down on the farm...

Carefully, Aaron lets the mattress dip as he sits down on it, then swings his legs over onto the bed, laying on his side as he props his head up with his hand. From here, he can see how Robert's mouth isn't all the way closed, can see the way the early sunlight catches on his stubble, the blondest parts almost looking luminescent.

Aaron wonders if he's not cold. He'd put on a shirt himself last night before falling asleep, but then he remembers how Robert had been tired and a little emotionally raw and hadn't bothered. There had been warnings about how he'd wake up from feeling chilly and mutterings of I've got you don't I pressed into Aaron's neck as Robert was already halfway asleep, Aaron laughing quietly.

Before that, well.

Aaron's eyes glide along the line of Robert's back heavily enough it may as well be a physical caress.

He can't look at the spot in between Robert's shoulder blades, where there's flesh to grab onto and not think of how that's exactly what Aaron had done last night, used it as leverage to haul Robert closer, pressed his palm down as he encouraged him with soft praise and mindless pleased noises.

He can't look at Robert's sides without thinking of his own hands cupping them, encasing his rib cage as he held him close like he could shield the terrified small bird inside fluttering its wings from some part of the outside world and tell it it's safe.

He can't look at his lower back, the place just above where the duvet sits and think of his own hand pressed there, encouraging Robert's hips closer, wanting to feel him everywhere. How Robert had looked at him like he couldn't believe Aaron trusted him with this, again. Now. As if Aaron couldn't feel his heart squeeze in his chest at how Robert offered up so much in that moment that made him vulnerable. The closeness, the exposed parts of himself; knowing that Aaron would grab but not break.

Aaron looks at him, feels that same want pool white heat in his gut while at the same time knowing deep down that nothing will ever beat this; waking up next to Robert. Having him as a permanent fixture in his life instead of a ghost haunting past, present and future.

He carefully leans forward, a hand hovering above Robert's body until his fingertips brush over the nape of his neck, touch light as a feather. Robert doesn't stir as he travels further down.

Aaron follows the line down his spine, stopping at each notch to gently press down, fingerpads gently rolling the muscles around it as he circles the flesh around the bone.

Just before halfway Robert softly huffs, body starting to move as a small noise escapes him. Aaron continues with gentle, intentional touches and it makes Robert relax back into the mattress, his eyes now open as he sleepily blinks at Aaron.

"Hey."

Aaron reaches the last notch, lets his index finger circle over it once and then follows the path back up, leisurely, like every inch of Robert's skin is worth getting reacquainted with.

He thinks it is.

"Hi."

Robert pretends not to preen but he's bad at hiding it, smiling at Aaron as his eyes fall shut again and Aaron can feel the way Robert's body is attuned to his touch now, focusing on it and seeking it out as his back bows to encourage contact.

Aaron huffs a laugh. "There's a brew beside you."

Robert hums. "Mm, in a bit."

Aaron rolls his eyes but the corners of his mouth are turned up as his fingers go down his spine again, this time zigzagging in the spaces between the notches.

It must be slightly ticklish, or the coolness of the room is finally catching up with him because Robert's skin erupts in goosebumps and he shivers bodily.

Aaron snorts. "Told you, should've put a shirt on."

Robert shifts in position, more his hips than anything else and he's got some colour in his cheeks. "Not complaining, trust me."

Aaron feels his breath hitch in his throat as Robert's gaze catches on his own, the sound of that low voice still raspy with sleep wreaking absolute havoc on his inhibitions and any promise he made to Robert and himself.

He swallows thickly.

They're great at this friend thing.