My Misadventures

38: Just Us

If you skipped the last chapter, here is a summary: Skylar walked in to find Caleb had self harmed. He cleaned Caleb up, bandaged his wounds, and then they went to bed safe and sound. (Also I had to repost because readers were having trouble with the text not showing up)

Song: Dead Tree by Josh Record. Don't play until I tell you to. For some reason it worked this time. Weird.

-

Caleb wanders in, yawning and scratching his head.

"Good morning sweetheart." I say softly, worry melting away when I see him.

He looks at me strangely, then looks at his bandaged wrists. "Oh no. Skylar, I-"

"It's okay." I say simply. "While you were asleep I called student wellness and signed you up for counseling. Thursdays at 10, don't worry about it interfering with school after the break, it's right after your first class. Your manager Tony called this morning, and I told him you had come down with a serious cold."

"You did?"

I nod. "And I pushed through two loads of laundry. Your darks and blue loads are done, the reds are drying, and the whites-"

Caleb pulls me into his arms. I hug tight.

"Thank you." He whispers, voice trembling.

"I will do anything for you." I pledge. "Starting today, things are going to be better. For both of us. And I want us to be open and honest about our mental health, okay?"

"Okay." He agrees.

I take a deep breath of his scent. "Breakfast is almost ready."

"Gimme a minute." He mumbles, pressing closer. His body touches mine everywhere possible. I especially love feeling his belly.

I breathe out, then squish my face against his shoulder. My chest feels light and tingly, just like the very first time he hugged me. I still get the same little thrill.

I run my hands up and down his back, enjoying the warmth and the outline of muscles. Dang it, Caleb and his stupid body.

I just stand there and hum for a while, perfectly content with this moment. Sure the circumstances aren't great, and this has been a crazy couple of days, but I'm holding Caleb again. That's all that matters.

"Do you want to just... forget breakfast and go back to bed?" I ask softly.

He hums. "I wouldn't be against it. But you've gotta eat, remember?"

"Okay." I pull away, looking him in the face with stars in my eyes. "Breakfast, and then we can cuddle?"

"Absolutely." He smiles. A fond, exhausted smile.

~

I prop myself up on a pillow, and turn to connect my phone to the speaker system. [Play song] Then I set my phone aside, and open my arms to Caleb. He crawls across the bed, then settles down on top of me.

"No classes, no holiday events... just us, the music, and the whole day to ourselves." I  kiss the top of his head.

He puts his head on my chest, and wraps his arms around my middle. I put my arms over his shoulders, and cradle his head in my hands.

We both take deep breaths, and wait a second for our breathing to even out. I run my fingers through his hair... just like I always do. I'm so grateful that he's alive. I'm so unbelievably grateful.

Tears begin to rise, but I try to be discreet about it. "Can you even fathom how much I love you?"

"I'm sorry." He mumbles.