Work Text:
Eli was staring blankly out of the window, his eyes drooped in exhaustion, his eyes were red, swollen, and surrounded by a purple circle. He hadn’t slept in days, he was too paranoid, but not sleeping is better than being dead. Eli takes a drag from his cigarette, as he exhales a big puff of cigarette smoke.
Grant was stealing glances from him, worried out of his mind. Grant couldn’t stop wanting to talk to Eli about it, he then takes a drags from Eli’s cigarette, before exhaling a loud sigh, “Eli? You haven’t been sleeping, I’m worried about you. Please talk to me.” Eli didn’t respond, almost like he was ignoring Grant but Grant knew better, he knew Eli was too exhausted to process his words.
“Eli?” Grant called in a soft-spoken tone, “WHAT DO YOU WANT!” Eli snapped but not truly. Grant flinched at his loud voice, even though he knew Eli was just tired, “Eli, why aren’t you sleeping?” “Wouldn’t you like to know.” Eli laughed sarcastically. “Eli answer me, you know—“ Before Grant could finish Eli interrupted him.
“You want to know why? Because whenever I close my eyes I feel like something is watching me! That it’s waiting for me to lower my guard so it can kill me!” Eli shouted, “I can’t fucking sleep! I’m so fucking paranoid that it’s affecting my sleep!” Eli’s voice starts to crack, “THIS IS SO FUCKING SHITTY! I WISH I C-COULD SLEEP!”
Eli starts to tear up, it wasn’t long before tears started rolling down his cheeks. Grant was severely concerned, he did want Elliot to feel like this, he wanted him to feel safe and secure in his own home. Grant spoke up, “Do you want a hug—?” Eli wrapped his arms around Grant’s upper torso and cries into his chest.
Grant rubs Eli’s back and leaves gentle kisses along his shoulder, “Oh my love.. you should’ve told me sooner..” Eli was hiccuping and in tears choking on his own sobs but craving the comfort of Grant’s affection. Grant picks Eli up and brings him to Eli’s bedroom.
“Come on, you’re gonna go to sleep and I’m gonna watch over you so you can sleep.” Grant notified Eli, before turning off the lights and crawling into bed still carrying a still crying Eli. “Go ahead my love, go to sleep. I’ll keep watch.” Eli wiped his tears and sniffles, curling up closer to Grant.
Grant looked at Eli softly, watching him slowly fall asleep in his arms. “I love you, my love.” He whispered as Eli fell into a deep sleep. Grant was playing with Elliot’s hair and kisses the top of his head. Grant hums a soft lullaby, repeating it each time he finished. “Sweet dreams.”