couples therapy: a chilumi fanfiction

chapter 9: intensity

Lumine was not used to waking up in the arms of someone else. But shit, she could get used to it.

Now, it's important to mention that Lumine wasn't completely oblivious to the possibility of this happening. She had considered this possibility when she suggested it in the first place - I mean, who wouldn't want to get to cuddle with an attractive guy? Platonically, of course. It wasn't like she didn't enjoy some platonic cuddles with Mona every so often.

Lumine was prepared for the possibility of waking up cuddling Ajax. But she was completely unprepared for how much she would love it.

She had woken up 10 minutes ago, and hadn't budged an inch. Partly because she was comfy, and partly because the way Ajax was holding her wouldn't let her move. She lay on top of him, her head on top of his chest. She could hear his heartbeat, feel his chest rise and fall with every breath he took. Both of her arms were wrapped around him, under his shoulders. One of his arms lay on top of her, keeping her close. The other was by her head, his long fingers intertwined with her hair.

Lumine quickly came to a realisation that these cuddles did not feel like platonic Mona cuddles. No, these cuddles didn't feel platonic at all.

Get it together Lumine. You are fake dating for convenience, that's all. No catching feelings.

"Lu... mi?" Lumine was interrupted from her thoughts by Ajax's voice. It was deep, the kind of deep that you can only hear in the morning. The voice that made her weak as hell.

"Yeah?" She looked him in the eyes from above him.

It took Ajax 3 seconds to realise what was going on, and 5 seconds to panic.

"Fuck, Lumi, I'm so sorry-" He had already quickly gotten out from under Lumine, and threw his head in his hands.

"Why are you sorry?"

"Huh?"

"Did you not enjoy it?" Lumine's voice wavered slightly.

"What?" He sounded completely taken aback. "Of course I didn't, I- It was great." He looked down at his feet. "It was the best I've slept in months. One of the first nights I didn't have to relive my worst memories." He mumbled the last part, but Lumine still heard.

"Well I'm glad. And I enjoyed it too, a lot. So there's no reason to be sorry."

"I was just worried I had made you uncomfortable. I know I act like a dick, but I would never want to make a woman feel uncomfortable like that." It was endearing, how considerate he was when he wasn't putting on the act he did.

"Nah, don't worry about it. Friends can cuddle."

"In that case... we should be friends that cuddle more." He stared her right in the eyes, almost challenging her. Challenging her to admit that it wasn't solely platonic. "If you want?"

"Sure," she smiled, not leaving his gaze.

After they had finished their breakfast and fully emerged from the morning cuddle euphoria, Lumine reminded herself of the task at hand. Something had happened yesterday between him and his dad, the very thing that Dr. Salchow had asked her to investigate.

Ajax was sitting in the living room, relaxing in front of the TV. Tonia, Anton and Teucer were already outside playing, and Tonia was in her room. The perfect opportunity. She vaguely remembered what Anastasia had said about being patient with him, but she needed to know before they left Snezhnaya.

"Hey Ajax," she said, sitting down beside him. He glanced up from the TV, smiling when he was it was her.

"What's up girlie? Want to play a video game? Want to spar~?" He goaded her, with a grin.