She laughed triumphantly, slipping her shirt back on. “Ha! I win!” *** “Oh, I see. The intimacy.” *** He wasn’t there.
"Are you... decent?" he asked, the flush still evident on his face. *** "Yes," she said. "Intimacy. As you say." *** She frowned. "Ellis?"
"Repulsive? Absolutely not. I respect you." *** "Very," she said. "I love you." *** She turned around curiously.
“Sounds like you don’t think I’m attractive.” *** “Mm. I love you.” *** Ellis was on the bed with Moose in his arms.
"I do! I just.. don't think I have the right. To see.. You." *** She rested her head on his shoulder, taking his hand and intertwining their fingers. *** She looked confused, but went to her desk and opened one of the drawers. "How did you do that?"
She seemed amused, taking his hands away. “Why not?” *** He kissed the back of her hand. “We should brush our teeth.” *** “I’m very sneaky. Also, you keep your windows unlocked.
He tilted his head. "Because.. I don't know. Would you really be okay with it?" *** She nodded in agreement. "Yeah. My toothbrush is at my house." *** She laughed, pulling out an instant camera and turning to face him. "Would you smile? I want to remember this moment."
She laughed slightly, but she sounded a little sadder. “Of you seeing me in a bra and pants? Di, people I dislike a lot more have seen me in a lot less.” *** “I have an extra. Hold on.” *** He looked curious before smiling awkwardly.
He looked curious before pursing his lips. "Can I see the tattoos then?" *** She nodded, getting up. His shirt was large on her small frame, but she seemed comfortable in it. *** She paused. "Or you can make any face. Whatever is comfortable."
She considered him for a moment before pulling off her shirt again. A fox curled around her navel, nestled in a crescent moon, his tail moving up her body. Berries traveled along her ribs with small script next to them. “Poisonous,” one read. “Prime jam-berries,” read another. *** He offered a hand to her. *** He paused before sticking his tongue out at her.
He observed, his head tilted as he looked. *** She took it, her eyes bright. *** A grin crossed her face as she raised the camera, and it flashed as she took to picture of him and Moose.
She flushed under his gaze, leaning back against the pillows embarrassedly. She had identified bird feathers along her hip, their names in a cursive print. *** He brought her to the bathroom and started rooting through the cabinets, looking for toothbrushes. * * * "Do we look good?"
He leaned forward. "I recognize some of these feathers." *** She looked around curiously, as if trying to learn more about him by his house. *** She looked at the developing photo. "Let's see.." After a moment a small smile crossed her face. "..You look wonderful."
She shifted uncomfortably, but she looked up at him lovingly. "Do you?" * * * It was very organized and clean, with things put away in cabinets and boxes. "Here," he said, offering her one. * * * "Do I?" he asked amusedly. "I'm sure that's not true."
He nodded. "Yeah. I like the tattoos." *** She took it. "Thank you." *** She looked up at him before pinning it on the wall at her desk. "Well I love it."
"I'm glad," she said, looking up at him. "I don't show them to people often." * * * He nodded, grabbing his toothbrush as well. * * * He sat up slightly, holding Moose in his arms. "Good!"
He reached up and kissed her cheek. *** She brushed her teeth, standing beside him. *** She looked back at him, her expression adoring as she she joined him on the bed, wrapping her arms around his waist.
She reached up, cupping his jaw with her hands as she kissed his mouth. * * * He poked her cheek as he brushed his teeth. * * * Moose was between them, licking Blaise's face.
He smiled against her lips. "I love you." *** She paused, looking over at him. *** She grinned, hugging them both.
