#bodhi

the breeze flies through the hallways and bites at your skin till you've made it to the kitchen, a blissful sigh of relief escaping your dry lips at the feel of hot water steeping into your tea. the mug is so warm, like a hug welcoming you home and you almost moan in delight at it.

it's been peaceful these last few days. no talk of war, venin and everything evil in between. it's been hard but alliances have been set in stone, protection wards enclose you guys in safety and for what feels like forever, you can finally find it in you to breathe longer than a moment. you take your time, savouring this feeling and grateful to have made it as far as you have with those you love.

your heart beat is gentle as it pitter patters in your chest; a light drum in your ears as you hum into the tea. the fragrant lemon balm wrapping around you in the air in familiarity, soothing you as the sunlight makes a greater appearance. the sky's still a soft blush of orange merging to a crisp baby blue when you feel skin on yours again.

"mornin'" the tyrrish drawl drops lazy kisses on to the side of your neck. the sleep still evident in his slower movements as his lips hover over your bare skin for longer than he needs to, or maybe he just likes taking his time with you.

you lower the mug to the kitchen counter and turn in his embrace, his hands immediately holding you at your waist firm and ready. "good morning," you return with a soft lingering kiss to his lips before pulling back, its a single split second before he chases after yours again. it's so easy how you can so lost in him so quickly. your hands find his bare chest and you still, opening your eyes and soaking up the years of hard earned tan muscles and you run your fingers along his chest.

bodhi durran stands there proud, basking in your full attention as he stares down at you lovingly. his relic free hand moves from your waist and finds your jaw before locking your lips in another sweet kiss.

"it is a good morning isn't it," he muses in the little gaps of air between your bodies and hearts laid bear.

you're about to return with a gentle tease before a throat clears itself and you freeze.

"i fucking knew it," ridoc all but yells, sawyer beside him wincing at the volume at such an early hour but reluctantly pulls a few coins spare from his pockets and tosses them his way sourly. the noise is enough to draw attention from garrick, imogen and even violet who now stand at the kitchen door, two jaws hanging open before theyre reaching into their own pockets and handing imogen coins instead.

"you guys are too obvious," she grins, counting the change she's collected.

"when the heck did you all get here?" you frown, drawing all their attention back to you still in bodhi's embrace. "what are you guys all betting on?" and imogen cackles loud at your innocent question.

"oh honey, we been here the whole time" sawyer giggles at the same time as imogen mutters, "you gotta be real insane to think these two aren't together," she rolls her eyes at a grumbling violet. her pink hair is blinding, freshly dyed and she looks stunning , you think.

"oh, we uh," you begin to stutter profusely, hands shaking in nervousness. you always were the quiet one of your squad; ridoc and violet usually lived loud enough that you never had to worry about being part of the noise, settling into the back with quiet strategic practise was just what you did. its how you drew the attention of stoic and poised bodhi durran who never really cared much for extrovertedness himself. he understood you in the smaller moments, loved you because of it and now he can feel you're overthinking this. you're way deep in your head he can feel you pulling away. yet, he holds you firm, caressing your arm gently; letting you know he's right behind you.

"oh come on," imogen complains, "we're not stupid, he's literally shirtless behind you," and bodhi sends her a deathening glare that she withers away for a single second. he repositions himself, pressing you firm against him that youre covering most of his naked torso from the view of his wicked friends.

"no, i'm not," he shrugs lazily with indifference and the gasps that precede are outrageous. he feels you shrinking in his embrace and pulls you closer to him, pressing a soft kiss to your earlobe.

"then what the fuck is that?" ridoc cries, and as if that wasn't obvious enough he points in the direction of the faint bruises and love bites that litter the length of your neck.

"i guess i just bumped into something," you mumble, sipping your lukewarm tea, hoping that it does something to rest the nerves building up inside of you. of course your slow gentle morning has been interrupted by the burning questions of your friends.

"yeah something six foot something with legs for days," sawyer laughs and you bite your lip, hiding the smile.

"we just haven't put a label on things yet," you turn bashful and look up to bodhi who presses a firm kiss to your forehead.

"but she's mine," he swears to your family and you melt in his hold, leaning into his embrace when he sways the two of you. "and that's all that should matter so stop harrassing my girlfriend," he juts his brows at each one of them menacingly. they nod slowly, smiles spread onto their faces at the sight of their friends in such bliss and peace.

"girlfriend?" you ask in the midst of the loud "awhs" and cooing that fill the kitchen air.

"yeah," he whispers into your skin, "do you like it?"

"i love it," you take his hands in your own and he squeezes them in reassurance.

they eat, they laugh, they sneak occassional glances at you and bodhi who are too loved up in each others embrace to notice the wandering eyes and ignoring the inquisitive questions that follow until a faint "what the fuck is everyone doing awake so early?" chimes at the door.

xaden riorson stands tall in the hallway as violet makes her way, tucking into his side like the final puzzle piecing creating a whole picture. he softens at the sight of you and bodhi in return, sending a nod of approval and comfort to the two of you.

"did you all not know?" he laughs and bodhi's rumble vibrates down your spine.

you could get used to more mornings like this.