sticksandbones | rest under the stars

Entry tags:

rest under the stars

Who: Peepaw + You cause lbr he's inviting everyone
What: Sleepover! In an outside blanket fort!
When: Time is wobbly
Where: Outside Peepaw's Place
Warnings: It's gonna be cute and loving

[ Life's been rough, come hang out at Pure Vanilla's in a blanket fort, which is what the little jot in the journal says. The quest was for loved ones, but Pure Vanilla loves all of them? So, blanket offering.

Literally. ]

Please come visit tonight and spend a moment of rest and relaxation with me, my dears! This month has been rough, and I feel we can all use it.

[ Those who show up will find one side of his Cookie Cottage absolutely turned into the largest blanket fort he can make it. Most of it is made up of wool blankets, but when he ran out of those, he's stolen extra blankets from the Inn, as well as stripped his house of them. Pillows and furs line the ground, and small shards of light that seem almost ethereal litter around the area. Some float in the air like small gleaming prisms, some are attached to the ceiling of the blankets like their own stars, while others sparkle gentle amongst the furs. Touching one for any length of time will make it fade into the person who touched it, and give them a sense of warmth and peace.

And there's food. Lots of it. Drinks too, carefully marked that they will aid you into sleep. Peepaw spent the entire day busy. And a bunch of various things to do to unwind with. Books to read, marshmallows to roast over carefully shielded fire pits (there's little magic circles around them to keep the fires magically going and safe), a record player with various records he borrowed. If you really want to fall asleep, he even had his things to make yarn dragged out, just be sure not to fall asleep mid-spin. And a little telescope or two set up from the School.

It really does look like a school camping trip...

There's also a larger shield around it all, near invisible in the moon and starlight, but it shimmers occasionally. People gathering in one spot is always a prime target, and he's not going to let his loved ones be hurt.

Vanilla will greet every one with a wide, happy smile and a hug. Get loved. ]

Thank you for coming!

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[Dion wasn't exactly planning on going to the sleepover. However, a passing glance had revealed the sleeping drinks and, well... he's already prone to nightmares. He'll take whatever advantage he can get.

He's already dozing in a pile of blankets, halfway through his drink, when he hears a familiar voice. Dion sits up, rubbing at his eyes and trying to focus. When he finally settles on Joshua, he lifts a hand in greeting, followed by a sleepy smile. Don't mind him, he's a little sleep drunk.]

[ Oh! Joshua hadn't expected to see Dion here, honestly. He... doesn't expect to see Dion laying drowsy and comfortable in a pile of blankets, either, honestly. It's enough to make him laugh softly, fondly. It isn't a bad look.

He offers Willowisp a temporary perch on the back of a nearby chair, which she is glad to take, then moves over to sit by his friend. ]

Well, you certainly seem comfortable.

[ It's good to see, though. Dion could use the rest, and Pure Vanilla made these drinks, so they are trustworthy. ]

[Dion's smile is warm as Joshua draws closer. Addled as he is, he doesn't even make an effort to hide how giddy the man's presence makes him. Nor does he pause to consider that there are other eyes here, ones that are certainly not privy to the shift in their relationship. No, he thinks solely of Joshua, and quickly motions for the man to sit.

Should the offer be taken up, there will not be a second of hesitation before his head is laid upon the other man's shoulder.]

Indeed I am. And all the more so now that you have arrived.

[ ... oh. Oh, Dion must be very sleep-addled to be this blatant in public. Their kiss in the garden notwithstanding, of course. There were only the possibility of eyes on them, then. Here, there is a certainty.

And yet, Joshua doesn't find himself minding all that much. Dion may mind when he is more sober, but that just means that Joshua will have to make sure that this is the most that he does. So, he does his best to make sure that he is a comfortable pillow. ]

I had no idea you were here. I would have come sooner had I known.

[ ... can he find Dion's hand with his own? Surely winding their fingers together isn't too egregious. ]

[Certainly not. And if they are worried about it, they can just tuck their hands under the blankets, no need to worry about it. Not that the thought occurs to Dion specifically, considering the fact that he's more content stroking his thumb over Joshua's skin.

He also, notably, still has that feather tucked behind his ear. He hasn't left his room without it.]

Admittedly, I did not intend to be. It... seemed a bit juvenile to me, at passing glance. But I was curious, and... [He trails off, pursing his lips. Even tired as he is, he knows what he has to say will concern Joshua. He weighs whether or not to say it at all, before inevitably tacking on:] The prospect of something assisting me in my sleep was too difficult to pass up.

[ Oh, he certainly does still have it there. Noticing that makes Joshua's face light up with a smile. They still wear each other's token... But a feather is so fragile. He really must make something more permanent soon.

But... ah. Yes, Dion is right to think it will concern him, because the moment he says it, Joshua does frown. He knew that the tea was supposedly helping, but... ]

Are you still having difficulty?

[ He gets it. He really does. His own sleep most nights is a bit restless, and he can only imagine what nightmares must plague Dion. But he squeezes his hand gently, reassuringly. ]

It certainly seemed as though the drink was helping. Please, do not mind my presence. If you need sleep, I will gladly allow you to rest upon my shoulder.

Some nights are easier than others. Seldom few are without trouble entirely.

[He doesn't argue Joshua's permission. Sleep still has a hold on Dion, and he can't help but recline back against the mound of blankets once more. It's made all the better by the fact that he yet clings to that warm hand, and knows Joshua is still nearby.]

You need not accompany me, or stay close. You came here of your own volition, and I would hate to take you from whatever plans you may yet have.

[ As Dion reclines, Joshua briefly considers his options. He could remain sitting... or he could also recline. The pile of blankets is certainly large enough for more than one person, but what if it is a bit... much. ]

I have no plans. You are not interrupting anything, I assure you.

[ ... alright. He's made up his mind. He tucks his wings against his back, ensuring that they will not get awkwardly crushed or rumpled, and he reclines a bit himself. On his side, to avoid any potential harm. Which means he is facing Dion, but that's just fine - they're still holding hands, after all. ]

Did this problem plague you back at home, as well? Is there anything I might do to ease the burden?

[It's perfectly fine in Dion's books as well. He finds himself turning onto his own side, if only to continue to stare into the glimmering blue that is Joshua's eyes. They're all the more endearing beneath the stars. Or perhaps, if one were truly feeling poetic, they might be stars in their own right.

At Joshua's question, Dion at first only sighs. His brows draw together, but his face overall is far from troubled. The sedative effect of his drink keeps the worst of it at bay.]

It has plagued me, to varying degrees, since I first entered the fray. The years made it worse. And, of course... [He trails off. They both know what really tipped the scales.]

[ Oh. Hello, Dion very close to his face. Well, perhaps not, but it certainly feels like it. Or maybe that's just because it affords him an unobstructed view into those eyes that he still likens to the sunlight itself.

But Dion's words are hardly surprising. Fighting of any kind is like enough to cause nightmares, but what they must go through as Dominants...

And of course. Of course he knows. He pulls in a breath through his nose, frowning as his eyes angle down to Dion's chin. ]

... I will look into options. I want to be able to ease this burden for you. You deserve to be able to rest.

Joshua.

[There is a chiding note to his voice as he releases the other man's hand. Now free, he reaches up to gingerly cup his cheek. With each passing, sleep heavy moment, he feels less and less like they are in good company, and more like it's just another afternoon tucked into one of their rooms.]

You have already shouldered many of my burdens. I would not ask you to take this one. [But, just as Dion feels uncomfortable accepting yet more help from an already busy Joshua, he knows Joshua cannot so easily relinquish the need to help.] Though if it will set your mind at ease, I will speak with the other clinic staff regarding a more steady supplement of sleep aids.

[His smile is gentle, if a touch playful. Small wonder as to why, considering how, after a few seconds, he gently taps Joshua's nose before bringing his hand down once more. Sleepy, silly Dion.]

[ That chiding tone makes Joshua pull in a soft breath, particularly as Dion removes his hand, but that is all very quickly assuaged as Dion's hand comes up to rest so gently on his cheek.

But Dion is right. He has been pressing himself lately, and if Dion doesn't want him to overburden himself, he should concede. So he does, nodding even as he presses into that touch.

But when Dion shifts his hand, tapping him on the nose, Joshua can't help but laugh. Oh, Founder, he loves this man. This very sleepy, very silly man. ]

All right, then. But I will hold you to it.

[ And location be damned, they're reclining and it's easy to hide. He leans in quickly, stealing a brief peck of a kiss. He can't help himself. ]

But for now, you should try to rest while you can. Pure Vanilla Cookie will not let anything happen.

[Unexpected as it is, and for how loopy he's become, he simply... stares at Joshua for the space of several heartbeats. It's an endearingly startled expression, one that — after the space of five or so heartbeats — devolves into a hearty laugh. It's probably loud enough to draw attention to them, oops.

Eventually, though, he settles. His eyes close once more, and he finds himself well at ease. He curls just that little bit tighter, perhaps enough for his forehead to press against Joshua's chest, and lets out a contented sigh.]

I admit, I am not used to being surrounded by so many benevolent souls. But knowing that we are protected is a deeply comforting thought.

[ It is incredibly endearing, particularly that laugh. It's louder than one he's heard from Dion before, and it spawns a laugh from Joshua in kind, albeit softer and far more fond. He is not as sleep-addled as Dion is, but he can't help himself.

It probably looks foolish to anyone who has had their attention drawn to them, but he doesn't particularly care. This is their bubble, and anything that goes on outside of it right now is of no concern to him. As Dion moves closer to rest his head against his chest, Joshua lifts a hand, pressing it to the back of his head and tucking him beneath his chin. ]

You will get used to it here. This place is full of those that care for others. Some more than themselves.

[ He laughs again, soft against Dion's hair. A jab at himself. ]

In a situation such as ours, it is a gift. To have a group comprised of nothing but selfishness and greed would be a recipe for disaster.

[Dion has always been the protector. As lord commander, his sole duty was to ensure that the flames of war never reached the innocent people of Sanbreque, and later of Twinside. There was no one else above him, no one to fall back upon. To be protected is an alien concept.

And yet, here he is. Safe beneath the shield of a stranger, and further protected by the light and warmth of the Phoenix. He should be balking at the discomfort and unfamiliarity. Instead, it only serves to relax him further.

Unfortunately, it also serves to loosen his tongue all the more.]

You are a gift.

[ Lucky for Dion, the Phoenix, too, is a protector. Joshua's responsibility would have been to protect and guide his people, a warm hearth in the coldest night. And though Rosaria no longer stands as it once did, that duty has only shifted, not extinguished. To see his loved ones safe and happy is his greatest duty, now that all is said and done.

But Dion's words catch him off guard. He doesn't shift, keeping Dion tucked safely against his chest, but his eyes do open and his cheeks flush warmly. ]

... am I?

[ His voice is soft, barely above a murmur. ]

What have I done to qualify as such...?

Mmm.

[That is, unfortunately, the only answer that Joshua is going to get. Dion is fading fast, a fact that is aided by the warmth that is so naturally radiated by the man beside him. Even if it weren't, the love he knows is held within that heart would be more than enough.

All that is to say, Dion all but nuzzles further into Joshua, breathing steadily beginning to slow.]

[ Oh, Founder.

Joshua suddenly knows what it feels like to have a wild animal fall asleep on your lap in pure, unadulterated comfort. Not that he would ever call Dion "wild", of course - but he had certainly been distanced like one might be, to keep himself safe. But this slipping of his walls is...

Precious. Utterly, undeniably precious. He cannot see it as anything but. And the nuzzle into his chest is the final strike of a hammer to the nail.

Gently, he presses a kiss to the top of Dion's head, letting himself selfishly linger for a moment to breathe in the scent of the soaps Dion has used in his hair. He won't disturb Dion further, listening and waiting for his breath to slow into the deeper breathing of unconsciousness. And, once he does, he very carefully untucks one of his wings from behind himself, unfolding it over and around the two of them like a blanket.

Perhaps he will get a little bit of sleep himself. ]

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rest under the stars

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