Can't sleep so thinking about Redacted characters and touch.
Vincent who wakes up with the curtains hiding the early morning sun and carefully touching Lovely's wrist to check for a pulse, weak as it is after the inversion. Tucking them in closer to him once he's assured so he can feel their breath on his skin. Lovely who pretends to sleep through it, mentally taking note of how each careful touch feels; such a contrast to the nightmares of Adam they have even now. Once they're convinced he's back to sleep they murmur his name to themselves, just to hear it in the room and convince themselves they can still say it.
Honey pressing a hand to Guy's heart when the feelings are too much and the words don't come. Pressing insistently but not harshly on his chest 'I'm here, I've got you, I love you'. Guy who kisses each finger with a happy 'I love you too Honey!! So so so SO much'.
Gavin losing himself to stress over too many heavy emotions in a crowd and feeling Freelancer cup his cheeks and turn his gaze to meet theirs. Gently pressing a kiss to his nose and touching their forehead to his, encouraging him to match their breathing, focus on them. They instantly feel the tension leave him as he wraps them up in his arms, tail around their waist pulling them closer, and burying his face in their shoulder. The noise can wait while he is with them, his whole world.
David who rests his head on top of Angel's, standing behind them when they're sat on the sofa or at their desk to watch whatever they're doing out of curiosity. Every now and then they lean up and give him a peck on the side of his jaw or under his chin, drawing a low chuckle from him. If they do it enough they'll convince him to sit next to them and Angel will fully cuddle into him.
Sam who's unused to being around so many people at a time watches in awe as Darlin dives into a playful fight with a pile of various wolves. They don't realise until Sam brings it up how comfortable they felt around the pack again, hands clapped on shoulders, ridiculously long handshakes, and folks leaning on each other (metaphorically and literally). Darlin then gets to watch Sam slowly settle into this new normal; from stiff formal dinners and meetings stuffed full of etiquette and distance, to passing food around a table and too many people piling on David's couch to play Asher's latest gaming competition. In turn Sam gets to watch Vincent start that process once he's also stepped back from William. A new type of tradition for both of them, and one they're more than happy to navigate together when unsure.
Elliot and Sunshine attached at the hip, non stop ever since they decided they never wanted to miss the other. Elliot always insisting that he needs them to adjust his shirt at the back, and Sunshine always patting them both down for a speck of dust that was definitely there. If one has a job to do the other follows with small squeezes of hands, taps on shoulders, and feather light kisses. At night Elliot still wakes, wildly searching for them after the unsettling hollow feeling in his chest grew so big it enveloped his dreamscape, only to find them already awake, staring him as if unsure he's real.
Caelum who seemingly never runs out of piggyback rides on either Gavin or Freelancer's shoulders. They take turns when they go for what Caelum calls "family time" as Gavin takes them both to do all the tourist attractions in the city when he realises Freelancer never took a break long enough to investigate the city they moved to. Caelum is just happy to be included in places filled with so much joy and wonder even if he's invisible. The little guy definitely falls asleep in the uber home by the end of the day, quietly snoring on Freelancer while they rest their head sleepily on Gavin insisting 'they're not tired they're just resting their eyes'. Gavin carries them both in with a huge smile on his face, tail swishing happily.
Aaron and Smartass who fall onto each other after a long day. Watching the other melt into an overworked puddle a mix of satisfying and heart breaking as they realise how much of their lives is work and recovering from it. But there are quiet mornings, when Smartass has trapped Aaron in bed long enough, and neither of their to-do lists are too daunting (though never done) where they dance in the kitchen to an old song. Hands wrapped around shoulders as they sway to whatever track plays next.
Baby has mastered what Ollie has dubbed 'the Double Pet Manoeuvre' (to which they affectionately dubbed him 'the nerd') where they can position Ollie and the cat to lie in harmony and not compete for their attention. They adore how sleepy this makes the two of them, despite Baby usually being the one to drift off first hand on Ollie's head and buried in the cat's fur.
Corvus who taps Dreamer's arm whenever he feels them pulling away to a colder mechanical corner of their mind. One tap hi, two taps you ok?, and eventually three taps I love you. Dreamer often winds up dragging him to do mundane things with them, just enjoying the company while they get groceries and occasionally answering what a credit card is.
Milo who knows exactly how to wash Sweetheart's hair the way they like it, so at the end of exhausting days or when he just wants to pamper them he's able to take care of everything for them. Who relishes in watching his mate slowly relax into being home again, safe from a tiring world.
Avior and Starlight who give the other a small pinch when asked to remind them they got out. Check ins to ensure the other is eating and taking care of themselves. They get a dog to help keep them on schedule, Avior goes to Aria a little less, still hesitant of rifting. Both of them walking the dog together, hand in hand.
Baaabe and Asher always in the other's lap, when Ash plays video games, when Baaabe is at their desk, when they both want to hide from the world. Always a huge contrast to when they full body tackle each other to the ground when seeing each other again. Both have had their fair share of falling to the ground with the other one on top of them peppering their face with kisses in between raucous laughter.
And many more idk I love these characters but I'm finally sleepy and this is way longer than I expected.
