Isellta breathed hot air on his warm, dry skin. Over and over.
But that didn’t stop him from shivering. Again and again.
He opened his eyes and stared listlessly at nothing in particular.
So warm.
My head’s warm.
My eyes are warm.
My nose is dry and warm.
My skin is warm.
My breath is too warm.
He shivered hard enough to make his teeth chatter.
But I can’t stop shivering.
That really doesn’t make sense.
He closed his eyes.
I can’t see the lines.
Another hard shiver shook him.
He moaned softly.
Why can’t I see the lines?
Robin, where are the lines?
***
Maelin stretched out on the bed as Jay took his shower. She listened to the sound of the falling water.
I could go join him.
Hmm. But it feels so good to just lie here, doing nothing.
She smiled.
Besides, it’s fun to be unpredictable.
Her smile grew.
I’ll catch him next time.
The water shut off.
She rolled over on her stomach and watched the bathroom door.
He should be coming out any second now.
Jay left the bathroom fully dressed with the exception of his socks and shoes. He grinned at her.
She stuck her lower lip out in a playful pout. “I was hoping to see more nakedness from you.”
He laughed and sat on the bed. “Sorry for the disappointment.” He started to pull his sock on.
“Wait, Jay.” She got off the bed and knelt at his feet.
“Mae. You don’t have to do that.”
“I know.” She smiled at him. “That’s why I’m doing it.”
Her long black hair fell over her shoulders as she fitted the sock around his toes.
I want to enjoy these small, nothing moments, Jay. Because they are the most precious.
Because I don’t know how many we have left.
He leaned forward and kissed the top of her head. “I love you, Mae.” he murmured into her scalp. “You fill my heart with every kiss, every touch.”
She looked up at him. “I don’t want to leave you, Jay.”
“I know.”
“I want to stay with you.”
“I know.”
“I’d love to stay with you.”
“I know you can’t.”
She smiled sadly. “But knowing doesn’t make it any easier, does it?”
He shook his head. “You’d think I’d be used to it by now.”
“But I am here, Jay. I am not leaving you yet.”
“I know.”
She resumed dressing his feet.
“Isellta did this for me too… before he…before I lost him.”
She looked up at him. “Sweetheart, it isn’t your fault.”
He hung his head. “I should have known that something like this would happen. I should have stayed with him. I should have protected him. I should have—-”
“Jay.” She set his shoe on the floor and sat next to him. “Sweetheart, there’s no way you could have known that this would happen.”
“But it did happen. And I wasn’t there.”
She laid her hand on his arm and he visibly relaxed. “After I put your shoes on, let’s pay Isellta a visit.”
He raised his head.
She smiled. “Just to make sure Preyuna isn’t abusing the heck out of him.”
He nodded. “I’d like that.”
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