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The crickets chime. And the creatures of the night can be heard from where Auggie sits. Not loud and uproaring but, heard nonetheless. Of course this is strange and unusual surroundings. But still it’s not an overlooming threat at the moment. It’s peaceful.
The peace only becomes more viable when Briar, Auggie’s-…uh, person he knows a lot, comes to sit down beside him. Leaning against Auggie’s shoulder instinctively. Seemingly tired but then again it’s hard not to be. Especially if you’re Briar.
“Excuse me Augustine….” He says. In a tone that almost sounds like they’re apologizing for leaning up close. Auggie looks over to the voice coming from beside him and he does notice Briar seem more….Tense. Not that something’s wrong just, bugging them.
“You doing alright there?”
“Why wouldn’t I be..?”
That’s when Auggie notices the clear absence of Briar’s carving tools. He doesn’t have a wood plank on him or his knife. Of course Briar doesn’t always have them on hand. But their absence causes its hands to jolt and curve and open when unnecessary. Gripping and un-gripping a handle that isn’t there.
“You just seem…restless… that’s all.”
Briar shrugs at the comment not really confirming nor denying the description of themself. Not yet at least.
“It’s..it’s been a long day. Hard to sit still.” His hand stops moving for a second. It shakes and twitches even when he’s trying to not ball it up into a fist.
Auggie almost instinctively starts to move his hand towards Briar’s. Attempting to ease his shaking. But seeing the dark haired boy’s hand flinch when he only does as much as graze his fingertips on the back of Briar’s hand causes Auggie to pull away.
When Auggie pulls away Briar looks to him in response to the short, and retreated moment of contact. Their light brown eyes looking at him with a sort of light curiosity. Trying to figure out what Auggie’s intention was.
He’s however met with him looking away. Assuming he crossed a boundary of some sorts. Placing his hand next to himself on the ground in an awkward manner. Followed by a soft “sorry.”
Knowing Briar’s boundaries is hard. Especially since he doesn’t talk about them often. Being heavily based on trust followed by how it feels in the current moment. Ever changing rules that may seem too complicated to gain someone’s trust. But Auggie likes being someone Briar trusts. And his ability to be comfortable. So he pulls away.
Which is also why, when Auggie feels the rough callused feeling of Briar’s hand gently placing itself ontop of Auggie’s own hand, does it cause him to look back in his direction. Staring at the two hands ontop of Another. And then to Briar. He feels it slightly squeeze his hand as he seems to relax.
“Sorry for what…?”
They make eye contact as he says that. There’s a certain softness to his voice as they ask as if the concept of Auggie doing something wrong is foreign to him.
“Oh-“ Auggie voice got caught. “Nothing I just thought-“ where are the words. “since you seem jumpy-… Y’know…”
Briar starts snuggles up to Auggie. “I’m Tired…that’s why….being all fidgety.” He slightly rubs the palm of Auggie’s hand. In a slow rhythmic motion. “I like holding things though…..keeps me grounded.”
There’s a certain way Briar says it that can’t help but make Auggie smile. He chuckles and leans his back against the satyr boy’s shoulder. “What so am I a stuffed animal to you now?” His tone entering a playful manner. Letting himself slip into being more relaxed state.
A slight tired chuckle comes from Briar. Interlocking their fingers Briar starts to rest his head in the nook between Auggie’s shoulder and head. “Yes… like a Comfy pillow…”
“Damn” he giggles softly and with how Briar newly positioned himself he leans his back Moreso against his chest rather than the satyr man’s shoulder. “I’ve been demoted.” Auggie mourns in a very sarcastic tone.
“No…..” Briar’s voice starts to get softer. Like he was barely managing to open his mouth to speak. Very slowly, and not very coherently, Briar grabs Auggie’s waist and pulls the warm boy into his lap. “You’ll always be something more for me…..”
The sudden movement of Briar grabbing his waist followed by that comment makes Auggie freeze up a little. His cheeks growing warm as he Just allows the taller man to koala around him. It’s now less of Auggie leaning his back against Briar’s chest and moreso Briar leaning his chest on Auggie’s back.
It’s in Briar’s nature to be more closed off. He means well but he doesn’t talk about his feelings much. So he can’t help but stew at Briar’s words. It’s not like his to say something without meaning it. But what if he was just sleep deprived and just joking around.
Auggie just sighs before just chuckling slightly. “You’re too sweet.” His tone of voice slipping into a very fond manner.
He waits for a response. In the shining moonlight and under the peaceful noise of the cricket songs.
He waits as he feels the pulse of Briar’s heart through his chest and his hand that’s interlocked with Auggie’s own.
He waits as Briar nuzzles his head closer in that nook of space. As Auggie can feel himself surrounded by the fluff fur briar has.
He waits as Briar’s breathing slows and calms to a more relaxed rhythm that it’s almost lines up with the breeze ruffling the branches in the trees.
He waits for what feels like ages but can’t have only been a few minutes at most. Briar doesn’t respond back. Auggie turns his head ever so slightly and there he is. His eyes closed as they’re nuzzeled in close. Briar fell asleep.
Auggie smiles softly to himself and raises his arm slowly and starts to softly pet Briar by the ear. The goat like man seems to enjoy this as he sees him softly smile and bring Auggie closer.
A soft chuckle comes from Auggie as he smiles as well. Not fighting Briar as he gets pulled closer and he rests his head on the opposite shoulder Briar is currently occupying. Whispering to himself so he doesn’t accidentally wake the light sleeper.
“Goodnight to you too Briar… You deserve it.”
He then slowly closes his eyes, squeezing the other’s hand as he does so. And slowly waits for sleep to take him as well.