forthebothofus | [ 05 ] [ Commentlog

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[ 05 ] [ Commentlog | ATTN: Zachariah ]

[It was rare for Abeni to sleep so soundly, and yet in the Stables loft, on the pile of straw she'd called her bed for the past few months, Abeni was having the best sleep she'd had in a long time.

Exhaustion was perhaps the reason, or maybe that she was finally starting to relax, even just a little. Knowing that her partner was right there beside her was a comfort in itself. Abeni didn't think she would rest even a quarter as well as she did without him around. Of course, she left him the option to go as he pleased, but was quietly grateful when he did not.

This night there were no nightmares, no sounds to wake her, and she would make the most of it.]

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[For a short while she lay still, drifting off again and making the most of her new pillow. It was nice to be held, nice to have someone there. Nice, and a little bit odd.

Odd enough to, however belatedly, trigger a response in the depths of her mind and wake her.

As realization of what was going on kicked its way into her bleary mind, Abeni tensed.]

...Zack?

Um...hi?

[He smiles nervously at her and tenses as she does.]

Um.

[For once in her life, Abeni was completely baffled. She blinked, frowning as she started to shift away from him, only to pause mid motion to look at him.]

What's going on..?

[And why was it all so comfortable. Awkward, just a little, but comfortable.]

Well um...

[That's a very good question.]

We were uh, sleeping and I woke up and were kinda cuddling against me and I didn't want to wake you and uh...yeah.

[That still doesn't explain why he put his arm around her and began stroking her hair but hopefully she won't ask that.]

S-sorry.

[And his face is turning red.]

[The words voiced and the realization that her hand and leg were still right where they'd been before she woke only threw Abeni even more off guard.]

Wait.

[Had he said 'cuddling'? Surely Abeni heard that wrong. Her brow curved to a confused frown.]

I don't... cuddle.

[Yeah. Sure. Keep telling yourself that, Abeni.]

...At least I didn't think I did.

Oh. Okay.

[He pauses for a moment.]

So what are we doing then?

[Abeni frowns, fails to come up with an answer and... slumps. He's right. She knows he's right.]

Don't... tell anyone.

[Agitated? Yes. But even so, she doesn't move away.]

It's cold out.

My lips are sealed.

[No sense on being on the receiving end of Abeni's bad side. Besides, he kinda likes this.]

Yeah, I think I'm done with winter now.

Mm.

[She smiles at that. It's faint, but definitely there. Abeni doesn't know why she's smiling, or why she hasn't moved away. Warmth, she'll tell herself, even if it's only half true.]

Does this happen often?

[The question is really bugging her. For all Abeni knows, she's been a complete cuddle whore for years and never realized.]

If it does I haven't noticed it.

[As far back as he can remember they really haven't slept together before. If one was asleep then another was keeping watch. This only happened because he went so long without any sleep at all.]

Right.

[It made sense. For a moment she was quiet, still settled against him while she tried to get her thoughts in order. This was a one off thing that neither intended and that would be the end of it, right? So why hadn't she moved.

Suddenly very aware of where she was and what they were still doing, Abeni voiced her next question.]

You uh, want me to move?

No no you're fine.

[Riah tried not to blush again as he was pretty sure he said that a little too fast, but this was such a nice moment that he didn't want to end it so soon.]

Unless you want to move anyway.

[Abeni also found his response a little too fast. She shifted a little, closer again and, head on his chest, glanced up at him. A smile pulled at her lips.]

You're blushing.

[And now he was blushing even more. He immediately looked down at his foot as he tried not to look her in the eyes.

Way to act like a damn fool Zachariah.]

I uh...it's just...um....

[And he's really not helping himself here either.]

[She spares him her gaze and settles in again.]

How longs it been?

[Good looking guy like him is sure to have girls chasing him everywhere. Abeni can't help but wonder what's up.]

[Zachariah blinks.]

Since...what?

[She manages not to laugh. His innocence is cute. Abeni takes care to keep the question tone casual.]

Since you were this close to a girl?

Oh...oh.

[And there went his face again. If she kept this up he was going to be redder than a tomato.]

I uh...a-about...seven years...

[Those were a long seven years too.]

...Oh. Well. I uh.

[Whoops. It's still a surprise to hear, though the more she thinks on it, the more sense it makes.]

I guess now you can restart at least one of those counters.

[She's not blushing. Not really. But Abeni does feel a hint of embarrassment for putting him on the spot like she has. After a pause, she continues.]

And uh, about three years. Just to even things out a bit.

Guess uh, guess I can.

[It was right about then it hit him. Abeni, his partner, his best friend, was a woman, and she was lying on his chest right now. Suddenly things were very confusing, and when things got confusing for Zachariah he tried not to think about them, so he decided to turn the attention on her.]

Three years since you've been this close to a woman?

[He finally looked down at her and smirked mischievously.]

[She laughed at that, glancing up at him again to arch an eyebrow and smirk right back.]

Yes.

[Zachariah's smug smirk disappeared pretty quickly when she said that and his eyes went wide.]

Wait really?

[And then he thought about what she had just said.]

Wait did you just call me a woman?

[Aside from the small smirk that lingered on her lips, Abeni was the image of mock seriousness.]

No.

[Pause. She grinned, the action a rare thing in itself.]

And yes.

[Zachariah tried to look annoyed but it wasn't happening. He was far too busy smiling at her to do so.]

I just can't win against you can I?

[That seemed to be a common theme in his life.]

[He smile faded a little and Abeni flopped again.]

No. Someday though.

[It was Abeni's turn to shut off her brain and seek distraction. This whole moment was far too comfortable for what was happening. She couldn't remember the last time she felt as she did right now.]

Maybe.

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