I have idea…

lemme go get a cookie first

Okay cookie acquired lock in time 

Polites wasn’t quite sure what happened. He was only walking through the ship, trying to find a roll of linen he’d misplaced, when a hand had snagged his arm. 

“Polites- could you do me a favor?” Elpenor asked, emerging from a small storage room. 

“Sure, what it is?” Polites turned towards the shorter man. 

“Watch Perimedes for me, for a moment? Make sure no one disturbs him?” Elpenor asked, slipping out and gesturing inside the room. “I gotta go piss- thanks, man!”

Polites watched him rush off, before stepping inside the little room. Perimedes was slumped awkwardly against the wall, snoring quietly. 

That can’t be comfortable. Polites knelt down and readjusted his fellow crewmate, so he lay flat- but there still was nothing soft to be used as a pillow. Polites hesitated, then slid his legs underneath Perimedes’ head. The other didn’t even stir. That ought to work…

Perimedes’ head lolled sideways on over his thighs. His eyebags seemed deep and dark, as if they were pressed into his skin. 

I suppose that’s why Elpenor asked me to keep an eye on him, Polites thought, brushing one of the dreadlocks away from tickling across his thigh. Perhaps I can recommend some teas when he wakes up. 

When Elpenor returned, he didn’t seem to put off of Polites holding Perimedes’ head in his lap. Instead, he closed the door, and absorbed the scene before muttering, “that looks comfy.”

“Does it?” Polites chuckled and waved him over. “You can join, if you’d like.”

Elpenor beamed and wasted no time to flop down beside him, curling up half on Polites’ lap and Perimedes’ chest. Polites patted his back warmly.