The door clicked shut behind them, sealing their fate for the night.
Aletha stopped dead in the middle of the room, arms crossed, staring at the double bed that sat in the center.
"I sleep on the floor," she declared immediately.
"Good thing I wasn't planning on sharing my blanket with a complainer," Caden retorted, setting his bag in a corner.
"Complainer?!" she protested. "Do you really want to play this game, Caden?"
"I'm not playing, Aletha. I'm protecting myself. Who knows, you might try to strangle me in my sleep... or worse, talk to me."
Aletha rolled her eyes, struggling not to smile. She approached the bed and patted the mattress with her fingertips.
"Well... technically, it's big enough for two." If you stay on YOUR side.
"I promise," he said, holding up his hands, feigning seriousness. "I'll mark the border with pillows. A demilitarized zone."
"Perfect. And if you make one suspicious move, I'll knock you off your bed with a well-aimed knee."
"Charming. You really know how to talk to boys," he said, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye.
"I'm not here to charm you, mind you," she replied, her cheeks slightly pink.
"That's too bad. I was almost touched by your sense of hospitality."
"Oh, shut up and go brush your teeth!"
"Yes, boss," he replied, complying, whistling with a small, mocking smile.
---
Chapter 5: Blurred Boundaries and Frozen Feet
A few minutes later, Caden came out of the bathroom in a T-shirt and light pants. He found Aletha sitting on the bed, combing her hair. When she looked up at him, their eyes met. An eerie silence fell.
"What are you staring at?" she asked, one eyebrow raised.
"Just... surprised. You're almost calm."
"And you're almost bearable. We're making progress," she replied, but her tone was less sharp.
They slid onto opposite sides of the bed, back to back. A minute passed. Then two.
"Are you cold?" he asked suddenly.
"No... Why?"
"You're shivering."
"I'm shivering because you keep talking and I'm trying to sleep!"
He laughed softly.
"You know, if anyone saw us now, they'd think we were an old couple on a failed honeymoon."
"Then I'd file for divorce first thing in the morning," she replied without turning around.
"Too late, we signed the contract when we entered this room."
They were silent for a moment. Then Aletha sighed.
"Caden?"
"Hm?"
"Do your feet always get cold like this, or are you just annoying me?"
"Can you feel my feet?" he asked in surprise. "Oh, damn, I think they've migrated to your area."
"PULL THEM OFF IMMEDIATELY!"
"Okay, okay! Calm down, General."
They both burst into fits of laughter. They finally turned slightly, facing each other without touching.
"You're really insufferable..." Aletha murmured.
"And you..." he replied, smiling, "you have a rather cute laugh."
She blushed slightly and turned to face him.
"Good night, idiot."
"Good night, dragon."
And despite the bickering, despite the embarrassment and the avoided glances, that night, for the first time, there was something different between them.