The Night We Met

Who has not repaid his debt

Cillian

Julie tossed beside me, incoherent mumbles escaping his lips as he whispered in his sleep. I saw his hand reach out in search of the warmth my body had previously provided before I decided to get up.

I hadn't left the bed, not having the heart to leave this sleeping beauty on his own.

Instead, I brought my laptop from my study and, after throwing on some boxers and a discarded shirt on the floor - I'm sure it was Julie's - settled on the bed next to him and continued with my work.

I had an assignment due for submission by the next week, and while that was plenty of time to drag it out, I felt it better to have it complete as soon as possible.

That gave me more time to spend with Julie. As much time as I could, anyway.

His job was pretty demanding, and he worked long hours. Normally, after he got home, he was much too tired to do any of the activities I'd had planned for us, especially since he insisted on doing chores as well.

Every time I offered to help or firmly asked that he take a breather, I was given a scolding like a 5 year old.

"Cillian, if you even try to help me with this laundry, I will not hesitate to ban you from kisses for a week."

I chuckled at the recollection of his words. I had always been so worried about him over-exerting himself.

Burn out is a terrible thing to have to deal with, and I don't think I could bear to see him have to go through that.

As many times as I had insisted that, with my modeling and racing jobs, I was able to pay the bills all on my own, he refused to let me, wanting desperately to make a contribution.

"Just because you make in a day what I could in a month doesn't mean I shouldn't help," He'd complained one day.

I smiled, growing giddy at the memory. His personality has always managed to surprise me. Whether that has been on his good or bad days, I was never prepared.

I shifted my focus back to my laptop when he settled and stopped stirring. Letting out a deep sigh, I decided to go through my ever-growing collection of unopened emails. There were over one hundred; I immediately felt overwhelmed.

I set to work, carefully scanning over the emails, deleting spam, and replying to one or two. When I was satisfied with what I had done, I closed my emails and opened Microsoft Word.

I opened my project and read over the draft. Immediately after seeing countless errors made during my last caffeine-induced frenzy, I cringed and began editing. Julie turned again and let out a quiet groan. I kept my eyes on my computer screen, acknowledging his waking with a hum.

"You're working already?" He asked, his voice still laced with sleep.

"Always, baby," I responded softly.

He whined, moving closer to me until his arm was wrapped around my stomach. I chuckled, bringing my attention away from the screen and to his semi-awake form. "Someone's needy today," I commented, amused as I ran my fingers through his auburn curls.

His baby blues rolled up to meet my stare. I quirked a brow, encouraging him to speak. "Congratulations," he mumbled, shoving his face into my tummy. "You have, once again, pointed out the obvious."

I hummed, playing with the curl at his nape while I continued working with the other hand.

"Are you serious?"

My gaze darted to his immediately. "What?"

He sat up, his brows furrowing. "You're just gonna continue? Was I not clear enough about the fact that that is the exact thing I don't want you to do?"