A note to the observant: Almost all city names are false; they were taken from a variety of fantasy sources. All characters are based on real people, so it is no coincidence that they are the strongest part of the story. Names, and sometimes personality and personal history, have been modified to protect the innocent. The events of this story, however, are complete fiction.
Quote attribution: Colin's description of love is a paraphrase of Orson Scott Card's description from Children Of The Mind
(used without permission):
"This emotion I'm feeling now, this is love, right?"
"I don't know. Is it a longing? Is it a giddy stupid happiness just because you're with me?"
"Yes," she said.
"That's influenza," said Miro. "Watch for nausea or diarrhea within a few hours."
Also see Card'sXenocide
for the philosophical argument about why we have to believe in free will.
* * *
He awoke during the night, for no particular reason he could understand. He found himself lying on his side on one side of the bed, which was slightly uncomfortable as well as out of the ordinary. The bed was narrow and meant only to accomodate one person, and he preferred sleeping in the center, on his back. What was he doing here?
Then he noticed the armful of Heather lying next to him, and memory and understanding returned in a rush.
He had never seen her sleep before. She was lying on her back, her head tilted towards his, her mouth gently open in slumber. She was not drooling, which he was thankful for. Sure, he had lapped up her pussy juices and been fine with it, but spilled cunt nectar didn't smell half as bad as saliva. The covers hid most of her body from him, but his arm lay across her torso and he could feel the swells of her breasts.
She was beautiful. She had always been beautiful, with her long golden hair and blue eyes and that shining, brilliant smile, like sunlight bursting through clouds. But here, in his arms, in his bed, vulnerable and confident in his protection... He thought he was going to melt with tenderness.
He kissed her cheek, and a faint smile fluttered across her face, as though she knew he was there.
He reshuffled himself on the bed and went back to sleep, his arm draped across her chest.
* * *
She awoke during the night for no particular reason she could understand. Her eyes showed her an unfamiliar ceiling--dark slanted slats of wood, colored a lurid orange from streetlights outside the window. Where was she?
Then she heard the Colin's breathing next to her, and she understood what was going on.
She smiled to herself, remembering their antics earlier in the night. Colin, sweet and considerate at all times, her best friend--so earnest, so gentle. Over and over he had shown her the ways he cared for her; over and over her heart melted with love for him.
He lay on his side, his arm covering her protectively. The bedsheets restricted her vision, but what she saw of his face was enough. It was calm, smooth, free of the worry that sometimes plagued it. With his face in repose it seemed to smile, like a man who was contented.
She rolled up on one side and kissed him on the lips, and she swore his smile widened for a moment.
She stretched out her body, sidling a little closer to him, and dropped off to sleep again, feeling safe and protected and content in the circle of his arms.
* * *
The next time they awoke, there was sunlight. Heather stretched luxuriantly, letting a happy sigh escape her lips. Her body felt more satisfied than it had in a long time. Colin stirred next to her. "Good morning, sleepy-head," she said cheerfully.
"Good morning yourself," he said, smiling. "What time is it?"
"It's only like seven," she said. She grinned. "I don't think I've ever woken this early on a Saturday."
He moved in to kiss her, and she slid toward him. As he did, something poked at her pelvis, then slid between her legs. "Whoa," she said, grinning, "
someone's
happy to see me."
"Err," he said, "actually, that's just 'cause I haven't gone pee since dinner."
She gave him a fond, annoyed glance.
"What? Having a full bladder does
not
help with endurance." He stuck his tongue out at her.
She kissed it. "You know, you have a point."
He gave her his robe, midnight blue and trailing to her ankles; he strapped on a pair of sweat pants. When he started putting on a shirt, she said, "You know, you don't really need that. Guys go shirtless all the time."
"Not me," he said, stopping with the shirt partially over his arms. He had broader shoulders than she had expected; the shirts he wore tended to emphasize his height, not his girth.
She smiled. "Well, think of it as something new. Besides, I don't think anyone will laugh if you aren't, you know, developed enough for them. Since they're probably all asleep." She ran her hands over his chest. "You certainly won't hear anything from
me
."
He shrugged and tossed the shirt back in the drawer.