[Adrian is content to stay like this for a while yet, running his fingers through Felix's hair while he sleeps and enjoying the quiet closeness, the warmth. He doesn't want to fall asleep himself, not yet; he just wants to hold Felix like this and enjoy his presence.
...But eventually, yes, the tea and the meal. He does sneak out of bed eventually, to brew some tea and make a simple meal, some grilled meat and vegetables. Felix has been, um, dead, so Adrian figures he'll sleep for a while even if the smell of food drifts down the hall from the kitchen. They don't have a tray or anything... he'll just bring the plate and the cup back to bed, he supposes, and set them on the bedside table. There's a second plate upside down on top, to keep it warm.
Then he crawls right back into bed, to spoon Felix until he wakes up.]
[Adrian's embrace lulls him into a sleep that's long and deep, his body's attempt to recuperate. He has strange, vivid dreams. Of Dimitri, of Adrian, of Imogen, of his father and Glenn. All of them in odd situations, saying confusing things to him. Expressing emotions that are out of place, or Felix saying something uncalled for. Jumbles of repressed feelings and unspoken sentiments coming out in narrative form as his unconscious brain tries to make sense of it all.
And then he's falling from the sky. Dimitri is holding onto him, warm behind his back as they both brace for the inevitable, feeling nothing but deep, deep terror and dread.
As they hit the water, again, Felix inhales sharply and his eyes snap open. For a few moments, he's frozen, still paralyzed by dream-fear, but his breath is gasping and his heart pounds.
It's Adrian behind him, not Dimitri, he realizes. He moves his fingers and arms a bit as he catches his breath, trying to come back to reality, trying to remind his body that he's not in danger. At least it smells very good in here.]
[Ah, and on some level, Adrian was wondering when something like nightmares would happen. He can't imagine someone can just... actually die and only be impacted by it physically; the way Felix wakes in a panic feels inevitable at the same time it's worrisome.
Adrian pulls him closer, centering, steady.]
Felix-- you're alright. You're at home. [Murmured low and calm, to try and soothe that frantic energy. He shifts to lean up on one elbow and lean over Felix a bit, to look down at him as live visual confirmation that this is just his bed, and it's just Adrian, and he's okay now.]
[Warm arms around him, a low voice in his ear that is decidedly not the boar's (thank fuck), and now Adrian's face above him. His memory of the day comes rushing back fully: the kissing, the cuddling, Felix falling asleep. He's still just here with Adrian, still safe, it wasn't real. Well, it wasn't real this time.
He exhales a small hum as he reaches to lay a hand on Adrian's cheek and looks into his eyes, as though to say, yes, there you are, good. Felix turns to face him in bed and draws in to hug him, the squeeze reminding his body further of what's solid, what's real. He lets out a soft sigh as his breathing slows, calms. He's filled with relief and gratitude that this is what he gets to wake up to.
He isn't going to verbally address what just happened, because he doesn't see any need for it. Instead, he murmurs,]
Smells good.
[He can smell the tea, too, piping hot on the nightstand, some blend of spices- Adrian has obviously picked up on that being his favourite kind.]
[There; better. Adrian folds him in close and snug, pressing a kiss to his temple. He runs a hand up and down Felix's back as Felix calms down, idle and comforting. There's no way he's going to press for details about Felix's dreams-- he's already assumed the recent death is part of it, and if Felix doesn't want to talk about that more than he did earlier when they got home, well! He doesn't have to.
Adrian just wants him to be relaxed, to feel content and know he's safe. So far, he thinks he's doing a good job...]
Mm, I made you dinner. And tea.
[Tragically, Felix will have to sit up to eat and drink. Adrian slides his arms around him down to his waist, so he can turn and grab the food if he wants.]
[He's doing an excellent job. Good boy, Adrian, you are the best boy, yes you are.
Felix presses a kiss to Adrian's cheek.]
Thanks. You didn't have to do that.
[It's less a genuine 'you shouldn't have' and more a 'wow, maybe don't set a precedent for completely and utterly spoiling me or I might become a brat even faster.' He's not going to complain, though. It's very nice, and if not for Adrian he'd be alone in some shitty inn eating jerky, so he's obviously going to accept this leagues-better outcome.
He sits up, slowly, rubbing his eyes and pushing long pieces of mussed hair out of his face. He reaches over for the tea, just holding it near his chest and smelling it for a moment, still adjusting to being both awake and alive. He eyes that there's only one plate and mug.]
[It's too late, he's entirely too easily swayed by kisses and thank yous. It's not like he wasn't already doing most of their cooking, this is just, you know-- different. A little bit. He hums.]
Yes I did. [--have to make this meal, that is; Felix went through something terrible, and it's all Adrian can do to take care of him for the next... however long it takes. That includes making sure he eats, especially because Adrian can't be sure the clinic did anything for him besides give him a bed to lie in for the, er, interim.
He's not thinking about it. Felix sits up and Adrian does not, just staying wrapped around his waist and looking up at him from down here.]
I ate while I cooked. [He nibbled. Don't try to take care of him now, nuh uh.] Don't let it get cold.
[Of course Adrian thinks that way. He often cooks anyway, and Felix just... Uh, died, so yeah, it's fair that he wants to fuss over him some. Felix just doesn't want Adrian to feel like he ever has to do anything for him. He's an independent swordboy, after all.
He gives Adrian a small glare, because he knows that means he only nibbled on things here and there, and Adrian also didn't eat earlier whereas Felix had that sandwich.]
Why didn't you make yourself a plate too? You need to eat.
[Just because he's caring for Felix doesn't mean his body has ceased having physical needs! After a sip of tea that warms Felix pleasantly, he does take the plate of food onto his lap and begin to eat it, slowly. Mostly nibbling on the meat. He exhales in that way you do when food is very good. Then he picks up a piece of meat and airplanes it to Adrian's mouth. If you won't feed yourself, you'll have to suffer the shame of being fed.]
[He's eaten a meal today! It was just before he had to go pick up Felix from being dead, that's all. So maybe the amount of hours between eating has been longer, but he's not starving.
Now, what is this. He holds a hand up to prevent Felix shoving food straight into his mouth while he speaks,]
What are you doing? You're ridiculous.
[But he will compromise, catching Felix's wrist to take a single bite of that meat piece. He gives Felix a look while he chews exaggeratedly, eyebrows raised; happy, sir?]
[That was so long ago! He needs a meal more often than that!
But Felix finds he kind of likes this side of Adrian, surprisingly- a little annoyed with him, calling him ridiculous, firm about what he'll put up with and what he won't. When he grabs his wrist, Felix's eyes widen almost imperceptibly, and his gaze draws over Adrian's hand to fixate on his lips while he bites and chews the food. There's a small smile on Felix's face that reads as amused, fascinated, and maybe a little into it.]
Adrian settles back down after he's had his token bite, letting Felix's wrist go with a nudge back towards the plate. The look on his face is hard to miss, but credit to Adrian not folding like a wet paper bag every time Felix looks at him some kind of way, Felix has to earn it if he's going to be bratty about food.]
Eat your dinner. Unless you want to be fed, actually...? [#threat]
[Bratty!!! Nagging Adrian to take care of his dang self isn't bratty! Okay, well, he's doing it in his bratty Felix way, but still.
But fine, he'll turn back to his food. He's hungry and doesn't want to push his luck. He pulls his legs up to sit cross-legged in the bed, slouching over the plate as the blankets and Adrian still swaddle his waist.
He scoffs a small laugh, shaking his head.]
Tch. Goddess, I'm not a baby.
[Crazy words from someone who was just trying to feed Adrian. The tabby comes up, eyeing his plate. He lifts a finger in warning.]
Adrian lifts his arm for the tabby to slide into the space under it, between his chest and Felix's leg, which is conveniently the perfect spot to both get petting attention from Adrian and make a very cute face up at Felix, right next to his plate. Give her everything she wants forever--]
[For a moment, he pointedly doesn't look, staring deliberately at his food as he eats.]
I'm not. If we feed her from our plates she's just going to expect it, and then she'll start stealing clean off of them.
[She mews at Felix, high-pitched and adorable, and he can't help but look down. He's assaulted by the saccharine sight of her and Adrian wrapped against his leg, Adrian petting the cat and looking at her like she put the stars in the sky, Sweet Pea looking up at Felix with green eyes as big as saucers.
I think she's earned it. Let me go fix myself a plate of my own after all.
[Ahaha. No, he's still not getting up, not when he's so warm and comfortable curled up like this. He presses his cheek into Sweet Pea's furry side and lifts one of her paws up to wave at Felix. She continues to give Felix The Eyes, adorably.]
[Goddess, it's too fucking much. Adrian snuggling into the cat, looking so content, making her wave, saying his name like that, and her eyes. His heart swells with a terrible, painful adoration for them both.
He heaves a dramatic sigh, then plucks a piece of meat from his plate, small enough to fit in her mouth.]
Fine. Only because you're being good.
[He uses her polite behaviour to justify the act of spoiling as he feeds her the meat. She takes it greedily, making a cute face as she chews, and Felix can't hide how smitten he is as he gazes at her.]
[Adrian is just as smitten, watching Felix watch the cat, and the cat is very smitten with being spoiled. It's officially saccharine in here, fully saturated, at capacity.
He settles back again after a moment, point made and cat spoiled. That's a win for him.]
She might be begging, but she was upset when you weren't here. They all were.
[And so was he, but they've covered that. The girls were worried!!]
[Adrian won't push their luck, tugging her back in for cuddles instead of encroaching on the plate. For now.]
What? Of course, really. Why wouldn't they?
[It seems obvious to him that everyone in this house would be concerned, but if Felix has an actual answer they can unpack, well. This is the unpacking zone.]
We haven't had them that long. Didn't think they really...
[Formed an attachment yet? Cared? Who knows. He just shrugs again. Obviously they've had them long enough for attachments to happen, considering the way Sweet Pea is purring like a machine in Adrian's arms, but y'know.]
[Maybe she's only attached to Adrian! Because he spoils her rotten! HMM?]
I didn't expect that to happen.
[If anything, he suspected the pets forgot about him, or would hold a grudge against him for leaving them. It's always strange when people or creatures take a liking to him quickly, considering he never does much to endear anyone to him. At least, not intentionally.
Nonetheless, people find reasons to be endeared, one way or another. It always baffles him. Perhaps it's just luck.
He finishes what's left of the food as quickly as possible, because try as he might, he can't ignore how adorable Adrian and the kitty are being, and he needs to get in on it. He cleans the plate, save one bite of meat, and places it on the nightstand. He lays back down, facing Adrian with Sweet Pea still between them.
Felix wordlessly offers the last bite of meat to Adrian, holding it up to his lips. This time, the gesture is soft and questioning, rather than pushy. If Adrian doesn't want it, then into Felix's mouth it will go.]
[Maybe Felix is endearing for real, after all!! Maybe he's a big softie who loves their animals and the animals can sense that from a mile away! Adrian knows this, Sweet Pea knows this, the other girls know this-- all is well.
But ah, more feeding him, alright. Adrian will accept that bite of meat, so no more complaints about his dinner thank you-- while the cat rolls over and nuzzles against Felix's face and neck. Adrian looks at him with open warmth and affection; he didn't expect this to happen, if he's being honest. It is faintly and newly miraculous each time Felix looks at him like he's hung the moon, and yet!
So, his one bite finished, he tilts his head to press a kiss to Felix's brow with a little hum.]
[Alright, fine, he's a softie- but don't fucking tell anyone!!! Family secret!!! CLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION!!!
Felix can't help a small smile and vague huff of laughter as Sweet Pea snuggles in. He holds her close, petting the back of her head again as he watches Adrian chewing as though it's incredibly interesting.
At the kiss, Felix closes his eyes, then kisses Adrian's jaw in turn. Soft and affectionate, their faces brush against each other.
Being so intimately cared for is strange and new. It's hard to fathom that this could be a long-term thing- it feels like it will be stolen away at any second. But if he does get the chance to get used to it...]
[Fine fine, a cherished secret!! No one out there needs to hear about their saccharine pet cuddling (or other cuddling) anyway. Privileged information.
Now with Felix fed and Sweet Pea spoiled, all that's left to do is-- stay right here and ensure Felix gets some more rest. Adrian has nowhere else to be, nowhere else he'd rather be either, so he's all settled in and prepared to gaze fondly at Felix until they both fall asleep.
Crazy concept. Not that he's had trouble sleeping alone this whole time, or anything, but now that the possibility of sleeping next to one another is on the table, he can't think of a single reason he would go back to doing it alone.
I'm lucky says man who just returned from the dead, well, that is another kind of luck, too-- but no, Adrian gets it, he feels the same kind of delicate awe, surprised all over again that they've even gotten here. This feeling doesn't feel fragile, but outside of this bed, their home? Well, people die here, don't they, and nothing is guaranteed. Still.]
You don't say, [murmured, quiet and warm. Still, this is well worth defending, and in the meantime he's going to enjoy it, close enough to feel warm breath and the brush of skin.] If you're lucky, then so am I.
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...But eventually, yes, the tea and the meal. He does sneak out of bed eventually, to brew some tea and make a simple meal, some grilled meat and vegetables. Felix has been, um, dead, so Adrian figures he'll sleep for a while even if the smell of food drifts down the hall from the kitchen. They don't have a tray or anything... he'll just bring the plate and the cup back to bed, he supposes, and set them on the bedside table. There's a second plate upside down on top, to keep it warm.
Then he crawls right back into bed, to spoon Felix until he wakes up.]
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And then he's falling from the sky. Dimitri is holding onto him, warm behind his back as they both brace for the inevitable, feeling nothing but deep, deep terror and dread.
As they hit the water, again, Felix inhales sharply and his eyes snap open. For a few moments, he's frozen, still paralyzed by dream-fear, but his breath is gasping and his heart pounds.
It's Adrian behind him, not Dimitri, he realizes. He moves his fingers and arms a bit as he catches his breath, trying to come back to reality, trying to remind his body that he's not in danger. At least it smells very good in here.]
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Adrian pulls him closer, centering, steady.]
Felix-- you're alright. You're at home. [Murmured low and calm, to try and soothe that frantic energy. He shifts to lean up on one elbow and lean over Felix a bit, to look down at him as live visual confirmation that this is just his bed, and it's just Adrian, and he's okay now.]
Breathe. I've got you.
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He exhales a small hum as he reaches to lay a hand on Adrian's cheek and looks into his eyes, as though to say, yes, there you are, good. Felix turns to face him in bed and draws in to hug him, the squeeze reminding his body further of what's solid, what's real. He lets out a soft sigh as his breathing slows, calms. He's filled with relief and gratitude that this is what he gets to wake up to.
He isn't going to verbally address what just happened, because he doesn't see any need for it. Instead, he murmurs,]
Smells good.
[He can smell the tea, too, piping hot on the nightstand, some blend of spices- Adrian has obviously picked up on that being his favourite kind.]
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Adrian just wants him to be relaxed, to feel content and know he's safe. So far, he thinks he's doing a good job...]
Mm, I made you dinner. And tea.
[Tragically, Felix will have to sit up to eat and drink. Adrian slides his arms around him down to his waist, so he can turn and grab the food if he wants.]
It's simple, but I figured that would be best.
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Felix presses a kiss to Adrian's cheek.]
Thanks. You didn't have to do that.
[It's less a genuine 'you shouldn't have' and more a 'wow, maybe don't set a precedent for completely and utterly spoiling me or I might become a brat even faster.' He's not going to complain, though. It's very nice, and if not for Adrian he'd be alone in some shitty inn eating jerky, so he's obviously going to accept this leagues-better outcome.
He sits up, slowly, rubbing his eyes and pushing long pieces of mussed hair out of his face. He reaches over for the tea, just holding it near his chest and smelling it for a moment, still adjusting to being both awake and alive. He eyes that there's only one plate and mug.]
Did you eat already?
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Yes I did. [--have to make this meal, that is; Felix went through something terrible, and it's all Adrian can do to take care of him for the next... however long it takes. That includes making sure he eats, especially because Adrian can't be sure the clinic did anything for him besides give him a bed to lie in for the, er, interim.
He's not thinking about it. Felix sits up and Adrian does not, just staying wrapped around his waist and looking up at him from down here.]
I ate while I cooked. [He nibbled. Don't try to take care of him now, nuh uh.] Don't let it get cold.
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He gives Adrian a small glare, because he knows that means he only nibbled on things here and there, and Adrian also didn't eat earlier whereas Felix had that sandwich.]
Why didn't you make yourself a plate too? You need to eat.
[Just because he's caring for Felix doesn't mean his body has ceased having physical needs! After a sip of tea that warms Felix pleasantly, he does take the plate of food onto his lap and begin to eat it, slowly. Mostly nibbling on the meat. He exhales in that way you do when food is very good. Then he picks up a piece of meat and airplanes it to Adrian's mouth. If you won't feed yourself, you'll have to suffer the shame of being fed.]
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[He's eaten a meal today! It was just before he had to go pick up Felix from being dead, that's all. So maybe the amount of hours between eating has been longer, but he's not starving.
Now, what is this. He holds a hand up to prevent Felix shoving food straight into his mouth while he speaks,]
What are you doing? You're ridiculous.
[But he will compromise, catching Felix's wrist to take a single bite of that meat piece. He gives Felix a look while he chews exaggeratedly, eyebrows raised; happy, sir?]
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But Felix finds he kind of likes this side of Adrian, surprisingly- a little annoyed with him, calling him ridiculous, firm about what he'll put up with and what he won't. When he grabs his wrist, Felix's eyes widen almost imperceptibly, and his gaze draws over Adrian's hand to fixate on his lips while he bites and chews the food. There's a small smile on Felix's face that reads as amused, fascinated, and maybe a little into it.]
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Adrian settles back down after he's had his token bite, letting Felix's wrist go with a nudge back towards the plate. The look on his face is hard to miss, but credit to Adrian not folding like a wet paper bag every time Felix looks at him some kind of way, Felix has to earn it if he's going to be bratty about food.]
Eat your dinner. Unless you want to be fed, actually...? [#threat]
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But fine, he'll turn back to his food. He's hungry and doesn't want to push his luck. He pulls his legs up to sit cross-legged in the bed, slouching over the plate as the blankets and Adrian still swaddle his waist.
He scoffs a small laugh, shaking his head.]
Tch. Goddess, I'm not a baby.
[Crazy words from someone who was just trying to feed Adrian. The tabby comes up, eyeing his plate. He lifts a finger in warning.]
No begging.
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[Isn't he, though. Isn't he.
Adrian lifts his arm for the tabby to slide into the space under it, between his chest and Felix's leg, which is conveniently the perfect spot to both get petting attention from Adrian and make a very cute face up at Felix, right next to his plate. Give her everything she wants forever--]
Look at her, Felix. Don't be a miser.
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I'm not. If we feed her from our plates she's just going to expect it, and then she'll start stealing clean off of them.
[She mews at Felix, high-pitched and adorable, and he can't help but look down. He's assaulted by the saccharine sight of her and Adrian wrapped against his leg, Adrian petting the cat and looking at her like she put the stars in the sky, Sweet Pea looking up at Felix with green eyes as big as saucers.
Felix sighs, exasperated.]
Would you two stop being so damn cute?
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[Ahaha. No, he's still not getting up, not when he's so warm and comfortable curled up like this. He presses his cheek into Sweet Pea's furry side and lifts one of her paws up to wave at Felix. She continues to give Felix The Eyes, adorably.]
Felix... Just a bite.
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He heaves a dramatic sigh, then plucks a piece of meat from his plate, small enough to fit in her mouth.]
Fine. Only because you're being good.
[He uses her polite behaviour to justify the act of spoiling as he feeds her the meat. She takes it greedily, making a cute face as she chews, and Felix can't hide how smitten he is as he gazes at her.]
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He settles back again after a moment, point made and cat spoiled. That's a win for him.]
She might be begging, but she was upset when you weren't here. They all were.
[And so was he, but they've covered that. The girls were worried!!]
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Felix pets her head with a small smile, until she moves to sniff his plate for more. He uses the backs of his fingers to gently guide her nose away.]
No. The rest is for me.
[He doesn't use a baby voice- he talks to her the same way he'd talk to a person, if somewhat quieter and softer.
At Adrian's assertion that the girls had missed him, his brow creases just slightly, almost the beginning of a pout.]
Really?
[He didn't expect them all to care for him so much, so quickly.]
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What? Of course, really. Why wouldn't they?
[It seems obvious to him that everyone in this house would be concerned, but if Felix has an actual answer they can unpack, well. This is the unpacking zone.]
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We haven't had them that long. Didn't think they really...
[Formed an attachment yet? Cared? Who knows. He just shrugs again. Obviously they've had them long enough for attachments to happen, considering the way Sweet Pea is purring like a machine in Adrian's arms, but y'know.]
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And yet they climbed all over you as soon as we were back home today. I'm sure you'll wake up nearly smothered, tomorrow morning.
[With affection, specifically. He also intends to contribute.]
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I didn't expect that to happen.
[If anything, he suspected the pets forgot about him, or would hold a grudge against him for leaving them. It's always strange when people or creatures take a liking to him quickly, considering he never does much to endear anyone to him. At least, not intentionally.
Nonetheless, people find reasons to be endeared, one way or another. It always baffles him. Perhaps it's just luck.
He finishes what's left of the food as quickly as possible, because try as he might, he can't ignore how adorable Adrian and the kitty are being, and he needs to get in on it. He cleans the plate, save one bite of meat, and places it on the nightstand. He lays back down, facing Adrian with Sweet Pea still between them.
Felix wordlessly offers the last bite of meat to Adrian, holding it up to his lips. This time, the gesture is soft and questioning, rather than pushy. If Adrian doesn't want it, then into Felix's mouth it will go.]
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But ah, more feeding him, alright. Adrian will accept that bite of meat, so no more complaints about his dinner thank you-- while the cat rolls over and nuzzles against Felix's face and neck. Adrian looks at him with open warmth and affection; he didn't expect this to happen, if he's being honest. It is faintly and newly miraculous each time Felix looks at him like he's hung the moon, and yet!
So, his one bite finished, he tilts his head to press a kiss to Felix's brow with a little hum.]
I think you'll get used to it.
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Felix can't help a small smile and vague huff of laughter as Sweet Pea snuggles in. He holds her close, petting the back of her head again as he watches Adrian chewing as though it's incredibly interesting.
At the kiss, Felix closes his eyes, then kisses Adrian's jaw in turn. Soft and affectionate, their faces brush against each other.
Being so intimately cared for is strange and new. It's hard to fathom that this could be a long-term thing- it feels like it will be stolen away at any second. But if he does get the chance to get used to it...]
I'm lucky.
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Now with Felix fed and Sweet Pea spoiled, all that's left to do is-- stay right here and ensure Felix gets some more rest. Adrian has nowhere else to be, nowhere else he'd rather be either, so he's all settled in and prepared to gaze fondly at Felix until they both fall asleep.
Crazy concept. Not that he's had trouble sleeping alone this whole time, or anything, but now that the possibility of sleeping next to one another is on the table, he can't think of a single reason he would go back to doing it alone.
I'm lucky says man who just returned from the dead, well, that is another kind of luck, too-- but no, Adrian gets it, he feels the same kind of delicate awe, surprised all over again that they've even gotten here. This feeling doesn't feel fragile, but outside of this bed, their home? Well, people die here, don't they, and nothing is guaranteed. Still.]
You don't say, [murmured, quiet and warm. Still, this is well worth defending, and in the meantime he's going to enjoy it, close enough to feel warm breath and the brush of skin.] If you're lucky, then so am I.