Note: Two updates in the same month. The system works. This chapter is connected to Lemonade and Nap, but can be read as a standalone.

Thank you to AzikaRue394 and MidnightStarr for your reviews, your continued support means the world to me!

Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade.

Quirks

"Hey Mariam, I'm ba- whoa..."

Max had just unlocked the door to his apartment, done with his day of school, and overjoyed to come home to his girlfriend. After many talks, she had agreed to stay with him at his place from now on when she was in New York.

It had been a good agreement so far. He was always happy to come home to another person and she saved money. He gave her space when she needed it, but also didn't seem to mind the cuddling and kissing that always just seemed to happen when they were alone. Every day was a new experience for them and Max was loving every minute.

He just wasn't expecting this experience. He knew he was staring. He knew she knew he was staring. Max had the habit of throwing his keys onto the table when he walked into the apartment and the loud crash had silenced every sound in the room following his attempt at a greeting. But he couldn't stop staring, slack jawed and awkward in the foyer.

It wasn't his fault though, Mariam had decided to wear one of his t-shirts. Just his t-shirt. Not that he knew for sure and that wasn't why he was staring. He could feel a blush flaring through his entire body, his eyes continuing to slowly scan her figure one more time, lingering on her bare legs.

"Are you okay?"

And just like that, Max snapped his attention back up to her eyes feeling immensely guilty. He threw her a sheepish smile, forcing himself not to look her over again, especially since she decided to lean against the kitchen door frame. She had an eyebrow cocked at his behaviour, a smirk playing on her lips.

"What? Yes! I mean, yeah. I'm fine."

"Yeah?"

"Just forgot my... science textbook." Max sighed, shaking his head like he did this all the time. "Can't believe I did that."

"Really?" Mariam hummed, giving him a suspicious look as she moved from her position in the kitchen. She pointed to the book he gripped by the spine in one of his hands. "You mean that one?"

Max looked at the book in question that he completely forgot he was holding onto when he came through the door. It was obviously a science textbook and his eyes grew wide. "No, no. Uh, my... other science textbook. Grabbed the wrong one. Whoops."

"Right..." Mariam watched him put the textbook on the table as he blatantly tried to keep his eyes on everything but her. She decided she needed to change that.

"Uhhhh, so what have you been doing today?"

Max was playing with the textbook at this point, trying to make it perfect on the table as if it was of utmost importance. He could feel Mariam's eyes digging into him, making him fidget further. He finally turned to look at her, focusing really hard on her face again.

"Oh just lounging." Mariam casually walked up to him, and since Max was so distracted, managed to corner him against the kitchen table. He immediately stiffened against the table having nowhere to go. She placed her hand playfully on his chest, her fingers playing with the fabric of his shirt as he continued to squirm. "Hey, you don't mind I borrowed one of your shirts, do you?"

"No! I mean, not at all," Max blurted out. Her fingers were drawing patterns on his chest. "I actually hadn't noticed."

"That's too bad." Mariam drew her hand up his chest before locking her arms loosely around his neck, bringing herself closer to Max and pinning him against the table. She smirked at him as his breath hitched at their proximity, knowing the look in her eye. "I was trying to get your attention."

Max gawked. His brain unsure how to process anything intelligent, he finally stammered, "Oh?"

"Yes, I need your help with something."

Her hands were tangling themselves in his hair. "Anything."

"I need you...," Mariam murmured against his mouth, beginning to play with his lower lip. Max immediately grunted in agreement, already entranced. She smiled at this, looking into his half lidded eyes before teasingly pulling away. She continued, "... to go to the grocery store."

It took a second, but Max's expression turned to confusion. "What?"

"There's nothing in the kitchen." Mariam stifled the urge to laugh, biting her lip playfully. "Unless... you want me to change. I can go get some things."

"No!" He cringed a bit at his own forwardness, if he wasn't already a blushing mess he probably would've turned red at his own remark. He shuffled in what little room he had against the table. "Don't worry about it, I'll go now. You just keep... lounging." Mariam had moved enough to allow Max to grab his keys again and reach the door. His focus went to his keys in embarrassment. "Anything in particular you want me to pick up?"

"Not really," Mariam said flippantly. While his focus remained on his keys, she sidled up against him, pushing him against the door. She kissed him teasingly, feeling him melt against her lips. He was so easy to mess with. "Just... hurry back."

He did.