Work Text:
Tyler wasn’t asleep, but his eyes were closed.
It was quiet, a lamp dimly lighting up the bedroom. Xavier came over with him after his boyfriend’s shift at the Weathervane, relaxing and enjoying the peace together.
Anyone could plainly see how exhausted Tyler was. Unlike Xavier, he was out of school so he often took on more shifts, most of which ended up with him opening up the shop. The artist didn’t know how he did it. He definitely wouldn’t have been able to withstand that kind of schedule. Getting up early for classes was tough sometimes, let alone waking up at the crack of dawn to prepare coffee and pastries for impatient customers.
Xavier brushed his thumb over Tyler’s cheek. His boyfriend stirred. “Sorry,” he mumbled.
“Don’t be,” Xavier said. They were laying side by side on the bed, facing each other. “I can tell you’re tired. Do you want me to go?”
“No,” Tyler did open his eyes this time. “I don’t want you walking back alone.”
“I’ll be fine. Besides, you’re falling asleep anyway.”
Tyler turned his face in the pillow, yawning. “I’m not, I promise.”
“That’s the fourth time you’ve yawned,” Xavier observed.
“Shut up,” Tyler groaned a little. “I’m not falling asleep.”
“Okay, okay. You’re not. Fine.”
Tyler stared at him, a little suspicious. “You don’t believe me.”
“No,” Xavier chuckled lightly. “Not really.”
“I’m sorry,” Tyler murmured, finally giving up on denying it. “I wasn’t trying to.”
“I know.” And he did. Xavier might not work, but he wasn’t stupid enough that he didn’t understand how draining it could be. “It’s okay. Come here.” He gently nudged Tyler his way, until his boyfriend got a clue and eased himself into Xavier’s arms.
Sometimes they skirted around each other when it came to touch, physically that is. Both of them not exactly used to it with their own absent fathers and no mother in their lives. But that didn’t mean they never did it and Xavier was well aware of how much Tyler liked to be held, despite his reluctance to say anything about it.
If he could do anything to make Tyler’s day - well, evening now - a little better, he’d do it.
Tyler’s head was tucked under Xavier’s chin, his face in his neck, who felt the warm breath on his skin. The artist loosely wrapped his arms around the barista, the blanket pulled up to cover them both.
“This feels nice,” Tyler said in between a yawn.
“Yeah,” Xavier’s heart was beating faster than a moment ago, his senses overwhelmed by Tyler.
“Sorry,” Tyler said against his throat. “I know it’s not exciting to just lay here-”
“I told you not to apologize,” Xavier said into his hair, breathing in the scent of Tyler’s shampoo that made his stomach flutter. “Don’t. It’s okay. I don’t mind.”
“You’re sure?”
“I really don’t mind,” Xavier said, pausing for a moment then kept going. “I just want to be here with you.”
It was the exact thing that on an ordinary day, Tyler would tease him mercilessly for saying. Today, however, his exhaustion brought out a softness in him that wasn’t hidden with any teasing or jokes.
Tyler lifted his head up, meeting Xavier’s eyes. “Yeah?”
The artist cupped his cheek. “Is that so hard to believe?”
“I guess not,” Tyler said, clearly enjoying the contact of Xavier’s hand on his face.
“Go to sleep, okay?” Xavier said with a tender smile. “I got you.”
Tyler lowered his head back down, closing his eyes and letting out a breath. Xavier’s fingers brushed through his hair, holding him close. It wouldn’t take long until he fell asleep.
“I love you,” Tyler said through a yawn.
Xavier kissed his hair. “I love you too.”