Elevator: Chance Encounter

Swept in Whimsy

As my eyes gradually flutter open, I emit a soft groan, feeling the remnants of a satisfying nap. Gazing around, I notice the TV still on, and my head comfortably cradled on something warm. In my semi-conscious state, I lower my gaze and discern a green hoodie beneath me. It dawns on me that I'm not resting on a pillow; rather, it's Lloyd. His hands are gently wrapped around my waist, and my head is nestled against his chest. I realize he's peacefully asleep. Panic sets in as I fully awaken—what should I do now?

Despite the rapid thumping of my heart, a strange sense of tranquillity envelops me. I find myself examining Lloyd's face from this close proximity—his long lashes, envy-worthy brows with a perfect arch, and, above all, the serenity that graces his features as he emits soft breaths in his slumber.

As I cautiously attempt to rise, Lloyd unexpectedly tightens his hold around me, causing my escape mission to flop miserably. A sleepy groan escapes him, his face twitching briefly before returning to its peaceful state. In that moment, I can't help but acknowledge that I'm caught in a bit of a pickle. To add a touch of absurdity to the situation, Espresso saunters into view, steps over me, and settles down on my back as if claiming a throne. Are you kidding me?

As I succumb to the unpredictable whims of fate, I choose to linger, sprawled atop Lloyd, with Espresso conveniently joining our unconventional hotdog stacking experiment. In this serene moment, I become attuned to the rhythmic cadence of Lloyd's heartbeat, anticipating the instant he rouses from his slumber. Lost in thought, I ponder the enigma of his sleep habits—does he retreat early to bed, or does he embrace the night? The looming questions extend to the morning: will he emerge swift and ready or transform into a non-functional zombie? The answers, on the verge of revelation, heighten the intrigue of this tranquil interlude.

As time elapses, I discern the subtle movements of Lloyd, who stirs and reaches to rub the sleep from his eyes. In a deep, drowsy voice, he muses to himself, "Man, never have I had such a sleep like this." His morning voice is unexpectedly alluring—truly a delightful treat. I inquire, "Nice sleep?" His squinted eyes widen, and as they meet mine, he pauses momentarily before releasing a sheepish laugh. "Oh, you bet," he admits, and I can't help but chuckle in response, adding, "Me too."

I skilfully wrangle Espresso from behind my back and relocate him to another spot on the couch. Liberated from Lloyd's robust embrace, I take a moment to disentangle myself. As I glance down, I'm greeted by the chaotic masterpiece that is Lloyd's tousled hair—truly a sight to behold. Unable to contain my amusement, I let out a laugh, drawing Lloyd's attention. With a curious "hmm?" from him, I point out the delightful disarray of his hair.

"Your hair is all over the place," I remark, to which he responds with a hearty laugh. "Yeah, with a sleep like that, I'd expect nothing less," he concedes. In a playful turn, he observes my own unruly locks and teases, "Your hair is also crazy." I groan in mock despair, exclaiming, "Great, now you've seen this side of me." Lloyd, undeterred, delivers a compliment that catches me off guard: "I like it, wouldn't mind seeing it more." I freeze momentarily, my mind racing to interpret his words. Is he suggesting what I think he is?

Lloyd smoothly transitions the conversation, his playful demeanour evident. "So, any plans for today?" he asks, running a hand through his wild hair. I shake off my momentary lapse and ponder on that thought. I've finished all my schoolwork, and it's a Saturday, so technically, no plans. I respond with a casual "Nah, not much is going on. At most, I have to buy Espresso his cat essentials."

Lloyd grins and says, "How about I come with you? I could help you out, and I know you still want to hang out with me," in that silly little tone of his. I playfully retort, "Are you sure it's not the opposite way around, Lloyd? But anyhow, yes, please. Your assistance would be great, and you could hold all the bags for me." I give him a mischievous grin, and he replies, "You know, maybe I'm good..." I interrupt with a teasing tone, "No take backs!"

I playfully shove Lloyd towards the staircase, directing him, "Alright, Lloyd, head upstairs to the bathroom on the right. There are some spare toiletries in the guest cabinet. I'll whip up some breakfast while you get ready." Without waiting for his potential protest, I swiftly retreat, hearing a resigned sigh as he ascends the stairs to prepare for the day.

Mentally preparing to cook after the chaos of last night, I notice Espresso's emerald eyes tracking my every move. I set a small bowl of milk for him, and he eagerly devours it while I capture a few snapshots. Ready to tackle the kitchen, I opt for a classic breakfast of eggs and bacon, thankfully navigating the process with ease.

Lloyd descends the stairs looking refreshed, and he comments, "Smells fantastic. I'm starving, no joke." I chuckle, adding a light-hearted touch, "Well, they do say that the way to a person's heart is through their stomach. Lucky for you, I've got culinary skills up my sleeve." Lloyd smirks, "Must be my lucky day," and we join forces to set the table, indulging in the food like Espresso did with his milk.

Midway through the meal, Lloyd compliments, "This is delicious, Y/n." I wink, injecting a hint of playful banter, "Just a sneak peek of what I'm capable of. I've got a few tricks left to reveal," accompanied by a mischievous grin. Lloyd raises an eyebrow, "Oh, really? Now I'm intrigued," and I lean in closer, whispering, "Well, you'll just have to stick around to uncover the mysteries." We share a light-hearted laugh, and Espresso, sensing the lively atmosphere, gently paws at Lloyd's hand for a bacon treat. Lloyd indulges him, and I jest, "Already spoiling him? What about me?" Lloyd smirks, "You're next in line, I promise," leaving a tantalizing promise lingering in the air.

As we wrap up our meal, Lloyd insists on taking care of the dishes, claiming that since I cooked, he should handle the clean-up. After a bit of playful banter, I acquiesce and perch myself on the kitchen counter, legs dangling, while Lloyd tackles the plates. The domestic scene unfolds with a touch of romance, and for a moment, it feels like we're playing house, building a cosy world of our own.

Caught in a whimsical reverie, I imagine a future where Lloyd and I navigate the complexities of parenthood, sharing laughter and joy with our little ones. The image is so vivid that I have to shake my head, dispelling the enchanting daydream. But the warmth lingers.

Unable to resist the opportunity to tease Lloyd, I playfully bring up the earlier mention of dreams and kisses. "Hey, Lloyd, remember that dream kiss you mentioned? Well, guess what? I just had a dream – you know what that implies, right?" I wiggle my eyebrows mischievously, trying to inject a playful spark into the conversation. Lloyd pauses his dishwashing, arching an eyebrow in curiosity. "Is this our new dynamic?" he questions, and I innocently reply, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Suddenly, Lloyd turns around, placing his hands on the counter, effectively trapping me in a spontaneous, yet intimate, gesture. His gaze locks onto mine, and in that moment, the air between us crackles with unspoken possibilities, leaving me breathless and intrigued.