Prompt: Intimacy

Maybe, it started because of the nightmares.

Once snow fell in the valley, vague sensations flashed in Maya's mind. Bitter cold, the smell of iron, light behind her eyes. In the mornings, she would be tangled in her sheets, feeling sore and wrung out.

It was during the fifth straight night, that she was shaken awake. Fear grasped her, and she screamed, striking out. Her wrists were caught, a soothing voice murmuring. "Maya, it's me."

"…Nick?" Oh, he must be worried about me. "S-sorry, why are you here?"

"I was getting some water and I heard something thump. You looked like you were having a bad dream." He let go of her hands, his fingers instead pressing upon her forehead and sliding down her cheek.

"I was." It might have been the late hour or Phoenix's warm touch, but she was compelled to honesty. "You know, I haven't tried channeling my mom. I wonder what she thought, at the end, and I guess I keep thinking about that night. I didn't even know her that well, but I still miss her, in a way? Is that weird?"

"No, absolutely not. And it's up to you, if you want to try contacting her. Do you need anything?"

Her heartbeat had slowed down, but she was still restless. And even though she was no longer a little girl who could run to Mia's room for comfort, she didn't want to part from anyone else she loved. "Can you stay, just for a little bit?"

For a moment, he was quiet, and she was afraid he'd refuse. Then, he exhaled. "Okay."

Maya moved over, a respectable distance between them. She was aware of his proximity, solid and strong. And before she knew it, she was sleeping comfortably.

His presence was gone at dawn, to her relief; it would be difficult to explain to the girls if they were somehow found out. Well-rested and energetic, she went about her usual routine. Phoenix didn't act differently either, escorting Pearl and Trucy to school. Maya assumed it was the end, an embarrassing memory she could file away.

Then, the same thing happened that night, and the next. By the following week, Phoenix had stopped asking, just making sure she was comfortable before moving beside her. She would always have enough sleep if he was around, and while she was incredibly grateful, his exits were early and she was too shy to discuss it in the daylight.

But the opportunity arose to repay him. As spring gave way to summer, marking a full year without court cases, she heard struggling noises from his room. Before she could reconsider, she darted inside. His brow was furrowed, his expression in a tormented grimace, as he curled into himself.

"Nick. Nick!"

He startled, his eyes wild and frantic. He blinked and recognized her, groaning. "Not again."

"Again? Has this been happening a lot?"

"Well…I didn't want you or Trucy or Pearl to notice." His voice cracked. "It doesn't change. I'm presenting the fake page, over and over. I can't stop it, as much as I want to."

She couldn't resist. She wrapped her arms around him, whispering. "It's okay. We'll keep working, we'll make it right."

He squeezed back, his grip threatening to bruise, but his breathing gradually evened out. She stroked his hair, a fierce protective instinct rising within her. They had to get his badge, and to bring the culprit to trial. In the meantime, this little reassurance was the least she could do.

It actually wasn't that hard, to quietly leave. She smiled at his utterly relaxed features, and got up to prepare breakfast. The aromas of coffee and pancakes stirred the house to life, the girls rushing in first with identical beaming faces. Phoenix padded in later; their gazes met, and he cleared his throat. Maya winked and turned to the griddle again, but she had already seen the faint color in his face.

Like before, the visits became a regular occurrence. Eventually, it was more likely than not, that they'd end up together in one of their rooms. Of course, it was all platonic, nothing beyond hugging. She did enjoy them though, she was definitely a little spoon. It was probably why the line was crossed so easily.

It was in his room, or rather, it was the only way it could have transpired because he was usually cautious in hers. In the middle of the night, she drowsily turned her head. Maya had worked her way into her favorite position, and his fingers gently rested on her upper arm. She liked how warm he was against her back, and she wriggled closer.

Huh. Something was pressing on her lower back, almost near her tailbone. Firm and kind of hot…was it his other hand? He'd go numb if he didn't move. Curious, she reached behind her.

Wait, was his thumb always that large? What if it was swollen because his circulation was cut off? She felt around, trying to search for the cause. It wasn't obvious, although his clothing seemed to be loose enough. She thought she was being careful. And then, Nick huffed, sending a thrill across the nape of her neck. Out of reflex, her grip tightened, and he made a noise before shifting. Well, the swelling was getting worse but her confusion didn't last.

His voice was low and hoarse. "Hngh…? Maya? You're grabbing my-"

In a split second, she realized what exactly she was holding. As if she had been burned, she withdrew her touch, but heat still surged through her anyway. "I thought it was something else! I didn't mean to, I swear!" Oh, this was horrible. She'd been groping him.

"I should be the one apologizing." He rolled away with a groan.

"Not for a reaction you can't control."

The silence stretched, until he mumbled. "If you want to stop, I'd understand."

Her heart raced. "What?"

"I don't think I can control myself around you…"

She cut him off, with a kiss to his stubbled jaw. "Nick, if we both feel the same, I don't want to stop."

And he turned towards her, his hands finding her waist. He pulled her in, for a tentative kiss on the lips. It quickly became thorough, urgent, and far from enough. Maya's oversized T-shirt slipped off her shoulder, while she straddled his lap. His hands cupped her backside, and she squirmed. The friction between their bodies was addictive.

Suddenly, he flipped them over, and he paused to take off his shirt. In the silvery moonlight, his sculpted torso was mouthwatering. He only grinned and said. "Your turn."

Maya tugged her hem before hesitating. "Um, we don't have protection?"

"I do."

An uncomfortable knot formed within her; she attempted to be nonchalant. "Oh. How'd you get them?"

"Well," He sounded nervous, as he briefly left to rummage around. "I'm at the Borscht Bowl now, and some people had the wrong idea, so I may have said I had someone in my life already. A couple of the other dealers, uh, donated these to me."

The knot loosened in relief. She cheekily noted. "So, I'm your someone?"

"Yeah. You are." He was serious, returning with reddened ears and a promise. "I'll buy more for next time."

And then, they didn't need to talk any longer. Quick work was made of their remaining clothes, and Maya's laugh at his dumbstruck expression at her bared breasts was stopped by his attentive tongue. His fingers traced down, skimming her thighs and slipping into her wet folds. The pad of his index finger rolled over her clit and she jolted, stifling a cry as ecstasy blossomed inside her.

But it wasn't quite enough, and at her silent urging, he parted her legs. He really was big, and it was awkward to adjust at first, but they found how they fit together in the most intimate way. When he moved at last, it was perfection. This was meant to be. Inevitably, he groaned into the seam of her neck, and she petted his hair, feeling warm and sated.

Eventually, he rolled off, with a tender kiss on her mouth. Maya breathed out. "Wow."

"Lost for words, hm?" He was totally self-satisfied. She playfully pinched his side but happily enjoyed the afterglow cuddling.

It was a fantastic upgrade to their relationship, their own dirty little secret. At least, until the morning they received an abrupt awakening. The sliding door was thrown open, Pearl screaming.

"Mystic Maya?! You, you're in Mr. Nick's room!"

"See, I was right! I knew they were here!" Trucy delightedly added.

Luckily, they were under the covers, buying time to let them change. The girls did leave, with the parting sentiment it was the best day ever. Phoenix sighed. "Ugh, we should expect a cross-examination at breakfast."

At his crimson face, Maya burst into laughter. "Let's give our testimony then."

The road ahead was still uncertain, but as a family, they were going to be just fine.