Claws and Heartstrings: Logan Howlett | Wolverine ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི

Chapter Twenty-Three

-Logan

I woke up to find Lia lying against me, her body nestled against mine, our clothes scattered around the room like forgotten memories. The morning light filtered through the blinds, casting a soft glow on her hair. She looked peaceful, her hair a tangled mess, her skin warm against mine. I couldn't help but smile, recalling the events of last night.

I remembered the way she looked at me, her eyes filled with a mix of desire and vulnerability. The way she held onto me, as if she was afraid to let go. I ran my fingers gently through her tangled hair, savoring the moment. I didn't want to leave this place, this perfect moment where everything felt right.

For the first time in as long as I can remember, I didn't have a nightmare or a rough night's sleep. As I laid there, lost in my thoughts, Lia began to stir. She shifted, slowly lifting my arms off of her waist, probably thinking I was still asleep.

When she turned to look at me and realized I was already watching her, she jumped, falling off the bed in a tangle of sheets and limbs. I couldn't help but chuckle. "Sneakin' out, huh?"

"You scared the hell out of me!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of surprise and embarrassment.

I propped myself up on one elbow, eyeing her as she hastily wrapped herself in a sheet. "You alright?" I asked, feigning concern.

"Yeah, just—" She fumbled for her clothes, clearly flustered. "Give me a minute."

I watched, amusement dancing in my eyes, as she scrambled to cover herself. Unable to resist, I reached out and tugged at the edge of the sheet, my fingers brushing against the soft fabric. She froze, her eyes widening.

Biting back a grin, I leaned in, lowering my voice to a teasing whisper. "Why the modesty? Haven't we already—"

"Logan!" Her exclamation was sharp, but there was a playful edge to it as she swatted my arm. "Don't start."

I rubbed the spot where she'd hit me, chuckling. "Ouch, that actually hurt."

"Good," she muttered, finally locating her clothes and pulling them on with practiced ease. "Now, focus. We have a mission today."

I groaned, flopping back onto the bed. "Knew you'd be all business once you woke up. You were more fun when you were asleep."

"Shut up and get dressed," she retorted, throwing my pants at me.

I caught them, shaking my head as I pulled them on. "You know, you're a real pain sometimes."

"And you're a flirt," she shot back, her tone dripping with mock sweetness.

I smirked, leaning closer. "Last night, you didn't mind my flirting."

She rolled her eyes, but I caught the hint of a smile. "Logan, seriously. We have work to do."

I chuckled, pulling on my shirt. "Alright, alright. But as soon as this mission is over and we bring your brother home, I'm not letting you run away from this, not this time," I said, my tone turning serious.

She glanced at me, her eyes narrowing slightly. She didn't say a word, but I could tell she heard me loud and clear. She should know how serious I was.

As I finished getting dressed, I couldn't help but think about the night before. The way she looked at me, the way she held onto me like I was the only thing keeping her grounded. It was a side of her I hadn't seen before, and it made me feel something I hadn't felt in a long time.

But now, in the harsh light of day, she was back to her usual self—focused, determined, and a little bit distant. I knew better than to push her, especially when there was a mission at hand. But part of me couldn't help but wish that we could hold onto that moment a little longer.

I was lacing up my boots, getting ready for the mission ahead, when Lalia stepped out of the bathroom. She was wearing her suit, her hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail. The sight of her made me pause. She looked stunning, even in the utilitarian getup.

I must've been staring too long because she caught my gaze and her eyes widened with worry. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice tinged with insecurity. "Do I look bad?"

I shook my head, trying to suppress a grin. "Nah, you look like a cute.. scuba diver," I said, my voice gruff but amused.

She stared at me for a moment, her eyes locked onto mine, before letting out a laugh she had clearly been holding in. She turned around, probably trying not to give me the satisfaction of seeing her smile, but I could see the corners of her mouth twitching. I couldn't help but smile myself, but then I noticed something. The back of her suit wasn't zipped up all the way.

"Hey, come here," I said softly, gesturing for her to move closer.

She hesitated for a second, her eyes flickering with uncertainty, before stepping towards me. Turning her gently, I began zipping up her suit, my fingers grazing her spine. The proximity heightened the air between us, each second stretching with unspoken words.

Lia stood still, her eyes fixated on the mirror in front of us. As I finished zipping her up, my hand lingered on her waist, feeling the warmth through the fabric. She inhaled sharply, her body tensing, and quickly stepped away as if my touch had burned her.

"We need to get going," she said, her voice betraying a hint of shakiness. "We should discuss the plan."

I nodded, the moment of levity gone, replaced by the seriousness of our mission. "Yeah, let's get to it," I replied, my tone back to its usual gruffness.

The room seemed to shrink around us, the weight of what lay ahead pressing down. We had a job to do, but for a brief moment, it was nice to see her smile, a fleeting glimpse of the person behind the mission.