Work Text:
The rain had been falling since late afternoon, soft enough that it barely disturbed the quiet of the room, yet steady enough to turn the windows into sheets of silver. Scarlet sat in the corner of the long sofa with one leg crossed over the other, a book resting loosely in his hand while the warm light of the lamp settled over him.
He hasn’t turned a page in several minutes.
The door opened quietly, and Guide stepped inside with his usual bright warmth, carrying a small stack of completed reports against his chest. He looked pleasantly tired, his expression still cheerful despite the long day, and the moment his eyes found Scarlet, his entire face softened with unmistakable affection.
“Scarlet, I finished everything that needed to be done for tonight, so I can finally stay with you without worrying that I’m neglecting anything,” Guide said as he crossed the room, placing the reports carefully on the table before approaching the sofa. “I was looking forward to this part of the evening more than I probably should admit.”
Scarlet closed his book and set it aside, watching Guide come closer with an amused softness in his eyes. He lifted one arm from the back of the sofa, silently making room beside him, and Guide immediately understood the invitation.
“You do not have to admit it when I already know,” Scarlet said, reaching out to take Guide gently by the hand as he came within reach. “Come here, then, since you have clearly been waiting for permission to stop working and let yourself relax.”
Guide's smile became brighter as Scarlet pulled him down beside him, and he settled against Scarlet's side with an ease that suggested he had done it many times before. He slipped one arm around Scarlet's waist and rested his head against Scarlet's shoulder, letting out a quiet, contented breath as Scarlet's hand settled warmly against his back.
“I like being close to you after I finish working because it makes the entire day feel complete,” Guide said, slowly relaxing into Scarlet's embrace as his fingers curled into the fabric of Scarlet's clothing. “When I am busy, I always have something to think about, but when I am here with you, I can finally let everything become quiet.”
Scarlet looked down at him and gently brushed his fingers through Guide's hair, smoothing it away from his forehead. There was a calm fondness in his expression, the sort that appeared whenever Guide stopped trying to take care of everything around him and simply allowed himself to be cared for.
“You spend so much of your time looking after everyone else that I sometimes wonder whether you remember that you are allowed to rest,” Scarlet said, his fingers continuing their slow movement through Guide's hair. “You don’t have to accomplish something every moment that you are awake, especially when you have already done more than enough for one day.”
Guide closed his eyes beneath the gentle touch, his smile remaining peaceful as he pressed himself a little closer against Scarlet's side.
“I remember that I am allowed to rest, but I enjoy taking care of things because it makes me happy to know that I’ve been useful,” Guide said, his voice becoming softer as he settled more comfortably against Scarlet. “Still, I think I have an even better reason to rest when I know that I can come here afterward and have you hold me for as long as I want.”
Scarlet's hand paused briefly before resuming its slow movement.
“You’ve become rather.. fond of being held.”
Guide lifted his head just enough to look at him, his expression warm and completely sincere.
“I have become especially fond of being held by you because you make me feel safe enough to stop thinking about everything else,” Guide said, reaching up to rest his hand lightly against Scarlet's chest. “When you hold me like this, I don’t feel like I need to be cheerful for anyone or make sure everything is going well, because I know I can simply be here and let you take care of me.”
Scarlet's expression softened considerably.
He shifted deeper into the sofa and drew Guide fully against his chest, wrapping both arms around him. Guide responded immediately, relaxing into the embrace until his body was almost completely nestled against Scarlet, his cheek resting comfortably beneath Scarlet's chin.
“I’m glad you feel that way,” Scarlet murmured, gently rubbing his back through the fabric of his clothes. “You spend so much time giving warmth to other people that I want you to know you can always come here when you need somewhere to receive it yourself.”
Guide was quiet for a few seconds.
Then he hugged Scarlet more tightly.
“I know that you care about me, but hearing you say it still makes me feel very happy,” Guide said, his voice carrying a tender sincerity as he tucked his face against Scarlet's shoulder. “You created me, gave me a purpose, and trusted me enough to let me become my own person, so I have always wanted to give something meaningful back to you.”
Scarlet lowered his head slightly, resting his cheek against Guide's hair.
“You have already given me plenty.”
Guide slowly looked up at him.
“I want to give you more, because caring about you is not something I do simply because I work for you,” Guide said, gently touching Scarlet's face with one hand. “I care about you because you are important to me, and I want to be someone who can make your days warmer and easier in the same way that you have made mine better.”
Scarlet held his gaze for a moment before gently taking Guide's hand and pressing it against his cheek.
“You do that more often than you realize,” Scarlet said quietly. “You walk into a room and somehow make it feel less empty, and you have a habit of finding me whenever I become too quiet for too long.”
Guide smiled.
“I like finding you.”
His expression became softer as he stroked Scarlet's cheek with his thumb.
“I always want to know where you are, especially when you have been working alone for hours, because I feel calmer when I can see you and know that you’re all right,” Guide continued. “Sometimes I worry that I’m being too attached, but I don’t think I could bring myself to regret it when being near you makes me this happy.”
Scarlet's arms tightened around him.
“You don’t have to apologize for being attached to me.”
Guide's eyes brightened, his smile widening brightly.
“Then I won’t apologize, because I want to be close to you whenever I have the chance.”
He leaned forward and wrapped both arms around Scarlet's neck, drawing himself closer until his forehead rested against Scarlet's. The gesture was affectionate and unguarded, and Scarlet responded by sliding one hand beneath Guide's hair to cradle the back of his head.
“I think you’ve become possessive,” Scarlet said softly.
Guide's smile was almost sheepish, although there was no real embarrassment behind it.
“I probably have, although I hope you understand that it comes from affection rather than a desire to control you,” Guide said, his fingers gently tracing the back of Scarlet's neck. “I simply like knowing that there is a place beside you that I can call mine, and whenever someone else keeps you occupied for too long, I find myself wishing that I could have you back with me.”
Scarlet smiled.
“You want my attention.”
…
…
“I want your attention very much.”
Guide's arms remained securely around him.
“I want to sit beside you when you are reading, I want to walk with you when you are going somewhere, and I want to be the person you look for when you need someone beside you,” he said, his voice gentle but full of feeling. “I know I can’t have every moment of your time, but whenever you do have a quiet moment, I would like to spend it with you.”
Scarlet brushed his thumb slowly across Guide's cheek, letting out a soft, affectionate laugh.
“You already spend plenty of them with me.”
“I know, and I am grateful for every one.”
Guide lowered himself gradually until he was lying across Scarlet's lap, his head resting comfortably against Scarlet's thigh. He looked up at him with a relaxed smile while Scarlet instinctively began stroking his hair again.
The room grew quieter.
The rain continued tapping against the glass.
Guide reached up and loosely held Scarlet's wrist, keeping his hand close to his hair even while Scarlet continued the soothing motion.
“I like your hands,” Guide said quietly, his eyes slowly drifting closed. “They always feel warm when you touch me, and I especially like when you run your fingers through my hair because it makes me feel like I can finally stop worrying about everything.”
Scarlet looked down at him.
“You look very comfortable.”
….
“I am extremely comfortable.”
Guide shifted slightly, finding an even better position before settling again.
“I could stay like this for hours if you let me.”
Scarlet continued stroking his hair gently, occasionally scratching and scritching at his hair.
“I would let you.”
Guide's smile softened, tilting his head to lean into the touch.
“Then I may take advantage of your generosity.”
“You’re welcome to.”
For several minutes, Guide simply enjoyed the quiet.
His breathing became slower as Scarlet's fingers moved gently through his hair, occasionally brushing along his temple and behind his ear. Every so often Guide's hand would tighten slightly around Scarlet's wrist, as though reassuring himself that Scarlet was still there.
Eventually, Guide opened his eyes again.
“Scarlet, I know you are calm most of the time, and I know you don’t always say what you are feeling, but I hope you understand that you never have to hide your softer side from me,” Guide said, turning his head slightly so he could see Scarlet more clearly. “I like every version of you, including the quiet one that sits alone and thinks too much, and I want you to know that you can come to me whenever you want affection instead of always waiting for me to ask first.”
Scarlet's expression became thoughtful.
“You make it sound as though you have been waiting for me to ask.”
Guide smiled warmly.
“I have been.. waiting, because I do not want to assume that you want something simply because I do,” Guide said, lifting himself slightly so he could sit beside Scarlet again. “But if you ever reach for me, I will always come closer, because I love being able to give you the same comfort that you give me.”
Scarlet reached for him immediately.
Guide settled into his arms without hesitation.
Scarlet tucked the blanket around both of them, pulling Guide against his chest until Guide's head rested beneath his chin again. Guide wrapped himself around Scarlet in return, his arms secure around Scarlet's middle and his legs tucked comfortably against him.
“There,” Scarlet murmured.
Guide sighed happily.
“This is exactly where I wanted to be.”
Scarlet pressed a gentle kiss against the top of his head, giggling as he playfully pats his head.
“You could have come here sooner.”
“I wanted to finish everything properly first.”
“And now?”
“Now I’m done.”
Guide nestled closer, his body warm.
“Now I’m here for the rest of the evening.”
Scarlet smiled faintly.
“For the rest of the evening?”
Guide's voice became sleepy but still cheerful.
“I would prefer the entire night, if you’re willing to let me stay.”
Scarlet rested his hand securely against Guide's back.
“You can stay as long as you want.”
Guide's expression softened into complete contentment.
“Then I’m not going anywhere.”
He held Scarlet even more closely, burying his face against his chest as the warmth of the blanket settled around them. Scarlet remained perfectly still, one hand slowly moving along Guide's back while the other rested protectively around his shoulders.
Neither of them needed to fill the room with conversation anymore.
The rain continued outside.
Guide's breathing gradually slowed until he was almost asleep, but even then his arms remained wrapped around Scarlet with gentle determination.
Scarlet looked down at him and smiled.
“You really are possessive.”
Guide's eyes remained closed as he answered, his voice soft with drowsiness.
“I simply know what I love, and I like keeping it close.”
Scarlet's fingers moved through his hair one final time before settling warmly against the back of his head.
“I think I can live with that.”
Guide smiled against his chest.
“Good, because I intend to keep holding you.”
Scarlet closed his eyes, allowing himself to relax fully into the embrace.
“Then hold me.”
Well, Guide did, now stuck with his own work partner (And QPR partner) physically.