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~~~~~
Oh, all my emotions
feel like explosions
when you are around
And I've found
a way to kill the sound
Oh, baby, I am a wreck when I'm without you
I need you here to stay
Ricky Montgomery - Line Without a Hook
~~~~~
“Game!”
At last, Caleb's voice called out the final point. Lucy opened her eyes, realizing she had dozed off on her beach towel. She lifted the brim of her sunhat to see Caleb drying his sweaty face and high-fiving his new friends.
After several hours on the beach, they were heading back to the resort when they passed some beach volleyball courts. Spotting a net with only three players, Caleb hadn't said a word, simply looked at her like an excited little boy asking for permission. She had laughed and encouraged him, and the group was grateful to play a balanced game. Unsurprisingly, as an extrovert and a natural athlete, he had befriended them right away.
Lucy was in good shape, but Caleb never seemed to tire for long, no matter how much exercise he got. By contrast, once she was settled in with her book, her exhaustion quickly caught up with her. The sandy hillside was soft and supportive under the sun-warmed beach towel, and she had pulled her wide-brimmed sunhat down over her eyes.
She overheard the guys asking if Caleb wanted to keep playing. He glanced over at her as she rubbed her bleary eyes.
“We've been in the sun all day,” he replied. “I think my girlfriend wants to get some rest. But hey, maybe I'll catch you around before our trip is over, yeah?”
They made friendly gestures as Caleb left. When he reached her spot on the hillside, he knelt down and kissed her forehead.
“How ya doin', babe?” he asked, brushing her cheek with his thumb. “You looked pretty beat. I didn't wanna keep you waitin’ any longer.”
He had always doted on Lucy, regardless of the audience — their romantic relationship had only given him abundant excuses to do so. She glanced past him at his impromptu buddies, noticing them staring in her direction. Suddenly very aware of her revealing swimsuit bottoms, she pressed her thighs together tightly.
“I’m just sleepy,” Lucy reassured him, unable to suppress a long yawn. “Maybe we can take a nap before dinner.”
“It’s a date,” he replied with a sheepish grin. “I’m sorry it took so long. I haven't played beach volleyball in years.”
She couldn't help but smile back at him. Seeing the way Caleb's hair stuck up from wiping his sweat, she giggled and rearranged his bangs. Ugh, he's so cute.
“Well, pack your bags, Miss Lucy,” he announced. “You're flyin’ first class.”
He hoisted her up for a piggyback ride and set off towards the resort hotel. Before long, she found herself dozing off again, with the sun’s warmth at her back and Caleb's jaunty steps lulling her to sleep.
“Love ya, sleepyhead,” came his adoring voice from below. “Almost there.”
He walked proudly through the hotel lobby with her on his back, unaffected by the other guests. She was grateful for his endurance in carrying her. Once they reached the room, she headed straight for bed.
“Ah, ah,” he chided, grabbing Lucy's wrist before she could fall into her pillow’s cool embrace. “Shower first. We're all sandy and sweaty, ‘member?”
“Caleeeb,” she whined miserably. “I’m tiiired. Don't make me.”
“Bed’s clean, pipsqueak. We're not.”
“I don't wanna stand anymore,” Lucy whimpered, pressing her forehead into his shoulder.
“Here, I'll help ya,” he offered. “C’mon.”
Caleb steered her into the bathroom and pulled her beach dress over her head. She whined at the difficulty of holding her arms aloft.
“You didn't get a sunburn, did ya?” he asked curiously, turning her chin so he could check her face. “You're fussy.”
“I was careful,” she insisted, pulling away to resist his inspection. “Caleb, you can't even see the difference until way later. I told you that.”
“And I told you I can,” he countered. “I'm always right, aren't I?”
“You’re bluffing.” Lucy furrowed her brow and stuck her tongue out. “You’re just a good guesser.”
“Riiight.” He pressed the backs of his fingers to her face and shoulders. “Not burnt. Just tired.”
Caleb adjusted the shower to a comfortable temperature and opened the bathroom door.
“Nooo,” she pouted, grabbing his arm. “Don't leave me.”
“You want me to shower with you?” he asked, his eyes widening. “You sure, pips?”
After two months of dating, the pair had begun to settle into a comfortable routine. They were more honest with each other than they had ever been. However, some invisible walls remained — unspoken boundaries that marked where one began and the other ended. She had tried to shower with Caleb before, expecting it to feel comforting and romantic, but everything was a little too sterile. The bright, unforgiving light made her self-conscious, even amidst the afterglow from making love.
When they first explored their hotel room, the ever-curious Caleb discovered the bathroom lights were dimmable. He had tested them right in front of her, turning the switch all the way down, until there was nothing but a warm glow filling the room. They had locked eyes for a moment before he cleared his throat and changed it back. He didn't say another word about it, but his ears turned bright red afterwards. Is that what was on his mind?
“Please, baby,” Lucy begged. “Stay. I want you here.”
“If that's what you want,” he agreed. “Yeah, okay. I'll help you, uh… stay awake."
Caleb dimmed the lights halfway, bringing them down to a level that would easily put her to sleep, if she were alone.
“That okay?”
She nodded, and he leaned in to unhook her swimsuit top. When he turned away to slip out of his swim trunks, she stared lazily at his round, muscular ass.
“Get in the shower, Lucy,” he growled playfully. “Or I'll tickle you. And I won't show mercy just ‘cause you're tired.”
She giggled and climbed into the shower. He joined her under the warm water, averting his eyes and chewing his lip.
“Did you get a sunburn?” she asked curiously, reaching up to touch his ears. “You're all red.”
“Heh, maybe,” he replied with a sheepish little laugh. “Let’s get the salt out of your hair, babe.”
Lucy obediently tipped her head back, warm streams of water running down over her closed eyelids. She sighed as she felt his calloused thumbs against her temples. Caleb massaged her scalp, working meticulously to flush the sand out from between her box braids without disturbing the roots. She leaned into his touch, enjoying the tenderness of the moment.
“Been a long time since you washed my hair,” she recalled. “It’s relaxing.”
“You like it?” he chuckled. “Maybe I'll do it for ya more often.”
Her head tipped as he worked, giving him access to each section of her scalp.
“You're so beautiful, Luce,” he murmured, cradling her face in his hands. She gazed adoringly up at him. “I still can't believe you're really mine.”
“I'm yours,” she responded with a peaceful smile.
Caleb leaned down to give her a kiss, slow and sweet. She pressed her body against him, noticing his arousal as it slipped past her belly.
“You're hard,” she giggled.
“You're naked,” he stated matter-of-factly. “Oh, sorry. I thought we were playin’ a game where you tell me an effect and I tell you the cause. Sorta like Jeopardy. Did I do it wrong?”
“Oh my god,” she groaned. “You're such a dork.”
“I’m fine with that,” he sighed contently. “As long as I get to be your dork.”
Lucy watched as he rinsed his hair, a question forming inside her mind.
“Caleb?” she asked shyly. “Why didn't you want to shower with me?”
His eyes shot open, and he studied her with a conflicted expression.
“I did- I do,” he stammered. “It's just…”
“Just what?”
“Well, I wanna share everything with you, but I'm always nervous that I'm intruding on your life,” he admitted. “You never seemed too comfortable with it, so I stopped askin’. I just know you don't have much privacy with me around, and I worry that eventually, you'll resent me for it. Like when I first came back.”
Her heart sank as she recalled the memory. Caleb never explained exactly what he had been through, but he came back hardened. His protective nature had always been comforting, if overbearing, but for the first time in her life, his presence filled her with dread. His cold stare made her wonder if they had returned nothing but his body, and the real Caleb had been lost forever. After what they had been through, she was determined never to lose him again.
Lucy wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him close. He shuddered as his cock got trapped between them.
“I want to share my life with you,” she reassured him. “You're not an intruder. You're my Caleb.”
She tipped her head up to kiss him, grabbing him by the nape of his neck. He let out a muffled groan as her tongue slipped into his mouth.
“I'm sorry, Lucy,” he whispered against her lips. “You make me hard as a rock every damn time.”
She backed up against the cold tile, pulling him close and flashing a naughty smirk. His eyes widened as he realized her intentions.
“You… wanna fool around?” he asked hesitantly. “Right now? You're not too tired?”
“I want to,” she murmured.
She reached down to trap his cock against her belly.
“You like that?”
“Y-yes,” Caleb whispered. “I love it. You're s-so soft.”
“Keep going, baby,” she fawned. “Just like this.”
He started to slowly thrust into her hand.
“So smooth,” he groaned. “You want me to h-hold back so we can…?”
“Don't hold back,” Lucy insisted, shaking her head. “Enjoy it.”
He grinned and rubbed against her with more certainty, his breaths growing ragged.
“Oh, baby girl,” Caleb huffed, steadying himself against the wall. “Your tummy feels s-so good, it's- it's like I'm fuckin’ you-”
“Yeah, fuck me,” she whined. “Fuck me harder, babe.”
He let out a deep grunt and thrusted harder, causing her head to bump against the tile.
“You a’right?” he asked anxiously. “Sorry, I didn't-”
“It didn't hurt,” she giggled. “Keep going.”
Caleb put his hand protectively behind her head and tucked her into his chest. She felt his hot breaths against the crown of her head as his broad shoulders surrounded her. His moans quietly echoed off the tile, and his thrusts grew quick and needy.
“Lucy- you're so-” he stuttered, his words broken up by grunts and ragged breaths. “Love you so m-much- unh-”
“I love you, Caleb,” she moaned.
“Love you,” he whined. “Ngh- I’m- hah-!”
The narrow space between their bodies grew even hotter as he finished with a few sloppy, shaky movements. He quietly groaned against her hair.
“Fuckin’ hell,” Caleb huffed. “Thanks, babe.”
As she tried to reach past him to rinse her hand, he caged her in with his forearms.
“W-wait, stay like this,” he urged her. “I’m all wobbly. Gimme a sec.”
“But I thought I was dating the famous Caleb Xia!” she teased him. “The one who bragged about being unaffected by the G-force simulator. The one who plays with gravity like his personal fidget toy.”
“Well, you make my head spin worse than pullin’ G’s,” he retorted. “And the floor’s wet.”
“Handsome fighter pilot, struck down in his prime,” she announced, mimicking a news broadcast. “Sources close to Colonel Xia claim it was a hand job from his girlfriend that caused the catastrophic head injury. A tragic loss for the Farspace Fleet — and the entire nation. More at nine.”
“Fuck off,” Caleb hissed.
He failed to suppress his smile, and they found themselves giggling like idiots. When they got out of the shower, he stretched out a towel and wrapped her up. His strong embrace combined with the plush towel felt like being hugged by a warm cloud.
Caleb led her back to bed and stood behind her to dry her hair, absorbing the water from each of her thick braids. Lucy's head lolled about as he tugged gently at her hair. The familiar ritual made her even sleepier.
“You take such good care of me,” she fawned.
“I’m glad you think so,” he murmured, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “I try really, really hard.”
“I know you do,” she reassured him.
When at last her hair was merely damp, he sprayed her scalp with her leave-in conditioner.
“There. Your salon treatment is done, baby girl.”
Lacy flopped onto the bed, pulling the covers halfway up. He returned from hanging the towels up and chuckled at the sight of her, naked amidst the comfortable bedding.
“Just gonna sleep like that, huh?” he mused. “You don't wanna get dressed first?”
“Who cares?” she grumbled into the pillow. “Are you the Naptime Police?”
“Actually, I am,” Caleb purred, snuggling in behind her. “It’s not safe for a beautiful young lady to sleep naked, Miss. There are some bad apples out there who might take advantage.”
His left hand crept up over her waist, running across her skin with a slight tickle. She felt the heat of his breath against her ear.
“Well, you'd better watch out for the Bad Joke Police,” she murmured. “They're on the lookout for dummies like you. I think I heard about that stupid apple thing on the scanner just now.”
“I’m on their most wanted list,” he growled, mimicking a strong accent from an old cowboy movie. “I don't play by their rules. But they'll never catch me.”
Lucy groaned with exasperation, protesting his sense of humor. He groped her chest, his cock already halfway hard against the back of her thigh.
“Oh my god, Caleb,” she teased him. “You just came, like, ten minutes ago. Didn't you get enough?”
“I’ll never get enough of you,” he whispered, nipping at her earlobe. “And besides, you didn't get any.”
“I don't need any, baby,” she insisted, trying in vain to resist temptation. “We were going to take a nap, remember?”
“You think I'm gonna give you ammunition for your grudge ledger?”
“Start your own damn ledger, you big fat dummy,” she grumbled. “You can write about my ledger from middle school in yours. Nobody holds a grudge like Caleb.”
“I can see the entry now,” he declared solemnly, ignoring her protest. He took on a high-pitched voice and the cadence of reading something being written in real time. “Ahem, and I quote: ‘June 30th. Jerked… Caleb… off… in shower. Nothing in return… He didn't… even… offer.’ Ennnd quote.”
She snorted at his ridiculous impression.
“Caleb, you’re such a loser,” she bemoaned. “You really need to find something better to do with your free time than practicing that stupid voice.”
His hand grazed her left thigh, slowly creeping closer to his goal.
“Lemme take care of you, pipsqueak,” he pleaded. “You don’t have to lift a finger.”
He curled his middle finger against her thigh to highlight his innuendo. The wet heat of his breath against her neck was tantalizing.
“Okay,” Lucy whispered.
Immediately, his hand slipped between her thighs. He took a deep breath as his fingers made contact.
“Oh, pussy’s so wet for me already,” Caleb marveled, gently parting her folds. “See, you do need my help. You were just playin’ coy, weren’t ya, baby girl?”
“You were sexy in the shower,” she confessed. “I like listening to you.”
“I like listening to you, too,” he whispered as his fingertips nudged her clit. “I wanna thank you for helpin’ me.”
Lucy let out a breathy moan and felt his cock pulse behind her. He rubbed up against her upper thigh, leaving his slick behind.
“God, your ass feels amaaazing,” he groaned. “Makes me wanna-”
With a harder thrust against her, his cock slipped between her thighs, making both of them gasp.
“Shit, sorry-” Caleb hissed, pulling away in a hurry.
“No, come back,” she whined. “Let me feel you.”
“You sure?” he asked, voice soft and breathy in her ear. “Like this?”
He lined up the tip of his cock and tilted into her, just enough to create pressure against the muscles keeping him out.
“So tight,” he moaned. “So- fuckin’ wet-”
“Maybe just the tip,” she whispered. “I think I can take it.”
Caleb shuddered as he carefully pushed a fraction of himself inside.
“God, you’re so tight,” he huffed. “Doesn't hurt?”
Lucy shook her head. His hips were motionless as his fingers worked her clit.
“Oh, fuck,” he whimpered. “I can feel your pulse.”
“Maybe I could take you like this,” she offered. “It feels good.”
“Maybe… No, no, I have to do you first. I don't wanna hurt you.”
Caleb pulled out and rolled her onto her back. Sitting between her legs, he got his fingers wet and pushed inside. He quickly found what he was hunting for, and Lucy let out a contented moan. Since the first time they had been together, Caleb had become quite skilled at finding the right spot, among other things. Despite his growing experience, his eagerness had never lessened.
“Theeere we go,” he sighed. “You like that, babe?”
“Mhm,” she moaned.
“You sound so good,” he groaned. “I wanna feel this perfect ass against me while I'm fuckin’ you.”
He groped her to emphasize his point, letting out another deep groan.
“Caleb,” she cried out. “I'm gonna-”
“Yeah, come for me,” he moaned. “Lemme hear your voice.”
With his encouragement, she let out a loud moan and tossed her head back. He gave her a moment to catch her breath as her head lolled on the pillow.
“Go again, pips,” he huffed excitedly. “I need you wide open for me. Wanna fuck you niiice an' deep.”
“Your mouth,” she whimpered. “I want you-”
“Don't gotta ask me twice,” Caleb replied with a breathless laugh.
He laid on his belly and held her thighs. When he lowered his head and enthusiastically lapped at her, Lucy felt her pleasure quickly building again.
“Ohhh, so good-” she whined, grabbing a fistful of his hair.
He let out a surprised, muffled grunt. She pushed his sweaty bangs off his forehead and looked down into his blue-violet eyes. Her thighs clenched around his head, causing him to groan and tighten his grip.
“Ca-Caleb-” she whimpered. “Baby, I'm- about to-”
He nodded and gave her a muffled noise of encouragement as he raised the intensity. Her pelvis jutted against his face, and she gripped his hair until she finished. When she went limp on the bed, his ruddy face reappeared.
“Ready for me?” he panted, his hot breaths against her belly.
“Yes, yes,” she begged.
Lucy rolled onto her belly, and he lightly swatted her ass before grabbing the lube. He pulled her up onto her hands and knees, propping a pillow underneath to make her easier to reach. She heard him preparing himself behind her.
“This okay, babe?” Caleb prompted, lining himself up. “You want it like this?”
She nodded, and he slipped his cock inside a bit at a time, giving her body time to adjust to his girth. Putting his hands on her hips to pull her closer, he carefully controlled his pace.
“Feel okay?” he asked, eliciting another nod.
Finally, Caleb was pressed up behind her. He curled down until she felt his breath against her neck.
“You feel so good like this, Luce,” he whispered, groping her chest and rocking gently into her. “Sooo fuckin' good. Is it good for you?”
“Yeah,” she sighed, feeling the exhaustion settling on her again. “I'm sleepy.”
“Sleepy, huh?” he fawned. “You wanna keep going? You're takin' me so well.”
“Yeah, don't stop,” she responded breathlessly. “Harder, baby.”
“You want me to hit it harder?” he echoed. As his force increased, he bumped into her most sensitive spots. “Yeah, like this?”
“Yes,” she whimpered. “Caleb-”
Lucy shifted her weight onto her elbows and rested her head on her forearms.
“Don't fall asleep on me just yet, pipsqueak,” he joked. “I don't think my ego can take it.”
He sat upright and backed her onto his cock, driving himself in a little deeper. In their position, the wet slapping of their skin was noisier than usual.
“Ohhh, your body is perfect, baby girl,” he groaned, picking up momentum. “I love seein’ you like this- Drivin’ me crazy with this perfect ass, per-perfect pussy-”
“Feels so good-” she whimpered, panting breaths being forced out. “Fuck, don't stop-”
Their moans spilled out louder and louder as they spiraled in tandem. Suddenly, Caleb pulled her tightly against him and went still, gasping and shuddering with his cock deep inside her. She whined and pushed her ass against him in protest.
“St-stop, pips,” he pleaded, a slight edge to his voice. “Hold- j-just hold on. Gimme a sec, don't- don't move.”
“What’s wrong?” she questioned. “Are you okay?”
She looked back at him with concern, seeing his eyes closed tight. His cock pulsed repeatedly inside her.
“Too good,” he panted. “I almost- Just stay still, okay?”
He took deep breaths that traveled all the way down his belly. Diaphragm breathing — in through the nose, out through the mouth. His left hand tightly gripped his dog tags. Grounding object — cold, textured, sentimental. She recognized his relaxation exercises from flight school, knowing Caleb still followed the same steps when he was anxious or in pain. Or trying to keep control.
“You don't have to worry,” she insisted. “We can just-”
“Shhh, babe, I got it,” he whispered. “It's under control.”
He continued taking deep, steady breaths without looking at her. Lucy huffed and stared down at the blanket, her frustration quickly building. In that moment, as her impending climax cooled and faded, his forced calm demeanor was infuriating. Why do you still need to be perfect in front of me, Caleb? Why can't we just have fun? Why do you always have to shut me out?
“I remembered why we don't do it like this,” she grumbled. “The same thing happened last time. But you're so damn stubborn. Always gotta be the best.”
“Hey, now,” he responded, his voice suddenly wounded. He sat back on his heels and pulled her onto his lap. “C’mere, Luce. Don't be angry with me.”
He wrapped her up in his arms and buried his face in her neck. She sat on his lap, pouting.
“Are you too tired for this, pipsqueak?” Caleb asked gently. “Do you wanna stop?”
She shook her head, unsure how to explain her irritation.
“You wanna keep going?” he murmured against her skin. She nodded as he kissed down the side of her neck. “Then lemme help you, baby girl.”
Caleb moved to the edge of the bed with her and hooked her legs over his own, spreading her thighs to accommodate his hand. When his fingers made contact, her pussy tensed, making his breath catch.
“Squeezin’ me pretty tight, huh?” he muttered. “Always tough for me to hang on once I get it in. I'm sorry I'm not very good at this.”
“Don't say that,” she whined. “You are good at this. I'm the one who takes forever to come.”
“Now, Lucy, don't talk bad about this perfect pussy,” he chided as he touched her. “I won't hear any of that. She's just right. You both are.”
Between his cock filling her and his hand stimulating her clit, her pleasure began to build. Her frustration slowly melted away with the repetitive motions of his fingers.
“I want you,” she begged. “Please, baby.”
“Maybe just a little.” Caleb helped her grind on his lap as he worked. She let out a long whine as he worked the right spots, inside and out. “Yeah, you like that, babe?”
“Yes,” Lucy moaned. “Yes, it's- it's good-”
“Ohhh, you sound so beautiful,” he groaned into her shoulder. “You like it when you're- all filled up, don't ya? I can- unh- feel you quivering-”
“I’m getting close,” she whimpered. “Fuck me-”
Grabbing her roughly by the hips, he shifted her back onto her knees. He pulled her close and rocked into her, his pace increasing.
“Fuck, this ass,” he hissed. “These thighs- Oh, Lucy, fuck-”
He curled down close to her, planting his right hand on the bed. His left slid between her thighs, groping her and keeping her close.
“Caleb-” she cried out. “Fuck me harder, baby-”
He grunted loudly, thrusting into her with more force. Their skin slapped together as his fingers dug into her inner thigh.
“Fuck, I can't-” he choked out. “Can’t- I’m- about to bust-”
“Don't stop-” she pleaded. “Stay, stay-”
“Ngh- fuck-!” Caleb groaned, burying his face in her back as he pounded into her even harder. “I- unnnh- I'm-”
He cried out desperately, his release making the motion feel even smoother. She moaned loudly as he drove her over the edge. He kept rocking into her with determination, trying to finish her off while he still could.
“Sound so good, Luce-” he whimpered, delirious with overstimulation. “Need you to-”
“I came,” she panted. “Baby, it's okay-”
He let out a shuddering whine of relief and collapsed onto his heels, pulling her down with him.
“So good,” he huffed. “Did so fuckin' good for me, baby girl.”
Lucy sighed contentedly as their breathing steadied.
“You really did come, right?” he asked anxiously. “You're not just sayin’ that?”
“Yes, I came,” she responded. “Why would I lie about that?”
“I dunno, to make me feel better,” he mumbled under his breath. “You know, ‘cause… I've gotta be the best.”
She let out a frustrated groan as he echoed her words from before.
“Caleeeb,” she lamented. “Have you been mad at me that whole time?”
“That’s what you really think of me, isn't it?” His voice shook with vulnerability. “That havin’ sex with you is all about me an’ my ego? I just wanna be the best?”
“I mean… not really,” Lucy replied sheepishly. “M-maybe a little?”
“I’m sorry I gave you that impression,” he muttered, letting out a quiet sigh. “We’re both tired. Let's just get some rest.”
“It's not…” She struggled to explain her meaning through her exhaustion. “I didn't mean it like- Well, it wasn't really… about sex.”
He helped her onto her knees and got out of bed. She watched helplessly as he turned his back to her and pulled on a pair of boxers.
“Caleb, please,” she begged. “Will you just talk to me?”
“You matter so much more to me than my own fuckin' ego, pips,” he replied, his voice hollow. “If you're thinkin’ stuff like that, then… I just have to do better.”
“Wha- Caleb, I-” Her thoughts came out in short, useless chunks. “Are- are you mad at me?”
“Go pee so we can cuddle, a’right?” he mumbled, his back still turned.
She was used to his prompting, and she went without a fight. As she sat on the toilet, she put her head in her hands, waves of frustration and guilt washing over her. I knew it was a sore spot. Why did I have to go and poke it? Am I really so cruel?
When she returned, he was laying with his hands behind his head. Though his posture looked easy and casual, his joyless expression gave away his true feelings. She quietly pulled on pajamas and curled up beside him, stretching her limbs across his body. He silently wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
“Caleb?” she murmured. “I… I love you.”
“I love you too, pips,” he whispered, kissing her forehead and tightening his grip. “So damn much.”
“Will you talk to me?” she pleaded.
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“My head’s a black hole right now, Luce,” he told her in a defeated tone. “I don't know how to let you in when it's like this. Let's just… get some rest.”
She nodded with reluctant acceptance. Years of experience had taught her there was no point in pushing him to talk when he wasn't ready. With a man as stubborn and private as Caleb, prying anything out of him could knock him into an even tighter spiral. Instead, she clung to him tightly, hoping to cushion the impact when he inevitably hit the ground. He mumbled a few words against the crown of her head before she drifted off.
“I'm sorry, pipsqueak.”