Sleeping With Sleep

XV

My eyes lit up and I bounced on my toes, clasping my hands together.

"Wait, really?" Vessel nodded, smiling warmly. He gave my arms a squeeze and reached into the shower, turning it on. I squealed softly in excitement and stepped into the warming water. Ves blew me a kiss and stepped out of the bathroom to give me space. I rushed through a simple shower and stepped out. Of course, I forgot to grab a towel, which was now in a laundry basket by the front door. I pouted for a second, not wanting to run out into the cold room. I decided to just call for Ves, but I had a sneaky little plan.

"Vesseeeel! I forgot a toweeeel! Heeeelp!" From the sitting room, I heard Vessel snort and laugh. After a short few seconds, I heard his soft footsteps nearing the bathroom door and I took a careful, slippery step over to the door. The door squeaked open and right as Ves popped his head in, I vigorously shook my dripping wet hair like a dog, slinging water all over Vessel. He laughed and whipped me with the plush towel.

"Ahh! Hey, no fair! I'll keep this towel and you can just freeze!" I cackle and snatch the towel from him, wrapping it around my shoulders and over my head, getting dry and cozy. Vessel rubbed my towel-wrapped head and chuckled softly.

"Alright, Babushka. Get dressed and put your boots on, I have a rental car on the way for us." I wrapped my hair up in the towel and pulled on the shorts. I turned to Ves, yanking the shirt over the towel.

"Wait, what about my bigger furniture? Like, I have stuff for my cats and I have a dresser and desk and-" Ves cut me off, waving his hand.

"Oh, don't worry about all that, love. I have IV working on that right now, we're gonna go to your apartment right now and mark everything that you wanna keep. We're getting a moving service to ship it over for us." I played with my fingers and chewed the inside of my cheek. I felt guilty letting them spend that kind of money on me. I'm so new to their lives and they've already done so much for me. I almost feel as though I'd be intruding on their lives in the band house.

Vessel broke me out of my anxious thoughts with a warm forehead kiss as he gently pulled the towel off my head. I closed my eyes and took a small calming breath.

"Thank you, Vessel... For everything... I love you..." Ves smiled against my forehead and planted another kiss before slapping my outer thigh.

"No worries, sugar. We're happy to do this. I'm happy to do this." I gave a half- hearted smile and stared at my toes. Ves clicked his tongue and lifted my chin with a finger. My eyes hesitantly met his many emeralds, staring back at me with love and concern.

"What's the matter, sweet girl? What's got you so nervous?" I sighed and dropped my gaze again, opting to fiddle with his necklaces.

"I just... I feel like I don't deserve all this... Everything you guys wanna do for me... I'm not doing enough for you... I wanna be able to give back, you know?..." Ves let out a breathy laugh and shook his head. He grabbed either side of my face and pulled me to make me look at him.

"Baby, if you wanna give, give me all that you can. Give me you. Share your happiness, your sunshine, your insecurities, and darkest thoughts and worst impulses. Give me life. With you. You deserve the world and nothing less. And I plan to give you that. And there's nothing you can do about it, got it, missy?" I giggle quietly and nod, wrapping my arms around Vessel.

"Thank you..." Ves rested his cheek on top of my head and squeezed me back in response to my whisper. He hummed, then stood, holding me at arms length by my hands.

"Alright, we really should get going. I don't think Dodge Chargers drive themselves." Ves left the bathroom, leaving my jaw on the cold tile. No fucking way. A Charger?? I scamper after Vessel and sputter out question after question about my favorite car. He answers every one before I pause, realization hitting me.