This wasn't the first time something like this occurred, but it was different this time. It felt different to you at least but to everyone else sitting at the dinner table it was probably like the good old times.

Ace... your father's beloved best friend since god knows when. They went back so far they would reminisce about those times at the dinner table. Talking about the rowdy things they got into as teens and young adults.

He never stayed the night. Usually he was gone as soon as he came. No one really knew what he did, not even your father. But he always talked about how demanding and hands on his job was, how he never had any free time.

But this time... this time he did. And he was staying for a while. He wanted to stay in a hotel but your father refused, saying that he was welcomed to stay with them for as long as he wanted. It was strange really, the thought that he was sticking around for more than just an evening.

But the house had enough free space, a bedroom and bathroom he could have all to himself. So, your father promptly sent you to get him some blankets and pillows, lucky for you, they were tucked away in a small cabinet in your bedroom.

So you stood up, excusing yourself to go and get a head-start so he wouldn't have to go looking for them later. You found your way to your bedroom and began rummaging through your cabinets, looking for the one they were tucked away in.

What you didn't expect was for him to follow along, he lingered by the door a little before stepping inside, his eyes scanning your room scrutinizingly. He was a man of few words when it came to you, after-all he couldn't say much to someone so much younger than him.

He stepped inside further, his eyes landing on your bookshelf, neat and organized by color, going from light to dark. His fingers teased the edge of one of the books before he promptly pulled it out and began flipping through the bookmarked pages.

"I didn't take you for much of a... reader." He said, his voice low, barely there. Your eyes shot up, your heart almost dropped when you saw the book he was holding... Credence. It definitely wasn't your proudest read, you had picked up a liking to dark romance and you absolutely didn't need him seeing the filth in that book.

"Don't touch my stuff—put that back.." you muttered, standing up but it was practically too late. He was already reading through the pages and you could see his expression changing as he realized what he was reading.

His tongue darted out briefly to wet his lips, his eyes met yours for a moment, cold, unforgiving... before they trailed back down to the words on the pages, his fingers caressing the paper before flipping a page and continuing to read.