I really gotta stop writing new stories and finish up the WIPs I have.


It was nearing two hours after midnight and the house was dark and mostly silent, save for the quiet sound of heavy breathing from two individuals who were wrapped up in each other and the comforter as they cuddled together in the afterglow of their mutual highs.

Naomi curled into her lover's arms as she buried her nose into his neck. She kept the heat on in the house at night, of course. But December in Maine meant it was colder overall, and the heat from their earlier activities just further emphasized the chill outside of the warmth they shared in her bed.

She felt Navel shift his grasp around her as he kissed her forehead gently. Relaxing further in his embrace, she closed her eyes and let herself doze, her breathing already starting to even out. Just as she was about to drift off, a sudden buzzing startled her.

"Ah, shit, sorry," Navel mumbled and reached for his watch on the nightstand, brows furrowing as he scanned an urgent text from work.

Naomi felt the cold air creep under the blankets as he reached to set his watch back down, before he pulled the covers back around them.

"Hey, I didn't realize it was so late already. I should get going," he whispered, keeping his voice down. Normally Navel didn't stay over this late, but his boss had last-minute cancelled his meeting that night, and he wasn't going to miss out on an opportunity to see Naomi and Alyssa. His most recent case had been keeping him running around what felt like the entire state for the better part of a month. Most nights he had been stepping into his own apartment well after midnight, collapsing on top of his bed without even changing clothes. Never mind having the time to stop by Naomi's in person.

At this Naomi looked up at him, having woken up a little more from her post-coital drowsiness.

"Did something urgent come up?"

"Nothing more than what's the norm for this case. I swear, we'd better be getting close to putting a wrap on this or I'm going to have to start sleeping in the office," he joked half-heartedly. "But my boss wants a sit-rep tomorrow morning since he cancelled tonight's, so I'm gonna have to get in early for that," he groaned, sinking back down into the covers for a moment, trying to delay venturing back out into the freezing winter night for just a little longer.

"I see," Naomi was surprised at the feeling of longing that came up as she realized that he would be leaving shortly. Their lines of work being what they were, both of them understood when the other was busy, but this latest stretch had been the longest they had gone without seeing each other since the two of them had gotten together. Navel was pretty good about calling her and texting Alyssa the occasional cute animal picture in lieu of visiting, but she suddenly realized how much she had missed actually seeing him in person, having his presence next to her; whether it was in the kitchen helping with dinner or afterwards in her bed, like they were now.

"Well, duty calls. I'm glad I got to see you tonight," he smiled wistfully and kissed her on the forehead one last time before getting ready to slide out from under the covers, when suddenly Naomi reached out and closed a hand around his arm.

"Technically, isn't my place closer to your office?" she ventured. She wasn't sure how to ask him to stay; although they had been officially dating for a few months now, their relationship was still new enough that neither had spent the night at the other's. Staying over wasn't a topic they had broached yet.

"Uh, I, guess? I mean it's not a huge deal; my place isn't that much further," he replied, a little caught off guard at her comment. He shouldn't have been surprised that she knew the distance between their workplaces and her house, (the woman definitely loved driving). But the fact that she brought it up now was not what he had expected. With Alyssa, it was only natural that Navel spent most of the time over at her house with the two of them, as opposed to having Naomi over at his own place. But he always left afterwards, waking up the next morning in his own bed, in his own apartment. Was she implying that he should stay tonight?

"I know, but it's late, and I think the news was saying there was a chance for snow on the roads tonight… maybe it's better if you stay," she finished, suddenly unable to meet his eyes. It wasn't a lie; slick roads were a real concern in Portland during winter, and it was well after midnight at this point.

"Ah, um, I don't want to impose on you. I know Alyssa has school tomorrow and I'd have to be up pretty early, don't want to wake her…" he mumbled, not sure how to respond. Why was this so hard all of a sudden? Just five minutes ago he was wishing he could stay curled up in bed next to her and now he was making excuses to leave.

There was a pregnant pause for a second before the two of them suddenly spoke at the same time.

"Actually, what I meant-"

"I...want you to-"

Naomi looked a little unsure and bashful, but she met his gaze as he realized what she was saying.

"Are you… sure?" Navel wasn't even sure why he asked that. The last thing he wanted her to think was that he wasn't serious about her, but he also didn't want to push too far. Their relationship hadn't exactly come together in the most orthodox manner, and he didn't want to pressure Naomi into moving faster than what she felt comfortable with. He knew she still had some lingering trauma about their pasts and what they had done.

At this Naomi paused, then nodded slightly. She could feel the weight of his question carry beyond just her being okay with him staying the night. Was she sure about him? About their relationship? Where she thought they were going with this?

"I want you to stay," she repeated, more confidently this time. The phrase had sounded foreign in her mind but as soon as she spoke it it felt natural. She missed him while he had been away, and now she wanted to be with him as much as she could.

"I-of course. I'll stay," he stammered, but the smile on his face told her that he was glad to.

"Good. Well, are you just going to sit there letting the heat escape from the blankets?" she quickly snapped back to her usual countenance, but Navel could see the slight flush on her cheekbones and there was no bite behind her words.

"Just as soon as I set my alarm. I'm warning you now it's going to be early," he tapped the alarm and made sure it was set before placing it back down and sliding back under the warm covers. Naomi shrieked softly at his cold hands as she pulled her in close to him.

"You're cold!"

"Hence why I'm holding you. You're warm," he sighed contentedly before twining his legs around hers.

"Hmph, so I'm just a hot water bottle for you, then?" she groused, secretly enjoying the way he was wrapped around her.

"Mmhm, Dr. Naomi Kimishima, the world's greatest and softest hot water bottle," he teased, giving her rear a slight squeeze as he said it, earning him a light slap on the shoulder from her.

"Don't push it. I can change my mind and cast you out into the cold at any moment."

"We both know you enjoy cuddling too much to do that, Doctor," punctuating his statement with a kiss.

"But in all seriousness… I'm glad. That you asked me to stay." There was more he wanted to tell her, but he was starting to get drowsy, and for now Navel just wanted to bask in the moment, enjoying the warmth and feel of being able to fall asleep next to the woman he loved.

"'night, Naomi."

"Good night."

Her reply was soft and Navel could tell she was starting to fall asleep as well. He closed his eyes and the two of them were out within a matter of minutes.


The next morning he awoke to the soft chirping of his Apple Watch. For a minute Navel was confused as he reached to his right to where his alarm usually sat. Only to realize that the sound was coming from his left. On Naomi's nightstand. Next to her bed.

Oh. Right. He'd stayed over last night. The realization made him elated and he couldn't stop a grin from appearing on his face.

Next to him, he heard a stirring sound and the shifting of sheets and turned around, watching Naomi sleepily blink open her eyes.

"Good morning," he said softly, aware that the house was still dark and quiet, dawn's first rays barely piercing through the heavy grey clouds that frequented the coast during winter.

"Good morning to you, too," she replied, a small smile on her face. Her insomnia was nowhere near as bad as it used to be but even so, Naomi couldn't remember the last time she had slept so well, despite the fact that it had been barely 4 hours since they both actually went to sleep.

He kissed her in response, feeling something indescribable rise in his chest. Navel took a moment to just enjoy being able to hold her in the morning, her face being the first thing he saw when he woke up.

"I could wake up to this every day."

The thought was out of his mouth before he had a chance to realize he had just spoken it out loud.

A look of recognition lit up in Naomi's eyes, but she didn't say anything. She merely brushed his bangs out of his eyes, her fingers lingering on his face.

"You'll be late if you don't get ready," she chided, although Navel could tell she was relishing the last few moments in bed with him.

"Yes, ma'am." But this time when he got out of bed, grabbing his various articles of clothing off the floor, the brisk morning air was refreshing and his chest felt light. He was… happy.

"Don't forget your laptop from the living room," Naomi's voice came from behind him as he came out of the bathroom, face still tingling from the splash of cold water. He turned around, surprised to see her up and in her dressing robe.

"Oh, I thought Alyssa didn't get up for school until later? You don't have to; I can see myself out-"

Naomi just shushed him with her finger as she quietly opened her door and Navel silently followed, the two of them peeking in on a still-sleeping Alyssa before making their way to the living room. Navel gathered his laptop and slipped on his coat while Naomi went into the kitchen, the smell of coffee soon wafting out. He strapped on his watch and was checking it for urgent messages when he heard Naomi come back into the living room, a thermos of coffee in her hands.

"Here. It's hot, so be careful," she warned, handing the tumbler over to him. Navel accepted gratefully, moving towards the door as he shifted his bag onto his shoulder.

"Thanks, I appreciate it," he bent and gave her a light peck on the cheek, turning around and opening the door when all of a sudden-

"Little Guy! Are you leaving already?" Naomi and Navel looked towards the hall as Alyssa ran out of her room in her pajamas and slippers.

"Alyssa!" Navel was caught off guard as she launched herself at him, and he carefully set the coffee down on the table in the entryway, relieved he didn't spill any on her.

"Naomi! Why didn't you tell me Little Guy was staying over? I wanted to have a sleepover too!" The little girl pouted as she let him go.

"Alyssa, go and put your robe on before you catch a chill," Naomi scolded, side-stepping the subject. Alyssa was used to Navel coming over regularly, but Naomi had never really explained to her in too much detail the nature of their relationship, aside from, "Little Guy and I are good friends." Luckily Alyssa didn't seem to have any trouble accepting that explanation, and she looked forward to his visits almost as much as Naomi herself did.

"Aw, I was going to ask Little Guy if he was going to make pancakes for breakfast," she sounded glum.

Navel bent down to her level, smiling sympathetically. Ever since he made waffles for dinner that one time, Alyssa had been hounding him about pancakes too.

"Sorry Alyssa, I gotta run right now. But, maybe another morning?" At this he looked up at Naomi, aware of the implications behind his promise.

She smiled back at him, gathering Alyssa close to her side.

"Another morning. Now, Little Guy has to get going or he's going to be late," she nodded towards him, "Have a good day."

As he was walking down the driveway, Navel was struck with the exact word he had been searching for all morning: domestic. He felt like a husband heading off to work while his wife and kid saw him off, right down to Naomi handing him his coffee and seeing him off at the front door with Alyssa by her side, wishing him a good day at work. They felt like a family. It felt… unbelievably right.

Naomi was about to close the door when Navel suddenly stopped, turned around and rushed back towards her.

"Wha-" she was cut off as he kissed her passionately, his free hand tenderly cupping her cheek while Alyssa gasped excitedly in the background.

"I love you."

He smiled and was off again, patting Alyssa on the head as she yelled, "Have a good day at work, Little Guy!"

Naomi was stunned at the sudden confession, but recovered just in time to wave back as he turned around, a smile blooming on her lips once more.

Yes. This was definitely something she could wake up to every day.


Ahhhh I am so weak for fluff between these two! I realized mid-way through writing this that it's a slight alternate take on a similar topic I covered in Insufficient Evidence, but I like this approach too. :) I definitely want to write something with more angst and drama with them at one point, but the diabetic ideas just keep flowing for some reason. Also shoutout to the TC community Discord for providing me with so much inspiration lately!