Work Text:
Well, this research was taking longer than expected.
It wasn't exactly surprising - the time period he needed to write about wasn't exactly known for its abundance of historical sources, so Klein needed to spend grueling hours in order to find any kind of reference for the needed events, not to mention checking whether they were actually credible. What was initially supposed to take a couple of hours now seemed to need a day or more just to find anything related to his topic, let alone turning it into a cohesive text.
This is taking too long... I'm starting to wonder if it's actually worth the additional point I might get, Klein sighed.
His gaze swept to the duo laying on the coach of their apartment.
Audrey and Leonard had decided that this Sunday would be their lazy day. Leonard, who would usually be the one to cook if it wasn't Klein, decided to just order shrimp pasta. They also got sweet iced tea and slice of lemon pie for Klein who needed a small sugary treat as his motivation to get through the copious amounts of text.
Since Klein assumed he would be done by evening, the trio planned to watch a film. Sometime in the afternoon, Audrey and Leonard moved to the couch, closer to Klein. They started discussing some book - recently Leonard became interested in the horror genre to Audrey's delight. As if it wasn't her who talked our ears off about it, Klein snickered.
The duo had a very lively discussion about the story, so much so that at some point Klein even stopped and looked up from his paper to listen more attentively to their talk about how this book used religious imagery. At that, his lovers looked at him expectantly, hoping that he finished his work but Klein only shook his head, sighed, mumbled that he still needed some more time and returned to writing. Leonard poked fun at him for that and Audrey giggled softly but after they spoke quieter, not wanting to disturb Klein's work.
He would still look up at them from time to time every time they changed positions: first Audrey was retelling some of the part of the story to point out literary symbols, then Leonard was asking some questions and talking about metaphors he noticed, prompting even more excited talking from Audrey, but closer to their sleep time Leonard ended up reading out his favourite scenes. Audrey herself nestled comfortably near him, laying her head on man's chest and holding his free hand. It ended up a little hard to turn the pages, but he still didn't let go of her. Then, after a bit, Leonard's reading stopped too.
The way they fell asleep was very cute, and Klein wished he could join their cuddling instead of (somewhat) speedrunning this project which was due in two days. Audrey looked so very comfortable in her light nightgown (she would usually only wear nightgowns when she went to sleep, but today she decided to fully embrace the role of the laziest person in the world and not change into anything different). Leonard on the other hand wore some of his old shits that had holes in it and were no longer presentable. Audrey once offered to buy a pajama for him but he rejected that idea, saying he liked his old clothes more.
Still, even in his sleep Leonard lightly held Audrey's hand. His face though was covered with the book he was reading. Klein smirked.
I can't imagine that it's comfortable to sleep like this... Klein got up from his chair. I suppose I need a small break, plus I should probably at least cover them with a blanket.
He came up to the duo and got his hand closer to Leonard's face, planning on lifting the book, when he was suddenly grabbed by the other man. Klein almost dropped it back onto Leonard.
"Hey!"
"Shhh... Do you want to wake her up?" Leonard half-whispered, letting the book be taken away from his face, the grip still strong on Klein's wrist. Klein initially thought the man was also asleep, but the way he spoke and the sly grin on his face made Klein realize that the book left on his face was very intentional. Leonard slightly pulled Klein closer. "Also, isn't it late enough? You should go to sleep too."
"My deadline is in two days and the research is... Not as simple as I thought it would be." Klein steadied himself, fearing that if Leonard pulled a little more, he would end up falling on the sleeping Audrey. "Let me go, I still need to finish writing that part."
"Do you really think you will be able to finish it right now? You will probably only make more mistakes." As Leonard spoke, Klein yawned. "See! That's what I'm talking about. Come lie with us."
"Me yawning doesn't necessarily mean I need sleep. Also-"
"Mmm..." Audrey stirred slightly. She mumbled as if she was still a little lost in dreams, but then said half-awake: "Let's go to bed..."
Leonard's gaze changed to a softer one, and he kissed her hair. In return, she buried her face in the crook of his neck. Leonard looked up at Klein with pleading eyes. "Even Audrey agrees with me."
You two are always against me... Klein sighed. If anything, I can just wait until they're asleep and go back to my work. "Fine."
Leonard's smile softened. He murmured to Audrey to let him go and when she did, Klein picked her up. Audrey, with eyes still closed, probably half in the dream world, weaved her hands around Klein's chest and shoulders. Leonard picked up the small blanket that was lying under them this whole time and briskly came up to open the door to their bedroom.
Klein laid Audrey carefully on their bed and tried to get his hands from under her but then suddenly her grip got stronger and she pulled him down. Klein, not expecting such a move from who he assumed was half-asleep, plopped onto Audrey. Together they flipped onto the side, with Klein smack in the middle of the bed. Leonard giggled, "I couldn't have done this better. Good job, Audrey!"
Klein felt like he got caught in the same trap twice in the same day so he sighed. He tried to pull away from the hug to maybe change positions so he could quietly get up later, but he only felt Audrey's hands pulling him closer to her. She even opened her eyes sightly to glare at Klein. The look was a little silly, but it got her point across.
"If you think you're going back to the desk today, then you're wrong."
To be loved is to be known... Klein thought solemnly, but couldn't help but smile in defeat.
He relaxed in Audrey's hands and at this, a satisfied smile bloomed on her face. She gave him a small peck on the cheek.
Leonard didn't make them wait long. After turning off the light on Klein's desk, he returned to the bedroom and similarly laid down, covering both of his lovers with blankets. He found Klein's hand, intertwined their fingers and rubbed circles on the back of his palm. They both knew they wouldn't actually sleep like this, otherwise in the morning they wouldn't feel their fingers (learnt from experience), but it still was Leonard's small ritual before going to sleep, the same way Audrey gave him a small kiss on the cheek.
Leonard pulled his hand away, laid the arm over Klein and softly pat Audrey on the shoulder. And so they turned into a human sandwich.
The bed has enough space for all three of us, yet they still keep clinging to me like they will fall from it... Klein lampooned.
"Sweet dreams", Leonard wished them.
"Good night", both of them answered.