It was so tempting to just stay right where he was, hands folded behind his head and eyes closed to the brightening light of morning. It was comfy, it was quiet, and Bert had always enjoyed sleeping out under the open sky. And it was nice to be able to just lay there, without having to rouse himself to join in whatever didos or dickery Al and Roland had gotten up to in the wee hours.
There was only him and Yako, and for all he missed his old friends, it was nice. It had been fun being able to teach things to her, and to forget about the stupid 'war' they were now stuck in. Bert hated calling it that. He knew all about war, and this wasn't war.
But now wasn't the time to let his mind wander over those thoughts. It was their last day out in the woods, and he didn't want to waste it. So with a great stretch and a wide yawn, Bert opened his eyes and rolled over.
And there was Yako. Damn, she was a pretty thing. And so sweet. She had a pure heart. And a trusting one. Hell, she was here with him, wasn't she?
It was kind of sad, he realized, that he couldn't take her home to Gilead and marry her. What was wrong with him? He'd wanted nothing but to break off the engagement since it happened, and now.... Well, now he was wondering what it would be like to wake up with Yako not just camped by him, but curled up with him inside his sleeping roll....
"Morning, pretty girl," he finally said, grinning. "Sleep well?"