if you're still taking ficlet prompts aims, #33. Waking Up Together/Nightmares - Monkleya !! <3
33 - Waking Up Together/Nightmares
It's not the first time that Kleya's woken up alone. It is the first time that she's done so with the expectation that someone should be at her side.
Mon's half-turned towards the glowing lights outside of their bedroom window, the right side of her head pressed up against the glass. It's only when Kleya moved the blankets off her legs that Mon's eyes cut away and met hers in the soft moonlight that's spilled inside.
"I woke you."
Kleya's used to martyrdom from Mon. Years ago, it was a trait that she and Luthen had spoken about over breakfast, eager and anticipatory in when and how to push that feature of Mon's, enough to pull the wool over the Empire's eyes.
Now, hearing it in the low timber of Mon's voice only made her roll her eyes.
"Your refusal to turn up the heating did."
It was summer on Chandrila, the hottest in a long while, apparently. Neither of them mentioned this.
She joined Mon at the window just in time to see her thin, barely there smile, fall away into a sigh.
The anticipation was solemn. Kleya knew better than to let it linger. After years of soft smiles and stones and knives at throats, both of them were more than content to let the other keep their thoughts close to their chest.
Vel had called them both stubborn. Kleya had remarked that it must be something of a family trait.
The tip of her toes brushed against the soft cotton of Mon's slippers.
"Bad dreams?"
Mon met her gaze. "I walked past Leida at the marketplace in Hadne's Square today."
Kleya blinked back her surprise at Mon's speed in answering her. It wasn't that Mon didn't confide in her when directly asked; she always did, knowing that Kleya appreciated a more rational approach. But that was usually with topics that weren't centered around Leida Mothma.
Like an animal avoiding the trap only centimeters away from her face, Kleya asked. "And?"
"She ignored me."
"That's to be expected."
The chuckle that fell from Mon's mouth was as cool as the touch of the artifacts Kleya had spent years cleaning. "Oh, I'm aware."
Mon stepped in closer until they were side by side at the long, rectangular window, looking out at the empty streets of Chandrila below. Kleya didn't know what to make of it, this proximity, until Mon spoke again.
"She had the children with her."
Ah.
Kleya reached out, her fingers pressing against the silken nightgown that covered Mon's waist. It was a move that came with risks; neither of them could forget the strings that she and Luthen had stitched inside each and every one of their Axis members.
It only made the churning inside her stomach intensify when Mon's hand covered her own and squeezed.
Stars. She didn't deserve this, but after years of moving, Mon's touch was the one thing that made her weak enough to remain rooted to the spot.
"Is this a topic that requires further conversation?" It's the wrong thing to say, and Kleya knows it. She's still figuring it out, years later, the best way to approach this topic. But Mon just holds onto her tighter, loops their hands together, and moves to guide her back to that large, oval bed.
"Mon?"
"No. " Mon didn't look back. Her hands were as warm as a well-used blaster rifle. "Not tonight."
