Mira woke up with Deimos shirtless curled around her. His face was buried into her neck, his mouth letting out little puffs of hot air. His curly hair tickled her neck and cheeks while his soft arms and hands wrapped around her waist, and inherently pushed up her shirt up in the night. Bleary-eyed, Mira blinked and yawned, slowly waking up from whatever absurd dream she had throughout the night. Softly, she rubbed Deimos’ arms and gently pried herself from him. Last night, or really this morning, Mira had snagged the showers first and passed out first, while Deimos and the other guys spent a long time swimming. From the smell of coconuts wafting from Deimos’ head, he had taken a shower afterwards and passed out immediately. For a bit, Mira sat up in bed and watched Deimos sleep, his arms now curled up at his chest with the absence of her. He looked like a little boy. Soft, gentle and innocent. His eyelashes were long, and skin an even tone and soft to the touch. Mira found herself petting his head and sliding her fingers down his back. There were still marks from her lips. Possessive, private. The ones around his nipples still looked fresh, red and angry. It sort of made Mira blush. Thank god they swam at night, or else Raven and the others would lose their shit.

Quietly, Mira slipped out of bed and hoisted the covers over Deimos. She kissed the side of his head softly before slipping on some shorts and wandering into the hall. Near the stairs, she could hear the hum of the television and kitchen fans down below. When she got to the bottom, she saw Renee, Rika and Micheal watching SpongeBob in the living room while Sophie and Kalmin were in the kitchen. Stacks of hash browns, bacon, waffles, eggs and their respective condiments were on the table. Sophie was making hot chocolate while Kalmin was making coffee. She wandered up to them, Mira hugging Sophie from behind as a greeting.

“Morning, sleepyhead,” Sophie replied.

“What time is it,” she mumbled into her back.

“Ten.”

She groaned and sighed. Lazily, she dropped her arms from Sophie’s waist and crept up behind Kalmin. With a flop, she hugged his side, the male stopping whatever he was working on.

“Oh, well, hello,” he said, his voice cracking. His sleepy voice. Cute. 10/10.

Kalmin smelled of coffee and sweets. 1000/10.

Mira was in love.

“Hi,” she mumbled again.

The boy chuckled and wrapped an arm around her. “Tired?”

She grunted a response.

“Want some coffee? I bought all the supplies for the usual drinks at Walmart yesterday.”

She smiled up at him. His hair was a beautiful mess today. “I’d love you forever.”

He chuckled. “Well, if you want the usual, I’ll need my body back.”

“But you’re warm.”

“Mira.”

“Kalmin.”

He made a face at her. She laughed and let go of him. With a little hop, she sat on one of the bar stools and watched Kalmin work from behind the counter. It was mesmerizing to watch him work. It was a different experience though. She was used to watching him work in his cute barista clothes in a golden-lit café, but now he was in loose shorts and a low hanging tank top. The shorts were tight in all the right places too. Mira’s eyes trailed up his long neck and down his built arms and legs. He had the body of an athlete, even in his off season. Yet, he had the delicate fingers of an artist as he worked with her drink. The way he held spoons were the same way she held paintbrushes. He’d always tap the spoon twice against the cup. The way he poured milk and espresso in was hypnotic, gentle flowing streams tumbling and cascading into her mug, yet never dribbling over the edge. He plopped ice cubes like little treats. And to top it all off, he painted in mid-air with caramel as his medium.

With a little swirl, he turned around and placed the iced drink in front of her, a smile beaming on his face. Mira grinned back, addicted to that smile.

“Order up,” he chirped.

“Thank you,” she said happily. Gently, she sipped her iced drink, humming in satisfaction as the sweetness of caramel and bitterness of espresso rolled across her tongue. “It tastes fantastic.”

“Great,” he beamed.

“Did you make the waffles and stuff as well?” She questioned.

“With Sophie and Renee’s help.”

“God, stop being nice,” she laughed. She took another sip and Kalmin sat beside her. He plucked a little grape and popped it into his mouth. “How can I make this up to you?”

He tipped his head to the side. “What?”

“You always make drinks for me, I should do something for you in return,” she whined.

He laughed. “Dude, it’s my job to make drinks.”

She paused. “I guess you’re right.” She stole a piece of bacon and munched on it absent-mindedly. “Still, anything I can do for you?”

He hummed and shrugged. “I don’t think so.”

She groaned. “Well, when you think of something, hit me up. You deserve like, a sticker.”

Kalmin smiled at her and popped another grape into his mouth. “Ok,” he chirped.

After munching on that piece of bacon, Mira began to realize how hungry she was and wandered through the kitchen to grab a plate and loaded a full meal onto her plate. Kalmin chatted with her as she ate, filling her in on the night swim he and the other guys had last night. Apparently Gabriel egged on a swimming competition to see who could go the furthest and Kalmin won. Daniel almost drowned and Deimos didn’t even try. He also revealed he was a lifeguard for a bit for a kids pool and got a love letter from a little girl once. After Mira’s plate was cleared, Gabriel, Aaron and Deimos all came tumbling down the stairs grumbling and crusty-eyed.

“Morning,” Mira chirped at the three of them. They blinked and her and waved a hand. Aaron wandered over to Kalmin and flopped against him. The hockey player snickered in response and hugged his friend back. Mira did notice fresh love bites on Aaron and Gabriel’s neck. Deimos yawned and lumbered over to Mira to kiss her forehead absentmindedly, then full-on bear hug her with his face buried in her hair. He grumbled a “good morning.”

“Tired?” She laughed.

He grunted.

As much as she loved normal Deimos, sleepy morning Deimos has to be her favourite. He was so unaware of how touchy he was and Mira loved it. He reverted back to a little baby instead of this angsty greaser-looking boy that shot daggers with his eyes. He was also super kissy which Mira was showered with after his long bear hug. He kissed up her neck to her cheeks, and she giggled when he rubbed noses with her.

“God, you guys are disgusting in the morning,” Aaron commented bluntly. Mira glanced at him, still hugging Kalmin as the latter leaned against the counter. His head was in Kalmin’s chest.

“Coming from you,” she laughed.

“It’s different, we’re best friends.”

She made a face. “We’re best friends too.”

“Awww,” Gabriel called from the espresso machine. “Both of you guys are cute.”

Aaron smiled at him and unwrapped himself from Kalmin to hug him from behind. Deimos was a little bit more awake and hugged Mira’s head from behind as they both watched Aaron sneakily grope his boyfriend’s ass and kiss his shoulder, which had hickies dotting it.

“I think they’re the grossest,” Mira commented.

“Yeah,” Kalmin sighed and shook his head.

“Do you think they fucked last night?” Sophie whispered, suddenly appearing beside Deimos. The male jumped in surprise.

“Nope, not having this conversation,” Kalmin said immediately.

Mira snickered at him as he wandered to the living room.

“I don’t wanna know if they fucked,” Deimos added, joining Kalmin at the warm window sill seats. Sophie glanced at Mira curiously, and she sneered and patted the seat beside her. Sophie laughed and hopped on, wrapping an arm around her.

“I was out cold last night, so I have no idea, personally,” Mira commented.

“I think they were the first to come inside?” Sophie recalled. “And they chose the furthest and most secluded room in the house.”

“Well, you know Gabriel.”

“Actually, I don’t know Gabriel. I didn’t date him.”

Mira rolled her eyes at her.

“Sex freak,” she mumbled softly. Sophie scrunched her nose and laughed, bonking her head against Mira’s shoulder.

“God, I don’t wanna go swimming in the day time with them, I’ll know too much.”

“Me neither,” Mira replied jokingly. Mostly because everyone else will know too much on what happens in the bedroom with Mira.

“Deimos, want some coffee?” Gabriel called out suddenly. He turned around and saw Mira and Sophie staring.

“Sure,” Deimos called back. He was sitting across from Kalmin in the window sill, both boys lit like angels in the soft summer sun.

“Black?”

“Two spoons of sugar.”

“Kay,” he said. Aaron heard him and started brewing. As they waited for things to heat up, Gabriel met the two girls at the counter and grabbed a waffle to munch on.

“What were you guys snickering about?” Gabriel teased.

“Nothing,” Mira said sarcastically. Sophie smirked and pointed to her neck.

Gabriel’s expression changed and he slapped his neck. “Oh yeah,” he said bluntly, hiding his love bites. Mira and Sophie chuckled at him.

“We’re not going to roast you,” Mira said.

“We’re going to roast you,” Sophie added. “The hell’s wrong with you, keep it in your pants.”

Gabriel took a big bite of his waffle and tipped his head. “Didn’t mean to do it. Heat of the moment.”

Mira narrowed her eyes. “Oh shush.”

He made a face. “Coming from you.” He was staring at a particular red mark on her chest and she blushed hard.

“H-Heat of the moment.”

“God, both of you guys are gross,” Sophie groaned.

“Hey, we didn’t do it in the beach house,” Mira tried to justify.

Gabriel cracked up laughing and rubbed his neck. “You got me there. I’ll make it up to you guys.”

“Ew, no, I don’t want you to make it up for me,” Sophie groaned. “I’ve got Rika. I’m a lesbian.”

Mira giggled and Gabriel wiggled his eyebrows playfully. He swirled around and slapped his boyfriend’s ass before going back to making drinks.

“Why the hell do I always find myself hiking with you,” Deimos wheezed. Mira was three steps ahead of him, and every little move she made sent rocks tumbling towards him.

“Because it’s nice out today!” Mira chimed.

“It’s fucking hot,” he groaned.

“I’ll have to agree with Deimos, it’s fucking hot,” Annie justified.

“You guys didn’t have to come if you didn’t want to,” Daniel sassed. He was above Mira, frowning down on them.

“Fuck off, Daniel,” Deimos hissed as he heaved himself further up the mountain. There was a slight breeze that barely did anything to cool him off but ruffle his sweaty hair unattractively. The view was ok, and he might appreciate it more if he wasn’t so stupidly tired. He was amazed at Aaron and Kalmin’s stamina to scale the mountain like it was nothing. They were miles ahead of the pack, probably already reclining at the first viewpoint, while everyone else was dying in the sun. America was fucking hot in the summer, Jesus Christ. And it wasn’t even humid, unlike in Greece. Northern American summers, Canada included, were always so fucking dry. It sucks the air out of him. He’d rather be boiled to death than burned alive.

“We’re almost there,” Mira said.

“We’re only at the first part of the hike, though,” Annie complained, almost tripping over a rock. Deimos held out his arm for her to steady herself. Thankfully he wasn’t the only negative person here, or else Deimos would throw himself off a cliff. He’d rather be burned alive than be stuck in a shitty situation with happy optimists.

Eventually, Deimos dragged himself to the first viewpoint where there was shade and a bench, as well as Kalmin and Aaron, who had both taken off their shirts. Deimos would love to rip his off, but from checking himself this morning, none of the love bites Mira has left has seemed to fade, so he was stuck fanning his tank top in the breeze. (Aaron had that situation too, but still shamelessly paraded around half-naked with love bites everywhere) Now that there wasn’t any trees and they were at a higher elevation, the breeze was stronger and sweeter, cooling off the sweat dripping down his brow and neck.

As he sipped at his water, Deimos noticed Mira staring at Kalmin’s back, his muscles rippling down. He hadn’t even broke a sweat and enjoyed lying back in the sun. Admittedly, since he was tired and grumpy, Deimos was a little jealous and swiped Mira into a sweaty hug.

“Gross,” she whined, wriggling out of his grasp. “You’re sweaty.”

“And you’re thirsty,” Deimos pointed out. He looked at Kalmin for specification.

Mira blushed. “Shut up.”

Deimos could understand why Mira would stare, god, if he wasn’t so tired, he’d also crack a joke on how fucking hot Kalmin was, but he was so cranky in the sun it made him hate how perfect Kalmin was. He had that stupid innocent charm to him. With those stupid arms. With that stupidly great back. With those stupidly thick thighs.

With a sigh, Deimos sat beside him, leaving a little space so he wouldn’t slide his slippery wet arms on him.

“Hey,” he smiled, his dimples stupidly cute. Deimos shot him a glare. He looked confused. “What’s up?”

“Nothing,” he grumbled, taking another long swig of his bottle.

Kalmin cocked an eyebrow at him. “Ok,” he said bluntly. “Nice view.”

Deimos glanced over. Waves of luscious green mountains stretched across the horizon, overtaking a little glittering city down in the valley. The city was near a large lake that went past the mountains, the water hues of deep blues and greens, sparkling in the sun that hung in the clear blue sky.

“Not really,” he deadpanned.

“Pft, jerk,” Kalmin snickered.