She murmured, obviously still mostly asleep. “You should come back to bed.” *** “And I guess we can look at fish too,” he allowed. “Even thought that’s not why we’re going.”
He shook his head. "I don't know if you want that." *** "I think the fish are good," she said. "I like the colorful ones."
“I do,” she insisted sleepily. “And I know you like me, so just stay with me.” *** He nodded in agreement. “Have you ever seen the Mantis Shrimp?”
He frowned. "How do you know?" *** She perked up. "Mantis shrimp? I love mantis shrimp! They're colorful!"
"You told me," she murmured, slowly beginning to wake up more. "Earlier." * * * "And they're incredible. Like, you know how humans have three cones in their eyes to see color? We have a red cone, a blue cone, and a yellow cone? Yeah, mantis shrimp have thirteen. They have thirteen cones."
His hand brushed her shoulder. "I'm sorry." *** "I know!" she said excitedly. "And those pincers? Woah!"
She opened her eyes, the vivid green not suiting her sleepy state. "Why are you sorry?" * * * "They kind of scare me, though. They could kill me with one move, I'm sure."
"Because I like you," he said quietly. "And I know you're against the timers." *** "Probably," she agreed thoughtfully. "They are shrimp, after all."
She was quiet for a moment before reaching forward and tugging on his shirt to pull him down to her, kissing him lightly. * * * "And I am just a measly human. They're going to take over the world, I think."
"No," she murmured against his lips, her fingers in his hair. "But I'm half asleep, so what the hell." * * * "Well, at least they'll spare you; they'll need uniforms for world domination."
She squinted at him before letting go. “Hm. Fine. Go shower.” *** “What could I teach mantis shrimp? I only have three cones, for God’s sake.”
He hesitantly kissed her cheek before standing up, leaving the room to take a shower. *** "You could pretend," she said. "Then they wouldn't hurt you!"
She grumbled slightly before burying her face in her pillow, letting sleep overtake her once more. * * * "They have 16 cones, Cal. They'll know I'm lying."
Landon took a quick shower, changing into clean clothes in the bathroom. After he finished pulling on a plain white t-shirt, he reentered the room, brushing back his hair.
Val was still asleep on the bed, the strap of her black tank top slipping off her tattooed shoulder as she buried her face in the pillow, the blanket lying on her waist as she shifted slightly.
