Reina pushed past Dorian as he brought his umbrella down upon reaching the safety of the porch. He gave the umbrella a few shakes to try to get some of the water off of it as Reina wrung out her hair. Part of them had wished they didn’t have an umbrella and had to run through the rain like children.
“Well, it wasn’t that bad,” Dorian offered, his hair plastered to his face.
“So says you,” Reina said, letting her mostly dry hair fall. “But it definitely could’ve been worse....”
“Like this....” Dorian didn’t give Reina the chance to respond before shaking his head like a dog and dousing her again. He smirked at her mock surprised expression and shrugged before letting them inside. “Don’t worry, I’ll let you shower first....”
“You’d better,’ she pouted. “Warm me up a towel in the drier?”
“Of course,” Dorian said. “Also gonna put the kettle on. Tea or hot chocolate?”
“Hot chocolate, one hundred percent,” she told him, making towards the stairs before turning back. “Oh, and Dorian...don’t think that just because we’re dating now gives you the right to peep on me...this early, anyway....”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he smirked. “Now go on.... If you toss out your clothes, I’ll toss them in the drier.” He waited patiently outside the bathroom, listening to the sounds of Reina undressing before the door cracked open and a hand came out.
“Don’t do anything weird, Croxton,” she ordered.
“You really think I’m such a degenerate?” he asked, feigning hurt. “You would me, Reina....” He took a few minutes to do as he promised before heading to his room to grab a t-shirt and passing it into the bathroom without looking too much through the hazy glass.
“Nothing like a nice hot shower after getting caught in the rain,” Reina sighed, tying her hair back. Dorian passed her a mug, and she looked down at the whipped cream, noting Dorian didn’t have any. “So...what’s so special about mine?”
“A little late treat for the birthday girl,” he explained, casually taking a sip. “It was your birthday the night of the dance, wasn’t it? I remember we didn’t get to celebrate it....” She smiled and took a sip from her mug, getting some of the whipped cream on her face. “Great...now I can’t tell if you did that on purpose or if you’re dropping hints....”
“I was just going to lick it off,” she admitted. “But then you said that...why don’t you get it off?” Dorian chuckled as he put a hand to her face to keep it steady before leaning in slowly. Their lips were inches apart when Dorian’s phone went off, causing him to groan.
“Who’d be calling?” he asked, looking at his phone. “Oh...it’s mom.” He opened the call to see not only his mother, but his father as well.
“Hello,” she smiled.
“Hey,” he answered. “Didn’t expect this to be a family call....” He looked at Reina for a second. “Actually, can you guys hold on a minute. I need to put you on a bigger screen...got someone I want you to meet.” Grabbing Reina’s hand, he led her back to his room, sent the call onto his computer and pulled her into view. “Mom, dad, I’d like you to meet Reina.”
“Hi,” she waved. “I guess Dorian’s told you about me?”
“Yes, Dorian’s told us a lot about you,” his mom replied. “And I can see that he wasn’t exaggerating....” Dorian immediately put his head in hands and groaned, realizing exactly what was about to happen. “So...did you finally snag him or is he still playing hard to get?”
“I think he’s finally come around,” Reian assured them, giggling at Dorian. “It was actually me who made the first move, but it was kind of sweet how nervous he seemed to be. Kind of had to coax it out of him.” Dorian’s head met his desk in an effort to hide his current embarrassment. The regret had startled to settle in, but by this point it had taken up residence and he just had to take it. “But he’s really done a lot for me these last couple weeks, so I can’t really say that I wouldn’t have asked eventually.”
“Has he now?” his father said, looking at Dorian who had finally decided to raise his head. “Not that that’s really surprising for him. He’s a good lad.” There was the ringing of another call and Dorian opened it to see Liz who waved.
“I’m not too late, am I?” she asked.
“Just in time,” their mother replied. “Reina was just about to talk more on why she loves Dorian....”
“He’s actually been really sweet and nice,” Reina continued. “Even if he might’ve put his foot in his mouth once or twice.”
“Sounds about right,” Liz chuckled.
“God, I chose poorly,” Dorian groaned. “Whoever would’ve guessed that my girlfriend and my parents would embarrass me during their first meeting?”
“You really should’ve seen this coming, stud,” Reina poked. He looked at her curiously at that last word, but she didn’t seem to notice. “You know exactly what I’m like....”
“And it’s just tradition for us,” his mother noted. “But enough of that. I know how you two met, but what made you two decide to get together?” Dorian and Reina looked at each other, lacing their fingers together.
“She found out I’m a cosplayer....”
“And I asked him to help me get started. There was no hesitation for him...he just...wanted to help me and make me happy...which I might’ve been just a bit too much....”
“You tackled me to the ground,” Dorian pointed out.
“Did she really?” Liz asked. “She caught you that much off guard that she knocked you down?” Dorian nodded. “What has she done to you, Dorian? How can one girl have that much of an effect on you?”
“I guess I’m a little head over heels for her,” he smiled. “Maybe a bit too much for my own good, but....” He shrugged. “All that matters is that I’m happy with her, yeah?”
“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” his mom offered, proudly. “Well, we won’t keep you two. Have a good night, and be safe.”
“Bottom left drawer if you need ‘em,” his dad joked.
“Seamus,” his mom said, playfully slapping his arm.
“What?” he asked, feigning ignorance. “I was just giving him some advice.” Dorian shook his head and ended the calls.
“Guess the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree with your sister, huh?” Reina asked.
“She gets it from dad,” he explained. “But I guess now she’s got competition for teasing me....” He could feel her lean close to him, noting the teasing smirk on her face.
“So,” she began. “Why don’t you go grab something from that drawer, and we have a little fun, huh?” Dorian’s shocked expression put Reina into another snorting laughing fit. “That face is priceless!” She almost fell out of her chair with how hard she was laughing.
“Good to know you’re joking,” Dorian sighed. “Didn’t really take you for that kind of girl....” She sighed herself back to seriousness, moving behind him and placing her arms over his shoulders. Her breath was warm as she leaned in closer to his ear.
“Give me just a little time, and let us get into our new rhythm,” she whispered. “And maybe I’ll let you....”
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