bothbarrels | Duplicity IC Contact

...yeah. Maybe.

[ He doesn't know if he can get back to sleep, but he wants to stay with North. And there's no reason to keep his friend awake. ]

Maybe?

[ He doesn't move to get up, in that case. He turns his head to look York a little more closely in the face. ]

I don't want to keep you awake.

[ He gives a slight chuckle. ]

The idea is for us to sleep, York.

[ The chuckle seems to irritate York, strangely enough. He huffs a little, sitting up properly. ]

You think I can just go back to sleep?

[ North's smile, as gentle as it is, drops. ]

Listen, I want to be there for you in this. You're staying. If you don't want to go get in bed with me then we're just going to sit here. Got it?

[ Alright. If he's staying they're getting in bed, then. York sets his jaw and lets go of North's wrist, standing up. ]

You might as well go back to sleep, at least. Come on.

[ North follows York to the room. He's bothered by the way York set his jaw, but he's not going to bring it up right away.

The covers on the bed have been placed back in place, not exactly a made bed, but not one that looks like he just climbed out of it. North reaches to pull the corner back. ]

You get in first.

[ ...of course the bed is in order. York doesn't quite smile at that, but eases up a bit and nods, sliding under the covers North's holding up for him and scooting over to the far side so there's room. ]

[ North slides in beside him, places the covers back in place, and turns on his side to face York. ]

I'm glad you're here, now that you are. It's nice having some company.

[ York rolls onto his side, too, still tense but actively trying to uncoil a little. He can see what North is doing, acting like everything's normal. It's just out of reach for him. ]

Even the Project had better beds than this, though.

[ He gives a half-shrug. ]

Every bed is too short for me.

[ Hard or soft. ]

[ Are they just making small talk about furniture now? York feels untethered in this conversation. Like he's still half stuck in the dream and can't get out. ]

Find a rich Dom who'll get you something custom.

[ He breathes out slow, trying to steady himself. ]

[ North blinks at him. That steadying breath, the shakiness as it came out...

He puts his hand on York's shoulder. ]

You don't have to act like you're okay. Not with me.

...of course I'm not okay.

[ His hand comes up over North's, holding it there for a moment. Looking at his friend's face, the light in his eyes even in the dim room. He's fine. He's fine.

York shudders anyway, remembering how the blood splattered across the Meta's armor. ]

I don't know how you can be.

[ He supposes he's accepted his own death, for the most part. Coming to terms with North's is a lot harder for some reason. ]

It's not fresh for me.

[ He says it quietly. It's been almost four months since he woke up not dead under the Dome. The novelty of being alive has started to wear off, just a tad.

With York's hand on the back of his, he lifts and separates his fingers, inviting York to interlace his fingers with his own. ]

Honestly, seriously. Hold me as much as you need to.

...right.

[ But he still hasn't forgiven his sister.

York doesn't interlace their fingers. He lets go, only to scoot in close and wrap that arm around North. ]

Right.

[ North wraps his arm around York in return. He gives a short, small sigh and rests his head against the pillow. ]

Just as long as you like. Don't you worry about keeping me up.

[ York can feel his shoulders uncoiling a little again, as North's warmth seeps into him. And if North doesn't care about being kept awake, well. ]

Can we talk about something else?

[ It's funny, the physical disparities of the two men, how they seem to fit together. North's taller, but York's boarder, and his muscles bunch up a bit more when he moves. So as York begins to relax more, North can feel some of the tension going out of his back and arms.

When York asks his question, he gives a thoughtful hum. ]

How's your job going?

It's boring. But that's better than the alternatives, and actually-- my boss offered me a contract.

Oh? How'd that come about?

He saw on the finder that I was uncontracted. Wants to keep me out of jail. It was nice of him.

Sounds like a thoughtful person.

[ He rubs his hand lightly in circles on York's back. He ponders a moment, and then says: ]

How would you have dealt with it, if you'd ended up in the Up?

Dealt with... what, exactly? Contracts?

[ He sighs softly at North's touch, eyes closing. ]

Easy. I'd've signed with you and Carolina and called it a day.

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