im so sorry i died everyone! had to study for finals and whatnot. but im back home for the summer so hopefully i can finish this story before i go back to school and maybe start a new one! thanks to those who stuck around to read more and i hope you forgive me for my temporary leave xx
FORTY-SIX - Sheet Talks
12 Days Until The Wedding
Obi had known that Shirayuki was anxious when her hand shakily held onto the part of his shirt by his chest.
As the couple is learning to sleep together, Obi has noticed many things about Shirayuki he hadn't before. She'd hold onto him tightly, trembling whenever she had been anxious or still pretty timid about everything that had occured the previous day. Her breathing was unsteady, uneasy and almost strangled. She also hid her beautiful face in the very crook of Obi's heated neck, having him immediately feel the hot breaths she released.
Obi laid there awake, keeping from moving so his lover would not be woken from her slumber. His amber eyes had blinked a few times, bettering his vision so he could look about the room with ease. He could see the nooks and crannies of the small room, ornate with drawers, closets, and all sorts of storage entities. He studied the rusting metal torch holder, holding up the wooden stick with its tip black and charcoaling from it's daily usage. Everything had been so still, with the only thing to feel was the heart of his maiden and his very own.
Reminding him, Obi's eyes were quick to look down to Shirayuki's hand that had gripped his shirt. He stared at her pale hand, noticing it simply vibrate as it held onto his black shirt. He noticed her nails and how fine they were, thin and long like the hands of a potter. Delicate and untouched. Pure and smooth. Lacking cuticles and milky nail beds. It was crazy how much Obi could adore such a simple thing like her hands, but he wasn't surprised. Everything about Shirayuki was the very opposite of him, and for that he cherishes immensely.
Her nature was nothing of his, and that adds to Obi's adoration of her. He's never met someone with such a pure soul and a golden heart. She was clean, and he was a rat, built up from dirt and dust. It truly astounds him that a woman like him would even consider liking him, let alone becoming his lover. Obi was more than lucky, and he knew this.
He rose his free hand to place it over hers. She was very cold, and it made him frown for a moment. He eased her grip with his thumb and began digging to scoop her hand into his. He could feel her hand trembling quickly in his, having him hope that his touch and warmth would slow it down. And it did, surely enough.
She's just real cold, huh, Obi thought to himself. Letting her hand go, he reaches down to tug up more of the quilt over Shirayuki's semi-exposed torso. She shifted a little from this action, having Obi hitch his breath. He could feel her move slightly on his arm, which has already lost feeling long ago. He heard a hum emit from her mouth, feeling her face dig just a bit into his neck.
"Mmm," Obi hums, feeling a ticklish sensation coming from her action. Shirayuki woke up to this, forming a smile with her lips against his neck. He felt this, and was quick to acknowledge her. "Did I wake you, Mistress?"
Shirayuki nods, "but that's alright. I should be getting up soon anyways." She lowers her body down to rest her head on his shoulder, getting a better look up at her lover she's resting on. "Good morning, Obi."
"Good morning, Mistress," Obi hums, smiling down at the beautiful woman before him. Her messy red hair played adorably all about her face and his arm. It was still numb, but he was to tolerate it to ensure her comfort lingers. "Did you sleep well?"
"Maybe not well, but the best I could," Shirayuki responds honestly. "Everything that happened yesterday is still relaying in my head." Obi frowns for a moment, but is quick to nod and resolve it with a smile. "How did you sleep?"
"Very well," Obi admits with a soft smile. "Thank you for asking, Mistress." She giggles into the muscle of his shoulder, having Obi feel her lips crease into a gentle smile. She began to bury her face in that very crevice, having Obi hum out a chuckle. The breath from his chuckle tickled her forehead, having her emit a small giggle. "You seem rather cozy, Miss. Should I assume you don't want to get up anytime soon?"
Shirayuki snorts softly, "you assumed correctly, but I-," she halts, "we, have duties to fulfill." Obi smirked, rolling his eyes up to see the window overhead the bed. The sky is yet to be blessed with the sun completely up and bringing light to the land once more.
"It's still dark, Mistress," Obi observes for her. "We don't have to be up for another few minutes, I don't think."
"I'd rather us use this time wisely to ready ourselves for the day and grab some breakfast," Shirayuki hums unenthusiastically. Obi knew how head-over-heels she was over her profession, but he also understood that she, too, has days of exhaustion. Especially over her current conundrum with the Prince of Clarines.
Obi remains silent for a moment of thought before uttering, "we can take it slow today, I think. You've had quite the hectic day yesterday after all, Miss." Shirayuki quietly agrees but it's evident that she's still hesitant to take a slow day. So with his other hand, Obi reaches for the blanket and swallows Shirayuki completely under it.
"Obi!" She hollered, her laughter genuine and sweet as she slowly pulls it off her. Obi had been staring at her direction the entire time, smiling widely as she unveiled her beauty to him.
Shirayuki's emerald eyes glowed, her pupils dilating along with her cheeks blossoming from embarrassment. Obi had always noted down to stare her down with such intensity. He loved seeing this side of her: this completely-caught-up-in-the-moment Shirayuki. The one in which she has no clever way to escape it and can only do nothing but flush up. He gets to adore her chubby, crimson cheeks and her pale, rose lips. He gets to adore the way small strands of her ruby red hair hang low on her forehead, with some matted from their accumulated warmth. Then those green eyes- the ones famous for being able to send an arrow to the heart with only utter admiration.
"You're so beautiful, Shirayuki," Obi breathed, wholly stuck in the moment he created. Not only had he shocked himself from uttering such flattering words so confidently, but also took Shirayuki by surprise. Her lips had parted slightly, with her cheeks burning furiously a deeper shade of red, almost the equivalent of her hair. Obi found himself in a heated situation and quickly tried to get himself out. "I-I'm sorry, Miss, I didn't mean to be so forward-"
"N-no, it's not that!" Shirayuki quickly quieted him. "I've just never heard such words like that…" This, in turn, took Obi by surprise.
"Not to impose, Miss," Obi begins, "but did Master never flatter you in such a way?" He could see the discomfort in his face, but he also knew that this was allowed. Shirayuki could not blame him for his curiosity, as he is now her lover. He has all right to wonder about such things so he can treat her much better than the Prince ever could.
Shirayuki hesitates before words finally spilled, "he did, but it's expected, if you understand?" Obi remains quiet, having Shirayuki comprehend his response. "It's ever like a Prince to say such sweet words to flatter a woman. He's had such experience in making women swoon, so to him, those sweet words left his tongue far too easy."
Obi nods, "that makes sense, Mistress."
"Mm," Shirayuki hums. She then smiles up, looking into his shining amber eyes. "But when you say it, it's much different. Like those words are uncommon to your tongue."
"Well…" Obi begins to flush, shyly looking away from his lover. "I've never found the opportunity to say such words to someone… I've never come across a woman like you in all of the distances I've travelled."
"It's the hair, isn't it?" Shirayuki says almost dully, having Obi look back down at her with a frown. "I've attracted only the most… interesting people due to the color of my hair. You needn't lie to flatter me, Obi."
Obi smirks, "if only I was actually capable to lie to you, Shirayuki."
Right at that very moment, Obi had bit the tip of his tongue. Shirayuki suddenly found her heart beating quickly, practically pounding to be released from her chest. Obi never allows for her name to leave his lips, for his respect for her is beyond even the love he owns for her. Obi felt so embarrassed, as he looked away and gulped strongly. The hand Shirayuki had rested on his torso found itself crawling up to his chest. Obi felt goosebumps rise all over as she felt his speedy heart.
"I-I'm so sorry, Miss, I didn't mean for your name to escape my lips, I-!"
Quickly, Shirayuki hovered over the man and placed her lips on his. Obi was taken by surprise yet again, not only by himself, but by Shirayuki too. Her lips were ever so supple and soft, having him completely forget the morning they both had. Shirayuki had pulled away quickly, smiling above her lover as she looked at his shocked and flushed expression.
"I like the way my name sounds in your voice," Shirayuki utters simply. Obi found himself breathless, having Shirayuki giggle softly.
These were the moments that Obi never expected that he'd be able to experience. These gentle, soft moments with the very person he loves. He never expected to fall in love, above all the shocks in his life. He had always been a man on the loose, one whose feet never stop. One to never settle and find sentiment in anything. One who never wanted to be contained or held down for any reason. A sneaky man with nothing that intrigued him enough to change the lifestyle he's known since birth.
But then here Shirayuki was, the only thing that cut through his comfort zone. She made him feel completely exposed and bare, with nowhere to hide. But she was the first to understand the truth of his existence and accept it. She hadn't bothered to delve into his past and scare him off. Shirayuki had accepted the scratch of it that he offered and she's more than content with it.
Even with being stuck in Clarines under the wing of a Prince, Shirayuki has kept Obi on his feet. She shows him the extent of his feelings, allowing him to explore the things he's only read in books and silly fairy tales. A woman who has proven stronger than he is a woman that he knows he cannot let go. Especially when she requests he not let her go.
"I think the sun is directly in front of me, Miss," Obi shyly hums, his cheeks still flushed red. Shirayuki giggles at this before laying back down in the comfortable position she had been, cuddling her lover through the night.
"I think the sun would've already burn you to a crisp, Obi," Shirayuki sarcastically jokes, having Obi suck his teeth playfully.
"I can't allow for the sun to burn me to a crisp," Obi says as his eyelids droop down over his eyes once more. "I have to continue living so I can spend the rest of my days with you, Mistress."
Finally, Shirayuki thinks. Obi was now finding himself much more comfortable with her. Not only in sharing a bed, but being able to convey his thoughts better without feeling completely embarrassed or fearful that he'd get a bad response. It's always entertaining to see how cautious he gets with her, but Shirayuki loves him being comfortable with her more than anything else.
"Does your love burn for me like a thousand suns then?" Shirayuki humors. She had already been giggling at herself before Obi could even react. And that alone made Shirayuki even more adorable than she already was.
"Just about," Obi approves of her statement. "More like a thousand and one, Miss." His correction made her giggle linger further, having Obi practically melting as he listened to her enjoyment. He couldn't help the smile that painted his lips because he just couldn't help but love everything about this.
Them, in her room, on her bed, cuddled together, entangled in sheets and a quilt with nothing but love floating about the room. Shirayuki couldn't even recall the troubles that had been bothering her the night before because she was too content with the morning that came after. And the reason for that?
Obi.