Shift

Adjust

Stacey woke up early. The light from the big window was pale, the sun high in the sky.
She stretched and put out the fire in her fireplace, reaching for the white fluffy blanket on the end of the bed and wrapping it around her like a cloak.
She brushed her teeth and ran cold water on her face before tiptoeing, careful to not disturb Chris.

Chris.

He'd been so good to her, giving her space, not minding when she lashed out at him, protecting her, bringing her here...she frowned, a sickish, heavy feeling in her stomach. She recognized guilt when she felt it, and it was hitting her hard.
She made coffee first, leaning against the counter and closing her eyes while the familiar sound and smell filled the air. This was comfort. This was the same. Coffee was unchanging, always there for her.
She opened the cupboard, reaching for the biggest, most oversized mug and filling it with hot coffee. She wrapped both hands around the mug, bringing it to her lips and inhaling deeply through her nose, instantly feeling better. She sipped it, closing her eyes and enjoying the treasured first sip of coffee.

She set the mug down and rummaged through the cabinets, pulling out two skillets and two spatulas. She opened the pantry door and pulled out pancake mix and bread, then reached into the refrigerator for bacon and eggs.
She started cooking, coffee in one hand and spatulas in the other.

She'd just turned the stovetop off when she heard footsteps behind her.
She froze, slowly turning to face Chris.

He was smiling softly, black eyes warm. She looked down at herself- her curls were in a high ponytail, her face makeup-free; she was in an oversized Death Cab for Cutie t-shirt and leggings, her feet bare; she had her blanket around her like a cloak.
Her face flamed. "I made breakfast," she announced, looking at the table.
It was set for two, plates full, a cup of coffee for them both.

Chris crossed the room quickly, grabbing her and crushing her to his chest. He smelled her hair, hands roaming her arms, her back, grabbing her face and tilting her head to look at him.
She blinked fast, breath catching. They were so close. She was so warm. He was so handsome, so gentle...
She closed her eyes, lips parting gently. He closed the distance and kissed her until she had to come up for air.
She was lightheaded, giddy, smiling. He was smiling, too.

"I thought I would never see you again," she whispered.
"I'm here."
She hugged him tightly. "I know."

He was here, and she was never letting him out of her sight again.
~

It was cold today.
Stacey made another pot of coffee while Chris got the fire going. She sat on the couch, and Chris joined her. He turned on the tv and she snuggled into his side, holding tight to her coffee mug.

Chris smelled really, really good. He smelled like mint, like soap, and like the woods outside. She'd never noticed before, but it was so clear...and very attractive. She felt heat course through her out of nowhere, desire hitting her like a brick wall.
She looked up at him, and he stiffened. When he turned to her, his eyes were even blacker than normal.
"Stacey," he whispered.
She was undone.
She climbed into his lap, straddling him, and crashed her lips to his.
He tasted of mint and coffee. His lips were fuller than hers, and she bit his bottom lip gently. He groaned, flipping them over so that he was on top of her.
His hands ran up her sides, and she shivered, flipping over so she was straddling him again. She pulled up on his shirt, helping him discard it. He pulled hers off and threw it across the room, eyes taking in her body appreciatively, half lidded.
She kissed him, dragging her lips down to his neck, kissing all the way up until she reached the spot just behind his ear, her teeth grazing his earlobe.
He sucked in a breath, hands gripping her waist hard, and she grinded against him, feeling how turned on he was.
She exhaled shakily.
He flipped them over again, and she let out a low rumbling noise as she flipped them over, the need for dominance taking over her.
She froze, sitting straight up, hands covering her mouth.
She's just growled.
"What?" He groaned, panting.
"I just...growled," she admitted.
His eyes snapped open all the way, the lusty half-lidded gaze gone.
"Stacey, have you felt...weird lately?"
She thought about her quick changes in moods, her quickness with which her desire ignited, her aggressiveness, the way she could smell such intense, specific smells...the way she could actually hear the fire burning last night...
She confessed it all to Chris, desire gone.
He put his hands on her bare waist, squeezing gently. She felt her body relax into him, despite her anxiety.
"You're going to shift soon."
~
Stacey was asleep by the time Chris got in bed.
The phone call to his mom had taken longer than he thought. He'd told her everything, reassuring her that both he and Stacey were safe, and explaining their departure and new discovery about Stacey's abilities.

"She didn't freak out?" His mother asked, incredulous.
"I mean, she did. But she said she knew she could tell something else was up with her when she ignored the ghosts and she still didn't feel right."
"That makes sense. She's strong, baby. Good for you."
Chris smiled.
"But you need to take care of her- this is a lot to handle, even for a tough one."
"I know, mom," Chris sighed. "I'm trying."
He could hear the smile in her voice. "I know, baby. I raised you right."
They said their goodbyes, and Chris double checked that all the doors and windows were locked before extinguishing the fire in the living room and quietly sneaking into bed beside his not-so-peacefully sleeping girlfriend.
Her curls fanned over her pillow and halfway over his.
She smelled like roses and sweet vanilla- it was intoxicating.
Her skin was sunkissed, golden. Her light brown hair added to her golden, summery look, even though it was winter. The normally smooth skin had a little pucker between her tightly closed eyes.
Her breathing wasn't even- it was a little too light and quick for his liking.
His mother's warning that this was a lot to handle repeated in his mind.
He gently brushed a finger over the pucker between her eyes. It evened out, and her tightly squeezed eyelids softened. He smiled softly, a warm sense of pride washing over him.
He brushed a little curl out of her face, and she stirred.
"Chris?" She asked, voice thick with sleep.
Her voice was so small. He couldn't breathe.
"I'm here," he whispered.
"Hold me," she instructed, turning to face him fully.
Her green eyes were tired. He kissed her head softly, removed his shirt and socks, and slid under the covers. He pulled her in like he was hugging her and tucked her head under his chin.
Her cool fingers splayed across his chest. They seemed so delicate for such a fierce girl.
"I love you," he murmured into her hair when he was sure she was asleep.
"I love you too," she breathed.
He tensed. She was asleep immediately after her declaration, but it wasn't lost on him.
His heart thudded in his chest, and he could hear the blood roaring as his face blushed bright red.
He smiled, suddenly giddy, and squeezed her. She snuggled closer in her sleep, and he laid awake for another moment, contemplating how lucky he was in the midst of his endangered life.