The Soul Before: Escape to Paradise

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3 months later...

...

I dreamt that I was on a beach, the sun kissing my skin. Seagulls called and the waves folded over each other, making a chorus of sounds. The sand was smooth under my feet. Even though there was a sun in the sky, millions of little stars showed themselves as well, crawling through the light. A few cats and kittens were padding towards the ocean, getting their paws wet and licking up the water. Then, rain started to fall down, but it was deep, warm rain, enveloping me and embracing me. Moments of peace ensued and this felt like heaven...

I could feel my body start to regain consciousness, and I woke up from the dream. It was morning, and the golden light from the window shined through my apartment bedroom. I still felt the closeness of the rain, and I realized that I was in Maw's arms. We were cuddling, bodies snug together under the blankets. His chest rose and fell with his snoring, I loved looking at him. He was my boyfriend after all. Sometimes he just annoys the living crap out of me, but other times it feels like I could love and adore him forever. I love and adore him even when he's annoying the crap out of me to be honest. I don't get butterflies or a zoo anymore, because I got those when I was nervous. Now, whenever I'm with Maw, I feel like I'm home. I can't imagine this with anyone else.

He started to stir, and then he stopped snoring, making soft breaths now. I've learned to know that when he isn't snoring, he's awake. 

"Maw?" I called quietly.

He made a low groan in reply and nuzzled his toothy head into my neck. 

"I know you're awake." I poked him in the belly.

"Ugh... Yeh, I know. Mornin' Eggs." He yawned and stretched his arms.

"Eggs? You know I hate that nickname!" I playfully cuffed him on the shoulder. 

He made a laugh and then hugged me along with a quick kiss on my neck. I giggled and put my arms around him, softly caressing the aged scars on his back and stomach. We lied in bed for a while, just enjoying each other's company.

"...Do you ever just want a pet llama?" He randomly asked.

"What?" I said in confusion. 

"I don't know, I'm tired." He let go of me and laid on the bed starfish style. He scratched his chest and then looked at me. "Wasn't there something we were gonna do today?"
"No. If there was, I would have..." Then I realized something. "OH MY GODS!" I wrenched my head to look at the bedside clock on the nightstand. It was 10:27!  

"WE'RE SUPPOSED TO MEET TRINE AND JAY AT 11:30!" I shouted, almost making Maw fall off the bed.

I remembered how we were going to go to the café with Trine! Jinxaro, now called Jay, wanted to come along too and show us his new pet cats he adopted recently.

"GET UP!" I jumped out of the bed and started to rummage through my drawers. "PUT YOUR CLOTHES ON!"

"We have an hour!!" He jumped up too and gripped my shoulders to calm me down.

"... Oh yeah." I flopped the clothes I grabbed from the drawer onto the bed. "Sorry, heheh."

Maw chuckled and gazed at me for a moment. He leaned in and kissed my eyelid, biting softly.
Then he pulled back. "I love you, ya know that? You're EXEtraordinary." He made a silly grin.

I chortled at the pun. "I love you too. You're MAWvelous" I returned a pun to him.

He looked at me awkwardly. "That wasn't as good-"