My dreams are filled with dancing lights. A free fall through the atmosphere, knowing that my landing will be cushioned by the safe presence that surrounds me. Gentle fire works flowing through me.
I turn in the bed, just wanting to go back to my lovely dream, and snuggle closer to the warm chest that cradles me.
Wait, what?
I blink my eyes open and see Chris' peacefully sleeping face. There's a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. I think this is the most comfortable I've ever seen him.
Somehow, during the night, the blanket that had separated us had lowered. It's now all bunched around his waist. This left his, thankfully clothed, upper body with nothing to stop it from reaching out to hold me.
It was nice, being held like this. His body is so warm, and I feel the pleasant tingle that I'd begun to associate with his touch. I can't help the small sigh that escapes me. My body becomes ridged when he lets out a small murmur and pulls me further into him, my face now pushed into nuzzling his neck. His pleasant scent fills my lungs and I try to resist letting out a moan.
Okay, I need to get out of his grip before he wakes up. As much as I want to stay here, I dread to think of the embarrassment we will both feel if he wakes up in this position.
There is also still that nagging feeling in the back of my mind, reminding me that this is very wrong and not fair. I brush it to the side quickly. Extracting myself from his grasp will require all my focus.
I ponder my next move. Maybe I could use my legs to slowly move down and escape his grasp? I think that's about the only option because a direct pull away was bound to wake him.
Resolved in my attempt, I slowly make my first move. I slowly wiggle down, doing my best not to disturb him. My head now is about face to face with his stomach, and I carefully extract his arm from around my neck. I'm delicately in the process of placing it back down when all my hard work is ruined by one word.
"Meow?"
Felix, you snitch!
At the sound, I see his body flex and his arms reach out around the bed as if searching for something. Their attempt stops as they collide with my knees, and those sparks I had just escaped were exploding back under my skin in full force. His fingers explore my knee as if trying to identify the shape, then they slowly veer up my thigh towards my pajama shorts.
My face bursts into flame, and I'm struggling to think of a polite way out of this. Should I wake him up before they go higher? The choice is made for me when his eyes slowly blink open.
Oh God, is this a better or worse position than before? I honestly can't tell, but I don't think so!
His pale green eyes find my shocked ones. He murmurs sleepily, "Good morning," with a happy smile still tugging on his lips. His fingers move higher up my leg as he stretches.
I stammer incoherently in response, staring at his hand. He blinks at me sleepily, probably wondering what was wrong with me. I see his eyes move from my face down to where my gaze was. His fingers freeze on my skin, and linger for a second or two before he slides them back quickly.
As soon as I'm free from his touch, I spring off the bed. I yell something that is meant to sound like "Bathroom!" Not waiting to see his face or hear what he has to say about where his fingers had been exploring.
Once I'm done, I go to the bar and grab a tall glass of water, and take a moment to collect myself. Oh my Gosh, how did that happen? Can I just run away from the whole place, please? Oh my God.
I really want to just grab all my things and leave. The only thing that stops me is the thought of Felix and her kittens. I still haven't decided what I'm going to do about them.
I really want to stay out here, but I need to go back in there... I refill my water, trying to take as long as possible and make my way back into Chris' room.
The kittens are all awake now, clambering for sips of their mothers' milk. Felix looks quite annoyed at the attention but doesn't bother with trying to escape it.
Chris is leaning his hand in and petting one of the kittens, the action stops at the sight of my return.
He opens his mouth, but I don't let him speak. "I got some more water for them, you know, to refill their bowl. Anyway I need my phone!" I ramble quickly, already looking in my bag for it. Four missed calls from the same unknown number, and even one from Beth - what could that be about? I ignore them for now, knowing the kittens are my top priority. I look for the contact of the one person I can trust with anything. I send her a very quick text of, 'Help! Got kittens at P3. We're in Chris' room!' and send it before I can hesitate."So, my sister should be on her way. I asked her to come help us out," I tell him, trying not look look at his face.
From the corner of my eye, I catch his expression. He looks disappointed, and I think I spot a flash of something darker, but nods his head. I lean in and fill the small water bowl he had gotten the night before. I also give Felix the remainder of the chicken. She really needs to keep her strength up.
We sit in silence like this for too long. Me, staring steadfast at Felix and her kittens, while he sits on his bed fully clothed, looking like he really wants to say something.
He seems to be gaining his resolve, but I'm grateful that before he can, our silence is interrupted by flashing lights and that specific jingle which brings with it a strange tingling sensation inside of me.
"Paige!" I exclaim with relief and rush to hug her.
She makes an 'ooph' sound at the collision but doesn't push me off as she says, "Cas, I got your text. What's this about kittens?"
As if hearing their title being called, the kittens all start up anew with their cute tiny noises. My heart melts at the sound, and I can see it having a similar effect on Paige. Felix is looking as casual as ever, like she didn't just witness someone come into being in front of her. I wish I was that calm and collected.
"Oh God, you weren't joking," Paige says before realising, "Piper's going to kill you when she finds out you kept kittens in her club," she pauses before clarifying, "Well, maybe not now but when she gets her sense back, your head will be on the chopping block, missy."
"I know, I know," I respond, "But I didn't have anywhere else to take them! You know I can't have pets in my apartment."
She nods thoughtfully and looks between us with suspicion at our rumpled appearance. It's definitely obvious to her that I'd slept here. She had seen me in the club the night before and knew these were the same clothes I'd been wearing then.
Chris interjects, "So, any clue where we can take them?" He probably saw the incoming interrogation and wanted to avoid it as much as I do.
Paige gives me a look like, 'this isn't over',before she sighs. "Yeah I think I know someone who would be willing to take them in, but we're gonna have to orb there."
"Who?" I ask, not wanting to hand them over to just anyone.
Paige hesitates as she says, "Katrina. She... it's complicated, but we can trust her."
The last part is said with a certainty that convinces me. I quickly move to Paige's side, and it's decided by proxy that Chris will take the box with Felix and her kittens.
Our journey is swift and, though vaguely reminiscent, doesn't capture the full joy of my dream. I find myself disappointed. It's been a while since I last orbed, maybe the novelty had just worn off?
We appear in a humble kitchen, right in front of a kind looking woman with curly blonde hair. I startle at the sight of her and look to my sister, wondering if it's okay. Paige offers a smile as she says, "Hello Kit."
"Paige," she says with a smile as Chris orbs in behind us. "You brought guests. How unexpected."
Embarrassed I rush to say, "I'm sorry, I hope we're not imposing."
She smiles nicely and says, "Of course not my dear. Come, set them down over here."
We move to the living room and Chris places the box on the coffee table.
She opens the cover and says with fondness, "Felicitas, you always were a curious one." Felix purrs in response
I startle at the name, and look to her questioning, "Felicitas?"
"Yes dear, I raised this one when she was just a kitten. I'm pleased to know that she found someone to protect her during her time of need."
I blush at the look she gives me and Paige questions, "Does that mean she's a familiar?"
She hums, without confirming, just making the cryptic statement, "All creatures have the potential."
I want to question her more, but see something light up in my bag on the table. Must be my phone again.
"I better check that," I murmur to the group as I grab it. Seeing Beth's name on the caller ID, I walk away from them and answer it, "Hello?"
"Cassidy!" She practically yells, "Thank God, you finally answered. Where have you been all night?"
I jump at her tone and question, I respond, "Aah-um, P3. After my shift, I was just so tired, I just fell asleep in the back room." Not a complete lie. Wait, "How do you know I didn't come home? Weren't you-"
"Nevermind that," she cuts me off quickly, "Oh I should have guessed, you workaholic! Are you still there?"
"Er, yeah. Of course. Where else would I be?" I hope she doesn't hear the lie in my voice.
I hear a shuffling in the background and distant voices before she says, "Good. Stay there." And she promptly hugs up.
Oh God. I need to get back, now.
"Who was that?" Chris asks from behind me and I jump, clutching my phone to my chest.
"I told you to stop doing that!" I exclaim, before answering seriously, "My roommate Beth. I think she's on her way to P3 right now, so I really need to get back there."
"Here, I can orb you while Paige handles things here." He offered out a hand as it says it.
It's a tempting offer. I can see Paige is enjoying her time here catching up with Katrina, and I don't want to cut their time short. "Okay, let me just tell her first."
I quickly run past him and let Paige know what's happening. She looks a bit dubious at his offer, but I reassure her we'll be fine and I need to go right now. She nods her head and tells us to be safe; that last part is added with a pointed glance at Chris. Katrina, or Kit apparently, says we are welcome back anytime. I give Felix an affectionate chin scratch in parting. I grab Chris' arm, ignoring the pleasant feeling it sparks in me, and just like that, we're off.
That feeling is back again, the carefree joy I thought was associated with orbing, but am coming to realise is something purely Chris. I want to stay like this forever, but all too soon the light fades and we appear back in the bar of P3.
Even though we are solid beings now, I really don't want to let go of him. His lean bicep is still clutched in my hands, lighting a pleasant fire within me. I look up to his face and see him already looking down at me with a tender smile.
Why doesn't Paige's orbing make me feel like this? Why does his touch ignite such feelings in me?
We stare silently at each other as he slowly takes my hands into his own. His eyes are such a beautiful green, and they hold such intense emotion. What is he thinking? Why does he always get that look on his face when our eyes meet? What is he feeling?
I want to ask him one, any, of the questions that whirl in my mind but find myself unable to speak. He brings one hand up to my face and cups it gently, while the other stays holding my hand. I lean into his electric touch, wanting to savour this moment. I can see his face moving closer. I'm reminded of the moment we shared right here just one week ago.
I wonder what he tastes like, and feel my tongue moving out to lick my lips unconsciously. I feel myself leaning up on my toes, wanting to find out the answer. I'm tired of pushing him away when I want him so much.
The sound of the door closing upstairs and the footsteps that follow are enough to bring me back to my senses. All at once, I lower myself flat on my feet and take a step back from him.
The intruder is almost at the end of the stairs and when they come fully into view my eyes widen slightly in horror.
I remember now why I was so hesitant, why I knew it was so wrong to act on my urges around Chris. That lingering frustration in the back of my mind.
There, standing in a nice suit with a bouquet of slightly wilted flowers, is a man I had entirely forgotten about.
"Suprise," Derek says softly, holding the flowers out for me with a smile.
Oh.
Right.
Derek...
My boyfriend.
How could I forget about that?