allow me to set the scene: the lights are low- or maybe off- or maybe you’re illuminated by each other’s smiles and the dimly lit faerie lights draped along the headboard. the blankets are pushed to a corner and somewhere tangled in the sheets are the clothes you showed up in. the walls you’ve built have been completely and irrevocably destroyed- but for once, that’s okay. you can feel the weight of his ribs against your hips, this is what you’ve been waiting for- well not this, but him. “stay” you whisper. and of course, he continues. you could swear everything is just melting around you because you look at his face and it’s like you’re somewhere beyond cloud nine but this is not what you meant. “stay” did not mean put your hands on my thighs and keep going. it didn’t mean keep your clothes off. “stay” meant come lay down next to me and hold my hand when you think i’m sleeping it meant let’s fall asleep to the sound of each other’s laugh. “stay” meant bare feet under covers and space heater skin I wish I understood how these emotions became ******* like this it’s the *** before the feeling but why does it have to be like this? i always find myself apologizing and wondering what’s wrong with me- i can’t help that i find a deep emotional investment within people i can’t help that when i look at you i feel like every poem i’ve ever read but it seems like you and i have been reading different books.