Butterfly Kisses

Butterfly Kisses

I roll over. I can feel sleep sticking to me like flies to fly-paper. I yawn and stretch slightly, wishing I could open one of my eyes to see what caused the noise that stirred me this much. I'm too tired to see anything though, so I settle back down into my bed and choose to ignore it, pretty sure I know what it is. Ignorance is bliss, I remind myself so that I can be consumed by total slumber again. My head sinks into my feathered pillow and I sigh softly, feeling a wave of peace wash over me as my entire body becomes relaxed.

As the fondness of sleep caresses my conscious I feel an equally, if not more, passionate feeling that stirs me once more, tearing me away from slumber. A soft, overfond pair of lips press to my cheek. I feel this action repeated over and over again. I don't wake more than when I had heard the door open, but I'm fully aware of my surroundings and what's going on. I stay still and silent, looking as if nothing is going on inside my head beyond the dancing and singing of sugarplums.

"I love you."

Goosebumps raise on my skin. While enveloped by sleep, and while dreams and nightmares overwhelmed my subconscious, I almost forgot what it felt like to hear those words. I love you. A smile creepy across my exhausted features and I roll on my back as I hear him walking away. I stretch out my arms. I reach and reach and reach, unaware of where he is and repeating silent prays that he will return to my arms before he vanishes.

Nothing.

I reach a little higher, stretch a little farther, clench and unclench my hands into fists. My lips move, forming mute words. Come back. I love you. Stay here.

Nothing.

I stop stretching, stop reaching, stop hoping. I begin to lower my arms, sorrow taking its toll on me and threatening to completely wake me. Nothing? Did he really leave without my return of affection?

I feel him press himself into my arms and against my chest. He gives me a squeeze and kisses me under my chin. A smile crosses my face that overpowers the sorrow, banishing it to the dark depths of my mind. I wrap my arms around him and give him the biggest squeeze my still sleeping muscles will allow. I move my mouth, repeating the silent words: I love you. I can feel his warm smile.

"I love you, too."

He lets go and stands up. I roll over and face the wall, becoming extremely fatigued and losing consciousness again. The cold escapes my body as he wraps the blanket around me, tucking me in so I can go back to sleep. He kisses my temple and says good-night before I hear him leaving. I hear that same noise that stirred me earlier as he fiddles with the door, this time to leave.

I know I won't remember any of this when I wake up, but its a nice feeling for now.