Word count: 600
Summary: After the guild trip to the hot springs, Attzi enjoys some warmth back at home.
Warnings: ...Fluff
@daily-writing-challenge
Attzi was resting on her bed, knees up, using her legs as a makeshift desk as she scribbled the day’s summary down into her notebook. Her tiny Everlook room felt very different than her home in Booty Bay; instead of salt air and the constant sound of waves, there was the silence of thick walls insulated by snow. Her bed was covered in a thick, fluffy duvet which didn’t match the flannel sheets underneath. On the far wall, a shelf held more books than was likely safe, as well as a few tattered plushies. A box by the door had half-finished projects she’d practiced with as a child in the family lab. The floor had a thick, but well-worn rug, faintly stained from art supply mishaps. Even the pajamas she was wearing were comfortably faded.
Being here didn’t make her feel like a kid again, but it did make her feel comfortable. Her home had always been a safe place to both live in, and come back to. Honestly, as old as she was, her parents could have easily converted it to a guest bedroom by now, but they had never even suggested it. Attzi knew that if necessary her room would be waiting, and her parents would be glad to have her for as long as she needed.
She was about halfway through describing being knocked off the fallen log during their snowball fight for the third time when a soft tapping sounded at her window. She tucked her pen behind her ear and clambered off the bed, taking the two steps necessary to get to the window. Pushing back the insulating curtain, she grinned at the familiar face on the other side of the glass.
Attzi pushed the window open. “Ya made it!”
“Hello again, love.”
“How was the rest a th’ social?”
She stepped aside to allow Kappi room to climb in, which he did with far more grace than she ever had managed. He turned and shut the window behind him, then looked around the room with interest.
“It was uneventful,” he replied. “A bit more talking around the fire, and then we decided it was late enough.”
“Well, all ya missed on my end was me scarin’ the fel outta Ma ‘cause I snuck in through my own window outta nostalgia.”
He stifled a laugh, looking toward the door. She grinned at him and gestured grandly at her little room.
“Welcome ta my childhood. If ya wanna get settled, I’m almost done with my notes.”
“Take your time.”
He set his pack down on a free bit of floor and began getting out of his snow gear. Attzi returned to the bed and kept writing. By now, Kappi was used to giving her time to write every night, and time to read over her notes every morning, so she didn’t feel rushed by his being there. She filled out another full page of shorthand before finally shutting the notebook with a snap and turning her attention to her companion.
Kappi was down to a shirt and shorts, standing by her bookshelf and idly browsing the titles. She hopped off the bed and walked up behind him, wrapping her arms around his middle and resting her chin on his shoulder. “Didja really haveta brush up against my legs like that in front a Burnie? I think he thought ya grabbed my ass underwater.”
Kappi chuckled. “Sorry. I could not resist.”
She kissed his cheek. “We’re supposed ta be professional around coworkers.”
“And I believe we usually are.” He tilted his head and smirked at her.
Attzi giggled and pulled away, taking him by the shoulder and heading for bed. “C’mon. I’m sleepy an’ I wanna cuddle.”
He followed without protest.
Her bed was barely big enough for both of them, but once they were settled in under the covers and she had her forehead pressed to his chest, one arm draped across his waist, it was cozy and warm. It wasn’t like they needed much space, anyway, with how they slept. Attzi stifled a yawn and closed her eyes, hooking a leg with one of his and enjoying the feeling of having Kappi close. Somehow, it made her childhood safe space feel even safer.
