Our Meadow (Shirayuki X Obi)

CHAPTER THREE : Falling Short

I'm out on the edge and I'm screaming my name
Like a fool at the top of my lungs
Sometimes when I close my eyes I pretend I'm alright
But it's never enough

-Jason Walker

•Obi•

Crap.

Obi's eyes snap open as he jolts awake. The once darkened room is vibrant with soft glowing light. The wispy chirps of songbirds twitter through the morning air. With dread, he realizes he'd fallen asleep.

A gentle pressure nudges against his chest and he slowly draws his attention towards the red tresses spread across the front of his shirt. A fresh, ginger scent fills his nose as Shirayuki sleeps soundlessly against him.

His heart starts to pound. At some point in the night, they must have crawled towards each other. His arms had found their way around her, pulling her in like a blanket.

In return, one of her legs slid effortlessly between both of his and her fingers delicately lay over his waist.

He could hardly deny how perfectly their bodies fit together, like two puzzle pieces molded to match. He looks towards the door. He knows he needs to escape before she wakes up. The last thing he wanted was the rest of their travels to be spent in awkward and uncomfortable silence.

He gulps, following the curve of her slim body, pressed comfortably against him. Her nightgown that seemed so inoccent last night now hugs her slender waist, squeezing parts of her that felt impure to even think about.

Heat burns beneath his skin and he suddenly notices the more pressing issue-the reaction his body is having to her proximity. His thoughts become lost in a haze.

Hesitantly, he uncoils his arms from her body, gently slipping one out from beneath her. He manages to get himself untangled but not without her suddenly waking up. As her eyes flutter open he tenses.

She tilts her head back. Her jade eyes settling on his wide-eyed stare. For a moment there's a soft, unguarded look in her expression. A gentle streak of morning light casts across her subtle features.

She looked like an angel laid across the top of him. He takes in a sharp, wavering breath.

Shirayuki's eyes slowly widen as the haze clears, leaving fully realized deep green blinking down at him. A beautiful crimson glow seeps through her pale cheeks then abruptly, she jolts up, turning away from him and covering her face. "Sorry Obi!"

He starttles, quickly sitting up and holding his hands up dismissively. "It's fine, Miss!"

Crap, this is bad.

He clears his throat and throws his legs off the edge of the bed. He pushes to his feet and stretches his arms, careful to keep his back towards her as he tries to cool himself down.

"I forgot you were here," She admits, nervously fiddling with her hair.

Regaining his composure he rubs the back of his neck. "It's fine, Miss. I should return to my room and change."

She nods, her face still flushed.

      He presses his back against the door, his breathing erratic. His hands curl to fists at his sides and he closes his eyes, wishing he could remove the thoughts swirling through his head. That sleepy, vulnerable look she'd given him, the almost instant reaction his body had to her. He places a hand over his face. He nearly lost all of his self-control at that single moment.

Crap.

       The fresh air helped very little with clearing his head. It didn't matter that he changed his clothes, Shirayuki's sweet, prudent smell had lodged itself inside his brain. He wasn't even sure if he was smelling it on him or remembering it, vividly.