Autumn nights

“Where will you sleep?” He asked, superiorly, gazing at the forest floor around them, after carefully choosing his own spot, which was both dry and sheltered, squinting as the autumnal light fled fast. She padded here and there, pretending to inspect the ground, as a critic might examine a work of art, before finally meandering back, and promptly falling down on top of him- which wiped the smirk off his face to her vast amusement, replaced by a blushing one which made her chuckle. She snuggled into his shirt, fitting perfectly on his huge chest.

“I’ll sleep here,” she said in a superior tone, “it’s far more comfortable than the rest of the ground, I’m sure.” It was a bold move, however correct her statement was; he was so warm. And autumn nights were cold. Despite this irrefutable logic, she couldn’t look into his face, still scared of the rejection it might hold. She tried to reassure herself, reminding her head she’d done this before.

Luckily, the fear melted away against his body heat, as he moved his arm to the right, and created a dent between his side and bicep. Rolling into it, she marvelled at the sheer expanse of him, before arranging herself masterfully in the gap he’d made for her.

Sneaking a glance up, she became caught in his soft, light brown eyes, gazing down at her gently from his big face, which had once terrified her. That seemed ridiculous now, he was far too kind to be scary. It had taken a while, all her life she had been taught that giants were cruel beasts, intent on stealing away naughty children in the night. How wrong they all were, she pondered, as something in his eyes made her insides flutter pleasantly- contentedness, but something more, and she realised she would happily be stolen, if he were the thief.

She felt a huge hand tentatively touch her hair, and saw it gently stroke her head, the palm about the same size as her face. As a response, she buried herself even deeper into his side, breathing in his fresh forest scent. Fingers longer than her hand brushed her face, almost impossibly softly for someone of his size and strength, and was lulled as she rose and fell with his steady breathing.
“Yes, definitely sleeping here,” she announced with a yawn. Then her mattress tensed.

“But... What if I- I accidentally squish you in the night? Or I move and hurt you?“ His soft eyes contained worry now, and pain. She moved up his body, to his glorious face, where she held it in her hand, letting her fingers trace all over it.

“You won’t.”

He tried to smile, but it was thin and flickered out, replaced by sadness.

“I’m not good for you, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I hurt you, even by accident,” he said finally.

She closed her eyes, because she’d known this day would come, one day, when he finally found it too much effort to be around her. She had tried to mentally prepare for it, but it stung so much. Her face heated up, and tears begun to silently march down her cheeks, hopefully unseen in the dusky light.

“If,” she paused and breathed deeply, “If you’re finding it too hard, I understand. I wish I could be bigger, and stronger, and less weak,” the words poured out, the dam burst. “Then- then you wouldn’t have to be careful all the time. Please, go and find someone, a giantess, and be happy,” she said, knowing it was best for him, “You won’t have to worry ab- about squishing her, or hugging her too hard. I just want you to be happy...”

She finished quietly, and got up to move to under a tree a few metres away, so she wouldn’t have to watch him as he slept, knowing she couldn’t be with him, knowing he might leave the next morning even. She felt freezing inside, and her hands shook slightly. She’d gotten about a metre, when a hand grabbed her.

He spun her around to face him and his sweet angry face.

“Don’t you dare-“ he choked, “how can you even? I think- I think I love you, and you’re under the impression I might be happier with someone else?” He lifted her up in his unreasonably strong tree trunk arms and wrapped her in a tight hug, nestling under his chin, feeling his warmth thaw her once more.

And he held her there, 15 foot up, yet never had she felt so safe, as she buried her face into his neck. Still holding her, he slowly sat down and unravelled what she thought was her grip of steal, just enough for him to tilt her face up to his, and use his thumbs to brush the tears off her tiny cheeks.

“I love you, and every single little detail that comes with you,” he said as firmly as he could, whilst mesmerised by her face, so alive with emotions. “And I wouldn’t change you for the world- for you, I will happily just always be careful, and be thankful that’s all I must do to keep you with me.”

She flung herself against him, and clung on with what he knew was her strongest tight hold, which he could disentangle so easily. It made him smile, and he slowly stroked her small body, till she fell asleep upon him. Or so he thought.

“I love you too,” she murmured, quietly, before smiling as she finally did drift off.

He shifted slightly, putting himself in a dip in the ground, to stop him rolling in sleep, unable to wipe the huge grin off his face. Then he just lay there and gazed at her, not wanting the moment to end, and feeling grateful that autumn nights were long.