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- Having troubles sleeping again, Captain? - Fellemo asks with an amused smile, hands on his hips. It hasn't been exactly uncommon finding Rook in every random corner of their building, sitting against a wall and trying to get even a sliver of rest. He would usually be asleep by the time he'd be found, though - and the marksman would ensure his rest is safe and comfortable.
This time, however, the Aerostat captain is wide awake, with a distant look in his eyes that later turn to Fellemo himself.
- I.. guess you could say that, yes. The grafts haven't exactly been kind to me. - He lets out a sad chuckle and looks away, at another dark corner. There's no surprise in his voice when he feels Fellemo sit down next to him; just a sigh. - How'd you find me, anyway? Not like you wandered into here by accident.
- Let's just say i was bored and only sliiiightly concerned when i didn't see you anywhere. - The marksman laughs, quieter than he usually would. - I knew you'd be trying to sleep again, since, to be honest, you've been looking pretty bad lately, so i just looked around every hidden place that would usually be very uncomfortable for sleeping. Easy as that.
The captain remains silent, still seemingly troubled by his own mind. He barely even snaps out of it when Fellemo touches his shoulder, which would usually earn a bigger reaction.
- You know you can ask me for help, right, Rook? I could talk you to sleep if you wanted.
He sounds... surprisingly concerned. And surprisingly caring, too, for that matter. Rook cannot help but feel weird warmth spreading from his chest; and frankly, he is too tired to dismiss it. He raises one of his hands to touch Fellemo's, and he feels the marksman flinch - but he still keeps his hand in place.
- I'd... actually like that, Lellyn. It might help me, with you talking in the background and all.
He isn't looking, but he can still hear his marksman's slightly nervous laughter and joyous sigh.
- That's... that's good. I won't be delaying it any further, then. Say, Rook, do you remember that mission...
***
It's only been an hour of almost continuous talking, and Fellemo is fast asleep, his head leaning against Rook's shoulder. He looks calm, Rook notices for himself; peaceful and quiet, unlike the Fellemo he knows. Now that he thinks about it, the Fellemo he knows wouldn't normally sleep against a wall, - at least, not while he has access to a bed, - nor would he come in such close contact to someone. Rook knows his friend never really understood the concept of personal boundaries, yes; but it was usually going overboard with friendly gestures, nothing more. This feels... intimate.
The captain smiles, and feels his chest warm up again - and, at that feeling, he finally yawns. He chuckles quietly, and, in a strange moment of self indulgence, he places his hand on Fellemo's once more - and he's surprised to feel it unconsciously clench, ever so slightly.
- Don't worry, Lellyn, - Rook whispers, grabbing the bigger hand and holding it in his, - it's a friend. I'm a friend.
He rests his head next to the marksman's and closes his eyes. At this current moment, he doesn't care if he regrets it after waking up, or if he deserves this. For now, he's calm. Everything's alright.