A War of Guns and Roses

Chapter 37

"What's the time?" I mumbled tiredly.

"2:30 in the morning." Xavier informed me.

We had been walking for more than an hour now. Xavier, apparently was staying at a cottage with the other members of the gang, on the other side of the forest.

When I asked him why he and the others had travelled so far in here than having a meeting at their own cottage, he answered with a short, 'we had business and the clearing was the closest' reply.

I frowned. I knew this relationship or whatever this was, wasn't going to last, but he still could tell me these things right?

Seeing my expression, he had sighed and promised that he would tell me everything tomorrow.

My entire body ached as I forced my legs to push harder. For a person who had had no more exercise than the occasional trip to the fridge and PE, walking so many miles in just one day was quite a lot. My legs burned and felt like they would give away any moment, sending me sprawling to the ground. And I would probably lay there, not having the energy to get back up and continue the journey.

As if sending my apprehension, Xavier quickly said,

"We are close. We'll get there soon."

I nodded and moved my legs forward. My brain was all mushy now because of the lack of sleep. Lorenzo had gotten us some food in the clearing so my stomach was satisfied for now. My movements were also slightly sluggish and I kept stumbling over either branches on the way or my own two feet.

As I stumbled for the umpteenth time and nearly face planted into the ground, Xavier's arm came around me and with a firm tug, he had uprighted me again.

Before I could say anything, he swung my legs upward causing my entire body to fall forward, before he caught me around the shoulders with the other.

"You don't have to—" I argued but cut myself off as I realized that I was too exhausted to even talk.

Cuddling into the comfortable warmth emitting from his body, I sighed in content as I felt my aching muscles finally relax.

"I hate you, you know that?" I grumbled. "For making me walk this much."

"I never asked you to go exploring and find me here," he remarked and paused, before continuing. "Although I expected a lot of complaints the entire way. I'm impressed, you have only asked me how much more we have to go about 10 times."

"I'm proud of myself too," I mumbled, yawning.

He didn't answer and I struggled to keep my eyes open. Soon, I felt them close shut as I drifted in and out of consciousness in his arms. I felt him walk through a doorway and then slowly and carefully place me on a soft bed.

I wriggled on the bed, trying to find a comfortable spot. Drowsily, I sat up and tugged my sweater over my body, throwing it to some further part of the room. I struggled to remove my shirt too, before I felt hands tug mine out of the way. Long and strong fingers replaced my own and carefully removed my t-shirt, replacing it with another softer and more comfortable one.

I fell back on the bed with a thud, immediately curling up on myself as I felt the darkness at the edge of my vision. I felt a feathery comforter being pulled over me and I curled my toes, sleep already overtaking my senses.

The last thing I saw and felt, was Xavier slipping into the bed beside me and after a few seconds of what I assumed was hesitation, he pulled my body to his so that my back was pressed against his chest.

I smiled against the pillow and finally fell into a deep slumber.

*********

The morning rays of sunshine woke me up from my peaceful and pleasant dream. I cursed the sun, not for the first time for giving out so much light.