The One Who Didn't Die

16. In the Middle of Something

November

Imagine Phillip Phillips' "Magnetic" fading out as they start to talk.

"Thanks for bringing my clothes back by the way." Daryl said rolling off of me, hyperventilating.

"You're welcome." I practically whispered still trying to catch my breath. I looked for my phone. "I have to be in the studio really early tomorrow, so I'm just setting an alarm." I informed Daryl. My day was going to be beyond packed.

"You're not leaving?" He asked standing up to go to the bathroom.

"I think I'm too tired to do that." I said looking at the actual time, 00h03 it read. "That would mean getting dressed and having to make the 40-minute drive back to my place." I said after thinking about it. Finally back to breathing at normal human rates, I closed my eyes for a moment.

"Okay then." Daryl said running back and practically jumping onto the bed.

"If you're going to run, would it be too much trouble to wear underwear?" I asked putting my phone away.

"You can make best friend demands, you can be demanding when we have sex, but you cannot make post coital demands." He said getting under the sheets. He turned his body to face me.

"Okay fine." I said crossing my arms. "You know, this has happened eight, now nine times in the last 10 days." I said counting on my fingers. It was two weeks after Halloween and that night hadn't exactly been the last time we ended up in bed together. Last week got stressful for both of us and going for a run or writing just isn't enough when you know about a better stress reliever. I think this week was just a matter of convenience.

"I know. I think it's time we call that time out." He said chuckling. "This is getting too comfortable but it's also a lot of fun." He said with a smirk. He moved his hand along my leg and rested it a few inches above my knee which was under the covers.

"I mean I we guess we are two consenting adults. What does it matter?" I said moving my hair to one side. "No, what am I saying. I know we've drawn clear lines and everything but, what if we become too dependent on this kind of outlet?" I thinking properly as he turned over so that his back was to me.

"We have not done as much talking in the last week as we are right now." He said sounding more lethargic. "What if we don't? Become too dependent that is." He asks turning only his head. "I mean I'll take whatever I can get from you at this point." He said turning to lie on his back.

"What is this thing?" I said referring to what had been happening between us.

"This is you and me. It doesn't need any other label and we're not figuring anything more out." He said making it sound simple. "We work hard in the day and work even harder at night when we fall into each other's arms. It's between you and I." he explained.

"Just you and me huh?" I said looking at the two of lying in bed. "Hold that thought." I said when I heard my phone ring. It seems to have a tendency to ring at the wrong time but it was Jolyane calling so I took the call. "Hey Jo." I said alerting Daryl of the person I was talking to. He got up and came to lie closer to me for some reason.

"Great, you're still awake." She said and I could hear I was on speaker, I could also hear the road. Daryl started to kiss the hand closest to him and I raised my brow at him but his eyes were trained on what he was doing. "I wanted to let you know I just arrived in Nashville." She proceeded as did Daryl as he moved up my arm. Being extremely ticklish is never fun, but it's really not fun when someone leaves feathery kisses on you.

"I'm glad to hear you made a safe trip back." I said struggling to steady my breathing.

"Thanks. I actually somehow left my keys in Dallas in Leonard's apartment so I'm coming over to stay with you until either I call a locksmith later or Leonard couriers the keys. Whichever is fastest, I don't care." She said sounding exasperated. He trailed kissed along my collar bone and to my other shoulder.