he's tired.

his body aches with him.     still,      the sweet soreness after passion settling into his muscles and weighing on his bones.         benimaru had worn on more than just his patience,   for once,   and though he'd normally pretend to have a bit more pride than this, he's so wonderfully exhausted that he's dozed off,   for just a minute.

though one could hardly fault benimaru for gently brushing aside his hair to expose a little more of the face often half - hidden to him,   it's just enough to make joker wake with a start.         he realizes what's happened and rolls on his back,     scrubbing his face as if trying to wake himself up.    crap,     he thinks.   that  was  close.

benimaru looks wide - eyed,     in a way that makes joker feel just the slightest bit regretful about sitting up and looking for his clothes,       but he knows better than to give in. when he reaches for his shirt, however, the look of offense on benimaru's face is just enough to make him pause.

you're not serious,   benimaru says,      and joker only responds with a blank expression that tells him he is.       ❛   sorry. it ain't you.     i just can't sleep topside.    ❜

he expects the usual banter. he expects a smart remark, or maybe to be hit by a pillow, or maybe even for benimaru to tell him not to come back at all. instead he gets something else entirely: a hand reaching out and grabbing the wrist about slip into the first sleeve, and the yearning, rosy face of the man he's spent the last hour or so under the covers with.

just stay this time, he says, and joker finds himself ill prepared for what he says next: stay for me.

he pauses for a long while, as if in clear distress over the decision. but against his brain, his body moves first. his arms go slack and he discards his shirt again, unpleasantly surprised by the fact that he has a lot more trouble saying no to benimaru than he used to.

he lies back down, turning and facing the other after a moment's silence.

❛     alright, but only a few more minutes. then i really have to go, alright?    ❜