Just Off The Key || Lizrei

Chapter 28: You Could Climb a Ladder up to the Sun

Half the space of the kitchen floor was taken up by eight bowls of varying sizes and colors. Every day. They started in a line, but would turn into a minefield once the animals were let loose on them. Water everywhere. Cat food on the counter. Waffles behind the oven. This morning, Liz put her hands on her hips and ignored the swarm around her legs, staring at the bowls on the counter to make sure they were filled correctly.

There was a small one with grass hay and lettuce, next to two cat dishes with dry kibble. For all of the little fatsos. Then there were two massive metal dog bowls filled with kibble, Sugar Puffs, and bacon, plus a smaller one that held canned dog food and a marshmallow. A single marshmallow, because Cloud needed it to grow into the big, fluffy, white monster he was destined to become.

Jelly's dish held tuna, even though Liz couldn't stand the smell. It was also placed a little bit further away from the others, to give the half-blind cat some extra security. Liz felt she would appreciate it.

Liz placed all the bowls on the kitchen floor, shoving the dogs apart to prevent them from delving into each other's breakfasts. She moved quickly through the chaos, accidentally tipping over the water bowl in her path, and waited until the animals were settled and wolfing down their food before moving back to the bedroom.

She had only made it to the hallway when she heard the tell-tale clattering of giant empty dog bowls. She smiled. Barnaby and Cornelius would spend the rest of the morning scouring the kitchen for any crumbs they might have missed.

Liz loved waking up before Rei. She liked to lie next to her and watch her breathe and dream, and she'd thank God or whoever was listening that she'd been given this perfect little person. All to herself. This woman cuddled up under the covers in one of Liz's shirts, because the AC wouldn't turn off, drooling onto Liz's Dalmatian pillow and hugging Pooh Bear tightly.

Then Liz would poke or tickle Rei to see how much it would take to wake her up. She found Rei's grumpy morning antics hilarious. And she knew the perfect cure for them.

Liz crept back under the covers quietly, and scooted right up on her side so she was facing Rei. She reached up and brushed dark hair away from where it was tickling Rei's nose, and then tapped Rei's fingers lightly, smiling when her girlfriend hugged the stuffed bear tighter.

"Reeeiiiii." Liz called, just under her breath.

Rei made some kind of noise, and Liz reached under the blanket so she could run her hand along Rei's side.

"Little bear. Baby. Sugar pie. Honey. Sweetheart. Darling. Love of my life." Liz whispered right against Rei's cheek, and then leaned forward an inch to press her lips to it.

Rei made another noise and scrunched up her face. Liz was delighted. That was her favorite expression. Plus Rei's quiet smile. And her laughing smile. And all her smiles and all her faces. Liz ran her hand under Rei's shirt and along her warm abdomen.

"Mmm, Liz. Your hand's cold." Rei mumbled into the pillow. Liz watched her with a small smile. She grinned brighter when Rei finally registered that her face was in a pool of drool and lifted it off of Liz's pillow with an expression of disgust.

"Sorry." She said quietly, putting her head on Pooh instead.

Liz shook her head with a smile. "Every night. I'm used to it."

Rei palmed Liz's face like she was trying to make her be quiet. It would not work. Liz could not be tamed. But she'd let Rei live in denial about her drool habits if it made her feel better.

Rei smiled suddenly and tapped Liz's nose. Liz knew she was fully awake. If she wasn't, Liz would've been poked in the eyeball.

"Today's the barbecue." Rei stated enthusiastically.