Reality Is Stranger Than Fiction

In Our Bedroom After the War (Stars) (End of Arc 1: Weirdmagedon)

Sleepily, you and Ford make your way upstairs to Ford's bedroom. The house isn't entirely repaired, but it's repaired enough that you don't have to worry that you're stepping on grass. You'd been out by the fire, late into the night, long past Kill Billy hour.

Ford's arm is wrapped around your waist the entire trip, a six-fingered and gently keeping you close to his side as you make your way to the bedroom. With a smile on your face, you tilt your head, resting it against his shoulder as he cracks open the door to let the two of you inside.

A yawn leaves his lips as the two of you step inside, momentarily letting go of you, only to rest his hand back on the same spot.

"Ford, we have to get ready for bed," you chuckle as he wraps his arms around you, pulling you close to his chest.

"Can't we just sleep standing up?" he mumbles into your neck.

Your mind recounts the memory of when the two of you had fallen asleep in the lab, waking up slumped against the wall, sore in all sorts of places. A shiver runs down your spine at the ghost of pain.

"You know that'll end badly."

"Don't care... don't want to sleep yet..."

"Ford, it's nearly three in the morning. You need sleep. We both do."

"We only need sleep after two-hundred and sixty-four hours."

You tilt your head back, cupping his jaw so he'd shift to face you instead.

"That's eleven days. I'd understand if Bill was still around... but he's gone now, Ford. You have to remember that."

Ford holds your gaze for a brief moment, before dropping it down to the floor.

"I... I just... I don't want to wake up, and find you gone... that this was some sick nightmare from Bill."

A small sigh escapes your lips as you tilt your head forwards, resting it against his.

"Oh, Ford... this isn't a nightmare from Bill. I promise."

"You could be lying..."

"I have extra jellybeans stashed in the kitchen, behind the oatmeal that no one ever eats. If you think this is a nightmare, you can go check." You knew you'd need to find a new hiding spot for the jellybeans now, but it would be well worth it if he knew this was real. Thirty years messed with one's concept of reality.

He lets you go for a brief moment, his hand lingering on your arm as he glances to the door.

"I'll be here when you get back. I promise."

He nods his head, his fingers leaving your skin as he ducks out the door, soft footsteps sounding through the hall. You take the moment to fish out some pyjamas and change quickly before he got back.

The rustle of a plastic bag is all you need to know that he's back. You tilt your head to the side, adjusting your pants, as Ford steps into the room, bag in one hand, and the other reaching in for jellybeans. You arch your eyebrow in surprise at the fact he grabbed the mixed bag.

"Which ones do you like best?" you question, acting cautiously as he crosses the room to you, leaving his jacket on the hooks by the door.

"The chocolate ones. I was going to grab the full chocolate bag but... I know you like the lime and coffee ones." He extends his hand to you, a few green and brown jellybeans in his palm

A small hint of blush tints your face as you carefully take the jellybeans from him.

"Believe me that this is reality now?"