#bergen_county

He gets in with a soft groan, stretching out. And he flips the sheet back for her.

She drapes the towel over a chair and slides in next to him, nestling close.

He cuddles immediately.

She reaches a hand up to curl through his hair, gently running fingertips along the curves of his rounded ears.

A sigh. He is still deep in thought, working his way through the tangle.

And she does not press, unless asked - and does not seek to distract him, either. But she is there, and with him, and simply enjoying the feel of him.

Soft, reassuring touches.

Adam seeks to touch, and be touched, as if it helps him think. After a time, he murmurs. "Chief said, past can't be changed. I have to figure out the future. And I can't, like, count on Dag to.... to be different 'cause that's not fair to her. But she might and if she does.... I gotta see that. Right? I have to... -recognize- it. And if she doesn't, well, no blame, no shame. Right?"

"I don't know." She says, honestly. "I don't understand what went before. But... it sounds like it makes sense."

He nods, shifting his head on the pillow.

"She might...." he trails off ".... I hope she's happy with Nadeen."

"They seem happy together. When I've seen them... they have eyes only for one another. It's like the world ceases to exist, other than two two of them."

He smiles softly, a smile she's seen when he sleeps. "Good."

"And maybe... that's what she needs. If it hurt her... when you were with her, but also... looked at others." She offers, softly, without blame in her tone.

The smile fades and a light goes on in his eyes. ".... oh...."

A sad sigh. "I was never who she needed. Or wanted."

"And that's okay. How boring our lives might be if we only ever fell in love once." A soft kiss to his chest.

"I just... I didn't see it from her point of view. I didn't... I couldn't see her mirror."

He nods, stroking her back. "It's sad but... maybe, if this hurt avoids others?"

"I mean, if I can remember it and live with it but not.... like, -in- it? And use it to.... change the future? Like a.... like a really sad superpower?"

"It's not a super power... it's just... learning. It's.. that's what life is, isn't it? Learning, one mistake to the next." And a soft, sad laugh. "Like I'm one to judge."

He shifts and moves to take in her face, her expression; his own is questioning.

And she leans up to kiss him, a hand cradling his cheek.

He kisses her gently.

Hand sliding back to cup around the nape of his neck, and will deepen the kiss, leaning into him.

Adam relaxes, letting her sink him back into the pillows.

And her soft kisses continue, until interrupted - should he wish to talk more, or sleep, or... otherwise.

Adam eventually parts to whisper. "Piper, do you mind if... I'd rather... hold you? For a while?"

He can feel her smile, as she rests her head on his chest, and curls around him. "I don't mind."

"It's just.... my heart hurts, you know?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to push."

"It's not- it's not that that's all I want. Just being here with you is enough."

"You didn't! You didn't." a grin "Normally I'd jump your bones." He assures her gallantly.

She snorts in muffled laughter, and gives him a squeeze.

He squeezes back. "Ok. Thank you. Your being here helps."

He snuggles in.

"Always glad to help." She murmurs back, cuddling close.

Soon his breathing evens out as he drifts into sleep.

She stays awake a while longer, lightly stroking his hair... before she too drifts off.

(fin)