La Mort et ses Merveilles ✔

10. Leslie Carpenter; Woodworker Extraordinaire

La Mort et ses Merveilles

Chapter 10: Leslie Carpenter; Woodworker Extraordinaire

I slept with Leslie that night.

Well, not in that sense of the word, but it didn't make it any less awkward. When he proposed it, I only fluttered my eyes in shock.

I had gone up into my room and changed into more comfortable clothes, a rather thin T-shirt and loose sweatpants. When I came back Leslie had stripped down to a white singlet and pair of blue trunks. He was lying down on his bed, hands folded behind his head. I settled for the sofa, just like he had when I was sleeping in his room during my injury. But as I sat down, he turned to look at me.

"Why don't you come here?" he said as he shifted to the side, making some space. "There's enough space for two."

"N-No," I muttered, gulping. "I'll just sleep here on the couch."

I was surprised, but at the same time I would be lying if I denied that a small part of me actually wanted it. Besides, it was just sharing a bed together right? There's nothing inherently wrong about that. Yeah, just Leslie and I sleeping on the bed.

"Please," he said, pouting. "I'm just so sad and lonely."

He looked at me with his sad, puffy eyes. Our gazes met, and I found myself looking away. Without a word, I got up and joined him, switching the light off along the way. Fumbling in the dark, I finally managed to sit myself down on the bed, and slowly lied down beside him. It was then when I felt the bed move as the young man sat up.

"Why'd you switch the lights off?" he said, before reaching out and turning the light on to its dimmest setting. "You didn't want me to see you?"

"I thought we were going to sleep so I-"

The young man cut me off with a chuckle as he lay back into the bed, putting his head back onto the pillow we shared.

"Gosh," he said as he turned to face me. "You're really cute."

I turned to my right, and we ended up face to face. The dim light casted shadows on his pretty face, from his deep sunken eyes to his prominent cheekbones, from his thin brows to his sparse moustache and scruffy beard. I couldn't help but feel my heart thump in my chest. I didn't know what I was doing, yet I didn't mind staying there, right beside him. I only stared and blinked at him. I must've looked so stupid.

Leslie bit his lower lip and I felt his large palm on the side of my shoulder, his fingers running against my skin as he lifted up my sleeve. His touch sent shivers down my spine.

"I want you to hold me," he muttered as he snuggled his head into my chest. "Just wrap your arms around me and hold me tight."

"Why?" I asked, slightly nervous, but my arms were already moving to embrace him.

I held him there as we lay in his bed. His soft, tousled hair tickled my neck and chin. My heart beat faster than ever, but at the same time I felt at peace. Holding him there, this grown boyish man in my arms. I just wanted to be like that forever.

I didn't know how long I lay there like that, Leslie pressing against my chest. As I closed my eyes, I could feel his arm wrap around me. I didn't mind, and my heart rate finally began to steady. It was comforting, at the very least. I didn't want to admit it, but I needed a hug really bad. It's just been too long someone locked me in their grasp and made me feel safe. Resting my head against his soft brown hair, I felt myself being coddled away to the land of dreams.

I didn't know how long I had been asleep, but I was awoken by the young man's movements. He shifted slightly, and his hands began to move.

Leslie ran his hands down my back, his touch ticklish. My body tensed up, and he could sense it.