𝚂𝚞𝚐𝚊𝚛 | 𝚔. 𝚜𝚞𝚐𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚊

- Falling -

"Thirty-" Sugawara's grip tightens around my waist, "-no, twenty-eight minutes."

- 

I squirm, detangling myself from Suga's fingers, and stand on unsteady feet. My legs feel leaden. "Let's not waste what time we have left." I glance at the living room table, the contents muddled and empty. Sugawara had already taken care of our snack bowls while I dozed.

Our hands connect and I help Suga to his feet. We shuffle down the hall to his bedroom, flipping a switch or two, enveloping the house in murky shadow. Once inside, Sugawara shuts the door silently behind us. 

We change into more night-appropriate clothing, silken pants and shirts that fit him perfectly but make me look homeless.

I scowl. "Can't I get pajamas from my bedroom?"

"Eh," Sugawara ponders, running two fingers over his chin, "probably shouldn't."

"It doesn't look right." My fists tighten at my sides.

Suga heads towards the bathroom, stepping through the doorway. He glances back at me. "I think you look cute." The door closes.

My grip loosens as a dull warmth swirls through my ribcage. Frustration crumbles and sinks, old sprouts buried underneath swaths of fresh vegetation. It's a lonely feeling. I ask myself a familiar question, one that flits and drifts as lazily as a summer breeze. Has it really been two years?

A faint humming sound saturates my ears. I blink. My hands are tangled in leftover fabric, a faded cool brushing my exposed abdomen. Water splashes and runs somewhere beyond the bathroom door. The noise is imbued with gentle notes, a delicate tenor that snags your very heartstrings.

I soften. The door opens, a muted click, and Sugawara steps out, his gaze wandering to catch on mine. He stops humming. My fingers fall away from the fabric of my shirt.

Before I can blink, I'm in his arms. His embrace is warm, solid. I melt into his touch, my fingers roving over the silken fabric of his shirt.

"Are you alright," Sugawara whispers, breath tickling my ear, "love?"

My brow furrows. "I think so."

Suga's embrace is comfortable, a sturdy foundation. I lose track of where our bodies connect, the line of reality blurred. The sound of our heartbeats swim through my ears. I inhale, the scent of aftershave and mint crowding my senses.

His voice rumbles in my eardrums. "You smell like strawberries."

I nod, faintly recalling the lotion I'd put on this morning.

Sugawara's lips are warm against my neck. "Admittedly, you're sweeter than any strawberry I've tasted."

"You smell like body spray." I inhale, gently. "Old spice and aftershave." My nose scrunches. It's a strong scent that drowns out familiar hues of vanilla and laundry detergent.

"I smell like a man." He huffs, mouth dangerously close to my ear.

I wriggle out of Suga's embrace and stare him in the eye. "I miss the warmer scents, the ones I don't drown in."

"Are you implying that my shaving cream is smelly?"

"You can't even grow facial hair," I dodge a swipe from Sugawara, grinning. "What's the point?" I catch his wrist when he swings again.

Suga stares at the captured arm, his hazel gaze awash in amusement. "Well, now you're just playing dirty."

"Am I now?" I smirk, digging my fingers into his wrist. Heat teases along the edges of my ribcage.

"Ah, ow," Sugawara sucks in a sharp breath, but doesn't fight back.

The recollection of Suga's prank, on the grassy hillside, floods my mind. Anticipation coils around my throat, thick with concentrated warmth. Revenge. "Beg, and I'll let you go."

"Let me go, princess,"" Sugawara feigns, his eyelids hooding dangerously as I release him. "You're turning me on."

I shove him.

Suga lands on his hands, scarcely saving himself from splaying out on the floor. My face is flushed scarlet. Conflicted heat curls through my body as I take note of the bulge pressed against the fabric of his pants.

"Too far, huh?" Sugawara leans up, crossing his legs. The lump diminishes.

Maybe I imagined it...?

"I-It's fine." I stand to my feet, extending a hand. "I overreacted."

Sugawara clasps my hand, and I tug him forward. He uses his momentum to draw himself close to me, our chests and faces mere inches apart. His mint-laden breath tickles my skin. "Is it, now?"

I'm suddenly all too aware of a hard presence at my lower half. My mind, cluttered with heat, fumbles for a reply.

"Let's just go to bed." I glance at the clock, sliding a shuffling step back. My sights lock on digital numbers. My vision blurs and focuses, the blue digits coming into view. "It's almost midnight."

"Oh, already?" There's still so much to do..." Sugawara smirks, trailing off. My mind fills in the blanks.

My voice is feeble, my heart threatening to crumble underneath the desire in my abdomen. "Goodnight, Sugar."

"What, you aren't sleeping with me tonight?" He muses. I feel a warm hand snake around my waist, tugging me to him. I cave.

I gaze at him with hazy eyes, a gentle smile curling over my expression. The heat flits higher, melting the edges of my ribcage as I consider the possibilities. "Only if you promise me something."

"Anything for you, love." Sugawara proclaims. His hands press up against the fabric of my shirt before he slides them underneath, his fingers nimble against my bare skin. My breath catches.

"Let's, not do that tonight. Please." I insist, praying my tone came across as serious. I recall my sheets, washed and abandoned in the dryer.

Suga chuckles, sliding his hands higher on my stomach. "You sure?" He presses a gentle kiss to my neck. His breath flutters against my skin, euphoric warmth soaking into my throat.

"Yes-" I affirm, ignoring the blush that flits to my cheekbones. "-we already did, twice, today."

Sugawara hums against the skin of my neck, a low rumble that gently teases the heat in my abdomen. "If you insist."