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These days Martin rarely has time to climb up into the attic anymore. Even though he'd really like to, there just wasn't any time. Between running around fixing up patients and lying down to get at least some of the sleep, that he needs to continue to function properly– he hasn't visited Otto and Karin in almost a week now.
It breaks his heart to be away from his lover for so long, especially when he knows that he's so close.
Not close enough. Never close enough.
But today, during a brief lull in activity late in the afternoon, Martin managed to sneak off and up into the attic. The leg in his prosthetic was throbbing from the constant pressure it was under, he was looking forward to taking it off and relaxing, even if just for a few hours. Now it made him clench his teeth as he hauled himself up the ladder.
Already he could hear Otto rush towards him, stumbling over attic beams as he went. Martin himself made his way slowly over the beams to meet Otto in the middle.
The hug when it came was crushing; they were both simply holding each other tight– neither of them wanted to let go. So they just held onto each other until they had to bring some space between them, otherwise they were going to be stuck there hugging each other forever.
"Missed you."
"Missed you even more."
Karin's babbling finally made them break apart completely. Both of them turned their heads in the direction of the mattress, where the small girl was playing with an even smaller ball made of colored cloth.
The smile appearing on Otto's face mirrored his own.
Otto gripped Martin's hand tightly, drawing smooth circles on his skin for a few moments before tugging him along and leading him over to the small living space. That Otto, his sister, and Martin himself had slowly built over time.
Karin clapped her small hands in glee as the two men settled down beside her. Martin methodically took off the wooden prosthetic, before he pressed himself against his lover's side, who, at the moment, held out doll a for Karin to take. She giggled as she grabbed for it, while Otto made cooing noises at her.
For a minute or two, he just watched them play with a sappy smile on his face. His two favorite people in the whole wide world, being silly and playing together. That was a sight he would never get enough off.
They didn't need to say anything to one another, the simple fact of the other being there was enough. And just because at this moment he actually could, he turned his head sideways so he could place a soft kiss on his lover's neck. Otto laughed softly in response and wrapped an arm around Martin's back.
Martin let his eyes slip shut for a moment, the exhaustion of not only this day, but the past few years catching up to him. He let out a sigh.
Above him, Otto makes a questioning noise, Martin just shakes his head, kissing the same spot on the others neck again. As a response Otto slid a hand up Martin's back and into his hair, brushing his finger through the strands– slowly lulling him into a light sleep.
Martin knows that he has to get back to the Charité soon, there is always more work to do, even more people to save. Hoping against hope that the war’ll be over soon. But right now, just for a moment, he was totally at peace.