Ch. 6.1 –Sleeping Next To, Not With, Sudowrite started

The sky had long since turned inky black when Zilik returned to the room. Alex lay curled up on her side beneath a patchwork quilt, sleeping soundly. Razz alerted as soon the door opened, his head popped up and his eyes were bright.

"How is she?" Zilik asked.

Razz leaned down and softly brushed his muzzled against Alex's forehead, then smiled up at Zilik. "Warm and sleeping," he said.

Zilik stood there, his color changing from bright green to orange to yellow and back again.

"For what are you waiting? Climb in," Razz said.

Zilik still stood there, color still changing.

Razz grinned. "This a golden chance for you, Zilik, since Alex accepts a group bed. You are known for being politically savvy and have done much to assist us—you should absolutely join us in this."

Zilik's color flowed to bright green and stayed as he slipped next to Alex. "Chameleons excel at adopting other culture's habits. Right now, a group bed seems like a very, very, good idea." He curled around Alex's back.

***

Morning light dragged Alex to consciousness. Before opening her eyes, she felt bodies pressed on each side of her and the comforting scent of leather filled her nostrils. She exhaled deeply as the weight of the nightmare lifted from her heart. She must be at home with Gabe and either Cale or Rile.

I can't remember why both are here, or where the third brother is, but I don't care.

A pain in her side nagged at her. She tried ignoring it, but it kept tapping on her brain, prodding her further away from sleep. She attempted to distract herself by exploring the body beside her with her fingertips. Everything came rushing back to her like an unwelcome guest-- every disappointment, every insecurity, every mistake-- and she felt completely awake.

"Aaaa!" Surprise made Alex sit bolt upright and cry out. The pain made her curl into a ball, clutching her wounded arm desperately. "Aaaa!" This time, it was a cry of anguish.

"Alex, you should not move so quickly. Please lie back down. Please let me examine your wound," Razz said. His face was inches away from hers, and he gently guided her back down to the bed before she could do anything reckless.

Alex gasped for breath as Razz's voice echoed in her ears. She stared at him wide-eyed, trying to make sense of what was happening in her usual awakening confusion.

"What are you two doing here?" Alex asked, still trying to orient herself. "Where is here, anyway?"

"This is our room in the Institute. We are keeping you warm so that you can heal." Razz's voice held no apology. "Now let me see." He lifted her shirt edge despite her feeble protests. He scrutinized her wounds in silence for a moment before gesturing towards Zilik.. "Good, no new bleeding. Zilik, do you have any oil?"

Alex scrunched her eyebrows.

That's an odd question.

Zilik walked straight to a cabinet and popped it open to reveal shelves of bottles. He reached in and pulled out a glass bottle with a red wax seal. His gaze never shifted from Razz as he handed it over, standing close enough for Alex to see the muscles move beneath his shirt as he leaned in.

"You'll need this for yourself. In fact, you'll need more than oil," Zilik said.

Zilik went back to the cabinet and pulled out a blue crystal jar. Alex looked at Razz in curiosity.

What had he seen on Razz?

Zilik tilted his head as he asked Razz, "Why haven't you been oiling regularly? I thought the Anolis males took care of each other."

Now Alex could see what Zilik was talking about. Razz's hide was dry and flaking, reddened crevices webbing out over his body from a lack of nourishment. Zilik smiled as Alex took an interest in Razz, her own troubles forgotten.

"Cla forbid anyone to oil me as punishment."

"Let's get you comfortable," Zilik said, helping Razz take off his shirt. He unscrewed the blue jar. "I keep this on hand from Master Healer Guni as it's very soothing and treats a variety of ailments."

He scooped out some of the white cream with two fingers and carefully began spreading it over one of the deeper cracks on Razz's back. Razz softly hissed out a breath and shuddered in pain. The cream smelled like cloves and sage, pungent and refreshing.

"Hold a minute." Alex held out her hand, and it glowed white. She concentrated, and the glow receded to her thumb and two fingers. She ran these along a split in Razz's hide. "Now put on the cream," she told Zilik.

Razz watched as Zilik slowly and methodically applied a thick, white cream to the sore spot. Razz remained still and silent,

"Better?" Alex asked.

Razz exhaled deeply and nodded. "Much," he said appreciatively.

Zilik handed Alex the jar. "Alex, I have a meeting. Maybe you could finish this." Zilik walked to the door, not waiting for her reply.

Unnerved, Alex looked down at her palms cradling the glass container and felt the smooth texture of its cool surface. "Uh, okay." Alex didn't see how she could refuse. This didn't seem an intimate procedure, only a necessary task. At least, she hoped so.

What would Gabe say if he saw me in bed, oiling up another male? Wait, he isn't coming back.

Alex forced that thought from her mind by concentrating on her work.

Numb each split and then apply the cream.

After Razz watched her do every split she could manage, he smiled shyly at her. His voice was soft as he said, "Next a layer of oil all over."

She hesitated, uncertain what to do next.

As if sensing her confusion, he quickly added, "But I can do most of that myself. I just need help with my back."

Alex's voice was soft as she whispered "It's okay, Razz" while pressing her hands against his back. The oil was cold, so she rubbed it between her palms to warm it, feeling the slickness before she ran her fingertips over his skin. She felt a tingle run through her fingers as she worked on his tight muscles. Her movements were soothing and gentle. Then she realized that she had worked up to his chest, and they were face-to-face. She quickly scooted back and away from him in surprise.

"Now I shall oil you." Razz took the bottle.

"No! I mean . . . my type doesn't need oil . . . thanks . . ." Alex fumbled over the words.

"Is that truly the case?" Razz looked at her with sharp eyes. "Or is it that you touch others, but you do not allow anyone to touch you?"

Alex flushed. "Considering I spent the night between you and Zilik, I hardly think that's true." Alex hated her harsh words when she saw how frightened Razz was. "Don't apologize when you're right." She pulled her knees up to her chest. "You're so smart, Razz. You tell me why I act that way."

"In some, it is an issue of power, of control." He tilted his head in that appealing puppy way to regard her. "I do not think that is the case with you. In time, I will figure it out."

He sounded so confident that Alex snorted. "I bet you're right. You would make a great psychiatrist."

"What is a psychiatrist?" Razz asked.

The sharp knock on the door caused Alex to fling herself out of bed. She winced and clutched her side, regretting the sudden movement.

Razz turned and shot her a stern gaze before walking towards the door. "Try not to overexert yourself," he said in a slightly scolding voice. He placed his tympanum against the door, listening carefully for a response.

"Dr. Glick. Who is this?"

Alex rushed to open the door, holding her side.

"Hi, Dr. Glick. This is Razz. He's uh . . ." Alex stammered, her cheeks growing warm under his gaze.

"Alex's new mate." Razz's tone was firm. "She won me from Cla."

Alex resisted the urge to bury her head in her hands.

Dr. Glick's lips spread into a broad smile, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Indeed?" he said, and Alex could hear the intrigue in his voice. He chuckled softly and added, "Well, then I'd say you're in good shape, if not perfect." He placed a hand on Alex's shoulder and guided him toward the lab. "Let's take a look at that side of yours that you're clearly having so much trouble with."

"Dr. Glick, what do I do with Razz? Will he be safe here alone or should he come with us?" Alex asked.

"I will come with you," Razz said.

"That might raise some difficult questions." Dr. Glick said.

"I will be at considerable risk here alone."

Alex held out her hand and beckoned for Razz to come close. He stepped into her embrace, his body fitting perfectly against hers as he tucked his head under her arm. "I'm not leaving him," Alex said firmly.

"No need," Dr. Glick said with a smile. "We can put him in my private office that's right off the lab."

"Thanks," Alex said. "And some food for him, too. He's far too thin."

"We'll tell Hilto on our way to my lab."

***