[ Ah. The instant stillness in the air between them becomes very apparent, and Dokja finds himself at a loss for words. There's a million ways he could misconstrue this sentiment, and a million more excuses that come to the forefront of his thoughts of why this couldn't possibly be a genuine form of care toward him of all people, but he finds that he's too exhausted to reach for any of them.
And maybe it would be nice to think that Eustace really does worry about him, as vulnerable as that feels. ]
Oh.
[ It slips past his lips before Dokja can think to stop it, and he's suddenly grateful for how dark it is in the room and that Eustace has turned away from him, because he can most definitely feel his face heat up. In a mad scramble to save the situation, Dokja hurries to say more. ]
It wasn't so bad since... [ His voice grows quieter in embarrassment. ] Well, you showed up.
[ It shouldn't make him as happy as it does to hear that his presence had been somewhat relieving, but he can feel a little bit of warmth bloom in his chest regardless. It's still difficult being honest about his feelings at any given time, but the more they're accepted instead of rebuffed the easier it gets.
It's enough to make him smile in any case, a ghost of a smile that's here and then gone in a second. ]
That's what friends are for, isn't it?
[ Just two very normal friends navigating through bad dreams together. And if there was any other meaning to what happened at the very end, well.....they don't have to talk about it. Probably shouldn't talk about it now anyway, when they're both half-dead and on the verge of passing out. ]
Get some sleep. I promise I won't go anywhere.
[ He will promise not to get up and leave like an asshole this time around, and therefore Dokja won't have to kick him for it later. ]
[ There goes his plan. There goes his plan entirely as soon as he hears the word friends, and there's a sudden ache in his chest and a lump in his throat that he can't explain. It's a word that he uses sparingly, if at all, and something that he'd always cowered away from, but in a surprising twist, Dokja's drawn to it now.
He thinks of all the "friends" he's lost along his journey, whether he'd meant to or not, and it's this deeply saddening thought that has him seeking comfort in a way he normally wouldn't.
So he scoots closer, crossing the small gap between them until he's curled up against Eustace's side, where Dokja then proceeds to press his forehead against the other man's shoulder. Just reassurance... Just something to remind him that he's not alone despite the losses, both recent and old. And if the very tips of his fingers also come to rest against Eustace's arm in uncertainty, well, that's to keep another point of contact to make sure he doesn't leave. ]
I'll know if you do.
[ It's a half-hearted attempt at a threat, but really, it comes out sounding more desperate than anything else. There's an obvious reluctance thrumming from underneath his skin, but exhaustion finally wins out, and Dokja finds his eyes slipping closed as sleep starts to overtake him. ]
For now, they can both be reassured that the other isn't going to slip out oF bed any time soon. The weight of the blanket atop him and the warmth of another body next to him are enticing enough to keep him in place, the comfort of both already starting to drag his eyelids down.
It should be terrifying how comfortable he is here in a room that isn't his, lying next to a man he'd disliked for the longest time. Instead he just feels quietly content, with the bulk of his everpresent concerns dragged into the depths by encroaching sleepiness. Tomorrow's him, once again possessed of rational thought, will shove this night into the chest with all the rest of his questionable emotional decisions, but that's a problem for future him.
His free hand creeps up, the tips of his fingers brushing against the hand resting on his arm. Reassurance for him, or Dokja? Both, if he's honest. ]
Good night, Dokja. Sleep well.
[ He will be, against all odds, even if Dokja ends up being a kicker in his sleep. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sadge
And maybe it would be nice to think that Eustace really does worry about him, as vulnerable as that feels. ]
Oh.
[ It slips past his lips before Dokja can think to stop it, and he's suddenly grateful for how dark it is in the room and that Eustace has turned away from him, because he can most definitely feel his face heat up. In a mad scramble to save the situation, Dokja hurries to say more. ]
It wasn't so bad since... [ His voice grows quieter in embarrassment. ] Well, you showed up.
they won't kiss anyway so it doesn't matter
It's enough to make him smile in any case, a ghost of a smile that's here and then gone in a second. ]
That's what friends are for, isn't it?
[ Just two very normal friends navigating through bad dreams together. And if there was any other meaning to what happened at the very end, well.....they don't have to talk about it. Probably shouldn't talk about it now anyway, when they're both half-dead and on the verge of passing out. ]
Get some sleep. I promise I won't go anywhere.
[ He will promise not to get up and leave like an asshole this time around, and therefore Dokja won't have to kick him for it later. ]
heart breaks
He thinks of all the "friends" he's lost along his journey, whether he'd meant to or not, and it's this deeply saddening thought that has him seeking comfort in a way he normally wouldn't.
So he scoots closer, crossing the small gap between them until he's curled up against Eustace's side, where Dokja then proceeds to press his forehead against the other man's shoulder. Just reassurance... Just something to remind him that he's not alone despite the losses, both recent and old. And if the very tips of his fingers also come to rest against Eustace's arm in uncertainty, well, that's to keep another point of contact to make sure he doesn't leave. ]
I'll know if you do.
[ It's a half-hearted attempt at a threat, but really, it comes out sounding more desperate than anything else. There's an obvious reluctance thrumming from underneath his skin, but exhaustion finally wins out, and Dokja finds his eyes slipping closed as sleep starts to overtake him. ]
i forgot i didn't reply to this
For now, they can both be reassured that the other isn't going to slip out oF bed any time soon. The weight of the blanket atop him and the warmth of another body next to him are enticing enough to keep him in place, the comfort of both already starting to drag his eyelids down.
It should be terrifying how comfortable he is here in a room that isn't his, lying next to a man he'd disliked for the longest time. Instead he just feels quietly content, with the bulk of his everpresent concerns dragged into the depths by encroaching sleepiness. Tomorrow's him, once again possessed of rational thought, will shove this night into the chest with all the rest of his questionable emotional decisions, but that's a problem for future him.
His free hand creeps up, the tips of his fingers brushing against the hand resting on his arm. Reassurance for him, or Dokja? Both, if he's honest. ]
Good night, Dokja. Sleep well.
[ He will be, against all odds, even if Dokja ends up being a kicker in his sleep. ]