Real/Safe Deleted Scenes

The Morning After

I need some fluff in my life, and you need some fluff in your life because you're here. So without further ado, the first time Cora and Damian fell asleep cuddling in Real. Right before Breaking Point.

Cora pov:

What time is it? My head is foggy, and my limbs are like lead weights. But gosh, this is warm. Where am I?

I force my eyes to scrape open, and they burn slightly as they do. This is what I get for having a nap in the middle of the day. Everything is too blurry to see. But why was I napping?

Oh yeah, Damian had a bad day at school, and he needed a hug. Then we got comfy, and I guess we fell asleep. Is this my bed? I don't think so, but I'm not used to the sheets yet either.

There are sheets over me, but my limbs are so heavy that I don't think I tucked myself in, let alone got up and left without remembering it. So...

I'm still in Damian's bed.

Now my eyes fully clear, the blur of sleep forgotten in the adrenaline of panic. That is not bed sheets, that is a shirt. That shirt is currently being worn, and not by me.

Damian sleeps solidly, his breathing even and light. His arms are apparently the reason I can't move mine. I stay completely still, breathing as little as I can.

I can feel his heartbeat against my collar bone. It's slow and steady, a solid pound every time. He's really asleep then.

Maybe, just maybe, I can go back to sleep. Because I don't think I want to leave the safety and comfort of his arms. It's too, lovely.

He's very athletic, so it makes it unsurprising that he's solid in front of me, like a brick wall. Not uncomfortable, however. You'd think it would be, considering how awkward it will be when he wakes up, but I haven't felt this peaceful in a long time.

I'm warm, comfortable, and still sleepy. It would be very easy to fall back asleep, if only I wasn't very aware that I am now essentially cuddling with my crush.

Crush seems like a good word for it. I've never been in love, as far as I know. My parents are in love, but I don't act like that with anyone. I assume they didn't start off like they are now, but how does one go from point A to Point B with these kinds of feelings?

I think I'll just stick with crush. It's not like anything is going to happen between me and him, as weird as it is to be thinking of that when we're cuddling. I mean, I can feel his heartbeat.

What time is it? Now that my eyes are clear, I realize I can't see a clock on the side of the room I'm facing. Not that I can see much over Damian's shoulder. I've curled up tightly into his chest, so my vision is greatly obscured.

"You move a lot." A voice scratches out from beside my ear.

I immediately freeze like a deer in headlights. My eyes flick to my shoulder that Damian's head was resting on, our eyes meeting as he moves it to look at me. I feel like I just poked a sleeping bear with the way he's looking at me.

"Sorry." I speak in a whisper, my voice leaving as my throat dries. He simply blinks blearily and lets out a small grumble.

"Is this okay?" He somewhat rasps. I try to swallow down my panic, forcing my muscles to relax.

"Yeah. Is this okay for you?" I ask. Neither of us meant to fall asleep, but we did. Maybe he just wanted a hug and not to fall asleep cuddling. Which is understandable.

"I don't think I've slept this well in my entire life." He states, somewhat drowsily. Or maybe he's tired and we both needed a nap.

"Happy to help." I try to smile. He blinks slowly at me. His eyes are slightly dazed, but they hold a certain awareness in them that I didn't notice before.