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Bellamy yawned as he woke up, immediately noticing the other side of the bed was already empty. He grumbled a little, wanting to lazily snuggle with Echo and stay in bed all day. They’ve both been so exhausted lately, with all the cabin planning, farming, and construction in full swing - trying to get as much done as possible before winter. Echo was too productive for her own good. Bellamy slowly got up, and pulled on a shirt, before walking into the kitchen. He saw Echo staring out the window, silently watching the colorful leaves as they scattered in the wind and fell from the trees. Their lawn was littered with big piles of the dying leaves - and while he couldn’t deny the colors were pretty, they were a constant reminder that winter was fast approaching.
Bellamy padded across the floor, heavy footsteps making his presence known, as he went to join her. He hugged her from behind, dropping his chin onto her shoulder as his arms slowly snaked around her waist, holding her close. Her hands immediately settled on top of his, and he pulled his arms in tighter, squeezing her a little as he pulled her along with them - moving her impossibly closer to him. Echo’s body was already flush against him, all Bellamy managed to do was squish them together more - something he was well aware of; Echo could see him smiling to himself out of the corner of her eye. She fought the urge to laugh, but couldn’t help the smirk that pulled at the corners of her lips. He could be so silly sometimes.
She could feel the warmth of his body wrapped around her - he was like the world’s cuddliest furnace - and she settled into him, leaning her head back against him so every part of them was touching.
“Yes?”
He could practically hear her arched eyebrow as she spoke, and he had to bury the bottom of his face into her shoulder to keep from laughing. God, he loved her so much - he couldn’t believe how lucky he was. She could definitely feel him grinning like an idiot against her skin, but he didn’t care. He pressed his lips to her shoulder, leaving a tender kiss against her warm skin. He moved at an exaggeratedly slow pace, tracing his lips along the thin line of her tattoo as he moved down her arm, leaving a trail of delicate kisses against the familiar blue marking.
“G’morning,” he mumbled against her soft skin. He gently started swaying with her in his arms, rocking them both from side-to-side.
“You’re ridiculous.” She smiled, thumb lovingly rubbing over the back of his hand, where it rested snugly underneath hers.
He lifted his chin back up and gently plopped it down on her shoulder again. “What? I can’t say hello to the love of my life in the morning?”
“And so clingy,” she teased, patting his arm.
“Careful,” he warned playfully, giving her waist a little squeeze to remind her exactly where his hands were. ”I know where you’re ticklish...”
She stiffened ever so slightly - warrior reflexes on high alert - but she quickly quashed his threat by interlocking her fingers into his, keeping his hands preoccupied.
She spun around to face him, gracefully untangling their still-connected arms over her head, not letting go of his hands. They were both facing each other now, and she lazily started swinging their interlocked hands in the space between them.
“Y’know, if you really can’t keep your hands to yourself right now, how about a massage instead?”
She looked at him with her puppy dog eyes (a rare occurrence - and something only he ever got to see). He instantly melted. He would have said yes anyway - never one to pass up an opportunity to touch her and show his affection - but he could never say no to that face.
“Sounds good to me!” Bellamy beamed back at her, relishing the soft tug of her hands as they swung together with his.
Before letting go, he slowly dragged his arms straight back behind him, still connected to Echo and pulling her towards him. He leaned forward and met her with a kiss. She laughed, smiling against his lips and happily returned the favor, gently capturing his bottom lip between her teeth as she slowly moved her head away, pulling his lip with her. A soft whine escaped his throat - her little teasing had a way of slowly unraveling him and easily making him come completely undone. She was well aware of how effortlessly she had that effect on him (something she only picked up on after the other girls had pointed it out to her, years ago on the Ring). But she was going to use it to her advantage now - all’s fair in love and war.
“Also, stop trying to tickle me, it won’t end well for you,” she whispered directly into his ear, which had turned a light shade of pink.
Bellamy’s face flushed, making his freckles stand out more than usual against his cheeks, but he was smiling his big, goofy grin.
“Fiiiiiiiine,” he sighed dramatically. He knew when to accept defeat.
Echo finally released his hands, freeing him - but instead of moving away, she wrapped her arms around him and leaned her head against his broad chest.
“Good morning to you too, by the way.”
He hummed happily and brought his hand up to gingerly rub her back. She nestled in, and he kissed the top of her head before closing his eyes and resting his cheek on her soft hair.
She closed her eyes and listened to the steady thumping of his heart. She could stay like that forever, being held in his arms, but she was promised a massage and her aching muscles couldn’t wait any longer. She gave him a loving squeeze before lifting her head up and finally letting go.
Bellamy guided her to the couch and sat down, patting the seat next to him for her to sit. She joined him, and he turned his body to face her as he brushed her hair to the side, draping it over one shoulder and exposing her neck and upper back. Then he positioned his hands on her shoulders.
“Tough day yesterday?” He asked, splaying his large hands against her shoulder blades and digging his thumbs into the tense muscles beneath them. Echo relaxed into his touch as he rubbed small, deep circles into her back.
She groaned softly, already feeling relief thanks to his steady work. She dropped her head forward and closed her eyes, enjoying the massage as her body lightly shook with the rhythmic movement of his strong hands.
“Very. There was a lot of heavy lifting between collecting all the stones needed for Emori and Murphy’s exterior façade and chopping the wood for the fence. I’m glad that our little village is coming together, but it’s definitely a labor of love. My back is so sore.”
“I wish I could’ve been there to help, scouting’s no fun without you anyway.”
The corner of Echo’s lips pulled into a small smile at that, knowing full well he was pouting behind her even though she couldn’t see his face. Bellamy continued to rub and knead at her back, moving his hands expertly all over to get the best coverage. A soft hiss escaped her lips as he hit a particularly sore spot.
“Sorry!” he apologized sheepishly, slowly dragging his hands down the sides of her back, trying to sooth her.
“Don’t apologize.” She twisted her upper body in her seat, stretching out her lower back. “It feels nice.”
Bellamy smiled fondly, and resumed his massaging. When he was done with her back, he brought his hands up around the long muscles between her neck and shoulders, squeezing and pinching them lightly in his hands. He stayed there for a bit, working the tense muscle, before Echo felt his hands slip away - only to quickly be replaced by his lips. He kissed at the base of her neck, mouthing at the warm skin there. She dropped her head back, lost in the pleasurable sensation. She leaned back further, laying completely into him. He scooted over so she could lay her head in his lap.
Echo’s head rested heavily in Bellamy’s lap, and he tangled his fingers in her hair as he gently caressed the back of her head. He started lightly scratching at her scalp, and her eyes fluttered shut - she let out a soft sigh, completely relaxed. Bellamy smiled. He knew she had been exhausted recently with all the construction going on as they helped build homes for their family. It was hard work, but totally worth it to have their own private village on their 80 acres. He started carding his fingers through her long hair, and before he knew it, he heard soft snoring. Echo was asleep. He looked down, completely smitten, and gently brushed his knuckles against her cheek. His heart clenched, seeing her peacefully sleeping in his lap like that. He reached behind him – careful not to jostle her - and grabbed his brown, leather jacket hanging off the back of the couch, before carefully draping it over her sleeping form, tucking her in and keeping her warm from the chilly fall air. Then he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her head, and went back to tenderly stroking her hair with a dopey smile on his face.
His future numb, tingly legs would be a small price to pay for the sight before him now. His smile grew even bigger, matching the fullness of his heart.