"I'm getting up," he mumbles into the pillow over his face.
I poke his arm and he quickly sits up, the pillow falling off his face. He sees it's me and relaxes, flopping onto his back.
"You scared me, Butterfly." He rolls over to face me. He rubs a hand over his face, yawning. He looks adorably half asleep.
I smile and lean back against the bedhead. "The twins are making breakfast," I tell him.
"Mmm-hmm." Luc moves closer and puts his face in my lap, silently begging me to play with his hair. It's a wavy mess from sleep, almost calling to me.
His eyes grow half-lidded as I run my fingers through his hair. He lets out a content sigh.
"Why do you guys like your hair being played with so much?" I ask.
Luc's green eyes grow sad. "The twins' mum," he says softly. "Mason, Maverick and I grew up in the same area. It wasn't until later that Alec and then Dominic joined us. J didn't come into the picture until a few years ago. Anyway," Luc gets back on track, "Elodie was the sweetest. She never had a girl so she said as young men it was our duty to fulfil her wishes in letting her brush and play with our hair. You knew you were in trouble when a visit passed and she hadn't run her fingers through your hair at least once." He smiles in remembrance.
I hesitate for a moment. "You say that like she's not here anymore."
Luc's face tells me everything. "She passed away almost a year ago." Something tells me he's not telling me the full story but I don't push it.
"That's terrible," I murmur. I continue playing with his hair until Mason yells out, telling us to come for breakfast.
I get up and wait patiently for Luc who sighs and drags himself out of bed. My mouth dries when I see the half-undressed state he's in. He's just in his boxers. Luc lifts his arms above his head and stretches. A devious smirk crosses his lips when he catches me looking. My eyes drift down his chisled abs and the subtle v that points south before I realise I'm staring and quickly flee the room. I almost slam the door behind me and Luc's chuckling follows me down the hall.
I walk into the kitchen, frazzled. I take the cup of tea Maverick offers me, giving him a grateful smile.
"You okay?" Mason tilts his head slightly.
"Mm-hm." I sip from the cup, trying to hide my red cheeks.
Dominic shuffles into the kitchen in daze, heading straight for the coffee machine.
"Here, Dom.” Alec hands him a cup of coffee.
Dom takes it and lays his head on Alec's shoulder, his eyes closing. Alec looks down at him and smiles.
I look over and see the twins grinning identically at their friends. I also realise they're wearing the exact same thing.
"Are you guys trying to trick your teachers?" I ask them.
Mason grins. "He's going to my math class and I'm going to his english class."
"That actually works?" I ask them incredulously.
"You're the only one who's been able to tell us apart so quickly. It took Dom here weeks," Maverick tells me. Something more lingers in his expression.
"It's not my fault you're equally as fucking annoying," Dominic growls, taking his head off Alec's shoulder. I don't miss the longing in Alec's eyes before he quickly masks it.
Is there something going on there?
"Speaking of." Maverick strides towards me. "Who's who?"
"Maverick. Mason." I point them out.
"Who gave you your tea?" Mase throws out.
I smirk. "Maverick."
"How are you doing that?" Maverick gapes.
