Work Text:
On most nights, when the luminescence of the library lights started to dim, both eccentric scholars could be seen hunched over the mahogany of the library table. Sitting mere inches apart, shoulders brushing occasionally. Mentioning the stacks of books piled sky high on one side of the desk, as well as slumped over shoulders would be nitpicking, after all.
—
Layla set down her pen carefully, balancing it on the ink jar, leaving her manuscript unfinished. Then, nuzzled into the crook of Faruzan’s neck, a welcome escape from the heavy workload ahead.
Looking up from her ridiculously large portfolio, Faruzan rested her hand on Layla’s thigh “Layla? Are you alright?”
In response, Layla pressed into Faruzan’s neck further, murmuring something incomprehensible as her arms lazily encircled the other’s waist, going slack soon after. The older scholar closed her leather-bound portfolio and set it down atop Layla’s unfinished manuscript.
Deciding to indulge her for a little longer, Faruzan reached over to pull Layla closer, burying her nose in Layla’s hair. She smelled good, was it the new shampoo Faruzan got last week? Perhaps she could just rest for a little while, with Layla cuddling up to her like this, of course…
No, no, this won’t do. What Layla needed was proper sleep on a proper bed. Faruzan made the executive decision of dragging the girl back to bed. Which, no doubt, would be an arduous task.
Faruzan patted Layla’s knee. “Layla, love, you should get some rest. Snuggling up to me won’t do anything.” Layla was unmoving. Had she fallen asleep?
Well, no matter. All the more convenient for Faruzan. She gently extracted Layla’s arms from around her and gathered the sleeping girl into her arms, cradling her close while manoeuvring those spiky accessories, which Layla insisted were stars, away from exposed skin. Faruzan still had very vivid memories of patching up Layla’s growing wound when her arm hangy-things cut through her tights and left a gash, oozing blood coming out from it. And safe to say, Faruzan was not excited to repeat that experience again.
Layla wasn’t heavy, that helped. Somewhat. Between balancing all the books and papers they had, Faruzan had to constantly adjust Layla’s position so she wouldn’t fall out of her arms. Admittedly, it took longer than Faruzan would have liked in reaching the main atrium of the Akademiya.
On a completely different note, Faruzan did somewhat enjoy Layla clinging onto and sleeping on her… From there, it took even longer until they arrived at their modest dorm accommodations, much to Faruzan’s displeasure. Muttering something along the lines of the atrocious building design and the higher ups being blind. Something Layla would have found cute if she were awake. The strange looks from stragglers (including Kaveh) were all Faruzan received as she kicked open the door with her high-heeled sandal. She was careful not to break it, those charges for damage to Akademiya property are woefully high. (Lord knows if Faruzan could even afford it at this point)
Faruzan brought Layla into her bedroom. Well, yes, it was a bit messy…okay, it was a lot messy. Assignments, star charts, astrolabes and all sorts of academic nonsense were strewn all about. No wonder Layla studies at the library half the time, if it was to get away from this sort of environment, Faruzan could understand. Even if it meant making late night escapades into the library to work her ass off. She sighed inwardly when she saw that the bed was untouched. At least Layla still had some decency to show after completely neglecting her health for the past few months.
Faruzan made her way over to the bed, struggling to get past all those stupidly tall stacks of binders and books and almost tripping over a discarded astrolabe. Faruzan made a point to talk to Layla about this later. She set Layla down onto the worn-out sheets with a tenderness she only reserved for the eccentric Rhatawhist. Reaching over, Faruzan tucked Layla into bed, gazing lovingly at the girl.
Under the draping light that was the moon, Layla slept soundly and soft, even breathing was heard after Faruzan was done fuming. Her sleeping form instinctively curled towards Faruzan’s direction, clinging onto her fingers. Faruzan’s heart twisted. Reaching out, Faruzan brushed the younger elf’s cheek, smiling gently. Well, cutting Layla some slack wouldn’t hurt…
The clock read 23.00. Deciding it was really too late, Faruzan reluctantly got up to head to her own room. Smoothing her dress, Faruzan was about to head out and finally get some rest. Albeit without Layla cuddling up to her in bed and pressing her face into Faruzan’s neck. But, sacrifices for the greater good had to be made after all!
Then, Faruzan felt tugging at her dress. “Mngh…Don’t go…” Layla mumbled, her hands weakly reaching out to grab the hem of Faruzan’s dress, eyelashes fluttering as she clung onto Faruzan’s dress tighter. Faruzan’s remaining resolve disintegrated.
She made herself comfortable on the edge of the bed, and took Layla’s head into her lap. She then busied herself caressing those fluffy, blue tresses. With owls hooting in the far distance, Layla still clutching her dress and drifting off into the realm of dreams, Faruzan gently pressed her lips to Layla’s forehead.
How ironic. It seems she’ll be the one staying up tonight.