Shuri squinted as harsh rays of Cambridge morning light shone through the several intentionally uncovered square windows facing the small bed. Riri swore she did that so she would be forced to get up early to work before classes but Shuri was nearly convinced it had something to do with the time difference so often between them but she was accustomed by now to letting Riri lie a little bit to protect her pride. She didn't quite see the need, given that Shuri thought the world of her, especially her messiness.
Shuri's cat like abilities came in handy for moments like this, allowing her to slide from underneath the smaller woman with ease. She wishes the herb would've provided her a more withstanding bladder, hating to miss even a moment of true rest nestled deep in a too small bed with her "friend". After untangling fingers and limbs silently, Shuri pulls on a large black hoodie from the floor to brace against the frigidness of the room around her. Before she can take a step, she's kicked in the leg by an unsocked foot - since Riri claimed sleeping with socks made you a serial killer.
"Hayi!"
"Don't go."
"I'm not leaving, just going to pee."
"I know you're not leaving. You're not stupid enough to make me your enemy."
"You're talking in your sleep again." Shuri mocks fondly remembering the last time she was here, listening to Riri mutter equations and something about Shuri that she has yet to say consciously.
"You're warm. Come back." Riri slurs, fighting her sleep hard.
"One minute, swear it."
"I'm counting."
After rushing in the bathroom (which is just as cold as she remembered it being, much to her Wakandan dismay), Shuri finds her way back to the bed just as silently as she had left it. Trying to tuck herself back in, Riri interrupts once again.
"Uh uh. Take the hoodie off."
"Excuse me?"
"Just because it's yours doesn't mean you can wear it. It's property of Riri Williams now. Plus I need your warm, super powered skin."
"You're something else, you know?"
"Hurry up."
"You're pretty demanding."
"198." Riri says, pulling the blanket up to her chin and stretching her short legs out.
"Hmm?"
"198 seconds. Over three minutes, by the way. That's how long you took in the bathroom. 198 seconds of our 259,200 seconds total."
"You missed me." Shuri says as she slips the hoodie off in one smooth movement that Riri pretended not to notice.
"Maybe neither of us are even awake right now and this is all a dream."
"What a shame that would be." Shuri says, sliding back into the bed and wrapping her arms around the sassy scientist. Riri nuzzles in without a word.
A few moments go by until Shuri decides to interrupt.
"You know, if I wear the hoodie, it'll smell like me."
"Maybe we can make an arrangement."
They lay in blissful silence, slowly falling back into a warm sleep.
258,900 seconds to go.