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The feeling of a comb gently running through my hair woke me, and I tried to ignore the tempting urge to fall back asleep immediately.
I opened my eyes slightly, noticing the bubbles in front of me. Warm water reached all the way to my upper chest, just above my breasts.
It took me a few moments to realize I was in the bathtub in our living corridors in the Emperor's palace, and not in my flat.
The combing stopped for a moment, and I felt a hand brush my shoulder.
"Crim? You awake?"
"Maybe," I mumbled, still debating whether to go back to sleep or not.
I lifted my head up to look up at Quillian, who gave me a relieved smile, his pink eyes locking on mine.
"Hey."
"Konnichiwa," I greeted.
"You’re still half asleep,” he pointed out. I raised an eyebrow in confusion, and he continued. "You spoke in Japanese."
"Oh..." I mumbled, closing my eyes for a moment. I felt something soft press against my forehead and opened my eyes again to see Quillian lift his lips from my forehead, giving me a
reassuring smile.
"Go back to sleep,” he suggested kindly.
"Are you lonely...?" I asked, remembering the conversation he had with Malachi when I was only half awake.
"Hmm. So you were awake." He didn't sound mad, but he sighed. "A little,” he admitted.
"I don't want to sleep yet," I mumbled, trying to fight off my exhaustion for as long as I could.
Quillian gave me a sympathetic look. "Crim, you're tired. You inserted another crystal into the watch, and though you may not know it, that takes a lot of energy from you. You should be resting," he lectured.
"IIE," I replied, stubbornly.
Quillian sighed again. "Stubborn, and you spoke in Japanese again."
I pouted, looking back in front of me at the large bath. An idea popped into my head, but I was little nervous to ask.
I might as well…it couldn’t hurt.
"Join me?" I asked, lifting my head back up to meet his gaze.
He was silent for a moment, and I watched his Adam's apple move up and down. He placed the comb down on the marble ledge next to the bath and pulled his shirt off.
I tugged my eyes away, mostly so I wouldn’t get turned on with no energy to satisfy the need that would torment me if I watched the stripping process.
I already had to deal with the steamy memories of Storm's interactions with Quil lately, and that left me wet with need. I didn't know if I could handle much more than that without wanting to have steamy sex, which again, I had very little energy for.
"Move forward just a bit Crimson," Quil instructed.
I did exactly as he said, moving forward so he could enter the bath. He lowered himself behind me, some of the water spilling over the edge as he did so.
"Okay, move back,” he requested. I did as he asked, my back coming to rest against his chest. I sighed in relief at the feeling of being in his arms, which wrapped securely around me.
"It's nice to have you in my arms," Quil admitted.
