ashes [m.h.] (Completed)

Chapter 14.

My eyes fly open in a sudden action. The breath is lost from my lungs as I awake abruptly. Slick sweat is hot on my skin. Too hot. I begin coughing, trying to bring oxygen back into my lungs, the burning sensation killing my senses. I cough and cough, never seeming to stop, each time more forceful than the last. My brutal coughing soon turns into a hacking fit and my body is desperate for relief. I try to sit up from my sleeping position in a yearn to relieve the pain, but a heavy arm wrapped around my waist stops me. Matty. I move frantically from under him, coughing every second of the struggle. His body is stiff and radiating heat onto me. My hands move from subconsciously gripping my chest to shaking Matty's weighted body next to me. He quickly becomes conscious, and doesn't take long to notice my state.

"Maggie." He shoots up from his position, quick to aid me. "What's wrong? Are you okay?" He panics.

I struggle to respond.

His large hand goes to my back, patting me as if I were a burping infant. Air is forced into my pipes and I begin to calm. I cough once more and begin to breathe heavily. Relief is rushed through my senses.

"Maggie?"

I catch my breath and utter a response. "Sorry." I say.

"Are you okay?" He questions, tone full of concern.

"Yea, yea. It, um," I breathe. "It happens sometimes. I'm fine."

He pulls me close and into his arms, holding me gently as the room falls silent ,and all that is heard is my ragged breaths. My head rests on his bare chest, and his chin grazes against my hair. The heavy rise and fall of his chest carries my head with him like ocean waves taking me out to sea. We sit like this for what seems like ages, before I decide to break the comfort of the silence.

"What time is it?" I manage to say in a low whisper.

He leans back, scoping for a clock before answering.

"4:36" he recites.

I groan in frustration. I can never seem to go back to sleep after my fits. I always end up having to stay up the rest of the night, tiring me out before my day begins.

"Do you want to go back to sleep?"

"No, I can't." I whine. I can't help but acting like a spoiled child that didn't get their way. My feet kick out and I whine obnoxiously, wiggling out of Matty's grip.

"Hey, now." He chuckles.

I sigh an exaggerated sigh.

"What do you want?"

"I don't know." I whine. I can't help but miss the warmth of his arms, causing me to inch back to him. He doesn't hesitate in welcoming me back, holding me close to his beating chest.

"Matty?" I whisper lowly.

"Yea?" His breath hits the top of my head.

"What's your favorite color?"

A beat of silence comes before his answer. "Grey. What about you?"

"I like black."

"Black is an exquisite color." He says, tone full of honesty.

I don't reply, seeing as the silence is comforting enough. Before long, my fingers find themselves tracing small circles on his rising chest. His skin is hot against my small finger. The darkness of the room engulfs us in it's dark arms, cradling us gently and keeping us from the revealing nature of light. I let my mind wander freely, replaying the events from meerly hours ago. Memories of the fuity alcohol flood back, as I reminisce the taste if it. I mentally search the taste buds of my mouth for any hint of the flavorful drink, only to find a faint familiar taste in my mouth. An off taste of hard alcohol. Matty. Of the few times that we've kissed, there's always been the very subtle hint of alcohol covered by mint on his tongue.

As the thoughts of Matty's mouth go through my mind, I begin to remember where else it's been. I can practically feel my cheeks redden at the thought, and I become instantly grateful for the darkness surrounding us. The sinful actions of last night play through my mind and a small smile creeps upon my lips.

"What are you thinking about?" Matty's deep voice pulls me from my thoughts.

"Nothing." I try not to laugh.

"I can very well feel the heat radiating from your cheeks."

He brings a finger to my rosy cheeks, circling them with a gentle amount of pressure. I don't say anything, letting his hard finger wander its way along my soft skin. He makes his way to my lips, carefully skimming across them. The close contact is lost briefly as he switches his index for his thumb. The pad of his thumb grazes lengthwise over my bottom lip, tracing it multiple times. I make the mistake of slightly parting my lips, granting him access to my mouth's entirety. He inches his thumb between my lips, and I take his limb between my teeth, causing his actions to halt. The darkness of the scene boosts my confidence, encouraging me to add to the sinful behavior. I bring my tongue to the pad of his thumb, gently licking him. A lowly chuckle comes from within him, and he slowly removes his limb from the intrusion.

"What are you doing to me." He sighs, the low confession nearly inaudible, my ears faintly catching his words. I don't answer. Although his thoughts were only meant for him to hear, I couldn't begin to answer the question myself. Here I lay with a boy I just met, wrapped in his arms and feeling safer than ever. How did we even get here? What do we even mean to each other?

I push those thoughts to the farthest corner of my mind, deciding not to worry and enjoy the moment for what it is.

My eyes fall heavy with sleep and I make no effort to stop them. It comes as a pleasant surprise that sleep is able to return to me, considering it usually doesn't after my little incidents. My mind drifts off, craddled by sweet thoughts and hopes as sleep cascades over me. I sleep.

I've rewritten this about 5 times, kms. There are still some parts I'm  unhappy with, but i figured you guys deserved an update. The next chapter will be better i promise. Thank you for reading my crappy book though! It really makes me happy, knowing all of you enjoy my writing. xx

-nya