Fic: Cool Night (Sawyer/Julet)
It was an unusually cool night, and she snuggled a little closer to the form already deep in sleep. Her hand, draped lightly over his stomach, caressed his skin lightly with the rise and fall of his breathing, but that did not wake him. The fact that he was accustomed to her touch made it even more intimate to her.
James had started staying over at Juliet’s bungalow after their second time together; he hadn’t really asked; it just happened. Soon, though, Miles knew where to look for him late at night or early in the morning when a security situation arose and he was needed.
He hadn’t quite moved in, but he had unwittingly marked his territory anyway, leaving his scent on the pillows, on the sheets, on the couch. Juliet now loved even doing the laundry so that when she gathered the sheets she could almost feel his arms around her, and know that even though the scent would wash away, it would be renewed afresh.
Tonight, though, she felt wide awake and gently untangled herself from him without waking him. She got up and went to the bathroom, and then padded into the kitchen for some water. As she looked out the window at the dimly lit perimeter of the village, she started at a sound behind her in the doorway.
“I didn’t hear you get up,” said James quietly.
“Couldn’t sleep. I didn’t want to wake you,” replied Juliet with a sweet smile.
“Well, you’re….you ain’t thinkin’ about goin’ anywhere, are you?”
“James, it’s my house,” she said with a little laugh. “Where would I go?”
Still unsure, he asked hesitantly, “You want me to go sleep at my place?” he asked, and looked at the floor.
She moved over to him and put her arms around his waist, then pulled up his chin with her fingertips, and looked into his eyes in the dark. “Now what makes you come up with that? I love having you here.”
“Eh, it’s just that sometimes people get that trapped feeling.” He looked at her, as if expecting her to take the proffered graceful exit.
“Oh,” said Juliet, clocking in her mind who he was referring to. “Well, in case you hadn’t noticed,” she said with a quirky smile, “we are trapped. Trapped in the 70’s.”
She felt his muscles relax a little under her fingers. “Long as we can be trapped together, I don’t mind it so far.” He kissed her softly, then took her hand and led her back to their bed.