Work Text:
Curled up on her side upon a worn, leather couch, her half-lidded gaze is pinned to the dramatic reality show playing on the television, the volume low enough for the soft pittering of rain outside to pierce her ears. Medkit's head rests against the armrest, a hand-made, quilt blanket lazily draped over her torso, it's soft fabric familiar and comforting.
Quiet shuffling reminds her that she isn't alone, her attention shifting to witness Subspace cuddling up closer, her cheek smushed against Medkit's hip due to the rather pitiful size of the sofa, claws absentmindedly picking at the chipped fabric coating the cushions
At the grown age of 30, Medkit never thought she would find herself relying on something as cheesy as cuddles to get through her week.
And yet, here she was, compliant — no, culpable in her Saturday evening being wasted away, seeing as she was the one who suggested they do so in the first place.
Hands snake their way under Medkit's sweater to press their palms into her bare skin, jolting her out of her thoughts from how startling the sudden sensation had been, only furthered by their frigid temperature.
"Cold." Medkit complains, resisting the urge to shiver.
"Well? Warm 'em up for me!" Subspace giggles in response, thumbs tracing patterns into the surface of her lean stomach.
Resigned to her fate, Medkit simply sighs in response, eye drifting back to the scene unfurling on screen.
The star of the series seemed to be hosting a lavish party, mingling and laughing with others of a similarly wealthy background, their faces all so stuffed with botox it was frightening. Of course, it's not long before a fight breaks out, likely over something trivial like copying outfits...
Honestly, she thinks they probably do it out of boredom. Not much else to worry about when you're that rich.
Medkit never much cared for these shows, full of frivolous drama and backstabbing, but Subspace always seemed to enjoy them. So, she could tolerate them for the sake of getting the scientist to sit still for a while and relax.
The healer let's her gaze return to Subspace, admiring how the glow of the television illuminates her features, and the rare view of the content, upwards curl to her lips, unobscured by any masks or coverings. Medkit blinks slowly at her, considering, until she decides to place a hand upon the back of Subspace's head, gently scratching her scalp.
That earns an eager wag from her tail, her eyes fluttering shut, if only briefly, before they pry open to squint at Medkit.
"You look sad." Subspace mutters, tracing over the outlines of her ribs.
"Sad?" She parrots, brows furrowing.
"Y'know, all in your feels in stuff!" She continues, head lolling to the side, "You've got that look like you're about to say something super cheesy."
"I wasn't aware I had a specific expression for that."
"You do! You go all quiet, get this loving, adorably soft look in your eye, and — and you just, you go sappy on me." She explains, then hurriedly adding "Don't get me wrong, it's sweet! But it's also, like, so sweet it's embarrassing."
Medkit feigns offense at her words, pursing her lips, asking solemnly, "You find me embarrasing?"
"Wh — nonono, I didn't say that! Here," She trails her hands over to Medkit's sides, wriggling her fingers lightly over her skin, "C'mon, turn that frown upside-down, no pouting!"
Medkit immediately slaps a hand over her mouth to stifle the sounds being forced out of her from the tickling, completely unprepared for the assault on her sensitive sides. Despite her best efforts, she can't supress her snorts, tears prickling in the corner of her eye.
"There we go, that's what I like to hear!" Subspace cackles, relentless in her pace
"Subspace — enough, g-gods, enough!" Medkit manages to gasp out in between her painful laughter, attempting to pry her hands off of her.
Finally, Subspace decides to have mercy on her and withdraws her touch, then crawling up to squeeze into the narrow gap between Medkit and the back cushions.
"You're... An asshole." The healer breaths out, chest heaving for air, turning over to face her.
"I thought we would've established that by now." She hums, only to pause in surprise at the sight of Medkit without her eyepatch, unused to being granted the privalage of viewing such a thing, as she had only recently grown comfortable enough to forgo it around the scientist.
Subspace brushes her knuckles across Medkit's cheek, expression softening the longer she stares at the stitched socket, a pang ringing through her heart with the knowledge she was the reason it would never again open.
A shame, she really did have a wonderful pair. Subspace can recall getting lost in those doe eyes hundreds of times, forgetting whatever Meddy was rambling about in favor of peering into those pools of vulnerability, the windows to the soul.
Even now, she finds herself overwhelmed by the intensity of Medkit's lone, fatigued eye boring into her, feeling as though she's being picked apart. Studied. Read like one of her stupid little books.
Her full, soft lips certainly didn't help Subspace focus either, nor did her long lashes, or that deliciously pleasant honey scent she always carried. The way her curls fell over her shoulders, how she'd cover her mouth with the back of her hand whenever she grew flustered, or even how she'd flick her wrist when making a snarky comment. Gods, and that sway to her hips whenever she makes her strides across a room to greet the scientist —
"You alright?" Medkit eventually prods, unable to bear the quiet any longer.
"... Beautiful — you're beautiful, Meddy." She blurts, swallowing the lump in her throat.
After a moment of disbelieveing silence, she mumbles despite herself, "And you say I'm sappy," a subtle smile crinkling her eye.
She scoffs playfully, "Here I am, pouring my heart out to you, and you're making fun of me!"
"You're right, you're right, I'm sorry." She soothes, tucking her hair behind her ear, before she plants a ginger kiss to her cheek, "Thank you."
She freezes at the tender action, warmth invading her face, before she brushes it off with an eye roll, wrapping her arms around her torso, "You better be."
Medkit melts into her embrace, nestling her head into the crook of her neck, stubby tail giving a few lazy flicks. She quickly grows aware of how exhausted she truly is, limbs feeling to heavy to move, body worn and sore from the workload she endured throughout the week.
"You're not planning on falling asleep on me, are you?" Subspace accuses, poking her shoulder to grab her attention.
"I might." She admits, "Just for a little bit. A nap."
"Noooooooo, don't leave meeeeee," she whines dramatically, giving her a light shake, "It's gonna be so boringggg!"
"Subspace." She warns, head lifting a smidge to shoot her a glare.
"I'm just teasing, Meddy, you can." She fumbles for the blanket, tucking them in properly, then pressing her lips to her temple, "Get some good beauty sleep!"
"Haha, very funny." She drawls sarcastically, voice muffled by her skin when she settles down once more.
"I know, right? I'm hilarious."
"Mm." Is all she says in response, allowing her eye to fall shut, her drowsy state only furthered by the warmth surrounding her.
It doesn't take long for her to be lulled to sleep, with the combination of the gentle rainfall serving as white noise, and the hand rubbing circles into he back, calming her tense muscles.
And though she knows when she awakes everything will return full force — her responsibilities, her worries, her aches — for now, she's willing to pretend they're all far, far away, and sink into nothing, blissfully ignorant to the world.
She hopes she'll dream. One of a world where circumstance never divided them, where they can continue as they are forever.
Yeah. That would be nice, wouldn't it?