Chapter Text
There were only two things Kim and Shego did the following day: wake up and fall back asleep.
Usually, Shego would be more opposed to sharing the bed but the thought of having to get up and prepare the air mattress was a mountain she had absolutely no desire of overcoming. The sheets were warm and the pillows were soft. Her eyelids were too heavy to open and the feeling of sleep was too blissful to deny. So she stayed in bed with Kim.
Still, she was mindful of how close they were sleeping together.
But even then, Shego would find her limbs entwined with Kim’s every time she opened her eyes. Drowsily, she would free herself and increase the distance between them only to find herself in the same entangled mess the next time she woke up.
“Fuck it” was the last thought in her mind before leaving it alone and laying back down and deciding to be on her phone.
Beside her, Kim shifted while she slept, turning over and comfortably settling her face against Shego’s back.
In response, Shego’s entire body went rigid, all the way down to her toes. She could feel the small weight of Kim’s hand, resting between her arm and side. The room was silent except for Kim’s even breathing.
After a minute or two, Shego exhaled, unaware that she had also stopped breathing.
She wondered what would happen if she shifted too, rolling over so they were face-to-face. Kim must look so peaceful, so beautiful. But Shego didn’t want to think about what might happen if she woke up. She didn’t know what she might see in the greens of her eyes.
Another minute after, she decided to inch towards the edge of the bed. Luckily for her, the movement seemed to rouse Kim slightly, who rolled over to her back, freeing Shego from her discomfort.
She guessed that it had to be around lunch time because something was cooking and it made her mouth water.
Shego felt energized enough to get up, so she carefully moved around Kim and slipped out of bed. Once she stood though, she immediately felt the weight of her bladder and hobbled to the bathroom to relieve herself.
As she sat, last night’s events replayed in her mind.
All the games, the cards, the bottles, the ping pong balls, the brave idiots who tried to attempt small talk with her, the way Kim looked when she was buzzed--
Shego stopped herself.
She speculated about what the food could possibly be downstairs, but those thoughts were suddenly replaced with the memory of Kim’s laughter while they were playing king’s cup. And their playful shoving to purposefully make the other lose. She thought about those stupid high school boys trying to get Kim’s attention and the long drink she took from her cup to help distract her from it.
Still on the seat, Shego shut her eyes and rubbed her forehead. “Get a hold of yourself,” she muttered. Her stomach grumbled and she cleaned herself up before going downstairs.
Sure enough, Mr. Possible stood in front of the stove in an apron, stirring what he was cooking in the wok with a wooden spoon. He broke into an amused chuckle, noticing Shego’s disheveled appearance as she opened the fridge to fish out a water bottle.
“Quite the party, huh?” he commented.
Shego glanced at him sheepishly.
“You knew?” she asked.
“Oh, please.” He poured a bit of soy sauce into the rice as Shego took a seat at the kitchen counter. “You guys go out late on a Friday night and come back sludged right before the sun comes up, then sleep in until the afternoon. I didn’t think either of you were going to be up by dinner.”
Shego checked the clock on the wall.
3:49 PM.
Shit. She didn’t realize they were sleeping for so long.
“I… I’m sorry, Mr. Possible,” she said despondently. She decided it would be best for her to stay quiet now. He had every right to be disappointed in her and Kim both. A lecture might not be too far away.
But to Shego’s surprise, Mr. Possible was making a face like he was confused--offended, even. He moved the handle of the wok away from the open space and turned down the fire before giving Shego his attention.
“Oh stop. Don’t be so hard on yourself,” he said, “I was young once too, and more reckless now that we’re at it.”
He paused to check on the rice before returning to the conversation. “Besides,” he continued, “Anne and I trust Kim. And we trust you too.”
Shego was grateful to receive such an honor, but her face wasn’t showing it. She looked stumped, as if she wanted to ask Mr. Possible whether or not he was sure. She didn’t exactly feel deserving of their trust. What has she done to gain it? She’s done nothing but lounge around in the house and help with chores. Certainly, doing the dishes every Thursday night wasn’t the moment Mr. and Mrs. Possible confirmed their trust in her.
Still, she nodded curtly to acknowledge Mr. Possible. Satisfied, he turned back to the fried rice and made Shego a bowl while he helped himself to some as well.
As they ate, he entertained her with stories from the time he was “younger.” Jim and Tim came down and joined them. Once in a while, the boys interjected with “no way you did that” and “what? That didn’t happen” and “does mom know?”
It made Shego laugh, seeing them go back and forth. She accepted the feeling of normalcy that came with the midday snack and casually chaotic conversation that she was having with the boys.
When they were done, Shego headed up the stairs with a bowl of fried rice, some ibuprofen, and a bottle of water. Kim was awake, but it was clear she was hungover. She laid on her side, hand on her head, remaining still even when Shego sat on the edge of the bed.
“Kimmie,” she spoke.
Kim opened her eyes wearily. Shego convinced her to sit up so she could take some medicine and eat. Kim followed her instructions, whining as she leaned against the bed frame. Despite the complaints, Shego was relieved to see Kim scarf down the bowl. The ibuprofen she took should help with the pain soon, and the water will ease her recovery.
“Can we watch a movie?” Kim asked. She sank back into her covers, satisfied with her rice.
“What movie?” Shego replied.
Kim picked up her laptop from the desk and scrolled through Netflix, throwing out suggestions to Shego. She responded by either considering the movie as an option or making a disgruntled noise. They refined their movie list until they were down to three.
Shego was enthusiastic about Nightmare Before Christmas.
“It’s the first week of October, spooky season is literally here,” she explained, “And Nightmare Before Christmas is like my favorite Disney movie ever .”
Kim snorted. “I didn’t know you were into Disney.”
Shego made a face, realizing she’s said too much.
“I’m not.”
With that, Kim set up her laptop and Shego went to fetch some snacks.
Kim laughed to herself as she listened to Shego’s angry grumbling while she kept dropping stuff. Once she was back in the room, Kim moved over to one side of the bed, pulled the covers aside, then glanced at Shego expectantly and patted the space next to her.
Panic.
Shego kept herself calm. She eased into the bed and put the snacks on the covers, beside the laptop.
They started with the fruit snacks first. Shego hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she started inhaling them. Unfortunately, she was eating a little too fast and she briefly choked on one before swallowing down. It made Kim laugh so hard, her head started hurting again.
Both of them started the movie sitting upright, but by the time Jack discovered Christmastown, Shego’s back started to hurt. She leaned back, joining Kim against the bed frame.
Shego hummed along to the songs without being conscious of it. Kim found herself paying less attention to the movie and more to the girl beside her.
She stole glances, eyes darting from the screen to Shego. Her eyes lit up whenever she laughed, head nodding to the sound of the music. She liked pulling the neckline of her sweatshirt over her mouth and preferred thin oreos over regular ones.
Kim noted the two different packs of oreos, but didn’t pay it much mind since she and Shego were going to finish them anyways.
“Thanks, by the way,” Kim said.
“For what?” Shego asked.
Kim tossed her empty gummy packet in the trash by her desk. “For coming to the party last night,” she responded, “I hope you had fun.”
Shego laughed as memories of last night’s events returned to her. Before long, she and Kim rehashed their rivalry during the games, accusing each other of tampering drinks by adding more alcohol and blocking ping pong balls from making it into cups. Shego admitted to Ron actually being a lot more enjoyable that she presumed and Kim was overjoyed to hear how well she got on with her best friend.
“Oh look, this is the best part!” Shego exclaimed, pointing to the movie. “They’re making Christmas Halloween-ified.”
Kim didn’t think Shego could even be this adorable, but she was actively being proved wrong and she didn’t mind one bit. She displaced the snacks as she sank deeper into the covers, leaning into Shego. She rested her head on Shego’s arm and continued snacking with a tiny bag of Cheez-Its.
The unexpected physical contact startled Shego, who froze in place. Noticing the sudden tension in Shego’s arm, Kim sat back up and gave her a look.
Shego glared back at her. “What?” she asked.
“Will you just relax a little?” Kim remarked. “If you’re that uncomfortable, then maybe you should put your arm around me.”
Shego blinked.
Her reaction made it hard for Kim not to break out in laughter. Shego prayed she wasn’t turning red but damn it, she was so pale and incredibly flustered and her cheeks were starting to feel warm.
It didn’t help that Kim wasn’t looking away. Shego wondered how she’s gone this long without noticing the freckles on her face, dotting the edges of her features and the tip of her nose.
And her eyes.
Shego noticed they were darker than her own. Deeper, more solid, safe. Kim gave her a small smile and Shego almost wheezed and clutched her chest as her heart fluttered.
“It’s just me,” Kim said shyly.
She held out her hand and Shego stared at it, confused. Another look from her prompted Shego to put her hand in Kim’s palm. All at once, Kim pulled Shego’s arm over her and leaned back into her previous position.
Shego had to admit, this was more comfortable, but she kept picturing herself as that dog who says “this is fine” while his house burns all around him.
She suddenly became self-conscious, hoping she didn’t smell, trying to cool off her sweaty palms, feeling all too warm under the covers with Kim so close to her. She paused the movie and got up to use the bathroom, feeling much better after refreshing herself and taking off her sweatshirt.
Shego repositioned herself as she was and lifted her arm for Kim. Maybe she didn’t expect it, or didn’t think Shego would, because she looked surprised before coming closer and laying down.
The movie was almost over. Both of them raced to think of what to do when it was done to avoid any awkwardness, but Shego was too distracted with the sweet smell of Kim’s hair and Kim couldn’t stop looking at the reflection of Shego’s face on the edge of her laptop screen.
It eased Kim to know that Shego was just as nervous. From where she was leaning, Kim could hear the speed of Shego’s heart beats and they haven’t shown any signs of slowing down.
She watched Shego’s expressions through the reflection on the screen, observing the shape of her eyebrows and her pretty eyes, perfectly framed by her hair. Kim felt like she could stare at her all day. But there was something in the back of her mind, bothering her. She hoped that she didn’t make Shego do something she didn’t want to.
“Is this... okay?” she asked in a volume smaller than she intended. It brought Shego’s focus out of the movie.
For the first time, she noticed, the slight fear in Kim Possible’s voice. The girl who saved the world more times than she can remember. The girl who stood her own against anything twice her size, the girl who never let anything shake her. She, who launched herself into battle with so much confidence, Shego was sure she wasn’t afraid of anything.
But now it was clear to her what she was really afraid of. And it meant more to Shego than she thought it would.
“ This ,” Shego responded. She reached her arm all the way around Kim and grabbed her leg with her other arm, pulling her closer and putting both arms around her. “... is fine with me.”
Kim almost gasped. She was nearly on top of Shego at this point, and only because she pulled her to this position. Kim’s head was on her chest, Shego’s hands rubbing her back. With her, Kim was used to making every move, keeping it subtle.
But she guessed Shego didn’t want to be subtle anymore.