It Wasn't That Way

Chapter 15

Oh so slowly, ... languorously, ... the oblivion of sleep faded.

Consciousness filtered back to Cake with all of the haste of a lazy turtle. And adorned with creases from his pillowcase, he awoke with a deep exhale.

Subdued splotches of oranges, reds, and blues marbled into view on the backs of his eyelids. His eyebrows knitted together, the sun must've already risen high enough to stream its light through his bedroom windows. It had been well past midnight when he'd finally gone to sleep, and he must've forgotten to draw the blinds.

Despite the influx of light, the stupor of sleep was a pleasurable weight. His mind was hazy and porous as a sieve. It let the memory of last night's dreams slip away. They had been the kind that were so vivid and so absurd that retaining them was impossible.

He had slept so hard.

And so good.

It was always like that when he slept holding Eiw.

The air-conditioner ran at a low hum, keeping the room deliciously cool, but his blankets and the person tucked closely next to him were so warm.

It was comfortable.

Tranquil.

Cake burrowed into his pillow and received a mouthful of Eiw's hair. He swiped at it absently, gentle even in his half-woken state.

This was a rare treat.

Eiw was always awake before he was, but he had probably decided to sleep in since it was the weekend.

It was a Saturday without plans.

The kind of day where Cake had the luxury of nothing to do and nowhere to be. Sure he had homework and chores, but that's what Sundays were for.

Today was the kind of day where he and Eiw could linger in bed for as long as they wanted, order food or maybe have fun while making a meal. Waste time watching movies together, and just talk all day.

The morning was still and the day held promise. With Eiw in his arms and drowsing under the spell of sleep, everything was right in the world.

Cake's brain pumped him a healthy dose of oxytocin. That powerful hormone released only during times of intense bonding. He felt love and safety. The one person he cared about above all else was in his arms right now.

He smiled against Eiw's head and nuzzled it gently. He tightened his arms around his best friend, only to find that one of his hands was resting on the softness of Eiw's belly instead of where it usually lay against his back.

Cake's eyes fluttered open, expecting to see Eiw's face, peaceful in sleep. Instead, all he saw was the back of Eiw's head.

Cake's eyes shot open; what the hell?!

His arms were around Eiw in a backwards bear hug, one arm under Eiw's neck, and the other draped over his middle.

Eiw's back was pressed flush against Cake's front and their knees slotted together, one pair behind the other underneath the sheets.

He was... spooning Eiw?

Was he still dreaming?

No way, the way they were pressed so tightly together was too tangible to be anything but real!

Eiw was the perfect size to fit snugly into his arms. The fabric of his oversized shirt was gathered at the top of his stomach and Cake pulled it down in minute movements. He smelled like that melon milk soap he'd taken to using, and like the sweet laundry detergent from Cake's sheets.