A/N: Hi! This is a sequel to my other story "Space Between" so definitely check that out if you want to know what happened before this. Happy reading!
A dragon talon tapped on Evie's window in the morning and scared her half to death. She jumped up realizing it was Mal and quickly cranked the window open. Mal impressively transformed back midair and caught herself on the ledge to pull herself up and through.
Evie laughed shutting the window then turned to Mal crossing her arms, "Wow Mal that was so sneaky." Sarcasm was dripping from her voice as Mal stood there in what was clearly Ben's shirt and her underwear.
"No one saw me," Mal tried to brush it off.
"Mal you were a freaking dragon."
"I know that but for all they know I was just flying around the boat. They don't know where I came from. I thought it was better than walking back here in my ballgown or this," Mal pointed down to her skimpy sleep attire.
Evie laughed, "I suppose you're right. So what happened?"
Evie was trying not to pry too much. She wanted to yell that Mal shouldn't have just jumped right into sex but she didn't know how fragile Mal was feeling and decided a softer approach was best.
Mal smirked, "It's not what you think Evie, nothing happened."
"Well good because I would've told you that jumping into sex was a horrible idea after everything you guys just went though."
"Relax Evie and don't worry. That's exactly what Ben said."
Evie gasped, "You were actually trying to have sex?"
"No! That wasn't my intention. We just were getting heated and I think he felt like the boundary needed to be placed."
"Good for him," Evie was gaining more respect for Ben with every day. "So why are you crawling back in here in your underwear."
Mal laughed and started to get ready to shower. "Well neither of us planned to spend the night together so once my dress came off we kinda had to share the set of pajamas he brought."
"After the dress came off!" Evie crawled over the bed cutting off Mal trying to duck into the bathroom.
"Oh yeah sorry about that. I had to spell the ribbons away we couldn't figure it out."
"M you know that is not what I meant."
"We didn't have sex but we were intimate. Is that what you're fishing for? It's not the first time, although it was for some things," Mal smiled to herself.
Evie got up and put her hands on Mal's arms, "I'm not trying to interrogate you. I'm just happy for you and I'm just trying to help."
Mal hugged Evie, "I know E. I love you. And once I feel more comfortable with Ben don't worry you'll be the person I'm talking to about it."
"Okay but you owe me backtracking because it seems a lot went down before shit went down that I didn't know about it. How did I miss all this? I'm sorry I was being such a bad friend."
Mal shook her head, "No. No you weren't. I was. But it's going to be better now. We're all going to be better."
Mal didn't feel so insecure anymore walking into the brunch. Despite her vibrant hair and her dragon scale skater dress contrasting with everyone's nicely pulled back hair and sun dresses, Mal felt good. She felt herself. Ben loved her for her and that's all that mattered.
He gave her a romantic kiss when he saw her, smirking into her lips as they broke. "Good morning." Ben wore a little mischief in his eyes, knowing that this was not the first time they had been able to say 'good morning' today. But no one besides them and Evie knew that. It was like their wicked little secret.
