dancing in the dark in the pale moonlight [for Thomas]

[krempuff]

The heat during the day was getting back up to a place that Krem remembered, that he had grown up in for nineteen years and that he was built for. The past nine years of his life had not erased his need and enjoyment of warm, lazy summer days and refreshing, cooler evenings.

Coordinating schedules with Thomas was, as always, a balancing act. But they managed. Even when they didn't get to see each other for a few days here or there, they sent each other texts, information about nothing at all, just their days so far. Krem texted him, especially, after he'd gotten all of his tattoos done weeks back; the black ink scattered on his skin was still healing, but it was getting close enough to that mark of readiness that Krem felt safe in venturing outside of his regular daily routine.

Today, Darrow had been hot. Krem had worked both jobs and gotten out of Bardolf's later in the evening, around the same time that Thomas normally got off work at Semele's. The evening was still balmy, almost exhaustive, but the ocean called to Krem. The pleasant memory of going out there with Thomas last summer, practicing swimming in private. Tonight, under a nearly full moon, seemed like a wonderful way to repeat the whole venture and put his mind outside of everything else that had been going on recently.

He texted Thomas as he was already on his way down to the boardwalk, contemplating if it would be better to go toward the lagoon that they'd gone to last year, or just swim out in the open. The beach would be nearly empty, since it was night and there didn't appear to be any parties or festivals going on (surprisingly). He decided to let Thomas decide, saying he would see him on the beach.

Comments

[shuck_you]

"Maybe you should just go to sleep," Thomas said, making quick work of his door and nudging Krem inside before closing the door behind him. He kept the apartment cool and didn't even bother with the light as he walked in.

"I'm pretty sure you're about to either fall asleep on me or on the floor," he said, snickering. "So, maybe food after you've had a nap."

[krempuff]

"Are you going to nap with me? Or do I have to be content on my own?" Krem didn't ask it to needle Thomas, but was genuinely curious. They were, both of them, curiously sleepless creatures, but when Thomas slept he tended to actually sleep, and Krem didn't want to do anything to disturb that.

The moonlight spilled in at a sharp angle into Thomas's front room, as well as street light, and it illuminated the space enough that Krem could move around easily. He paused, between the couch and the kitchen.

"Either way, whether we eat first or later, I have every intention of falling asleep on you at some point, yes."

[shuck_you]

"I'll lay down with you but I make no promises about staying asleep for hours on end," Thomas said, taking Krem's words as answer enough and tugging him back towards the bedroom.

"I don't tend to sleep through the night unless I'm exhausted and right now, I'm just a little tired," he said, pulling Krem through the door and giving him a nudge towards the bed.

"Lay down, Fluffy," he ordered gently. "No sleeping and drooling on my floor."

[krempuff]

Krem laughed softly. He didn't sleep very much or very long either, it was a comfort to know they'd get a couple hours here, maybe a couple more later, after they'd eaten. He considered if he needed a shower to wash out the salt from his skin and hair; finally settled for just taking his shoes off and laying out in bed.

"Sorry if I get sand in your sheets," he said, voice soft. He opened his arms and gestured Thomas to him gently. "Come here. We'll think about food when we wake up in a bit."

[shuck_you]

"It's fine," Thomas murmured, climbing onto his bed and curling up beside Krem comfortably. He stretched out, shifted slightly, and then settled quickly enough. His body hadn't been tired but apparently just laying down made the press of sleep heavier than expected.

"I'll just make you wash them later," he said quietly, hiding a smile against Krem's shoulder.

[krempuff]

Krem smiled and chuckled softly. He wrapped his arms around Thomas gently and held him, and it didn't take very much for him to fall into a light doze, just enjoying the stillness and closeness of another person curled against him.

He didn't sleep very long at all, and when he woke, he was a little disoriented about what time it was. But he laid there and continued to enjoy the quiet comfort of holding someone and being held.