Okay, kind of random, but Matt and Marc ending up on a train for some reason. They're stuck on a train for like more than a day. And Matt is bored out of his mind. He can't sleep because the train itself moving is too loud, he doesn't have access to descriptive audio (he didn't bring a tablet or whatever) and he is too overstimulated to try and talk to other passengers.
For the first half of the train ride, Marc doesn't notice how agitated and uncomfortable Matt is. He's oblivious to the fact that Matt isn't sleeping and the amount of time Matt spends pacing their train car. Because it's like a sleeper car or whatever, I don't know the word for the most experience I have with a train is watching Murder on the Orient Express.
Other passengers don't even bother trying to interact with Matt because he's blind. So Matt is basically stuck in the train compartment going stir crazy.
Until Steven nags the fuck out of Marc going, "you need to help him. He’s bored and irritated. He can't sleep Marc."
And Marc responds, "what am I supposed to do? I can’t quiet anything for him."
"Pay attention to him nitwit. Offer him a safe space to exist in."
And so Marc hesitantly asks Matt what would help, cuz Marc sure as fuck doesn't know.
"Matt? How...how are you doing?"
"How the fuck do you think Marc? I've told you I can’t deal with—" Matt shakes his head and flops onto the bed.
"Is there anything I can do?" Marc enters the room fully.
"Doubt it. How much longer are we on this stupid train?"
"Another couple of days..." Marc sounds apologetic.
Matt groans and pulls a pillow over his face.
Steven tries to get Marc's attention, succeeding after several moments.
"What, Steven?" Marc sounds exasperated. Matt is used to this behavior in his travel companion.
"Read to him," Steven says.
"A novel or something. Read to him. He likes his audio books but can't listen on the train. So you act like an audio book for him. Plus, he likes your voice."
Marc contemplates for a minute before scooping up the novel he brought and settling next to Matt on his bed. They have two beds in the room because Marc wasn't certain if Matt would be okay sharing.
"Matt... I um... do you want me to read to you?"
Matt removes the pillow from his face. "I...I would like that I think."
Marc nods and gets comfortable. He flicks back to the beginning of the book and starts reading.
It doesn't take long for Matt to focus fully on Marc, allowing the rest of the noise around him to fade away now he has a focal point. He listens to Marc's words and heartbeat and for the first time on the trip he relaxes. Matt even relaxes enough to fall asleep, curled up on the bed with Marc nearby.
Steven inevitably presses Marc to curl up with Matt. To wrap Matt up in his arms and give Matt something to focus on in sleep. And besides, it's cozy cuddling his Devil.
For the first time on the trip Matt has a good sleep. Marc has to acknowledge that Steven gives good advice.
@kityri-imera @loonymeowny
