Sink With Me

“I like the way you say my name.”

“You’re trying to get the last word.” Her words trail into a groggy mumble that makes my chest clench.

“Go to sleep, little siren.”

“Why do you call me that?”

I know she’s just fighting sleep, or maybe she just wants to keep fighting for the last word. Either way, I don’t mind. As long as she keeps letting me brush my fingers through her hair even when they get caught in a tangle every so often, then she can mumble all she wants. I’m quiet for a long moment until I feel her breathing even and her body relaxes.

“You have this dangerous allure that makes me want to get lost in you,” I pause and place a kiss on her head, “even when I know you’ll lead me to my demise I can’t resist being drawn in like a sailor to treacherous cliffs. I shouldn’t want you, but I do.”

Date: 5-16-2024

Time: 0724

My head throbs as the sun tries to break through my lids, making me groan. What the actual fuck.

My hand falls to the mattress instead of the body that’s supposed to be beside me. Panic. It flows through my veins, making my heart race and my eyes shoot open. I never felt her shift or turn. I was trained at a young age to be aware of my surroundings at all times, so I like to pride myself on how the smallest thing can cause me to wake up.

Sitting up straight, I prepare to launch out of bed and figure out what the hell is going on. Was it too much last night? I asked her to stay. Maybe she took it as a threat. Good, she should’ve because now I’m about two point five seconds from swimming the length of the ocean just to find her. When I get my hands around that pretty little neck I swear to God–

My head follows my nose towards the smell of crisp bacon and toast, landing on a small frame humming and swaying in front of the stove in my shirt. My heart slows as I shift to lean on my elbow while I watch her. I’ve never allowed myself to wake up and stay, but I can’t bring myself to move as she begins to sing along to the song playing on the tv.

Quietly, I stand and stalk up behind her to get a full view of the breakfast she’s cooking for once. Bacon, eggs, and toast with a half empty glass of orange juice lines the counter. I didn’t know she could even cook. There’s so much about her I need to know, but I have the time and the patience.

I reach for a piece of pork, but her hand wraps around my wrist, catching me off guard. I’ll have to do better at reminding myself that she’s a trained soldier and not just some girl that sounds fucking beautiful screaming my name. Letting out a roaring laugh, I encircle my free arm around her waist, pulling her back into me and distracting her with a series of feather-light kisses along her neck. You’d think she’d let down her guard at least a little in a comfortable environment.

It’s okay, we’ll work on that.

She giggles, allowing me to pull my hand from hers and plop the way too-hot meat in my mouth, making her laugh even harder as I try not to let it scorch my tongue and breathe through it. I can definitely get used to that sound. The grin that spreads across my mouth is involuntary, but she quickly catches the notions and straightens her expression.

“That’s what you get.”

Rolling my eyes, I pull away and grab my phone while she continues what she is doing. I wish she’d just let me admire her when she smiles.

“I didn’t know you could cook.”

I take my time to watch her fluidly walk around the kitchen as I move to brace my body weight until I’m sitting on the counter. It’s so domestic. In ways I didn’t know if ever have. Blood has painted my hands for so long I’ve never thought about the long haul.

“You’re not a very good stalker, then.”

She’s so twisted. I love it. My whole-body tenses, pulling my muscles tighter with each breath I take. I don’t just love it. Instead of pushing myself further into a mental turmoil, I focus on her stepping between my legs with a piece of toast. I don’t know who the hell told her butter and jelly go together, but I’ll need to find them and have a chat.

I push back on my hands, unwilling to admit that it looks despicable, especially when she’s looking at me with those big round eyes, expecting me to take a bite with it pinched between her fingers.

“Your singing isn’t as bad as I thought it was, either.”

I tilt my head to the side with a half-hearted grin. She stands on her tippy toes just so she can get closer to me, but I know what she’s doing.

“Maybe I should find someone else to be obsessed with me then. I’m sure they’d be able to catch onto fake singing when they heard it.” She purrs. As soon as I open my mouth to argue, she shoves the corner of the bread into my mouth, smearing the jelly along my stubble. I can’t stay mad when my tastebuds are erupting and tingling in the most unnatural ways. She drops her hand, licking the remnants off as she pulls away.

“I’m just kidding.”

Even though she says it, I think I’ll keep a close eye on anyone she interacts with from now on. I continue to eat the stupid piece of toast while I check my phone.

My screen comes to life, making my heart drop. Why can’t anything good last for longer than five minutes? I’m sure Sam’s message saying there’s a problem isn’t all that important, but he never says it unless there is one. Maybe it was just something mundane with cameras, but even as I try to convince myself it’s insignificant, my stomach turns, creating the worst unsettling feeling. It eats through each organ it comes in contact with warning me of impending doom.

“I figured we’d have breakfast together,” Cordelia says, making my stomach sink even further. If only she knew how badly I wanted to. I slide from the counter, and she turns her head at me curiously, showing the disappointment on her face as she sees the apology on mine.