Between Two Lungs

The sun was almost overbearingly hot. It beat down on his back as he waited for her, eyes trained the crest of the hill that lead down towards the village. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and when he glanced up again, she was there, slowly climbing the incline into the valley.

He slid down from his perch on the rocks, going to meet her. She smiled and waved, and he returned it.

"I'm sorry," she said, covering a yawn with her hand, "I was just finally able to get away."

"It's fine," he told her, giving her a curious look, "You look tired. What happened?"

She blinked, then shrugged a bit, "I was up all night sorting grain, and then I had to do my morning chores too."

"Is your master home?" he asked, and she shook her head, "Then you should go back and sleep! You didn't have to come."

"But I wanted to," she said simply, "Besides, if he came back and caught me sleeping, I'd be punished."

He didn't reply, though his teeth clenched and he felt that familiar anger raise up in his chest. "Come on," he said, taking her hand and leading her to their usual spot in the valley. He waited for her to sit down before he dropped down himself, putting his hands on his knees and looking at her expectantly.

"Are you going to finish that story?" he asked, and she giggled before nodding.

"Sure."

He laid back on the grass, getting comfortable. He glanced at her and saw her beginning to make a chain of flower as she usually did, and when she looked at him, he indicated that he was ready.

"Where did I leave off..." she hummed, "Oh, right! The hero was stuck in the garden maze." She began to speak, and he relaxed, content to hear her talk.

After awhile, her voice began to slow, and when he turned his head to look at her, she was covering a yawn, her lids heavy with exhaustion.

"Hey," he spoke up and she jumped a bit, blinking awake and giving him a dazed smile.

"Hm?"

He pat the spot on the grass next to him, "Come on, lay down."

She began to protest, but he took her arm, pulling her closer. She nearly fell on top of him, and they flushed at the sudden closeness of their faces. After a moment she sat back, and he moved over a bit, before indicating to the spot again.

"You can lay down for a little bit, it's okay."

She didn't speak, only nodded, and she carefully laid down on her back beside him, cheeks still pink and eyes trained to the sky. He laid back as well, and after a moment he heard her shift beside him. He turned his head and caught her staring at him, making her flush darker again. They simply looked at each other for awhile, before he turned onto his side.

"You should get some sleep for a bit," he said, and she nodded, before moving onto her side as well.

"Yeah."

He took her hand from where it rested on the grass, lacing their fingers together. She squeezed it, and he returned the gesture. Her eyes closed and he watched her, settling comfortably on the ground beside her.