Page 103 of Beyond The Maples
"On that Maple, we can agree," he says softly.
He leans forward, grabbing a lock of my unruly waves, tucking it gently behind my ear. Tingles erupt down my neck as my brow furrows.
"You’re not going to answer my questions, are you?" I ask, swaying slightly. I need food and water. And sleep.
"Not tonight, little menace. Let's get back to base before your ridiculously codependent crewmates send out a search party." He places his arm around the base of my back, ushering me forward.
I sigh, too tired to badger him further, anyway. I fold my arms over myself as a cool breeze sweeps by.
Warmth envelopes my shoulders as I feel something heavy wrap around me. I look over and Tane has slung his jacket casually over me. I snuggle into it involuntarily, loving the instant heat I feel, the jacket thick and already warmed up by him.
"No, I can't––" I protest.
"Can you just....not be a pain in the ass about this? I'm not cold. I wear it ‘cause it makes me look cool," he grins, and then he winks at me. Like it's the most natural thing in the world to be talking so casually and giving me his coat.
I sigh again and grumble something that is somewhere between agreement and an insult, my eyelids feeling heavier with every step. I'm too tired to fight him, so I slip my arms into the sleeves; the jacket smells like him, and I have to physically hold myself back from stuffing my face into the collar and breathing in the intoxicating scent. We walk back in comfortable silence.
"Maaaaaaple. Maple!"
I groan.
"Maple, wake up!" Something heavy pushes my chest and I curse.
"Leave me alone!" I grunt.
"I have water for you," Farra says, and that makes me reconsider. I open my eyes, which feel gritty and dry, and reach out before I can even really see.
Something cold is thrust into my hands, and I gratefully unclasp the lid, gulping the water down greedily.
My eyes finally adjust to the stinging light of the room. I'm met with Farra's devious grin, as she hovers over me.
"What?!" I grumble, sounding snarkier than I intend. I feel rough.
She smirks. My mattress dips, and I realize, to my irritation, that Leo is also here, and is now also in my face.
"Wanna explain yourself?" Farra asks, cocking an eye and looking far too smug.
"Can you just cut to the chase? My head feels like there are blocks banging against my brain." I sigh, flopping back onto my pillow.
"She means: why did you get dropped off by our Lieutenant, drunker than a garden gnome during a full moon,wearing his jacket?" Leo blurts, absolutely giddy.
I sit up. I am, in fact, still wearing Tane's jacket. Memory floats back to me in fragmented pieces, and I cringe.
Tane had gotten me to the dorm, and when I nearly keeled over at the entrance, he'd slung me over his shoulder like a child, and carried me up. My entire face heats as mortification creeps over me. I cover my face and groan.
"Maple Treow, did you hook up with our Lieutenant!?" Farra squeaks.
"No! Gods, no. I just… He found me outside a bar after I left the twins, and then brought me home." I peek at them, and they both look at me with raised eyebrows. "I'm serious! Nothing happened."
"But you're wearing his very nice jacket," Leo prods.
"Yeah. I was cold, and he made me take it."
"Oh, what a dick!" Leo says sarcastically.
"What happened with the twins?!" Farra asks, giving me a look, and I'm thankful for the topic change.
I breathe out, trying to get my bearings. First, I demand food. They flip a coin; Leo loses and reluctantly fetches my breakfast while I lay perfectly still, head throbbing. Once he's back and I feel a little less like vomiting, I talk. And I tell my friends absolutely everything. The Wire, where the twins are from, and how misled we are about the other countries' standings. Everything my groggy little brain can remember.
