Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

Agua de Coco

Amazonas, Brasil.

1982.

We're going out tonight.

We've decided to, because we finally feel we can -

Finally up to it.

And it will be so good for the two of us ...

Side by side, we stand in the bathroom

Cool tile beneath our feet

As we gaze into the mirror.

Me, leaning forward, carefully applying my lipstick

And you, smiling softly at me as you fix your tie.

We don't have to dress up like this

In fact, we're probably silly for it

But who cares?

We want to

We really, really want to.

Because we enjoy it

It's fun for us

And Merlin knows we need to relearn how to have fun.

... We're practically done now

In fact, we could be out the door already if we really wanted

But we're not the sort to rush

We like to take our time

We like an unbothered pace.

"What are you thinking about?"

He murmurs the words quietly

And I watch through the mirror as he leans towards me,

His lips lightly brushing up against my cheek.

I see myself smile

See him smile

As his eyes flutter closed, as he inhales against me.

There's been more smiles lately

At least that's how it feels.

"... Agua de coco," I giggle back

Agua de coco;

Coconut water

Something I've grown rather fond of since we settled here.

And right now, I have the biggest craving for a tall, cool glass.

Laughing, he steps behind me,

Chin on my shoulder as we gaze into the mirror together

"... Good for the little coco," he whispers

Hands lightly rubbing at my belly

My heart -

"Yes, very good for the little coco."

Our little coconut

The one we're so excited to meet

"Nearly ready, then? I'm rather hungry ..."

I could practically jump for joy just hearing that

He hasn't had any appetite since ...

... Since I can't remember when

I'd like to put a bit more weight on him

Though he's not at his thinnest

Nothing like he was throughout the last year spent with Our Him

When he became a shadow of a man