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It was a small town house, just the slightest bit crooked against the horizon, but it was barely noticeable considering the metres between the sparse neighbouring houses. The wood floors creaked in a new old way, already a comfort in the otherwise strange town. It was never meant to be a permanent residence, considering it was much too small for the group of 4, but it was all they could afford at the time. Vera was adamant that they were only staying for a bit, getting any money they needed, before going on in their adventures. She was only half right about that though.
It was rather clear that since the 7 or so years since the group had said it’s final goodbyes to bear park and set out into the world, they were spending more time in each town. It was a natural progression that they eventually had to settle down, and Ash Borough was the place it had finally stuck. It was a nice city, small enough to feel cosy, but big enough to remain interesting. Pete was the first to move out of the house and settle into his own home just a few streets down. Vera followed quickly after, finding her place downtown. It took less than 2 months for it to just be Scarper and Castro alone in the house.
Scarper and Castro had fallen into an easy rhythm, both finding it much nicer in the house with the extra space. They had come to a silent understanding that they were roommates, neither wanted to move and so until further notice this was their life. Scarper became a mechanic in town, working for a company he didn’t care for, on mainly cars and household gods. He woke early and worked till his bones hurt and was always glad to come back to a warm house filled with books and endless writing. He was always home in time to make Castro dinner. It was obvious the 4 missed these dinners since more often than not Vera and Pete would join the two for a meal. Castro’s schedule worked a bit differently, he was up to greet Scarp before the man left for work but Castro was a scholar. He survived off the publishing of his papers and his books, he was the leading, and the first, to publish anything on all the other worlds. He mainly worked from his home office, but studies took him all over the city and he was more than happy to follow them. However, Castro was almost always home for dinner with Scarp.
Days off were the best however, Scarp always woke up late those days, they were relaxing and let Scarper stay inside the house. Sometimes, on lucky days, Pete would be free those days and even Castro would take the day to shoot the shit. Vera always somehow managed to sense when this occurred and somehow always found her way to the front door before the 3 headed out to find her. No one knew where she worked nor where she lived, other than Castro, but by then no one expected to know these things.
Castro and Scarper’s nightly routines were practically sacred, even if they were more instinct than a conscious choice. Once the sun had set and the kitchen was clean, they’d have tea and biscuits. Castro was incredibly proud of the comfortable silence he was able to have with Scarper as they sat together on the couch, watching an old school television. Once all the channels no longer interested them, they would talk till Scarper started falling asleep in his chair. Scarp would head to bed and Castro would tinker with kitchen gods from their shared collection till he too felt the onslaught of sleep. It remained a steady and nearly constant routine for a few weeks.
Neither man questioned it when their heads fell on the other's shoulder, nor when their hands drew lazy shapes on the other's palms. It was a silent and pleasant habit which started, the slow building comfort both Castro and Scarper found in each other. It was never questioned, Castro justified it by the 7 years they spent in such close proximity, but he had to admit it felt different in the solitude of *their* home.
When Scarper learned that Castro’s nightmares had made an unexpected return ever since he started sleeping alone again, a new habit formed. Scarper had made it clear Castro was welcome to sleep in his room whenever he woke up from a particularly bad nightmare. A valiant effort was made for the first 2 weeks of this where Castro would legitimately set up a cot late in the night when needed, but soon enough Scarper would only have to lift his blanket and Castro would make no fuss of climbing in bed beside him. It was nice to sleep in a warm bed listening to someone else’s soft breathing. Nightmares or not, it was another habit that both men accepted without question, hell some especially dull nights they simply climbed into a bed together. Castro liked to think of it as a pre-emptive choice.
Then, Castro had to go. Scarp felt like he couldn’t breathe right when Castro has told him about the year long placement. The black haired man had to sit down as he stared wide eyed into the floor of *their* home. Castro was going on about how it was the “opportunity of a lifetime to study the more intricate details of parents and name plates and death mechanics.” Scarper was happy for him, of course he was excited for Castro the man seemed so excited about it in that way that rarely happened, he was smiling and speaking with his hands. It had been a long time since Scarp has seen him this animated. He swallowed the lump in his throat and acted as enthused as he could. He didn't want to think about not seeing Castro for a year, no no he still had him for a month. Castro didn't set out for a month
The first week passed without much incident. Pete and Vera were excited for Castro, like Scarp should be like he wanted to be. But otherwise Scarp kept busy. Tried not to think about Cas leaving.
The next week was harder, and so was the next. Scarper found himself lying awake at night much more often. Listening to Castro’s brainaid ring beside him, wondering why did he feel so awful about Castro leaving. Why did it bug him so much to think of the house becoming *his* as if somehow Castro leaving would lead to him never coming back. When Scarp felt tears sting his vision he realised that this was not an option.
The next day he began packing. Then on an appropriately quiet day he stormed into Castro's study. Brows furrowed, fists clenched. “I'm coming with you”
Castro seemed surprised turning to scarp, brows raised. After a beat of tense silence where Scarper felt his nerves quickly wavering. “I was hoping you’d say that.'' Cas stood at that and walked the short distance to Scarper, who felt as though his whole world had shifted as he felt his heart swell at Castro's smile. It all changed and yet nothing did.
They had been holding hands under the table when they told Pete and Vera that Scarper was going to in the few days left before the trip. Pete had cried and hugged his friend as Vera just sat back, with that knowing cocky smile Scarper was admittedly gonna miss. Dinner that night extended far into the early hours of the morning with much laughter. Castro and Scarp promised to send postcards and Vera wanted to be invited to at least one lavish party. One promise of which would surely be honoured. Scarper found himself excited for the future as he and Castro climbed into their bed in their home, ready for their adventure. Ready for everything to change, he held Castro a bit tighter, knowing not much will.