fluff, pining
How does he come to terms with this?
Charlie watches Thandi as she sits, book open, reading by the fire. He absolutely adores her, yes, and this much he realizes. But there’s something else about her that he can’t quite understand in himself.
Or at least, he’s very good at denying it.
He studies her legs, stretched before her, bare ankles peeking out from the white fabric of her dress. The dress that clung in a flattering manner, letting him see the curve of her hips and the line of her navel. And. Not to mention. The extremely deep neckline that taunted him day in and out. The sharpness of her collarbones, the cute rounds of her breasts, the graceful line of her neck.
He realizes that his hands are flexing, an odd open-and-close movement that he’s found himself adopting recently. It sort of overtly signals the longing he has for her body, the need for him to actually touch someone. He hasn’t wanted to in years.
Certainly he has, but outside of being throttled and inspecting patients, he’s mostly only touched Thandi. And he really only wants to touch her. And… be touched by her.
This isn’t a feeling he normally has while sober. So, why is it so strong with her? Why does she instill in him such a desperate want?
Thump. His ceaseless staring finally draws Thandi’s attention. She closes her book and moves to sit next to him, reaching out to push hair out of his eyes. The gentle touch alone is enough to send him above the clouds, and he smiles at her gently.
She glances down at his hands and gives him a knowing look before gently pulling him close, giving him a hug. The heat of her chest, the beating of her heart, her hand stroking his hair… it’s like everything else melts away. Charlie could sleep like this.
He wraps his arms around her and squeezes her. They stay in a silent hug for a while before they slowly part. His hands stay on her. Hers stay on him. He looks upset, knowing they would have to part already.
Thandi giggles. Right away, the sound makes Charlie’s mood jump and he pulls her in again. “You smell nice,” he mumbles.
“Oh! Thank you…”
“Please. Let me… just… hold on a little while longer…”
“…all right. But this is the last time tonight, got it?”
“Yes.”