, the cat looked at Chloe, and then stalked towards them, with its eyes on the colander.

"No, no, no!" Chloe exclaimed, hugging the colander protectively "Bad kitty!"

"Perhaps it's hungry." Sergiu flatly remarked.

"Well, it should find its own mouse!" Chloe protested "This one is not for eating!"

Her neighbor gave her a strict look.

"You realize it will probably get eaten or killed anyway?"

Chloe clenched her jaw and the colander in her arms, as she raised her chin in defiance.

Now you're just asking for a lecture, dear neighbor.

"I grew up next to a national park, city boy, do you think I don't know how nature works? But this mouse's life is not mine to do as I like with it. I don't get to decide when it dies; I don't have the right to."

He blinked slowly as he looked at her.

"It's a mouse."

"Yes it is. Would we be having this conversation if it was a dog? I doubt it. Who are we to say one life is worth more than the other?"

He grew silent, but looked at her in deep thought. Chloe looked at the mouse inside the colander, and once more she spoke; in a hushed, soft voice.

"How's it different from you and me? If you hold it, you'll feel its heartbeat. If it's hungry it eats, if it's tired it sleeps. If you kill it, in its last moment it will just be terrified, desperate to live. Is that not worth saving?"

He didn't answer. Instead he looked at her, his gaze examining and curious.

She covered the colander and smiled to him.

"Perhaps I'm too soft." Chloe shrugged with a nervous laughter "I fear it's a weakness of mine."

"No." he said, frowning "You're kind. That's not a weakness at all."

Chloe parted her lips to say something, but she found no words. She realized there was admiration in his voice. She smiled brightly at him, then looked at her boots, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Thank you."

They walked in silence for a while, before Sergiu spoke again, his tone lighter.

"City boy?" he asked, obviously just realizing what she called him.

Chloe chuckled.

"Am I wrong?"

He looked at her severely, but didn't answer.

That made her laugh even more.

"Don't take it personally; it's always obvious when someone has grown up in a city. You carry that urbanity with you like a turtle carries its shell."

"If you say so."

Chloe stuck her tongue out to him.

"Very mature."

She blew a raspberry this time around. He just rolled his eyes.

Chloe just smiled and kicked a small stone as they walked next to each other. The air between them was light, casual almost.

This is nice… Chloe thought as she looked up at him.

She liked being friends with him. And since she had decided to be just that, she found it much easier to talk to him.

As they turned around the corner, Annika's apartment building entered her line of vision, and she nodded towards it.

"That's the one!" she told him with a smile and slowly handed him the colander. He took it in his hands gingerly, and Chloe felt a warm fuzzy feeling in her heart.

Maybe I got to him…

Smiling at him, she pulled her phone out of her pocket and dialed Annika. After a couple of rings, she picked it up.

"Hey, it's me!" Chloe chirped.

"I know Chloe, I have caller ID."

"You're such a sweetheart. We're here, shall I come up?"

"We?"

"Yes."

"Sexy neighbor included?"

"Yes."

"Okay you are coming upstairs right now and you are answering questions."

"Okay, wait…" Chloe said, trying to keep a straight face as she turned towards Sergiu "I'm going up to take the keys, mind if you stay here with the mouse?"

Sergiu shook his head.

"Thanks." she smiled at him, and turned back to her phone "Yeah, I'm coming. What's the name on the bell again?"

"Codreanu."

"Okay, see you in a few seconds!"

Practically bouncing, she climbed the four steps that led to the door and rang the doorbell.

A few seconds later she heard a buzz and pushed the door, glancing back at Sergiu who was standing in the middle of the street, looking at her. She signaled him it would take her just a few, and closed the door behind her as she entered the building.

Well I hope it takes me just a few…she mused as she eyed the stairs. Thankfully, Annika lived at the second floor, so there was no intense climbing involved. The humidity always made the ache on her knee return, and these past days going to her own apartment had been slightly painful.

As she climbed the final step, Annika's apartment door flew open and the girl practically bolted outside.

"Chloe…" she almost sang.

"Annika?" Chloe said, slightly worried.

Annika gave her the wickedest smile Chloe had ever witnessed.

"Don't Annika me; spill the beans."

Chloe blinked and sighed as she realized what the suggestive look in her friend's eyes.

"No Annie!" she huffed "Bad Annie!"

The girl rolled her eyes.

"You turn up at my door this late in the night, strolling around, riding bikes and saving animals with your neighbor, and you really expect me not to jump in conclusions?"

Chloe pinched the bridge of her nose.

"He's just helping me out Annika."

"Sure thing." her friend said dryly.

"How's your grandpa?" Chloe changed the subject.

It was Annika's turn to sigh.

"He hurts a bit, but he'll be fine. He's asleep now."

Chloe nodded.

"Tell him I wish him a swift recovery."

"Will do!" Annika chirped "Anyway, keys…I've parked just across the street."

She handed them to Chloe, along with a helmet.

"You wouldn't happen to have two?" Chloe asked, eyeing the helmet.

"Sorry, I rarely ride with company." her friend said "Anyway, be safe."

"Will do!" Chloe said, and Annika smiled slyly.

"I'm not talking just about the bike."

"Oh my god Annie!" Chloe exclaimed in exasperation, though she could stop herself from laughing "Stop that!"

"Have fun Chloe!" was the only thing Annika answered as she started closing her door "I'll come pick the bike up in the morning."

"Goodnight!" Chloe waved "Thank you so much!"

Annika waved and closed the door, as Chloe jumped down the steps. The door creaked as she exited back into the cool night. Sergiu raised his gaze to her.

"I'm back!" she sing-sang, jiggling the keys; looking around the motorcycle, until she finally spotted it under a tree "The bike is that one over there!" she continued, pointing at Annie's blue bike.

Sergiu turned his gaze to where she was pointing and nodded. He quickly transferred the colander in one hand, and raised the other.

Without hesitation, Chloe threw him the keys, and he caught them midair without any trouble.

Good reflexes.

"I hope you don't plan on leaving without me." she teased, skipping towards him with a smile.

"Mrs. Konstantinidou would kill me." Sergiu told her, very somberly.

Chloe couldn't help but laugh at the mental image of tiny Mrs. Adriana repeatedly smacking Sergiu's head with a spatula.

Still smiling, she eyed him with slight curiosity.

"Why do you keep calling her that, by the way?" she wondered, as she took the colander from his hands "She hates it!"

The old woman had made it very clear to her from the beginning that she was to call her Mrs. Adriana, and had gone on a raving about how ridiculous she considered her husband's surname to be.

Sergiu gave her a look.

"That's just what she tells you." he told her, in an almost confidential tone.

Chloe nodded; she had suspected it for a while actually. You don't teach the right pronunciation of a name you hate with such vigor.

At this point they were standing by the bike, and Chloe extended her hand to give Sergiu the helmet.

He eyed her hand, and then her with a disbelieving, almost mocking look in his eyes.

Oh no sir. I'm not made of porcelain, dammit.

"You're the driver, you should take it."

"No."

"Sergiu, I'm not leaving here until you take the damned helmet."

He didn't budge a millimeter as she raised her chin; instead he seemed to loom over her.

"Chloe, I don't need it."

She pouted.

You stubborn excuse of man!

"Okay, I will wear it only if you promise that you'll wear it on the way back. Deal?"

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Okay."

"Okay." Chloe growled and put it on as he climbed on the bike.

Chloe clenched her jaw as she carefully placed the colander behind him and straddled the bike; successfully immobilizing the utensil between their bodies.

She tried to ignore the fluttery feeling in her belly as she stared at his back, then her hands. She checked on the mouse once more, to keep them occupied for a few more seconds.

"You seem a little tense. First time on a bike?"

Chloe barely managed to hold herself from bursting into laughter; ending up with a sound that resembled a scoff escaping her lips.

"Not even close buddy; my first and second boyfriends drove motorcycles."

Which made the fact that Sergiu knew how to drive a bike very ironic to her. Apparently, bikers were he weakness.

"But we have a mouse to protect, remember?" she reminded him, looking down at the colander once more. She wouldn't want the mouse to get hurt, after all the trouble they had suffered to save it.

"I have not forgotten such a noble duty."

Chloe squinted at him, wondering if he was being sarcastic or not.

"Okay, let's go." Sergiu interrupter her glaring "Hold on."

Chloe eyed his waist in fear.

Okay, it's not weird, you're on a damn bike, just casually hold on, it's no big deal, calm down Paylor, don't let Annika get to you, this is not awkward at all.

She moved her hands, then pulled them back to her lap.

You're overthinking this, Chlo. Just relax and hold on like you normally do. No big deal…

She relaxed her fingers that felt like they were made of wood and laced them together; her arms loosely encircling his waist and her palms resting on his belly.

Holy shit! Okay how fucking ripped is he?! That feels like damn solid rock!

Chloe chill. Chill down girl. What did we say? Friends.

Okay, friends. But holy shit.

As soon as she grabbed him, Sergiu started the engine, and the bike dashed across the street.

He is driving very carefully, Chloe nodded, and looked down at the colander protectively.

We will take good care of you, little one

"So what happened to them?" his voice interrupted her thoughts.

"What happened to whom?" she asked, frowning.

"The boyfriends."

"Oh them!" she said in realization, and then huffed "Well, the second one was a cheating bastard, so I gave him the boot."

She sighed as she thought about that particular incident. As Sophie had quite adequately pointed out, anyone named Chad was bound to be a douche.

"Did you get revenge?"

Chloe smiled. At the time, she had seriously considered calling him over for dinner. Which she would have cooked. And watching him eat it all, before she dumped his ass. But in the end, she decided she wasn't that petty.

But it still gave her a good laugh when she tough about it.

"No, I was never a vengeful person. But I think I was very colorful with my vocabulary..."

"I can imagine."

She made a face at him; knowing full well he couldn't see her.

"As for James…" she continued.

The road must have been a bit bumpy, since the bike shook a bit, making her stop for a moment, before she went back down memory lane.

"He was my high-school sweetheart. But we were accepted in different universities, and you know, we tried keeping a long-distance relationship at first, but it wasn't working, so we broke up. He met the girl who would become his wife a week later, so turns out to be a very good decision. We're still friends; he lives in California though, so I barely see him."

"You still live in Wyoming?"

"No, I live in Bucharest." Chloe said dryly, feeling rather proud of herself.

You don't get the sarcasm exclusive, sir.

He apparently didn't appreciate as much.

"I thought your sense of humor was better than that."

"Yes, but you're starting to rub off on me."

He didn't deign to answer her.

A few minutes passed before Chloe realized they had slowed down quite a bit, and looking around, she saw the park just around the corner.

She smiled and looked down at the colander.

"Soon you'll be free, little one!" she whispered tenderly as Sergiu pulled up to the sidewalk and parked.

Chloe jumped off, stretching her back; the released herself from the prison of the helmet.

"Annika said there's a lock in the trunk." she told Sergiu as she laid the helmet on the bike and took the colander in her hands carefully.

She looked around. The apartments surrounding the park were the kind of buildings she was used by now; grey and old, with graffiti near the base. There was some light shining through a couple of windows; but other than that the area was eerily silent and empty.

She would never admit it out loud, but Chloe suddenly felt glad Sergiu had come with her.

A soft, cold breeze blew and Chloe closed her eyes with pleasure as it chilled her cheeks. She sighed and opened her eyes, to raise her gaze on the sky.

She frowned at the weirdly empty image that met her sight. As much as she enjoyed living in a city, the lack of stars made her feel oddly alone and unwelcome.

Lowering her gaze, her eyes met with Sergiu's. She smiled brightly at him.

"Let's go." he told her when he saw he had her attention.

Chloe nodded and cheerfully trailed behind him, carefully cradling the colander in her arms.

As she caught up to him, Sergiu glanced at her. He didn't say anything for a while, but after they walked a bit in silence, he turned towards her.

"Do you ever miss home?"

"Well, I've only left for fifteen minutes; I haven't had the time to miss it yet."

Sergiu just gave her a stern look, which spoke volumes of "be serious."

"Okay, grumpy cat, sorry!" Chloe rolled her eyes.

She thought about the question for a few seconds, then looked up at him with a slight frown.

"You know, I actually miss it less than I thought I would. I mean, of course there are things I miss, but…You know, home is always your family base. It doesn't feel as much my house rather than our house. Here…when my family visits, I'll be able to take them to my favorite coffee shop and my bar and visit my city…"

She looked at him, crooking her mouth a bit.

"Does that make any sense?"

He nodded.

Chloe sighed.

"But there are things I miss so much it aches. I miss my room and my parents and I miss my siblings like hell. I miss my greenhouse and my plants and my mom's cooking, she makes the most amazing Coddle you'll ever taste!"

She missed these and much more. Chloe didn't much like to dwell on that; it made her hurt to think about it.

But as the leaves rustled around her, accompanied by the steady rhythm of their footsteps, Chloe found herself drenched in melancholy, and words suddenly came pouring out of her mouth.

"You know, my dad wakes up early to tend to the heard, and by the time I get up mom's usually off to work and my siblings to school so it's just us at home. I will go to the kitchen and make two cups of coffee, and I'll take them out to the front porch. Dad's always there, smoking, waiting for me before he gets back to work. He always says 'thanks kid' and ruffles my hair when he takes the cup and we just sit and drink our coffee and enjoy the morning sun. We've been doing that for years, you know? And now, some mornings, if I'm distracted, I make two cups of coffee and then I don't know what to do with the second one." she said, and as she spoke she realized her voice was starting to sound a bit sad; and perhaps a bit oversharing. So she just laughed a little nervous laugh "It's a bit silly, isn't it? Getting sentimental over a damn cup of coffee."

He didn't make an answer, but looked away from her as she turned her gaze to meet him, and shook his head negatively, with a serious expression on his face.

Silence fell for a while; only the sound of their feet hitting the gravel echoing between the shadows of the trees.

What are you thinking? Chloe wondered, glancing towards him.

Her own head was now filled with the creaking sound that the third step of her home's staircase always produced and the smell of coffee and tobacco smoke and clean mountain air and the echo of wind chimes on her front porch.

"The heard?" his curious voice suddenly snapped her back to the park.

Chloe laughed and turned to smile at Sergiu.

"Yeah. "

The wind blew her hair in her face, and she blew it away from her eyes.

"We own a ranch." Chloe explained, and smiled "Nothing big or anything, just some cattle and bison, which technically makes my dad a cowboy which makes me a walking Wyoming stereotype."

That seemed to amuse him, and he smiled a bit.

He should smile more, it really suits him.

Well, I suppose that's my new mission then.

"So you're a cowgirl."

His tone was so serious and grim that Chloe was quite sure he was teasing her.

"No not really, I'm a bit of a shame to the family. Worst rider in generations right here! But I installed a greenhouse, so I have gained some esteem I suppose. Though Lauren's shadow looms over us all. "

"Lauren?"

"My oldest sister. Best horse wrangler and rider in all of Jackson, consecutive barrel racing champion. And she's the one helping run the ranch, though now she's married and lives elsewhere. The prodigal daughter, if I may say."

"I see." he said and looked at her seriously "I didn't know you have a sister; I've only heard about a brother."

Chloe blinked and burst out laughing.

A brother? Oh my foolish neighbor.

When she finally managed to collect herself she turned towards him with a smile.

"I'm sorry, it's just…Well I have three brothers and two sisters."

His head jerked a bit in surprise.

"Six kids?"

"Yeah, my parents where quite busy…" Chloe giggled, then started counting down her siblings "I'm the fourth in line. First we have Tom, then Lauren and David -they're twins, then yours truly, then Madison and finally Billy."

Sergiu seemed to take it in with almost wonder.

"How about you?" Chloe asked with a smile "Do you have any siblings?"

She regretted it almost immediately. Suddenly his expression fell and she noticed his jaw clenching.

"Yes." was all he answered after a few silent seconds.

Okay, sore subject right there, let's not mention that again.

He was quiet after that, and Chloe desperately searched in her mind for something to talk about. The silence made her feel uneasy.

She wondered however if he would appreciate her mindless blabber. With a glance his way, she decided he probably wouldn't.

Thankfully, he spoke first.

"You must be a great sister."

Chloe smiled at him, then looked at her boots.

"I don't know about that, but thank you…" she said softly and took a deep breath "I think you must be a good brother too. Judging from your attitude with me."

He seemed to consider that, looking slightly touched. Or so she thought; she could never make out his emotions.

"Thank you."

They stayed silent after that, until finally they reached the center of the park, where a small lake glimmered under the city lights.

"I think this is a good place to release our captive." she spoke up.

Sergiu only nodded.

Looking around for a nice spot, she saw a good patch next to where the trees started; grassy and covered with leaves.

She felt Sergiu standing behind her as she kneeled on the dirt by the spot, and raised the towel carefully.

"Hello!" she smiled, as the mouse once more stared at her fearfully.

Pulling the towel completely away she covered her hand with it, and with a quick move got hold of the mouse. It squeaked in horror and Chloe giggled a bit.

No need for that!

"Be free, little buddy…" she said softly as she laid it on the ground and released it from her hold.

After a split second of stillness, the mouse turned, looked at her, then the trees, and finally dashed towards freedom; a white spot running across the dirt, to shortly after disappear beneath the shadow of the trees.

Chloe smiled as she lost it from her sight.

Off it goes!

She turned to look at Sergiu, who was still standing behind her; he looked at her too, and smiled faintly at her own grin.

Chloe got up, dusting the dirt off of her jeans. Straightening, she turned towards him, putting the towel inside the colander idly, still smiling.

"So…That was that."

"Yes."

Chloe inhaled deeply, feeling quite content. Perhaps it was due to the cold, but the air felt fresh in her lungs, and the leaves where rustling softly in the wind, and Chloe found herself oddly at ease in the park. Suddenly the idea of her empty apartment seemed extremely lonely.

She didn't have much of a choice though.

"We should get back, I suppose…" Chloe sighed.

Perhaps I'll make myself a cup of hot chocolate…find a nice cozy corner on the sofa and read till I'm sleepy. That could be nice…

"We could stay a bit."

Chloe snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Sergiu in slight shock, while she felt the edges of her lips tuck upwards involuntarily.

"I'd…love too." she said, surprised and pleased.

Wait, there was disappointment all over my face, wasn't there? She mentally slapped herself for being so ridiculously eager.

He nodded and eyed her seriously, but as soon as she met his gaze, he diverted his eyes from her and on to the skyline.

I hope I didn't ruin his night though.

She hesitantly approached him and when she was next to him, looked up.

"If you are tired or anything though, I don't mind going home…" she said very steadily and reassuringly.

He shook his head.

"It's a nice night." was all he answered before he started walking.

Chloe agreed and followed him.

Someone should replace the lamps in this place, half of them are broken, she noticed as they reached a spot that would have been completely drowned in darkness if it wasn't for a single lamp at the far end of the path and the dim light that the city itself seemed to emit.

Perhaps she should be wearier of walking with someone in a dark park in the middle of the night, she suddenly thought.

But she wasn't, not at all.

I trust him.

"What's Wyoming like?" came Sergiu's voice from her side.

Considering the question, Chloe leapt a bit to the side, in order to step on a fallen leaf that looked especially crunchy. She was not disappointed.

Aaaah so satisfying, she smiled as the leaf crunched beneath her boot.

"Big, windy, not very populated." she finally answered.

A sharp exhale informed her he was not amused. She smiled.

"Well, it's true. And really, it depends what part of Wyoming we're talking about."

"Where did you say you're from?"

"Jackson Hole valley." she said pleasantly "We live close to a small town called Kelly."

"How is it there then?"

Chloe smiled.

"Breathtaking. The mountains are so high and they're covered in snow almost all year and there are rivers and lakes and endless fields of grass. It's a wild place. It's a pity most people don't come near Jackson."

"It sounds very nice."

"You should come see it sometime!" Chloe blurted out "We love having guests!"

That seemed to surprise him.

What did you even say that for?

But he nodded and Chloe caught something she considered a smile on his lips.

"Thank you." he said slowly.

Chloe just smiled at him pleasantly and continued.

"Though there's not that much to do; it's ski mostly. I never really got the hang of ski, if I were honest with you. Horrible balance, you see. But I do make some sick snowmen and I'm brutal when it comes to snow fighting. But I have to admit, I prefer autumn, everything turns red and orange, and you don't feel as if your nose will fall off if you stay out for more than a minute. Our winter is brutal, no joking. I laugh every time someone asks me how I'll handle the Romanian winter, till now it's ridiculously hotter than home would be this time of the year. Though it's probably the lack of open space; cities are always so much warmer. They simmer, you know?"

He blinked slowly as he looked at her.

Aaaand you're just blabbering away as always, Paylor.

"I suppose they do. City boys like me wouldn't know any better."

Chloe gave him the best side-eye she could master.

He arched an eyebrow and she sighed.

Little shit.

"It must be hard for you, living in a big city for the first time."

"Huh?" Chloe turned to him, smiling and knotting her eyebrows together "Who told you this is the first time I live in a big city?"

Sergiu's face fell, as if her question troubled him.

"Mrs. Konstantinidou."

"Oh, that makes sense." Chloe said playfully "But you misunderstood, good sir. Do I seem like a clueless country girl to you? I'm most insulted! This is the first time I live alone in a big city. Where on earth do you think I got my botany degree from? Can't find that in the mountains, Mr. Gheorghescu."

He seemed to find that logical.

"That makes sense. Where did you study then?"

"Laramie. Though I don't think that counts as a big city either." Chloe laughed, waving her hand around "But I did live in New York for a couple of years."

It took Chloe a few seconds to realize he had stopped on his tracks; she turned to look at him. He stood at the path just a step behind her, with a haunted look on his face.

"Sergiu?"

He shook his head.

"It's nothing. I just realized I probably left my house unlocked." he said, and started walking again.

"Oh no!" Chloe's eyes widened "We should go back right now!"

"No need. I don't have any valuables."

Chloe blinked.

She always had the feeling that Sergiu was poor, but not being even a little worried about his belonging spoke volumes about just how poor he was.

Chloe had never been wealthy herself; the ranch and her mom's job provided sufficiently for her family, but they always had to be careful, always counting, always working with a budget. Both her and her older brothers had studied extremely hard to earn scholarships for their universities.

That had changed in the past three years or so; he brother David had made it big in Wall Street, and Chloe was relieved to know her siblings and parents would spend the rest of their days comfortably.

She wanted nothing to do with David's money though.

"Are you sure?" she asked, still filled with worry.

"Yes, it's fine." Sergiu said dismissively "What where you doing in New York?"

Chloe huffed.

"Wasting my time." she mumbled under her breath.

She didn't want to think much about New York. She didn't know why she even brought it up.

He seemed to be curious though. He arched his eyebrows and looked at her, as if trying to read her mind.

Chloe laughed nervously.

"It's a boring story, and I have already talked enough to make your ears buzz."

He looked at her with an expression she could not entirely decipher.

"I like listening."

Chloe smiled a nervous smile, thinking.

Finally she sighed and started sitting on a bench; she paused before she did though, and turned to look at him.

"Do you mind if I sit a bit?" she asked him with a pained smile.

He shook his head, and after a moment of consideration, sat beside her, on the far end of the bench.

Chloe stretched her legs and whined with satisfaction as her knee cracked a bit.

"Well, promise not to laugh…" she said as she turned towards him.

He nodded gravely.

Well, even if you do, that will be a damn accomplishment.

"Well…I may or may not have studied law for two years."

He blinked slowly.

"Law?"

"Yep." she said, emphasizing the p as she always did. She sighed and smiled "But at the end of the second year I realized that it really wasn't for me, so I dropped out and returned to Wyoming."

He remained silent, regarding her seriously. Chloe suddenly realized she was staring at him and averted her gaze.

"I mean, don't get me wrong, I was good. As you must have noticed, talking is one of my strengths; I don't shut up. And that's good for a lawyer. And I'm stubborn and I will fight for what I think is right to the death. I would have made a good lawyer."

He seemed baffled.

"So why did you give up?"

Chloe licked her lips, looking at her boots, then back up at him.

"Just because you're good at something, it doesn't mean you have to practice it." she shrugged "And it took me a while to understand that. It was a life that just wouldn't have made me happy. Being a botanist makes me much happier."

He nodded.

"Then you did the right thing."

Chloe exhaled sharply through her nose and smiled kindly to him.

"I think so too."

And I hope so.

Silence fell for a while.

Chloe tried to push a weight that was starting to settle on her chest away.

"So I suppose that after New York, Bucharest is tame."

Chloe laughed.

"Every city in the world is tame compared to New York."

He exhaled through the nose, and Chloe realized he was smiling again.

Now there's a sight.

"Now you are overreacting a bit." Sergiu told her.

"Am I?" Chloe raised her eyebrows "A few days after I left for Wyoming, a hole opened in the sky and there was an alien invasion; where else but in New York would this happen?"

He seemed to consider that for a bit.

"Well, a giant robot tried to turn a city into a meteor."

"Okay, maybe this wasn't clear, but aliens falling like rain trough a wormhole in the sky because a Norse God wanted to play king." Chloe said, pronouncing each word with special care.

He shook his head.

"Okay. You don't like cities."

Chloe opened her mouth in horror.

"I beg your pardon sir!" she exclaimed "But you're mistaken. I like cities very much! I find that they have their own amazing charm! The noise, the people, the bars and cafés, the malls and the graffiti; all of it is just a separate world. I love cities."

He rolled his eyes at her.

"Is there anything you don't love?"

"Sarcastic twats."

He didn't deign to answer that.

Chloe huffed and let her head fall back on the bench.

Her eyes scanned the sky between the silhouettes of the branches and leaves above her.

"You want to know what I don't like about cities?"

She felt him turn towards her, and she pointed upwards.

In the edge of her vision, she saw him look up; facing like her the empty sky.

The mechanical lights of the city had faded the starts away, hiding them behind a mist of smoky mist, painting the sky a lighter color than it ought to have been.

He seemed to understand her meaning, as he remained silent, looking at the sky.

"Have you ever sat under the stars in the middle of the night?" Chloe suddenly asked him, averting her eyes from the empty sky "The wind in your hair, grass under your feet, a blanket on your shoulders, a warm mug in your hands, and someone to share the silence with you?"

He didn't look at her, but frowned in deep thought.

Eventually, he raised his voice.

"Yes. Only there definitely weren't blankets or hot drinks. It was summer, at the beach."

Chloe smiled and closed her eyes.

"That sounds equally great. The sound of waves …" she mumbled, imagining the sound.

They were silent for a while, before Sergiu talked once more.

"Did you do that often?"

"Stay awake?" she asked and smiled nostalgically "Yes, when I was a teen. My older sister had trouble falling asleep, and we slept in the same room. She would get up and go outside, until she got sleepy or dawn came. If I woke up and didn't find her there, I would go to her. I made some tea too, like the one I gave to Mrs. Adriana. Sometimes our brother David would join us too."

Cold nights among rustling grass, with fluffy socks, hurled under her blanker with Lauren. Moment of calmness and wonder and freedom. She smiled, now looking at the movement of the leaves.

There is always something to look at, if only you search.

"I did it in New York too, only I would look at the lights of cars passing by."

He hummed.

"Where did you live? In New York."

"Bronx. It's where my mom's from."

"Your mom's from New York?"

"Yep!" Chloe said, straightening up and stifling a yawn "She's of Irish descend. Grandpa and grandma, as well as my aunt still live there. You can imagine their horror when mom left New York to live in the middle of nowhere in Wyoming. "

"Why did she?"

"Originally for work. Mom's a zoologist, and she always wanted to work on the field. She found a job in Grand Teton National Park, then she met dad, and then we came along. But I don't think she misses New York that much. She was always a nature type."

Sergiu nodded, and Chloe stifled another yawn.

"Okay, I think it's time to go."

Chloe rolled her eyes at him.

"Is it past my curfew, mom?"

He just rose and eyed her severely.

Chloe sighed and got to her feet.

They started heading back to where the motorcycle had been parked mostly in silence.

Until Chloe stopped dead on her tracks, looking over the side of the path.

Oh…yes.

Sergiu stopped too, turning towards her.

"What is it?"

Chloe turned to look at him with a mischievous smile.

Sergiu's gaze finally fell on the object of her attention; a big pile of dead leaves.

"Chloe…" he said warningly.

"Sergiu?" she answered innocently, taking a few steps back.

"Don't –" he started but was too late.

Chloe rushed towards the pile, jumped, and landed perfectly within the leaves, getting half buried in the process.

She laughed gleefully; Sergiu huffed.

Worth it, she thought while she laughed, immerging from the pile.

Sergiu was still standing on his original spot, shaking his head.

"Oh come on, where is your sense of fun?" Chloe exclaimed, still laughing.

"How old are you again?" he asked her, with a deadpan look.

"Twenty four in body, nineteen in my soul."

He pinched the bridge of his nose as she finally managed to get up and skip towards him.

"You have a leaf on your head."

Chloe laughed and pulled it away.

"Oh come on Serge, don't be so serious!" she smiled "You'll get old before your time."

Something about that seemed to amuse him, but he didn't answer.

Finally they reached the bike, and as he unlocked it, Chloe took the helmet and offered it to him.

He looked at her grimly and put the lock back in the trunk, shutting it poignantly.

"Take it…" she growled at him; her tone warning that if he didn't, there would be hell to pay.

He didn't seem intimidated. He just leaned on the bike and crossed his arms, looking down at her flatly.

"Stop glaring."

"You promised!" she shouted.

"Chloe. I'm not budging on this one. Wear the helmet and let's get going."

Chloe pouted as she looked at him. Even leaning on the bike, he still towered over her, like an unmoving boulder. That was the attitude he was giving off as well.

Chloe may have been a distinctively stubborn woman, but she knew a lost cause when she saw one.

She sighed in annoyance and defeat.

"Fine. Have it your way. You're so bullheaded that I highly doubt it would cause you any damage if you hit your head anyway."

Sergiu arched an eyebrow.

"Really?" he asked as he took his seat on the bike and ignited the engine.

"Yes, really." she retorted, putting the accursed helmet on.

She tried to see if she could put the colander anywhere more practical this time around, but soon gave up and repeated the previous arrangement; sitting behind him with the utensil in between them.

His voice interrupted her thoughts, as he turned over his shoulder to regard her very seriously.

"And there I was, thinking I was a handsome devil."

Slowly taking in his meaning, Chloe's eyes widened in horror.

No.

She felt her face burning and her jaw dropped wide open in shock.

Gods, kill me now.

Then she saw the amused gleam in his eyes as he regarded her burning face and open mouth.

You. Little. Shit.

You sneaky fox, you had been waiting for the right moment to bring that up, huh?

Chloe shook her head and struggled to find the words, opening and closing her mouth; as horrified and embarrassed as she was, she could help but smile.

"Listen you-! You absolute-! First things first, shame on you, that's below the belt, and secondly-"she stammered and accused, unable to gather her disoriented thoughts.

"I suggest you hold on to something." Sergiu interrupted her rambling, in an almost bored tone.

The gleam in his eyes should have warned Chloe, but she didn't have the time to process it.

With a roar, the bike dashed across the street.

"Fuck-!" Chloe yelped, latching desperately on him.

She faintly heard him exhale in amusement as the bellowing wind drowned all noises around them.

She leaned as close to him as she could and yelled at the top of her lungs.

"I'm going to murder you!"

"Can't hear you, kid." was what he answered.

Chloe ran her tongue over her bottom lip, pondering whether it would be worth it to just sing at the top of her lungs; see if he heard her then.

Instead she just growled in his ear to show him how utterly displeased she was.

As the wind hit her face though, and streetlights sped past her, Chloe chuckled.

Well there is the sense of fun…

She realized she had been clutching at his waist way too hard to be comfortable. Wincing, she loosened her grip, and almost apologized. Then she decided it served him well.

"You play dirty, you know that?" she asked him, laughing slightly.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

She scoffed.

"And if you want to know," she continued, as sassily as she could master "now that I know you a bit better, I regret every word of praise I ever said."

A blatant lie, but if he thought she was one to be teased, he clearly had gotten the wrong idea. Chloe Paylor had grown up with three brothers; she was a veteran.

"Should I be offended?"

Chloe chuckled.

"A pretty face doesn't get you in my good graces, Mr. Grumpy." she told him poignantly "And you're not my type anyway."

And she was honest. Was he incredibly good looking? Yes. Did his face sometimes throw her off balance? Most definitively. Was she trying really hard not to focus on the fact she had her arms wrapped around him?

No commend.

But time and familiarity had taken much of the initial fascination away, and the nature of their encounters had been so violently un-romantic, that she seriously felt that forming a friendship was a much better investment of her time.

"And what is your type, if I may ask?"

Chloe smiled wickedly.

Fell right in my trap, sir.

"Fun people."

She didn't enjoy her victorious one-liner long though; since as soon as the words left her mouth, Sergiu gave her some side-eye accompanied with a raised eyebrow, and took a turn so sharply, Chloe yelped and grabbed onto him so hard her knuckles turned white.

"I swear to god, if you don't stop doing that I'm hitting you with the colander! See who plays dirtier!" she snapped at him.

Once more she realized her grip on him was too tight. The good thing about him trying to scare the living shit out of her was that there was not overthinking their touch; it would however be silly if she maintained a death grip on him.

He didn't answer; so Chloe jabbed him on the side a bit.

"Idiot."

"Hold on like a proper human being."

"Hold on like a proper human being…" she mimicked his voice mockingly, but did as she was told.

It was becoming easier and easier; casual almost.

She found it easier, for the rest of their small journey, not to think about the warmth his body gave off. And as they finally reached home and climbed the stairs together, as she thanked him and they exchanged their goodnights, Chloe found it even easier not to think about the warmth in her chest when he smiled briefly at her.

She didn't even have to try to not think about any of that as she went to bed.

After all, friends don't dwell on those things.


Song of the chapter:

Autumn Paulo Nutini