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She held his wrist gently as he started to get up and sway away from her bed. “Stay with me,” her voice soft yet raspy, pot taking its toll. The darkness in her room, not enough to dull the shimmer in her glazed over eyes. Although she was bone-tired as she lay on her side, sleep ready to consume her any minute now, yet this was the boldest she felt in a while.
He crouched down next to the bed again, the resolution on his face softening as he studied her expression. Her words did not surprise him. Her eyes were filled with so much more, yet too heavy to let it spill. He saw her walls come down with each drag she had taken this evening. She wasn’t one of those who got hammered every weekend. Too cautious to lose control even to regulated alcohol. The fact that she decided to let go tonight almost made him swell with pride over the trust she bestowed on him. She trusted him enough to feel safe in his company, trusted him enough to know that he’d take care of her. Hence, he felt even more responsible than he normally does, the want to take good care of her increased somehow.
“I’m here,” he whispered, thumb stroking her cheekbone, his fingers tangled in her unruly curls.
“Cuddle,” she said quietly.
His thumb slowed to a stop, eyes scanning her face once over, resting on her eyes again.
“Come cuddle with me, big spoon,” she breathed through a smile, her eyes glistening.
A beat passed and he took a sharp breath in, exhaling slowly. Smiling, he stretched up to his full height, eyes never breaking away from her face. “Alright.”
He moved to the adjacent corner of the bed after taking his shoes and socks off. Crawling up on the bed, he almost laid behind her when she sprang up, turned to face him and whined “I haven’t done my night-time routine yet.”
Full weight balancing on his right elbow, mid-laying down, he looked at her - amused and confused at the same time, “What?”
“I haven’t done my skincare, we haven’t even brushed our teeth and we’re still in these fancy-ass clothes!” she looked more awake now, her voice still low. “Not very healthy, not very comfortable,” he could almost hear her pout.
“Do you have the will to do all of that?” he asked, almost chuckling.
“No.” She got up, feet resting on the cold floor. “But you gotta do what you gotta do,” she sighed.
He stared at her back, befuddled, as she started to make her way to the bathroom. “I feel woozy,” she softly whined. The trip from the bed to the ensuite bathroom was apparently taking too long. On his feet the next second, he held left elbow delicately, guiding her.
-x-
The bathroom lights were too bright for her liking and the toothbrush felt too heavy in her hand. She stared at his reflection in the mirror with her big doe eyes as they brushed their teeth. The new purple toothbrush did not make him look too ill-matched as she expected. He looked cute. His mouth was foamy yet smirking when he made eye contact with her reflection. “Ge’ ou’,” she mumbled with the toothbrush still in her mouth. “‘ave to spi’,” her eyebrows furrowed as she turned to push him out with the free hand. He giggled on his way, eyes still soft.
She entered the bedroom again under a minute, hair tied up in a loose pineapple bun, curls still escaping around her neck. “You can borrow my brother’s sweats. Those tight pants aren’t good for either of us tonight,” she smiled coyly as she made her way to her brother’s room.
-x-
“Cleaning your skin of all the impurities that pile up by the end of the day is so important, do you understand?”
“Yeah,” he replied. His eyes focused on her face in the mirror as they rubbed a rather fruity cleanser on their own faces.
“This is self-care, babe.”
“Of course,” he chipped in, in a tight tone but his face threatened to break into a smile behind the suds. His heartbeat fluttered, the nickname spilled so casually, and yet his heart decided to cling to it.
“Wellness over vanity,” she pointed a foamy finger-gun at him before she bent over the sink to rinse off her face. He followed suit once she moved over to grab two face towels from the shelf in the corner.
She was patting her face dry when she saw the tragedy happen right in front of her eyes. “No, no, no!” she exclaimed or rather grumbled, voice a bit worn out due to tiredness.
He looked up from the towel, taken aback by her sudden protest. “Wha-?” he said, confusion clouding his face.
“You’re being too harsh on your skin!” she groaned. Taking the face towel from his hands, she got on her tiptoes to pat his face dry. “ Don’t rub, dab it dry. It’s delicate, the skin on your face.”
A slow yet wide grin took over his face, fondness in his eyes. “Yeah? I don’t really pay much attention to this stuff.” Her soft finger accidentally brushed his cheekbone as she patted his well-groomed stubble dry. His senses tried to chase the warmth it left behind.
“Well, you should. Invest a few minutes taking care of yourself like you deserve to be taken care of.” Her focus was completely fixed on getting the towel to delicately soak away the excessive moisture from his warm-honey-toned skin.
“Okay, and how do I deserve to be taken care of?” he asked, a small smile still playing on his lips.
She turned away once she was satisfied with her work. Reaching for the cabinet next to the mirror she mumbled, “I’ll show you.”
-x-
“Stay still,” she murmured, eyes focused, though eyelids still a little heavy.
If you’d have asked him to jot down the various ways in which he expected tonight to end, this would most definitely not be on the list.
She was perched atop the marble platform around the sink, feet dangling lazily. He stood between her thighs, and was still an inch taller than her. Her soft fingers lightly stroked his warm skin, “This helps with moisturizing and it’s anti-inflammatory.” The vitamin E serum glistened over his cheekbones as she gently massaged it over his face. He stared at her with a soft gaze, a smile on his face becoming a permanent feature since the last couple of minutes. “You have amazing skin, it’s unfair,” she breathed, her fingers still working.
“Why is it unfair?” he asked through a quiet, minty laugh.
“It’s so smooth and beautiful like you splurge over it every week in facial clinics. You don’t even have a skincare routine, you don’t even pat dry your skin.” No bitterness in her voice, only a whiny monotone filled with curiosity and wonderment. She worked her fingers tenderly over his jaw and neck.
“Well, your skin is definitely better than mine. It looks so soft and like… pristine,” he whispered over her forehead as he stretched his neck so she could apply the serum easily. He closed his eyes as the slow movement of her fingers around his neck raised goosebumps on his skin. A shiver running down his spine as her fingertips brushed against the sensitive spot behind his ears.
“Yeah, I know, you just saw me do my elaborate PM skincare routine,” she smiled slowly as her fingers danced around his temple, gradually reaching his forehead as he closed his eyes.. She ran her thumbs over his eyebrows as she held his face in her dainty hands. He was sure the serum was all gone now. Yet her fingers traced his features delicately, learning the planes and curves, carving them into her memory. “It’s very important,” she whispered, leaning close enough to feel him breathe deeper.
“...hm,” just a strained sound escaped his throat as he tried to not to crumble under her attention. His body heated up against her warmth, her lips being the only thing he could focus on when he opened his eyes.
She leaned in closer and pecked around the right corner of his lips, feeling the brush of his stubble. His large hands landed above her knees, spreading warmth, he bowed into her as she pressed feather-light kisses up his jaw. Her hand slowly inched up his neck and into his hair, fingers gently scratched his head. Gripping near the roots, she gently tugged a handful of his hair, and sent a jolt down his body, tilting his face slightly upwards. She placed a soft kiss on his chin, moving her lips up to linger around his lips. They could feel each other's soft, warm, minty breaths, eyes almost closed. A light brush across his lips and she felt him stiffen. He stood up straighter, adding a few inches between them, his eyes clearing quickly. He looked at her for a moment, studying her glassy, tired eyes and kindly cupped her face in his hands. “And what do you do after Vitamin E?” he quietly asked.
The bubble around her popped. “Oh, moisturizer!” she blurted loudly, turning to pick up an exquisite round box of cream that smelled of heavens. Probably her moisturizer then. She spread it evenly across his face and giggled as he scrunched his nose.
“Do you still feel woozy?” he asked as she tapped his nose lightly.
“A little. I’m tired mostly.” She hunched her shoulders, seemingly done with her routine, heavy eyes still on him.
“Okay, why don’t you change into something more comfortable and then we can go to bed?” he suggested, moving a stray curl from her face, the other hand still cupping her jaw.
“Yeah.” She jumped down from the platform and moved towards her wardrobe as he shuffled out of her space.
“You change in here, I’ll do it in the room,” he added as he grabbed the sweats she’d brought him from her brother’s wardrobe.
-x-
When she entered the room again, her eyes immediately zeroed on him. The sweatpants didn’t quite reach his ankles. He was settled with his back on her bed, feet still on the ground, hands resting on his stomach, eyes closed. Sensing her presence, he opened his eyes just a crack, and smiled at her. She walked over to her preferred side of her bed in a loose, worn out tank top and shorts, her beautiful unruly curls down. “I’m ready to be cuddled,” she giggled as she got under the duvet.
He chuckled fondly at her, as he made his way to spoon her under the duvet. He reached to turn off the lights before comfortably snuggling around her.
“Oh,” she turned a little to look at him over her shoulder. “Do you want me to tie my hair up, it won’t be in your face then,” she asked quietly.
“No,” he said through a smile. “I think it smells delicious, I like it.”
She lay on her side again, a small sound of satisfaction leaving her throat, a humming sigh.
The darkness cocooned around them again, the quiet disrupted only by their shifting limbs and soft breaths. He rested his warm arm around her front, hand resting on her belly. “This okay?” his lips brushed the skin behind her ear, leaving damp warmth around the spot.
She hummed in approval, a small, shy smile tugging on her lips, eyes closed peacefully. Though her stature was rather small compared to his, they fit quite perfectly in her opinion. No space left between her back and his chest, her ankle brushing over his leg. She could feel his warm breath, his strong hands holding her, his broad chest almost enveloping her whole like a cozy blanket. And if she focused rather intently, she’d swear she could feel his heartbeat. She felt safe.
He blinked slowly as he held her, a content smile on his face. Her warmth permeated through each spot their bodies touched. He knew she was soft, gentle and everything beautiful on the inside no matter all the solid walls she had drawn around herself. The exterior she had hand-built to protect herself. The exterior, which was more a necessity than a social conformity. The exterior through which he was allowed to pass. Pride and satisfaction ran through his veins, as she gradually showed him the parts of herself she had kept hidden from the cruel world outside. He held her closer, grip tightening around her as he breathed her in. The high of gratification swirled around him as he eventually slumped into the slumber, after her breath evened out.
-x-
A not too loud yet irritating noise woke her up. Encased in comfortable warmth, eyes still closed, she tried to reach for her phone to turn off the alarm. But something heavy restricted her movement. She opened her eyes and sleepily smiled as the memories of the previous night swam back to her. She intertwined her fingers with his over her stomach. She moved and reached with her other hand, finally silencing the alarm. A small sigh of content escaped her. She felt him stir behind her before a deep, throaty voice whispered in her ears, “G’mornin’, love.”
“G’mornin’,” she replied through her smile. “Did I beg you to cuddle with me,” she groaned, still smiling, snuggling her face into the pillow bashfully.
“No, you only had to ask me twice. Only because I was too overwhelmed to fully believe it the first time,” he breathed, dropping a chaste kiss where her neck met her shoulder. The unexpected brush of his lips over this sensitive spot jolted a sudden flame of arousal in her. Caught a little off guard, a quiet moan escaped out of her, back arching, ass digging into him. She sounded so beautiful, and he wanted to hear all her pretty noises forever.
Now fully awake, he tentatively dared to kiss her again, the touch still feather-light. And the effect left her entire body covered in goosebumps, a whine slipped through as she tried to bury deeper into the pillow, exposing more of her neck. He kissed her again, a little open-mouthed. And then latched on to her sensitive spots, earning louder moans from her. He worked his mouth in a way that was sure to leave a dark mark against her rather pale skin. She whimpered, her back arched further away from him as her ass lightly rubbed against his morning wood that was chubbing up to full stiffness. He groaned, breathing her in, his hands drew circles on her soft belly. His hardness dug between her asscheeks as he thrusted against her involuntarily, eliciting an obscene moan from her. Catching himself again from losing control, he shuffled to create an inch of space between their bodies. She paused due to the sudden shift in the scene, unsure but chest still heaving. His warm hand still drew gentle circles around her navel when she breathed mutedly, “Babe.” He would have easily missed it if he’d laid a few more inches further from her.
A beat passed.
“How are you feeling, baby?” he asked, “You were pretty dopey last night” his breath landing lightly on the pretty hickey he had shaped on her neck.