Work Text:
The slam of the door resonated across Jesper's home, with him storming inside.
Today had not been great by any means. One of those days where everyone seemed to pair up to make his morning a living hell. The dragonborn causing mischief, the necromancer terrorizing the people, the constant mess of aftermaths of fights he had to clean after... It all piled up to frustrate him to his last hour of shift.
Stumbling into his bedroom, he crashed on his bed without even caring enough to take his armor off. Before he could fall unconscious, the sound of someone clearing his throat and speaking prevented him from doing so.
"Good afternoon to you as well." The thief... The only thief who Jesper didn't hate, and in fact, loved. He allowed him to stay under his roof since... Well, he told him he didn't have one of his own.
They had been dating for a while now, keeping it hidden for clear reasons. It wouldn't be seen right if a criminal and a guard were together, less considering they were both male.
Jesper's words were muffled on the pillow, probably aiming to reply with "Good afternoon". Absolutely worn out would be an understatement to his current condition. So much so he could barely roll to his side so he was able to stare at his lover reading a book that was most likely not his. Unusual, because since they started going together, the thief committed less and less robbery. He still did it, and he still was put in jail for it, just less than before.
"A hard day of work, I'm guessing?" Said criminal huffed with the faintest of smirk, eyeing him briefly.
In response, the guard nodded. "It doesn't matter. As a guard, my priority surpasses whatever exhaustion I may have, even if..." His words soon turned into a mumble before they could even be done. Like his vocal cords gave up on him, the sound stopped coming from him, shoving his head into the pillows.
The criminal let out a snort while putting his book away so he could get up and sit beside his lover, by the edge of the bed. Slowly, he extended a hand to take off the other's helmet, running his fingers through his short brown hair.
Jesper was aware of how much his partner always seemed so stiff with displays of affection that weren't words, and even those too. Used to being the one to initiate it instead of receiving it, said criminal was always tense whenever the guard would touch him or be generally loving. No, he didn't mind it... It simple felt strange at times, being so loved.
Knowing this, words returned to the male laying down. "Can I lay my head on your lap?" He knew the answer of that, but still felt the need to make sure it was okay.
The expected happened a second later. " 'Course you can."
With that, the warmth of Jes's head carefully set on the cloth of his partner's lap. A quiet hum slipped out of the guard's lips. At ease, his eyelids began to shut down so he could rest.
In complete silence, they sat. Seconds turned into minutes. The only sound were their breathing, and the occasional shifting to get into a more comfortable position.
When he thought he was asleep, the thief continued to stare at their lover with a thoughtful glance. In moments like this, he couldn't wonder how was it that he got such a kind individual as his boyfriends. Him, of all people, getting this loving with a guard.
Did he deserve that treatment?
He was much more filthy than Jesper. A criminal. Cold, distant, a liar. How could Jesper be so stupid to even trust him, specially with his heart? How was he so sure he wouldn't just rob him and left him like this?
Even when he pushed him away or treated him more as a friend... He persisted. Despite the fact they had to hide their relationship, despite his doubts and issues... He still looked at him like he was the most beautiful star in the sky.
His naivety was a trait he envied at times.
"Are you okay? You're mumbling again." The other male pointed out. That was an unconscious act he usually did whenever he was too focused on his own thoughts. "Something on your mind?" Jes rolled to his back, glancing up to try to understand what was his little stealing boyfriend was thinking.
Sighing, said thief shook his head. "Nuffin' much. Don't worry." After uttering those words, some others appeared soon enough. "What's gotten you in a low mood, anyways?" He said with a scoff. Seeing that cheerful man so upset must have meant something had happened.
"Just... The dragonborn... Up to his usual shenanigans. And everyone else joining too, apparently. " Which all the times he had to clean after whatever quest he had set himself to do. "He- He replaced the river's water with mead! How could he even do that?!" Jesper raised his hands with dramatic disbelief.
In response, his lover snorted with amusement. Sure, seeing what the dragonborn did on a normal basis might be fun for him, he understood it wasn't that fun to clean after someone's mess... Specially the ones that individual could cause.
"A busy day, I suppose? How did you manage to revert that?" There was a hint of teasing in his voice.
Quickly, the guard responded with a huff, leaning closer to his beloved. "I really don't want to talk about it. I want to relax." Dropping his shoulders, his eyelids began to shut down.
In full honesty, the thief had planned to go out for what remained of the night. The lack of thrill and the peace he had made in the last days was making him feel sort of purposeless. But tonight... It could wait.
So, he shrugged. "Up to you, it is. I can't go anywhere, so..." The taller joked, earning a soft laugh from his boyfriend. That smile of his was truly beautiful when he wasn't hiding it.
"Maybe I could... Help you relax too?" Jesper offered, his hand moving his cheek over the mask he insisted in wearing, even inside their home. Did he understood why he did that? No, but if he felt comfortable doing so, he wouldn't mind.
"You need it more than me, Jes. Let me help you, tonight."