Shooting Star and Swallow's Song

If I Ask

By the time Steph came out, Alex was feeling the drowsy effects of the codeine, but easily fought the call to sleep. She was also sitting up in the couch, which helped.

She turned to see Steph come out in a long black t-shirt with a d20 on it, colored in dark orange, light orange, white, pink, and dark rose. As her brain was considering the color combination, it stopped working as she looked further down and only saw her bare slender legs. She immediately turned away, but couldn't help but to glance again a couple times as Steph came over to the couch. She tried to be subtle about it, but was caught up in her desire so much that she couldn't really say how secretive she was being.

"All ready for bed. You?" she asked.

She turned to her, eyes staying upward, only keeping from glancing down out of sheer will and determination.

"Um, I just need to take off the boot. I remember they said I could take it off at night. Probably should do it in the bed though. Could you help me just get my boot leg up onto it? I just want to be careful for now."

"That's why I'm here," Steph said with a smile and offered her hand.

Alex desperately tried not to stare at Steph's legs as she took her hand. She failed for a moment as Steph's leaning position pulled up her shirt and revealed the lower part of her dark gray boy shorts, very similar to what Alex was wearing herself. She had to close her eyes for a moment as she let herself be pulled up to a standing position, with Steph's other hand supporting at her hip again. With the codeine flowing through her, the movement wasn't so bad, but the drowsy effect made her bump into Steph again anyways.

Steph caught the other, her hand snaking further along Alex's waist. Once she stabilized her, Steph said, "You really aren't great at standing up anymore, are you?"

Alex smiled sheepishly and said, "I blame the drugs."

They started towards the bed, Steph supporting her the whole way.

"Not the leg?"

"Okay, both. There, equal blame for all."

"What about your coordination?" Steph asked, smirking.

Alex glared playfully at her for a second, then said, "If I could kick you, I would."

"No you wouldn't," Steph said as a matter of fact.

"You're right, I wouldn't," Alex admitted defeatedly then looked at her with playful annoyance and said, "Just help me get this sucker up on the bed."

Steph smiled and said, "Sure thing."

She followed Alex to the bed. When they reached it, Alex sat and swung up her good leg. Steph knelt down and carefully supported the boot leg to bring it up and onto the bed.

Alex felt something tighten, but the codeine really masked the pain well.

"Can you take it off for me?" Alex asked, realizing how flirtatious she sounded and saw Steph almost balk at the request, but then the girl replied nonchalantly, "Sure."

She loosened the straps and carefully slipped it off. Alex braced herself for pain, but Steph's intentional manipulations did not affect her, much to the other's relief.

"Thanks," Alex said when they made eye contact again.

"Nothing nurse Steph can't handle."

Alex smiled in appreciation and there was an awkward moment of silence before Steph said, "Guess I'll get set up on the couch now."

Fuck, the couch?... now what?

Alex nodded, trying to hide her disappointment.

"Will you um...still talk to me?" Alex asked hoping it was not weird to ask.