Dearest
Charlie buries his face into Thandi as they enjoy the hot July sun. Thandi soaks it in, eyes closed as she enjoys the light, Charlie curled up in her lap as a cat. He rolls, stretching and exposing his stomach.
“You really are just a cat,” she giggles, stroking his fur, scratching juuust right to get him purring. His eyes flick open sleepily, yawning wide. He spills out of her lap, stretching before adopting his human form.
Thandi’s laughter cuts through the quiet as he pushes her over, kissing her face and shoulders as he tickles her. He still manages to keep that smug look on his face as he teases her, grinning widely. Thandi is not going down without a fight!
She reaches up and tickles his neck, watching his arms buckle as his grin dissolves into laughter. He drops on top of her and hugs her waist, burying his face into her stomach.
“You win, dearest,” he mumbles. “I’m still tired.”
Did she hear that right? Dearest? Her?! The proclaimed ‘worst’ in all of existence? She feels her face getting hot as she occupies her hand with petting Charlie’s hair. “Um…you…shouldn’t you, perhaps? Not…”
“Hm?”
“Well, you called me dearest just now, and that seems…”
She looks down to see Charlie looking up at her, blinking drowsily in the sunshine. “Isn’t that what I’ve always called you?”
“No! It isn’t! I thought you didn’t like me?” How could one person’s heart beat so fast? He’s playing, like always.
“You’re right. I just don’t like you.”
Thandi swallows. Of course. Business as usual. He yawns and kisses her stomach. “Right.”
“It’s not just liking you,” he mumbles. “You’re mine. Forever.”
It sounds like he’s saying something more, but before she could get the nerve up to ask, he’s napping on her. His hair is hot from the sun, pleasant to touch. His breathing is regular. Thandi could smell the heat rising from the grass they lay on and she closes her eyes.
Ruth and Josiah will wake them when they get home with lunch.