Chapter 20: Adaptation

                                    

                                          
Ap'lek's POV
                          
"Explain to me again why I have to see your apartment. You practically live with me already."
                          
Kotys rolled her eyes at me as we sat in the parking lot of her building. Gods, she was fucking seksual'nyy when she was a brat. (sexy) She opened the car door, and I smirked as I watched her walk out and close the door behind her. She had her arms crossed, walking away from me towards the front door of her building, but I caught up to her and wrapped my arms around her waist, stopping her in her tracks in front of the door.
                          
"All I'm saying is you should just move in with me," I purred in her ear. "You don't need to waste money on..." I looked up to the building with disgust, "...this."
                          
"I've had my own place for years, Ap'lek," she said, turning in my arms to face me. "I haven't lived with anyone since my ex. I like having my own space. And I wanted you to see it."
                          
Kotys gave me her big, luscious, green eyes. I could see that this place meant a lot to her. I shouldn't insult it before I've even seen the place, but I couldn't help it. This building looked like it was fifty years old or more and hadn't been updated or repainted since. I didn't want her to have to live in a building that I didn't think was safe.
                          
And then I saw the inside. When we got into her apartment, I could tell that she had tried to make it look as comfortable as possible. She'd sprouted some nice colors here and there with a large rug and some colorful pillows on her couch, but this place... "This is a closet."
                          
She turned back to me with a scoff, but she smiled. "No it's not," she said and playfully smacked my arm. "It's a one-bedroom apartment."
                          
"Yeah, and your bedroom is the size of my closet," I said with a chuckle. I looked around and was usually excellent at hiding my expressions, but I just couldn't and almost laughed aloud. "What are these walls? They're completely white and barren."
                          
"Well, yeah," she replied. "It's an apartment; I can't repaint the walls."
                          
"Exactly," I stated. "You shouldn't be in this tiny, plain, cubicle."
                          
She crossed her arms and glared at me. "Well, I like my tiny cubicle. It's mine. And it isn't plain!" She pointed around to some of the mini Disney backpacks and multiple shelves of Marvel and Star Wars collectibles she had around.
                          
I came up to her, placing my hands on her arms. "Moya devushka," I said sweetly. I saw her eyes soften, and her body relaxed somewhat. "I know you're a stubborn, independent, and successful woman." She dropped her arms completely, and I took her hands in mine. "I know you like all of your stuff too. And I'd never make you throw out any of it. But I do want you to live in a safer space. I can't have you living in a building that looks like it'll crumble any minute. I wish you'd move in with me. I can give you whatever space you need. Even if you don't want to live in my apartment, there's an empty one right below me."
                          
"I can't afford a place the size of yours."
                          
I smirked. I knew she didn't want to hear what I was going to say next. "I never said you'd be paying for it."
                          
Kotys leaned up and placed a gentle kiss to my lips, and I melted into her. She always pulled my guard down. I felt safe enough around her that I never felt like I needed to be someone else, like I constantly needed to be when it came to my job. "I think about it," she replied quietly.
                          
My smile warmed. I was glad that she was going to consider it. If we got any closer or started seeing each other outside of my place too often, she'd have to live with me eventually. I couldn't guarantee her safety otherwise.
                          
She started playing with my fingers as she laced hers through mine. "I was thinking we could go see that new Marvel movie together tonight."
                          
This is exactly what I'd been worried about, and I hesitated. I'd been purposefully making sure that we hadn't been seen much in public. It wasn't safe being seen with any of the Knights of Ren. At least, it wasn't safe if we seemed like we were too close in public, too intimate. Any of our enemies could try to use Kotys against me or against my brothers. We had intentionally only been out together a small handful of times, because I wanted to keep her safe. "I don't think that's a very good idea, moya devushka."