Between Two Eternities || Travis Hamonic

(35) Loving You Easy

"I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul."

-Pablo Neruda, 100 Love Sonnets

Sun streams in lines across my body. I wake up, slowly, mesmerized by my surroundings ... dark gray walls that absorb everything, know everything, hear all that has been said in this room.  My eyes slowly open, and a toothy smile spreads on my face as I remember the events of last night.

I turn my head along soft pillows, and see a large window covered by a thin set of curtains. The light still manages to hurt my eyes. Birds can be heard outside, probably gearing up to head south for escape from the colder weather that has already set in.
I would usually envy them, but right now I'm content being curled up in this large, warm bed.

I turn my head to the other side then, and the place beside me is empty. I can hear the shower running in the bathroom that seems to be right through the door on the wall to my right.

The sheets are still warm, so he must've just recently gotten up.

I stretch my arms and legs on the cool mattress and stare up at the white ceiling. A grin cements itself on my face. I'm naked under the gray comforter.

Travis touched me last night.

It was the first time I've ever experienced it. Travis was perfect; couldn't have been any sweeter to me, asking if I was okay. His arms were tight around me, lips soft, rustling of white sheets ... the memories are vivid, just like I want them to be. I can still see his muscles flexing, his chest a slight pink color from the heat...

He was so loving, and affectionate. It made me even more in love with him than I already am.

Familiar feelings surface across my body for a second, and I am forced to cover my face with my hands because my cheeks are getting so red with heat.

It makes me blush and feel certain parts of my body tingle with the thought. Oh boy. I take a deep breath and grin at the ceiling, hands dropping to the warm sheets.

"It's good to see you smiling again."

I turn my head. Travis stands in the bathroom doorway, buttoning up a light blue dress shirt. I didn't hear him open the door, or even the shower turn off for that matter. I prop myself up on my elbows at his presence.

His hair is damp and in front of his face. I feel a pang in my chest. "You too."

Today feels fresh. I feel closer to Travis than I've ever felt with anyone, especially now. I sit up fully now, and pull the blanket up around my chest and tucked under my armpits. I'm getting chills. He asks me if I'm cold and that he can turn the heat up in the apartment, but I tell him I'm not. "Busy day today?" I ask.

He shrugs. "Game this afternoon. I've gotta go early. There's other kids who wanna meet me believe it or not."

I toss a pillow at him and roll my eyes, however appreciative of his reference to our second, or third, meeting. Also in appreciation of his selflessness.

He sounds so professional, like he's got his whole life together. What an attractive combination he is. He finishes up his shirt and starts on a tie that was hanging on the doorknob of his closet. I watch him silently. "I think it's too late to get you a ticket if you wanted to come to the game. But you can always hang out in the locker room," he suggests with a mischievous smile.

"I love watching you play," I preface. "But I'm exhausted."

He smiles at me in the mirror, and then looks back down. "I wonder why," he says slyly. My cheeks get red at the words. "You'll stay here right?," he asks, eyes trained on his tie, but hope in his voice. I grin.