Symbiota Sapiens

Chapter 5

When I returned to bed, Julian immediately wrapped himself around me again, snuggling his face in to press against the side of my neck. Jeez, what is he like 4 again?

I tensed, then relaxed as he sighed and nuzzled like a dog or something. Eighteen or not, he's still a kid. I guess he's really been through a lot over the past twenty-four hours I guess. So let him cuddle.

::He really trusts you.:: His under-aged doppelganger whispered in the back of my brain.

:I should hope so.: I shot back grumpily. :I'd do anything for him.:

::No, I don't just mean consciously. You didn't notice before, but his sleep pattern became disturbed when you left the bed a few minutes ago. I think it stayed that way until you let him touch you again. Now he's completely relaxed. He feels safe with you.::

:You can monitor his sleep patterns?:

::Yes. Your enhanced senses are quite powerful. Your brain naturally filters most of it out because it's just too much for you to handle at this point, but I monitor every vibration, every ray of energy, every current. Since our discussion earlier, there's a special subroutine that monitors his vital signs in far more detail than any equipment in one of your hospitals.::

:Wow. So...really? He needs me next to him to sleep well?:

::It may be temporary. The last day has been eventful. He needs stability. Assurance.::

:Yeah.:

I brush his hair back from his forehead and feel that surge of warmth again as he smiles faintly in his sleep. Damn. I'm such a pushover.

:I guess I really don't mind then. He can cuddle as much as he likes, as long as he needs to.:

::You like this.::

:What? No! Well, sort of I guess.:

I wait a minute. I can feel his pulse through his skin, his breath soft on my neck. His body warm and heavy where he's half on top of me.

I shift a bit and he lets out a soft noise of protest, hands clutching at me softly. Hell.

:Guess I do like it. Makes me feel...needed. Dammit, I'm such a pussy.:

::This is bad?::

:Well...no not really. I guess it's a good thing.:

My face burning, I brush a kiss across his forehead.

"Love you, lil’ bro."

That ghost of a smile again. I lean back and close my eyes.

:Is there some way I can sleep?:

::Why would you want to do that?::

:I'm used to it. It lets my brain rest.:

::Your brain no longer needs-::

:Okay, it lets my mind rest then. How's that?:

::I don't understand.::

:Can you do it?:

::Of course. Would you like to dream?::

:Maybe next time. For now I just want to not think and not sense anything until morning.: