Simple Complexity

Part 6

Erin was going to break her, she knew it. She was going to make a fool out of herself by confessing how she felt. Or push Erin away once the woman was aware of her feelings, and she couldn't bare either outcome. She could feel the words I love you, sitting on the tip of her tongue, they were constantly ready to spill from her lips.

'Jill?'

'Mmm?'

'Can I fall asleep here...with you?'

'Er?' The blonde said, sitting up more, 'this, this isn't...I don't..why.. '

'Don't ask me why, please..I just..I just want to.'

Holtzmann nodded to herself.

'Sure,' and she tightened her arms around her, 'are you warm enough?'

Erin nodded into Holtz.

'You want to get changed?'

Erin shook her head, sighing softly.

'Did something happen tonight?'

Erin shook her head again.

'No, tonight was good.'

'Okay.'

'Jill?'

'Mmm?'

'Do you like going to the theatre?'

'Depends on the show, but yeah.'

'Will you go with me? If we see something, you'll like?'

'Of course. But we can still go even if it's something I don't like.'

Erin smiled into the woman's chest.

'Jill?'

'Mmm?'

'Thank you for always caring about me.'

The blonde was quiet for a moment, stroking Erin's arm with her fingers.

'Anytime Miss Gilbert.'

Erin smiled, closing her eyes and sliding her arm around Holtzmann's waist. The blonde continued dragging her fingers along the woman's exposed arm, watching as goose bumps pricked not only Erin's skin but her own and she pulled her hand away, covering her arm with the blanket.

'Don't stop,' Erin mumbled and Holtz smiled to herself, sliding her arm under the blanket, continuing to run her fingers up and down the woman's arm.

'Jill?'

'Mmm.'

'Is it okay if my arm is still around you when we wake?'

Holtzmann nodded into Erin's hair lifting her head a little, wanting to plant a kiss in its place, but she didn't and she just laid it back down.

They woke on the couch together.  For a second time. They didn't talk about it. They didn't even acknowledge it. Not even when they opened their eyes. Erin's arm still around Holtzmann's waist. The blonde's arms around her. Blanket wrapped around them both. Curled together. They didn't pull away from each other either. Not even when they're both aware they're awake. Erin just tightened her arm and Holtz did the same. Her cheek against Erin's forehead.

They stayed like that for another hour, not even speaking. Just holding. Breathing each other in. Eyes closing. Lips smiling. Hearts beating.

'We should get up,' Holtz murmured, although she didn't move.

Erin nodded, taking in a small breath. Cinnamon.

The brunette sat up slowly, not meeting the blue eyes and she turned away from her, Holtz sliding from the couch, stretching as she stood, her back and neck cracking.