Winnowing Galas

Chapter 3

Sophie awkwardly knocked on the door to Fitz's bedroom that night, dreading the moment when he would answer.

"Come in!" Fitz called in his accented voice. Sophie opened the door slowly and stepped inside, nearly running back out when she saw Fitz combing his wet hair in the bathroom without only a towel on. 

"Um... hey Fitz," Sophie said, still standing in the doorway. Fitz whirled around, and Sophie couldn't help but stare at his bare chest. "I was wondering... could I sleep here tonight?"

"Sure, I guess. What for?" 

"I-um have had really bad nightmares lately and I wondered if-um sleeping with you would make it better," Sophie lied quickly. 

"Sure, no problem. Lemme just get ready for bed."

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Fitz came back out of the bathroom without a shirt on. 

"What? This is how I sleep!" He said defensively. 

"I didn't say anything!" Sophie raised her arms in mock surrender. "If anything, you look really cute."

"Yeah, you too!" Fitz replied enthusiastically. Sophie glanced down at her outfit, which was only short shorts and a tank top. In her defence, it was the only thing she'd packed. 

"So... ready for bed?" Fitz asked, breaking the awkward silence.

No, Sophie thought. But out loud, she said, "Y-yeah."

"Well, come one then," Fitz climbed into bed and patted the space next to him. Sophie climbed in after him and snuggled up next to his warm body. 

Maybe this isn't going to be that bad after all. 

Sophie drifted off, but the next thing she knew, a Gorgodon chased her across Havenfield. She scream and run away, but it was much faster than her. Within seconds, it had Sophie pinned under its massive paws. Saliva dripped onto her face as she tried to push it off. It lowered it's jaws to bite off her head, as she-

"Sophie! Sophie!" Sophie's eyes flew open, and she stared into the trademark teal eyes of Fitz Vacker. She lifted her head off her pillow, looking around. Fitz is beside her; his hands on her shoulders. 

"You OK? You were screaming in your sleep." He looked genuinely concerned. Sophie nodded, unable to talk yet. "Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?" Her heart was still racing. It probably had something to do with how close Fitz was.

"No, I'm OK. Actually yes-" Sophie broke off and leaned in to kiss him again. Surprised, his eyes widened. But as he got over his shock, he wrapped his arms around Sophie's waist and pulled her closer.

Fitz rolled so that Sophie was under him, and began to brush light kisses on her collarbone, working his way up to her mouth. His normally bright teal eyes were dark with lust. His touch sent shivers down her body, and Sophie loved every second of it.

The kisses grew hungrier and more desperate as Fitz gently parted her lips with her tongue as Sophie dug her hands into his silky, dark brown hair. She didn't mean to, but a low moan slipped out. She felt Fitz grin against her lips as he deepened the kiss in a way that sent shivers down her body.

He pulled away briefly to gaze into her eyes. "You're so beautiful, you know that?" Heat flooded Sophie's cheeks as her lips curved into a shy smile. 

"Thanks," she whispered back, resting her head against Fitz's bare chest. He pulled her close and put a protective arm over her, and Sophie finally felt like she fit in. Like she actually had a place in this world.

Wow - that was a short chapter. Sorry 'bout that, I don't really have any other ideas. I'll try to update at least once a month, maybe more. :\