Chapter Text
I am doubled over, absolutely winded from dragging this heavy box up the stairs. Today is moving day. I am finally back to my home city after completing grad school. The last thing I wanted to do was move back here after spending the last 4 years in a warm climate. But here I am. And this apartment is amazing.
I am pushing the door open when I hear two loud shit-talking voices come around the corner. I look up to see my new roommates Dante and Erik.
Dante and I went to high school together. He was a year ahead of me and of course was every girl’s crush. He looked like the stereotypical jock. Mr. All-American Quarterback. But his personality was anything but that. Dante was just a nice guy. He was nice to everyone from the prom queen (not me) to the dorkiest dork (also not me), and everyone in-between (me). He was also ridiculously intelligent. I wasn’t on his radar in any way. Which was why I was surprised to get a social media follow request from him a couple of years ago. And even more surprised when I posted that I was moving back to the area and looking for a place and he offered that he was looking for a roommate if I didn’t mind living with two guys. Soon after I received a request from Erik and the next thing I knew we were on Facetime discussing details. When I came into town for a baby shower a few weeks ago I stopped in to see the apartment and meet Erik in person. We hit it off instantly and the three of us spent the next few weeks sending non-stop memes to our group chat.
Erik and Dante had only known one another since college but anyone who had ever been in the same room with them would swear that they were brothers just by how easy they were around one another. It was clear they were the best of friends. I mean they looked nothing alike. Where Dante was dirty blonde with green eyes, Erik was taller, leaner with dark hair and nearly black eyes. He was also very good looking and all I could think about was the parade of girls that would come through our place. But it was walking distance from work. It was an awesome space and I could make my BFF jealous that I was roommates with the famous Dante.
Erik’s eyes go wide when he seems me. "Jeez, Kali, let us help you with that," he says, quickly jogging forward to take the box from my hands. They must have been at the gym. Dante follows suit, his hair damp with sweat but still managing to look effortlessly attractive.
"What the fuck are you doing here? You’re a day early." he adds with a charming smile, taking another box from the stack.
“Yeah well, the corporate movers told me they could deliver today or late tomorrow so I jumped on the earlier time. If you Buttheads had warned me that I needed a pass for the elevator I would have opted for tomorrow.”
Erik laughs, “Bro she just said 'buttheads'.”
Dante chuckles softly. "Nah that shit’s a death trap anyway. It’s always getting stuck. Avoid the elevator if you can.”
“Fuck me I’m going to have to work on my cardio if I am avoiding the elevator.”
Dante leans against the wall. "Erik and I can help you unpack too, if you'd like." Erik, already opening one of the boxes, nods in agreement. "Yeah, we can make quick work of it. Plus, I can look through all of your shit." He glances up at me, his dark hair falling into his eyes, giving him a roguish look. "So, where do you want to start?"
“Nope, not gonna happen. I have seen your memes. Honestly, there isn’t much. Just grab the last few boxes for me and I will owe you big time.”
Erik smirks, his eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. "The boring answer. But it’s cool, we got these." Just tell us where you want them, and we'll take care of it."
As the day wears on, Erik and Dante work diligently alongside me, their banter and laughter filling the apartment. I ultimately relent and allow them to help me unpack.
"You've got quite a collection of books here, Kali," Erik comments, running a hand through his dark hair as he sets a box of books on the shelf.
I look at him from the corner of my eye.
Dante walks over to get a closer look. "Oh shit, our girl likes trash!" he says, holding up one of my ridiculous romance novels before placing in on the shelf. I ignore them and keep working.
Fuck I forgot about the books. Most of my collection can’t even be described as romance. More like pure kink. Porn with plot. Maybe not the best impression for a single girl living with two guys but they have seen them now.
"So…," Erik says, leaning against the wall with a predatory grin, "So what do you guys want for dinner. I’m starving."
When I suggest pizza, they look at me like I have two heads. “This body is a temple” Erik laughs as he heads to the fridge to assess what is available.
“You cook?!”
Dante laughs, a warm and inviting sound that fills the room. "Me? Barely,” he laughs, giving me a playful wink. "Erik's actually a pretty good cook. He can whip up something amazing in no time." Erik, with a smirk, leans against the kitchen counter, crossing his arms over his chest. "Yeah, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve. What are you in the mood for, Kali?" His dark eyes hold a hint of challenge, as if daring me to answer. ‘God this guy is a flirt.’ I think to myself.
Dante steps closer to me, his voice lowering to a soothing murmur. "We want to make sure you're happy and comfortable here. Whatever you want, just let us know. We'll take care of it." His hand lightly grazes my arm, sending a subtle shiver through me. Erik watches the interaction with interest. "So, what's it going to be, Kali? We're all ears."
“Guys I have been a broke grad student for like…ever. Surviving on noodles. I can’t decide.”
Erik nods, pushing off from the counter decisively, with a confident smirk. "Noodles it is. Or at least, my take on noodles”. He moves around the kitchen with practiced ease, pulling out ingredients and pans.
Dante steps closer to me, his voice soft and inviting. "Why don't you take a seat and chill? You've been working hard all day. Let us take care of you."
Erik, now chopping vegetables with swift precision, glances over his shoulder at me. "You're going to love this, trust me. It's one of my specialties." His tone is laced with pride. It’s borderline cocky, as if he's already claiming my approval.
“Actually, I’m going to hop in the shower really quick. I can smell myself! Ugh”.
“Yeah, I can smell you too!” Dante teases me. I get up and flip him off playfully as I leave the room.
After my shower we sit down for dinner like some weird, forced instant family. Erik places a plate in front of me with a flourish. "Here you go. My famous stir-fry."
Dante chuckles, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "You're in for a treat. Erik takes his cooking seriously."
Jesus how did he throw this together so quickly. Its amazing. “So…you cook, the apartment is spotless…seems like a setup” I laugh. “Are there any house rules I need to know about?”
Dante takes a bite of his stir-fry, savoring it for a moment before responding. "We don't have many rules, but there are a few things we like to keep in mind." He glances at Erik, who nods in agreement.
Erik, his dark eyes holding my gaze, continues, "First, we believe in open communication. If something bothers you, or if you want something, just tell us. We're all adults here, and we can handle honesty."
Dante chimes in, his voice softer but no less firm, "Second, we like to keep the common areas clean. We'll all pitch in to keep the place tidy. And finally..." He pauses, a subtle smirk playing on his lips. "We just like to have fun.”
Erik leans back, his eyes never leaving mine. "And of course, there are no rules against having a good time. In fact, we encourage it."
“Mmmm I bet!”. I say sarcastically.
Erik’s mood seems to shift suddenly. He stares at me a moment too long before asking what I meant by that comment.
I am caught off guard by sudden serious Erik. I am not easily intimidated but there is something about him that makes me want to please him. Maybe it’s just first day jitters. But I also notice Dante looking at Erik while Erik still stares at me.
“I just mean I have never lived with two guys before. Or any guy that wasn’t my brother or a boyfriend. The girl situation here must be wild.” I try to laugh it off but I am happy I have my own bathroom and that none of our bedrooms share a wall.
Erik chuckles, a low and somewhat predatory sound. "Well, we try not to have too many guests but of course you are free to do whatever you like." He leans back, his dark eyes studying me with a mix of amusement and something more intense.
I could be totally wrong but something about that look almost feels like a dare.