IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT

[heliocentrist]

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT

HOW THIS WORKS

• This takes place after the most recent exploration, after curfew.


• Anyone can post scenes here even if I made it for Neal and Atticus!


• Love you!

» Scenes: Just some scenes. Any scenes!

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Flint & Scout

[star_boy]

Biting his lip to keep from laughing, Scout shifts the smallest amount, watching Flint as he wakes up. It takes him a moment to think of what to say since he still feels a little mentally fuzzy himself. Had he even been talking when Flint fell asleep?

"We should get you to bed." His voice is still quiet, an attempt at not bringing either of them into a truly awakened state. "I think you're a little tired, maybe."

Flint & Scout

[empereurs]

"I'm always tired these days." It's true, and maybe more revealing that Flint would want to be, if it wasn't... whatever time it is now. His hand idly pats the cushions beside him, looking for his phone, but his eyes and attention are on Scout, who still looks more inviting than returning to his room.

Flint's hands go still. They're not touching anymore, except his knee against Scout's knee. "You can go to bed, if you want," Flint says, reluctantly. Scout already stayed up for him, which is more than he can ask for. "It's pretty late."

Flint & Scout

[star_boy]

"Mmm," Scout hums in agreement - it's hard not to feel tired often, with everything going on. "In your defense, though, you did just spend nearly six hours runnin' around. I'd be a tad worried if you weren't tired." It was a long one - Flint must really be exhausted.

Even knowing this, though, he doesn't yet start to stand. It's hard to think about moving, with how comfortable the moment is... but he should be responsible. Try to do what's best for Flint. After a pause he reaches for the other boy's hand, the first step in trying to pull him towards his room. "I'll make sure you're all settled in before I go."

Flint & Scout

[empereurs]

Flint finds his phone, and Scout finds his hand. That seems like a clear enough sign that they should end this moment, and ignore the reckless impulses gathering in Flint's head. God, he really is tired. He shouldn't still want to touch Scout, except that he always does.

"You'll have to leave me at the door. I don't want to wake up my roommates," he says, which sounds eminently reasonable and also completely contrary to what Flint wants right now. He laces his fingers with Scout's, and doesn't stand just yet. He notices that Scout hasn't either.

Flint looks at him. "Do you ever have trouble sleeping?"

Flint & Scout

[star_boy]

Oh, right, it's late, and Flint's roommates are surely asleep by now. "I'll make sure you get into your room before I go," he amends, squeezing Flint's hand lightly once their fingers are intertwined.

Scout's about to stand, honest, but then he's being asked about his sleeping and it's enough to distract him. He's thoughtful, wondering how honest he should be, before he gives a small nod and answers. "Pretty often, yeah. Have you been having trouble, lately?"

Flint & Scout

[empereurs]

Flint laughs, even though it's not very funny. "Yeah. Lately. I used to sleep straight through the night, but these days..." He still falls asleep just fine—the last five minutes are proof of that—but it's inevitable that around 3 AM, his subconscious will get the better of him, and eject him forcefully from rest.

He hasn't had nightmares since he was a little boy. There's a piece of himself he wants to explain to Scout, some point he wants to make, something he just wants; but his thoughts pull in different directions, tangling in a mess, and the words jumble in his head.

Silently, Flint pulls on Scout's hand, until he can press his lips against the back of it. Not a kiss just yet, but it eases something in him. "Is it lately for you? Or just... always?"

Flint & Scout

[star_boy]

Though Scout quirks a faint smile at Flint's laugh, there's mostly concern in his expression. "We have a lot on our plates, this year. I'm honestly a little impressed that anyone sleeps through the night, but..." He trails off, feeling warm as Flint puts his lips to his hand. Maybe he is a little tired - his thoughts feel slow, and he really doesn't want to get up.

"I've always had a hard time, so I'm a little used to it, at least. But I wish you were sleeping better." He pauses, his fingers curling as he tries to think of some solution to offer, and comes up short. "Anything I can do to help? You can text me in the middle of the night, if you need."

Flint & Scout

[empereurs]

"I never want to bother you." But Flint smiles when he says it, soft and wry, like he already knows how ridiculous he sounds. He watches Scout from over their linked hands, and realizes maybe Scout can't see him smile. Scout seems nervous again, talking too much like he always does when Flint's in a strange mood.

Or maybe he's projecting. "I'll text you," Flint promises. "Next time." He lets their hands drop, so Scout can see how he smiles. He's fine. "Is there anything I can do? For you?"

Flint & Scout

[star_boy]

Seeing Flint's smile means that the need to problem solve, to fix whatever is wrong, leaves Scout slowly - his own smile returns, soft but more even now. He's still a little worried, simply because he can't not be, but the situation doesn't warrant more than that.

"Getting a text from you has never bothered me once, and I can't imagine it's about to start to now. So definitely text me if you want, any time."

Squeezing Flint's hand again, Scout finally begins to stand, the motion quite obviously reluctant. "Just spending time with you helps. It gets some of the stress out so there's less in my head at night."

Flint & Scout

[empereurs]

Flint gets up too, because he doesn't want to let go of Scout's hand yet. It's only a few steps to Flint's door, and even fewer seconds left in Scout's company. It's ridiculous to pained over it. They'll see each other tomorrow morning.

"Me too. When I'm with you..." He's said—wrote—something along these lines before, and Flint falters for a second, not wanting to repeat himself. "Things feel better." He tugs on Scout's hand, stopping him for a second. "You should text me too. Even if I'm asleep... I'll see it in the morning."

Flint & Scout

[star_boy]

The moment Flint is pulling on his hand, Scout stops and turns to fully face him, though his eyes don't remain on him for long. The other boy's words have him feeling a little embarrassed, even if they're not new, so his glance flits downward. "I don't want to bother you," he responds with a little laugh, looking back to Flint after a pause. "But alright, I will."

And once again, he finds himself at a standstill, even though they're finally on their feet, finally a few paces closer to Flint's bedroom door. Maybe they'll just never get to bed. That doesn't sound as bad as it should. After a moment he leans in to give Flint a light kiss, telling himself it's just to get them moving again.

Flint & Scout

[empereurs]

It's a little kiss, barely more than a touch, but as soon as Scout begins to pull to away, Flint's other hand comes up and cups the back of Scout's neck. Flint smiles and takes a step forward, so he can kiss Scout again, firm and sweet.

Everyone's in their rooms, or blowing off curfew elsewhere. It's still risky—someone could open their door at any moment—but right at this moment, Flint doesn't care. If Scout doesn't stop him, he won't.

Flint & Scout

[star_boy]

Scout knew better than to give Flint a kiss, even such a small one, with how they've been lately. This is what the other boy had meant when he called this dangerous - sense isn't really something they excel at when together.

In an attempt to exercise some restraint, there's a fleeting moment where he considers pulling back, considers saying to Flint that he must be exhausted, that he should really get to sleep. In the end, though, there's no real harm in this besides being a little extra tired tomorrow, right? So why fight it? Scout presses into the kiss, his arms going to loop around Flint.