Chapter Text
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Dakota shook his head “We’re not gonna fall asleep. Come on. We’re too wired.”
“Speak for yourself. I think I know my own tendencies.”
“Just one more. One more.”
“You said that before the last one!”
Cavendish had no idea how Dakota could be so persuasive. Cavendish always stuck to his guns. He was a man on a routine and was not about to let irresponsibility reign. They had work in the morning. Not very exciting work, mind you, but important all the same. Dakota never thought about these things. That’s why it was always up to him to keep him on the right path. Dakota and his slacker habits and his lack of structure and...blast those eyes and the tinted shades that covered them. Cavendish had always seen himself as a brick wall. No. That’s not right. Something tough, though! Apparently not tough enough, however, considering how often he turned to putty under that man’s gaze. The battle was lost.
“Fine.” Cavendish inevitably caved. He held up a finger and pointed it at him commandingly, “But only one!”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Done deal.” He grabbed Cavendish’s threatening digit and lowered it. He then lightly elbowed him. “You know you’re having fun..”
“...and you know you’re as tired as I am…I won’t have you sleeping through the first half of the morning due to your late-night..” Dakota may have won but Cavendish needed to fit in a bit of a lecture, regardless.
They often ended their nights in front of the television. They took turns choosing what to watch and it had been Dakota’s turn for the last few hours. Cavendish would argue but, like with most of their arguments, it fell upon deaf ears. Besides, it wasn’t as if their tastes wildly differed in everything. Cavendish was mildly entertained, not that he’d admit it aloud. Dakota already knew, anyway.
Dakota had settled on some high production (for this time period) action movie. He’d seen it before, so he didn’t seem to mind that it was already twenty minutes in. Cavendish was feeling drowsy already, so he just barely listened to his partner’s long scene play by play. The roughness of his voice was surprisingly soothing. Or perhaps he was just that tired. He hardly noticed when Dakota briefly got up to retrieve some snacks. His eyes snapped open when he heard the crinkle of a crisps bag being opened.
"A little late.." Cavendish presented.
"Part of the experience!" Dakota replied, "You can't really enjoy a movie without snacks. It's the whole reason why they sell 'em at the theater.."
"That is not the reason…" Cavendish assured him, getting a little more comfortable against the cushions and pulling his long legs up.
"Yeah, it is.." Dakota said with a grin, rummaging around inside the bag, making loud unnecessary crinkling sounds that got on Cavendish's last nerve.
"Oh, give me those!" Cavendish snapped, yanking the bag away just as Dakota got a proper handful. “Must you make so much noise?!”
"Wuh-oh... The C in Cavendish stands for craaaanky…" he smirked and ended his sentence with a crunch of chip.
"I am not cranky. I'm not even tired" Cavendish folded his arms with a huff, keeping the chip bag as far away from Dakota as possible.
"Wait, didn't you just get done saying we were both tired?"
"Well, I changed my mind.."
"You changed your mind? You can't change your mind. If you're tired, you're tired. That's like saying you're not hungry when you haven't eaten all day because you decided not to be…Speaking of..."
Cavendish was going to argue but Dakota shushed him and leaned over to snatch back his snack. So, the most he did was glare, a look that was overshadowed by his pout. He decided it wasn’t worth it. Mostly because Dakota was right. Besides, he had agreed to this, and honestly, he couldn’t think of a comeback. Curse him.
He would hate himself for the contradiction but it wasn't too long before he could no longer keep his eyes open. Cavendish was tired. He couldn’t deny that fact, even to spite Dakota. Honestly. Where did that man get the energy? He blinked it off a few times but sleep took him inevitably and he slumped over in an unintentional lean against his partner's side.
--
Dakota could always read Cavendish like a book. It wasn’t that hard. It’s what made him endlessly fun to tease, because Cavendish knew it, too, but refused to acknowledge it. Dakota knew Cavendish was tired, but it was so funny to see him try to claim he wasn’t, especially after already claiming that fact. They would set up for bedtime, (which usually involved rock, paper, scissors for who got the couch and who got the air bed), right after the movie was done. He didn’t want to push his luck. Dakota had almost caved and ended it early but was frozen in place when he felt a weight against his side.
His brows raised and he blinked a few times. “Cavendish…? Hey, Cavendish, you awake..?” He kept his voice low just in case he was. "Caaaavendish…?" He paused a moment before saying. “Whoa...You are out..”
Dakota wasn’t sure what to do at this point. Light snores were telling him that he would not be moving anytime soon. He was strangely okay with that. He grabbed the chip bag with the tips of his fingers and tossed it onto the floor as carefully as possible. At that point, he felt Cavendish shift and was certain he was about to wake from his brief nap, but no. He was actually snuggling closer. Snuggling. Now, that was new. He watched as Cavendish stretched his arms and wrapped them around his middle, nuzzling his soft side as if it were a comfy pillow.
Dakota’s gaze turned soft and he placed a hand atop Cavendish’s hair to give a couple pats. His fingers trailed down to tug at his glasses, which he knew would be complained about if they got broken. He set them aside. “There we go…” If Cavendish wanted to get comfy, he’d let him. He didn’t mind.
He set his attention back on the television, though it was difficult to pay attention when he was so aware of Cavendish’s presence. Sure, they’d fallen asleep next to one another in the past but it was never like this. “Easy, Dakota…” He whispered to himself. “He probably has no idea I’m even here..” He probably thought he was one of his plushies or something..
A heavenly sigh emitted from his sleeping partner. “Haah...Dakota.”
Or not.
Dakota blinked a few times. He almost asked if he were awake again but decided against it. This wasn’t the first time he’d heard him talk in his sleep. It was, however, the first time he heard one of the words being his name.
Out of curiosity, he answered, “Yes..?” He didn’t know if he could expect an answer, but he didn’t know what else to do. This was a strange situation.
Cavendish didn’t answer. Dakota pretty much expected that, even though he tried to see if he would. He’d thought maybe he was half awake and might tell him they need to go to sleep properly. The alternative was Cavendish was just knocked out and was having a dream about...him?
Dakota made peace with it. This was happening. In any case, he wouldn’t be able to move anytime soon. He'd just wait. He could do that. Then, tomorrow, if he was tired, he could totally blame him as the excuse.
He had to stir eventually…
That plan eventually failed. Dakota fell asleep. How could he not? Cavendish was making him so comfortable...
--
The next morning, Dakota and Cavendish could be found laying on their couch. Their positions had switched. Dakota was stretched against the cushions and Cavendish lay across him, clinging tightly.
When Cavendish awoke, he nearly freaked out and was prepared to start claiming excuses and defenses, but he didn’t need to. Dakota was still asleep.. So, Cavendish let his guard down momentarily. He was still groggy. He blamed that for the reason why he hadn’t yet moved. He stared intently at his face. He looked so gentle and carefree. He gasped when he felt Dakota’s hand come up around him. After checking to see if he had indeed awakened, he relaxed. He hadn’t. He was tired, Cavendish noted. If he had listened to him the first time and they’d gone to sleep at a normal time--
….they wouldn’t be laying here like this.
He wanted to argue that he didn’t like being in this predicament...but why bother? Its not like anyone could see inside his head. He selfishly allowed himself to have this. Had he fallen asleep with Dakota like this? His heart swelled, wondering if he had allowed it. He had dreamt of them being like this before. Ending their days together. Not as they usually did, but like this. Waking up like this. Sleepily lecturing him for not waking up on time, for...wearing his glasses to bed. He touched his face, realizing his own glasses were missing. He hadn’t remembered removing them. A quick look around and he saw them on the side table. Had Dakota…? He blushed lightly. Dakota usually removed his before bed. That must have meant that he had fallen asleep first and Dakota followed accidentally… He felt a little guilty, forcing Dakota to sleep in such an uncomfortable position. Though, he didn't appear too uncomfortable now. He was soft and warm, like a comfy pillow, and his arms were strong. Even if he wanted to go, his hold was too firm. Cavendish didn't mind. He should have...but he didn't. His body relaxed and he let this happen. He closed his eyes and a subtle smile formed on his lips. He opened his eyes briefly and moved only to remove his partner's glasses before returning to the previous position, holding them close to his heart as he snuggled Dakota.
Heaven..
BEEP BEep beEep BEEP..
Of all the bloody things, his alarm on his phone started going off. He cursed under his breath. He wasn't wearing his jacket. It was draped over the couch out of his reach. He'd need to disrupt their position to get to it. No. No. No. He couldn't have this be over already. He had to get to it before it woke Dakota! He stretched as much as possible to get to it but stopped mid hover when he was met with the two eyes of his partner. He froze. This looked very awkward, especially with the annoying alarm going off in the background. It echoed his heart. Yes. He was sure its beat sounded exactly like that.
Dakota was the one that reached into the green jacket's pocket and pulled out his phone to silence it. Cavendish squeaked. He was ready to defend himself again but he didn’t get the chance. “Five more minutes, huh?” Dakota rasped, dropping the phone.
Cavendish’s eyes widened in that instant. Dakota was aware?! He was aware and he was ….okay with this? Wait. Wait. What was he thinking? His alarm had gone off! He should be making them get up. They had work! He should shake him awake and--
And..
My, what a sight it was, looking at Dakota from this angle.. He’d seen him sleeping before, and on normal occasions, he’d lecture him for it but right now, he found it undeniably endearing. He would never be caught dead telling him, of course.. He could imagine how that would turn out. Him announcing how he occasionally delighted in seeing those messy curls. How he had thoughts about running his fingers through them.
Oh, Great Eleanors Cross, where did that come from? He must be tired still if he was having those thoughts. All the more reason to wake up, but...well, as his partner had sleepily pleaded, five more minutes couldn’t hurt. Cavendish, against his better judgment, nuzzled back into Dakota’s warmth.
Oh, he would never live this down but, by Jove, at this moment he couldn’t care less.