The Logical Exception

{ Chapter 25 - Coffee and Cartoons }

"I don't need sleep, I need coffee."

"I think you are developing an addiction. You drink more coffee than Uncle Iroh does tea."

Looking down his nose, past his dark sunglasses,the taller man raised his eyebrow, "Was I supposed to get that reference, or is that like, a real person?"

"Oh heavens no. Uncle Iroh is a character from an amazing TV show, Avatar the Last Airbender. He provides sage advice to his nephew throughout the show and is there to help people who are in need. Typically he will drink tea as a way to calm himself or to connect with other people, there was even a time when he sat down with a man who mugged him and discussed what had driven that man to such a life. It was-"

"Alright girl, I'm going to stop you there, not that I'm not interested, because I am, but" he spun the car key around his finger. "You have two choice, you can either drive me to coffee and we can discuss this over some much needed s'mores frappachinos, or I can drive myself. You said it yourself, I probably need more sleep and letting a sleep deprived person drive would be a bad idea."

His face had a smirk etched deep into its structure and Emile debated for a moment. He didn't want to be an accomplice to this man's caffeine addiction but he also didn't want Sleep to accidentally run into someone.

"Deal, but only if you tell me your real name, or something I can call you other than Sleep. I've never liked the code names, they are all about what you do and not who you are."

That smirk took on a light edge of fondness before coming back full force. "Oh that's easy. You can call me Remy, my brother may be secretive but I am a tell all book. Feel free to read me any time, doll." He tossed the keys, making his way towards the front door.

Somehow Emile doubted Remy was that open, but he was interested to try.

The drive to Starbucks wasn't long and was actually rather pleasant. Remy mostly let Emile talk, the cheerful man switching between a serious tirade about the health benefits of sleep, and references to cartoons that Remy had only ever heard of in passing. Teaching Remy about the serious side of cartoons would have to come later, for now Emile was enjoying having someone to talk to.

Logan had never been one for conversation. Though he always walked around as if he had a confidence that couldn't be shaken, Emile had seen him, more than a few times, coming back to the car and slumping in exhaustion and defeat, the weight of the world on his shoulders. What did you say to someone who was bearing a weight he was forced to carry alone? The few times Emile had tried to start respectful conversations, he received one word answers. Logan was never rude but always reserved. Emile wasn't even sure Logan would consider them friends, but Emile could hope. After all, Logan was his only friend. People at the estate tended to keep to themselves, and since Emile had been required to be available any time he was needed, he hadn't gotten out much. The situation they were in right now wasn't ideal, but he was enjoying being able to be around so many people.

"Alright, I have my coffee, tell me more about this Uncle Iroh person." Remy sat across from Emile. He had taken the seat that faced the door, but Emile didn't mind. He knew Remy probably felt the need to watch his back.

"Well, I don't want to spoil too much because if we are going to be friends you are going to need to watch that show, but Uncle Iroh is a figure head in the show that is used to represent a lot of different factors, human's ability for growth and change, the effects of tragedy and loss on a soul, honestly the show is so well written. I'm surprised you've never seen it."

"Didn't get much of a chance to watch cartoons growing up, and after I was kicked out Dee and I didn't get much of a chance at a normal life."

"Right, I don't mean to pry but is it okay if I ask about that? How did you two end up mixed up with them?"

"I should be asking you the same, a sweet innocent guy like you, wouldn't expect you to get mixed up in an internationally feared crime family."

Emile rubbed the back of his neck, giving Remy a sheepish smile. "It's not a very interesting story, I'm sure, but it's mine. If you would like to hear it though, I am going to try to use it as leverage to get you to sleep."

"Nah babes, I don't intend on sleeping ever again."

"Th-That's really not healthy."

"First off, we don't know that yet. Those of use who were forced into these weird states, we aren't exactly human anymore." He took another sip of his drink, "And since my powers deal with dreams, it's possible that not sleeping will be fine."

"It's also possible that not sleeping could affect you more, if a source for your power, right? Cutting it off could have all kinds of repercussions."

Remy shrugged but he didn't seem bothered and Emile wished he could pull the sunglasses off of his face to get some actual eye contact. Did he not care if a lack of sleep killed him, or back fired and killed his brother? That was an investigation for a different time. It was best to handle the problem at hand first.

"Remy, why don't you want to sleep? What are you concerned about?"

"Really hun?" He finally pulled off his glasses, and finally looked Emile dead in the eyes. "Take a long hard think about that one."

He did, though it didn't take Emile long to figure out what could be going on in Remy's head. "Are you worried that if you go to sleep, when you wake up you will be back there?"

"Close, but not quite, I was in a coma for two months, babes." His voice was soft and vulnerable and Emile couldn't help but reach out, leaving his hand on the middle of the table so that Remy could meet him halfway. He didn't. "It's a silly worry, I know that, but I'm concerned that if I go back to sleep, life will pass by me all over again."

"It's not silly. You missed out on a portion of your life because of other people. It makes sense. What if I promised to wake you up?"

Remy smirked, shaking his head and watching Emile's hand retreat. He slid his sunglasses back on. "That's not how it works,"

"Right, of course not, you barely know me and we haven't built any kind of rapport, but Remy, for what it's worth, when you do inevitably pass out, I'll be there when you wake up. Maybe it will be easier to fall asleep if you have some positive associations with waking up. I mean, if you think I could be a positive association. If not I could always talk to your brother about it-"

His rambling was cut short as Remy began to laugh. "You are too cute. I don't intend on sleeping, but if I do pass out, I expect you to be in my bed with me in the morning."

Emile's cheeks lit up like a sky filled with lanterns. He desperately tried to push it down by changing the subject. He had a bad habit of falling for men who were out of his reach and he always fell too quickly. He would keep himself in check this time, but still his laugh had been beautiful. Emile couldn't help but want more.

AN: I normally post on my computer but I am posting from mobile today so let me know if there are any issues.

Aren't they cute? Aren't they just so adorable? Picani doesn't have a degree in psychology yet (plus I know less about helping people in bad situations then I would like to or would be helpful for his character) so that is why he may seem a bit rough around the edges when it comes to talking to Remy. Also, do you know how many outlines I had for this chapter? I wasn't completely sure what Remy and Emile were going to reveal so... yeah. Hope you all enjoyed it!