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Karl laid next to Ethan, hearing as his breath followed a pattern. A soft intake of air, a pause followed by a heavy exhale. His fingers itched to comb through the blonde locks and to lay his head against the other man's chest. He tried his hardest to nullify the desires, knowing that Ethan was a light sleeper.
But he always slept until 6 o'clock on the dot.
The few times Karl had awoken him from his slumber before 6 Ethan had glared at him as if he was the source of all his problems. His own insomnia refused to let him ever sleep, and even if he did his inability to breathe while asleep would make him feel like he didn't get any.
Sleep apnea, Ethan had told him once. It's okay, but we should probably get someone to look at that for you. He had refused, but now looking at Ethan, he wished he'd accepted. Ethan always looked so peaceful, and after an hour of sleepiness and sluggishness he would be wide awake.
He didn't remember how it felt to be well rested anymore. The murmur of comfort and security from his early childhood was all he had and that even felt like some sort of daydream.
A snore from his partner broke him out of his stupor, looking over to the blonde man with a soft smile. His face was smushed against the off-white pillow, drool escaping his slightly parted lips. His heart ached with the now familiar pang of love, his hand traitorous and finding its way to his messed hair.
His fingers glided through the golden locks like they were water. They felt like silk between his greedy fingers, feeling more than they should.
Ethan always told him that he didn't mind Karl’s pence to touch him, said it was normal for someone like him. Touch starvation. He thought it was bullshit.
He was being a creep.
He watched as the sun slowly kissed the earth, Ethan slowly waking as more and more of the sun rose in the sky. His bright blue eyes cut through the dimness of the room and with his dopey smile Karl couldn't see him as the rogue American that tore through the village in a day.
He was just Ethan Winters, an amazing father and his lover. It was times like this Karl could pretend that Miranda never experimented on him, pretend once upon a time Ethan wasn’t more comfortable pointing the barrel of a gun to his face. Ethan would've told him trying to forget was unhealthy. He really wished Ethan wasn't always right.
Ethan yawned, rolling out of Karl’s arms to stretch, only to roll right back into his arms. Karl chuckled, wrapping his arms more securely around Ethan. He buried his nose into his hair, taking a deep breath. He smelt of the rain and a warm summer's day, the few days before the changing seasons.
Ethan raised his head, eyes full of mischief. “Good morning, handsome. Why aren't you asleep?”
While his tone was light Ethan’s eye twitched. He laughed awkwardly, kissing the top of his head.
“I fell asleep for a bit, but gave up after waking up five times,” he lied, brushing Ethan's hair back. Ethan gave him an unimpressed look. He tapped the nightstand making Karl look over his shoulder to see the digital alarm Ethan begged Karl to get.
“You wouldn't be this awake at 6 if you did try to sleep, love.” Ethan said softly, fingers tracing a thin scar that knotted funny on his shoulder. Karl looked away, eyes filled with guilt.
“Ja, fine I didn’t. But you shouldn't be all surprised by it. This is what usually happens, liebling.” He whispered into Ethan’s skin, closing his eyes tight.
He felt Ethan lightly stroke his hair, sighing at the state of it. “Look, I know that you have trouble sleeping, but I’m worried about you. Even for us mold creatures sleep keeps us healthy and well. Just, try some time today to sleep. Even a bit.” The other man kissed the top of his head, staying there for a moment.
Karl squeezed Ethan tighter, sighing in relief at Ethan's acceptance. He'd try to sleep, for him.
Ethan was far too sweet for him.