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He enjoyed the sound of the waves, and the sun caressed his body with its rays, covering his skin with a barely noticeable tan. She moved closer to him, dazzling him with her beckoning smile, leaning closer, almost touching him with her lips, whispering above his ear: "Damn you!" Nick twitched and opened his eyes abruptly. He grunted softly and covered his head with a pillow, trying to muffle the voice from the living room.
His girlfriend's new craze sometimes just drove him insane. Sure, it was her way of dealing with fatigue after work, but he didn't understand why she had to spend half the night on this imaginary rest and go the whole next day feeling restless.
There was another scolding from her, and Nick, unable to stand it, threw back the covers and staggered into the living room, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
"Baby...Hey!!!" He took off her headphones, making her jump in place.
"Oh, Nick, did I wake you up again? Damn, I'm sorry, I almost passed this level, but I got beaten by this one again..."
"Baby, that's enough. Let's go to bed." Nick held out his hand urging her to follow him, and finally turn off the game.
"One more time, I swear, one last time. I just have to win or I won't fall asleep!" Her pleas had no effect on him, and he pulled the plug, shutting off the computer completely. Ellie tossed the headphones on the table and frowned looking at him. "What have you done? Now he's going to think I've given up and..."
Nick rubbed his eyes tiredly, realizing that arguing with her and proving to her that she was talking nonsense was useless. With a wave of the hand, he went back into the bedroom and closed the door.
Ellie stayed in the middle of the living room, lit only by the desk lamp. Somehow being all alone, made her feel like a complete idiot. Just a minute ago, she'd thought it was a matter of principle to beat her eternal rival at the online game. Nick had locked himself in the bedroom, which meant she would have to sleep on the couch in this very living room.
She flopped down on the couch and hugged the pillow with her arms, contemplating the situation in which she found herself, because of her stupid stubbornness. Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she involuntarily sniffed her nose. Another sob and she hid her face on the pillow so she wouldn't disturb Nick's sleep with her sobs.
She gasped when strong arms lifted her off the couch and carried her into the bedroom.
"Nick..."
He laid her on the bed and, covering her with a blanket, lay down on his side of the bed. Ellie waited for a kiss and his embrace, but he only sighed and turned his back to her.
"Baby, are you mad at me...?"
"Uh, Ellie, good night..." Nick curled up, trying to finally fall asleep. She moved closer to him, wrapped her arms around his back and kissed his neck. Warmed by the warmth of his body, she snuggled against him and covered her eyes.
In the morning, Nick released himself from her tight embrace to her half-asleep muttering, dressed quickly and went for his morning run. She invited him back to her place, offering to relax after work, except after dinner she stuck at her computer. He failed to wait for her and fell asleep in bed alone, not for the first time. Maybe it was time to talk about their relationship and what they both wanted, and whether they even wanted the same thing.
Ellie hugged what she thought was her boyfriend a little tighter, but it turned out she had a blanket in her hands. Nick's pillow was cold. She propped herself up on her elbows and listened for the sounds in the apartment. Not the sound of water pouring in the bathroom, not the buzzing of the coffee maker working in the kitchen, not the rustling of footsteps in the living room-quiet. His bag was there, but he was nowhere to be found. She tiptoed through the rooms, as if she were afraid to break the silence.
It had been half an hour since she awoke and he still hadn't returned. She stood by the window the whole time, leaning her forehead against the cold glass, watching the city wake up.
"Baby?" Ellie squealed when he suddenly appeared behind her and turned around, almost hitting him.
"Ugh, good morning..." - Nick muttered, rubbing his jaw where she did slide her fist.
"Oh..." She wrapped her arms around him, kissing his cheeks and kissing him on the lips quietly apologized.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you..."
"I...I...thought you were gone...from me... forever..." Ellie mumbled hiccupping, as panic seemed about to overtake her.
"Baby...hush...I'm here, I'm not going anywhere..." He stroked her back with his strong hands, and covered her face with light kisses.
"I promise I won't spend any more time playing this silly game..."
"Ellie, you don't have to refuse something you enjoy just because of me."
"Mhm...it's just a game, Nick. And it's not worth losing you..."
"My baby, you know how much I love you, don't you?"
"Mm, I seem to have forgotten a little..." Ellie hummed and kissed him on the lips, feeling the good mood return to her.
"Should I remind you, then?" Nick slipped his palms under her shorts and snapped the elastic of her panties.
"Uh, pervert..."
"Your loved one...?"
"My loved one..."