ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ ɢᴏʟᴅ ʀᴇɪɢɴ.

                                 We can sleep.❞

          “Please.” That was all I needed to say for me to feel justified in continuing to plunge into that ever-welcoming cesspool of whatever was nagging me. Everything had just been so horribly overwhelming. So much shit to happen in such a small amount of time. Of course it happens to me. Always did. Patterns always remaining. Always fucking with me.           At least Monomane was a big part of these patterns. She was there when needed. Always. I just didn’t reach out enough. It was an easy fix, but of course it wasn’t. Never was.

                     Do you need to sleep now?❞

          “Just. Time to relax. With you.” Deflation. Everything felt limp. “Sleep would be nice.”

          ❝… Has it calmed down a little?                              Are you resting?❞

          I just kept close to her; gently brushed her forehead and exhaled. Deflating.           “About as calm as it’ll get until I find out how to fall asleep for about a year.” New record set for regretting something I said. Holy shit. “But--I...dammit. Shouldn’t have said that. I worry you enough as is.”

          ❝It has been a while since you came to visit.                            Has work been busy?❞

          I snuggle up to her without hesitation, hoping I didn’t get myself in too deep with this whole warmth thing. Worth it either way, I guess.           “...Just been, uh--going through rough shit is all. Should’ve told you more.”

          ❝Shall I get us a blanket?       There is one in the cabinet, it is a heated one.❞

          “That’d be great. Two heat sources.”

          ❝This is much better, I am alright with this.❞

          “Good.” Another peck. “...’S fucking cold out.”

     A gentle swat of her hand, softly slapping his hand    from poking her face once again.

          “Alright, I’ll stop embarrassing you.” Cue a quick little peck. Less embarrassing, right?

          ❝E-Embarrassing!❞

          Pokes again.

          ❝… F-Fine… J-Just fine… T-Though I am… Much better now.❞

          “Same.” A very poetic response, I know. I couldn’t really think of much else to do; I grabbed her hand instead of thinking. It felt nice. Yet another little piece of happiness I’d forgotten about.           “Haven’t really been talking with that many people.”

“Did you catch anything new?”

“I think you saw my Lileep.” Pause. “That’s about it.”

“It’s not just youuuu. I haven’t seen a LOT of friends in a while, so, um…” So yeah, gonna grab whoever comes back again and never let go.

“I’m in the same boat, though.” ...Lots of hugs. Maybe a kiss to the cheek. Probably. “Barely been able to escape boredom these days.”

Also available as canvas prints, T-shirts, tapestries, stationery cards, laptop skins, wall clocks, mugs, rugs, duvet covers, All over print shirts, Phone cases, Throw pillows, tote bags and More!

Pouuuuut. “Gosh, I missed you, you know. YOU’RE NEVER AROUND, GEEZ.” First Colm and then Xan. All her friends are abandoning her, it seems.

“You can just call me, you know.” As could I with her, but hypocrisies weren’t the concern. The concern was my absolute lack of enjoyable human contact in the past forever.

                     ❝I have missed you terribly, also, Xan.❞

          “I--kinda figured.” And hoped, but that’s another issue. After taking a few breaths to calm myself, I brushed her cheek with my finger and went in for an infuriatingly overdue kiss.           It’s funny; I’d almost forgotten what heaven felt like until she reminded me. I might have taken a little too long in that particular kiss, but I pulled off once I realized how long I was taking.           “How’ve you been?”