I approach the side of the bed where Rafe lays waiting for me. "Can I sleep on this side tonight?" I ask, fiddling with the strings of my pajama pants. "Yeah sure," he nods, scooching over for me. I plug my phone in and smile as he opens his arms for me.
Before I fall into his embrace, I ask again, "I set my alarm for 7 tomorrow, I know it's early but I have to help my dad is that ok?" I can see his eyebrows slightly furrow in the dark as he says quickly, "yeah of course baby-"
"Oh and can I turn the fan on I-"
"Baby," he says a bit loud. I sit on the bed and pause as I stare at him. He touches my arm, "you don't have to like ask me to do anything, yeah?" I tilt my head, his blue eyes somehow visible in the dim moonlight.
"I know I just... I know you like things a certain way.."
It's almost as if his heart breaks as I speak. "I'm... I'm not your dad I'm your boyfriend, you do whatever you want," he says quietly and assuringly, stroking my arm.
"Yeah," I agree. I crawl into his arms as I realize he does have a point. I do seem to kind of tiptoe around him. I lay my head on his chest and he wraps his strong arms around me.
"babydoll can I ask you something?"
"mhm"
"Do I scare you?"
I look up at him, then prop myself on my arm to make eye contact. "No, no of course not." He cups my cheek, tucking hair behind my ear. "I-I know I'm... rough... sometimes but I don't want you to feel like you gotta be careful around me."
I place my hand on his chest, caressing his skin as I assure, "I know." He nods, sniffing then scratching his nose. "I'm not...controlling, right?" He questions further. "Not at all," I answer, partially lying. He knows this. "I just love you so much, I wanna look out for you," he says, confirming to me, and I guess himself too.
I nod, kissing him sweetly as he welcomes me back into his embrace. Our bodies tangle together and he places his hand on my head as if to shield me from something. "I'm always gonna take care of you," he adds, and I feel his voice vibrate in his chest underneath me.
I squeeze him tightly in agreement, kissing over his heart twice. I wanted to say thank you, but something about that response seems obligatory, so I opt for physical repayment. I lean up and kiss his cheek, keeping my lips there for an extra few seconds.
•••
short but sweet... i think
💋
-MJ
