Yeah, you know you do.
“I was thinking… Maybe I’ll build a little bed here.” I eye her as I reach for the pillow. “What do you think?”
I don’t look at her as I gather up the first bundle, tugging the covers from the bed and dragging them along the floor. I choose the corner directly across from hers, kneeling down and spreading out the material to make a base before laying out the sleeping bag. “I brought a pillow from home, too.”
I add it to the pile, along with the two from the bed. Layering sweatshirts on top until the little area is a patchwork of color. “Maybe you could use this one sometimes? It’s a bit more comfortable—,”
My words snap off at the brush of air against my back, my lips parting in shock. My hands still on the sweatshirt in my hands.
Kenny shifts into place at my elbow, her movements slow and cautious. She doesn’t reach for the clothes. She stays still as I pull myself together and carry on with what I was doing. “These are all nice and soft, baby. Better for you.”
I’m getting better at interpreting the little noises she makes. Almost like chirps. And this one—
“You like this,” I murmur. “Good. That’s good, Ken. I’ll bring you some more things, okay?”
I glance down at her, unable to help myself. My arm brushes against hers, and she stills.
I wait. Staying completely still, until my knees start to burn from holding myself in place.
Finally, I feel it. A brush against my skin. Another, a little heavier this time.
She’s leaning against me. Resting. And it feels so fucking good that my throat starts to burn. It only lasts a few seconds before she shifts again. Looking up at me.
I search her eyes for any hint of brown.
Nothing.
She looks as if she’s waiting. Cautious, I shift forward, nudging off my sneakers and crawling onto the makeshift bed. I pile the pillows up beside me, pressing my back to the wall.
And my mate watches.
My throat feels bone dry as I lift my arm in silent invite, and we watch each other. “You… you gonna come in here? With me?”
Kenny eyes me, before shuffling forward. I suck in a deep, shuddering breath as she crawls onto the stack of clothes, poking and pulling at the pillows until she’s satisfied.
And then she curls up, under my open arm, her face pressed into my chest. Kenny inhales deeply, as if she’s breathing in my scent.
The burning spreads to my eyes.
Fuck, I’m gonna cry.
I carefully lower my arm until it rests around her shoulders, my fingers curling into the cold skin of her arm. Her eyes are closed when I look down.
Another small noise slips from her when I raise my other hand and slowly brush it over her hair.
Almost… content.
Day 270 – Jake
Weallsitagainstthe wall of the hallway, watching Max try to coax Kenny to eat.
Kenny inspects her lunch. Sniffs it. She doesn’t take it and move away, the way she normally goes. She backs away from the tray instead.
“This should have been dealt with yesterday,” Oscar says sharply.
Beside us, Joanne sighs. “We thought she might be unwell. It’s not uncommon for patients to refuse food. But this is the third meal. It’s concerning.”
“Missingonemeal is concerning.” I get to my feet. “Let us try. I’ll go and cook something and bring it back for her. We’ve been asking for that for months anyway.”
