Work Text:
Cleo woke with the break of dawn that morning. It was later than what she was used to here, the lull of sleep lingering a little longer with the pleasant ache in her muscles. The air was cool and gentle, early breeze kissing her furred skin like the man beneath her had. She'd never really felt this before; calm and sated and cared for, with her back turned to the threshold and yet little worry for her safety. She only realised then how much she needed that.
The rising sun had begun to trace it's golden glow over the hill, leaving the campsite in a welcomed shadow, as Cleo's finger traced the lines on Niko's chest, following the pattern of his tattoos with the soft scratch of her blunt nails. She had one leg hooked over his thick, scarred thigh, her body held close to his side by a broad arm, and his fingers resting on the small of her back. His snores were quiet, small grunts and puffs of air tickling her face, his hair splayed out beneath them. If she moved, she'd probably tug it. He wouldn't complain.
The grass was soft, so verdant and healthy for so much sun that warmed it, but it wasn't the first time either had called it their bed. Sleeping under the night sky was a necessity for the most part, but it could be magical, too. Especially in a place as beautiful as this. There wasn't a sound for miles. No birds to sing their morning song, no bustle of everyday life. The mountain hugged the space, enveloping them in it's little alcove Nikos had called home here, surrounding them with lush, sweet-smelling greenery. It was almost too peaceful, as if it did not know the violence that would take place here.
As the sky's pinks and oranges became blues, Nikos began to stir. Cleo smiled against his skin, tilting her head up just enough to see him blink away sleep.
"Morning, sunshine."
"It is morning?" said Nikos. His voice was deep and gruff, rumbling thunder under her.
"It is. Time to get up and face the day, I'm afraid."
"No, five more minutes," he grumbled, covering his eyes with a his free hand and squinting.
Cleo chuckled. She shifted her weight, letting his arm slip as she hovered over him, resting her chin in the center of his chest and her stomach on his. His arms came instinctively around her, letting the sun hit his face as the shadows receded, painting them in amber.
"Unfortunately, we've got work to do," said Cleo.
"That we do."
Nikos pressed a kiss onto her forehead, and she hummed.
"Was a good night though," Cleo grinned, shifting forward to kiss his mouth, deep and slow like the night before.
His chuckle made her shiver.
"Oh, absolutely."
The two traded kisses back and forth as the light brought them into day, the grecian sun beginning to heat the ground and the air between them.
"We should probably go find the others," Cleo said against his mouth, earning a disgruntled huff.
"You are right, you are right. We don't want the others finding us in such a… position," he said with a smirk.
Cleo laughed, her heart thudding in her chest.
"I don't think they'd mind, to be honest."
"Oh yes, I heard your little conversation with the pretty one. You wish to share me."
Cleo hummed in assent, pushing him down to lift herself up to sit by his legs.
The campsite was in as much of a state of disarray as they were, the night's festivities evident in the mess. Strewn glass bottles, few with dregs of grappa at the bottom, petals of lotus flowers crumpled or half eaten, and Shelby's staff lodged in the berry bushes.
The two ladies had stumbled their way back by the early hours, Shelby guided by an inebriated Drift, ideally to her house, but Cleo's hopes weren't as high as they were that night. If Cleo could feel a pulsing in her head this morning, the two of them must be regretting a lot.
Her eyes landed on her skirt behind them, draped over the bed that was evidently too small for both of them. She reached over Nikos and took it, pulling it over her legs and standing to fit it into place.
Cleo stretched her aching arms above her head with a groan, one still prickling from stillness, and she tilted her neck side to side, rolling her shoulders and feeling the ache loosen. She caught Niko's eye as he looked up at her from splayed out on the ground, his wanting stare raking over her unabashedly.
Cleo shook her head with a tempered smile. "We don't have time for that."
"What? I was just looking! Am I not allowed to look?" said Nikos with the brightest grin on his face.
"You're allowed to look, as long as it's just looking."
"Of course, of course, I am simply admiring beauty," he said, to Cleo's chagrin.
Rather than getting up, he leaned back on his shoulders, legs relaxed and spread, showing… everything. As inviting as it was, Cleo rolled her eyes.
"Come on, up you get."
"Fine, fine! I get up now."
Nikos heaved himself up, groaning and stretching just the same, before reaching for his shorts. Cleo ran her fingers through her tousled hair, straightening out her plaits and picking grass from her curls, her back turned to him.
"It was… a good time. But now we must get to work," he sighed.
"Yes. If you're good today, maybe you'll get another good time," said Cleo, a smile on her lips.
"Ohoho! If I am good, you say? Do I get a reward?"
"Mhm, like a good puppy."
Nikos laughed, loud and warm and eager. "I suppose I can try. To be good."
"I'm sure you can."
Cleo could hear his footsteps pad toward her before she felt his warm, calloused hands wrap around her middle, Niko's head tucked into the crook of her neck. He took a deep breath, nudging her shoulder with his nose and relaxing his weight onto hers. Cleo leaned into the touch, resting their heads together and putting her hands over his.
"Like I said, I am true to my word," Nikos spoke low into her ear, pressing a kiss to top of her jaw, which was returned with one to his lips, soft and savouring.
"I know you are."