Cole was surprised when Reece invited him to lay down and watch her shows with her. He had asked her if she was tired because she had to be- chemo looked like it had socked her in the the stomach. Not that she wasn't still breathtaking, but he could tell she was exhausted.
"No. Well, maybe," Reece joked as her hands twirled the ends of her scarf. "But could you say no to me?"
Cole only allowed himself half a breath in before he settled down next to her. No, he couldn't- and he wouldn't even try, even though she was just kidding. He was aware her sweater covered hand was resting on his forearm, causing his skin to prickle. His lungs were filled with the sweet scent that he had come to know as Reece- vanilla, brown sugar, freshly washed sheets, and home. His hands itched to wrap her up close and hold her to his chest so he could just tangle them together. But Cole settled on being stiff and still until the petite girl swatted his chest with quiet irratation.
"Relax, you're as wooden as a puppet. I don't bite."
So he obeyed, his body easing into the bed, one hand cautiously settling loosely on her hip. But instead of shying away, Reece rested her head on his chest, the intoxicating smell almost making him sigh with ease. This felt so natural it almost unnerved him, and he wished he could pull her closer, but he didn't have to.
"I'm cold." Was the muffled explanation as her thin, warm body pressed against his side, causing his hand to settle on her stomach. Her tee was soft under his fingers, and if he wanted he could map out the little insignia of a character of a panda, and her boxers caused sparks along his leg as if it were bare.
"S'okay. I was too." Cole replied quietly, and she pressed a hand to his chest.
"Shh, I can't hear your heart beat when you talk."
So his mouth was clamped shut by the sheer power of her voice. Halfway through their third Adventure Time episode and close to him dozing off, a sharp whine shattered the peace, and his hand flew to her back and ran up and down.
"Reece, are you okay?" His tone was sharp with worry.
"It hurts." The soft sob rocked his chest.
"Shh, sweets, c'mere." The next thing he knew he was sitting up and pulling her in his lap, back to chest. His hands rose to gently work away the knots in her small shoulders. Cole was shocked at his choice of words and actions, but tossed that care to the wind when her sobs quieted to soft hiccups and relaxed against his fingertips. The TV faded to white noise as he focused on working out the stress in her muscles. Finally, with a little relunctanct and unnecessary running-of-hands-down-shuddery-sides, his hands barely settled onto her hips. "Better?" His voice was lower and gruffer than he intended, and he forced down the feelings that caused it. Her nod was barely noticeable and she settled against his chest, his head on the crook of her neck.
"Cole?" Her voice was soft and high like the soft song of a far away sparrow, and he realized how much he loved his name on her lips.
"Hmm?" Was all that he could elicit without sounding airy and shakey. Reece's thin pianist fingers intertwine with his and rise to her lips, pressing them against his knuckles. His head burrowed softly into her neck, his cheeks red.
"Thank you." Her lips were soft and warm when they moved across his hand, and he wondered if they tasted of vanilla and brown sugar.
"Anything, anytime." His breath was quiet and ran hot over her neck, and their hands returned to her lap. It wasn't too long before Reece's breathing deepened and slowed, letting him know she had drifted off to a land of dreams. Cole barely pressed his lips against her hot skin before laying her down. His hand cupped her cheek and traced the skin there before taking a breath and leaving while he had the willpower.
