Christian certainly hadn't expected waking up to Kylie trembling in fear and blurting there is a bear in the kitchen. She climbed to him and it struck him awake. Although he was still blinking in a sleep-induced haze, his arms was instinctively around her. "Bear?" He hears himself say.

"Yes, a bear!" She burrows her face to the crook of his neck, hiding herself from said bear.

"I'll check."

"Okay," she murmured, still on his lap.

Shrugging, he lifts himself off the couch, Kylie all over him like a vine. Kylie must be excessively terrified otherwise she would have noticed her legs are locked on his hips and her arms are tightly fastened around his neck. He refuses to point them out, she doesn't have to know how much he's enjoying this.

The prospect of the bear showing up at the kitchen is very unlikely. He was just messing with her when he said there were wild animals. He didn't know he will get an impulsive 'cuddle' out of it. And he have something else to dangle over her head once her horror toward the bear subsides.

Christian steps in the kitchen, Kylie sinking further to his neck. "Is it still here?" She breathed.

He flicked the light on. The backdoor was half-open but there was no bear in sight, like he thought. But his parents were there, making their way in. Their faces were mortified, exactly the look of teenage sweethearts caught sneaking out. Then confusion settled in, and they were suddenly not the ones getting caught.

They stared at him, and then Kylie – lingering on her.

"What is going on?" His mother gestured to them, her eyes round from fascination.

He clears his throat, shoving the laugh back to his throat. "Kylie here thought there was a bear."

Kylie lifted her head from the crook of his neck. She opens one eyelid, the other followed suit. A blush fanned out all over her face as she flailed off him and ironed the fabrics of her nightgown.

She embedded a smile in attempt for nonchalance, but the profuse blush on her cheeks has given her away. "I'm sorry. I really thought you guys were," she gulps, turning even redder, "bears." She forced the word out of her mouth, wincing at herself.

"A bear?" His mother's brows arches to her forehead in maternal comfort. "Sweetie, bears are acres of spaces away."

"Oh." She bit her lip, her hands looping and unlooping behind her. "I'm really sorry. Some punk told me there would be wild animals."

It was his dad's turn to lift and eyebrow. "I hope you punch that punk." He gave Christian a knowing look.

Christian just shrugged and trapped his tongue between his teeth.

"Well, I just hope he trips on his own foot and lose a tooth or maybe a couple." She gave them an embarrassed smile. "Good night, Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson."

"It's Margaret and Nicholas, sweetie. We couldn't sleep so we went out for a little fresh air and changed our minds because it was freezing outside. We're sorry we scared you." She smiled comfortingly.

Kylie nodded and murmured good night.

He towed behind her, amused of her stabbing footsteps on the floor. It was evident she was pissed. But it was cute, much like an adorable bunny on its quest to be harmful.

And failing.

He followed her to the stairs, staying at least one step behind. "Hey, buttercup. Bright side: the bear was just my parents."

She turns around, eyes in furious slits. "Doesn't make it any better," she snapped.

"You would rather it was a bear?"

Kylie continues up the stairs, treading lightly when they reached the hall. "I would if it will maul you to death."

"You realize you're putting your life at stake too, right? News flash: you were all over me. The bear would have gotten onto you first."

She casts him a threatening look. "Don't you dare hold that against me. In my defense, I was scared shitless. And you were the jerk who decided to get a rise out of me."

"In my defense, I didn't know you were going to believe me about the wild animals."

She scoffed, turning to the end of the hall. "You are a horrible human being."

"That an insult, buttercup?" He stopped when she turns her heels.

"For the last time, I am not named after a dumb flower." Her finger jabbed at his chest.

Christian chuckled. "You should keep your voice down."

She sighed and grabbed the knob to her room. "I hate you," she seethed.

He smirked, watching her with the pale glow of the moon coming from the window. She wasn't wearing any of her colorful hair ties. Her dark locks were amiss all over her shoulders. He'd expected she wears cute pajamas to bed but it was a silk nightgown with laces on some alluring places. "Good night, Kylie."

"You just ruined it." She scoffed and closed the door on him.

Christian stood there, madly amused. 

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