These last few chapters have been going in order, but they'll eventually start being split up a bit more. I like to post chapters as often as I can, but please forgive me for any delays!
The city was bustling that Saturday morning as the sun was out without a single cloud in the sky. The sun shone through the blinds of Mira's bedroom, illuminating the sleeping forms of Mira and Baxium, in a position very similar to how they fell asleep. Baxium was snoring quietly into the pillow as Mira stretched out her arms and legs with a yawn, waking up to the warm sunshine coming through her window.
As soon as she was conscious, Mira's head was dully throbbing as she turned over and tried to shield her face from the light. As she groaned, Baxium stirred from his sleep. The first thing he saw when his white eyes opened was an embroidered pillow that he did not recognize. He quickly remembered the events of last night and why he chose to stay with Mira, who was currently trying to hide her face in his back.
He gave a small smile and closed his eyes again, taking in the feel of the bed and her bare skin against his own. His brows furrowed and he opened his eyes in confusion. He couldn't feel that much skin before he fell asleep. Carefully, he began moving as he attempted to get up, but was met with aggressive protesting groans from Mira. He brought up an arm to hold onto her as he attempted to roll over, though the positioning on the small bed was a little too awkard.
Mira opened her eyes as his hand came up to her hip, only to be pulled away as soon as he only came in contact with just skin. It was then that Mira realized at some point in the night she had removed her shirt. However, Mira couldn't be bothered to care at that moment.
Baxium gave up for the time being, accepting that he was her bed until she decided to get up, and tried not to think to hard about her clothing situation.
Just beyond her wall, in Ashley's room, Ashley woke up with a similar feeling in her head. She picked up her phone from where it was charging to check the time- 9:37. She could afford to sleep for a bit longer. She spread out on her empty bed and buried her face back into her pillow.
As the hours passed, Mira found it difficult to continue sleeping her headache away. She finally opened her eyes and accepted that she'd have to face being topless with Baxium in the room. Mira let out a soft sigh, waking Baxium back up from his light slumber. He tried to peer at her over his shoulder to see if she was finally able to wake up.
"Ugh," she groaned, steadying herself while sitting up on his back.
"You feelin alright?" he asked, his voice dry and quiet. She just groaned again in response. He smiled while laying his head back down on his pillow. "I could get you some water if I can get outta bed," he said.
There was a pause as Mira's sleepy brain processed what he said. She nearly forgot she was on top of him. "Oh, sorry." As she climbed off of him, Baxium fought the urge to satisfy his curiosity by sneaking a peek at her. He couldn't help but feel a little happy, even as he stretched out the kinks in his neck and shoulders.
"Did you sleep okay?" Mira asked, searching the floor for her shirt.
"Yeah," he replied. Out of habit, he turned his head to reply to her and caught an unintended look at her bare back. He quickly turned his head back around and continued stretching. "Did you?"
Mira smiled to herself as she put her shirt back on, staring at the very back she had just spent the night on. "Yeah, actually. You're very comfortable."
She plopped back into bed and watched as he stood up and finished his stretches. She watched as his skin moved and she made out some of the tattoos he had on his arm and back- she didn't even realize they were there before. There was a bright blue one on his forearm that was clearly in Triceriton writing, while others seemed more of a cultural aesthetic design in black ink. When he dared take another peek behind him, he was thankful she was wearing something.
"What're you lookin at?" he asked with a smirk.
"Your tattoos," she replied simply, starting to feel her hangover all over again.
"Oh, those," he said as he looked at them. "Yeah, I don't really show 'em off much."
"Hm," she said with a nod. Though she wanted to talk to him more about them, the headache she had prevented her from doing much more than laying down and observing.
Baxium knealt by the bed and laid his head down close to her, a gentle smile painted across his face. She closed her eyes when his hand began stroking her hair, feeling relaxed by his soothing company. "You need some painkillers?" he asked quietly.
She nodded, her eyes still closed. "They should be in the bathroom... or on the table. I can't remember."
He stopped his hand as it came across her cheek and pushed himself closer to touch his mouth to her nose. "Don't worry about it, I'll find 'em." He got up and she watched him through half-lidded eyes as he left the room for her. Her cheeks warmed at the thought of having spent the night with Baxium. And he definitely hadn't tried anything. And she definitely remembered him calling her his girlfriend the night before, thanks to Raph's prying.
Mira closed her eyes as her thoughts wandered, and she briefly thought about if Ashley was sleeping alone or not.
Baxium had a failed attempt at locating any painkillers in the bathroom. When he left to check the table, Ashley was feeding the cat. When she saw him she didn't even try to hide her gaze as it drifted curiously. "Goodmorning," she said with a nod before returning to the kitchen.
"Morning," he replied, feeling a bit embarrassed that he hadn't even put on his pants or a shirt before leaving. "Do you know where the painkillers are?"
Ashley came back with the bottle in her hand. "I needed some too," she said with a knowing smile. "That cabinet has cups and there's a pitcher in the fridge." Baxium thanked her before she returned to her room drowsily. As he poured the water, their cat entered the kitchen curiously to watch him.
I didn't even realize they had a cat, he thought.
By the time Mira's headache had gone away, it was already noon and Saturday was halfway over. It didn't take long for them to decide on brunch plans as everyone's body was requesting nourishment after the alcoholic beatings they took the night before.
"Why don't you guys go ahead, I'm gonna hang out here and get some things done," Ashley said.
"Are you sure?" Mira asked suspiciously. "You can come with us."
Ashley just shook her head while taking out some bagels from the fridge, "Nah, you guys go, I need to catch up on some chores before I go back to work tomorrow."
"You're working on a Sunday?" Baxium asked.
"Yeah, that's the life of a full timer working a part-time job. Weekends are busy," she said with a shrug.
"Alright, well we'll just be down the street if you change your mind," Mira said before Ashley ushered them out the door.
"Does she not want to come because of me?" Baxium asked, genuinely curious and concerned. Mira shook her head assuredly.
"No, she usually has to catch up on chores like that. It's not you, Baxi."
He gave her a smile and, once he squeezed through the door, they were able to enjoy the beautiful day that was before them. Several other couples and joggers made their way through the neighborhood, each one taking in the bright rays of sun while they could.
After arriving at the family-run cafe two streets down, Mira and Baxium had been the only inter-species relationship in that part of the neighborhood. They got plenty of looks, but it mostly went ignored by people just trying to enjoy the day. They were seated, outside of course, with no issues.
While sitting across from her in a chair that was the right size for him, but not the best size for the table, Baxium felt good about his place in life. "So," he started. Pigeons hobbled by while they waited for their food. "Did you have a good time at the party last night?"
She nodded with a smile. "Yeah, it was a lot of fun. Did you have a good time? I'm sorry if I dragged you into being my bed."
He gave a deep chuckle. "Don't worry about it, it was an honor. I'm glad you had fun, even if it was all the way in Queens."
"I barely even remember how we got home, so..."
He shook his head with a smile before taking a drink of his water. "You were bein cute the whole time."
"How so?" she asked, trying to ignore the blush rising on her cheeks.
"You were sleepin on me the whole train ride back. I thought it was cute."
She awkwardly took a drink from her water, wishing she hadn't asked. "Sorry about that."
"No, don't apologize, really. I enjoyed your company."
She gave him a cute smile that he couldn't help but return to her. "By the way, I meant what I said last night, if you're okay with that."
With a confused look she asked, "what did you say?"
"That I was your boyfriend."
His words caught her off guard, but she didn't complain about them. In fact, she was happy to hear his final words on the matter, it made things easier for her. "Yeah, I'm cool with that."
They shared smiles before their food arrived, and later took a walk through the nearby park until Baxium felt awkward enough in his night before clothes to want to go home and change.
I would still really love to hear what any readers are thinking. I know it's not much of an enticing story with a lot of turtles in it, but if you're enjoying it please let me know! Anonymous reviews should be on. :D