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“Are you sure ?”
The same sentence repeated from his glossy lips as you returned to his room with a pair of nightwear in your arms, making you sigh with a wry smile.
“Bettel, we’ve been through this already! You won’t be eating in bed and making an uncomfortable mess of crumbs on your blankets, and I will finally be able to sleep alongside my boyfriend. It’s a win-win! Stop asking, dunce.”
Your tone sharpens alongside your playful glare at the last word, making The Jester release a breath and relax his shoulders, expression softening in defeat.
“Alright. Just- don’t go on complaining about my cold skin or whatever. You chose this grave-”
“- And I’ll lie in it if it means I can be next to you.”
Bettel’s face whips back to look at yours in shock- flipping through multiple unreadable expressions before simply raising a brow, mumbling a breathy ‘what?’ between his lips at your god awful flirts.
Eventually he scoffs and shakes his head with a smile of his own, arms crossed as his blue-and-pink hues gaze into yours. It oddly reminded you of cotton candy- on brand you suppose, knowing his profession.
“Alright, alright. Fine . Stop with the gross comments and go change in the bathroom.”
He pulls his left hand out with a point, halting your next sentence with a glare.
“No. Go. Shoo . Don’t even say it. I know what you’re thinking. Say it and I’m kicking you out!”
Your guilty giggle hits his ears while you walk to change, contagious to his mood as always through the warmth that instills his heart. You were annoying , weird and god - GOD - were you unfunny, but he couldn’t help loving those traits of yours. Something from the way you could be equally as irritating as you were caring wrapped him right around your finger like a chain, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
It’s only a minute or so when you come back into the bedroom, looking much cozier - and cuter - in your nighttime attire. Bettel felt much less out of place now that your clothes both matched the purpose of sleep- with his old sports shorts and band shirt so faded you could barely make out ‘Blind Guardian’ on the print. It was almost jarring how different his sense of fashion was outside of his guild wear, going from an elegant uniform at work- to ripped jeans, graphic tees and an uncountable amount of jewelry he owned when he was off the stage. You still have a couple of the rings he gave you, occasionally wearing them when you went out- making him smile every time you did.
“Alright, alright. Looks like you already got bottled water so I don’t need to leave for that. Uh-”
Bettel watches as you look around his room in thought, likely listing down the things you needed before getting in bed. Eventually your eyes meet him with a smile, flared with a hint of excitement.
“Looks like we’re set! Lead the way Bingus.”
He rolls his eyes with a sigh, not even commenting on the use of one of your many dumb nicknames you found so endearing to label on him; he quietly takes your hand and pulls you over slowly to one side of the bed, grumbling in slight frustration as he nearly trips on air while he walks to the other.
Finally you both make it under the soft sheets, facing each other with a new sense of awkwardness now that you face one another. Of course you two cuddled occasionally so skin contact like this wasn’t new, but it was different - different in a way where you’ve never actually slept in bed together before.
“ So… uh- ”
You hum at his voice, pink-blue hues gazing into your own sheepishly. The light blush tinting his cheeks peeked through his fair skin, lamp illuminating it in a way that made him look soft . Altare bless your hands- resisting the urge to completely crush the man in a full force hug from the cute aggression gnawing at your brain; He was so pretty .
“Would it be okay if you were… uh- is the term big spoon? God I don’t know- just -“
Getting the gist of what he was struggling to ask for, you wrap your arms around him gently, leaning his head on your chest. Normally you would tease his easily flustered nature when it came to requesting your affections directly, but your heart was beating just as hard as his was at this moment, maybe even harder . No amount of banter would be winnable in this state when he could hear your heartbeat and use that ammunition against you so easily.
“Hmmph..”
Bettel sighs from below you, melting into your touch. His skin was cold but smooth, contrasting against your natural body heat through your embrace.
“Oh yeah, this is great…”
He says contently with a dopey smile, making you giggle at his enthusiasm. He was right though- this was extremely comfortable; to the degree you were screaming in your head on why you haven’t done this sooner.
“Thanks…”
Bettel murmurs, lifting his head up slightly to get a better look at your face. The sheets shifted slightly as you gently pulled him closer to you, patient to his hesitance.
“I really do appreciate you wanting to help, [Name]. I know I don’t say it a lot, but I do love you.”
Your smile starts out sweet, curling into a smirk as The Jester nuzzles himself back into your chest.
“More than Brisk and Girl Guide cookies?”
“Know your place.”
You both chuckle, comfortable silence falling into the bedroom as you simply bask in each other's presence.
A quiet jingle breaks into the air, getting louder through a small plop in the front of the bed- coaxing you two to raise your head to the source of the sound and weight on your feet to see a murk of pink and purple.
“ Phantom ! Hey, buddy.”
Bettel coos, turning to you for a moment before he smiles wider at the nod of your head. He moves a hand up to motion the creature over, patting to a spot near his thigh so he can lay down comfortably. You knew already that Phantom would occasionally cuddle The Jester in bed, so seeing him come over was no surprise.
“There you go. Nice and cozy, yeah?”
Phantom nods happily, quickly closing his eye and nodding off while curled in a ball like a little dog. It was incredibly endearing to you- seeing how Bettel could go from screaming at the critter to speaking at him like he was a pet. Stressing about everything was a curse of a trait of his you couldn’t help but admire, as it showed how much he deeply cares- albeit maybe a little too much at times.
“What? That smile better not mean you’re up to something again.”
Bettel’s voice was now back to being focused on you, not realizing your mouth was quirked up until he pointed it out. You simply shake your head, giving his waist a playful squeeze that made him yelp. Phantom didn’t move an inch at the sudden movement, used to his companions' expanded catalog of strange behaviors as he slept soundly.
“ Hey. Enough of that or I’m going to for real start eating right in front of you. Loudly.”
The Jester threatens with playful glare.
“Sorry- sorry. It’s just fun to see your reactions.”
“I’m not a squeeze toy!”
“You kind of are- you’re very squishable!”
“Oh my god - please shut up. I’m tired.”
You giggle quietly, taking great pleasure in the annoyed ‘sheesh’ he mumbles before laying off and absorbing the peace that fills the room. Bettel leans his head back into your chest, nuzzling into you with a sigh- finally , the man could rest.
Looking down to observe The Jester, your smile only softens seeing his calm expression. He was truly content in your arms, and you enjoyed how it felt to be so close to him in an intimate matter.
“ Mprh -”
Bettel mumbles, furrowing his brows for a moment as he feels a pair of lips on his forehead. His pink-blue hues meet yours in confusion, praying the position he was in below you would hide his ever-warming cheeks.
“What was that for?”
“What else? You’re too cute to leave alone and I couldn’t just squeeze you again. Unless–”
“-No. No, that’s good enough.”
Bettel huffs, shaking his head with an amusedly irritated grin. He leans up to give you a small kiss on the nose, before quickly moving back down to wrap his arms around your torso. You smirk, voice teasing once again.
“What was that for?”
“Enough of that. I can literally feel your heart racing a mile a minute. You’re not one upping me here.”
You immediately fall silent, blinking a little at the remark you had no idea how to counter. Giving up after a moment, you sigh and retreat your little banter battle to instead secure your grip on Bettel’s waist, closing your eyes tiredly.
“Touché, clown -”
“- Jester .”
“Yeah-yeah. Goodnight, Bettel.”
Bettel’s entire body relaxes; Now having confirmed you’re retiring your remarks for the night, he shuts his eyes again to succumb to the warmth and coziness he felt in your arms.
“Goodnight, [Name].”
Maybe you weren’t the most peaceful option when it came to being a sleeping partner, but you still brought Bettel the feeling of security and comfort he desperately needed to fall asleep properly. You truly were perfect for him and, - he would never admit it outright - he really did love you; so much more than that drink and cookies.