Work Text:
Free time was always Rheannon’s busiest time.
Well, in her mind at least.
Seated at the large table in her room that she’d converted into her work desk, Rheannon had her various means of work spread out everywhere; her iPad, propped up in front of her within the Bluetooth keyboard, though both devices were off at the moment save for the iPad playing music. Her Apple Pencil laid nearby, along with her sketchbook which was open to some sketches of fantasy outfits. Some actual pencils and erasers lay scattered over a manga art tutorial book, with her speaker blaring the iPad’s music, and her laptop open to her Notes app, as well as some websites to help her with writing.
Currently, Rheannon was on her third break, reading through another three chapters of The Assassin’s Blade on her phone. Taking the breaks helped her to clear her head, and return to her work with fresh eyes and occasionally inspiration, so naturally they became almost second nature in her working routine. While what she did wasn’t necessarily ‘work work’, Rheannon did plan on pursuing a career in her talents, so perfecting her craft was essential if she wanted a chance at doing so.
She’d just finished reading the third chapter, and had set her phone down just out of her reach when she heard a knock on the door.
“Come in, it’s open.” Rheannon called out, picking up her pencil and going back to her artwork.
The door opened, but Rheannon didn’t look up to see who entered.
“Can you make it quick please? I’m a bit busy over here.” She informed them. They pulled out the chair next to her, then sat down.
“Hi, Rheannon.” Belphie’s sleepy voice called out.
Rheannon paused what she was doing, turning to him. “Oh, hey! How are you?”
“Good.” He rubbed one eye, his hair messier than usual. He must’ve just woken up. Or been woken up. “The others are being too loud in the common room, so I wanted to go somewhere quieter.” Yup. These boys were so predictable it was hilarious. And annoying. And boring. It was all three.
“I mean, the attic and your own room are always available.” She remarked, blinking the thought away. “I don’t mind you coming here at all, of course.”
Belphie hummed, but didn’t say anything further. Rheannon shrugged.
“Well, if you wanna sleep, my bed’s just over there.” She thumbed behind her.
“Mm, nah. I’m good.” Belphie replied, leaning onto the desk. His gaze was heavy lidded, as always with how much he slept. However, there was something…different about it this time. Was that…desire? Rheannon blinked, but it didn’t disappear.
She tried not to shiver as she replied, “Well, if you say so.”
She turned back to her iPad, pencil at the ready, and began to shade again when she felt his hand encompass her free one.
Turning to her left once more, Rheannon found Belphie looking at her with the exact same look as before. Then she looked down at their now joined hands.
”Um, Belphie?” Rheannon asked meekly.
”Hm?” He blinked at her.
”I uh, kinda need my other hand to help me draw—“
”Ok.” But Belphie didn’t let go. Rheannon tried to pull her hand away, no matter how much she didn’t want to, but he didn’t budge. Even if he was the youngest and always lazy, he was far stronger than his usual lackadaisical demeanour let on.
”Um, hello?” Rheannon waved her other hand in front of his face. His blinking confirmed he wasn’t dazed, much to both her relief and chagrin. “I said I need my other hand.”
”Well, I need it more.” Belphie said simply.
”Maybe, but like, I really need to get this artwork done—“
”Later.”
”What?”
”Do it later.” Belphie repeated, his grip tightening a little. “I want us to go to sleep together. Now.”
Rheannon sighed. “I want to as well, but it’s hard for me to get this motivated to work. Even harder during free time when I just wanna pull a ‘you’ and sleep.”
Belphie ignored the comment she’d snuck in, looking over her desk. “Just looking at the amount of work you give yourself is making me sleepier.”
She shook her head. “Why are you even holding my hand anyways?”
Belphie straightened up at that, looking at her dead on. ”Because I love you.”
Damn it. Her weakness.
They’d been together for well over two months now, and she still wasn’t used to just hearing those three words from him, let alone the increased physical affection he gave her. Belphie teased her with both of them every opportunity he could.
And it worked without fail like always, with Rheannon flushing a deep shade of red and averting her gaze.
“Well, I love you too.” She squeezed his hand gently, then sighed again, turning back to look at him. “Fine, you win; I’ll come and sleep with you for a bit.”
Belphie’s lips curled into a proud smirk, to which Rheannon added, “But when I wake up, I’m going back to work, whether you like it or not.”
“Hm… we could do something that would make sure you don’t leave the bed—and my arms—for a little while, if you’d like.” His smirk grew wider at the appalled noise Rheannon made, her blush deepening. Belphie laughed, patting her head to try and calm her.
“Relax, I was just kidding…” He then raised his eyebrows at her teasingly. “…unless?”
Rheannon elbowed him in the ribs. “Just— Get your ass on the bed.” She regretted that command as soon as it came out of her mouth, with Belphie’s expression turning even more mischievous.
“Oh, is that a yes then?”
”Belphie!”