Lacuna

Chapter 26

Kahli could feel the warmth of the sun's rays on her eyelids, but she wasn't ready to open her eyes just yet. She stretched her legs out and her calves brushed against Arlo's legs. She moved her legs until they were intertwined with his. Arlo's arm moved around her, and she snuggled against him. He nuzzled her neck, and she sighed.

"Hey," she said softly. "Morning."

"I wish it wasn't." He kissed her neck, sending a chill up her spine.

Kahli turned over to face him and met his gaze. "Me too."

He pressed his lips against hers for a soft moment before pulling away again. Through the closed window, she could hear Star's whinny, desperate for her breakfast. Kahli sighed and pressed her forehead against Arlo's.

"My fat horse is hungry," she murmured.

Arlo chuckled softly. "I wish we could stay here all day."

Kahli kissed him, then sat up and yawned, stretching her arms over her head. She swung her legs over the bed, then hurried across the room to grab her clothes, muttering "cold, cold, cold" the whole time until she was dressed in her jeans and a t-shirt. She turned around and met Arlo's gaze. She blushed and smiled.

"Uh. Coffee?" She paused in thought. "I think I have coffee."

"Sure."

She pulled her hoodie off a nearby chair, pulling it over her head, then trotted quickly downstairs and into the kitchen where she started the coffee. Arlo emerged fully dressed when it was ready, and she offered him a mug. She heard Star's whinny again and she rolled her eyes.

"I swear I don't starve her. Dramatic pig." She leaned against the counter and sipped at her coffee, letting the steam warm her face. "You know, I just realized something. We got all our firsts out of the way in less than a week."

Arlo considered this. "I guess so."

"That's gotta be a record."

He smirked behind his mug as he took a sip.

"Is that too fast?"

"It's not like we met a week ago," he pointed out.

"Right." Kahli nodded. "We've known each other like... almost a year." She blinked at her coffee. "Holy crap, I've been here almost a year. It's time for me to jump ship." Star whinnied again. Kahli finished her coffee quickly, placed the mug hard back on the counter, then moved to the window, throwing it open and leaning out. "I'm coming, fatass! Jeez! Shut up!"

Star had her neck stretched out over the fence, her ears pinned back as she snapped at Spacer, who seemed to regard her with confusion.

"Leave Spacer alone," she hissed. "He's not a loud mouth like you are. Maybe you could learn something from him." She closed the window and sighed. "I guess I should give Her Highness her breakfast."

Arlo threw his jacket over his shoulders and followed her outside toward the barn. He cooed to Spacer, patting his nose as Kahli threw Star some hay.

"You know," Kahli started, speaking to Star from over the fence as she grazed. "You won't die if you don't get breakfast at the ass crack of dawn." She sat on the fence and faced Arlo with a grin. "Leaving me?"

He moved to her and kissed her. "Only for a little bit."

"Sure, sure," she said. "Don't get into too much trouble."

His gaze narrowed on her. "I should be saying that about you."

"Come on," she said. "When was the last time I took on a hoard of bandirats?"