gooseberryhigh | (no subject)

I didn't do anything, but Iliya bites back on his first response. Even he's aware of the irony. "I do not know why you think yourself so weak. You are clever and brave. You have been working hard. If it had been any of us instead... you would not have given up."

"Unless I saw blood or had to climb a tall ladder, then I'd just faint," he says, then shakes his head. What had sounded like a self depreciating joke in his head had come out too heavy in the dark. He hadn't meant to argue.

"I'm just... scared. I hope nothing happens. But even if it doesn't." He stops to yawn, rubbing his eyes with his fist. "I just don't want to lose you. Any of you."

"You won't," Iliya whispers. This late at night, his accent is soft, more boy from Sheffield than a Krum. "We are so close to graduation. If something was going to happen, it would have happened by now, yes?"

It's such a weak assurance. He's quiet for a moment. "Are you tired? You should sleep."

"Yeah," he agrees, but he doesn't believe it. He doesn't point out that what happened last year was at the very end, right before they were supposed to go home. They both know, anyway.

"I am, but I'm not sure if I can sleep anyway. You should, though. Don't let me keep you up, okay? You'll sleep through Transfig."

Iliya frowns. He could fall asleep now, but he doesn't like the idea of Cameron lying awake all night. "...Move over."

He disappears from the mirror. His intentions become clearer, as there's the faint sound of Iliya moving down his ladder, as quietly as he can manage.

"Iliya, what are you- Hey, don't," Cameron starts, but his boyfriend's face had already disappeared from the mirror, so he puts his own away. As Iliya climbs his ladder, he pressed himself backwards, as close to the far wall as he can. "You don't have to come sleep with me, I'm not a kid," he says, trying to look stern, but it doesn't come naturally to his features. His frown dissolves into a fond smile and he shakes his head, pulling back the covers so he can climb in. "Now we'll both sleep through Transfig."

Edited 2018-05-06 16:17 (UTC)

Iliya's eyes flick down Cameron's body, and he says, "I am very aware you are not a kid," which is as much innuendo as he's going to get into. He prays none of their roommates are awake, and settles in beside Cameron.

"So we will drink coffee." Iliya hates the taste of coffee, but he'll try it if it'll stop him from losing points. He leans in, dropping a kiss on both of Cameron's eyelids. "A magic charm, yes? Try to sleep."

Cameron laughs, turning his face into the pillow to stifle the sound. He nearly makes a similar comment in return, but thinks better of it, and just winks instead.

For a moment, Cameron plans to leave as much space between them as he can and not crowd Iliya, but it's simply not possible. The beds are too small and they are too big to comfortably lay side by side without touching. Instead, he gives up on the notion entirely, wrapping an arm around his middle and snuggling in close.

"Lotta coffee," he agrees through another yawn. He closes his eyes and smiles when Iliya kisses his eyelids. "Okay. You too, alright?" He kisses him on the cheek, eyes still closed, and says. "Thank you, Iliya. Goodnight."

Iliya grins when he's kissed, and slides an arm under Cameron so he can pull him in even closer. (If his arm goes numb, it will still be worth it.) "Nyama da pozvolya nishto da vi otvede," Iliya whispers. He exhales, trying to release all of his worry and tension, and closes his eyes. "Goodnight, Cameron."