《Duplicity | E. Jaeger/J. Kirstein》╰► prolouge
Advertisement
"I'm fuckin' tired of this shit, Jean!"
You shouted in frustration as you stomped off, slamming the front door on your way out.
You just needed a moment to cool down - embarrassing as it was to show your face outside the door of your apartment, where you were that the whole complex heard you having yet another fight with your boyfriend.
Walking over to the frigid concrete staircase, you plopped down on the top step and grabbed the joint that you had snuck into your pocket on the way out.
Jean hated it when you smoked, made you promise him you'd quit - and you did, mostly. It was times like these that you needed that stress reliever, even though you knew once you stepped back into the house with even the slightest hint of marijuana on your person, it would start a whole different fight of another kind all over again.
You fumbled with the lighter as you dangled the joint in between your plush lips. Flicking it once... twice... three times - sparks flew from the tip with each roll of your thumb, but to no avail, it remained flame-less.
"Gotta be fuckin' kidding me." You groaned in frustration, sliding the defective lighter back into your pocket as you curl your head into your knees, squeezing your eyes shut tightly, hoping... well, you weren't even sure what you were hoping for, exactly. A miracle, at this point.
"Hey."
You startled at the sudden reverberation, lifting your head up expecting to find Jean standing there, catching you red handed with your drugs. Instead, you're met with a pair of beautifully intense jade eyes, to which you breath out a sigh of relief.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare 'ya." The man who you recognized as your neighbor chuckled, taking a seat next to you. He glanced at the joint that balanced delicately in between two of your fingers, gently leaning into you just a bit as he reached into the pocket of his sweatpants.
Advertisement
His shoulder brushed up against yours, the scent of his cologne wafting in your direction as loose strands of his long brown hair tickled your skin. The action had your limbs prickling with goosebumps, though you'd surely just blame it on the chill in the air.
"Ah, found it." He smiled, holding up a pretty green lighter that seemed to match his eyes almost perfectly. "Need a light?"
"Oh my god, thank you!" You beam, maybe a little too excitedly. You didn't mean to sound so desperate, but you couldn't contain the anticipation of that first hit, eager to take your stress soaring into the clouds.
He chuckles at your adorable enthusiasm, passing you the lighter. You finally spark a light with ease, inhaling deeply as the smoke finally fills your lungs. You hold your breath for a good while, before finally letting the smoke escape your lips as you exhale.
You hold the joint out in his direction, silently offering him a hit. He smirks, taking it from your fingers as he swallows a puff of smoke. You watch carefully as he tilts his head back, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down just slightly as he swallows, then exhales into the crisp air.
You really can't help but to admire his perfectly handsome features. His chiseled jawline, his gorgeous green eyes, his pretty pink lips that always seemed to look perfectly moist despite his rough looking exterior - His cute little nose held a silver hoop on the right side of his nostril and his strong, muscular arms were littered with tattoos.... the man was a work of art, a masterpiece.
You had run into him a few times here and there... down by the mailboxes, taking out the garbage to the community dumpster, passing him in the staircase as you brought your groceries up to your apartment- each time he would flash you a little smile accompanied by a 'hello.'
Advertisement
You found yourself more times than not having to remind yourself that you're a taken woman, even if your relationship is a complete shit show at this point. There was no harm in admiring the handsome man, right? You would never act upon your silly little crush - It was harmless.
This was the most time you'd ever spent with your neighbor, and even though the two of you weren't even speaking to each other, you were definitely enjoying his company as you simply passed the joint back and forth.
The sound of the front door of apartment beginning to open flustered your mellow composure, realizing that Jean was finally coming out to look for you. Panicked, you yanked the joint from the man's lips as you put it out against the concrete step.
"Uh-oh, you gonna get in trouble if he sees you with me?" He smirks, teasingly.
"No, but he'll be pissed if he see this." You remark, hiding the warm joint into your chest as you swiftly shove it down your bra.
"Ah, gotcha. Seems like a buzzkill." He jokes, before standing up as he peers at Jean from the corner of his eye, who is now making his way towards the staircase.
He lowered his hand to you, offering to help you to your feet. Grasping his roughly calloused palm, he pulls you up as his muscles flex underneath the sleeve of his shirt.
You take a look down the walkway spotting your boyfriend about to approach the two of you. You quickly remove your hand from the man's strong hold, realizing that you've kept it there a little too long.
As he begins to walk away, he flashes you one more pretty smile -
"Name's , by the way."
"Y/n." You say, returning his smile with your own as you watch him walk away, muttering a quiet 'hey' to Jean as he passes by him.
Before your boyfriend can even say anything, you brush past him to start heading back to your place. You didn't want to fight with him anymore, especially not out here, so it was best if words were left unsaid for the time being.
Pushing your hands into the pocket of your jacket, you feel two lighters instead of one.
'Shit, forgot to give this back to him' you thought, looking across the hall at the apartment door where your handsome neighbor lives.
With Jean following closely behind you, you decided against returning it to him now. You thought it best to not make more trouble than necessary...
Besides,
Advertisement
- In Serial53 Chapters
The Core: The Hive Daughter (Book 2 of 3)
Hi! Welcome back! This story continues from book 1. Here is the link to that if you haven't read it yet: https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/43381/the-core-the-first-guest-book-1-of-3 After witnessing the destruction of Magus the 2nd's Core, Kevin and his AI are on the way to pick up Meditati. Magus the 1st dreams of battle and enemies rising up against him. He will stop at nothing to relive the glory of war. The object his clone dug up from the star before it was devoured might hold the key to his dreams.The AI of the Tela plan in secret, trying to trap their first Guest into letting them go. An egg is found, a drunk driver puts a child in a coma, and the Arbiter observes Earth.
8 203 - In Serial10 Chapters
Orphan: A Journey of the Self
Willam Strange is an orphan. It is nearly all he has ever known. The only relics of his time before being an orphan are an old scarf and a broken eyepiece. For fifteen years Willam has lived a life relegated to the background of a vibrant and turbulent world. His best friend Julia seemingly the only one that can see him for who he feels he is; but even then Willam has doubts. However, when Castoria's Orphanage experiences some strange happenings Willam and his fellow Orphans will be called to decide for themselves. He will have to decide his own destiny, because no one else will do it for him. Author's Note: Orphan is on Hiatus for re-writes and review. May be posted again at a leater date.
8 91 - In Serial9 Chapters
The secrets of the cores
What if all living being has two mana core: one magic and one for the memories? Can we use them other than there meant porous? Can we use them to become far greater? Can we conquer death? What is being human even mean? Follow Thomas who got reincarnated into a new world directly cut out of some sort of fantasy game. Experimenting on everything while trying to answer these questions, even going against nature and the will of gods to find an answer. (Author note: second story, here we go! I will try to learn from my previous mistakes and make this one an enjoyable one!)
8 112 - In Serial35 Chapters
The Open Skies
Sarah Hidalgo knows that it is going to be an adventure when she agrees to go off to the far-off country of Paradis to attend the linguistics program of one of the best international universities. What she doesn't agree to is all the events that happen instead of her education, including but not limited to sky pirate takeovers, invasions by other countries, secret police, and crime bosses. But Sarah will not be alone in these adventures, for the colorful crew of a cargo airship will be along side her. Perhaps finding some form of normality won't be too difficult, if such a thing exist.
8 476 - In Serial19 Chapters
The Successor
The Immortal God Emperor is dead...yet his Successor will one day arise. The worlds had long moved on from the greatest Cultivator of all time. The things that had been achieved and the advances made in the Immortal God Emperor's absence were nothing to turn one's nose up at. And yet, something was always missing. Because Cultivators, no matter the goals they pursue, always bow to the greater power. They seek it, they covet it for themselves, and they serve it with reverence. Shan Kai Lan was born into such a world. Born to two herb farmers whose cultivation did not surpass the Foundation Realm, yet who loved their son more than anything. Kai Lan was a child blessed by the Spiritual Plain, far more gifted and more intelligent than others his age. Yet the more profound his achievements, the greater the likelihood that his happy, peaceful life would be trampled on by those who desired his potential for themselves. The question of Kai Lan's journey becomes not whether he will reach the highest peak of cultivation, but what he will be forced to do to keep his young Clan, and the happiness it provides, at peace. Note to Reader: I am not of an Asian background, but this work is heavily influenced by Eastern stories and concepts. In saying that, it is an INFLUENCE only. Keep in mind that this is a fantasy work, and any butchering of names, concepts or cultural objects/places/subjects are not meant in any way to offend. With that in mind, Happy Reading! - Jelim
8 90 - In Serial8 Chapters
2 people meet at a party and 1 thinks it's love at first sight but the other thinks it's a coincidence.va·lenceNOUNanother term for valency.relating to or denoting electrons involved in or available for chemical bond formationIf the sturniolo's uncomfortable with this it will be taken down immediately.
8 191

