Chapter 7: Bonding under the Black

"Right now… we need some rest."

"O-Okay." Claire sighed. Pete was right. It's been a long day. She walked to the toilet. "I'm… going to change into my pajamas first. Don't peek inside."

"What kind of person do you think I am…?" He scoffed.

"I-I mean… we're strangers?"

"… That's fair." A sigh slipped through his lips.

After changing into her pajamas, Claire stepped out of the toilet and tossed her clothes into her suitcase. She saw Pete was already lying down in the space between the bed and the chest. She moved to the bed and touched the mattress. Oh, this is pretty soft.

Claire jumped on the bed and fluffed the pillow. It's not bad at all. The pillow and blanket were comfortable enough. It's in good condition. She expected them to be firmer. But it's not bad at all!

She tucked herself under the blanket and closed her eyes… only to open them again. I can't sleep like this. How could she sleep on the bed while her housemate slept on the floor? Her conscience wouldn't let her.

"Pete…?" Claire crawled to the end of the bed to peek at him. "Is the floor… comfortable enough?" It was an odd question when spoken out loud, she realized.

"Honestly, no." Pete got up and scratched his back. The floor back home was better than this. "The floor is harder than I thought."

"O-Oh…" Her lips pursed. She leaned closer. "Maybe you can have the blanket, instead?"

"Actually, I'll sleep outside." Pete stood up and took his backpack. My back hurts. "I think there should be some haystacks in the barn." I think there was a stable, too…?

"Outside?" Her eyes widened. How did they go from sleeping on the floor to sleeping outside?

"Well… have a good night, Claire." He gave a meek smile and turned to the door. "I'll see you in the morning."

Pete took a few steps forward but felt a hand grab his sleeve. Of course, there was only one person that could be.

"Don't go."

"Hmmm…?" Pete looked over his shoulder. Her face was bowed down, her forelock covering her eyes.

"I can't sleep comfortable like this, knowing you'd be outside."

"Oh, it's all right." Pete waved a hand to dismiss her concern. "I don't mind at all."

"But I do." Claire raised her head, her delicate blue eyes meeting his own. "This farm… was meant to be in your care. And you were so kind enough to let me have the property, too."

"Claire…" Pete turned to her, his crimson eyes studying her concerned expression. Is she worried about me…? "But where would I sleep, then? I could still try the floor but–…"

"… Sleep with me."

Pete stared at her in utter silence. His body froze as he processed the words leaving her lips. He blinked rapidly.

"… Huh?" His face rose in heat. He felt his cheeks glow red.

"I-I mean, let's share the bed!" Claire blushed heavily and let go of his sleeve. "W-We're sharing the farm and all, so…!"

"Wait, wait, wait!" Pete took a few steps back, visibly flustered. "You're asking me… to sleep together?"

"No, I'm not!" Claire threw her fists down in embarrassment. I technically am, but… "You'll sleep on the bed. I'll sleep on the bed. That way you don't have to sleep on the floor or go outside! A win-win situation!"

Pete could not believe the words leaving her lips. Did she just ask him to sleep with her? On the same bed? Two people of the opposite sex sleeping under the same roof? Snap out of it, Pete! He shook his head and mentally scolded himself. What kind of arrangement was this? They literally just met! How is this a win-win situation?!

"… No." Pete formed an X with his arms.

"What do you mean no?"

"Fine, I won't sleep outside." Pete sighed. "I'll try to get used to sleeping on the flo–…"

"If you're going to be like that, then I'll sleep on the floor with you!" Claire whipped the pillow and blanket away.

"Wha-…?!" Pete slumped forward, going slack-jawed. "Then no one's sleeping on the bed! What's the point?!"

"Or would you rather take the bed and let me sleep on the floor?" Claire puffed her cheeks out and waved at the floor. "I might be fine with that!"

"What?" Pete wanted to pluck his brown locks out. "I don't think I'd be fi–…"

"Then let's sleep together!" Claire cried out. "I can't live with myself if I were sleeping comfortably and you weren't for my sake!"

Pete facepalmed himself with both hands and breathed heavily. He ran his hands through his hair and gripped it for a moment before letting go. Just how did we end up here…? He was tired; he didn't have the energy to go back and forth with her. The time they spent arguing is time lost over sleep.

"… Fine." Pete rubbed his lips. "I'll sleep on the bed."

"… Good!" Claire tucked herself under the blanket and scooted to the wall, her back turned to him.

"What… are you doing?"

"Giving you some space!" She replied, red creeping up to her ears. "And it'd be awkward if we were facing each other."

"… I see." Pete walked to the bedside, hesitant. Am I seriously doing this?

"Just because we're sleeping together doesn't mean you can get yourself into funny business." She warned him. "Got it?"

"Again, what kind of guy do you think I am?" Pete got on the bed. "This is your idea, not mine. It's not too late to change your mind."

"I won't." Claire shut her eyes tight. "Good night!"

She is a handful. Pete slowly adjusted himself on the bed and drew the blanket over him. He turned his back to her, facing the other side. As expected, the bed was cramped with two people. Their backs were touching each other. But they both found the bed the most comfortable solution.

The bed… is far more comfortable than I thought. Pete had to admit. Though he had to squeeze in, he didn't mind. He closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep, ignoring this strange predicament.

But he couldn't sleep. He just couldn't. Pete was conscious of the girl behind him. His heart was beating in a way that didn't make him feel calm. I've never slept with anyone before… much less a girl. Was Claire having these thoughts? He felt bad for her, really. She was practically thrown into this situation…

Pete shut his eyes again. We'll just have to deal with it. He sighed deeply and slid his arm under his head.

...

"Pete…?"

"… Yes, Claire?"

"Are you awake?"

"I am now."

"I can't sleep."

"Me neither."

...

His eyes were open again. It seems she can't sleep either. He found comfort in that, for some odd reason.

"How… did you know the old farmer, Pete?" Claire asked softly. She was curious about their relationship. "Have you been here before?"

"… Yeah." He nodded, though she wouldn't know. "I came here when I was a little boy."

"I see…"

"My parents brought me here on a vacation." He smiled to himself. "Long story short, I got lost and wandered into the farm accidentally. The old man found me. He helped to reunite me with my parents."

"That's really kind of him." She hummed. "He sounds like a nice person…"

"Yeah, he was." Pete closed his eyes, reminiscing on the memories. "He showed me around the farm, and I had lots of fun. I could never forget those days."

Claire could sense bittersweet emotions in his voice. The old man must have been a good friend in his life.

"We've been writing to each other since then." He continued. "He's… like the grandfather I never had."

Claire nodded. He might have seen Pete as his own grandson. Maybe that's why he entrusted the farm to him. "And… what made you come back here?"

"For a few months, I've never received any replies to my letters," Pete answered, lowering his voice. "I came back to… check up on him."

"Oh…" Claire cast her gaze to the pillow. Guilt pooled through her chest. Maybe I shouldn't have asked that. "I'm… sorry, Pete."

"Yeah…" Pete rubbed his eyes. Tightness coiled around his heart but talking it out with her eased it. "And what about you? Why did you leave the city?"

"You already got the gist of it." Claire tapped her fingers on the wall. "I was so bored there. The apartment I lived in was expensive. I had been going through part-time job after part-time job just to make ends meet."

"That doesn't sound fun."

"It isn't!" Claire shook her head. "I craved some excitement out of my life. I wanted it to change."

"And you discovered the ad about the farm?"

"Right." She smiled. "Never have I felt so excited by anything before. It sounded like the life I deserved. I just wanted to escape."

Pete chuckled silently. A girl with strong impulses. "You didn't stop to think whether the ad was genuine?"

"I was so fed up with my life." Claire sighed. "I wanted to steal any chance I could get to leave it. I wouldn't survive another day in the city."

"I see." Pete hummed. "Do you… regret it now that you're here?"

"Well…" Claire stroked her chin. "It's… definitely not what I expected. The farm isn't as advertised, and I have a surprise housemate. I don't even know what to make of that."

Pete would agree. He didn't expect life to turn this way either. It's probably more of a shock for her than for me. They both had mixed feelings.

"But… it hasn't been boring." Claire stared at her palm. "So far."

"I suppose this isn't the excitement you had in mind."

"Nope." She giggled. "But who knows… maybe it's the excitement I need."

"Is that right…"

Claire felt her worries lighten up a little. It's been so… overwhelming. She came to Mineral Town for an exciting life; instead, she received more than she bargained for. An entire farm for free and a housemate to live with. All things considered… it's not so bad, I guess. Maybe this was exciting in its own way. Getting to know Pete a bit more was… nice.

A smile formed on Pete's lips. It was strange. When they first met, they were butting heads. Now they were laying on the same bed and sharing a lighthearted conversation. He found himself tolerating her presence. Her first impressions threw him off. She's just trying to live out a life. But what about him? He didn't choose this life; he felt obliged to carry on his old man's legacy. Pete wanted to keep his memory alive. He wasn't sure how he would raise an entire farm by himself. But with the two of us…?

"Hey, Claire…"

"…"

Pete looked over his shoulder. He didn't sense any movement from her. He heard faint breaths on the other side. Ah, she must have fallen asleep. It's been a long day. She must be tired after everything that happened. Myself, as well. Tomorrow, they'd start a new life. He'd be carrying the mantle his grandfather left together with her. Let's see what tomorrow brings.

"Good night… Claire."

...

..

.

Pete and Claire sharing a single bed... I just had to take advantage of the Only One Bed trope. Anyhow, I think I've fully adapted hmnoob's story, so at this point on, I'll have to come up with my ideas lol. Gonna need more brain-power.

Anyhow, stay tuned for the next chapter!