Previously : Ellie swallowed hard, still dazed. "And… what if I'm still not sure?"
Bella's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. She leaned in, kissing her again—slower, softer, but with the same heat simmering underneath.
When she finally pulled back, Bella's forehead rested against hers. "Then we'll keep playing," she whispered, her voice low. "But not tonight."
Ellie reached out, fingers wrapping around Bella's wrist to keep her close.
"If I let you go tonight… will you ignore me again tomorrow?"
The question stunned Bella. Her breath caught, her lips parting slightly, but no words came out. She just stared at Ellie, taken off guard.
"If you can't answer… then I won't let you go," Ellie murmured softly, her grip gentle but steady.
"I… I don't know what to say," Bella admitted in a whisper, her voice trembling just slightly.
Ellie's gaze softened. "Then I'll wait for you… until you do."
She tugged Bella closer, guiding her down onto the bed. Her arms wrapped around Bella, pulling her into her embrace as she lay back against the pillows.
"I'll stay like this," Ellie breathed, looking into her eyes, "until you're ready."
Bella didn't resist. She didn't know if she could. She simply let herself be held, her chest tight with emotions she couldn't put into words. Ellie's warmth seeped into her, steady and grounding, as if daring her to feel safe again.
Ellie's hand reached up, fingers tracing the bridge of Bella's nose. Then, out of nowhere, she gave it a playful nip.
"Ouch!" Bella hissed, pulling back slightly.
"Did that hurt?" Ellie asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Yes… a little," Bella muttered.
Ellie chuckled softly. "I'll be gentler next time." Her touch traveled lower, her thumb brushing Bella's bottom lip before she leaned in, capturing it between her own. She sucked lightly, teasing, before pulling back just enough to whisper, "What about this? Does this hurt?".
Bella didn't answer, just gave the faintest nod, her lips parting in silent permission.
"I want to keep kissing you," Ellie whispered, her tone softer now, more vulnerable.
"Until I feel sleepy… and fall asleep."
That night, Bella stayed. She didn't push Ellie away, didn't retreat behind the walls she had built for so long. Instead, she let Ellie hold her close, their breaths slow and steady as they drifted into sleep.
Morning light slipped through the curtains, painting the room in soft gold. Bella was still asleep, her face buried against Ellie's chest. Ellie stirred first, blinking slowly as her eyes adjusted to the light.
She glanced down at Bella, still curled in her arms, her expression soft and peaceful in sleep. A wave of calm washed over her—a quiet warmth she didn't expect. She stayed still for a long moment, just watching her.
Ellie leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Bella's forehead, then her chin.
"Morning, morning," she whispered gently.
Bella's lashes fluttered as she opened her eyes, startled for a moment before the memories of last night flooded back. She realized she was still in Ellie's room, wrapped in her arms, and heat crept up her cheeks.
"You should get ready," Ellie murmured, stealing a quick kiss.
Bella hummed but didn't answer, just sitting up with a yawn.
"Yeah… I should."
When she tried to leave the bed, Ellie's arms tightened around her waist.
"Two more minutes. Please," Ellie mumbled, burying her face in Bella's shoulder.
Bella sighed, pretending to be annoyed, but she didn't fight it. She let Ellie hold her a little longer, her heart fluttering despite herself.
Finally, Bella slipped free. "I'm going to wash up," she said, stretching her arms.
"Okay," Ellie said, instantly sitting up and swinging her legs off the bed.
Bella glanced back, suspicious. "Why are you getting up too?"
Ellie grinned, ruffling her messy hair. "To wash up with you, obviously."
Bella rolled her eyes but didn't argue. She padded toward the bathroom, and Ellie followed close behind, almost stepping on her heels.
Inside, Bella grabbed her toothbrush, squeezing out some toothpaste. When she caught Ellie watching her in the mirror, she narrowed her eyes.
"You're seriously going to copy everything I do?"
Ellie just smiled innocently, grabbing her own toothbrush. "Yup."
Bella shook her head, focusing on brushing her teeth, but Ellie was impossible to ignore. She stood right next to Bella at the sink, brushing her teeth too, matching her pace like it was some sort of game. When Bella rinsed her mouth, Ellie rinsed hers. When Bella reached for her face wash, Ellie did the same.
"Ellie…" Bella muttered, glancing at her through the mirror.
"What?" Ellie asked with a teasing smile, foam still clinging to her chin.
"We're just… bonding."
Bella huffed, but the corners of her mouth twitched. She tried to act annoyed, but Ellie's sleepy grin and playful energy were too much.
After they finished washing up, Bella went back to her room to get dressed. She grabbed a blouse and started unbuttoning her sleep shirt, but then she felt it—Ellie's eyes on her.
She turned her head sharply. "Ellie."
Ellie was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, smiling like she owned the place. "What?"
"Out."
Ellie shook her head, her grin growing wider. "Why would I leave? I like the view."
Bella's face turned red instantly. "Ellie!"
"Fine, fine," Ellie said with mock surrender, turning her head away but not leaving.
"I'm not looking. See?"
Bella glared, but the tips of her ears were pink. She turned away, trying to change quickly, but she could feel Ellie's presence like a warm shadow.
"You're blushing," Ellie teased softly, peeking at her.
"Shut up," Bella muttered, fumbling with her buttons.
Ellie chuckled but stayed quiet, leaning on the doorframe with a soft smile. She loved seeing Bella like this—tough on the outside, but so easily flustered when someone got too close.