BUTTERFLY NIGHTS

They lay there, side by side...the heat penetrating the space between them. She would not dare turn, and he, reading her thoughts, reached for the flickering light beside him. The string of smoke spiraled into the thick blackness, leaving only the spark of scented wax.

She felt his stare on her and a coyness followed.

He moved his fingers slightly, disturbing the still quiet that filled the heated space.

'Should I turn'? She wondered as she let a narrow wisp of air through her thin lips. The cold wind burnt her bare arms as it sliced across the room through the open window. The curtains, rejoicing in this action, danced about mid air letting in dull light from the covered moon.

In this moment of excitement, he turned towards her, dragging with him all the weight, built up in his chest. He watched as she tried to stealthily pull the covers over her porous skin.

'Are you col..'
'No' she quivered before he could finish...

'Are you cold?'

'Who me?'. He foolishly asked.

'I'm fine..'

An hour must have gone by in that exploding silence with both, sculpted in place.she, facing the open window,he, sunken into the bed on his side.

Goodnight. She finally whispered.

Sleep well...he responded.

And then, the air was light again. She moved to her side in one featherlight move, he swiftly turned on his back, and they both watched as dreams handed them the courage to finally touch.