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Rain is quite the comforting sound. When you've been surrounded by nothing but it, pretty much, as a child- you grow more accustomed to it. It can be argued that it isnt even comforting after awhile, as Heathcliff thought.
Today was fortunately one of those days where it was raining. The district the limbus companys bus was currently in was met with excessive rain.
Avery had been staying over in Mephistopheles; Twas for no true reason other than to see the seventh sinner, but if you asked him he'd argue it was merely part of the 'Seven Associations Deep Research into the Limbus Company.' The sinners had gotten all of their work done today. Just a mirror dungeon as they passed through to their next designated district. The Seven Associations fixer had dilligently been making notes... and making small talk with Heathcliff. To nobodys suprise, alas, but still. It had been a moderately peaceful day (if you can consider fighting abnormalities peaceful) and it was soon coming to a close for each sinner.
Mephistopheles had an extra room, just one for any guests or something of the like. It was seldom used, so most sinners stole pillows or blankets from it. Tonight, it was where Avery was supposed to stay. He placed his head down against one of the two stiff pillows. It wasn't comfortable. So, Avery turned onto his stomach. Still uncomfortable. The fixer continued tossing and turning yet to no avail, as he seemed to get even more uncomfortable. Then, a thought struck.
"He won't mind. Surely not."
Avery pushed himself out of the bed. He creaked open the guest rooms door and wandered down a short hallway. Each door was marked; Sinner 01, Sinner 02, Sinner 03, etc. He stopped infront of the 7th door and raised his fist to it. No reply. He knocked a bit more excessively, only being met with a half garbled groan of ”Come in.” to which Avery promptly did so.
Heathcliff was barely sat up, looking akin to a half wilted flower, as he blinked one eye open at the fixer. ”Can't sleep, lad?”
Avery nodded awkwardly in reply.
The sinner patted the side of the bed, as if beckoning a dog to come over. Avery weakly crawled into the bed. He immediately picked up on the difference in sheets; this one was slightly more comfortable. Though, the difference wasn't noticeable to most. The fixer sighed shakily, his limbs having a similar movement to them. ”Sorry. Um..” his own voice was slightly slurred. Sleep was inevitable and clearly trying to overtake Avery. ”Didn't.. mean to wake you. S'rry. I..” Avery was cut off with a groan from Heathcliff.
”Nah, ya ain't gotta be apologizing.” Heathcliff had one scarred arm behind his head, more alert now. ”Don't bother me none, honestly.” He mused, giving a grin to the other boy. Avery just nodded shyly in reply. ”C'mon, cheer up Aves.” He gently nudged Avery. The Seven associations fixer fully laid down, almost melting into the bed as Heathcliff put his arm around him. A scarred hand placed itself on the other mans back, rubbing lazy circles in. ”Did'ya.. have a nightmare, like?”
”...No. Bed wasnt comfortable.” Avery squirmed slightly, pushing his head up to rest under Heathcliffs chin. The sinner hummed in reply, ”Aye. I get you.” He brung the fixer slightly closer, hand splayed almost protectively. ”Don't.. bother you, me holdin' ya like this. Right?” He asked awkwardly.
Avery pulled away from the embrace to blink up at Heathcliffs eyes directly. ”...We've kissed before. This is like.. nothing, in comparison.”
Heathcliff spluttered, his dark cheeks tinging a soft red. ”Aye w-well.. I'm just checking! 'S called bein' a gentleman.” He huffed.
Avery giggled quietly, placing himself back against Heathcliff. ”Mm.. Yeah.” He finally let himself relax; curling up as his body began to doze off. Heathcliff stayed still, almost like a sentry, waiting for the smaller boy to sleep before he went back to resting. The rain rolled off the windows outside as the bus continued trudging along through the night. Though, to Heathcliff and Avery, there was nothing else in the world but eachother.