Carry On SnowBaz

Snowday (16)

Baz

"Snakes alive!" Simon shouts. "I thought I would never see you again." He slumps against the entrance door to our - or his (I think we discussed the legitimate owners enough for today) flat while Bunce tries to insert the key into the lock. When the door finally jumps open, Simon tumbles over the doorway and falls to the floor.

"I stay here," he mumbles as Bunce and I climb over him. "I will never get up again. Never. Ever. Nope."

"Do you really prefer this hard and cold floor to your warm and comfy bed?" I tease him and throw my scarf into his face what makes him chuckle for some reason.

"It's too far away." He pushes the scarf off him and tears down his hat so his bronze curls crash onto the floor. "I don't think my legs will ever work again."

"How about a hot chocolate?" Penny offers him and gets out of her coat and boots. "Trust me, it can work wonders."

"Sounds good," Simon squeaks from the ground, his eyes already closed.

"You want a cup too, Baz?" she asks me, already standing in the kitchenette and breaking a chocolate bar into tiny pieces.

"Maybe I should better head home," I say, scratching my neck. "I have to get up early. Uni and stuff."

"What? No!" Simon complains from beneath me. "You can't just leave now."

"But -"

"You threw me into the Thames, remember? You should do what I want if you want me to forgive you." He points at his chest, then at me. "And I want you to stay."

"You already forgave me."

"Maybe I changed my mind."

"Oh, Snow..." I grab his hands to pull him to his feet.

It's not that I want to leave, but when I stay for the night - and this is what it will lead to because when Simon once clung to you while falling asleep there's no escape - I will wake him in the morning and he really, really needs some rest. And I'm not sure if Penny and I could handle another morning like today. Otherwise, I do know that he has fewer nightmares when I'm with him. Or sometimes I can wake him before it gets too bad. Why am I even discussing this? It's already certain I'm staying.

"One chocolate for me too, please," I shout to Bunce and Simon smiles satisfied, already leaning against me again. (How often did I serve him as standing aid today?)

"Give me two minutes," Bunce answers while she stirs some milk. It's starting to smell of chocolate in here. (And a bit burned if I'm being honest.)

"Can you carry me to the sofa?" Simon asks me, his head resting with closed eyes on my shoulder.

"Shoes," is everything I say. He looks down at his feet and groans.

"Ugh. I don't think I can do this..."

"I believe in you." I pad his shoulder and shove him farther into the kitchen.

Sighing, he shuffles to the closest chair and starts - very slowly - unlacing his shoes.

"You just could have used your ring," Simon says as Penelope pours him a big cup of (partly burned) hot chocolate. He lingers on the sofa, cuddled in a fluffy blanket since he finally got out of his outdoor clothes.

"It's always good to improve your cooking skills," she answers and places a huge cup in my hands.

"If you start talking about this course again, I swear I will leave immediately." I sip on my chocolate. "You can deal with the crying Simon then."