Wrote this tiny short when I stumbled across a bit explaining the meaning of a particular Italian word/phrase. This is what came out of it.
Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE. Typos are my bad.
Ranger's POV
My tired feet ached as I made the trek up the stairs to the second floor. After over a decade of missions and pushing myself to the limit on numerous life or death situations, there are times when old war and torture injures flare up. Currently, it's the soles of my feet, although there are times when it's my knee or my lower back wanting to collect. Making the decision to step back from being boots on the ground for government missions, moving on to consulting and training roles instead, was the right call at the end of my contract months back.
Silence reigned as I walked down the hall towards my destination. Using the key I was given, the Batman logo etched on one side of the bow and Ranger on the other of the solid black key. Where Babe got this made, I don't know, yet I suspect it wasn't in town to avoid the Burg grapevine. I can admit to myself, and Babe, that warmth spread across my chest with the gesture. Has she given me a copy of her apartment key in the past, yes, but this time was different. Babe went to great lengths to show me how monumental this was for our relationship. A relationship we've had for far longer than we clued ourselves in.
All was silent and dark when I stood in the tiny foyer after closing and re-locking the door behind me. Even Rex is snuggled up in his soup can, dreaming of sugary, processed goodies that have somehow miraculously extended his lifespan.
The bedroom door has been left cracked open for me, Babe's way of showing that she knew I'd be joining her in bed way past the time her head hit her pillow. Since her doorknob creaks rather loudly lately, this way I won't immediately startle her. I understand her decision to keep the noisy knob in light of all the attempts on her life. In the aftermath of every close call, I've upped her security and surveillance safety nets.
Babe also leaves a night light on for me, a beacon in the darkness. And yes, it's Batman themed, casting the bat signal on the backrest of my chair. Babe's positioning is intentional, seeing as when I'm sitting down, the signal is at chest level. Babe has a few photos of the result, both with and without my shirt on. I mean, of course I'm going to indulge her.
Tonight, I can tell Stephanie struggled to fall asleep. Babe must have tossed and turned until she eventually succumbed to exhaustion. We've both had extremely busy weeks as of late.
With her right hand balled into a tight fist and her right arm shooting straight up in the air above her, Babe's resting right on the edge of the mattress, on my side of the bed. The right side has always been mine, just like the left side of my bed has been Babe's since the first time she broke into my penthouse after using the reverse GPS trick to find Rangeman. Her right leg is hanging off the edge of the bed, her bare toes gracing the carpeted floor below.
Smiling, I sat on my chair to unlace my boots knowing that in the morning Stephanie will complain of what she calls an 'out of freaking nowhere' body ache. Kicking off my boots, I toed off my socks and did some stretches to help ease my foot ache. My T-shirt was next, landing on the floor next to my boots. Knowing that if I moved Stephanie before I slipped into bed she'd most likely wake up, I refrained from doing so for a few more minutes.
After taking a speedy shower to wash off the day's grime, a major necessity after a nearly eighteen hour shift, I was beyond ready to call it a day. A basic cleansing with lukewarm water isn't the worst shower I've ever had. Out in the field, there were times when we didn't have access to it. I'll always be grateful for the chance to have an actual shower, regardless of the water temp. Even ice cold water would do to be honest.
Drying hastily, I padded barefoot back to the bedroom, closing the door as silently as possible. Thankfully, the door knob doesn't creak loudly if you don't turn it. I'll have Woody take a look tomorrow and give Babe recommendations on suitable options.
Stashing my weapons on the nightstand by my side of the bed, I placed my phone next to Stephanie's to charge since hers is already at full battery.
"Babe." I whispered as I scooped her into my arms, careful not to jostle her too much as I repositioned her and slid under the sheets. Naked, of course.
"Hmm?" Stephanie talks in her sleep sometimes, so most of the time she'll answer me even when she's deep in her slumber.
"Lower your arm, Babe." I murmured, brushing my lips against the shell of her ear as I trailed my hand up her outstretched arm.
"Mm'kay." She complied, lowering her arm with my suggestion and guidance. With it being locked in position, getting her cooperation will minimize the possibility of an injury.
"Thank you." I said, kissing her forehead as she snuggled against my chest, partially resting on top of me.
"Prego!" Babe responded automatically, blowing out a breath before I felt her smiling lips pressing against my bare chest.
Massaging her arm from shoulder to wrist, I smiled at Babe's auto reply. The first time she mumbled 'you're welcome' in Italian in her sleep, let's just say my heart nearly stopped beating. When she woke up the next morning, going about her routine like normal, I asked her point blank if she was pregnant. With a scrunched up look, and after crossing her arms across her chest in a defensive posture, Stephanie asked why I was asking. I countered by asking again if she was pregnant. With the beginnings of a pissed off frown forming, Babe told me that she was not pregnant. Looking back, that conversation could have derailed our progress in spectacular fashion thanks to my legendary word fuck ups. I'll never be known for my words, that's for sure. Babe was not only feeling defensive, but also self-conscious given how she repeatedly tugged on her sleep tank top to fully meet the waistband of her pajama shorts. Evidently, the misunderstanding had us both broaching a topic we hadn't revisited since my 'Condom, yes. Ring, no' comment. After Babe's infectious laughing fit, of course, my confusion was resolved. For once, Stephanie too found her sleep talk funny. Additionally, we made a joint decision to explore all of our contraceptive options to fulfill our joint needs. The idea of having a child together is not something that either of us are fully averse to presently, yet we made the decision to first enjoy this new phase in our relationship before adding a baby to the mix.
I too succumbed to my body's need for rest, waking up when I felt Babe wrapping herself tightly around me.
"Babe." I greeted with my patented good morning, kissing the top of her head as she snuggled against my chest.
"Mornin'." Babe greeted back through a yawn, sounding like she's going to go right back to sleep soon.
"How's your shoulder?" She probably heard the smile in my voice rather than see my smiling lips in the still pre-dawn darkened bedroom. The nightlight has reached its pre-programmed time and turned itself off.
"Ugh, was I sleeping in a weird position, again?" Stephanie mumbled, rearing her head back to be able to look at me, even though there wasn't much of me to make out in the dark.
"Babe." My confirmation elicited a groan from Stephanie just before she retook her previous position, burrowing her soft curves against my hard body.
"One of these nights I'm gonna scare the crap out of you." Chuckling, Stephanie predicted that eventually I might just find her in some horror movie worthy pose.
"Speaking of poses…" Slipping my left hand under the hem of her sleep T-shirt, one of my Rangeman shirts, I suggested a few positions we've yet to try.
"Sounds enticing, Batman." The slur in her throaty tone indicated that she was going back to sleep.
Glancing at her glow in the dark bedside clock, I followed Babe's lead. We can most definitely sleep a bit longer and still have time for a sexy round, or two, before we have to go to work.
"Sleep tight, Babe." Kissing her forehead and giving her ass a light tap, I too was once again able to fall asleep with the knowledge that we have time to do everything we want and then some.
We've got a whole lot of time ahead of us, Babe.
Prego has various meanings, I used it in the context of 'You're welcome' here, but knew it'd be hilarious as a misunderstanding, lol.