Instant Family (SWSH Fanfic)

Tension and the Past

PRESENT DAY, LATE AT NIGHT IN SPIKEMUTH...

"W-w-w-wait a second—" Nessa scootched to the side of the bed shaking herself out of the rapt attention she'd been devoting as Marnie told her side of the story. Marnie had stood up, attempting to shake off her remaining buzz as she staggered around her room. She let out a cute 'aha!' snatching up a faded pair of maroon cotton shorts, turning back around to face Nessa. "—this whole time— you knew Piers and I got locked up?" Nessa's face scrunched in disbelief, Marnie stumbled as she jumped into the shorts. She gave a weak nod, her hands reaching behind her, swiping deftly for the zipper of her dress. Nessa's jaw was still dropped when she waved for Marnie to come closer to her. Marnie huffed impatiently and gave up on the zipper, eyeing the small en suite by her closet. She walked over, flicking on the light as she reached for her toothbrush. Nessa stood up and followed, annoyed at being ignored. She crossed her arms and stood behind Marnie. "So when Piers and I said all that stuff—" Marnie jammed the toothbrush in her mouth and started brushing, "—you know— like how we totally kicked ass and were just—" Nessa caught Marnie's eye in the mirror.

Marnie's deadpan expression said it all.

Nessa blushed, and Marnie nodded. She spat into the sink and turned on the faucet, pointing to the zipper on the back of her dress. Nessa brought her hands up to the zipper as she attempted to stifle her embarrassment while Marnie rinsed our her mouth. The zipper glided down between her shoulder blades.

"Yup," Marnie lifted up her hands, running them through her hair and resting them on her neck. She felt Nessa's hand tug at the base of the zipper. She craned her neck to look at Nessa's face. She frowned when she saw the dark circles forming beneath her eyes, turning around to face her. She echoed Nessa's actions from earlier, cupping her cheeks softly as she gently swiped her thumbs beneath her eyes. "I knew the whole time..." the straps of Marnie's dress drooped over her shoulders. Nessa's eyes darted to the reflection in the mirror. Marnie's skin was exceptionally fair, the tops of her shoulders glowing a gentle pink. She eyed the clasp of her black, lacy bra. She felt a pat on her cheek snap her back to reality. "...it's okay though, I really played along for my brothers' pride. Plus— I didn't want him to feel... ashamed..." Marnie broke away from Nessa, shuffling back into her bedroom. The dreary, fluorescent light clashed with the neon beams bleeding through her shades. It illuminated Marnie as she shrugged off the straps of her dress. Nessa's eyes followed it to the ground. Nessa swallowed hard. Marnie turned to face her, her expression shifting from her typical pococurante facade to a much more vulnerable, sincere look. She sighed sadly, plopping into bed and looking down, patting the space next to her. "I know how Piers is about his past... On top of that—" her head raised as Nessa made her way over to her, she reached out her hand to hold Nessa's as she settled into bed next to her, "— I wanted you to be okay too."

Nessa cocked her eyebrow, surprised at Marnie's honesty. She unconsciously squeezed Marnie's small, soft hand as she held her gaze mightily, not daring to let her gaze stray below her eyes.

Or to her chin.

Or to her neck.

Or to the gentle slope of her collarbones.

"Why...?" Nessa's voice was soft as she leaned back, propping herself up on her elbow. She wasn't able to tear her gaze away from Marnie. Her eyes got caught on her neck again, watching the rhythmic pulse of her heartbeat race through her vein. She saw Marnie swallow, let go of her hand, and crawl her way back to Nessa's lap. Nessa craned her neck, but Marnie's face was obscured by shadows and the sheets. She was stuck looking at her back, her shoulder blades casting deep shadows. Marnie's voice was muffled.

"I dunno..." Nessa flinched a bit as Marnie brought one of her hands up to hold her thigh, "you just have always..." Nessa timidly brought her hand back to caress Marnie's hair, Marnie snuggled her face into Nessa's lap, "... been there." Marnie's shoulders shivered as Nessa's fingertips ran through her hair. She squeezed Nessa's thigh, propping herself up to face her once again. Nessa's hand tucked a stray lock of hair behind Marnie's ear. Her fingertips traced over her piercings, then her jaw, finally pausing to cup her cheek. Marnie's voice was gentle.