36, 55, or/and 58 with Niles?
The prompts for this were “You need to sleep.” “Let’s just relax tonight,” and “Can I hold your hand?” and I’m happy to say I managed to fit them all in there! Please enjoy;; ♡
“If I were to pluck on your heartstrings, would you strum on mine?” - Plant Life
“Let’s just relax tonight,” he said. “It’ll be fun,” he said. It’s impossible to say that Niles was wrong - his guided tour of the fun parts of town really was enjoyable, for sure, but now that it’s over there’s a deep wave of drowsiness settling over you. You’re about to tell him as much, but then he tugs you over, a peculiar kind of emotion present in his eye. It’s something different and you’re very sure you like it, so you push away the tiredness and continue the night.
The next thing you know, you’re back in your room. The familiar bed and sheets and atmosphere are broken up by a head of white hair, which brings a sleepy smile to your face. “Niles,” you say, and the man in question looks up. “Did I fall asleep?”
He hums a short note of agreement before the usual smirk appears on his face. “I thought you’d have a bit more stamina, we could have gone a few more rounds.”
You blink at him, half due to drowsiness and half from your confusion. “Niles, we practically went through half the city. That sounds pretty impressive to me, and I was the one who did it.”
He laughs. “That you did, that you did.” There’s a short pause as you collect your thoughts, trying to will away the fog of sleep as it continues to try and claim you. Niles yawns and stretches almost dramatically. “Well, I’d better get going,” he turns, ready to leave just like that when you reach out to grab his shirt.
“Sleep with me,” you demand, not even waiting for him to turn around. He laughs again, slow and deep as he removes your hand with his own, cradling it with a weird sort of care.
“As much as I’d like to spend the night with you,” he pauses for effect. You wait. “You need to sleep.”
“And you do too, so let’s sleep together.” You move over, making as much room as you can on the bed. Niles stares, contemplating the idea.
“Well…”
“Please?”
He sighs. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt.” You smile at him and he chuckles again, like his own drowsiness has made everything a little bit funnier. Carefully, the two of you arrange yourselves on a bed that isn’t really made for two, but precarious squishing makes it work.
Closing your eyes leads to a quiet, for a while. The sound of Nile’s breathing is strangely comforting, making you very aware of him beside you. It’s… nice. Very nice. So nice that you could probably go to sleep right this very second but somehow you can’t. You sigh, the sound coming out as a partial yawn. It’s comfortable, but there’s something...
You open your eyelids, peeking at the Niles who lies just before them. His eye is closed like yours had been and he looks a little more peaceful like this, asleep. Or, maybe, not asleep, since he blinks and suddenly you’re staring at him and him at you. It’s quiet.
“...Can I hold your hand?” you venture, letting the strange thought float into the open. Niles looks at you, very still for a moment, before he laughs for what must be the millionth time.
“I figured you’d be braver than that, but sure,” he replies, and then your hand is warm. “Goodnight,” he says, and you repeat the sentiment as he closes his eye. You follow suit, but it’s hard to not focus on the warmth of your hand, as well as the warmth of your heart that follows it. As you finally drift off, you’re struck by how nice it is. Maybe every day could be like this if he wanted it as much as you did.