“Morning,” I reply, quieter than I meant to.
He is also the smallest of the boys, but at six foot two, I wouldn’t exactly call him short. He tosses the tea towel onto the counter and steps towards me. It’s something they all do. I don’t know if it’s Felix’s influence or if they’re just gentlemen, but whenever they see me, they greet me properly.
Before I know it, Atlas is in front of me, bending to press a kiss to my forehead.
“Sit,” he says, placing a hand between my shoulder blades and guiding me to the island. I roll my eyes and try to jab him softly with my elbow.
“I can walk, you know,” I sass as he dodges out of the way.
“Can you? After I heard you and Roman for the third time last night, I was convinced I’d have to wheel you out of there.”
I groan, my cheeks flaming as I cover my face with both hands.Atlas chuckles beside me and moves to take a seat.
“Let’s not talk about that,” I say when I finally sit back down.
“Deal.” He points at me. “But if your brother starts his morning off with attitude, I’m holding you personally responsible to mediate that. I’m staying out of it.”
“Fuck,” I laugh. “Did you really hear us?”
“Yes.”
“Fuck my life.”
“Eh, don’t stress. You and Roman were inevitable anyway. Felix has had years to come to terms with it.”
“What do you mean we were inevitable?” I ask, frowning. Why do all these guys seem to think this was always going to happen?
“Oh, come on, Fairy. Minus the fact he’d pine after you everywhere you went and go insane on your duty days, you had to have seen the way he looked at you on nights out.” Atlas looks genuinely dumbfounded that I’m unaware.
“Honestly, no. I never noticed.”
“Either you’re a fucking shit spy or you read social cues worse than Roman, because what the fuck, Fairy?” Atlas’s laugh booms across the empty kitchen, which pulls a laugh out of me before I can stop it.
“Anyway, eat. What do you want?” He asks after we’ve settled down.
“You got crumpets in?”
“Yep, two crumpets coming up.”
We fall into a companionable silence. Atlas potters about, making tea as he sorts breakfast. We eat without rushing, the clink of cutlery and the hum of the kettle filling the space between us.
Despite myself, my thoughts drift back to Roman. I feel embarrassed at the thought of everyone hearing us last night. It curdles in my stomach as I swallow another piece of buttered crumpet. I make a silent promise to myself that the next time Roman and I are together, it will be at mine.
Next time.
The fact I can even plan a next time makes me shiver. Is this the hope everyone talks about? I wonder if, if Roman is serious, it means he will make a bid for me at the initiation ceremony. Will I actually be chosen, not out of obligation but desire?
I internally groan There are too many complications. One, Dr. Fisher has his sights set on me. Two, I’m a Swallow and, whilst it’s not a rule, most of us end up spending our lives in the compound. And three, Roman could have anyone. Maybe he’s just passing his time with me until then, and for the first time ever, I realise I’m okay with that. The memories of him and me together will be enough to get me through whatever dark moments are still to come.
Atlas shoves the last of his yoghurt into his mouth and places his spoon down. Standing, he moves to the sink and opens the third drawer. He pulls out a black box and I pause mid-bite. Frowning, I watch as he closes all the doors and then switches the machine on. I know exactly what it is. It’s a bug sweeper.
“Look, Fae, I… I need to talk to you about what happened last night.”
I swallow as I look at him, my heartbeat picking up at the thought of what he’s about to say. Does he realise that no matter who my brother is, being connected to me is a bad thing? Will he ban me from the house to protect the others? I wouldn’t blamehim. I know Felix won’t be down for that, but he can still visit me. Anxiety prickles beneath my ribs as Atlas steps forward and takes my hand.
“I spent all last night awake researching the buildings Jack gave us.”
Oh.