The Pirate and the Princess | Niki x Puffy

14.- Perseverence

Niki blinked furiously, sitting up with hazy confusion. She had to rapidly adjust to streaming sunlight coming from the uncovered window and the new, unfamiliar environment.

She was laying in a bed, she knew that much. The cotton sheets beneath her were ruffled and a strong waft of coffee hit her nose.

Across the wall was an eccentric painting full of bright yellows and a pattern she couldn't make out. If she tilted her head it looked like a rabbit in a hat.

Below it, a wooden desk with a capped pen and notepad and a young woman with fluffy brown and white hair looking at Niki, having just noticed she was awake. She had a small smile and fondness radiating from her. Niki couldn't help but grin as she mumbled a tired, "Good morning."

"Good morning," Puffy took a sip from the covered plastic cup in her hand and grinned.

"What happened last night?" Niki searched her foggy memory for any images she could find. All she saw was her and Puffy eating lunch on the deck of the ship, a falling sunset of bursting colors, and then nothing.

"You fell asleep pretty early in the night so I took you below deck and let you sleep while I continued on," Puffy took another sip as if reaffirming her restlessness. "We got in around midnight and I was able to snag us this room. I tried to wake you but you were pretty asleep so," Pink began to crawl up her neck and she averted her eyes as she added, "I carried you in. I hope that's ok"

Niki pursed her lips, trying to hide the growing smile that came with the sudden vivid image of Puffy's arms around her. How tenderly they must have held her, those strong, forbearing arms and Niki couldn't help the seed of disappointment in her stomach at the idea of missing such a thing.

"Yes that's- that's alright."

Puffy nodded and hesitated, glancing unsuringly towards the empty spot beside Niki. There were lines of longing crossing her face, yet a gentle uncertainty painted over it. The mental flips and questions pulled at her mind of what to do. There was nothing more she wanted than to just sit next to her, to feel close even in such a menial way but she felt the lulls and enticement of cowardice, something she hadn't experienced in a while.

Niki merely giggled at how clear Puffy's face reflected her thoughts and patted the space next to her, sliding over an inch to make room on the small bed.

Lifting herself slowly, Puffy placed the plastic cup on the desk and crossed the miniscule room, sitting neatly beside Niki. Puffy's eyes remained trained on her still hands in her lap as she expected her heart to beat erratically through her nervousness and yet, it never came.

In its place was a comfort and ease, a slow fall through water as simple as breathing and the knowledge of the person sitting mere inches away from her sent tingles down her spine.

Puffy wanted to look at her. She wanted to see the beautiful girl that had chosen her, who had decided that she was enough.

Yet the pull of blissful ignorance was a difficult one to ignore and oh god Puffy would seem weird just looking at Niki for no reason again after she'd already been caught the first time.

Puffy opened her mouth because she wouldn't be weird for looking at Niki if she was speaking to her, right? She could get away with just a quick glance that would make her heart flutter and settle in her stomach with a finality that both shocked and comforted her.

"What do you want to do tod-"

Puffy lifted her head and was struck silent.

Her and Niki's faces were inches apart.