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Autumn break had been rather fun. Adder hadn’t slept in such a nice bed in her life or had that kind of fun. Sure dealing with some of Mason and Ashton’s friends was annoying, but Mason always made sure she wasn’t left out or talked down to. Ashton had been rather occupied during the break because of Tiffany. Which of the girls Adder had met during that week Tiffany was the only one she liked. The rest all were snobs and for whatever reason seemed to resent her presence. Tiffany had explained it was because Mason was spending time around her so she was being seen the enemy for any whose endgame was Mason’s bed. Which Adder found rather amusing since she didn’t see any reason that she was standing in their way. Not like she was going to tell them they couldn’t sleep with Mason, he was a grown man therefore allowed to bed whoever he liked that of course willing to bed him. Though of course when they returned to Oxford the boys were back to busy scholars and she was just trying to not get pinched by the local constables.
Fall changed over to winter and things got a little more rough for Adder however she’d had rough winters before. This winter was her first in Oxford and it was getting into the negative and she was not used to. The town was rather quiet many of the students having gone home for the holiday. She had assumed that Mason and Ashton had probably gone away as well having not seen them recently at any of the fights. So she was on her own through the holiday. Again nothing new to her. Some of the nights she was able to get a room somewhere to stay warm but tonight she’d lost her bought at the fights and didn’t have enough money to get a room. So she’d layered as many pieces of clothes she had and a sleeping bag finding a place on a rooftop near a chimney stack huddled up to try and keep herself warm. She’d shivered enough to keep warm and the layer of fallen snow over her sleeping bag was sort of helping. Her reptilian mutation did not like this being cold stuff.
Mason and Ashton actually hadn’t gone for holiday break. Both had picked up local jobs and decided that the holiday break would be a good chance to get more hours in plus it was a chance for Mason to get more time in at the university pool. Ashton was out on a date with Tiffany so Mason figured he could take his time getting back to the dorm so he went out on a patrol of the city. He stuck to the rooftops mostly using his powers to move between the rooftops he couldn’t just jump the gap. H’ed stopped a mugging and was on his way back to the dorms. It was when he landed on a roof that his wind kicked up some snow and he saw something out of place. There on the roof under the snow he saw something blue. He nodded his head and the snow blew away and he saw it was a person. He furrowed his brow walking closer and crouched down seeing a familiar tuff of blonde hair. “Adder??”, he said lightly nudging her fearful she was hurt. Adder groaned a little. “Leave me lone Mason, Ah tryin’ to sleep mate.”, she grumbled through softly chattering teeth before her copper snake eyes shot open when she realized who she was addressing. She went to sit up a little stiff from the cold. “Wat ya doing up here in dis cold? Shouldn’t ya be in London or York wid yer family?”, Adder questioned her teeth still chattering a little. “You’re asking what I’m doing? I went home for Christmas but I have a job here in Oxford and holiday break I get more hours because other students have taken the holiday off. What are you doing on a roof in this cold?”, Mason asked. “Tryin’ ta sleep wat it look like.”, Adder said rolling her eyes.
“Trying to get hypothermia or frostbite or just in general freeze yourself. And looking like you just lost a decent fight at that.”, Mason said turning her face with his hand. Adder groaned a little her lip was busted and there was a faint bruising to her face. She was cold and his hand was warm, her nature was to get close to a heat source. “Yea well Ah a snake we don’t fair well in da cold so dinna win mah match. So not enough quid for a room.”, Adder explained. Mason sighed and without asking permission scooped her sleeping bag and all up into his arms. “Come on then, pet. You’re crashing with me and Ashton. Most the dorm is off for the holiday so less chance of getting caught.”, Mason said not waiting for a protest as he lifted up into the air and started back to the dorm. Adder was going to protest that it wasn’t his damn business and to quite interfering and making her owe him, but he was warmer than her so she didn’t protest but did glare at him silently. Mason brought her in through the window to the dorm setting her down on his bed as the window was placed directly between his and Ashton’s beds before turning the lights on. He went over to the thermostat and checked it turning it up a little to help her get warm before looking back at her. “Why didn’t you come here when you had no place to stay?”, Mason asked going to the small ‘pantry’ and getting out two cups, tea, and the kettle. “Ah figured ya would be home wid yer family, da pair of ya. And even…”, Adder started to explain as she unzipped the sleeping bag standing up to not get, what she assumed was Mason’s bed, a mess.
“And even what?”, Mason questioned filling the kettle with water from the tap in the bathroom before putting it on the small camp like stove that sat on top of a mini fridge. “And even if Ah kne ya were here Ah wouldn’t have come.”, she admitted standing feeling very out of place in the room. She looked around and could easily determined which half of the room belonged with which man. On her right the bed was neatly made and everything was clean and tidy, very organized and proper like the man standing in front of her making tea. On her left the bed was a jumble of blankets and there was clothes, trash, books, and papers left anywhere very disorganized like Ashton. Mason sighed shaking his head taking off his scarf and heavy winter jacket hanging them up by the door then taking off his boots and setting them on the rubber mat to prevent tracking water through the room. “Give me that..”, Mason said taking the sleeping bag from her and hanging it up on a line in the bathroom to dry. “Why?”, Mason asked turning and looking at her again. “Why wat?”, Adder asked. “Why wouldn’t you come to us? We’re mates right? One of us upset you or something? I know since autumn break we’ve been busy with classes and work but that doesn't mean you were forgotten Adder. We.. alright...I still kept tabs the best I could via the operator of the fights.”, Mason questioned folding his arms across his chest looking at her. He could easily tell she was wearing basically everything she owned in her effort to keep warm and none of it was sufficient even combined. Her lips were still a little blue from the cold.
“It not like dat. Neither ya done anyting ta upset me. Ya both been noting but nice ta me. And dat’s it. It just ya both got someting good going for ya. Ya got yer studies to focus on not be worrying bout some street rat like me. Ah ain’t yer responsibility. Ah been on my own dis long wid no help.”, Adder said sternly looking up at him trying to be intimidating. Mason chuckled softly at the stern look in her copper eyes and the stance she was taking, like a snake curling into itself debating striking. “Don’t be laughing at me, mate.”, Adder hissed narrowing her eyes. “My apologizes if you thought the laugh was directed at you, pet. It was at your stance. Your muscles are all tightened up like a snake curling into itself debating striking like when they feel trapped. And then the whole trying to intimidate me. That I find laughable. You are what maybe 167 centimeters and maybe 8 stones. I’m nearly 13 stones and 185 centimeters. You don’t exactly intimidate me.”, Mason apologized calmly as the kettle started to whistle and he poured the water into the cups adding the bags of tea. “Poison isn’t bout size, mate.”, she hissed. Mason smiled and handed her a cup of tea. “Drink it’ll warm you up. And I’m not really afraid of your poison either. For one you’d have to get close enough and I’m pretty sure solid gust of wind would keep you out of range. For another you wouldn’t hurt me to begin with, I’m your friend.”, Mason explained sitting down on the chair at his desk sipping his tea. Adder eyes the tea uncertainly but took a sip he was right the warm liquid did help.
“How can ya be so sure Ah wouldn’t hurt ya?”, Adder asked sipping the tea letting the liquid warm her from the inside while the warmth of the room worked from the outside. “Like I said, I’m your friend. You have no reason to hurt me. Sit down Adder. I’d suggest my bed, it’s at least…”, Mason said glancing to Ashton’s mess of a bed. “Clean?”, Adder offered the verbiage with a laugh sitting down. “Yeah that would be it. You hungry? We don’t have much stocked at the moment. Could order some take away….”, Mason said setting his cup of tea down on the desk and opening a drawer pulling out a green folder with a tab labeled ‘Take Aways’. “I’ve got a few dozen menus.”, Mason said setting the folder on the end of the bed for her to look at. Adder laughed a little and opened the folder looking at the menus. “Ah ain’t got money mate so dinna worry bout me. Ah should prolly just finish dis tea and get mah sleeping bag and head out before someone sees me and ya get in trouble.”, she said shaking her head. “You aren’t going anywhere at present Adder. It’s far too cold out there for you to go back. You’ll stay here tonight..”, Mason started to explain as the door to the dorm opened and Ashton walked in shutting the door behind him. He looked from Mason to Adder his brow furrowed. “What the bloody hell is going on? What are you talking about her staying here?”, Ashton asked taking off his jacket and hat.
“As I was saying, You’ll stay here tonight and we’ll figure something out tomorrow.”, Mason said before looking to Ashton. “Just what I said. Adder is going to crash here tonight. Certainly will not send her back into that cold. Now silence my friend and pick a take away menu for us to order dinner.”, Mason said curtailing any arguments from Ashton pointing to the menus. “So you just want to hide an underage girl in our dorm? This isn’t like during break whens he could sleep in your sister’s room. This is one room with only two beds. And she sure the heck isn't going to sleep in my bed.”, Ashton said walking over and looking at the menus pulling out their favorite Chinese menu. “And this one you know what I want.”, Ashton said tossing the menu back to the bed and sitting down on his bed. “Ah have mah sleeping bag, Ah could just sleep on da floor since Mason is so insistent dat Ah stay.”, she suggested as she looked at the Chinese menu. “That sleeping bag is wet, you aren’t using it. And there's not much floor to sleep on that won’t get you stepped on by accident in the middle of the night. And I wouldn’t dream of suggesting you sleep in Ashton’s bed with or without him in it. I don’t trust how clean that bed is. No you’ll sleep in my bed.”, Mason said calmly. “But..Ah can’t kick ya outta yer own bed Mason.”, Adder tried to oppose the idea.
Mason smiled and sipped his tea. “Who said I was giving up my bed? You will have to share. You sleep under the bedding and I’ll grab one of my extra blankets to sleep under that.”, he explained. “Ah..er..”, Adder tried to search for an argument of why that was not a suitable sleeping arrangement. “So that’s settled. Now Ashton I know wants the General Tso's Chicken with fried rice and I want the Kung Pow Chicken with white rice. What will you have Adder? Dinner is on me for all three of us.”, Mason assured. Ashton just shook his head and stretched out on his bed putting his pillows behind him and turning on the small television. Adder rolled her eyes but look at the menu. “Um Ah guess Ah’ll just get da garlic chicken wid white rice. Thanks Mason”, she said with a smile handing him back the folder. “It’s what friends are for.”, Mason said taking the folder and calling in their order. The three were mostly quietly Adder sitting on Mason’s bed, Ashton on his and Mason in his desk chair watching an episode of CSI, some station in the middle of running a marathon of the program. They watched the next episode as well while eating their Chinese. After they had finished eating Mason tossed out his containers and started getting his boots and jacket on.
“Where ya going mate?”, Adder asked getting up. “Just got some errands left to run. Don’t fret.”, Mason said looking over at her. He walked over to his dresser and pulled out a pair of his drawstring navy oxford shorts and then one of his navy cotton oxford rugby team t-shirts and set them neatly on the bed. Adder looked at the clothes and then him confused. “If you don’t mind using irish spring for soap you can go take a shower and you can wear these. The shorts have a drawstring so you should be able to tighten them up enough to fit you. I’ll be back soon, if I’m not back before you decide you want to get some sleep just take the side near the wall. You two be nice while I’m not here as moderator.”, Mason explained before heading out the door. “He always so bossy?”, Adder asked picking up the clothes. Ashton snorted and smiled. “You don’t know the half of it. I learned a long time ago when Mason Templeton puts his mind on something you can’t change it for anything.”, Ashton explained. Adder nodded and took the clothes and went into the bathroom. Judging by the cleanliness of the room Mason was in charge of keeping it clean and organized. It wasn’t big like the shower back at the house in London, but that’s expected. She looked into the shower stall and saw two bottles of soap and one bottle of head and shoulders shampoo. One soap was irish spring the other axe. And just based on their scents she knew the irish spring was Mason’s. She didn’t care what the soap smelled like it was better than smelling the way she did now.
She had showered and changed into the clothes Mason gave her then looked into the medicine cabinet and found some basic first aid stuff to address her busted lip before she walked back into the dorm to find Mason still gone and Ashton still watching CSI. She didn’t really have much to talk to Ashton about, and she figured by his silence he didn’t have much to stay to her. So she just climbed under the blankets on Mason’s bed and moved to the side near the wall adjusting her pillows to watch the program with Ashton while they waited in general silence for Mason. They’d watched two episodes and still no Mason Adder had gotten comfortable on the bed, it wasn’t as comfortable as the bed she’d had at his house in London but it was comfortable. She’d tried to hide her yawn, didn’t matter Ashton wasn’t paying attention he was bouncing between watching the show and texting on his phone. Adder figured he was talking to Tiffany. She had a witty comment but instead of making it found herself curling up getting snuggled under the warm blankets the smell of Mason all around her and fell asleep. Ashton was about ready to give up waiting for Mason to get back when Mason quieter than a mouse opened the door and walked inside setting five bags down to the ground. “Where have you been mate? Your pet fell asleep waiting for you.”, Ashton whispered nodding in the direction of Adder. Mason looked over to his bed and shrugged. “So? I told her to get some sleep. And I went to the store. One to get food we barely had any. And two to get her some clothes. You saw the layers she was wearing and each layer had holes and none of them were meant for winter wear.”, Mason explained speaking softly starting to unpack some of the bags into the mini fridge and the pantry. then he took the clothes out of the bags starting to remove the tags so she couldn’t get upset at prices. “You bought her clothes? How do you even know her size or what she’d like? Takes a damn confident man to buy clothes for a woman.”, Ashton replied keeping his voice low.
“She’s the same size as my sister, or do you forget that Adder had used some of my sister's clothes during break. And given I can shop for my sister I can shop for Adder. And I know Adder enough to know what she’d wear, I stuck to dark and neutral colors and nothing very frilly.”, Mason explained neatly folding the clothes out stacking them along the top of his dresser. He place a pair of black winter boots, a heavy winter jacket, gloves and a knit hat by the door. Ashton just shook his head. “Seriously mate? Why are you doing this? It’s not to get laid. And I don’t just say that because she’s underage and you are a chivalrous chap, just in our life you’ve never had to work to get laid and doubt if she was of age it’d be that much a challenge for you.”, Ashton questioned trying to keep his voice low. “You answered your own question mate. Chivalry isn't dead. She’s been dealt a shit hand. So I’m going to shuffle the cards and see if I can make a difference.”, Mason explained getting out some hygiene items such as a toothbrush, shaving cream, women’s razor blade, women's deodorant, and women’s body wash. He placed the items into the bathroom before grabbing his spare blanket from the trunk at the end of this bed. “Besides she’s my friend, Ashton. And I look out for my friends. You of all people know what I do for friends.”, Mason said. Ashton sighed and shrugged. “Alright mate. Whatever you think is best I suppose.”, Ashton conceded grabbing a pair of sweatpants from his dresser and going into the bathroom changing walking back out still wearing his t-shirt he’d worn that day but having changed out of his jeans to the sweats before shoving some stuff out of his bed to climb into it. “Night mate.”, Ashton said turning out the light on his side of the room. Mason changed into his shorts and a shirt before climbing onto his bed pulling the spare blanket over him.
Sometime during the night Adder had moved away from the wall seeking out the heat source that was Mason, though blankets separated them. And Mason had rolled slightly to his stomach which was his normal sleeping position except he had one arm stretch over across Adder. Ashton was actually the first to wake up and he sat up and looked over at the other bed and saw the two lying in a position that if they were under the same blanket would look indecent. Ashton did however find it a bit amusing to see Mason with his arm protectively over Adder. So thinking future blackmail he snapped a picture before going into the bathroom. He went to get his razor to shave but couldn’t find it and started tearing the medicine cabinet apart and then saw it in the reflection of the mirror sitting in the shower. “ADDER!!!!!”, Ashton shouted in anger. Mason and Adder both startled awake at the yelling. Adder looked at Mason confused. Mason grumbled and sat up rubbing sleep from his eyes and there at the end of his bed was Ashton holding his razor. “What the bloody hell woman?!”, Ashton demanded. Adder rubbed her eyes sitting up in the bed next to Mason. “It’s a razor mate wat ya screamin bout?”, Adder asked yawning. “You used MY razor!”, Ashton said outraged. Mason covered his mouth to hide his laugh but the curved up edges of his lips showed throw. “Ah’m sorry? Ah needed to shave and wasn’t exactly instructed on wat Ah wasn’t allowed to use in da bath. And it was dat wid da disposable blade or da straight razor. Guess dis shows which of ya is really a man and which ain’t.”, Adder apologized teasing. Mason silently laughed. “This isn’t funny Mason!”, Ashton said pointing the razor at him. “It is actually. You are freaking out over a blade that you can press a button on the back of the razor and pop it into the trash and put a fresh blade on it. I call that funny. Now go back to your business in the bathroom and just switch to a fresh blade.”, Mason said pointing to the bathroom door. Ashton grumbled something about living with a girl for less than a day and his stuff was already getting ruined going back to the bathroom slamming the door.
Mason laid back down laughing fully. “Oh that was just priceless...thank you Adder.”, Mason said laughing. Adder laugh a little and smirk looking at Mason. “Glad ta be service.”, she chuckled. “The look of disgust on his face. I mean wow. What is he going to do after university if he follows the plan and moves in with Tiffany?”, Mason sighed shaking his head. “Ave a sharp dose o reality sinkin in?”, Adder suggested. “I suppose so. Ashton grew up an only child. Sharing space isn't really his thing. But I grew up sharing a bathroom with a little sister. Why do you think I have the straight razor? Didn't want her using my shaving stuff by mistake.”, Mason shrugged. “Oh well. Guess it’s a good thing for you both I picked you up stuff.”, Mason said. “Ya picked some stuff up for me?”, Adder questioned. “Yeah. Toothbrush, shaving stuff, deodorant, and body wash. Kind of figured smelling like my irish spring or his ax wouldn’t really suit you. Oh and the clothes on top my dresser.”, he said pointing the the two neat piles of clothes divided between tops and bottoms. “And the winter outerwear by the door.”, he added pointing to the jacket and boots by his own. “And I didn’t get anything very girlie and nothing preppy promise.”, he said stretching. “The hell mate..”, she frowned a bit. “Ah didn't need all o dat.”, she sighed shaking her head. “You were wearing everything you owned last night just to stay warm. That jacket you have isn’t meant for this cold. So...yeah you kind of did.”, Mason countered. “Didn’t need it from you.”, Adder sighed.
Mason shrugged getting out of the bed and folded the blanket he’d used neatly then laid in across the bottom of the bed. “We’ll call it Christmas presents then? Did miss it after all.”, he offered. “Didn’t need anything then either, haven’t got a a present in years.”, she shook her head. “You didn’t know me and Ashton back then now did you, pet.”, Mason said going to the makeshift kitchen putting the kettle on for tea. “Don’t want to owe ya, mate.”, she frowned. “Adder you’re my friend. My friends never owe me anything. I do things because I want to and never for anything to be given in return.”, Mason explained. “That’s not how most people work.”, she said. Mason smiled. “Yes well I’m not most people. Hungry? I went to the market when I went out last night too. We were in need of food.”, he asked. Adder sighed. he was right he certainly was not like most people. He had been nothing but nice and caring to her. “No wonder you were so cold last night.”, she commented having remembered vaguely the sense of cold on the bed while she’d slept. “Warmer than how cold you were when I found you last night. Your lips were nearly blue, which I doubt was a shade of lipstick.”, Mason shrugged. “Lived before out dere.”, she defended still staying under the arm blankets of the bed. “I know. Last night happened to be a new record low for Oxford thought.”, he commented getting out a pan and some eggs. “How do you take your eggs?”, he asked looking over his shoulder at her. “Over hard.”, she said getting comfortable again in the bed watching him. Mason laughed. “Well that’s easy to remember. It’s how Ashton eats them.”, he commented fixing her eggs while the sound of the shower was faintly heard from the bathroom.
“Ya sure it alright dat Ah stayed here last night?”, she asked. “Yeah of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”, he questioned “Ashton doesn’t seem too keen on dat idea.”, she shrugged. “Ashton can… pardon me...shove it.”, he said plating the eggs and pouring a cup of tea. He placed the breakfast on a tray then set it on the bed for her before starting making his. “In bed service, fancy.”, she teased starting to eat with a chuckle. “Don’t exactly have a table let alone room for one. Can’t wait till this freshmen year is over so we can get out of the dorms.”, he said setting his plate and tea on his desk sitting down starting to eat. Ashton peaked just his head out of the bathroom. “Hey mate, do me a favor. Forgot to grab clothes.”, Ashton requested looking to Mason. Adder rolled her eyes. “Ah can just close mah eyes if modesty is yer issue Ashton.”, she offered. Mason chuckled but got up and went to Ashton's side of the room. He took some clothes out of the dresser and walked back over handing them to Ashton. “Thanks mate. Hey eggs? Do I get any?”, Ashton asked. “Yes. When you get dressed and cook them.”, Mason said sitting back down to eat. Ashton stuck out his tongue then closed the bathroom to get dressed. She chuckled and finished her food quickly, having been hungry the chinese last night the first substantial meal she’d had in a while. “Want seconds?”, Mason asked sipping his tea. “Ah can cook fer mahself, mate.", she said. “I would hope so. Pan, butter and eggs are still there. If of course you want to vacate my bed to make them.”, Mason teased. Adder chuckled and got out of the bed making herself more eggs.
“So last night I said we’d figure out today what to do in regards to your living situation.”, mason said finishing his breakfast. Ashton walked out and grumbled seeing Adder and the camp stove. “And now I have to wait for her to have seconds.”, he said plopping onto his bed. “So what’s your plan then mate?”, he questioned looking to Mason. "She stays here with us for the rest of term.", Mason started. "Wait what?", Ashton asked looking at Mason. "Ah can't stay here. Ya have yer classes and dinna tink dis is a coed dorm.", Adder argued getting her second helping and sitting back down. "You're nuts mate. You want to hide not just a girl but an under age girl in our dorm for another five months?", Ashton protested getting up and starting to make his breakfast. "It'll be fine. Our RA didn't even bother us, I can easily get her in and out the window. This way we know she's safe and somewhere warm. And come summer as long as we both manage Bs, which I'm getting As, we can get out of the dorm and move into a flat.", Mason explained his reasoning. "And what when we move out of the dorm we take your pet with us?", Ashton questioned. Adder furrowed her brow both not sure about Mason's plan and not liking Ashton calling her Mason's pet. "Ah don't tink dis a good idea. Ah don't want to impose and refuse to be considered a mooch.", Adder argued. "I'm not saying mooching. I'm saying you help with bills how you can. Here at the dorm you help in regards to the only bill we have which is food. When we get a flat after term you help with the other bills. Either from fight money or getting a legal job.", Mason explained. "We'll get a three bedroom flat and then you're out roommate and get a room of your own instead of sharing my bed.", he added. Ashton grumbled sitting down with his breakfast. "Your mind is made up isn't it mate? The stay stays?", Ashton asked. Adder hissed at him. "Stop taking bout me like dat.", she glared. "Both of you stop. Ashton be nice to Adder. She's our friend so be considerate of her feelings when using nicknames. And Adder relax Ashton is just teasing. Now are we all agreed? Roommates?", he said looking between the two. Ashton sighed and nodded. "Alright mate.", he agreed. Adder pondered the offer. Mason was offering her not just a place to crash, but a place to call home. He was fully inviting her into his and Ashton's lives as equal. Adder sighed and nodded. "Roommates it is then.", she agreed.

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Autumn break had been rather fun. Adder hadn’t slept in such a nice bed in her life or had that kind of fun. Sure dealing with some of Mason and Ashton’s friends was annoying, but Mason always made sure she wasn’t left out or talked down to. Ashton had been rather occupied during the break because of Tiffany. Which of the girls Adder had met during that week Tiffany was the only one she liked. The rest all were snobs and for whatever reason seemed to resent her presence. Tiffany had explained it was because Mason was spending time around her so she was being seen the enemy for any whose endgame was Mason’s bed. Which Adder found rather amusing since she didn’t see any reason that she was standing in their way. Not like she was going to tell them they couldn’t sleep with Mason, he was a grown man therefore allowed to bed whoever he liked that of course willing to bed him. Though of course when they returned to Oxford the boys were back to busy scholars and she was just trying to not get pinched by the local constables.
Fall changed over to winter and things got a little more rough for Adder however she’d had rough winters before. This winter was her first in Oxford and it was getting into the negative and she was not used to. The town was rather quiet many of the students having gone home for the holiday. She had assumed that Mason and Ashton had probably gone away as well having not seen them recently at any of the fights. So she was on her own through the holiday. Again nothing new to her. Some of the nights she was able to get a room somewhere to stay warm but tonight she’d lost her bought at the fights and didn’t have enough money to get a room. So she’d layered as many pieces of clothes she had and a sleeping bag finding a place on a rooftop near a chimney stack huddled up to try and keep herself warm. She’d shivered enough to keep warm and the layer of fallen snow over her sleeping bag was sort of helping. Her reptilian mutation did not like this being cold stuff.
Mason and Ashton actually hadn’t gone for holiday break. Both had picked up local jobs and decided that the holiday break would be a good chance to get more hours in plus it was a chance for Mason to get more time in at the university pool. Ashton was out on a date with Tiffany so Mason figured he could take his time getting back to the dorm so he went out on a patrol of the city. He stuck to the rooftops mostly using his powers to move between the rooftops he couldn’t just jump the gap. H’ed stopped a mugging and was on his way back to the dorms. It was when he landed on a roof that his wind kicked up some snow and he saw something out of place. There on the roof under the snow he saw something blue. He nodded his head and the snow blew away and he saw it was a person. He furrowed his brow walking closer and crouched down seeing a familiar tuff of blonde hair. “Adder??”, he said lightly nudging her fearful she was hurt. Adder groaned a little. “Leave me lone Mason, Ah tryin’ to sleep mate.”, she grumbled through softly chattering teeth before her copper snake eyes shot open when she realized who she was addressing. She went to sit up a little stiff from the cold. “Wat ya doing up here in dis cold? Shouldn’t ya be in London or York wid yer family?”, Adder questioned her teeth still chattering a little. “You’re asking what I’m doing? I went home for Christmas but I have a job here in Oxford and holiday break I get more hours because other students have taken the holiday off. What are you doing on a roof in this cold?”, Mason asked. “Tryin’ ta sleep wat it look like.”, Adder said rolling her eyes.
“Trying to get hypothermia or frostbite or just in general freeze yourself. And looking like you just lost a decent fight at that.”, Mason said turning her face with his hand. Adder groaned a little her lip was busted and there was a faint bruising to her face. She was cold and his hand was warm, her nature was to get close to a heat source. “Yea well Ah a snake we don’t fair well in da cold so dinna win mah match. So not enough quid for a room.”, Adder explained. Mason sighed and without asking permission scooped her sleeping bag and all up into his arms. “Come on then, pet. You’re crashing with me and Ashton. Most the dorm is off for the holiday so less chance of getting caught.”, Mason said not waiting for a protest as he lifted up into the air and started back to the dorm. Adder was going to protest that it wasn’t his damn business and to quite interfering and making her owe him, but he was warmer than her so she didn’t protest but did glare at him silently. Mason brought her in through the window to the dorm setting her down on his bed as the window was placed directly between his and Ashton’s beds before turning the lights on. He went over to the thermostat and checked it turning it up a little to help her get warm before looking back at her. “Why didn’t you come here when you had no place to stay?”, Mason asked going to the small ‘pantry’ and getting out two cups, tea, and the kettle. “Ah figured ya would be home wid yer family, da pair of ya. And even…”, Adder started to explain as she unzipped the sleeping bag standing up to not get, what she assumed was Mason’s bed, a mess.
“And even what?”, Mason questioned filling the kettle with water from the tap in the bathroom before putting it on the small camp like stove that sat on top of a mini fridge. “And even if Ah kne ya were here Ah wouldn’t have come.”, she admitted standing feeling very out of place in the room. She looked around and could easily determined which half of the room belonged with which man. On her right the bed was neatly made and everything was clean and tidy, very organized and proper like the man standing in front of her making tea. On her left the bed was a jumble of blankets and there was clothes, trash, books, and papers left anywhere very disorganized like Ashton. Mason sighed shaking his head taking off his scarf and heavy winter jacket hanging them up by the door then taking off his boots and setting them on the rubber mat to prevent tracking water through the room. “Give me that..”, Mason said taking the sleeping bag from her and hanging it up on a line in the bathroom to dry. “Why?”, Mason asked turning and looking at her again. “Why wat?”, Adder asked. “Why wouldn’t you come to us? We’re mates right? One of us upset you or something? I know since autumn break we’ve been busy with classes and work but that doesn't mean you were forgotten Adder. We.. alright...I still kept tabs the best I could via the operator of the fights.”, Mason questioned folding his arms across his chest looking at her. He could easily tell she was wearing basically everything she owned in her effort to keep warm and none of it was sufficient even combined. Her lips were still a little blue from the cold.
“It not like dat. Neither ya done anyting ta upset me. Ya both been noting but nice ta me. And dat’s it. It just ya both got someting good going for ya. Ya got yer studies to focus on not be worrying bout some street rat like me. Ah ain’t yer responsibility. Ah been on my own dis long wid no help.”, Adder said sternly looking up at him trying to be intimidating. Mason chuckled softly at the stern look in her copper eyes and the stance she was taking, like a snake curling into itself debating striking. “Don’t be laughing at me, mate.”, Adder hissed narrowing her eyes. “My apologizes if you thought the laugh was directed at you, pet. It was at your stance. Your muscles are all tightened up like a snake curling into itself debating striking like when they feel trapped. And then the whole trying to intimidate me. That I find laughable. You are what maybe 167 centimeters and maybe 8 stones. I’m nearly 13 stones and 185 centimeters. You don’t exactly intimidate me.”, Mason apologized calmly as the kettle started to whistle and he poured the water into the cups adding the bags of tea. “Poison isn’t bout size, mate.”, she hissed. Mason smiled and handed her a cup of tea. “Drink it’ll warm you up. And I’m not really afraid of your poison either. For one you’d have to get close enough and I’m pretty sure solid gust of wind would keep you out of range. For another you wouldn’t hurt me to begin with, I’m your friend.”, Mason explained sitting down on the chair at his desk sipping his tea. Adder eyes the tea uncertainly but took a sip he was right the warm liquid did help.
“How can ya be so sure Ah wouldn’t hurt ya?”, Adder asked sipping the tea letting the liquid warm her from the inside while the warmth of the room worked from the outside. “Like I said, I’m your friend. You have no reason to hurt me. Sit down Adder. I’d suggest my bed, it’s at least…”, Mason said glancing to Ashton’s mess of a bed. “Clean?”, Adder offered the verbiage with a laugh sitting down. “Yeah that would be it. You hungry? We don’t have much stocked at the moment. Could order some take away….”, Mason said setting his cup of tea down on the desk and opening a drawer pulling out a green folder with a tab labeled ‘Take Aways’. “I’ve got a few dozen menus.”, Mason said setting the folder on the end of the bed for her to look at. Adder laughed a little and opened the folder looking at the menus. “Ah ain’t got money mate so dinna worry bout me. Ah should prolly just finish dis tea and get mah sleeping bag and head out before someone sees me and ya get in trouble.”, she said shaking her head. “You aren’t going anywhere at present Adder. It’s far too cold out there for you to go back. You’ll stay here tonight..”, Mason started to explain as the door to the dorm opened and Ashton walked in shutting the door behind him. He looked from Mason to Adder his brow furrowed. “What the bloody hell is going on? What are you talking about her staying here?”, Ashton asked taking off his jacket and hat.
“As I was saying, You’ll stay here tonight and we’ll figure something out tomorrow.”, Mason said before looking to Ashton. “Just what I said. Adder is going to crash here tonight. Certainly will not send her back into that cold. Now silence my friend and pick a take away menu for us to order dinner.”, Mason said curtailing any arguments from Ashton pointing to the menus. “So you just want to hide an underage girl in our dorm? This isn’t like during break whens he could sleep in your sister’s room. This is one room with only two beds. And she sure the heck isn't going to sleep in my bed.”, Ashton said walking over and looking at the menus pulling out their favorite Chinese menu. “And this one you know what I want.”, Ashton said tossing the menu back to the bed and sitting down on his bed. “Ah have mah sleeping bag, Ah could just sleep on da floor since Mason is so insistent dat Ah stay.”, she suggested as she looked at the Chinese menu. “That sleeping bag is wet, you aren’t using it. And there's not much floor to sleep on that won’t get you stepped on by accident in the middle of the night. And I wouldn’t dream of suggesting you sleep in Ashton’s bed with or without him in it. I don’t trust how clean that bed is. No you’ll sleep in my bed.”, Mason said calmly. “But..Ah can’t kick ya outta yer own bed Mason.”, Adder tried to oppose the idea.
Mason smiled and sipped his tea. “Who said I was giving up my bed? You will have to share. You sleep under the bedding and I’ll grab one of my extra blankets to sleep under that.”, he explained. “Ah..er..”, Adder tried to search for an argument of why that was not a suitable sleeping arrangement. “So that’s settled. Now Ashton I know wants the General Tso's Chicken with fried rice and I want the Kung Pow Chicken with white rice. What will you have Adder? Dinner is on me for all three of us.”, Mason assured. Ashton just shook his head and stretched out on his bed putting his pillows behind him and turning on the small television. Adder rolled her eyes but look at the menu. “Um Ah guess Ah’ll just get da garlic chicken wid white rice. Thanks Mason”, she said with a smile handing him back the folder. “It’s what friends are for.”, Mason said taking the folder and calling in their order. The three were mostly quietly Adder sitting on Mason’s bed, Ashton on his and Mason in his desk chair watching an episode of CSI, some station in the middle of running a marathon of the program. They watched the next episode as well while eating their Chinese. After they had finished eating Mason tossed out his containers and started getting his boots and jacket on.
“Where ya going mate?”, Adder asked getting up. “Just got some errands left to run. Don’t fret.”, Mason said looking over at her. He walked over to his dresser and pulled out a pair of his drawstring navy oxford shorts and then one of his navy cotton oxford rugby team t-shirts and set them neatly on the bed. Adder looked at the clothes and then him confused. “If you don’t mind using irish spring for soap you can go take a shower and you can wear these. The shorts have a drawstring so you should be able to tighten them up enough to fit you. I’ll be back soon, if I’m not back before you decide you want to get some sleep just take the side near the wall. You two be nice while I’m not here as moderator.”, Mason explained before heading out the door. “He always so bossy?”, Adder asked picking up the clothes. Ashton snorted and smiled. “You don’t know the half of it. I learned a long time ago when Mason Templeton puts his mind on something you can’t change it for anything.”, Ashton explained. Adder nodded and took the clothes and went into the bathroom. Judging by the cleanliness of the room Mason was in charge of keeping it clean and organized. It wasn’t big like the shower back at the house in London, but that’s expected. She looked into the shower stall and saw two bottles of soap and one bottle of head and shoulders shampoo. One soap was irish spring the other axe. And just based on their scents she knew the irish spring was Mason’s. She didn’t care what the soap smelled like it was better than smelling the way she did now.
She had showered and changed into the clothes Mason gave her then looked into the medicine cabinet and found some basic first aid stuff to address her busted lip before she walked back into the dorm to find Mason still gone and Ashton still watching CSI. She didn’t really have much to talk to Ashton about, and she figured by his silence he didn’t have much to stay to her. So she just climbed under the blankets on Mason’s bed and moved to the side near the wall adjusting her pillows to watch the program with Ashton while they waited in general silence for Mason. They’d watched two episodes and still no Mason Adder had gotten comfortable on the bed, it wasn’t as comfortable as the bed she’d had at his house in London but it was comfortable. She’d tried to hide her yawn, didn’t matter Ashton wasn’t paying attention he was bouncing between watching the show and texting on his phone. Adder figured he was talking to Tiffany. She had a witty comment but instead of making it found herself curling up getting snuggled under the warm blankets the smell of Mason all around her and fell asleep. Ashton was about ready to give up waiting for Mason to get back when Mason quieter than a mouse opened the door and walked inside setting five bags down to the ground. “Where have you been mate? Your pet fell asleep waiting for you.”, Ashton whispered nodding in the direction of Adder. Mason looked over to his bed and shrugged. “So? I told her to get some sleep. And I went to the store. One to get food we barely had any. And two to get her some clothes. You saw the layers she was wearing and each layer had holes and none of them were meant for winter wear.”, Mason explained speaking softly starting to unpack some of the bags into the mini fridge and the pantry. then he took the clothes out of the bags starting to remove the tags so she couldn’t get upset at prices. “You bought her clothes? How do you even know her size or what she’d like? Takes a damn confident man to buy clothes for a woman.”, Ashton replied keeping his voice low.
“She’s the same size as my sister, or do you forget that Adder had used some of my sister's clothes during break. And given I can shop for my sister I can shop for Adder. And I know Adder enough to know what she’d wear, I stuck to dark and neutral colors and nothing very frilly.”, Mason explained neatly folding the clothes out stacking them along the top of his dresser. He place a pair of black winter boots, a heavy winter jacket, gloves and a knit hat by the door. Ashton just shook his head. “Seriously mate? Why are you doing this? It’s not to get laid. And I don’t just say that because she’s underage and you are a chivalrous chap, just in our life you’ve never had to work to get laid and doubt if she was of age it’d be that much a challenge for you.”, Ashton questioned trying to keep his voice low. “You answered your own question mate. Chivalry isn't dead. She’s been dealt a shit hand. So I’m going to shuffle the cards and see if I can make a difference.”, Mason explained getting out some hygiene items such as a toothbrush, shaving cream, women’s razor blade, women's deodorant, and women’s body wash. He placed the items into the bathroom before grabbing his spare blanket from the trunk at the end of this bed. “Besides she’s my friend, Ashton. And I look out for my friends. You of all people know what I do for friends.”, Mason said. Ashton sighed and shrugged. “Alright mate. Whatever you think is best I suppose.”, Ashton conceded grabbing a pair of sweatpants from his dresser and going into the bathroom changing walking back out still wearing his t-shirt he’d worn that day but having changed out of his jeans to the sweats before shoving some stuff out of his bed to climb into it. “Night mate.”, Ashton said turning out the light on his side of the room. Mason changed into his shorts and a shirt before climbing onto his bed pulling the spare blanket over him.
Sometime during the night Adder had moved away from the wall seeking out the heat source that was Mason, though blankets separated them. And Mason had rolled slightly to his stomach which was his normal sleeping position except he had one arm stretch over across Adder. Ashton was actually the first to wake up and he sat up and looked over at the other bed and saw the two lying in a position that if they were under the same blanket would look indecent. Ashton did however find it a bit amusing to see Mason with his arm protectively over Adder. So thinking future blackmail he snapped a picture before going into the bathroom. He went to get his razor to shave but couldn’t find it and started tearing the medicine cabinet apart and then saw it in the reflection of the mirror sitting in the shower. “ADDER!!!!!”, Ashton shouted in anger. Mason and Adder both startled awake at the yelling. Adder looked at Mason confused. Mason grumbled and sat up rubbing sleep from his eyes and there at the end of his bed was Ashton holding his razor. “What the bloody hell woman?!”, Ashton demanded. Adder rubbed her eyes sitting up in the bed next to Mason. “It’s a razor mate wat ya screamin bout?”, Adder asked yawning. “You used MY razor!”, Ashton said outraged. Mason covered his mouth to hide his laugh but the curved up edges of his lips showed throw. “Ah’m sorry? Ah needed to shave and wasn’t exactly instructed on wat Ah wasn’t allowed to use in da bath. And it was dat wid da disposable blade or da straight razor. Guess dis shows which of ya is really a man and which ain’t.”, Adder apologized teasing. Mason silently laughed. “This isn’t funny Mason!”, Ashton said pointing the razor at him. “It is actually. You are freaking out over a blade that you can press a button on the back of the razor and pop it into the trash and put a fresh blade on it. I call that funny. Now go back to your business in the bathroom and just switch to a fresh blade.”, Mason said pointing to the bathroom door. Ashton grumbled something about living with a girl for less than a day and his stuff was already getting ruined going back to the bathroom slamming the door.
Mason laid back down laughing fully. “Oh that was just priceless...thank you Adder.”, Mason said laughing. Adder laugh a little and smirk looking at Mason. “Glad ta be service.”, she chuckled. “The look of disgust on his face. I mean wow. What is he going to do after university if he follows the plan and moves in with Tiffany?”, Mason sighed shaking his head. “Ave a sharp dose o reality sinkin in?”, Adder suggested. “I suppose so. Ashton grew up an only child. Sharing space isn't really his thing. But I grew up sharing a bathroom with a little sister. Why do you think I have the straight razor? Didn't want her using my shaving stuff by mistake.”, Mason shrugged. “Oh well. Guess it’s a good thing for you both I picked you up stuff.”, Mason said. “Ya picked some stuff up for me?”, Adder questioned. “Yeah. Toothbrush, shaving stuff, deodorant, and body wash. Kind of figured smelling like my irish spring or his ax wouldn’t really suit you. Oh and the clothes on top my dresser.”, he said pointing the the two neat piles of clothes divided between tops and bottoms. “And the winter outerwear by the door.”, he added pointing to the jacket and boots by his own. “And I didn’t get anything very girlie and nothing preppy promise.”, he said stretching. “The hell mate..”, she frowned a bit. “Ah didn't need all o dat.”, she sighed shaking her head. “You were wearing everything you owned last night just to stay warm. That jacket you have isn’t meant for this cold. So...yeah you kind of did.”, Mason countered. “Didn’t need it from you.”, Adder sighed.
Mason shrugged getting out of the bed and folded the blanket he’d used neatly then laid in across the bottom of the bed. “We’ll call it Christmas presents then? Did miss it after all.”, he offered. “Didn’t need anything then either, haven’t got a a present in years.”, she shook her head. “You didn’t know me and Ashton back then now did you, pet.”, Mason said going to the makeshift kitchen putting the kettle on for tea. “Don’t want to owe ya, mate.”, she frowned. “Adder you’re my friend. My friends never owe me anything. I do things because I want to and never for anything to be given in return.”, Mason explained. “That’s not how most people work.”, she said. Mason smiled. “Yes well I’m not most people. Hungry? I went to the market when I went out last night too. We were in need of food.”, he asked. Adder sighed. he was right he certainly was not like most people. He had been nothing but nice and caring to her. “No wonder you were so cold last night.”, she commented having remembered vaguely the sense of cold on the bed while she’d slept. “Warmer than how cold you were when I found you last night. Your lips were nearly blue, which I doubt was a shade of lipstick.”, Mason shrugged. “Lived before out dere.”, she defended still staying under the arm blankets of the bed. “I know. Last night happened to be a new record low for Oxford thought.”, he commented getting out a pan and some eggs. “How do you take your eggs?”, he asked looking over his shoulder at her. “Over hard.”, she said getting comfortable again in the bed watching him. Mason laughed. “Well that’s easy to remember. It’s how Ashton eats them.”, he commented fixing her eggs while the sound of the shower was faintly heard from the bathroom.
“Ya sure it alright dat Ah stayed here last night?”, she asked. “Yeah of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”, he questioned “Ashton doesn’t seem too keen on dat idea.”, she shrugged. “Ashton can… pardon me...shove it.”, he said plating the eggs and pouring a cup of tea. He placed the breakfast on a tray then set it on the bed for her before starting making his. “In bed service, fancy.”, she teased starting to eat with a chuckle. “Don’t exactly have a table let alone room for one. Can’t wait till this freshmen year is over so we can get out of the dorms.”, he said setting his plate and tea on his desk sitting down starting to eat. Ashton peaked just his head out of the bathroom. “Hey mate, do me a favor. Forgot to grab clothes.”, Ashton requested looking to Mason. Adder rolled her eyes. “Ah can just close mah eyes if modesty is yer issue Ashton.”, she offered. Mason chuckled but got up and went to Ashton's side of the room. He took some clothes out of the dresser and walked back over handing them to Ashton. “Thanks mate. Hey eggs? Do I get any?”, Ashton asked. “Yes. When you get dressed and cook them.”, Mason said sitting back down to eat. Ashton stuck out his tongue then closed the bathroom to get dressed. She chuckled and finished her food quickly, having been hungry the chinese last night the first substantial meal she’d had in a while. “Want seconds?”, Mason asked sipping his tea. “Ah can cook fer mahself, mate.", she said. “I would hope so. Pan, butter and eggs are still there. If of course you want to vacate my bed to make them.”, Mason teased. Adder chuckled and got out of the bed making herself more eggs.
“So last night I said we’d figure out today what to do in regards to your living situation.”, mason said finishing his breakfast. Ashton walked out and grumbled seeing Adder and the camp stove. “And now I have to wait for her to have seconds.”, he said plopping onto his bed. “So what’s your plan then mate?”, he questioned looking to Mason. "She stays here with us for the rest of term.", Mason started. "Wait what?", Ashton asked looking at Mason. "Ah can't stay here. Ya have yer classes and dinna tink dis is a coed dorm.", Adder argued getting her second helping and sitting back down. "You're nuts mate. You want to hide not just a girl but an under age girl in our dorm for another five months?", Ashton protested getting up and starting to make his breakfast. "It'll be fine. Our RA didn't even bother us, I can easily get her in and out the window. This way we know she's safe and somewhere warm. And come summer as long as we both manage Bs, which I'm getting As, we can get out of the dorm and move into a flat.", Mason explained his reasoning. "And what when we move out of the dorm we take your pet with us?", Ashton questioned. Adder furrowed her brow both not sure about Mason's plan and not liking Ashton calling her Mason's pet. "Ah don't tink dis a good idea. Ah don't want to impose and refuse to be considered a mooch.", Adder argued. "I'm not saying mooching. I'm saying you help with bills how you can. Here at the dorm you help in regards to the only bill we have which is food. When we get a flat after term you help with the other bills. Either from fight money or getting a legal job.", Mason explained. "We'll get a three bedroom flat and then you're out roommate and get a room of your own instead of sharing my bed.", he added. Ashton grumbled sitting down with his breakfast. "Your mind is made up isn't it mate? The stay stays?", Ashton asked. Adder hissed at him. "Stop taking bout me like dat.", she glared. "Both of you stop. Ashton be nice to Adder. She's our friend so be considerate of her feelings when using nicknames. And Adder relax Ashton is just teasing. Now are we all agreed? Roommates?", he said looking between the two. Ashton sighed and nodded. "Alright mate.", he agreed. Adder pondered the offer. Mason was offering her not just a place to crash, but a place to call home. He was fully inviting her into his and Ashton's lives as equal. Adder sighed and nodded. "Roommates it is then.", she agreed.