morning.
@daemonusdea
That anger sat over her for most of the night, pettiness sunken into the crevices of every inch of her being. To be reduced to a bed companion for nightmare comforting was so fucking embarrassing. Uncomfortable, awkward, writhing in her skin at the indignity of it all. She was a Goddess who slaughtered thousands– not a snuggle buddy.
It was all she could do when he still couldn’t manage to settle, and thus kept her blaringly awake. God damn it fucking hell– this was the first and last time she stayed overnight with him. The only thoughts to brew around her head in her miserable state while he fidgeted around in his spot. None of her concern…
…She fucking wished. Rover had made it her immediate concern when he began inching towards her. By the time she’d caught on, it was already too late. He’d snared her within a blink of her lone eye, a rabbit trap of two arms pulling her frigid corpse of a body tight to his– all burning, all rigid. She’s as tense as a loaded spring, not enough time to grab her sword…he skates so precisely under her neck and it’s almost more than she can handle right there not to snap. The overwhelming sensation has her breathing roughly through her teeth, hands shaking, and as she’s pulled skin to skin, a rush of goosebumps bloom with a shiver.
She lets out a quick breath. As soon as he himself settles down once again, she finds she’s able to quell the panic that had rattled her. His raw voice mumbles near her ear, freezing her in her spot. He was finally, finally resting. But how could she relax now?…Could she relax? Could she allow herself that? Well, not truly. Not in such a close situation, as nice as it felt…her head tucked onto his shoulder, the warmth seeping into her tired, cold bones. Why did he have to do this?…
Zero curls just gently, at least letting her arms relax. She’d stay here for the night if he’d wanted, but scant sleep would be had on her part. Too busy keeping vigilant on the situation, a sick obsessive brain that could never drop old habits formed from days she still lived. Studying and observing her companion, simply resting her eye for moments here and there. Funny how the anger disappeared entirely like this, out of his view. No need for pretense or the guise of someone untouchably cold and vicious, she could do as she pleased. The scars were bared, his face in full view…and her finger raises to fleetingly brush with skittish strokes against his skin. Testing the waters. The bridge of his nose, the cut of his jaw, over the implant in his throat, all scrutinized under the carefully featherlight touch of her finger.
A fleeting moment of that, and it was gone. She’d find herself staying there until sometime after dawn, hours of silently watching, listening to his heartbeat and steady breathing, chest rising and falling. Alive. It’s this that pricks her nerves, something squirming in her chest at the thought. It was best not to dwell there. So gingerly does she remove herself from his arms, a slow process in order not to wake him in his deepened slumber. It should be fine now, shouldn’t it? Or– whatever. It wasn’t her problem…
She pads back out to the couch, returning to her original spot, back to her position of curling up with her sword. Just as if the night hadn’t happened at all. And unfortunately, her sleep stays in the realm of half-consciousness, stirred at the drop of a pin, but more when Rover begins to stir again. As he does, she keeps to her show of feigning sleep, just for peace’s sake.
Huh. It was late morning. Late morning. Rover sat up confused in his bed, gazing out of his window at the light filtering into his room. What the f-- He looked around for something, anything to give him an inclination of how the fuck he slept so well last night. His watch had a notification; Looper, asking if he was coming into work today. Rover let it sit for a while, before replying with a simple “No.”
Looper could handle running the business for today. He was going to relish this good night’s rest.
Then he remembered. Zero was in his apartment. She must have gone back to her room last night after forcing him back to bed. It would be better for him to be quiet this morning, she must have been more exhausted than he was.
“Vis,” he whispered, “start the coffee and the fireplace, please.” He excused himself from bed and put on a loose flannel shirt and a pair of sweatpants. Maybe I should get a cat. The scent of coffee began to filter through the apartment as he brushed his teeth. His morning routine felt a little more... calming. He’d done so much of this before first light, the bright neon and LED lights from Leviathan was what he saw when he did this. He performed some light maintenance on his facial hair and washed his face, preparing himself to deal with Zero.
Rover stepped out into the living room, looking at Zero attempting to seem like she’s sleeping. He’d let her try and deceive him a little longer, maybe get some vestige of rest. He entered the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee as quietly as possible, turning on the hard-light screen in the island and taking a look at local news. Nothing’s ever interesting around here. I’d trade my job to never have to hear about who married who ever again.
He set out another mug in the event that Zero wanted coffee that morning, but that was all he did; content to surf the internet until she decided to grace him with her presence. He stole a glance at her, observing her face for a moment. She looked almost... beautiful peaceful, like a normal person just taking a nap on a couch save for the sword she cradled. Oh well. She'll be back to normal soon.