[he can't help how much he worries about Nick now that the two of them are constantly in each other's presence. the few seconds after waking he's allowed to have without that worry creeping into his features. he lets Nick tend to him when he takes the drink, propping himself up on his elbow enough to unscrew the cap and take a sip, then a gulp. it's crisp and too sweet on his tongue.
he won't complain about it.]
I think the shop is the same.
[he holds the lip of the bottle against his mouth, thinks on taking another sip, promptly screws the lid back on and reaches over Nick to put it on the bedside table.]
[ a grand overstatement of his contributions to the atmosphere — or the shop at all really, nick only ever fawns over the resident kettlebird or offers advice on potions, and maybe occasionally some of his actions might be mistaken for looking like work, but he's always quick to insist that he is not an employee.
still, it feels weird to have broken routine even if the reason for it is justifiable enough. august is leaning over him though and that's distracting enough that he abandons that thought in favour of catching hold of august's arm to stop him from pulling too far away, leaning down to nudge his nose against august's face and chase a kiss. ]
They're probably like 'oh, man, I wish August was here right now to help me find that one random book I thought I shelved like three days ago but I forgot where'. You're essential personnel.
[he hangs off that second to last word and plants his hand down on the bed, one arm on either side of Nick. he kisses him once, then places another to his cheek and a lingering one to his forehead. that's one of his favorite spots to kiss, he feels like he can give him a sense of nurturing there.]
They can manage without me. [he tilts his head, leaning into his shrugged shoulder.] Do you miss it?
[ so yes, is the answer to that question, but he's already exhausted himself debating on how soon is too soon after a vampire attack to leave the room and resume normal life, so he's decided to be amenable. besides, it's hardly a great sacrifice to make, lounging lazily about the place with august.
there's something to the routine of it all though, the community. the kettlebird spilling tea over his fingers yet again, or sniggering as gale goes off on a tangent that has clearly left a would-be customer totally confused, or watching august make quiet recommendations of just the right book for someone lost and searching. alina, and her particular brand of flustered ease as she navigates it all. it's hard to deny that he likes it at the shop, whatever protests he might try to make.
it's the sort of place that he would love to have back home, honestly, but nick doesn't know how to say that without sounding tragically lonely, and he's so determined not to let anyone think that. because nick can't be lonely, because if he's lonely then it's only a matter of time before he asks someone to stay. before he asks august, and he's always been so determined that he wouldn't force anyone to stay tethered to that town like he's become. ]
I miss my best friend. Sweet Kettlewing has probably been crying all day, poor thing. [ the same snag that always pulls before he says more trips him up again, and nick swamps his face in the crook of august's neck, winds his arms around tighter, huffs hot air against his throat again. ] I don't know, I like it there. Don't you?
[no, he doesn't work there, but he's an addition to the store that August expects to be there. it's strange when he's absent, worse when he has to deal with the kettlewing on his own. having Gale deal with it alone is unfair, and Alina treasures the creature, so he's hoping it isn't causing too much trouble in the two days they're away.
he leans heavily into Nick's arms, puts almost all his weight onto him before he wraps an arm around his waist and tumbles them both down to the bed so Nick is situated on top of him.]
It's something to do. [not that he doesn't like it, but he doesn't fall into schedules the way others do. he's restless and the work is the same every day, which makes his life feel repetitive and dull. he's doing everything he can to make it look like he's fine with it.] I like having you there.
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no subject
he won't complain about it.]
I think the shop is the same.
[he holds the lip of the bottle against his mouth, thinks on taking another sip, promptly screws the lid back on and reaches over Nick to put it on the bedside table.]
Unless Alina hired someone new.
no subject
[ a grand overstatement of his contributions to the atmosphere — or the shop at all really, nick only ever fawns over the resident kettlebird or offers advice on potions, and maybe occasionally some of his actions might be mistaken for looking like work, but he's always quick to insist that he is not an employee.
still, it feels weird to have broken routine even if the reason for it is justifiable enough. august is leaning over him though and that's distracting enough that he abandons that thought in favour of catching hold of august's arm to stop him from pulling too far away, leaning down to nudge his nose against august's face and chase a kiss. ]
They're probably like 'oh, man, I wish August was here right now to help me find that one random book I thought I shelved like three days ago but I forgot where'. You're essential personnel.
no subject
[he hangs off that second to last word and plants his hand down on the bed, one arm on either side of Nick. he kisses him once, then places another to his cheek and a lingering one to his forehead. that's one of his favorite spots to kiss, he feels like he can give him a sense of nurturing there.]
They can manage without me. [he tilts his head, leaning into his shrugged shoulder.] Do you miss it?
no subject
[ so yes, is the answer to that question, but he's already exhausted himself debating on how soon is too soon after a vampire attack to leave the room and resume normal life, so he's decided to be amenable. besides, it's hardly a great sacrifice to make, lounging lazily about the place with august.
there's something to the routine of it all though, the community. the kettlebird spilling tea over his fingers yet again, or sniggering as gale goes off on a tangent that has clearly left a would-be customer totally confused, or watching august make quiet recommendations of just the right book for someone lost and searching. alina, and her particular brand of flustered ease as she navigates it all. it's hard to deny that he likes it at the shop, whatever protests he might try to make.
it's the sort of place that he would love to have back home, honestly, but nick doesn't know how to say that without sounding tragically lonely, and he's so determined not to let anyone think that. because nick can't be lonely, because if he's lonely then it's only a matter of time before he asks someone to stay. before he asks august, and he's always been so determined that he wouldn't force anyone to stay tethered to that town like he's become. ]
I miss my best friend. Sweet Kettlewing has probably been crying all day, poor thing. [ the same snag that always pulls before he says more trips him up again, and nick swamps his face in the crook of august's neck, winds his arms around tighter, huffs hot air against his throat again. ] I don't know, I like it there. Don't you?
no subject
he leans heavily into Nick's arms, puts almost all his weight onto him before he wraps an arm around his waist and tumbles them both down to the bed so Nick is situated on top of him.]
It's something to do. [not that he doesn't like it, but he doesn't fall into schedules the way others do. he's restless and the work is the same every day, which makes his life feel repetitive and dull. he's doing everything he can to make it look like he's fine with it.] I like having you there.