You didn’t even get the chance to walk. One second you were heading back to your quarters, and the next?
Thrown over Manigoldo’s shoulder like a bag of rice.
“MANIGOLDO!”
“Hey, I said I missed you!” he laughed, completely unbothered by your furious flailing. “You were walking too slow. And I needed cuddles. Emergency.”
“Emergency?! You can’t just—let me down!!”
“Nope.” He gave your thigh a pat-pat like you were some sack of treasure he was proud to carry. “You’re warm. And soft. And mine.”
You groaned, beating your fists weakly on his back. “I swear I hate you sometimes.”
“Liar. You love me. You think I’m charming.”
“I think you’re deranged.”
He snorted, kicking the door to his temple open with one boot before casually strolling inside. “Maybe. But you’re the one dating the deranged Saint, so what does that make you?”
“Regretting all my life choices.”
“Still not putting you down.”
He finally plopped you onto his bed, grinning like a menace. You sat there with your arms crossed, fuming — only for that grin to soften as he leaned down, brushing his nose against yours.
“You’re my everything, you know that?” he whispered, just barely above a breath. “Even when you hate me. Especially when you hate me.”
You blinked. “You’re such a menace.”
“But your menace,” he murmured, sliding in beside you, arms wrapping around your waist. “Now hush and let me hold you, potato sack.”
You sighed, relenting with a grumble. “Fine. But next time, I’m throwing you over my shoulder.”
Manigoldo laughed. “Deal.”
(You absolutely wouldn’t be able to, and he knew it.)