#snugglies

Comes directly chronologically after Snippet 10

Some friends were JUSTIFIABLY a little grumpy with me after yesterday’s What If snippet. (Cough cough, @rookwithawand cough @elishnord cough cough). Also I am noticing a trend of me making Naimy work REALLY REALLY hard for all her kissies and I agree that I needed to just *give* her some.

So, friends, I hope a hangover is low enough stakes for earning some smoochies :3

[Naimy awakes after a night of drinking with Lucanis and Davrin to discover she did not sleep alone.]

CW/TW: as promised, kissies :3 I mean they’re in “bed” together but this FEELS SFW to me? Fluffy fluff :3 light teasing.

——————————————————————————

For someone who hated the sensation of having a hangover, Naimeryn sure had had a lot of them. She groaned as her head throbbed, the room beginning the spin before she’d even opened her eyes. Maybe if she asked very nicely, Lucanis would make her something good for breakfast.

Lucanis.

The night before came back in a rush, and she realized there was still a warm body wrapped around hers. He’d… he’d stayed???

She opened her eyes. A strong, hairy forearm definitely rested across her chest. She could feel the soft rise and fall of his chest against her back. Her heart fluttered, and her hangover seemed suddenly wholly unimportant.

Naimeryn’s heartbeat began to race. Had he slept? If he was sleeping, she didn’t want to wake him. She chewed her lip. If he was sleeping, Spite was awake. She loved Spite, but she really wanted to snuggle with Lucanis, not his demon. She stifled a giddy giggle. She, Naimeryn Thorne. Snuggling with someone. Someone who wanted to snuggle with her. Someone wanted to snuggle with her. And not just anyone.

Or maybe he just fell asleep, the nasty voice in the back of her head offered unhelpfully.

Memory was vague, but no. He’d pulled her back against his chest, effectively trapping himself there. And, he was a master assassin. If he’d wanted to leave before she woke up, he certainly could have, and she’d have been none the wiser. But he hadn’t.

She shifted carefully, knowing it was likely fruitless — surely he’d wake at the slightest movement? — but hoping to sneak a look at him while he slept. Would he look peaceful? Her heart ached. He deserved peace.

Slowly, Naimeryn rolled herself towards him. He was so warm, all the time, and for a moment she forgot her plan to try to catch him sleeping. She nuzzled into his chest, allowing herself a deep breath of his scent. Coffee and blade oil and… something sweet. Was that… cinnamon?

Hoping her distraction had not foiled her plans, Naimeryn lifted her head just enough to peek at his face. His eyes were closed, his expression was, indeed, serene, and he remained still, but she sensed he was merely humoring her. She placed her palms gently across his collarbone, lacing her fingers and resting her chin on her hands as she gazed at his handsome face. She found herself etching his features into her mind, never wanting to forget this moment, the way the fish tank light softly contoured over his cheekbones, the slight flutter of his eyelashes against his tanned skin, the little curve at the corners of his mouth. She smiled slightly to herself, biting her lower lip with something other than nerves.

Naimeryn squirmed against him, scooting up a little more on the couch. She hesitated. Would he mind? She took a deep breath through her nose.

Softly, she pressed her lips to his. His immediate reciprocation was proof she’d been correct about his wakefulness, and the butterflies came to life in her torso in a flurry. His arms tightened around her waist, and she allowed her hands to splay across his chest. He smiled against her mouth.

“You know, I once had this very idea,” he murmured, one hand beginning to trace lazy patterns across her back with his fingertips. She pulled back just enough to meet those smoldering brown eyes with hers.

“Did you?” She asked apprehensively. He nodded, his expression turning somewhat sheepish.

“Do you remember the morning in the safehouse?”

Naimeryn felt her cheeks growing hot. “You… you thought about kissing me… way back then?”

He gave her a smirk that sent her heart fluttering, bringing one hand up to gently caress her cheekbone with his knuckles. “You happen to be very kissable.”

Naimeryn ducked her head, a giggle overtaking her as her flush travelled to the tips of her ears. “No one else has ever thought so.”

“This confirms my suspicions,” he told her thoughtfully, and she peeked back at him curiously. “Clearly the world is full of idiots.”

Naimeryn could not help but burst out laughing. As she laughed, he continually brushed her hair back out of her face. How wonderful it was to have him here, like this.

“I’m sorry I didn’t see how much you were struggling,” she said softly, leaning into his touch. “I wish I could have been there for you sooner.”

“You keep saying that,” he shook his head, “as though you were not. Though, I suppose holding back my feelings for you was unnecessary torment.”

Surprised by her own boldness, Naimeryn smirked and told him, “I can help soothe any lasting ailments of your past foolishness, if you like.”

She felt heat blossoming across her cheeks again, but Lucanis wrapped his hand around the back of her head and pulled her in, his expression deadly serious as he murmured back, “I would like that very much.”

This kiss was a bit more insistent than those they had had this far, warmth blazing into heat that made the space between them burn. His fingers flexed softly on her neck, hers on his shoulders. Just when Naimeryn thought she might fall over the edge and catch fire herself, her hangover reminded her unforgivingly of its presence. Despite her still-prone perch atop Lucanis, she swayed.

Worry flashed in her mind that he might be upset she’d broken their lip lock, but instead he… chuckled? His fingers gently stroked through her hair.

“Have a bit too much last night, Rook?” He teased. She gave him a playful glare through the mounting headache.

“You were there,” she reminded him with a roll of her eyes.

“I was, and look how fortunately that turned out for me,” he sat up, pulling her with him, and allowed a final quick peck on the lips which left her wanting. “Come. I will make you something to eat.”

I have yet to meet an animal I can’t find plushies for! I will find you your anglerfish, my friend! 🐠

"Where's my breakfast! It's morning!"

Sluggo's ready for his morning routine; wake up, eat breakfast, slime trail his way around the Gathering room, slime around outside, and then slime on his pillow as he takes a nap.

There's...there's a lot of slime involved.