Doc stirred slowly in his swimming cauldron, the banded black and white of his tail swishing in listless, rhythmic fashion. He rested against its rim, on crossed arms, watching Seb sleep. He'd been taking a lot of naps in the greenhouse lately- better than at his desk, the little krait supposed.
The problem was that he didn't like leaving his human in such a vulnerable state, and he had things to do.
He waited anyway, resting his head on his arms, tail squishing in quiet patience.
After an hour or so, Seb stirred, stretching, and looked around, a sheepish expression touching his features. Doc smiled as his human moved to his side, his hand moving to stroke the little one's skull, and lifted it into the pets with a soft, happy sound.
A fond chuckle from the scholar made his smile just a little brighter. He grasped two of Seb's fingers, chirping in delight, and refusing to let go as the scholar protested softly, the gentleness of his words betraying the lack of any real rebuke.
"Doc, it's late. I need sleep. -you're welcome to join me, you know that. I don't mind sharing my pillow."
The little krait chirped a soft refusal, shaking his head, but still wouldn't let go until he got his kiss goodnight.
After a moment of the game, Seb 'relented,' giving the lamia a small kiss, and heading off.
Doc watched him go. When he was certain Seb was on his way to bed, he immediately squirmed up and over the side of his cauldron, and wound his way across the subtle growth of green, until he reached the little hollow he'd found.
Inside was a very good book that a new friend had given him, "Intermediate Void Physics in Scientific Study."
His little body wiggled in excitement as he pushed the big book open, smoothing down the page, and settled in to read. He'd wanted this book so much, and it was filled with such amazing science-y stuff!
The tiny krait settled in to read, happily, until finally falling asleep tucked between the pages of the book.
...Dreaming enormous dreams.
((-krait lamia are awesome little noodles that I hope I've done justice to! they are the creation of @vex-bittys !))