[ Carver cracks his eyes, watching Larus. It’s an oddly subdued moment but that’s okay. It’s just what’s happening. And it feels good like this, having another person pressed close. ]
You want me to keep watch?
[ He’d do that for Shaw, for the others. Sleep in shifts so someone was always on guard. ]
[ Carver huffs a little at that, running his fingers through Larus’s hair. It’s a quiet, easy affection. He doesn’t have this with anyone else. ]
[ Maybe it ought to be said. This thing between them still feels inexplicable, and it ought to be stranger than it is. But he’s grateful for it, in the end. ]
[ At least, with Carver, he doesn't feel so alone. There are other people in the city he checks on and speaks to, but this kind of intimacy with this man... there's no one else he has such a thing with. ]
I don't want to be anywhere else.
[ It's something he means, turning just enough to kiss him. Like it solidifies the words somehow. ]
[ Carver closes his eyes again, pressing into the touch. Funny, how easy this feels now. They know each other. He wasn’t expecting that, or how good it feels to kiss Larus back. To hold him. ]
Good.
[ It’s quiet, just like before. There aren’t many people that Carver can sleep next to. But he feels settled right now in a way that has nothing to do with the alcohol or the fact they just fucked. He cups a hand to Larus’s cheek, watching him, and just exhales. Okay. ]
[ Things settle, and he wonders about the future. If they'll continue to have this, if things will become so complicated that they won't be able to keep doing whatever it is they do. His thoughts wander as he looks at him, feeling the weight of it in his chest and almost terrified to do much that might break this moment. Pull them back to reality.
But it doesn't. It stays.
Larus stares a while longer before leaning to rest their foreheads together, eyes closed. Maybe it'll make sense eventually. For now, he's going to try not to question it as much as he wants to. ]
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I have been, [ he answers, his voice equally quiet. ] But it gets warm, and I can't leave.
[ He'd rather not have a repeat of their last encounter so soon. ]
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[ It’s been decided and so that makes it simple. He’s got nowhere else he wants to go, anyway. ]
Do you…rest, or something? Or are you awake the whole time?
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I don't usually sleep. [ His fingertips graze along the edge of Carver's jaw. ] But I could try with you.
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You want me to keep watch?
[ He’d do that for Shaw, for the others. Sleep in shifts so someone was always on guard. ]
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I want you to get some rest. [ He leans in enough, pushing their foreheads together. ] I still smell all that alcohol on you.
[ The taste has faded somewhat, at least. ]
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Yeah, yeah. I can do that.
[ Both of them could use the rest, he thinks. ]
Hey. Thanks, for this.
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What are you thanking me for?
[ There's really nothing to be said for what's passed between them. ]
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[ Maybe it ought to be said. This thing between them still feels inexplicable, and it ought to be stranger than it is. But he’s grateful for it, in the end. ]
That’s all.
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I don't want to be anywhere else.
[ It's something he means, turning just enough to kiss him. Like it solidifies the words somehow. ]
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Good.
[ It’s quiet, just like before. There aren’t many people that Carver can sleep next to. But he feels settled right now in a way that has nothing to do with the alcohol or the fact they just fucked. He cups a hand to Larus’s cheek, watching him, and just exhales. Okay. ]
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But it doesn't. It stays.
Larus stares a while longer before leaning to rest their foreheads together, eyes closed. Maybe it'll make sense eventually. For now, he's going to try not to question it as much as he wants to. ]