Alex was asleep. Or maybe pretending to be.
Either way, he was lying stiffly in the middle of the futon, eyes closed, arms by his side like a man preparing for death. His breathing was just slightly too dramatic to be fully unconscious. Lin Feng watched from the other side of the room, chin resting on her knees, face slightly pink. The moonlight slipped through the window, casting a silver glow over his face.
Why is he so cute when he's not stammering? she whispered. Slowly, she stood up. She walked over to the futon, every step silent. I'm just going to lie down beside him. Nothing weird. Just close proximity for warmth. Cultivation requires warmth too, right?
She knelt beside him and gently slipped under the blanket. Her shoulder brushed against his. Her heart pounded like a war drum. Alex twitched but didn't move. He might have stopped breathing entirely.
She glanced at him sideways. His lips were parted slightly, his lashes longer than she expected. It was all strangely infuriating. She shifted closer, whispering, "Master… you smell nice. Then she reached out and lightly touched his arm. Suddenly
Plop!
A blanket rustled, and Xiao Xiao popped up like a spring-loaded toy from the other side of the room. Meeee tooo she chirped and dove under the blanket, snuggling right between them.
Lin Feng froze. Group cultivation nap Xiao Xiao said cheerfully. I heard that skin to-skin closeness helps you advance in the art of sleepy energy transfer!
That's not a real thing Then why are you under the blanket with Master, huh?
I I was checking for fevers
OhThen I'll check too! Before Lin Feng could stop her, Xiao Xiao reached out and poked Alex's forehead.
Hmm no fever. But a little hot. Maybe he likes you? Alex made a strangled noise and turned red even in his sleep. A little later
Lin Feng scooted just a little closer again. Xiao Xiao copied her, mimicking every tiny move.
When Lin Feng touched Alex's sleeve, Xiao Xiao touched his other sleeve. When Lin Feng shifted her leg to gently brush against his, Xiao Xiao mirrored it, grinning.
You don't have to copy everything I do Lin Feng hissed. But you look like you know what you're doing! I don't! I meanI do! But stop it! Suddenly, Alex opened one eye and whispered hoarsely, Am I being robbed?
No, idiot, Lin Feng said, flustered. "You're being appreciated. I call this move Master Sandwich!" Xiao Xiao announced proudly, throwing her arms over both of them and squeezing.
Alex groaned under the pressure. I just wanted to sleep
You can sleep,Xiao Xiao whispered sweetly. We'll guard your dreams. That sounds ominous.As the moonlight grew softer, and the room filled with quiet breathing and warm bodies tangled under one thin blanket, Lin Feng sighed. She whispered toward his shoulder, You know I don't mind if you always sleep in the middle. Xiao Xiao chimed in sleepily, I like sleeping near Master too. Alex blinked into the darkness. He wasn't sure if this was a dream. If it was he hoped he'd never wake up.