she sings to him.
Ever since they moved to New York, he hasn't slept well. He's used to falling asleep to almost silence, and now there's constant noise and movement outside his window. After a few months he began to slowly adjust to it, but he never really slept well. His inability to sleep increased when he was stressed, with school, or with Riley.
Tonight, it's Riley keeping him awake. She's been throwing herself at him with more enthusiasm than usual lately. His mind is filled with images of her batting too wide eyes at him and clumsily dropping her backpack everytime he smiles at her. He feels bad for admitting it, but it's starting to get on his nerves. The constant giggles have turned from endearing to grating, he's just simply not interested.
Lucas's mental turmoil is interrupted by a soft knock on his window. He shoots out of bed and turns on the lamp on his bedside table. Carefully stepping over his balled up comforter he kicked on the floor, he peers out into the night. Maya is sitting on the fire escape platform, shivering in thin pajamas. Lucas slams the window open and helps Maya inside.
"Couldn't sleep either Huckleberry?"
"What are you doing here Maya?"
"Wow, so welcoming. I guess I could just leave-"
"Wait Maya, crap, I didn't mean it like that. I just mean it's like 1 am in the middle of September and you just appeared on my fire escape wearing summer pajamas and it's really late and you should be sleeping.
"Oh my God Ranger Rick do you ever shut up?"
"Maya"
"My mom brought someone back to the apartment. And I couldn't stay. So I just climbed out the window and started walking."
"Oh."
"Listen, it's late. I'm cold. Give me a sweatshirt and I'll sleep on your floor and you won't even have to worry about it okay? I won't tell Riley."
"It doesn't matter."
"What?"
"I said 'It doesn't matter.' It doesn't matter if you tell Riley. I don't care if she knows. In fact, do tell her. Maybe if you tell her she'll actually leave me the fuck alone."
"Woah there Cowboy, you okay?"
"Shit I'm sorry. I haven't slept properly in a really long time and Maya I'm tired. Like really really tired and when I'm tired I get snappy and fuck."
"Get me a sweatshirt."
"What?"
"Get me a sweatshirt and I'll help you okay?"
So Lucas rummages through his dresser and pulls out an old sweatshirt and a pair of sweatpants, in case Maya's colder than she's letting on. Maya holds up a finger telling him to wait and then disappears into his bathroom. She reappears drowning in his clothes, but looking significantly warmer. Dropping her pajamas into a pile by the door, she moves across the room to bounce onto his bed.
"What are you doing?" Lucas asks.
"Trust me. Come here," Maya replies.
And so Lucas does. Maya settles herself by his headboard, her back resting against the pile of pillows. She turns sideways, so her feet almost reach the end of the bed, and pats her lap. Lucas looks at her questioningly.
"Put you head on my lap. Just...trust me."
"You've said that an awful lot tonight."
"Shut up Quickdraw, you trust me."
Lucas 'mmph's but lays his head down on her lap nonetheless. Maya methodically runs her small fingers through his hair, but Lucas's eyes stay wide open.
"Maya this-"
"Shhhhh."
"Maya. This is weird and it's not doing anything." Lucas interrupts again, attempting to ignore the pleasant feeling coursing through his veins.
"Lavender's blue, dilly dilly
Lavender's green
When you are king, dilly dilly"
"Maya what are you doing?"
"Will you shut up Sundance? I'm trying to sing to you but it won't work if you don't shut your pie hole."
"Oh."
"Will you just let me try to help? Please."
Lucas nods against her thigh and pretends he doesn't hear her voice cracking.
"Lavender's blue, dilly dilly
Lavender's green,"
Maya starts over, and this time Lucas shuts his eyes. He focuses on the sound of her sweet voice, which is somehow drowning out the buzz of the city. Slowly, he reaches his hands up to rest against her, a silent thank you. Maya settles her other hand on his shoulder and keeps singing. Gradually, she feels the tension leave his body as he relaxes into sleep. She tries to slip out once she's certain he's asleep, but he grabs her wrist as she slips off the bed.
"Don't go," Lucas mumbles.
And so Maya turns around and settles back into the bed. Lucas pulls her body into him, as close as he can. His heart beats steadily underneath her ear, a constant reminder that she's safe in his arms. Maya slowly sinks into his warmth, letting his presence lull her to sleep.
