Chapter Text
Barry's finding it hard to fall asleep. Lup's gone, away to dazzle the locals with her fire powers. Last they heard, she'd nearly dazzled them enough into letting her at least see the Light. It's funny. They'd only gotten together officially last cycle. He's only had Lup sharing his bed for a few short months. And already he keeps waking up, pawing at the empty space next to him. Even in his sleep, he misses her. Someday, he might even work up the courage to tell her that.
He drifts off again, pondering whether Lup would smile at that, or kiss him, or make a joke out of it to hide her blush. It’s a very sweet, rosy kind of dream he gets woken up from abruptly when the door hits the wall and harsh light streams into his room. A figure bundled in blankets is silhouetted in the doorway.
"Lup?" Barry asks, scrambling for his glasses. She's not supposed to be back for at least a week. But maybe she missed him? She would do that, just come over to surprise him. Because she wants to spend time with him, miraculous as that sounds.
"Nope." says Taako, striding in and slamming the door shut behind him. He's trailing bedspreads and quilts, which he dumps on Barry's bed.
"Is something wrong?" Barry asks nervously. This isn't exactly regular behaviour. Taako is more of a midnight chef than a midnight wanderer. Certainly not when carrying all his bedding around.
"Nah nothing’s wrong— actually yeah. It's stupid cold, Lup's gone and I'm sick of staring at the walls waiting for sleep." Without looking Barry in the eye, he steals the second pillow he keeps there for Lup.
"So then I thought 'How can I make it someone else's problem, oh I know, let's go visit my old friend Barold."
Taako's still studiously avoiding his gaze, arranging his five blankets to his exacting specifications. It forms a sort of nest and takes over a lot more than half the bed.
"Uhm Taako, if you wanna sleep here—"
Taako ignores him, curls up in the nest he's made and closes his eyes with an edge of theatricality. Barry smiles a little.
"I mean, of course you can stay here, if you're feeling—"
"Shush Barold,” Taako interrupts him, eyes pressed closed and still managing to look offended. “Can’t you see I'm trying to sleep here?"
Barry grins. He won’t let Taako get away with this so easily. It’s high time he learns to ask nicely.
"Well, if you didn't want to hear me talk you shouldn't have come. Really, I think we should discuss exactly why you’re here—" Taako opens one eye and glares at him.
"Shut up Barry,” he says in a warning tone, “you owe me for not telling Lup about all the pining. But of course I could also leave you in peace, maybe to write my dear sister a long letter. Very long and very detailed. Would you like that huh?"
Barry shuts up. The threat would have held more weight if it didn’t come from the middle of a soft and cuddly blanket nest, but still. Taako could spill a lot of Barry’s more embarrassing secrets. It’s strange he’d use that blackmail now and not to get out of doing chores though. Taako is curled up close, very carefully not touching Barry, but definitely in cuddling range were it not for the mountain of blankets. He also kind of looks like he might want a hug. Taako's been spending more time in Magnus' room, whenever Lup stays in Barry's room. But Magnus is gone now too. Maybe Barry's not the only one pining for Lup's company. Very carefully, he extends an arm, a silent offer. Taako doesn't take it, but his ears relax from their tense position. When he turns around again, he's lying just a little closer to Barry. Barry falls asleep with a smile on his face.