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“Don’t…go.” Your voice came out groggy, as you cling onto Caleb’s waist. The sun wasn’t even up yet. The dark hues of blue and grey colliding with each other from outside the floor to ceiling window in Caleb’s bedroom drove his room into a gloomy darkness. You’re almost falling off the bed as you try and keep Caleb from leaving the bedroom by hugging his waist tightly. “Pips…I gotta go, work’s urgent today. I can’t stall again. I’m sorry, you know I’d stay with you if I could.” He sighs, leaning down slightly as his gloved hand holds your head, supporting it so you don’t accidentally slam your head onto the bedside table.
“Yeah but you’re the colonel? Can’t you say you’re sick or something? I want you to stay with me.” You didn’t want Caleb to leave. You never have. You wanted to spend every single waking hour in his presence and every night cuddled up with him. You squeeze his waist tighter as you pull him closer. He groans in surprise and you can’t help but smirk. “That’s not really how it works, you know that. I’ll make it up to you tonight, alright?” His voice had a tinge of regret for having to leave you.
Good. He should feel bad.
“Ugh..I’m gonna burn the Farspace Fleet down so you never have to go work again.” You groan as you hug his waist as tight as humanly possible. You hoped this would restraint him and force him to stay with you. “I’m glad you want me to stay, Pipsqueak.” He chuckled as he pried your arms off his waist. “But please let go, you’re hugging me so tightly…Where could I possibly hide?” “If you’re gonna say that at least count to 100 planes.”
You find the strength in your body to finally let go of Caleb’s waist and sit up. You pull the duvet back over yourself to get rid of the coldness that’s seeping in your body due to the raging storm outside that had been going on for almost 3 days now.
“I want you to stay Caleb.” You reiterate again, more firmly. You don’t want to be left alone. You don’t want to sit in this large house of his, having to deal with the overwhelming loud noises from the storm on your own. You want Caleb to stay and be your distraction. You also want him to stay because you just want him to but that’s beside the point. You just don’t want to be alone anymore.
“Honey, seriously. I’m sorry but I can’t stay today, I’ve been late back to back recently. People will take suspicion to it. I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go early today.” His voice had that hint of dominance that he has when he’s in ‘colonel mode’. I guess he wanted to make it clear that he really wasn’t teasing you or anything, and that he seriously couldn’t stay in bed with you.
The rain picks up, pelting against the windows with the help of the force of the howling wind. It’s hard not to tense up and cover your ears with your hands in hopes block out the noises that practically sounds like howling and wailing from outside just to spend another few more minutes in Caleb’s presence. You want to hear his voice. You want him to hold you, for him to kiss your forehead, rub your back gently, and to smell that familiar apple and cinnamon scent to him. Anything and everything about him you want to cherish desperately.
It’s not even like he's on one of his long missions that last a few weeks or anything, he’s coming home tonight. But parting ways, even just for a few hours is the worst feeling to exist to you. Your safe haven gone for almost half a day, maybe even longer, depending on how many people want take up his precious time at work that you could be savouring.
Caleb’s hands coerce themselves under yours, gently stroking your side burns. You could vaguely hear him say something along the lines of “It’s okay. I’m here, nothing’s going to hurt you.”
You want to swear that he said that. That his smooth voice comforted you once more. But it could just be your mind, your heart aching for his comfort despite him being right in front of you.
His hands pull your head up gently, his signature gentle smile plastered on his stupid face. “I’ll stay until you fall back asleep, alright Pips?” You nod back in response, content with this compromise he made on the spot to at least give you a false sense of security for when you drift sleep. Caleb gently pushes you back down onto the bed, and the shuffling of blankets and the weight of the bed dipping makes it apparent to you that he’s laying beside you now. Nothing could really stop Caleb from giving in to you, despite him telling you a few minutes ago about how he needed to head to work.
Shifting onto your side to face Caleb, you rub your face into his chest, feeling that almost harsh wool material that makes up his blazer. Your hands run up to his chest, feeling that prominent stitching on the right side of it. “So…what time are you supposed to leave?” Your question makes Caleb’s hands move to your back, to hold you close. Rubbing your back gently as your face gets smushed right into his chest. “I’d say…hmmm. at around 7:50. It’s alright, I got around 5 minutes with you.” The vibrations of his voice through his comfort you. Even feeling him through his voice is enough to keep you sane.
“What time are you coming back?” Drowsiness finally starts to seep into your bones, making it harder to keep yourself awake and cherish the last moments you have with Caleb before he leaves. You snuggle as close as possible to Caleb. You’re already missing him, and you don't want his duties to take him away from you. “The earliest I can come back is at 6pm. I know it’s late, but, I’ll see if I can come home earlier.” A hand combs through your knotted hair, gently untangling any looser knots. “I’ll make you the best dinner you could ever have to make up for it, I promise.” You hum in response, letting his hand practically massage you to sleep.
“Are you already asleep?”
A gentle kiss presses against your forehead.
“Goodnight, Pipsqueak. I’ll see you soon.”