AN: New week. Let's aim for top 10. Last week it was between rank 14-17.
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Morning light spilled lazily through the tall windows, casting soft golden lines across the penthouse. The place was quiet, save for the slow, steady breathing of its sleeping occupants.
Caroline was the first to stir.
Her eyes blinked open, squinting against the sunlight filtering through half-drawn curtains. For a few seconds, she lay there in a groggy haze, the bed far too soft and unfamiliar. Then it hit her. This wasn't her apartment.
She sat up slowly, one hand pressed to her temple.
"Oh! My head!"
Throbbing.
Oh right. The drinks. The endless dancing. The dare game. And then... this.
She turned her head.
On her right, Max was curled up tight against Alex's chest, arm slung over his torso like she owned him. Both of them were dead asleep. Max's face was half-buried in Alex's chest, her leg was over his waist, her mouth open slightly, breathing deep and slow. Alex had one arm around her, hugging her closely. His chin rested over her head.
Caroline groaned softly. "Seriously, girl. Even passed out, you're clingy."
She stretched her arms above her head, let out a long yawn, and carefully slid out of bed.
She stood barefoot on the cool hardwood floor and took a slow look around. She remembered this place... barely. She'd only been here once before, for maybe ten minutes. That day, Alex had handed her the check for their first massive cupcake order. She hadn't paid much attention then. She'd been more focused on the number scrawled across that slip of paper and that weird thought of what Alex might ask of her for such a big cheque.
Now, without the stress or adrenaline of business in her system, she noticed more. The minimalist design, the black-and-white theme softened with touches of warm wood. Floor-to-ceiling windows. A full wall of bookshelves that looked more decorative than read. The kitchen in the distance looked like it belonged in a catalog.
She looked around a little and then found the bathroom. She opened the door quietly, trying not to wake the pair in bed.
Caroline stepped into a bathroom that was way too fancy for a man who still wore hoodies every day. The floor was... marble... tiles... She paused to appreciate that. It made her remember her old house when she was rich. The mirror was backlit. There was a rain-style shower she'd murder for. And a customized jacuzzi.
She splashed cold water on her face and looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was a mess. Makeup smeared. Glitter on her neck. She looked like she'd fought a rave and barely made it out alive.
With a sigh, she grabbed a hand towel and cleaned up the worst aftermath.
She rinsed her face one more time, then set the towel aside and stepped over to the toilet. Her legs still ached from dancing, her muscles sore in the best kind of way.
"Oh yeah!"
Well, after all those drinks and... Let's leave the rest to imagination...
After she finished and flushed, she opened one of the drawers below the sink and blinked at how neatly everything was arranged. Multi-flavored toothpaste, unopened toothbrushes in a glass container, and skincare products lined up like soldiers. It was suspiciously perfect, like it had been curated for guests. Or maybe Alex was just that guy.
She grabbed a toothbrush, unwrapped it, and brushed thoroughly, scrubbing away the aftertaste of sweet cocktails and late-night churros. Once she finished, she rinsed her mouth and leaned over the sink, exhaling slowly. Her reflection looked a little more alive now. Still tired. Still smudged at the corners. But better.
She stood there for a moment, eyes drifting toward the far end of the bathroom. The tub was massive, all smooth curves and chrome fixtures, perched near the window like a throne. The kind of tub you didn't just wash in. The kind you sank into like a luxury and pretended you were royalty. And it was bigger than what she once owned.
Caroline walked over and turned the dial, filling it with cold water. Not ice cold. Just enough to shock her awake. The whirlpool jets hummed softly to life, a low rumble that filled the space like white noise.
She stripped off her oversized sleep shirt and underwear and stepped in slowly, biting back a shiver as the cool water wrapped around her skin. Once she was fully submerged, she let out a long sigh and tilted her head back, arms spread along the edge.
"Haaaa... This is heaven. I wonder if we can just move in with him here. Humm... Maybe someday..."
The water helped. Her body cooled, her mind cleared, and for a few quiet minutes, it felt like she'd paused the world. Her thoughts drifted.
Last night was a blur. Laughter. Dancing. The game.
Everything was perfect.
Caroline closed her eyes and let the jets massage her legs.
'What would it be like,' she wondered, 'To fall asleep wrapped around Alex like Max had?'
She stayed in the tub a little longer, letting the cold water numb her thoughts. Then she washed her body and hair properly. When her fingers started to prune, she finally stood, grabbed two towels from the nearby rack, and wiped herself. She wrapped around her head and one around herself.
Back in front of the mirror, she wiped condensation from the glass and stared at her reflection again.
Better.
She padded back into the penthouse quietly, still towel-wrapped, stepping softly so she wouldn't wake the sleeping pair in the bed. Max was still curled against Alex like she never planned on letting go. Neither of them had moved.
Caroline smiled faintly and tiptoed into the kitchen. Her head still throbbed a little, but her body felt refreshed, and for the first time all morning, she felt ready to start the day.
'Alright. Time to make some coffee.'
...
[Bedroom]
Alex blinked awake slowly.
'Ohh!' He squinted his eyes thanks to the sunlight.
For a moment, he didn't move. His brain hadn't quite caught up yet, but his body knew something.
Warmth.
Weight.
Boobs?
Max was practically draped across him like a very possessive, very curvy octopus. One arm thrown across his chest, one leg wrapped around his waist, her cheek smushed against his pec like it was her personal pillow. Her mouth was slightly open, and every few seconds, she let out a tiny sigh.
It was, by far, the cutest damn thing he'd ever experienced.
'So cute. Oh, my heart.'
Alex smiled and tightened his arm around her, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
Max let out a low hum.
"You smell like frosting and success," she mumbled.
He chuckled. "Good morning to you too."
She didn't move. Didn't open her eyes.
"Gimme another one."
"Another what?"
"Kiss," she said, eyes still closed. "Forehead's dry."
"Is that a medical condition or..."
"Don't make me activate leg chokehold protocol."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "That's a real thing?"
Max tightened the leg around his waist.
"Okay, okay," he laughed, kissing her forehead again. "Happy now?"
"Nope."
She turned her face slightly, still not opening her eyes. Her lips were now hovering near his collarbone.
"Try again. Lower."
"Max."
"I am an emotionally needy pancake," she muttered into his skin. "Feed me love."
Alex kissed her nose.
"Lower."
He kissed her cheek.
"Lower."
He kissed her chin.
"Almost."
He finally kissed her lips, soft and slow. It lasted for 5-6 seconds. But enough to make their heart flutter.
Max smiled mid-kiss. "There it is. Jackpot."
Alex pulled back a little and looked down at her. "How long have you been awake?"
She shrugged with one shoulder, still not moving. "Long enough to witness you snoring like a freight train."
"I do not snore."
"You absolutely do. I thought there was construction happening outside."
He huffed. "You drool."
"Only when I'm relaxed. Which says more about you than me. So, congrats."
Alex couldn't even argue. She was warm and soft and smelled like faint booze and maybe churros.
He nestled his face into her hair. "You planning on ever moving?"
"No."
"Bathroom?"
"Sacrifice the bladder. I live here now."
"You are literally on top of me."
"I'm staking a claim."
Alex glanced at the clock.
"Okay, but eventually we need food."
"Lies. We need this."
She burrowed closer like he was a heated mattress and mumbled, "I will not be removed."
He laughed quietly. "You're a clingy menace."
"I'm your clingy menace. Shush. Cuddle mode engaged."
Alex gave up. He wrapped his arms around her and let out a long breath, staring up at the ceiling with a crooked grin.
Somewhere down the hall, they heard the distinct hiss of a coffee machine and then the sound of a spoon clinking against ceramic.
Max tilted her head slightly. "Is Caroline making coffee? She's an early bird."
"Almost certainly."
"She better make me some. Or I'm activating backup chokehold protocol."
Alex patted her back. "You've got layers to your violence. I respect that."
Max finally cracked one eye open. "You love it."
"I do."
She kissed his chest and flopped back down.
"Now shush. I'm pretending the outside world doesn't exist."
Alex closed his eyes again, smiling.
"Fine. But if Caroline starts making pancakes, I'm breaking this cuddle pact."
Max growled softly. "Touch me and perish."
He didn't move. Neither did she.
Somewhere in the kitchen, a cabinet slammed.
Caroline shouted, "WHO PUT COFFEE BEANS IN THE FREEZER?"
Max mumbled, "I take it back. She's dead to me."
Alex nodded. "Fair."
And they stayed there, tangled together in sleepy silence, ignoring the chaos beyond the bedroom door, soaking in the peace of a morning that hadn't asked anything of them yet.
...
Fifteen minutes later, Max's body issued a formal protest.
She shifted. Then shifted again. Then did that uncomfortable little wiggle that only meant one thing.
Alex cracked an eye open. "You okay, squirmy?"
"No," Max gritted out. "I have reached maximum bladder capacity. I am seconds from violating international treaties."
"You could've gone anytime."
"I was trying to preserve the mood, okay? The romantic clingy morning vibe. But my kidneys have filed a lawsuit."
Alex blinked slowly. "So, go?"
"I can't. If I move now, I will ruin the structural integrity of the bed. My leg is the load-bearing leg. Everything collapses without it."
He raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying peeing will trigger an emotional landslide?"
"I'm saying if I get up, I might not make it."
Alex rolled over and kissed her cheek. "You're being dramatic."
"I'm being full of fluids."
He chuckled, then he got down and picked her up in his arms. Then he took her to the bathroom. Caroline just shook her head, seeing them going inside together. Alex let her down and walked out, closing the door.
"If you hear a scream, assume I didn't make it," Max called.
"Noted."
"And if I don't come back, avenge me."
"Max, just let go."
"You don't understand. I am seconds away from turning this into a Jackson Pollock situation. A very yellow one."
Alex sighed, ruffling his hair. He walked away. He wanted to reply back, but decided not to.
Inside, there was a loud sigh of relief. Then a very long, uninterrupted stream of victory.
Alex muttered to himself, "Dear god. That's not peeing. That's pressure washing."
Max shouted back, "Shut up! Let me have this!"
A pause.
"Also, you might want to throw those sheets in the laundry just in case."
Alex narrowed his eyes. "What?"
"Just kidding!" she called. "Or am I?"
He walked to the kitchen and slumped on a nearby chair. "I'm dating a goblin."
"Coffee?" Caroline brought a cup of warm coffee.
"Thanks," He took it.
Max emerged a minute later, arms in the air like a conquering hero.
"I have never felt more alive."
"You were in there for like two minutes."
"I battled nature and won."
She ran over and sat on Alex's lap.
Alex blinked at her. "You're not wearing pants."
She yawned. "Why would I re-cage the beast? It's free now."
"You're lucky I love you," Alex said before taking a sip of coffee.
Max grinned and snuggled in again. "I'm the full package. Romance, chaos, and bladder-related trauma."
Caroline finally interrupted, "Do you guys want pancakes or should I just keep making passive-aggressive coffee?"
Max winked at her, "Both! And add bacon!"
[After breakfast]
Max wiped the last trace of syrup from her lips, stretched her arms like a cat, and glanced around like she was searching for something, anything, to avoid the adult responsibility of standing up.
Then she spotted it.
A staircase.
One she didn't remember seeing last night. Which was weird, because she was fairly certain her brain had been running on goblin-sugar mode and would've remembered a staircase.
She poked Alex in the side.
"Hey."
"Mm?"
"What's up there?"
Alex looked over his coffee cup. "The mini theatre."
Max blinked. "You have a theatre?"
"I said mini."
"You also said 'just a simple penthouse,' and yet your toilet could power a small city."
Alex shrugged. "It's mostly for games and movie nights. Projector, blackout curtains, a couch that turns into a bed."
Max was already standing.
"You fool. You absolute fool. You showed me your final weakness."
Alex narrowed his eyes. "Please don't turn it into your lair."
Max was halfway up the stairs, hoodie flapping behind her like a cape. And her ass was on full display. "Too late! This is mine now! You've lost custody of your media room!"
Caroline glanced up from her second mug of coffee. "Should we be worried?"
Alex sipped slowly. "Only if she finds the snack cabinet."
"Snack cabinet?" Caroline stood. "Where?"
Max shouted from above, "Suckers! It's already open!"
There was a pause.
Then: "Oh my God, you have mini marshmallows in here! And kettle chips! Is this... strawberry Pocky?"
Alex looked at Caroline. "You wanna stop her?"
Caroline sat back down. "Do I look like someone who wants to fight a gremlin before noon?"
Upstairs, Max was already buried in a pile of pillows, a gaming console booting with that dramatic ding sound of power. She was swaddled in a blanket like a burrito that had lost interest in the outside world. She grabbed a controller.
"This is where I live now. I only respond to bribes or pizza. Bribe preference: Abs, kisses, magic fingers, tongue, and sex. All in all, the complete Alex sex package."
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[7 advance chs] + [17 chs of Two and a Half Men: Waking up as Charlie Harper] [All chs available for all tiers]
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