Washing down the last mouthful with another swig of bourbon, we settled into bed facing each other. I knew that after a while the lights would go out, but until then we gazed into each other's eyes.
" Where do we go from here?" He's been tracing my features with his thumb for a while now. Memorising me, like I had done so many times with him.
" I don't have all the answers," He pauses when he reaches my bottom lip and settles his thumb there. Nor do I.
" Baby steps," He says after a while, tracing back and forth over my lip with his thumb. I would have preferred a different kind of wording, but it will do.
I try not to think what our proximity is doing to me. My thoughts aren't exactly pure, especially after he'd thrown the towel.
" I missed you," He drags me back from my musings, and I let my eyes rove over his face. He looks tired and pained.
I'm not ready to close my eyes. I'm afraid that when I open them in the morning he will be gone.
" Promise you will be here when I wake up," It comes out as a plea, but I'm not far from begging.
He nods and leans in to kiss my forehead, " I'll be here," He whispers, and I grip tighter on his wrist.
I snuggle closer, resting my head on his shoulder while he rolls on his back. Our legs don't touch, but it's enough for now.
The lights go off, and I slowly drift to sleep listening to the steady hum of his heartbeat and breathing.