stay with me by asadbenedict on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

He led Anastasius over to the bed, sat him down, and began wiping his hair in quick strokes. It was long, so it would take a while to get all the moisture out. All the while, Anastasius was fairly quiet, obediently setting his head up to dry.

- Done, - Avriel sighed tiredly.
He was about to step back, but he felt a tug on his shirt.
- Avriel... - The soldier raised his eyebrows, he didn't like the way it sounded anymore.
- Yes?
- Stay.
- You know I...
- Stay tonight.
Now he was even more strangely.
- Why? Are you okay or..?
- Then go if you don't want to! - Windsor snarled, his hands trying to push him, but he intercepted them. Feeling his legs shoving him, he threw Anastasia on the bed.
- Stop it.
- You stop it! - said Anastasius. He snorted and turned away from the soldier, sinking into the pillow, hugging it with both hands.

The man closed his eyes and counted to ten. He sat down on the bed, placing his hands on either side of the prince's shoulders.
- Stop acting like a child, - Avriel said as calmly as he could. - Tell me why, and I'll stay, - silence in response. - You're not feeling well...? Is something wrong? - still silence. - I'm just worried.

He was about to get up, but he heard a thud from under the pillow.
- You're going to laugh.
Auriel smiled warmly and sighed. At times, the soldier didn't know if he wanted to strangle him or hug him.
- I won't.
- You promise? - Finally he could see his face and not just the red mop of hair.
- Of course.
- I... I'm just feeling a little lonely. If you don't want to go, then go, I don't care, - Anastasius sank back into the pillow, using it as a shield. Avriel reached out and tucked a long strand behind his ear.
- Good, - the soldier replied easily, though his heart could have jumped out of his chest right now.

Avriel removed his vest and boots, leaving only his shirt and pants. He lay down on the empty seat, crossing his arms over his chest, closing his eyes. He'd slept in far worse places, so the posh, soft bed wouldn't be a problem.
- Is this how you're going to sleep?
- Sorry, didn't bring a change of clothes. So yeah.
Avriel felt a nudge in his shoulder and opened one eye. He saw the man leaning his head against him, still hugging the unfortunate pillow. He was just like a big cat. First he scratched and then he came to cuddle.