judgementor | [Jikan IC Inbox][un: redwine]

Hmm.

[Hard to tell exactly what that thoughtful sound was directed at, but he follows along with Dohalim and appears to have no trouble at all with the low light.

And he does spot the plants.]

In that case, I'll join you for the tea.

Wonderful.

[the house is easy enough to navigate, and despite the plants, the decoration is oddly minimalistic (and betrays the notion of other people living in the house). Dohalim never really did like the gaudiness of Autelina Palace; it just served as a reminder of the class disparity between the Renans and Dahnans. at least here, he could live a little more humbly... though, he does miss the odd antique here and there.

Dohalim gestures to the table set in the middle of the kitchen; just as simple, but still more than sufficient for what they need]

Please, sit. I'll bring the tea over.

[While they're walking through the house he gently snags Dohalim's hand with his, loosely lacing their fingers together. While not always physically demonstrative outside of sexual intimacy, they had had quite the intense conversation before he invited himself over here.

He lets go when he's offered a seat, and slides into it while stifling a small yawn against the back of his hand.]

Mm... Thank you.

[and really, Dohalim does appreciate the small act of affection; as Red Wine takes his hand, he does give it a small squeeze. it's not enough to melt all of the tension away so he could finally sleep, but... he's thankful the man is there with him.

but as he takes his seat, Dohalim does notice that stifled yawn, and sighs, shaking his head]

...I should not have asked you to come. You're tired.

We've talked about me being perfectly capable of making my own decisions.

[Red Wine pulls the ribbon out of his hair, shaking it free and pushing both hands through it. He finds a knot, works it loose and then sets to tying it back again.

His dark eyes flick up in Dohalim's direction and he lifts both eyebrows slightly.]

Do you think you can coerce me into doing anything I don't want to do?

I am not trying to coerce you into doing anything.

[pulling out two cups from a cupboard, he places them down on a tray with the teapot. tea leaf strainer, and a small jar of sugar and two spoons, before carefully picking it up and walking over to Red Wine]

But you can't deny that you're tired and should be in bed.

[lowering the tray onto the table, Dohalim places a cup in front of the other man, before placing the tea strainer over the lip. as he pours the tea, there's a floral aroma emitting from it, almost sweet enough that sugar might not even be necessary. he makes quick, but delicate work of it, before picking the strainer off the cup and placing it over his own; he sits down after his own cup is filled]

Just because I cannot sleep, it doesn't mean I should be keeping you up, as well.

It's fine, Do. I won't suffer for getting a few hours less sleep than normal.

[He leans back in his seat and watches Dohalim put the tea out with a clear appreciation for the specific artistry of it. The tea smells good, too, even to someone like himself who was so sensitive to strong aromas.

As he picks up the cup and brings it to his lips, he closes his eyes and softly inhales the scent.]

Besides, I'm always groggy for a while when I wake up.

[He's never been a morning person.]

If you are sure.

[Dohalim gently brushes his fingers along the now warm ceramic, his other hand reaching out to gently place over Red Wine's arm. his touch his reluctant, but... he just wants some of that contact, right now]

...I do appreciate you coming over.

[Red Wine huffs out a soft breath through his nose and lowers his cup, smiling faintly. He slides his arm out from under Dohalim's hand and laces their fingers together instead, looking idly around the kitchen space.]

I know you are. [He squeezes the man's hand.]

Is there anything you still want to talk about?

[he offers another squeeze of his hand, before smiling bitterly. his other hand pulls away from his cup, coming up to press his fingers against his temple to massage it]

Aside from wanting to scoop out my brain and punting it into the darkness so I can maybe get some sleep, finally?

[He stares for a moment and then lets out an abrupt snort of laughter at Dohalim's choice of words. Red Wine hides his mouth behind his cup but it doesn't hide the smile on his face.]

When we're done here, we're going to bed and you're going to sleep.

[Nothing else. Not that he doesn't know how to exhaust the man... but it looks like he's exhausted enough already.]

Rather ambitious of you to think you can put me right to sleep.

[Dohalim lets out a soft sigh, before dropping his hand to his cup again and finally moving to take a sip from it. the flavours were delicate and subtle, but it served to warm and relax him just a little]

I've tried mostly everything, just short of a nightcap.

But not company.

[Just company. Sometimes a racing mind might be brought to peace simply by the presence of someone else or the sound of their heart beating.

That's something else that Red Wine has ample experience with.]

At least let me try, hm? What harm can it do.

Mm, since you're here already, I suppose it's worth the shot.

[he can feel his eyes start to ache from being awake for longer than he should be, but he'll ignore it, for now, as he takes another sip of his tea]

I'm not asking for much, either. Just... A few hours.

[maybe it's the exhaustion, but there's a hint of desperation in his voice now, but it's just as subtle as their tea]

I wouldn't mind a few more hours either.

[There's a wry smile with that, given Dohalim's already repeated insistence that Red Wine should not have come and should have just gone back to sleep.

He takes another sip of his tea.]

But hopefully we can do a little better for you.

[Dohalim shakes his head, forefinger tapping at the rip of his cup]

If I ask for too much, it may not come. A few hours. Then we'll see how I fare in the morning.

[Better to ask for nothing at all, then, and see how things go. Red Wine does find his chest aching a little for the man - despite his own long life and the things he's seen he rarely has difficulty getting a full night of sleep.]

Then we'll see. Just let me know when you're ready.

[In the meantime he's going to enjoy this tea. It's really... quite good. He'll have to ask Dohalim for the blend before he leaves.]

[with a hum, Dohalim pays most of his attention back to his tea, mostly to stop his mind from wandering and racing. oh, what a headache this is becoming, and now he's dragged someone else into his mess, as well.

he sits in silence, fingers entwined with Red Wine's, only letting go briefly to refill his cup. the warmth from the liquid isn't quite lulling him to sleep, but it has calmed himself down some. but, perhaps, that my be because of present company, as well.

as he drains his cup, he glances at Red Wine]

I think... I'm ready to try for sleep again.

[Red Wine stays quiet in the meantime, slowly finishing his tea even while Dohalim has a second cup. Every now and then one of his long ears will twitch as if hearing a distant sound, but he never makes comment on it.

His cup is empty and he has his chin resting on his free hand, eyes shut, when Dohalim finally speaks up.]

Ah. [He was not asleep. The man blinks a few times and rubs his hand around the back of his neck, then moves to stand.]

After you, then. You can show me around the house in the morning.

[don't think for a second that Dohalim didn't catch you snoozing, Red Wine. he lets out another sigh as he follows suit, standing with the other man. he'll take care of their cups and the teapot when he's up again]

This way, then.

[not once does he let go of Red Wine's hand; in fact, he holds onto it just a little tighter as he leads the man through the dark hallways. still easy to navigate, but he'd hate to have Red Wine walk into something accidentally. but they soon get into Dohalim's room.

as much as he didn't mind the futon he'd been sleeping on previously, he'd missed a proper bed, which was exactly one of the things he'd specifically asked for in each of the bedrooms in the house (is back and neck were thankful the first night of sleep). he nudges Red Wine towards it, covers already drawn back]

Go on, climb in.

[Dohalim isn't the only one missing a proper bed, and Red Wine really should look into getting himself somewhere to live that isn't refugee accomodations. Sure, he's used to living in small spaces and moving around as and when he has to but he's definitely not used to doing what - at least to him - amounts to sleeping on the floor.

Something to look into.

He definitely looks more than pleased when he sees the bed.]

Gladly.

[He takes a step, then stops and begins to unbutton his shirt.]

I think you've seen enough of me enough times to not mind if I undress first?

By all means.

[he gestures for the man to do what he needs to get more comfortable; it would be hypocritical now if he reacted to Red Wine like a blushing bride about to consummate her marriage. he, himself, had long been used to sleeping with some sort of sleepwear that he doesn't undress himself, but he'll offer to hang whatever clothing Red Wine gives him, so it doesn't get wrinkled]

I would hate for you to lose anymore sleep because of me.

[He's quick enough to take his shirt, trousers, shoes and socks off but leaves his underclothes on, and once everything is neatly hung up he perches on the edge of the bed and shoots Dohalim an almost cheeky little smile.

When they had first met he had never imagined having this sort of relationship with the man. As a rule he tended to steer clear of emotional connections with humans. It's good, though, he thinks.]

Come on, then. In you get.

[the near domesticity of their connection right now is a small comfort, one that Dohalim didn't realise he'd appreciate as much as he does. mirroring Red Wine's smile, he nudges the man onto the bed more before climbing in]

I will, if you give me more room.

Had to be sure you weren't about to run off on me.

[Said teasingly, but he wouldn't have put it past him to disappear to the kitchen to tidy up or to find somewhere to sit down and read. Red Wine can be stubborn, but he's quite sure Dohalim has him equally matched in that regard.

He scoots himself back until there's room enough for Dohalim to join him, and is immediate in tucking the man in against his side once they're both lying down. His fingers dig gently into Dohalim's hair and he rubs light circles against his scalp.]

Just close your eyes and relax.

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