It's Always Been You

Fragments of a Hazy Night

I mumbled incoherently as I felt myself being moved, the gentle rocking motion stirring me from my semi-conscious state. It took me a few groggy moments to fully wake, blinking rapidly as I tried to make sense of my surroundings.

"Hey Fi," Wes's soft voice broke through the haze. "What's your dorm room number?"

I let out another muffled noise, my mouth dry as sandpaper. I licked my lips, grimacing at the bitter taste of stale alcohol that lingered. "Two-oh-two," I managed to rasp out, my eyelids already drooping heavily once more.

I wasn't fully aware of what was happening, but I felt safe and warm cradled in Wes's strong arms as he carried me. Exhaustion quickly began to pull me back under into blessed oblivion.

The next thing I was aware of was being gently laid down on a soft surface - my bed, I realized hazily.

I expected Wes to leave then, to let me finally succumb to the blissful escape of sleep. But instead of retreating footsteps, I heard him rummaging around my room.

Forcing my eyes open a sliver, I saw Wes grab a pack of makeup remover wipes from my nightstand before settling on the edge of the mattress beside me. He carefully began wiping away the smudged makeup from my face with soft, featherlight strokes.

"Your hands are cold," I mumbled, squinting up at his silhouette hovering over me.

Wes stilled, his hand pulling back slightly. "Oh. Sorry, I just-"

"No," I interrupted, shaking my head slowly. The chill of his touch actually felt soothing against my flushed, overheated skin. "It feels nice. My face feels like...a fire-breathing dragon. Like I'm shoving it into an oven."

A low chuckle rumbled from Wes's chest as he resumed the gentle motions, wiping away the remnants of my makeup with tender, unhurried movements-as if he were afraid of hurting me with the wipe.

"Wes," I murmured, cracking one eye open again to peer up at him.

"Hmm?" he hummed in acknowledgment, his intense gaze focused on his ministrations.

"Why did you leave Michelle to bring me home?"

A small, wistful smile played across his lips, but he didn't meet my eyes. "I didn't care about getting with some girl, Fi," he said with a casual shrug, as if it were the most obvious thing. "I wanted to make sure you got home safe."

I pursed my lips thoughtfully, considering his words. "But...I thought you wanted me to find you a girl. Isn't that why we were at the party?"

Wes smiled softly then, finally looking down to meet my questioning gaze. "Fia, you're my friend now," he said simply. "I don't just keep you around because you're playing wingman for me. I actually enjoy your company."

I let out an awed exhale, my heart seeming to swell in my chest at his sincere words. "Wes," I said, my voice taking on a childlike lilt. "Maybe you're not as bad as I thought when we first met."

A low chuckle rumbled from Wes's chest as he quirked an amused eyebrow. "I'm still the hottest friend you have, though," he countered with a wink.

I laughed, the sound escaping in a breathless giggle as I swatted his arm lightly. "You ruined the moment," I accused, though I couldn't keep the grin from my face.

"You didn't deny it," Wes shot back, waggling his eyebrows playfully.

I shrugged one shoulder, my grin widening into a goofy smile. "I'll deny it when I'm sober, but for now...yes, you've got a pretty face."

"You're forgetting about my body," he joked, puffing out his chest with an exaggerated smirk.

I rolled my eyes dramatically. "I'm sure you're already well aware that you're easy on the eyes, pretty boy."