“L-Lloyd?” Chloe’s voice trembled slightly, her words barely audible.
“You don’t like this?” he asked back.
“No, I... I do,” Chloe admitted, her heart fluttering.
“Let me know if you want me to stop,” he offered, his voice soft yet earnest.
Chloe could sense a subtle change in Lloyd. His voice seemed more strained than usual, his breathing shallower.
Gently, he moved his hand, letting it find its way to her hair. His touch was a bit more uncoordinated than usual as he stroked her hair softly.
“No,” Chloe whispered, her voice steady but low, as Lloyd drew her closer against his chest. “Please, don’t stop.”
That was the last word exchanged between them that night. Their breathing gradually fell into a harmonious rhythm, the sound of their synchronized inhalations and exhalations filling the space between them.
Ba-dump, ba-dump—Chloe could hear Lloyd’s heartbeat, a comforting, steady pulse distinct from her own. In that silent sanctuary, the rest of the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in a cocoon of warmth and intimacy. What she had imagined to be an overwhelming, heart-racing experience was surprisingly calming.
Wrapped in Lloyd’s embrace, with her head gently caressed by the man she loved, Chloe found a profound sense of bliss. There, secure in the circle of his arms, she surrendered to the tranquility of the moment and drifted into a deep, restful sleep.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Asleep already?” Lloyd murmured softly, feeling Chloe’s breathing settle into a gentle rhythm against him. A smile touched his lips as he gently adjusted his hold, allowing himself a better view of her peaceful face.
Bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, Chloe’s features seemed almost ethereal, fragile in their serene stillness. The vulnerability she displayed in her sleep, a side she revealed only to him, stirred something deep within Lloyd.
Ba-dump—his heart throbbed, louder in the quiet room. Gazing at her, so defenseless and trusting, ignited a raw, instinctual desire. But no sooner had these feelings surfaced than Lloyd screwed his eyes shut and shook his head, as if to scatter the urge from his brain. “No, no,” he murmured, focusing intently on the disciplined form of his swordplay, repeating the motions in his mind, until the surge of ardor subsided.
With his heart’s tumultuous waves calmed, Lloyd exhaled softly. “Never has my will been so tested,” he whispered to himself.
Yes, it was true. While it may have seemed the case from the way Lloyd carried himself, he was not immune to the natural desires of man. Worse still, he was well aware of the intimate nature of the activities men and women got up to in bed (thanks to Freddy’s influence). Yet, in Chloe’s proximity, he chose restraint—not to prove his self-control, but out of respect for Chloe’s wishes.
What Chloe had proposed was that they sleep together—nothing more—or she would’ve said. At least, that was the sort of rigid interpretation that a man of Lloyd’s nature had come to. Thus, he resolved not to overstep the boundaries she had set.
For sure, the fleeting thought that Chloe’s proposition had been, well, a proposition had crossed Lloyd’s mind, but seeing her slip into slumber so innocently dispelled that notion quickly.
To be in such close contact with the girl he loved was a test for Lloyd. But Lloyd, of all people, understood the value of being tested. He chose to take it as another form of training, an exercise in fortifying his will and strengthening his resolve.
✦ ✦ ✦
“It’s...morning already?”
The next day, the soft song of morning larks gently coaxed Chloe from her restful slumber. As her eyes fluttered open, the realization of the large, comforting presence beside her slowly dawned on her. Her still-drowsy mind turned slowly and slowly, until memories of the previous night’s agreement to share the same bed resurfaced.
She shifted her head and looked upwards; there was Lloyd, still asleep, his breathing deep and steady. In this state, he looked so tranquil, so calm, so starkly different from his usual sharp, focused demeanor. Throughout the night, he had scarcely moved, his arms still tenderly encircling her. He must be a heavy sleeper, Chloe thought with a faint smile.
He is still asleep, right? she wondered. After a cautious glance confirming his slumber, Chloe snuggled into Lloyd’s chest. Like a contented kitten, she rubbed her face against him.
I feel so...at peace. She felt herself relax. The warmth of the sun on her face, the distant chirping of birds reaching her ears, the presence of the man she loved enveloping her—her heart melted like butter. Sleep beckoned her once more. Chloe teetered on the edge, and yet she resisted the urge, reminding herself of the day’s responsibilities.
She soaked in the moment for just a little longer, then gently extricated herself from Lloyd’s arms. She sat up, stretching gracefully and silently. Reflecting on the night, she realized it had felt like barely a moment had passed between falling asleep and waking. Dreams were the machinations of a mind still active, or so she’d once heard, so if the gap in her memories in that regard were any indication, she’d had a very deep sleep indeed. She felt rejuvenated, her mind clear and her spirits high. So this is what Sara meant? she mused.
I always sleep better when Freddy’s with me. My mind’s clearer, and even my skin’s better.
Just then, she sensed movement beside her. Lloyd grunted softly, his eyes fluttering open.
“Good morning, Lloyd,” Chloe said softly.
Lloyd’s sleepy eyes focused on Chloe, his voice a deep, groggy murmur. “Morning.” His gaze drifted, the pull of sleep still strong. “Is it time to get up already?” he mumbled.
“Not quite yet,” Chloe reassured him.
“I see,” Lloyd mumbled. Pajamas rustling against the sheets, he shifted his position, turning onto his belly. Clearly someone wasn’t ready to wake up quite just yet.
In this new position, his bangs fell haphazardly over his eyes. Almost instinctively, Chloe’s hand reached out, gently tucking the strands behind his ear.
“What are you doing?” Lloyd’s voice was tinged with curiosity, his eyes fluttering open once more.
“I’m...not entirely sure,” Chloe said with a giggle.
“But you just wanted to?” Lloyd asked, amused.
“Something like that,” she replied, her smile audible in her voice.
Lloyd closed his eyes again, a relaxed murmur escaping his lips. “It tickles.”
“Oh, sorry.” Chloe quickly withdrew her hand.
“No, I meant in my chest,” Lloyd quickly appended, a hint of embarrassment in his voice. “My heart feels...funny.”
Chloe looked down at him with a warm, loving gaze. “I think I understand exactly what you mean.” She recalled the fluttering sensation in her own chest whenever Lloyd played with her hair.
Lloyd peeked at her with a half-open eye. “You can continue, if you’d like.”
“Really?” Chloe asked eagerly.
“You look like you want to. Go ahead.”
Chloe whimpered. “I really need to work on not being so transparent.”
Lloyd’s voice was gentle and genuine. “I hope you don’t. You’re easier to understand this way.”
With Lloyd’s permission, Chloe reached out again. This time, she ran her hand through his hair with abandon, delighting in its softness between her fingers. At last, here was payback for all the times Lloyd had hogged the privilege.
Suddenly, Lloyd yawned deeply.
“Still tired?” Chloe asked.
“It seems so,” Lloyd admitted, his voice heavy with sleep. “Maybe it’s your soothing touch.”
Chloe chuckled. “Now you know how relaxing it feels. Get some more rest. I’ll start preparing breakfast.”
“That sounds...wonderful...” Lloyd murmured, already drifting back into sleep.
As Chloe watched him return to slumber, she couldn’t help but smile affectionately. He was like a contented kitten in her care. Even if their night together had been just this—sharing these quiet, unguarded moments—it was more than enough. The opportunity to see this softer, more vulnerable side of Lloyd was a precious gift in itself. Chloe’s heart swelled as she quietly slipped out of bed, leaving Lloyd to his peaceful rest.