18+

XXX

We stand there, staring at each other for a while, the only sound the gentle thud of water, as it falls from his clothes and hair.

He opens his mouth to speak, and then thinks better of it, swallowing instead.

I can't look at him, can't take my eyes of him.

He's drunk. I can tell by the way his green eyes are slightly unfocused, the slight tremble in his hands.

I want to ask him if he walked here. If he walked the 5 miles between our houses in the middle of a thunderstorm.

The thunder cracks loudly around us and we both jump.

There's so much to say, nothing to say.

I turn around and start walking up the stairs.

He follows me, the thud of his feet against the carpet, lost in the white noise of the rain.

My room is dark, and I feel my blood burn just knowing he's in there with me.

I turn to face him, and he stares at me, his eyes a maelstrom of different emotions.

'I just want to sleep.' He says quietly, brokenly, shattering the silence, shattering me.

Weariness sinks deep in my belly.

Me too.

'Take off your clothes.' I tell him quietly, walking into Charlie's room and grabbing an old pair of pyjama pants and a t-shirt.

When I walk back into the room, he's naked and the sight makes my eyes flutter, heat engulfing me.

But he's shivering too, and the broken look in his eyes kills my desire for him.

I hand him the clothes and a towel and then shut my bedroom door, leaving us in mostly darkness.

He dresses quickly and I pull back the covers, climbing under.

I feel the bed dip with his weight, and the sound of his soft breaths as he gets in next to me.

Our pinkies brush and I feel a jolt go through me, my skin tingling, heart racing frantically in my chest in its desperation for more connection.

I don't move, and neither does he, but he sighs softly.

I sleep better than I have in months.

But when I wake up, he's gone.