"Wanna go out and grab some doner?" is the first thing Melati hears from Robin as she steps out of the bathroom, brushing out her curls with her fingers.
Her friends-with-benefits, Robin, is sitting cross-legged on the bed, hoodie sleeves shoved up to her elbows, short black hair sticking out in tufts like a disgruntled baby bird. There's an edge of exhaustion in her half-lidded eyes, but she's still managing a lazy smirk.
"Go out? You look like you're about to crawl back under the covers and hibernate," Mel says flatly as she puts on her top (a little v-neck one that she definitely didn't choose by accident).
True to nature, Robin whistles lowly, her dark gaze catching on the dip of Mel's neckline before she flops backward. "Truly, a sexy lady graces my humble abode."
Heat prickles up Mel's neck and she wriggles into her jeans. "Shut up."
"Make me."
"Anyway," Mel cuts in before Robin can keep teasing, "normally I'd say yes, but I got some sisterly duties to carry out in the morning. I promised Vernon I'd take the little sheep to school starting tomorrow and it's—" she glances at her phone, groaning, "nine already. Fuck."
Robin shrugs and grabs a pillow, hugging it as she shifts onto her side, facing away from Mel. "Suit yourself. I'll order in, then."
"As always."
"I can hear your eye-roll from here." Robin's voice is muffled against the pillow. "And don't act like you don't have five piles of takeout trash in your room right now."
Mel hurls a pillow straight at the back of her head. "Hey! I have had a bunch of character development, mind you," she declares. "I keep it to a maximum of two piles now. And! I've trained Ash to take them down to the chute so I don't have to do it myself."
Robin peeks out from under the pillow, her fingers drumming on the fabric as a lopsided grin graces her frustratingly charming face. "You, Miss, are e-vil."
"I think you mean resourceful," Mel corrects as she puts on her glasses and shoulders her tote. "Anyway, I gotta bounce. Buh-bye, Robs."
"Mm." Robin waves lazily without getting up. "See you when I see you."
Mel snorts and heads for the apartment door, a familiar warmth coiling in her chest despite herself.
…..
The air in the hallway feels a little cooler when Mel ties her curls up into a bun. She presses the elevator button, trying not to squirm at the memory of Robin's hands earlier.
It had been months since she'd called the older girl up for anything beyond casual hangouts. They used to hook up all the time, but after Robin's brief stint with a girlfriend and Mel's semi-successful attempt to move on, they'd fallen into an easy, platonic rhythm.
So when Mel decided her fingers weren't enough anymore and she needed someone, it was Robin she texted. Robin had replied almost instantly, with her easy, confident "Come over."
There was no pause, no second thoughts—Robin had said yes like it was the most natural thing in the world. And maybe that's what rattled Mel a little.
She breathes deeply as she steps out of the building. The night air is thick with the scent of street food, the sidewalks dotted with lingering pedestrians.
She's always told herself this... thing with Robin is just physical. The short-haired woman is a little older and much more experienced in a lot of ways. When they first met, her fingers had been clicking a mouse lazily across two gigantic monitors, heavy bangs falling over her tired eyes. Mel could barely meet her gaze without her chest tightening.
It was scandalous, in hindsight, how badly she'd wanted to jump the cool, tatted-up, perpetually exhausted programmer who also happened to be the only person in the office to activate Mel's gaydar.
When Mel finally worked up the nerve to ask her out after switching to a remote job, Robin had surprised her by saying yes. They gave dating a shot, but it didn't really work out. Still, the sex was amazing, and Mel—who'd spent most of her life a shut-in—found herself clinging to the friends-with-benefits arrangement. It was easier than meeting new people.
Ah, but their romance was simply a thing of the past. Melati muses on this thought for no more than a minute before she slips in her earphones and plays a tune to walk home to.