1 | Almost Happy ▷ Sam Wilson | ✓

39 - MEMORY LANE

"WE'RE GOING OUT TODAY."

Nicky groaned as he woke up, the sun shining on his face, lifting his head from his pillow to see Terran leaning against his wall, having been the one to open his curtains in the first place. He had gotten rather used to sleeping at regular hours, what with Terran forcing him to take his melatonin gummies and waiting until he fell asleep before the room, and it was both a relief to his physical health, but a frustration to his jobs.

He said as much to the man as he was forced to actually eat breakfast, and Terran just shrugged. "You need to learn to balance everything in your life and manage your time."

"I was," Nicky said, "That's why I didn't sleep much—"

"That's not a valid in any way, as a psychologist, you know this well, you've seen the effects lack of sleep has on anxiety and depression, and yet you expose yourself to that kind of destructive behavior, I swear, it's like I'm dealing with a teenager, Rhett, how do you deal with this?" Terran demanded, turning to look at the blond who was currently half asleep in his boyfriend's lap, glad that he didn't have any work that day. 

"What?" the teacher mumbled, lifting his head up to look over at Terran, "Uh, yeah, Nicky's the worst, send him back, I don't want him anymore."

Nicky made an indignant sound in the back of his throat, crossing his arms and looking around, pretending like he hadn't stomped his foot. "Did Sam drop by?"

"Sorry, Nick, he's not gonna be here until tonight, he's babysitting for his sister," Steve explained, trying to keep up with Rhett who was shifting around, trying to get comfortable.

Nicky quirked his lips to the side, a little put out, but understanding. "Makes sense." He turned towards Terran, yawning. "What're we gonna do today?"

The blond smiled, but didn't say anything, instead just placing a finger to his lips before heading towards the fridge, opening it and staring for barely a minute before reaching in and pulling out the juice bottle.

"I gotta go buy groceries," Nicky yawned, hopping up onto the counter, legs swinging as he watched Terran make breakfast, "Why'm I so tired?"

The blond laughed, walking over to him and ruffling his hair. "This is what happens when your body realizes you've been holding out on the sleep. It's mad at you and wants more."

Nicky reached his arms out for a hug, Terran obliging and wrapping his arms around him while the younger man complained, "This is all your fault, you're the one who made me sleep, I didn't even wanna sleep."

Terran ran his hand through the man's hair, shaking his head. "You're way too emotional to go days without sleep and be totally okay, kid, you know this. I'm not just talking about you not thinking straight, I mean you're really not okay."

Nicky grumbled against his shirt, already starting to fall asleep. "Name one time."

○ ○ ○

Terran sighed as he leaned against the closed door of Nicky's room, raising an eyebrow to Rhett who was reading a book of poetry in the hallway, the younger blond glancing up and returning his exasperated look.

"Can I help you?" Rhett asked lightly, and Terran sighed, shaking his head, tapping the door lightly in question. 

Rhett clicked his tongue, nodding slowly. "Yeah, he's upset? And I figured he didn't want me to stay with him, because he said that he didn't care what I did, so I figured he wanted me to leave."

Terran bit his lip and slid down next to the man who was still freshly new to the complex; Terran was rather suspicious of him, especially considering the danger he was bringing, but he knew that Nicky was already attached, so he figured he might as well impart his wisdom while he could give it.