**
The water gurgled down the drain as Astra dried her hands, absently pulling a face at her reflection in the mirror, her hair standing up every which way. Dismissing it for now, she stepped out of the bathroom and padded across the carpeting back to bed, smiling at the sight of Alex sprawled out across the bedsheets, one arm thrown up over her head, the other pushing up her shirt as she lightly scratched at her stomach.
"You look like a monkey at the zoo" Astra chuckled.
Alex turned to look at her, sticking her tongue out at the older woman. "I've got an itch. Sorr-y"
Snorting, Astra shook her head and deftly ducked the pillow that was swung in her direction as she climbed up onto the bed. "I'm only teasing, love" she apologized.
"I know," Alex smiled as she moved her hand, now scratching at her side "I think I've got dry skin," she grumbled "or fleas"
"Let's hope it's former," Astra snorted "it is rather dry today" she noted, peering at her phone and at the weather report. Tossing it aside, she laid down besides the younger woman, propping herself up on one elbow.
"What?" Alex asked, as she was finally able to stop scratching "something on my face?"
"No, just your face" Astra smiled, reaching out to lightly trace one fingertip down Alex's cheek, smile widening as Alex leaned into her touch with a soft sigh, eyes fluttering closed.
"How do you do that?" she murmured.
"Hmm?" Astra sighed questioningly.
"Make me feel all...giddy and warm inside with just a stupid line like that?" Alex sighed.
"Because it's not a line," Astra explained "it's only the truth"
"And there you go again" Alex sighed, laughing lightly as she rolled over to face Astra fully, pressing up against her, tucking her head under Astra's chin.
Smiling, Astra laid back down, throwing her arm around Alex's waist and pulling her close as she rolled onto her back.
"Shall we stay in bed today?" she mused.
"Sounds good to me" Alex nodded.
"Then it's agreed," Astra chuckled. Looking down at Alex, she pressed a soft kiss to the top of the younger woman's head "I love you"
"I love you too" Alex sighed happily....
END