Finding Home | #Wattys2016

Chapter Twenty-Two: Infested Waters

A/N: I know it's been 10 years, six months, 19 days, 8 hours, 9 minutes and 15 seconds give or take a few years since I last updated this story, but here it is. I swear I still fully intend on finishing it, I just haven't had much time. If you read any of my other stuff, you know that I've kind of extended Is There Somewhere? And now I have to work on finishing that. But I pumped this out quickly and I'm trying to outline the rest of the plot for this story. I hope you enjoy and drop a comment. Thank you for your continued patience.

~TGF

Chapter Twenty-Two: Infested Waters

Elyza awoke the first time to a dip in the bed and a gentle hand on her arm. Her eyes fluttered open and she was greeted to a beautiful, soft smile on Alicia's face. She reached out, her hand grasping at the brunette's.

"Hey," her voice was raspy with sleep and she glanced around in a daze. The sun was setting and the room was cast with heavy shadows. "How long have I been asleep?"

"Awhile, I brought you some dinner," Alicia gestured to the table next to her, where a tray lay. Fried, canned spam, some canned green beans and a glass of water. It wasn't the most filling meal and the spam would leave a film in her mouth., but it was food and her stomach was grumbling loudly for it.

"Have you rested?" Elyza asked, her gaze shifting back to Alicia.

"A bit," her eyes cast downward to the sheets, "it's hard to sleep."

Elyza nodded in agreeance but didn't want to delve into that, "Have you eaten, then?"

She watched as Alicia's expressions shifted upon her face when she nodded and the way her lip twitched upward. Her jaw clenched as her gaze lingered on full lips, but she forced herself to shift her eyes back upward. "Then why don't you get some more sleep?"

A blush pinkened Alicia's cheeks as she twisted her sleeve in her hand nervously. She remained silent for a moment, seeming to be warring with a decision. Elyza watched her as she did it, wondering exactly what the problem was. Their kiss was still at the forefront of her mind, but she wasn't going to be the first one to bring it up. Not unless Alicia did.

"I was wondering...I mean, could I lay with you? I think I would feel better going to sleep," she started, licking her lips and shifting slightly. "Safer."

Elyza nodded, her heart swelling in her chest at the idea that Alicia felt safer with her. "That's fine with me," she groaned as she moved up the bed, her back aching and legs sore. Their trek and adventures had taken a toll on her body and if she looked close enough she could see the same exhaustion upon Alicia's face.

She reached out for the plate as Alicia settled down next to her. Once she bit in the first bite of spam, the rest of the food went quickly. She really didn't realize how hungry she was until the food was right before her. It was gone before she was full, but she didn't complain, only settled the plate onto the table once again.

Alicia's body faced away from her, curled up under the blankets with one arm beneath her head and the other protecting her body. Her breathing had yet to settle so Elyza knew she wasn't asleep yet. Living in the same room as the brunette had made her incredibly in tune with the sound of her breathing, most of the time it was the sound that lulled her to sleep.

"You awake?" she whispered, settling onto her back.

Instead of a response, Alicia rolled over and settled on her other side, facing Elyza. Her eyes were alert and steady on Elyza's.

"Do you want to talk now?" Elyza asked, assuming her silence was a prompt.

Alicia shook her head and scooted closer, suddenly pressed tightly against the blonde. She removed Elyza's arm from her side and snuggled underneath it, resting her head against her chest. "Is this okay?" she whispered.