Avery sat on the balcony, the warm afternoon sun brushing her caramel-toned skin as she stirred her tea. Across from her, Axel leaned back in his chair, blue eyes scanning a math problem on his tablet, one hand absently brushing crumbs from his shoulder. Calm, untouchable… and entirely his own when he was with her.
She smirked. "Sir, are you seriously studying while I'm trying to relax?"
He glanced up, eyebrow raised. "You think I'm here for your relaxation? No. I'm here to make sure you don't accidentally crash the digital world while sipping tea."
Avery laughed. "You're ridiculous."
"Strategically ridiculous," he corrected, lips twitching in the faintest smirk. "It works every time."
Her laughter rang out, soft and warm, but then his phone buzzed on the tray. He glanced down, eyes narrowing.
Selena.
Avery noticed immediately—the playful warmth in his eyes dimmed, replaced by sharp focus. He excused himself quietly. "I'll be right back," he said, voice clipped, and walked into the kitchen, phone pressed to his ear.
Avery let out a soft sigh and pulled out her own phone, dialing Gabriella.
"Hello, gossip central!" Gabriella's voice came through, teasing and bright. "Give me the full report. Don't leave out a single crumb!"
Avery laughed. "Okay… so, Axel is… amazing. He's attentive, funny, protective… and terrifyingly cold to everyone else. But with me? Warm, playful, attentive. He listens. Really listens. I can't even describe it—it's like he's only ever that way for me."
Gabriella snorted. "See? Cold, scary, and everyone else trembles. And here you are, living in this little bliss bubble. I hate you sometimes."
Avery rolled her eyes, smiling. "Hey, he's not cold to me. He treats me well—more than anyone else ever has. I know how he is with the rest, but I get the warm side. And honestly? I wouldn't have it any other way."
Gabriella's tone shifted, sly but playful. "Ugh… I want that. I want someone who actually notices me like that, who's scary to everyone else but soft for me. Envy is real."
Avery grinned. "You'll get your chance, don't worry. But you've got to admit, it's… kind of hilarious seeing him being intimidating to everyone else. Yesterday in the coffee shop, some woman tried to lecture me on existing in public, and Axel just… stared. I swear, she's never touched a latte again in her life."
Gabriella laughed so hard she could barely speak. "Oh my god. Classic Axel. Did you survive without screaming?"
"Yes," Avery said, giggling. "Barely. But it was terrifying in the best way. Like… he's scary, but only in a way that makes me feel safe. And then he makes these ridiculous jokes about math or coding… and I can't help but laugh."
Gabriella's voice dropped conspiratorially. "I swear… you're living the dream. The attention, the protection, the ridiculously perfect treatment… it's unreal."
Avery shook her head. "It is. And here's the best part: we're planning a little shopping trip this Saturday. Just us. But I made him promise he can't pick everything. He already tried choosing a medieval-style suit and tie combo, claiming it was 'timeless fashion.' I nearly died laughing."
Gabriella shrieked into the phone. "No! Did he seriously?"
"Yes! And he defended it like a general defending territory. I had to fight him down."
Gabriella laughed so hard Avery had tears in her eyes. "I'm living vicariously through you. Ugh… you're so lucky!"
Avery leaned back in her chair, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "And speaking of luck… I teased him earlier about how cold he is with everyone else. You know what he said?"
"What?" Gabriella asked, intrigued.
"I said, 'Sir, you're terrifying to everyone, but soft with me.' And he just shrugged, smirked faintly, and said, 'I don't know… you ask Avery. I think she has a lot to say about it.'"
Gabriella snorted. "Oh my god. That's… terrifyingly cute. I can't even handle this. And he's all yours."
"Yes," Avery said softly, smiling to herself. "All mine. And he really does care. Every little thing, even the ridiculous stuff, like reminding me to eat or joking about Fibonacci sequences with honey. He's… perfect in his own way."
Gabriella teased again, "Ugh… why is your life so perfect? You're gloating. Admit it."
"I'm not gloating," Avery laughed. "I'm… sharing. But yes, maybe a little. You know, for context. And the best part? He lets me plan some of our little adventures. I swear, this Saturday shopping trip will be hilarious because I'll get to pick out ridiculous shoes and accessories just to see him roll his eyes."
Gabriella's laugh was pure delight. "I swear, I'm going to live through this Saturday too. Don't forget to tell me every detail afterward."
Avery grinned, leaning back, watching the sun spill across the balcony. Axel was in the kitchen, probably handling the serious business Selena demanded, completely unaware she was gisting Gabriella about him.
For now, Avery's life was a bubble of laughter, playful secrets, and warmth—the only warmth Axel gave freely. Cold to the world, sarcastic to everyone else, and entirely devoted to her.