The brunette's breath hitches a moment, both from apprehension and the little squeeze.

“...I don't usually remember my dreams. Not the good ones, anyway...”

It was a rough admission. It felt like she was cursed in that way sometimes, even if she didn't believe in such things.

“...you?”

“...good!”

She didn't actually remember... but what she did remember, at least vaguely, was a feeling of reassurance knowing Yukina was nearby.

“Definitely a good weird. Probably.”

...

“...I think it was the best dream I've had in awhile thanks to you.”

...did she say that last part out loud?

“Like a log.”

She would admit, helping Axolotl up onto the bed with a gloved hand before noticing Yuki's, peeling the glove from her right hand to take her up on that offer.

It was warm. Soft.

Comfortable.

“I had this weird dream. But I don't remember it, now... I think you were there, though.”

stretching overhead lazily, only for one to reach down and keep the loaned shirt from riding up.

“Did you... sleep well?”

She asks, averting eye contact once she notices Axolotl hopping up and down at the bedside, unable to climb up on his own. Guess the gloves are going on first...

“Y- yeah, of course. That's the best course of action I think. A plan. One that involves sticking together.”

Lachie almost... whines when Yuki goes to sit up. But the greenette was right- they had to get up for the day and figure out what to do with it.

So she gets up alongside Yuki, arms

》

Lachie doesn't even finish her thought, pressing her forehead to Yuki's before the realization starts to settle in...

“Morning-..?”

The brunette manages to squeak out.

But of course, things can't stay like this forever. Eventually, there's a little noise, an attempt to wake them up in the form of a Pokémon's cry:

“Woo-pah~.”

Lachie groans, almost like an automatic response, before rolling the both of them over to the opposite side of the bed.

“Five more...”

》

was nice and soft, too... yeah, there was no way she was getting up quite yet, giving the shorter girl in her arms a squeeze, not thinking about it in her groggy state.

《 @timelessjade.bsky.social 》

After what felt like months of rest after the events of the other day, Lachie finally begins to stir from rest. But she'll be darned if it wasn't some of the best rest she's gotten in the last while.

...maybe just a few more minutes? Whatever she was holding onto

》

jamcat
I'm normal about these two, I swear.

“I don't know for a fact... but it feels like it.”

She gives the other a gentle squeeze, before placing her forehead to Yuki's.

“...night...”

She wouldn't admit it (again), but the shorter woman, once again, felt perfect in her arms, which curled protectively around the greenette with a contented sigh.

Axolotl manages to nudge the door open, waddling on over to faceplant next to the bed, falling asleep instantly.

“It'll be alright.”

》

Lachie looks over, hair half-tousled over her face from landing on the bed. She'd move it out of the way with a brush of her thumb before responding with a tired smile.

“I'll just have to take your word for it.”

She mutters, before letting her arm fall open to the side.

Almost like an invitation.

alright. It wasn't like anyone else was going to see her tonight besides Yuki.

...

Once she's done changing, and folding her clothes up, she returns to the room, where she'd place the clothes on the near nightstand before flopping onto the bed.

Exhaustion seemed to overtake emotion for a moment.

Lachie isn't going to think about anything but that possibility as she removes her grimy expedition attire. The actual leathers were fine. Everything else would need a thorough washing...

...yeah, these didn't fit right. Well, the shirt didn't. It rode up a little more than desired, but that was

》

That could happen later. Very soon, actually. But first- Lachie thrusts a set of the clothes given to them by Maizie into her hands.

“Get changed, you... Oddish. I'll go to the washroom to give you some privacy.”

She still hadn't answered. She might not, until she comes back in those jammies.

A hopelessly defeated wheeze of air slips out of Lachie, cheeks burning brighter than an angry Chimchar. Though, thankfully, autopilot took over where words failed.

She stood up, averting eye contact as she gently tugged Yuki to her feet, and towards the guest room.

A whole-body shiver runs through her body at the renewed contact, a shy, though genuine smile cracking crooked on her lips.

“Uh- thank you... you feel... really good in my arms.”

Zekrom help her, she wasn't thinking again...

“Let's get to bed.”

SHE WAS THINKING EVEN LESS THEN-

🎸 : “It's just down this way. First door on the left. Let me know if either of you need anything, okay?”

Lachie nods, feeling her own heartbeat even through the sheets bundled up at her chest.

With that, Maizie and Teddiursa leave the two for the night, closing the sliding door behind them.

“Y- yeah! What she said-”

Lachie sputters out, ending the embrace, but keeping Yuki's hand clutched tight in her own.

“Th- thanks. I can get the clothes from here, Teddiursa...”

The little bear waddles on over to deliver the clothes, resulting in a weak, nervous smile from Lachie.

“Thanks...”

》

minutes, her and Teddiursa emerge from the hallway, with Teddiursa carrying some sheets and spare clothing.

🎸 : “Here you are! Sorry for the wait. I have some clean clothes here if you want something to sleep in. They're hand-me-downs, but they're well taken care of, I promise!”

There's another defeated sigh, before pulling the greenette into a hesitant, though gentle embrace.

“...thank you, too. I'd be scared if you weren't here. Scared and alone...”

Maizie seems to be taking her time with the room. Perhaps she knew the two were having a moment. But after a few

》

her hand was still firmly attached to Yuki's.

“Just... let me know if you get uncomfortable. I'll leave at a moment's notice, even if I'm half asleep.”

There were many, many moments of deliberation from the brunette. After looking around the room for some sort of escape, or something to change the subject... she sighs, defeatedly.

“You're... you're not wrong. Guess that really does leave only one option, huh..?”

Lachie looks over, hardly aware

》

Was also just. Hanging out with friends today, hehe. Always fun.

jamcat
I swear I'll throw my goober here at other muses soon.

Just gotta get her and her future girlfriend's introduction out of the way. 💕

off to prepare the guest bedroom, leaving Lachie to burn bright as a Lumineon hunting at night.

“Y- you're sure? I can sleep on the floor, or something, really... I've, uh... I've never... shared a bed with anyone that isn't family, before...”

Ah. Now it was her turn for the unfamiliar.

Lachie wasn't worried about coming off as rude now, she was more worried about the potential implications this could have... she never even shared bunks or tents with others at camp.

🎸 : “O- oh, alright, then... I'll get on cleaning the room out, then! Come on Teddi.”

Maizie and Teddiurrsa go

》

🎸 : “There's really not a lot of room for two, I'm sorry, but- I could take the living area!”

Lachie is immediately against the idea.

“Nope! I'll take the living area, I insist, it'll uh... help with my posture, after all that hauling around, you know?”

Sweet Zekrom, please help her-

Oh, right- guess Lachie should do that too. It's a little stiff, eyes darting between Yuki and the floor just to make sure she's doing it right.

Maizie giggles, shaking her head.

🎸 : “Really, it's no trouble at all! If you'd like, I could clear out the guest bedroom until tomorrow?”

》