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The night has passed but professor felt no better. His dignity was hurt and a vicious sticky feeling made its way to the depth of his soul.
Though their lodging this time was pretty decent, Philip had light sleep. In the very early morning - he could tell it by bluish twilight - he layed in a warm makeshift bed on level soft ground feeling no satisfaction from the rest.
Something in his heart made whole body sore as if they were spending night on rocky hills again.
Mortimer opened his eyes and saw Blake peacefully sleeping alongside.
Strangely, there was a relief from seeing his companion. Captain's chest went up and down in deep breaths, his face had that rare carefree expression. His eyelids slightly trembled and head twitched - a dream, thought professor.
Man's left arm, bent at the elbow, almost touched Philip's mat.
Professor smiled at a glimpsed thought. After all, why not? They definitely won't talk about it in the morning and a wish of human warmth is too tempting..
Philip puts his fingers on captain's rough palm. Maybe it looks like an accident touch, maybe not. Does it even mater?
The sense of skin under fingertips calms him instantly. The chest doesn't feel clutched anymore. Lying on his stomach, he finally catches some sleep before the dawn.
***
Blake wakes up well rested and a moment before a stretch, he have spotted something weighting his hand.
He freezes, seeing Mortimer's gesture. Not daring to break his sleep, Blake listens to friend's breathing and only after making sure that he won't wake up from a light movement, kisses soft knuckles, caressing back of his hand with a thumb.
He begs for this bliss to last forever, to stay discreet. At the same time he wants to make this morning a turning point in their lives. But it's euphoria thinking for him and a mere weakness could easily ruin not only the moment, but their friendship and reputation.
Blake carefully puts Mortimer's hand down and gets up. They are not quite safe yet and a long journey awaits, but now he has enough strength to carry through.