He kisses her as if he’s making a point, both hands cradling her head on the pillow, his lips obstinately against her hair and face. She’s laughing, bright and flushed, and turns away to breathe.
Making her smile is one of the few things he likes about himself— even if at his own expense, like when he bumped his shin against the bed’s leg earlier, pointed at it and scolded, “Now, you stop that.” He told her in all seriousness that Scandinavian furniture had always deliberately antagonized him ever since he was a boy. In response, she kissed his knuckles, like some chivalrous knight, and told him that he was the seventh most ridiculous thing ever invented. She then suggested that he take off his clothes.
He now buries his face in the crook of her neck, his body bearing down on top of hers, and is down to his socks and a half-unbuttoned shirt, as though he got distracted while undressing and forgot his place. She, on the other hand, continues to wear every item of clothing she was wearing when entering the room.
(Minus underwear, which she wasn’t wearing anyway)
He feels too aware of himself, realizes he’s hiding, a silent concession that he doesn’t do this, could be like this for no one else. Her mouth twitches a small smile into his hair, her hand splayed and cool against his neck, like a compress soothing a fever. Sometimes it feels as though she’s the one who’s lived longer.
The springs of the cheap mattress poke against his knees, revenge for the clumsiness earlier. It really couldn’t be helped— it made her smile. He grazes his nose against her chin, playfully nipping at her bottom lip before kissing it more gently than before. “Clara,” he whispers, a bid for her attention even though he has it.
Her hands sneak under his shirt, palms smoothing themselves against his skin. She pushes him onto his back and sets herself on top of him.
“I had my doubts about that grilled chocolate and parmesan thing,” she tells him, tugging her dress down her body and then placing his hand on her bare breast, “but you, my friend, have changed my mind.”
“Glad to be of service,” his voice is gruff, and he tries to remain stern, but his face looks more like an apprehensive pout. Of all the things he could change her mind about, it had to be grilled cheese.
Her thumb sweeps against the clench of his jaw as she hovers closer. Moving his hands to the fabric pleated at her waist, he lifts his head and closes his lips around the breast she had offered him. He tongues her nipple, sucking at the soft, full flesh around it. Her head dips forward, chin to chest, cheek to his temple, and her eyes close, as if concentrating, listening for a bridge in a favourite song.