Crepuscular Clocksmith

15. Eviction Notice

Though Yunho often visited the store late in the evening and knew of the hazy, mysterious hue it assumed as night fell, sleeping over was a novel experience. Everything was eerily silent. San wasn't there and though his rare shifting was soundless, the lack of a presence left the air cold and void.

Yunho and Mingi had come out of their pillow fort for some fresh air after their long session of cuddling. They had eaten the cold food, but it tasted as good as warm.

In the dim light of the few vintage flower-shaped lamps that huddled into the ivy-ranked corners, they shared a peaceful conversation. Mingi perched in his chair and part of his tail was slung across Yunho's lap opposite of him, warmed by the human's touch. He skimmed the scales with peaceful fingers, used to the dark and how it complimented Mingi's skin so well.

"Is San gone often? Isn't it lonely?" Yunho asked him as they sipped their tea. The shifted reality of being up late at night engulfed them like ghosts haunting their napes with icy breaths, but it wasn't scary since Yunho wasn't alone. Mingi's split snake eyes meant a soothing safety.

"Only occasionally. He feels bad when he has to leave me by myself, though I am no stranger to solitude and relish in it. I'm sure he went on this date only because he knew I have you to spend my time with." Mingi smiled over the steam in his cup. After clearing his throat since he appreciated the time and how wisely they used it, Yunho removed a hand from Mingi's tail to grab his cup. On instinct, the heavy limb wrapped closer around him, chasing his heat.

The grip was that of a predator on its prey, undoubtedly. It rendered Yunho motionless, made alarm bells go off in his head.

But he knew Mingi did it only because he wanted to cherish Yunho. He stayed still, appreciative of the hug as he drank.

"It's good he gets some time to spend with Wooyoung. And that you are having fun," Yunho said. He nodded at their fort. "Shall we return to our gaming? Still a few bosses to beat to the ground and we will hit the level with the lizard people soon."

Mingi finished his tea and sat up straight with sparkling eyes.

"I can't wait."

Only after he had slithered from Yunho and rose, Yunho could stand up. He took Mingi's hand and treaded across his tail carefully, watching the scales ripple in the dim light as the limb followed behind Mingi.

They made it back to their pillow fort with their cookies and Mingi crawled inside first so he could spread out. When Yunho came after him, the naga accommodated him and made for a pleasant nest.

The whir of the PlayStation accompanied their giggles through the night. Yunho was good at this game, but he didn't mind losing occasionally because of Mingi. Whenever the naga glared extra hard in concentration, something in Yunho's heart melted.

As Mingi had lots of fun getting better at the game, Yunho felt himself falling in love deeper and deeper. The sight of the naga's profile enraptured him and he often found himself mis-clicking or steering his character into a wall. Mingi chortled about it, smug as he was fully aware of the stares.

Yunho didn't get tired until late into the night. He didn't want to sleep, afraid to waste the little time they had been given. However, as Mingi was even more resilient than him and mostly nocturnal, Yunho's eyes ultimately submitted first to the heaviness of sleep. They drooped on him, making him sink into Mingi more and more. Soon, they stayed shut for long enough that Mingi had to nudge at him because his fingers stilled on the controller.

The third time it happened, Mingi didn't jostle him up anymore. He reached with elegant hands, cradling Yunho so he wouldn't rouse. The flicker of the screen stopped and darkness plunged Yunho into a pleasant sense of weightlessness. He cosied against Mingi's side, floating in the grip of his arms.