Sparkles in the Night

She wasn't quite sure when she accepted his presence. When she stopped despising him. When the reluctant respect turned into a genuine care. One day, they were at each other's throats about Finch. When he believed her stupid, and she believed him intolerant. Even when he called her stupid about Evangeline, which was true, she had even respected that. And eventually, they just had... an understanding about Finch, an understanding about each other. Just small times that they'd run into each other and reluctantly gotten to know one another. Now, she just wanted his presence, his touch, his comfort in the form of using him as a pillow. And at first it was weird. She felt awkward. Pretended she was asleep in order to snuggle up. He went with it. And then she grew bolder, and then they just... accepted it.

She was lost in thought when the gentle nudge distracted her, and automatically, she leaned back into the touch, as brief as it was, her eyes sparkling as she glanced to look up at the one who had nudged her. Affection was clear in those eyes, and a smile was on her face, too - that is, until it turned mischievous. She suddenly halted, lunging forward to nip hard at his shoulder, a playful light dancing in her eyes. The last rays of light, and then the fireflies would come - what's the harm in a play fight before then?

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art by birmapus