Blame it on me

16

Zia wakes to warmth, steady and solid beneath her. Her cheek rests against the broad plane of Austin's chest, rising and falling in a slow, rhythmic breath. His arm is wrapped around her back, heavy and protective, holding her like she belongs there.

For a moment, she stays frozen, her brain slowly catching up to where she is-and how close they are. Then panic sparks in her chest. Is he okay? Did I crush him? Is he dead? Oh my God, I smothered him.

"Oh! Sorry!"

She jerks upright, trying to kneel-and accidentally drives her knee square into his groin.

Austin wakes with a sharp, choked groan, his body curling as his hand instinctively cups himself. He hisses through gritted teeth. "Shit-Zia-!"

She gasps, mortified. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to-I wasn't-! I'll get you ice! Just stay here! Don't move!"

She spins to get off the mattress, but the air bed wobbles beneath her, treacherous and unsteady. Her foot slips, arms pinwheeling, and she tumbles off with a loud thump, hitting the tent floor hard. The impact knocks the wind out of her.

She lies there dazed, blinking at the tent ceiling. "Oh. Grass is not softer than concrete," she croaks.

Before she can even attempt to sit up, a pair of strong hands grabs her under the arms and hauls her back onto the mattress. Austin is still wincing, his face twisted with a mix of pain and concern.

"You okay?" he mutters, voice tight.

She nods, wheezing, eyes wide. "I think I cracked a rib," she squeaks.

"What?!" Austin blinks, alarmed, his hand leaving its protective position to reach for her side.

"Oh! I was just being dramatic," she says quickly, batting his hand away. "Are your balls okay? Do you want me to check them? Are they broken?"

Before he can respond, she reaches for the waistband of his sleep shorts, tugging them down in her panic.

"No, no! You've got a handful of dick too, Z!" Austin groans, grabbing her wrist, his whole body tensing in pain.

"Oh, sorry! I freaked out! I thought I crushed you-I was on top of you and I just-I panicked! I could've killed you! And I'm really sorry I broke your balls," she rambles, horrified.

Austin exhales, part laugh, part wince, and flops back onto the mattress, dragging her with him like it's second nature. His arm slides around her again, pulling her against his chest.

"You're a quarter my size and weigh less than my arm," he mumbles. "You couldn't crush me if you tried."

"Oh... but... you need a doctor," she stammers, trying to wriggle out of his hold to reach for her phone.

Austin hisses, catching her arm. "It's cold and early, Zia," he says, voice thick with pain and sleep. "Let's just not move for a while. That's all I need. Okay?"

Her heart races, banging against her ribs like it's trying to escape. She doesn't fight him. She settles in, letting her body relax into his, her face burning, a giddy smile tugging at her lips.

Fucking yes. He's cuddling her.

She wriggles slightly, unable to help herself.

"Stop moving," he grumbles.

"Sorry," she whispers, going still and tucking her face against his chest.

He falls asleep again almost instantly. She doesn't. She stays exactly where she is, wide awake, counting every single minute.