Gu Ning kept her back to Alex, not responding to what he'd just said. She lay on her side, motionless for a long time.
Alex held his embrace, his large, warm palm resting on her stomach. His fingers traced idle patterns against her skin.
Outside, a cold wind swept through the desolate, dilapidated, abandoned city. It found its way through the cracks in the walls of their shelter, whining softly from time to time.
Gu Ning curled into herself a little more.
Even with her thick clothes and the fire, the drafty room still sent a chill through her.
The hard, cold floor was also very uncomfortable to lie on.
"Take off your jacket." Alex rested his chin lightly on her shoulder. "You'll be warmer if I hold you while we sleep."
He buried his face in her hair, inhaling deeply, and added in a low voice, "Just sleeping."
After a few seconds of silence, Gu Ning sat up, unzipped her jacket, and began wordlessly unbuckling her belt with her head lowered.
Alex watched her quietly.
