The house that Red and Liz pulled up in front of was big and beautiful. It was a Victorian in pastel colors. Liz couldn't help but notice the excited look that Red had on his face.
"Why are you so happy?" Liz asked as they walked towards the front door. Since they were pretending to be in a relationship, Liz held his hand as they walked.
"They're old friends of mine. I think you'll like them," he responded, knocking on the front door. A moment later, the door opened to show a slim gray haired man. His face lit up in a smile.
"Charles! How have you been?" Red asked as he and Charles hugged tightly.
"Donna," Charles called. "Raymond is here!"
The flow of conversation began immediately as Charles pulled them inside and led them to the sofa. Donna, who was about the same age as Charles, came in and joined them. The only thing that Liz could do was try to keep up with what they were saying.
"So, this is your girl?" Donna said. "She's very pretty."
"She certainly is," Red stated with a smile before putting his arm around her shoulders. He pulled her closer and kissed her lips gently. Liz closed her eyes and leaned into it. If she had to do this, she planned on enjoying it.
"I'm glad that you asked if she could come along," charles said. Red felt Liz tense up instantly. This wasn't good. He'd told her that Charles had told him to bring her. Liz pulled away and gave Red a smile that he knew was fake. It sent a chill down his spine.
"He is really considerate," Liz responded and snuggled into his chest. Red gulped slightly while he put his arms around her. This was not going to end well.
"You are such an ass," Liz stated after Red closed the bedroom door behind him.
"I'm beginning to think that's your favorite phrase," Red responded as Liz groaned and picked up a pillow. "Of course, it a step up from when you'd call me a monste- ouff," Red said before getting smacked in the face with the pillow, making a small 'thump' noise. "Is there anything else that I need to know?"
"Well... This isn't actually a business trip."
Thump "I'm sorry I lied."
Thump. "Please stop hitting m-,"
Thump. "Lizzie,"
Thump. "Damn it! Li-,"
Thump.
At that one, Red grabbed the pillow and jerked it away from her. She gave him a dirty look which made him hold the pillow over his chest. She was pissed, and he didn't want to get hurt.
"You're just lucky that I don't have a pen," she growled. He clenched his jaw when he noticed the pen on the nightstand. There was no chance that he'd let his gaze flicker to it. He didn't want to tip her off that it was there.
"I'm sorry."
"I mean, why would you even lie about this?" Liz asked. She huffed and started pacing. While she was turned the other way, Red grabbed the pen and slipped it into his pocket. Thankfully, she never noticed.
"... I really don't have an answer," Red stated. He held the pillow out, but she made no move for it. "Would it make you feel better to smack me a few more times?"
"No," she answered before grabbing the top blanket. "You're gonna need that," she added before shoving the blanket at him, "and this."
"... Why?"
"You're sleeping on the floor."
Liz woke up a little past one in the morning. It felt like she was freezing. Red, on the other hand, was curled up on the floor under his blanket. This may have not been her best idea.
"Red," she called but got no answer. "Red," she said but still didn't get an answer. She groaned before sliding her foot off the bed. Her foot connected with his rear, making him jump.
"GAH!" he yelped. "What?"
"I'm cold. Get your ass up here," Liz ordered, making him groan. After a sigh, he got up and moved towards the bed. "Bring the blanket."
"Alright," he said and yawned. He grabbed the blanket before laying down next to her and spreading it over them. Liz cuddled into his chest while he wrapped his arms around her.
"Goodnight, sweetheart," he stated and kissed her temple.
"Don't kiss me, and don't call me sweetheart. I'm sure you'll get plenty of chances throughout the week."
"Should I stop cuddling too?"
"No," she said and wrapped her arms around him tighter. "You're warm."