Dickory

Restless

Unfortunately, closing his eyes was about all that happened. Go to sleep. He just couldn't seem to get comfortable. Sleep. It wasn't really the bed. There was a mixture of soft and firm pillows he could choose from, and the cushions were all of good quality. Maybe if I turn over...He sighed and rolled over, fingers still teasing Fuzzball's fur. He closed his eyes again. Did I hear something? He sat up cautiously, listening intently to the silence. Nothing. He lay down again and closed his eyes with a frustrated huff. I have work tomorrow! Come the phck on! He opened his eyes with a forlorn sigh and stared up at the ceiling. It was unfamiliar. As high as Elijah's, but still not quite the same. He propped the bear on his chest and looked at his face in the darkness. The phck are you looking so smug about? I thought you were supposed to be helping!

He teased Fuzzball's ears as he remained stubbornly silent, not that he'd expected otherwise. Maybe under the covers would be better. He got onto his knees and shuffled beneath the thick duvet. The cotton was fresh and carried that just cleaned smell. He turned on his side once more, facing the curtained glass door. It's so phcking dark...Staring at the curtains, he could just see a slim grey glow around the edges. His eyes had adjusted to the darkness. He let his gaze drift around the unfamiliar room, huddling under the duvet a little more as he took in the unfamiliar drawers and vanity table. It's so phcking empty...The room was just a cavernous space. Cold. Hollow. Phck!

Gavin huffed as he tossed the duvet aside and got out of bed. He crossed to the balcony and opened the curtains, putting night time Detroit on display beyond the terrace walls. It was a nice view, especially at night. Unfortunately, the view wasn't visible once he was lying in bed, but he could see the pale orange glow rising over the edge of the wall. It was better than the darkness anyway. He sighed as he tucked Fuzzball under his arm again, burrowing his head into one of the pillows. I'm wide awake now...He groaned quietly as he turned over to face the almost closed door.

Pips hasn't come up...He wondered if he'd padded his way into Nines' room instead. He tried not to feel too hurt at the thought. Before Nines came along, Pipsqueak had slept in his bed every night. That had changed a little at Elijah's house. He'd taken to sleeping on his new cat tree, and at the cabin he'd preferred the sofa near the fire. This is the first time he's had the choice between me and Nines...Guess he chose Nines...Not that he could blame him. He huffed as he rolled onto his back again, fingers still teasing the soft synthetic fur.

He'd gotten used to sleeping with Nines at his side. It felt weird without him. He'd spent weeks listening to the light hum of his core and the thud of his thirium pump. Weeks of a firm chest pressed up against his back and a strong arm hooked over his waist. I can't believe I'm phcking pining! He scoffed at the thought, resting an arm across his eyes. He needed to fucking sleep. Ironic, considering how many years he'd spent trying to avoid it. Come on, asshole! Close your phcking eyes and go the phck to sleep! He closed his eyes as he dropped his arm, hugging Fuzzball in the crook of his elbow. He didn't like being on his back.

He rolled back towards the balcony, keeping his eyes squeezed tightly in the vain hope that if he kept them shut, he'd be able to drift off eventually. He sighed as he tried to imagine that Nines was in bed with him. He curled up a little more, tucking the duvet under his chin. If he stayed really still, he could almost imagine the warmth of Nines' body pressing up against his back, but he knew it was just his own body heat warming the covers. He opened his eyes miserably. At this rate I'm never going to phcking sleep! He sulked silently as he buried his face in soft synthetic fluff.

"Gavin?" Nines' voice was soft and hesitant as he hovered in the doorway. Gavin jerked up on his elbow and looked over his shoulder. His free hand was already under his pillow on reflex, reaching for a gun that wasn't there. His heart had just about leapt into his throat. Being in an unfamiliar room, distracted by his own frustrated thoughts, he hadn't even heard Nines walk across and open the door. He sighed in relief as he recognised the figure in the doorway.