I was running full speed toward the living room, journal clutched tight in my hand like it was evidence in one of my old crime novels.

My foot caught on the edge of the stupid rug again.

I slipped hard and planted face-first into the carpet for the ninth goddamn time this week.

“Damn it!”

I pushed myself up quickly, nose stinging, pride already dead, and kept running.

“Kaaaaeeeeeee!!!! You bastard!!!!”

Kae was standing in the kitchen holding some weird long sandwich thing packed with a million different flavors.

 The second he saw me charging at him like a crazy person, the sandwich slipped right out of his hand and splatted onto the floor.

“What now?” he asked, looking tired but already bracing himself.

I slammed the open journal down on the counter so hard it made a loud smack.

“You hunted me through a jungle! On a costume night! That’s called… H… H… H… Hippopotamus!”

Kae stared at me for half a second, then burst out laughing so hard he had to grab the edge of the counter to stay upright.

“Halloween, baby,” he corrected, still laughing.

I grabbed the knife from the counter (not to actually stab him… probably) and waved it for emphasis.

“I don’t care about the name! And then you did… you did… it with me in a catacomb!”

Kae’s laughter slowly faded, but the smirk stayed. He looked at me with that dark, intense stare that always made my stomach flip.

“Yeah,” he said, voice low. “I did.”

My face burned hot. I pointed the knife at him again.

“In a catacomb, Kae! With dead people everywhere! That’s disgusting!”

He stepped closer, completely unfazed by the knife, and gently took it from my hand, setting it down safely.

“You wrote three whole pages about it, Em,” he said, voice dropping even lower. “Very detailed. Very loud. You seemed to enjoy it a lot.”

I groaned and covered my burning face with both hands.

“I did not!”

“You did,” he said, clearly enjoying this way too much. “You even underlined the part where you said my name like a prayer while—”

“Shut up!” I hissed, shoving at his chest. “You are a pervert.”

Kae caught my wrists and pulled me closer, grinning down at me.

“Maybe,” he murmured, lips brushing my forehead. “But you were the one begging in that catacomb, Little Kitten.”

I made a frustrated noise and hid my face in his shirt, mortified.

“This is so embarrassing,” I mumbled against him, "I hate you."

Kae just smiled, slow and smug. He gently took the knife from my hand and set it down on the table.

“No you don’t,” he said softly. “You’re just mad because your old self had way better taste in men than you do right now.”

I opened my mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.

Nothing came out.

I turned around and stormed back toward the bedroom, face still on fire.

“Stupid stalker… stupid catacomb… stupid journal…” I muttered the whole way.

Behind me, I could still hear Kae laughing.

Bastard.

It was Halloween.

The whole bungalow smelled like cheap pumpkin candy and whatever weird spice Natt kept spraying everywhere. 

Nick was sprawled on the couch eating a giant bag of sour gummies, legs hanging over the armrest like he owned the place.

Kae walked in from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel.

“You wanna go out tonight?” he asked me. “There’s a big Halloween party downtown. Could be fun.”

I immediately shook my head.

“No.”

He tilted his head. “Why not?”

“Humans make me unsettled,” I muttered, pulling my knees closer to my chest. “Too many of them. Too loud. Too fake. I don’t like it.”

Nick suddenly sat up straight, eyes lighting up like an idiot who just had the best idea of his life.

“Oh! We could do a group costume! Suicide Squad from DC. It’ll be perfect. You’d kill it as Harley Quinn.”

I frowned. “No.”

Nick looked personally attacked. “Why did you say no so fast? That’s rude.”

I shrugged. “Because I don’t know them.”

The room went quiet.

Nick blinked slowly. “You… don’t know Suicide Squad?”

I shook my head. “Should I?”

Nick made this dramatic gasping sound and clutched his chest like I’d shot him.

“This is a crime. This is child abuse. This is—” He turned to Kae. “How did you let this happen, man?”

Kae rubbed the back of his neck, trying not to smile. “She doesn’t remember a lot of stuff yet, Nick.”

Natt walked in from the hallway holding a bowl of popcorn and looked between all of us. “What’s going on?”

“Ember doesn’t know who Harley Quinn is,” Nick announced like it was the worst news in the world.

Natt’s eyes went wide. “Oh no…”

I pulled Kae’s oversized hoodie tighter around me and sank deeper into the couch. “Why is this a big deal? It’s just people in costumes.”

Nick jumped up. “It’s not just costumes! Harley is iconic. Kae said you loved her. He showed me your picture of being Harley Quinn on your 17th Birthday.”

I glanced at Kae.

He was watching me with that soft, careful look he gets sometimes. “You really did love Harley.”

I looked down at my hands. “I don’t remember.”

The room got quiet again.

Nick sighed and dropped back onto the couch. “Well… we don’t have to go out if you don’t want to. But if you ever feel like it, we can watch the movies. No pressure.”

I stayed quiet for a while, picking at the sleeve of the hoodie.

Then I muttered, “Maybe… one movie. Just to see.”

Nick grinned like he’d won the lottery. “That’s my girl.”

Kae reached over and gently bumped his shoulder against mine.

“No rush,” he said softly. “We’ve got time.”

I nodded, even though I still felt weird about all of it.

Humans were confusing.

Costumes were confusing.

And apparently, I used to run around dressed as some crazy girl with a bat.

Weird.

We ended up not going to the big party.

Instead, Kae drove us to some old warehouse on the edge of the city. 

From the outside it looked like absolute garbage — rusted metal walls, broken windows, overgrown weeds, graffiti that said shit like “fuck cops” and random tags. I thought we were lost.

But when Kae unlocked the huge sliding door and pushed it open…

Inside was completely different.

It was luxurious. Like stupidly expensive luxurious. Dark wood floors, warm low lighting, big leather couches, a full bar in one corner with actual glass bottles, fancy lights hanging from the high ceiling. It looked like a secret rich person club hidden inside a dumpster.

Nick walked in like he owned the place. “Welcome to the real Batcave, baby.”

Natt elbowed him. “Don’t call her baby.”

Kae stayed close to me the whole time, his hand lightly on my lower back as he guided me further inside. We went through a side door into another room.

My mouth actually opened a little.

It was a private theatre. Huge screen that took up almost the entire wall, big soft recliner seats in rows, dim purple and blue mood lighting, even a real popcorn machine in the corner.

Nick immediately ran to the popcorn machine. “I’m making extra butter. Fight me.”

I sat down in one of the middle seats. The chair was so comfortable it felt like it was hugging me. Kae sat on my right, Natt on my left. 

Nick eventually came over with a giant bowl of popcorn and a smug look on his face.

Kae started the movie — Suicide Squad.

The lights dimmed completely. The big screen lit up.

I held the popcorn bowl in my lap and just… watched. It was loud and crazy and full of weird people doing stupid shit. But it wasn’t bad.

At some point I leaned a little toward Kae and whispered, “So… I really dressed up as the crazy bat girl?”

He smiled, eyes still on the screen. “Yeah. Multiple times.”

I took another handful of popcorn.

“Huh.”

We were halfway through the movie when Nick started his commentary.

And he did not shut up.

The second Harley Quinn appeared on screen in her crazy outfit, Nick leaned forward in his seat like he’d been waiting his whole life for this moment.

“YES! There she is! Look at her, Em. That’s you on a good day,” he said, throwing popcorn in his mouth. “Short shorts, baseball bat, zero fucks given. Iconic.”

I just stared at the screen, slowly chewing popcorn.

A few minutes later, when Harley hit someone with the bat, Nick cheered.

“BOOM! That’s my girl! Wait— that’s your move, Em. You did that to Kae once when he was being annoying. Full swing. Beautiful.”

Kae groaned from beside me. “Nick, I swear—”

“Shhh, the legend is speaking,” Nick cut him off, waving his hand.

When the Joker showed up, Nick elbowed me.

“See that? That’s Kae’s spirit animal. Obsessed, unhinged, would burn the world for one girl. Accurate casting.”

Kae threw a piece of popcorn at him. “I’m not that bad.”

“You’re worse,” Nick shot back without missing a beat. “You literally kidnapped her. At least the Joker asked first.”

I turned my head slowly to look at Kae.

He rubbed the back of his neck, looking guilty. “It was… complicated.”

Nick laughed loudly. “Complicated? Bro, you stalked her for years. That’s not complicated, that’s a documentary waiting to happen.”

Natt threw popcorn at Nick’s head. “Leave them alone!”

But Nick was on a roll.

Every time Harley did something chaotic, he narrated like a sports commentator.

“AND SHE’S GOING FOR THE KILL— classic Ember behavior!”

When Harley and Joker had their dramatic scene, Nick sighed dreamily.

“Man… that toxic, ride-or-die energy. You two invented that shit.”

I sank deeper into my seat, face burning.

Kae just reached over, took my hand, and squeezed it once without saying anything. His thumb brushed over my knuckles gently.

Nick noticed and grinned wider.

“Awww look at him being all soft now. Used to be a stone-cold killer. Now he’s whipped.”

“Nick,” Kae warned.

“I’m just saying,” Nick continued, mouth full of popcorn, “if Ember ever gets her full memory back and remembers how many times she told you to fuck off… we’re all dead.”

I looked at the screen, then at Kae, then back at the screen.

I took another handful of popcorn.

“…This Harley girl is chaotic,” I muttered.

Nick pointed at the screen excitedly. “Exactly! And you used to be worse!”

I didn’t reply.

But I didn’t let go of Kae’s hand either.

The movie kept playing, Nick kept commentating like an idiot, and for once… the noise in my head felt a little quieter.

The movie credits rolled, but the music didn’t stop.

“Gangsta” by Kehlani started playing low and dirty through the speakers, the beat heavy and slow, wrapping around the dark theatre room like smoke.

Nick stood up immediately, stretching. “Aight, I’m out. Don’t break the recliners, kids.”

He winked at Kae and left, closing the door behind him with a soft click.

I started to get up too. “I should—”

Kae’s hand shot out and caught my wrist, pulling me back down. Hard.

In one smooth motion, he dragged me onto his lap so I was straddling him, my knees sinking into the soft leather on either side of his thighs. The black gown rode all the way up to my hips.

“Kae, what are you—”

“Shut up,” he growled, one hand gripping the back of my neck as he pulled me down.

His mouth crashed into mine.

It wasn’t gentle. It was starving.

 His tongue pushed past my lips instantly, claiming me, tasting me like he’d been dying for it the entire movie. His other hand grabbed my ass, squeezing hard, pulling me tighter against the growing bulge in his pants.

I gasped into the kiss. My hands fisted in his shirt.

He kissed me deeper, almost angry, biting my bottom lip before soothing it with his tongue.

“Fuck, I’ve been hard since you put this dress on,” he muttered against my mouth, voice rough. “You have no idea what you do to me.”

I tried to pull back slightly. “We’re in the theatre—”

“Don’t care.” He kissed me again, harder. “Been thinking about this pussy all night.”

His hands slid under the gown, gripping my bare ass. 

No underwear. He groaned when he realized.

“Always so fucking ready for me,” he rasped, squeezing. “Even when you pretend you hate me.”

I shivered. “I do hate you.”

He chuckled darkly and flipped me so fast I gasped.

My chest hit the wide recliner seat, ass up, face down. The gown bunched around my waist completely. I was completely exposed to him.

“Kae—”

“Stay just like that,” he ordered, voice low and dangerous.

Then his mouth was on me.

No teasing. No warning.

He buried his face between my thighs from behind and licked a long, slow stripe from my clit all the way up.

“Fuck,” he groaned, the vibration making me jolt. “You taste so fucking good. Missed this sweet little pussy so much.”

I moaned, fingers digging into the cushion.

He didn’t hold back. He ate me like a man possessed — messy, wet, filthy. His tongue fucked into me while his thumb rubbed tight, perfect circles on my clit.

“Oh shit— Kae—”

He slapped my ass hard, the sound echoing in the room.

“Say my name again,” he growled against me.

“Kae—” I whimpered, pushing back against his face.

He groaned in approval and pushed two thick fingers inside me, curling them instantly against that spot that made my toes curl.

“Fuck, you’re so wet,” he muttered, pumping his fingers faster. “Dripping down my hand already. This all for me?”

I moaned louder, hips rocking back desperately.

“Answer me,” he demanded, sucking hard on my clit.

“Yes— fuck— it’s for you—”

“Good girl,” he praised, voice wrecked. He added a third finger, stretching me open while his tongue worked my clit without mercy.

My legs started shaking.

“Kae— I’m gonna— oh god—”

“Come for me, baby,” he growled, fingers thrusting faster. “Let me hear you.”

I came hard, crying out as my whole body jerked. He kept licking and fingering me through it, drawing out every wave until I was trembling and whimpering against the seat.

When I finally went limp, he pulled his fingers out slowly and pressed one last wet kiss to my swollen pussy.

Then he flipped me onto my back again, eyes dark and wild as he looked down at me.

He leaned down and kissed me deep, letting me taste myself on his tongue.

“Still think you hate me?” he whispered against my lips, smirking.

I was breathing hard, face flushed, legs still shaking.

“…Shut up,” I muttered.

He laughed softly and kissed me again.

We finally came out of the theatre room almost an hour later.

My legs were still a little shaky. My hair was a mess, the high ponytail completely ruined, and I was pretty sure my lipstick was gone. 

Kae walked out right behind me, looking way too satisfied with himself, one hand resting possessively on my lower back.

The second we stepped into the main lounge area, Natt and Nick were waiting.

Nick immediately grinned like a shark. “Well, well, well. Look who finally decided to rejoin the living.”

Natt’s eyes went wide as she took in my messy hair and flushed face. Then she smirked.

“Oh my god,” she said, folding her arms. “You two are disgusting. We could hear you from here.”

My face burned instantly. “We were quiet.”

Nick barked out a laugh. “Quiet? Babe, you were moaning loud enough to wake the dead. Kae really put in work, huh?”

Kae just smirked and pulled me closer against his side.

Natt shook her head, looking at me with fake pity. “Em, honey… you were supposed to be the strong, independent one. Now you’re letting this man drag you into a theatre room like a horny teenager? I’m disappointed.”

“I didn’t—” I started, but Natt cut me off.

“You’ve got a hickey on your neck, by the way,” she said sweetly. “Real classy.”

I slapped a hand over my neck immediately. Kae chuckled beside me.

Natt pointed at him. “And you. Stop looking so smug. I still don’t like you.”

Kae raised an eyebrow. “You never have.”

“Damn right,” Natt said, narrowing her eyes. “You stalked my best friend for years. I’m still deciding whether I should poison your food or not.”

Nick popped a chip into his mouth. “I’d pay to watch that.”

Kae ignored both of them and leaned down to kiss the side of my head. “Come on. Let’s go to the spa room. You need a proper bath after tonight.”

Natt made a gagging sound. “Spa room? Really? You’re not even trying to be subtle anymore.”

Kae just smirked and guided me toward the hallway, his hand sliding lower on my back.

As we walked away, I heard Natt mutter, “I cannot stand that man.”

I didn’t say anything. Just let Kae lead me down the corridor to a door I hadn’t noticed before.

He opened it.

The spa room was insane.

Dim golden lighting, a huge sunken jacuzzi tub already filled and steaming, marble everywhere, soft towels folded neatly, even a massage table in the corner.

 It smelled like eucalyptus and something warm and expensive.

Kae closed the door behind us and locked it.

He turned to me, eyes dark again.

“Strip,” he said quietly.

I raised an eyebrow. “Bossy.”

He stepped closer, backing me against the marble wall.

“You liked it earlier,” he murmured, leaning down to kiss my neck, right over the hickey he’d left. “Now be a good girl and take that dress off before I rip it off you.”

I swallowed hard.

The water was still steaming.

And I was pretty sure we weren’t going to be getting clean anytime soon.