Ric returned later pausing just inside the doorway when he saw Alex curled up where he'd last seen her, her blanket dangling off the bed. Being very careful not to wake her he tiptoed towards her sleeping form just in time to see her wincing and as he leaned down the blanket slipped onto the floor. Giving her a faint smile Ric gently spread the blanket over Alex who didn't even react, even when he lightly kissed her forehead.
"That medicine really works. Guess I'd better give you some more time to rest, Alex." Ric whispered, tracing her forehead with his fingers and she sighed a faint smile on her lips now before he left the room. Between his class and grading work Ric didn't even notice that the sun had set but when he finally looked outside he grimaced, wondering if Alex would be mad when she woke up and found herself alone. He returned to find her still curled up, her head now dangling off the floor and he let out a breath.
It wasn't until he approached her that Ric saw Alex grimace, her breathing heavier and he frowned concernedly as she began to whimper. "Stay back….ugh….go away." She groaned, completely unaware that her boyfriend was hovering at her side unsure if he should wake her or leave her to wake on her own. The decision was made for him when my eyes shot open and I opened my mouth, letting out a scream that made Ric jerk back, his eyes just as wide.
The moment I saw Ric staring at me I clamped a hand over my mouth, shaking as he quickly sat on the edge of the bed. "Hey, it's okay." Those were the first words out of Ric's mouth and I jerked as he tried to put his arm around my shoulders. Seeing the wide-eyed stare and how badly I was shaking he stared at me. "Yeah I know I've said that before but I really mean it." He tried again and this time I allowed him to set his arm around my shoulders, even shifting closer.
We sat there in silence for several minutes until Ric finally cleared his throat though I didn't move, resting my head now on his shoulder. "Bad dreams right?" He asked and I sniffed, closing my eyes as I tried to forget what had woken me up in the first place. "Sorry sore subject huh?"
"It was that dream again," I muttered, hoping that Ric wouldn't pry but when I cracked open an eye I saw him staring at me one eyebrow raised and I groaned.
"Hey, you can't expect me not to worry, Alex." Ric relied and I sighed, opening my other eye before I fixed him with two crossed arms and one raised eyebrow. "I just thought that since I care about you I should try and help." He offered and I nodded after a pause, managing a weak smile especially when he lightly patted my hands.
"Okay well, you remember that dream I mentioned having during your class? It happened again and it was the same green-eyed man with shoulder-length black hair." I explained, breathing heavier than I wanted which caused Ric to hold me close one hand stroking my hair.
"So you've dreamed about the same man twice? Not going to lie I'm a little jealous." Ric joked and I sniffed, closing my eyes and Ric winced already regretting his words. "Hey, I didn't mean to upset you, Alex. Forget I said that." He muttered and I coughed, burying my head under his chin.
"It was a nightmare, not just a bad dream," I told him in a small voice, shivering until Ric gave me a one-armed hug which helped better than his words did. "At least I managed to get some rest anyway. Thanks for the medicine."
"You're very welcome, Alex but I shouldn't have said something like that. Now did you want something to eat or drink?" Ric suggested hearing my stomach growling immediately after he finished talking and he chuckled as I coughed. "I believe that's a yes then."
"Yes...that would be great," I muttered with two very red cheeks. Once he left the room I sighed, raising my legs onto the bed before I rested my head on my knees waiting patiently for my boyfriend to return. Ric returned carrying a tray only to find Alex with her eyes closed, a faint smile on her lips and he smiled as he carefully walked the distance. I blinked awake when Ric set the tray down on the desk, giving me a smile once he saw me yawning.
"Enjoy your nap, Alex?" Ric teased and I nodded, rubbing at my eyes with the back of my left hand before I lowered my legs. Resting my feet on the floor I gave Ric a smile and a nod as he handed me a sandwich and a can of soda, grabbing one of each for himself. We ate in relative silence and when I finished my sandwich I screwed up the empty wrapper, tossing it toward the wastebasket with both eyes narrowed. Seeing the way I was glaring at the basket Ric chuckled softly, watching as the wrapper bounced off the basket.
"Did the wrapper annoy you?" Ric joked and I rolled my eyes, climbing to my feet before I stumbled over, kneeling before I grabbed the rolled-up packet. As he watched I dropped it into the basket, annoyed that I'd missed even for a short distance away before I pushed myself up. When I reached the bed I carefully lowered myself onto it, still wincing Ric noticed, and when I sighed with relief he grinned at me. "Careful. Don't want you getting hurt again." He warned, kissing my cheek before I had a chance to respond.
"All I did was walk a couple of feet, Ric. Not much chance of me hurting myself that way." I grumbled, face feeling surprisingly warm and he just shrugged. "Still...thanks for worrying about me," I added in a small voice and he grinned at me, tracing my hands with his fingers.
"Hey you know I just want to make sure you're okay," Ric answered as I leaned on him, content as he ran his fingers along my hands. "Sorry that you got hurt." He added after a brief pause and I raised my head, curious as he nodded towards my stomach.
"Oh that. It doesn't really hurt now. Besides I brought that on myself when I overreacted." I replied in a small voice and he chuckled, kissing the top of my head.
"You didn't overreact, Alex. I was the one who hurt you….not physically but you get the idea." Ric replied and I shrugged, my head so close to his chest I could hear his heartbeat the sound lulling me back to sleep. "Alex, did you hear what I said?" He told me, glancing down at his girlfriend only to realize that she had both eyes closed, her breathing light and he sighed a tiny smile appearing on his lips.
"Trust you to fall asleep while I'm talking." Ric sighed though he couldn't help feeling better when I snuggled into him. Which left him with the problem of moving without waking his obviously exhausted girlfriend. "Alex, I can't stay here all night." He whispered, gently shaking one of her shoulders which only caused Alex to settle her head on his legs and he groaned softly.
"This may have been a mistake," Ric commented though he couldn't help a smile when Alex sighed in her sleep. "Though I should be grateful that you're finally getting some rest. But I wonder who that mysterious wilderwolf you keep dreaming about is?"
Day broke and I yawned, sunlight streaming into the room via the nearest window. I started to rise only to feel a tug on my waist, looking down solved the mystery as to who the arm belonged to. Curled up behind me Ric snuggled against my back, his chin resting on the top of my head and I sighed. I managed to shift enough that I was lying on my back just as Ric cracked open his eyes.
"Well good morning, Miss Wolff," Ric muttered, yawning before he pressed a kiss to the tip of my nose. "Funny waking up to you this morning."
"Ric, did you sleep here all night?" I asked and he lifted his head giving me a tiny nod. "Sorry...you probably didn't get much sleep because of me." I apologized but he just gave me a sleepy grin and I sighed once he nuzzled my throat. "On the other paw, something tells me you didn't mind."
"You'd be right, Alex," Ric answered, his lips brushing mine. Content I draped my arms around his neck as the kiss deepened, our tongues touching as his fingers drifted to my shirt. When he saw me staring at him, cheeks flushed he chuckled.
"Don't worry, Alex. I'm just checking to see how your stomach is." He insisted, unbuttoning the shirt, and as he revealed my bra and bare stomach he grinned. "Well it does look better but I'd better take a closer look just in case." He told me, a smirk on his lips as his mouth moved close and I sighed as he lightly brushed his lips over my navel.
"Take all of the time you need," I told him, resting my head back on my pillow.
