Emery [bxb]

7

Ever since Emery first got sick, we have been having sleepovers regularly.

Before bed, we shower together and then I carefully and gently dry his hair with my towel.

I always sleep spooning him. His hair smells like strawberries and I love nuzzling my face in it. His skin is quite pale but it looks golden in the lamplight and his hair looks like a halo. I know what he's called: a cherub. I've never had one of those before.

Emery's skin is smooth and hot to the touch and he makes a better teddy bear than I've ever had before.

When he has trouble sleeping, I read him bedtime stories. He says I'm even better than his grandma.

Sometimes I see my mom give us strange looks when we're cocooned together under the blanket. I have my eyes open to slits, pretending to be asleep, and I see her cock her head and frown slightly. I squeeze Emery even more fiercely.

Sometimes he whines and says he can't breathe, which makes me kind of frustrated, because a teddy bear isn't supposed to be so annoying.