𝐂𝐎𝐒𝐌𝐈𝐂 || 18+ 𝚢𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚜 𝚡 𝚑𝚞𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝙵𝙼𝙲

┉┈◈†𐐎𐌴𐍀†𐌸-𐌴𐍊𐌾𐌷†◈┈┉

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"I really don't need your help washing up."

It had been a few days of rough traveling and they were taking a break one hot morning to wash in a lake. Charlie was sitting on her knees in the shallows, trying to pry the soap from Dekar's hand.

The Daki guard huffed softly, but eventually relinquished the soap so she wouldn't needlessly tire herself out. He complained, "But it is one of my greatest joys to take care of you."

"I do it myself." She stuck her tongue out at him before grinning triumphantly, gliding the soap across her skin.

A mildly displeased rumble emitted from his chest, but he sat back and contented himself in watching her, his senses alert for danger. She felt his stare as she took the time to enjoy her bath, letting the water and the soft floral scent soothe her. Since the fog lifted, they hadn't run into any more Yikvu or other night creatures. But that one experience was already one too many.

Charlie finished washing, handing the soap back to him. The stretched skin of her stomach begged for her to scratch it with how itchy it was, and though her new mate would fuss over the red marks she'd give herself—like many times before—the urge was too strong. The temporary relief that came as she finally scratched it was too good and she sighed blissfully.

"Charlie!" Dekar reprimanded, tugging her hand away. "You could hurt yourself."

She groaned in frustration. "You worry too much! When has scratching an itch ever been harmful?"

He took a breath, fully prepared to answer.

She held up a hand. "Don't answer that. Let me have this one good thing."

She heard him grumble something then get up while she zoned out looking at her reflection in the water. The image of herself without her glasses always felt strange, like staring at an alien. Ironically.

"What about two good things?"

The words pulled Charlie out of her drifted state and she turned her head to see him smiling softly beside her, holding out a rock.

She raised a brow. "Yeah, rocks can be cool, but I wouldn't necessarily call them a good thing. It's just a thing."

He guffawed, pressing the rock into her palm. "It's Zikida fruit. Remember the Néna I gave you? You asked what gave it spice and I told you it was Zikida fruit."

Intrigued, she took it from him, inspecting it all around. The surface felt like a rock from a slight touch, but it gave way to pressure. Her stomach grumbled and she succumbed to the urge to bite into it.

A sweet, spicy flavor set her mouth on fire in the best way, juice dripping down her chin. She chewed with eyes closed, enjoying the burn and the unique taste. Too soon, the fruit was gone, leaving behind a sticky mess. She almost pouted, wishing it had lasted longer.

Dekar chuckled, fondly beginning to wash the juice off her chin and hands with lake water. "I would collect more of them, but they would be squished with our supplies."

"That's okay. We'll be coming back this way, won't we?" she asked, letting him take care of her.

He grunted, finishing his task with a satisfied expression. "Yes. Here, put your arms around me."

She did so and he lifted her carefully out of the water, mindful of her belly. He set her up on a toasty warm rock, making his face level with her chest. His hands lingered on her sides, thumbs caressing the skin, while his eyes drifted down to her pregnant belly. He was still staring with a far off look even after a minute.