Hugs

Evie & Mal - You're my little oven

   "You're my little oven," Evie mumbled comfortably into Mal's hair where the both of them were currently resting on Evie's bed.

Mal just huffed, resisting the urge to roll her eyes good-naturedly at Evie's comment. After all, Evie would not be able to appreciate it with Mal's current position with her head stuffed in Evie's neck.

Mal had been on her way out to head to the store with Carlos since she needed to pick some things up, and Evie had been curled up on her bed freezing— the chill of autumn was starting to fully set in as winter started to make itself known— as she did some homework on her laptop.

As she had realized that Mal was about to leave, she had surreptitiously moved her laptop and asked Mal to come over to her. It was then that she sprung her surprise hug on her and pulled the shorter girl so that she was lying on top of her and squishing Evie with her warm body.

So now Evie was just lying on her back and Mal was currently on top of her where Evie had so unceremoniously dragged her down and Mal had not found it within herself to try to get up.

"Something about the dragon blood has a tendency to have that effect," Mal drily declared. Mal could almost feel the warmth of Evie's thousand-watt grin as a chuckle resounded in her throat and chest. Mal could not help her satisfied hum as Evie softly rubbed her blunt fingernails against the back of Mal's neck.

"Have I ever mentioned how thankful I am for that dragon blood?" Evie questioned, a smile evident in her voice. Mal could feel Evie starting to settle as Mal's full heat really started to settle in on her and warm her body.

"Once or twice. Doesn't hurt to hear it again, though," Mal expressed softly, her words gentle as her lungs remained resolutely filled with the smell of Evie's perfume. Mal could feel herself relaxing as a sense of safety overwhelmed her. Evie was one of the few people that could bring that feeling, and she never felt as safe with anyone as she did with the bluenette.

"Well, I can definitely tell you again," Evie started, her fingers gently tugging at the tips of Mal's hair. Mal hummed happily, enjoying the sensation.

"I am so, so thankful for it. And you. Because you're literally perfect, and I love you so much. You're so sweet and generous and kind and you love me so much and you're just the best person I know," Evie really laid it on thick with the compliments, and as much as it surprised and somewhat flattered the faerie, Mal instantly knew what it all was about.

Even though she knew Evie meant every word that she was saying, she was well-aware what the reasoning behind the timing of those words was. Evie was working an angle here and it was evident that she did not want Mal to leave her for the store.

"Are you just saying all this because you want me not to go to the store so you aren't left in here cold?" Mal cut straight to the chase, not hesitating as she asked the question.

She was not mad about it in the least, and honestly found Evie's attempts at getting her to stay to be very endearing. It spoke volumes about how much her best friend cared for her and how much she preferred Mal over a heap of blankets or a heater.

Obviously considering the best way to answer Mal's words, Evie was silent for a few beats before speaking up once more, her voice smooth and silky as ever as she addressed the question.

"Is it working?" Evie questioned.

Mal let out a begrudging grumble as she buried her face more tightly into the soft skin of Evie's neck, hiding from the world as she enjoyed the feeling of Evie's arms around her. She knew she was just going to have to text Carlos and tell him she was not going. Something about the feeling of her big sister's arms around her was impossible to draw away from. Evie's grounding presence and steadfast affection and devotion in itself was impossible for Mal to pull away from.

"Unfortunately. Despite my better judgement," Mal tried to maintain at least some shred of her dignity as she spoke up.

Evie pulled her closer, and Mal could almost feel the self-satisfaction rolling off of the bluenette in waves. It was something in the way that she had almost puffed up underneath Mal's body, and Mal knew that if Evie was standing in front of her where she could see her, she would be at least an inch or two taller with the pride of her accomplishment in keeping Mal here.

"Oh, come on, M. It's not so bad being cuddled up here all warm and cozy," Evie coerced. Mal just moved her head gently in a noncommittal gesture, angling her head up to touch her nose against Evie's throat in hopes of feeling the comforting vibrations of her voice against Mal's skin more fully.

"It'll do," Mal simply answered. Sure enough, the vibration of Evie's warm chuckle resounded softly through her throat and against Mal's nose, the feeling somewhat ticklish in a comforting, homey way as Mal nestled further against her. Evie's hands softly rubbed Mal's back, and Mal pressed her own warmth closer to Evie in a silent reciprocation of Evie's soft affections.

Mal sighed after a few moments.

"Well, I've got to text Carlos and tell him I'm not coming," Mal informed her, and Evie hummed in acknowledgement.

Mal moved her arms and hands so that she could place them on the mattress on either side of Evie's body to lift herself off of her. Evie remained still, wordlessly allowing Mal to do what she needed to do.

However, as she tried to raise up, Evie's arms remained stubbornly entwined around her, apparently at the end of their ability to cooperate with Mal's movements. Mal looked down at her best friend, and Evie had a slight smirk on her face as she kept her eyes closed and pretended not to be fully aware of the hindrance she was being to Mal's movements.

Mal shook her head tiredly.

"E, you gotta let me get up if you want me to stay."

"Nope."

Mal just sighed.

Evie was a mess but she adored her with all of her heart.