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Falling asleep

The first night they spent together they slept on a plane, actually, she did not sleep at all. She had never slept well away from home, now that she will need to revisit her concept of home, the murmur in her mind won’t let her rest. Not even when Hannibal fell asleep holding her hand and she forgot about being somewhere miles away from the land. She watched a movie, then spent most of the time admiring the sky changing colors and observing Hannibal's features who looked so relaxed. When he woke, she was still staring at him lost in her thoughts, he smiled at her and was about to say something but was interrupted by the steward who asked if they wanted some something to drink. Bedelia gladly accepted, she needed something strong to not pass out at the gate.

The second night together, when they arrived at a small hotel, she gave herself just the time of a shower and then fell asleep on the bed. Her sleep didn’t last long, a voice was calling her. “I’m sorry but we have to go”. In the first lights of the morning, they get to a train station. The passengers were few and the train had only five minutes of delay. She wanted to talk to him about something but her mind was telling her that this wasn’t the right time. The landscape flowed out of the window showing green forest and mountains; she realized she must have fallen asleep at some point. When she woke up, still a bit fuzzy, Hannibal was covering her with his jacket. “Are you all right?” she asked. He was surprised by her question and smiled with that genuine smile she’s discovering every day a bit more. “Yes, I am” He answered caressing her cheek. “Are you? You were talking in your sleep”.

That…that was something that used to happen when she was younger, her mother was the first to make her notice it, usually words without sense, she stopped worrying about it living alone. From the look on his face, it didn’t seem she had said anything compromising. She tried to go back to sleep but she went up and out of sleep, which was worst. When she decided to get up for a little walk to stretch her legs, Hannibal was the one sleeping, she carefully placed his jacket on him as a duvet. When she came back he was already awake.

Once arrived, they rent a car, driving in the countryside Hannibal announced they’d make some quick stops before arriving in the City. Bedelia thought this was his way to muddy the waters in case anyone was looking for them there. They stopped at a hotel, a place that looked perfect if you don’t want questions. He booked two rooms, she was glad he did so, hers was clean with a little sofa and pillows that looked comfortable but the bed was tiny, too small for two people who were not… what were they? She still had to figure it out. Boundaries were always a big issue around him. Maybe they should talk before leaving again. She knocked at his door. When Hannibal opened his bare chest distracted her for a moment, he wasn’t wearing any shoes, she heard the sound of water running. “Am I interrupting you?” “Not at all, come in. I was just about to taking a shower to remove all the dust I collected in the basement I discovered near the kitchen behind the reception. Can you believe this place has actually some hidden treasure? I found some good wine we can share, let me…” “No, go I’ll wait here” He stared at her, she had his complete attention, she looked tired and uncomfortable, he decided to give her a bit of time to recollect her thoughts. “Have a glass in the meantime so you can tell me what you think of it”. When he came back, two full untouched glasses were on the table, Bedelia was asleep on the sofa. Hannibal tried to take her in his arms, with her eyes still closed and tenuous voice, tightening the grip on his bathrobe she stopped him. “Can I stay?” “Of course, I’ll tuck you into bed.” “No, the bed is yours, let me here, please”. He sighed, so stubborn even in her sleep. He fetched a blanket and let her rest on the little couch.

The following night they shared the same room, it had a wonderful view; they spent most of the evening at the window watching the night sky, playing with the constellation and their stories. Her father was the first to show her the stars, he used to call her in the garden when a planet would be so bright to be seen from earth. It was one of their little things, even when they didn't talk too much. “You should rest, it’ll help to heal your wounds faster” Bedelia gently caressed a cut on his arm. “Would you join me?” “I’ll stay here just a few more moments”. From the bed, he stared at her immersed in the silver light of the moon, until sleep had the best on him. He wondered if she slept at all because when he woke up she was already up. At breakfast, he didn’t ask about the tiredness in her voice or the redness in her eyes.

In the afternoon they finally arrived at what would have been their accommodation for a little longer, it looked much more comfortable than the previous, with a proper kitchen, a living room, a bedroom and one big bed. After dinner, he left her to arrange some final details.

Late that night he found her half sleepy on the couch. He took her in his arms and brought her to bed. She tried to protest saying that she was comfortable but he held her tighter. “You need a proper night of sleep.” His warm chest and strong arm sent a calm feeling through her body “I’ll take the couch this time” he whispered in her ear, tucking the blankets.

“Good morning.” When she woke up the next morning, Hannibal was watching her from a chair near the bed, her vision needed a few moments to adjust to the light. “I was beginning to worry.” “What time is it?” “You slept a lot. You looked exhausted. It could happen when you try to avoid something.” His words hung in the silence. “Are you trying to avoid me, doctor?”

She was taken aback by his question. “No” she whispered “No?” He didn’t look upset, he had that questioning smile on his face. “Taking a plane with someone to the other side of the world is not exactly my definition of avoiding someone”. He got up from the chair to sit on the bed next to her. “Still, something is troubling you” It wasn’t a question. “I’m” she sighed. “I’m not so used to this” “This?” He asked curiously, caressing her hand. “Sharing”. They always say your life is better if you have someone to share it with but she had lived most of her life alone and she had done it pretty well until…him. Now everything was overwhelming and new. “Is new a bad thing?” he asked genuinely interested to discover everything that was going on in her mind. “No” she was calmer now “Old and new could blur into each other, it’s what we make of that experience that will influence our way of feeling it” she recited remembering something she had told to a patient in what felt like a lifetime ago. “What do you think if we start today sharing a walk?” “It sounds lovely”. Kissing her temple he left to let her change, she still wondered how something that can be so deadly could feel so tender on her skin.

The city was beautiful, under the clear sky, when he took her hand it felt so natural walking side by side.

That night, when she emerged from the bathroom, he was comfortable in bed. “What are you reading?” she asked standing in the doorway. “It’s a collection of letters and ancient love poems. Isn’t it fascinating how the world change but some things keep remaining the same?”. “Despite cliché, human nature will probably always be one of the most complicated mystery”. “Can I read something to you?” “I'd love to.” She got on the bed, he offered her his arm to get closer. One arm holding the book and the other wrapping Bedelia near his chest. He read until he felt her breath becoming more regular, he set the book on the nightstand and was about to get up when she reached his arm. “Stay”.

The moon silently observed as they tenderly fell asleep, safely wrapped in each other arms.

@electric-couple prompt ‘sharing a bed’