Blanket Thief

There is a time when you can put up with the cold and call it a minor inconvenience, even find it in your own way charming. It is one of Minjeong’s odd little quirks, something that makes her who she is. But the chill of winter has a way of putting an end to such tolerance. Lately you are woken in the wee hours by a racking shiver, your teeth chattering and limbs going rigid. You will put out a hand to Minjeong’s shoulder in hopes of drawing her into the tangle of blankets with you, only to find her fast asleep, breathing slow and deep, not a care in the world for your plight.

Then comes a night so cold you simply can’t stand it. Your tremors are bad enough to make the bed frame groan. You look at Minjeong, cocooned in her own private warmth, and can’t help but be a touch resentful of her indifference. Doesn’t she see you freezing solid next to her?

Without thinking you put out an arm and put some pull on the edge of the blanket. To your surprise she does not put up the usual fight. There is a soft sound from her and she turns in your direction, her arm coming around your waist. The contact is nearly feverish where it meets your skin. You go still for a moment, unprepared for it, but then you give in to the heat of her and burrow in, face to her chest, taking in her warmth as dry ground would rain. A contented sigh leaves you as the cold is driven from your limbs.

You let yourself drift off with some questions running through your head. What has come over her? Does she know what you have been put through these past nights? Gratitude takes hold of you and you sleep well for it.

When you wake to the light coming in off the frosted window, she is still holding you, her face peaceful. You watch her for a minute, smiling, and lean in to kiss her forehead. Her lashes stir and she opens them, stretching out with the languid grace of a puppy in the sun.

“Morning, sleeping beauty,” you murmur, sweeping a piece of hair from her face.

“Morning,” she mumbles, nuzzling into your neck.

You can’t help the laugh that comes. “What was all that about last night? Change of heart?”

She looks back at you with a grin. “Didn’t want you to become an ice sculpture,” she says with a hint of teasing, then in a lower tone, “And I wanted to be close to you.”

It goes straight to your chest. You pull her in for a proper kiss. “Well, I thank you for both of those,” you tell her, meeting her warm gaze.

From that night forward, you don’t have to ask for space under the blanket–Minjeong sees to it there is a corner left for you. She may still take the lion’s share of the blanket, but you have no complaints. Let the blizzard howl outside, you have her embrace to see you through the cold.