SHe'd almost looked forward to the nonsexual intimacy stage, when he'd thought he'd be able to do it with Asher.
He does his best to hide how miserable he is.
"I can talk to you and Jan, or Marlo and whoever he was talking to. Don't talk to Harry."
Slowly, she relaxes in Lev's arms.
She knows why she can't fall asleep here curled up with Lev but she's not looking forward to falling asleep alone.
She nods and stands up and walks, very slowly, back to the dorm with him.
When they get there he takes his pillow off his bed and gives it to her.
"So you can hold something? While you sleep?"
She nods, then takes the pillow off the bed that used to be Asher's and gives it to Lev. "Thank you."
She curls up with Lev's pillow and pretends she's holding Lev, and ignores the empty bed where Asher should be, and sleeps.
Harry is so delighted all day! Ghost was a way better toy than Nick or Sinead! He hopes he'll get to play with her again.
Raine is noticeably quieter and more withdrawn than usual that day.
Lev is noticeably quieter and more withdrawn and won't stop looking at Raine.
He keeps an eye on both of them, keeps more of one when they merge with the girls' side.
— she's already next to Marlo, if Harry tries touching her there will be obstacles. She doesn't answer.
"Nobody has decided to ruin all your fun." His face is very carefully neutral but anyone who's seen him play football with Asher recognizes that posture as 'bracing himself for physical impact.'
Harry looks Marlo up and down with a good deal of appreciation. "Ooh, are you going to defend him from me? I could use a punch in the jaw from a"-- licking his lips-- "big, strong man."
Marlo is a solid head taller than Harry is and visibly significantly stronger. He raises an eyebrow.