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"Darling, I'm afraid to ask you this-"
The sudden noise disrupted the man's slumber. "Uhhg?" He groaned, sleepily rolling to face a wide awake Mandark staring at him in the dark. Dexter bemusedly gazed back at the eyes that pierced through him¹.
"Darling, I'm afraid to ask you this: How do I scape my mortal coil?"
The redhead blinked, not entirely sure whether he was, in fact, awake.
"Darling, I'm afraid to ask you: Is there an end?" Mandark continued his monologue "What happens to me after I leave this flesh vessel?"
"Darling-" He followed, between deep breaths. "Is... he... hyperventilating?" Dexter noticed, his eyes becoming less foggy from sleep "Darling, I'm afraid to ask you this: But what if it's just nothing after I pass?"
"Darling, what if I simply lie in the ground for ever, not knowing, or experiencing, or anything? Just nothing but the feeling that I-" The brunette keep going, his hands restlessly fidgeting with the blankets " -the feeling I had before I was born, darling: Absolute nothing. Not even darkness, but a simple lack of perception, darling?²"
"..."
"Darling," Dexter mimicked his partner's speaking, leaning up on one arm in concern "are you feeling well?"
"..." Mandark just laid still for a moment before robotically answering "It's 2:47 am and instead of getting any rest I'm currently spiraling about the ephemeral nature of existence.³"
"I suppose that's a no, then." He laid back down with a sigh, gently running his hands up and down his lover's arm. "Look at me 'Dark. Breath with me. Inhale. One… two… three… four… five… six… seven… eight… nine… ten… Exhale… "
He repeated it until he was sure their brains were properly oxygenated.
"Better?"
"... A bit."
"Good." He reached to the brunette, enveloping him in a tight embrace. Mandark let himself be surrendered by his boyfriend's arms, burying his face in those soft curls, trying to savour the most of the present, while he still could.
"How curious it is the fact that the simple act of holding something… someone close to your chest can provide a person so much confort…" Wondered the raven haired genius as he dozed off…