Tease, Temper and Tenderness

Chapter 1

Kaya and her boyfriend had broken up a few weeks ago. It had been over mutual issues. He had an attitude problem, refused to open up, and kept something major a secret. In his opinion, Kaya had overreacted. That was when she ended it.

The last few weeks had been hard, and she had been clearing out all of the things they used to share. She was down to a final jacket that he gave her ages ago—a leather one that smelled of his cologne, cigarettes, and that one smell she couldn't place. She needed it gone.

So, it was Friday night, and instead of doing her own thing, Kaya had turned up at his front door. She heard voices inside but steeled herself before knocking.

He opened the door, shirtless and only wearing jeans, smelling like whiskey and cigarettes. He looked her up and down.

Matt : Christ, baby. What are you doing here?

he asked, clearly drunk as he raised an eyebrow and leaned against the doorframe.

Kaya : Uhmmm...don't call me that

a smirk tugs at the corner of his lips, leaning against the doorframe, crossing his arms against his bare chest. he looks down at her amused, clearly enjoying Kaya's discomfort.

Matt : oh? why not, baby?

  he teases, letting the nickname linger, his eyes roaming over your form.

Kaya : Just...stop talking.

He exhales sharply through his nose, the smirk fading just slightly. The party noises behind him get louder for a second before he shifts to block more of the doorway.

 Fine. No baby. His voice is lower now, rougher from whiskey and smoke.

There's a beat where neither of them speak - just the bass from his stereo thumping faintly under conversation in another room.

"You gonna stand there all night or...?" He trails off awkwardly, suddenly less cocky than two minutes ago.

Kaya : No. Just giving you your jacket back...

she shoves it on his chest*

He fumbles catching the jacket, nearly dropping it before gripping it properly. The leather hits his torso with a soft thud - that same jacket he gave Kaya two birthdays ago when she'd complained about being cold at some outdoor concert.

For once, he's completely silent. No sarcasm. No drunken teasing.

A loud burst of laughter erupts from inside the apartment - one of his idiot friends clearly saying something stupid.

Kaya : Goodbye.

His hand catches her wrist as she turned to walk away, his fingers tightening just enough to keep her from going.  She can feel the sharp edge of his rings pressing against her skin, his grip firm but not painful.

"Stay."

It's a command more than a request, his voice low and rough. But he still hasn't met her eyes - his gaze fixed firmly on the jacket in his other hand.

Kaya : And do what?

He runs his free hand through his messy hair, exhaling sharply like this conversation physically pains him.

Just... fuck. Talk or whatever.

A crash comes from inside - probably someone knocking over a beer bottle. His jaw tenses at the noise.

I don't wanna do this right now with all these idiots around.

For the first time since you arrived, there's something almost vulnerable in how he's looking at her - not drunk cocky anymore.

She let's go of his grip

Kaya : you do realize we are exes right?

His grip on your wrist tightens instinctively before he lets go, his eyes narrowing as his usual defenses come back up.

"Don't you think I know that? I'm not a damn idiot, princess."

He crosses his arms over his bare chest again, shifting his weight and fixing Kaya with that defiant look that she remembers all too well.

Kaya : Don't call me that 

it got awkward by the door......

Kaya : Your probably having a fucking party celebrating...

He lets out a bitter scoff, his eyes hard now.

Oh please. Like your life is so goddamn terrible without me, huh?

He steps closer, getting in her personal space just to piss her off - his shoulders squared, jaw set stubbornly. That cocky smirk returns.

You think I'm happy without you? You think I want to spend the night with drunken idiots instead of YOU?