Kei makes a strangled noise at the back of his throat. “You remember that?”
“Of course I remember that. I remember everything about you.”
“I’m not hungry, but thank you for thinking of me.”
I sit back in my seat, content to watch the town pass by my window, the weight of Kei’s hand on my thigh grounding.
I’m finally starting to feel a little more clear-minded by the time we make our way up to my apartment. We sit on my couch, our sides pressed together as we eat our ice cream. I lean my head against his shoulder and I feel him kiss the top of my head.
“Hey, Kei?”
“Yes, Shiloh?”
“Will you sleep with me tonight?”
“Yeah, I’ll sleep with you tonight. But I want to be the big spoon.”
I growl in response. “I want to be the big spoon.”
“Come on. Let me hold you.”
“Needy,” I say and I can feel him laugh.
After our ice cream, Kei makes me drink some water before getting ready for bed. My head is still in the clouds, but less so than before. Sitting in the bathroom together, brushing our teeth side by side feels so domestic. Normally, I would pull away from something like this, but it’s just Kei. Being with him isn’t so scary.
We get into my bed, both of us in shirts and boxers. I let Kei be the big spoon, letting out a content sigh as I feel him against my back.
“Did you know I’m a mouse?”
“A mouse?”
“Mhmm. I’m a mouse and you’re a cat. Seems kinda like destiny I would be trapped by you.”
“Destined to always be chasing after you,” he says against the back of my neck.
“I’ll let you catch me,” I tell him seriously.
“What an honor,” he says, kissing my head. “Go to sleep, Shiloh. We can talk more in the morning.”
“Okay. Good night, baby.”
“Good night.”
I’m warm and safe as I wake up the next morning. The water that Kei made me drink means I don’t wake up hungover. Instead, I’m plagued with the memories of the shit I said last night.
I groan, rubbing at my eyes.
“Morning,” Kei says, kissing my shoulder. “Did you sleep okay? How’s your head?”
“I slept fine,” I murmur, pulling the covers over my face. “Head feels fine. Everything is fine.”
Kei chuckles, wrapping his arm around my middle even tighter. “Are you regretting all the shit you said last night?”
I hum in agreement.
“Would it be okay if I said a few things now that you’re sober?”
“If you must,” I say with an exaggerated sigh.
