1 CHAPTER 1

The soft clicks on the keyboards, the shuffling of towering papers, the tree branches dance to the loud beat of sirens, horns and voices. A few more minutes and the day ends as usual, brushing over my skirt and placing the last sample for the day on the racks. The chilling breeze hitting my cheeks, the tip of my nose turns tingly as the chill runs down my spine. The crisp air inside the firm feels so languid, it wasn't that dark , it wasn't that late either; the look on the stacks of papers in front of me begin to drain my own will to finish them. A familiar clink of a mug on the oak table caught my attention, the soft scent the contents hold was just mere coffee.

"Don't stress yourself that much, you still have until 4 p.m." I scoffed at him as he took a sip from his mug, the fact that he isn't even hiding his sarcasm is infuriating. But the coffee on the table a still gentle act of his, taking a sip letting the drink envelope me in warmth.

"You know Finn, if you would help then it wouldn't take that long to finish, thank you for the coffee by the way." looking over the pile of manuscripts that came in earlier today, it isn't that big of a pile but they were the new ones from the contest that the firm held for the last month. A brief sigh left my lips as I skim over the ones I already read and would submit for a final review, he dragged himself to look at the pile and took one from it.

"Well if you didn't lag on the meeting earlier this wouldn't be so many right?"

"If this is your way of saying you'll help then I'm very much in need of it." glancing over my shoulders he was already getting to it, a small smile etched on my face as he flipped through the pages.

The soft skim of wind against my cheeks as the faint smell of alcohol taint the air, the warmth of my jacket isn't that much help under the cold night. The lighting itself felt so welcoming the smooth music resonating the room, the shuffling of feet and clinking of glasses.

The waft of tobacco and cheap cigarettes along with smiles and erupting laughter, Finn slung an arm around my shoulders nudging a drink to my hand.

"It's a bit of a shame that you're here and not drinking Lily." a glimpse at his flustered state is all it took for me to hail over a cab, letting him ease inside and picking up his things. Hearing him grumble and scoot away to lean on the door, watching as the lights would shine on his face the sway of his shoulders as he leaned back resting on mine.

"Don't sleep here now Finneas, I have to get you home." the warmth from his body spreading onto mine it isn't something I haven't been through before, him getting all drunk and taking him home. The way he would cling to my shirt while grumbling a few profanities under his breath, the way he would curse at the dim light of his own room.

"Hurry up and change, I have to get back too." a small tug falling into the mattress, the small tremble his hand made as I pulled it away from the hem of my shirt.

"Can you stay for a while?" his voice croaky he didn't even lift his head, the grip he has on the sheets tightened.

"Shush you and stop fussing, I'll be right here." rubbing small circles on the back of his hand, the soft groans and muffled hums fill the room as he drifts away to sleep. Observing his now peaceful state locking the door as I settle on the couch, closing my eyes letting consciousness drift away into the bright night.