Shooting Star and Swallow's Song

When We Both Wake

Alex clung to Steph as they went inside, but as soon as they passed through the doorway, Alex detached herself, feeling self conscious.

Don't be a weirdo. You can't just keep holding on, you barely know her. Even if it feels...

Steph turned around from closing and locking the door, disrupting Alex's thought as soon as their eyes met.

She stood still as Steph touched her arm and said, "Hey, I know it's only like three, but if you feel tired, just go for it. I'll still be here."

Alex froze for a split second, glancing at the hand on her, but replied, "I dunno. I think I'll try to stay up for a while so I don't fuck up my sleep schedule anymore than it already is."

With a nod, Steph slipped her hand off Alex's arm. They stood awkwardly together for a moment, before she asked, "So...did you want to just sit?"

"Uh, sure."

Alex stepped over to the couch with Steph right behind her. They both sat on opposite ends again, though one remembered more about their time on the couch than the other. Some memories did start to come back to Alex, making her glance at Steph hoping she wasn't thinking about the same thing. It did help distract her a little from the lingering distress of everything that had happened. Instead of sinking into a pit, her emotions were now temporarily more similar to walking a tight rope.

Oh god, what else did I do? I can't remember... Please be nothing else.

She knew there was something that happened before her hand found its way between Steph's legs. Alex started flashing back to the warmth against her body. Steph spoke up before the fuzzy memory of cuddling into her fully formed, slightly startling her.

"So," Steph began, pausing to observe Alex when she flinched, but continuing when she was composed again.

"You aren't hungry, are you?"

Alex considered for a moment, but shook her head. "Not really. Uh, you?"

"No...same."

More awkward silence.

Steph spoke up again. "You want to talk about anything?"

"I guess...like what?"

Steph paused and then asked, "What's your favorite color?"

Alex stared across the couch with an incredulous look. "Really? That the best you got?"

Steph crossed her arms and leaned back into the couch, smiling at the criticism. "Right now, yeah. But I'm just warming up." She then leaned across the couch to playfully poke Alex's side, just above her hip as she said, "Just answer the question."

The unexpected touch sent a tingle up Alex's spine, making her squirm to get comfortable again before she answered.

"Sure...hmm...favorite color is red, but I don't like wearing it. I mean, not like something all red. What's your favorite color?" Alex said, trying to move the conversation away from herself.

Steph easily bounced back the focus to her though as she said, "Green. Now, what do you like wearing?"

"Uh...whatever, but earth tones I guess. I don't own as much as I'd like to."

"Hmm..." Steph put a finger to her chin and said, "So you have a passionate streak, but you like to hide it and be calm and collected on the outside?"

Alex stared back blankly, a little disturbed by how well she was just psychoanalyzed and how transparent she must actually be.

"Uh...maybe..." She quirked an eyebrow, then added, "Stay out of my head, town DJ," she said with a little smirk. Alex realized she could literally do the same with her powers, but had to throw that Pandora's box back in her closet before she thought too much about it.