In Other Words (Niall Fanfic)

Chapter Seventy-Eight

In Other Words…Chapter Seventy-Eight 

Roxy’s POV

Of course I was up before him, my best efforts to curb the effects of the change in time zone only partially successful. It didn’t much matter though, as it was bliss- laying beneath the sheets curled against his chest as he slept, snoring lightly at times, fingertips occasionally twitching against my shoulder.

Actually, I would have set my alarm for this; each time my eyes fluttered open a warm wash of oh, he’s here fanned out from my chest to my fingers, and I’d cozy against him a little more, my legs wrapped around his like I’d slip from the mattress without keeping my grip. I’d fall back into the lightest of sleeps for a few minutes before repeating the process, each a conscious moment spent in uninhibited, unimpeded Niall observation. The tops of his shoulders were still red, evidence that he’d been careless in applying sunblock when he, Liam and Josh had spent their free afternoon at the theme park a few days ago.  I wanted to reach over and touch the skin, feel the heat being given off by the burn. I’d overlooked it in the dark last night, and I’m sure my hands and fingernails inflicted some pain. He hadn’t said anything, but I could recall a couple of winces that passed across his face immediately before he pushed himself into me a little deeper, a little faster, a little harder.

Dark hairs extended downward from his bellybutton and disappeared beneath the white band of his boxers, and I ran my finger along them absentmindedly, focusing on the stark tan line that was visible there. I am sure there have been plenty of days spent nursing a hang-over poolside, a little hair of the dog in his cup, a hat pulled over his dirty hair, letting the sun soak into his skin as he laid in the over-sized loungers or sat at the edge of the water, feet afloat.

He stirred beneath my touch, and I stilled my breath, but it was no use. He squinted, looking down past his nose at me, chin tucked against his chest. “G’mornin’.”he said hoarsely with a sleepy smile.

“Hi.” I whispered. “Sleep good?”

“Mm.” he said, reaching for the bottle of water on the bedside, stretching so that I wouldn’t have to move from my cozy place against his chest, and brought it to his dry lips before offering it to me. I shook my head. “We gotta get movin’, babe.” He croaked, craning his neck to look at the clock. “Why’d you let me sleep so late?”

The plan was to get on the bus bright and early and head for L.A., having a couple of days there to bum around. Was.

“It’s your birthday.” I smiled.

“Yes.” He said, a half-question, as if he were unsure if perhaps I thought he’d forgotten, or what that had to do the fact that we had to be packed up and downstairs in less than half an hour.

“Happy Birthday.” I said, pecking him on the lips and slipping back down into my little nook.

“Thanks.” He said, trying to wriggle his legs free from my grip. “Roxy.” He reached down and tickled the backs of my knees, which only made my thighs snap tighter, and my fingernails dig into his side. “God, woman! We gotta go.”

“I don’t wanna!” I screeched. He quickly gave up, shrinking back against his pillow. “You know I love those boys, Ni. But I don’t want to be stuck on a smelly old bus with them on your birthday.”

“It’s a luxury motorcoach.” He quickly retorted, feigning deep offense. I rolled my eyes. “So I take it you’ve made other plans?” he said.  I shrugged. And then smiled.  “And we’re in no rush?”