Finding Solace

XXXVII

I laid on my back side, staring out the window, biting my lip to suppress the smile that lingered on my face. Sighing, I knew I had woken up a little later than usual. Aimlessly stoking August while he laid curled up against my side, I couldn't help but be amused if last night's encounters.

"Oh there you are! I've been wondering where you've been." Mrs. Somers said as we entered the door and passed the kitchen, her back to us.
"You've just missed dinner-" We couldn't help but laugh as she turned around, noticing the both of us drenched.
"What in the world happened to the both of ya." She pretended to be mad, throwing her fish towel on the counter and popped a hip out but she also cracked a grin at us.

"Just messin round." Maverick grinned, plucking a cookie of the rack before Mrs. Somers could slap his hand away.

"Mhmm I'm sure." She nodded sarcastically. "Now go get cleaned up." She threw the towel at Maverick to which he surrendered with both hands up. "You're both gonna get sick."

I grinned and shook my head, sitting up in bed. August slowly got up, stretching and letting out an exaggerated, high pitched yawn. Throwing on the neatest hoodie to shield myself from the cold, I opened my door.

"Breakfast?" I asked, patting my leg and he immediately jumped off the bed, scrambling to get downstairs.

"Good morning." I greeted Mrs.Somers.

"Mornin', Hun." Mrs. Somers slid me a mug of tea.
"You feeling okay?" She asked as I took a sip.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I replied, setting my tea down and moved to fill up August's bowels.

"That's a relief. I already had to fight the other one to go back to bed." I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry.

"Maverick's sick?" Guilt settled in the pit stomach.

"Tried to sneak out early." She rolled her eyes. "He fought me on it but I knew just by looking at him that he didn't feel well. He hates staying home." She shook her head again, knowingly. The more she spoke, the more the guilt built, eating away at me.

"I-Is he okay?" I toyed with the mug, pushing it around the table.

"Oh he's fine. Cranky at most since I forced him back upstairs. I haven't check on him since he woke up but you can if you want." She held her mug up to her mouth, her eyes shining with amusement. "He probably wouldn't mine seeing you." Her eye brows were raised above the cup and I ducked my head, holding the warm mug between my hands, hiding a shy smile.

Whilst enjoying breakfast, my subconscious nagged at me, edging me on thought out the entire meal. Needing from fresh air to think, I let August out to run around and relieve himself while I leaning against the porch railing. With my own thoughts and guilt, I decided that I should go check on him. It was indeed my fault he was unwell. It would be extremely inconsiderate if I didn't. Encouraging the puppy to come back inside was a task in itself, since he was curious and determined to get what he wants, thought listens for the most part.

Heading up the stairs, I knew Mrs.Somers was watching me with a knowing eye. As I shuffled down the hall, I was careful to be quiet, just in case he was resting. Hesitating at the door, I gently knocked, barely making a sound. It could have barely been heard and I question whether I really wanted him to hear me or not.

"Yeah?" His voice called from the other side of the door. Even with the door muffling his voice, he sounded nasally, congested.

"I-It's uh-", I cleared my throat. "It's me." I said a little louder.

"You can come in. If you want." Contemplating, I shifted from foot to foot, watching as August sniffed at the crack between the door in the floor. He probably thought I was odd, just hovering over behind his door. Sighing quietly, I slowly turned the knob, pushing the door open and stepping inside.

August was happy to explore the room, sniffing around, tail high and nose low. I closed the door behind me, awkwardly standing at the opening of his room.

"Hey." He shifted in his bed, so he was sitting up more. The top of his chest was exposed while the rest of his torso was covered by the yellow comforter. I took in the computer that was resting on his lap, the box of tissues alongside a bottle of water on his nightstand. His face was slightly red, making him look as if he were blushing, which I thought was endearing.

"Hey." I let the sleeves on the oversized sweatshirt fall over my hands, tugging at the bottom of shirt until the material surpassed my shorts.

He eyed my heatedly, taking in my appearance heavily. For a few moments, I couldn't figure out why he was looking at me so intensely but as I looked away from his form and looked to the ground, I finally realized that this was his hoodie. Red in the face, I tried to ignore his lingering eyes.

"And you said I would get sick." I murmured softly after a few moments, breaking the silence. As I peaked up at him, his intense look broke and he gave me smile.

"You got me there."

"You're- you're mom said you were sick." I looked away from him again. "I just wanted to check up on you." I sheepishly said, voice quiet.

"I'm fine. She's just being mom." He then started to cough, which he tried to suppress and I gave him a look.
"Okay, maybe I am sick but I feel fine."

"Do- Do you need anything?"

"I don't need anything." He shook his head. "But I would love some company." He shifted until he was seated on one side of the bed, patting the other side.
"Come on. I can put on a movie." I didn't move, eyeing the area in which he was patting.
"Please? Just one movie? I'll even let you pick."

"I think you should choose. I haven't watched many movies." I gave in, walking over to the other side of the bed. Not bothering to get under the covers, I just settled on top as he shut of his computer and turned on the television.

"Do you have any preferences?" I shook my head. After a few clicks of the buttons, the movie started. It was hard to focus. Though the movie seemed interesting, I wasn't one to watch movies, nor was I ever really given the option to but that wasn't the main reason why I couldn't pay attention.

I could feel his eyes on me every few moments, switching from the screen to my face. I kept my head froward and eyes on the screen but I continued to feel the sensation of his staggered gazes. While I pretended to be immersed in the movie, I could see his glances out of the corner of my eyes.

When the looks stopped, I was able to tune in more. At first I thought he was just focusing on the movie but when I heard the first snore, I noticed that he had fallen asleep. They weren't loud by any means, they were soft, resembling just heavy breathing if anything.

His face was relaxed in sleep, jaw slightly slacked but he still handsome. The pink hue on his cheeks made him look more boyish, bringing out the small amount of freckles he has. Reaching out, I pushed his hair back, pressing my palm to his forehead. He was warm but it wasn't too concerning. I played with his golden strands, weaving them between my fingers.

My gaze then traveled downwards, the blanket having shifted lower on his body, revealing his chiseled chest. I couldn't help but appreciate his sculpted body, his defined muscles and tanned skin. He truly was beautiful.

Embarrassed that I would get caught, I pulled my hand away and looked back to the movie. Settling into the pillows, I watched as the pictures changed with unfocused eyes, listening to the soft noises emitting from Mavericks mouth. It was soothing in a way, like white noise and I felt myself sink further into the bed.