"In a good way, right?" he asked. He was still wearing his clothes from earlier today, a sign that he didn't care enough to change out of them earlier. Pulling some pajamas out, he went to the bathroom door. "I'll be right back."
He disappeared into the bathroom for a minute or two before returning. Sliding into bed next to her, he sighed, finally able to relax.
She opened one eye to look at him as he joined her, a slight smile crossing her face. Turning onto her side, she nuzzled her nose into his neck, her arms curling between his shoulder and her chest, and sighed. "Welcome back," she said wryly, closing her eyes again.
"I love you too," she replied softly. She sighed contentedly, feeling like everything was back in place. "Goodnight."
He closed his eyes, his head resting on top of hers. It didn't take long for him to fall asleep, and soon his breathing slowed and he drifted off.
Poppy stayed awake for a long time, listening to his steady heartbeat. She looked down at her hand, at the ring resting on her finger, and she was unable to suppress the smile that crossed her face. "I really love you, you know that?" she said to the sleeping Francis, knowing that he couldn't hear her. She sighed, turned her head into his chest, and gradually fell asleep, her arms holding his close to her.
The initial sadness that Poppy had fallen asleep with weighed down on her as she awoke. She shifted, before suddenly feeling his arm over her. Her eyes flew open, and she looked up to see his face. It hasn't been a dream born from despair and loneliness. Her gaze studied his features; the way his mouth set in sleep; the way his arm rested over her, strong and sure; the way his hair, scruffy and unruly, fell over his closed eyes. Her eyes shifted to her own hand, curled against his chest, and she inhaled deeply at the sight of the ring. It was real. Last night was real.
(So frickin cute) He shifted slightly, his grasp loosening as he readjusted his arm in his sleep. He brought a hand to his face and rubbed his eyes, trying to wake himself up.
She buried her head in his chest and inhaled deeply. Her leg lightly brushed his, and she turned her head to look up at him. "You're still here," she said with a voice that reflected her disbelief.
"Mmph.. Why wouldn't I be?" His voice was still rough from sleep. He looked down at her, his eyes still tired. "I mean... This is my room," he said, his tone playful.
"I don't know," she said, leaning her head against his collarbone. "I guess I was worried that I would wake up in my own room." Her hands slipped up his shoulders and her fingers grazed the back of his neck. "Maybe I imagined last night."
"I would hope last night wasn't a wild imagination. Everything got better last night, y'know?" He brushed back a lock of her hair.
