♱Recommended song: Comfortable By H.E.R.♱
After Noa quite literally washed and dressed me, I was officially in bed, feeling entirely exhausted.
Even as I was brushing my teeth, my eyes felt like they just wouldn't stay open all the way.
But even feeling like I could sleep for the rest of my life, I still couldn't close my eyes—not with Noa in the next room taking an urgent call.
I tossed in the empty cold bed, which inevitably earned a weak whine from my lips, feeling an ache shoot through my very sore legs.
I didn't realize I was tightening my muscles so harshly in the moment—all I recall was how badly they were shaking and trembling.
I grimaced, not exactly wanting to recall the torture Noa just put me through.
But even after all that, a part of me wished she was laying beside me right now—and I hated that.
I hated how needy I felt for just her presence.
It seriously made me nauseous.
Unconsciously, I lifted my head up, noticing the door slowly opening.
Noa walked further into the room, "Why aren't you asleep?" she asked, walking over to the nightstand where she set her phone down.
She had changed into a black sweatshirt and matching sweatpants, which undeniably made her look even more attractive.
I shrugged, "I don't know," I said, but deep down I knew exactly why I hadn't fallen asleep.
Which was due to Noa's absence.
But I of course wouldn't be saying that aloud.
Noa raised a brow, clearly not believing my response as she sat down on the bed beside me.
I turned to face her better, but when that same pain shot through my legs, another sharp hum vibrated in my throat, grimacing to myself slightly.
"Your legs?" Noa questioned, folding the covers back with a look of concern.
I nodded stiffly, "Still a little tense but I'll be fine," I said, knowing it wasn't a huge deal.
But Noa seemed to think it was.
Especially when she gently pulled me toward her, allowing her hands to massage one of my thighs.
"You don't have to be fine," Noa carefully said, and it almost seemed like she never wanted me to say such a thing ever again. "Not around me," she added, gently lifting my leg up.
I gripped the sheets beneath me as she pressed my sore leg into my stomach, stretching my aching muscles completely.
"How does that feel baby?" she questioned, analyzing my face completely.
I let out a rough sigh as she let my leg down, which managed to feel looser, "Better?" I breathed out.
Noa shook her head to herself as she moved on to my next leg, "I really just wish you'd behave," she said, clearly not happy with the predicament I was in.
I smiled slightly, "Me? Never."
Noa chuckled, gently pressing my other leg up, "I knew that was a long shot."
I laughed, "Yeah, I was actually thinking about skinny dipping in broad dayli—"
"Watch your mouth now," Noa warned me, easily making my lips purse together as my face grew warm.
"Watch it for me," I said back, allowing my smile to grow as she let my leg back down.
Noa shook her head at me, leaning down to press a warm kiss to my lips.
I hummed, sliding my arms around her neck and pulling her in deeper.
But when I felt her teeth nip slightly at my lip, I pulled back with a pout.
"That was mean," I said, staring up at her.
Noa smiled slightly, "You told me to watch it for you—so I did," she pointed out, pressing a short kiss to my lips before she said, "I swear, you can never do anything on your own."
I dramatically parted my lips, "Uh yes I can."
Noa raised a challenging brow, "Yeah? Maybe I'll stop spoiling you then."
I reciprocated her challenging look, "Go ahead," I said, remaining completely nonchalant.
Noa nodded to herself with pursed lips, "Well I don't want to hear it when you need help showering tomorrow," she said, pulling back from me.
But I only pulled her back with a whine, "You know that's not fair."
Noa cocked her head to the side, "How so? You earned that punishment—so take it like a good girl."
I felt my pout suddenly resurface, feeling like this was entirely unfair, "Fine," I forced out.
But Noa only laughed to herself, easily making my heart race in my chest.
It was such a rare yet beautiful sound.
"I'm just kidding baby," Noa said, pressing yet another brief kiss to my lips, "I couldn't stop spoiling you if I tried."
I smiled, feeling like I had won some unsaid battle, for what felt like the first time in a while.
And as if sensing my ego boost, Noa said, "Don't get too cocky now—I'll still lay you over my lap."
I felt my face instantly grow hot, shaking my head to myself as Noa fully slid into bed beside me.
As she cut the dim lamp off, I felt something within me finally settle—suddenly feeling like I could actually fall asleep.
Noa's arms instinctively slid around my lower waist as I managed to lay on top of her, resting my legs between her own as I listened to her heart beat rhythmically in her chest.
Before my tired brain could think about it further, I said, "How do you feel about this war?"
I was genuinely curious about her viewpoint, wondering where her thoughts were.
So when her body slightly stiffened under me, I knew I had an answer—she clearly didn't feel the most positive about it.
"People are going to die—they actually already have," Noa said, clearly not ecstatic over the topic.
I looked up at her, meeting her dark eyes through the darkness.
"They have?" I questioned, clearly confused since I hadn't heard any mention of it.
Noa nodded once, "Behind the scenes, yeah—the Reapers aren't complying with the truce, and they already let off a bomb on second street."
My eyes widened slightly, "Why didn't you tell me?" I asked, hating that no one was keeping me in the loop.
Everything felt entirely normal this past week—excluding the few absences, but otherwise, everything felt regular.
Noa pursed her lips, gently tucking a piece of my dark hair behind my ear, "I don't want you involved," she declared.
I furrowed my brows, "But I—"
"It's not up for a debate. I do not want you involved, Lunden," she cut me short, and while her tone seemed stern it also sounded entirely protective.
When Noa let out a rough sigh, I felt my head tilt on its own command, suddenly feeling concerned.
I couldn't help but reach my hand up to her cheek, cupping it gently as I said, "Noa, what's going on?"
Noa's face seemed entirely serious as she shook her head to herself, "I still remember the last war," she said, and I could see the conflict suddenly grow on her face, clearly remembering the event vividly, "And I just don't want you involved."
The air grew quiet between us as we held eye contact with one another.
Realizing she wasn't going to say much more about the topic, I internally decided to drop it—but deep down I knew there was something she wasn't telling me.
"Okay," I murmured softly, grazing my thumb over her soft cheek as I said, "I won't get involved."
Noa nodded once, and even if her face was entirely serious, I could tell that something in her eyes was soothed.
I slowly laid back down, resting my cheek on her chest, "Goodnight?" I said, turning the word into a question.
I wasn't quite sure if the conversation was over.
Noa's arms tightened around my waist, humming slightly as she said, "Goodnight."
And while that initiated the end of that conversation, I couldn't help but rewind it over and over again in my head, realizing that I had surprisingly hit a nerve with Noa—which was a rare occurrence within itself. The first one actually.
I seriously wonder why the topic was sensitive for her.
Which of course, I'd be making it my mission to find that part out.