Mannn I can’t draw because of my new job :///

Exhaustion clings to Nigel, the edges of his vision frayed a flickering black as he stares up at the ceiling. Morning light peaks through the curtains as the sun rises, and his eyes leave the ceiling for the first time in hours, glancing over at his sleeping roommate. Alex is breathtakingly beautiful, golden in the morning light as Nigel observes him, sitting up in his bed.

A desire to be known, to be loved, to be wanted is what drags Nigel from his bed. He pads across the floorboards, near silent as he stands next to the bed, watching.

He shifts, slow and sluggish with exhaustion, to kneel on the bed next to him, hovering. He moves down, his hands on the bed between them, reaching for Alex but never quite touching. Nigel lays there in silence, the steady breathing of his roommate lulling him to an uneasy sleep.

Nigel wakes when Alex does, the stiffening of the boy pulling him from his sleep; his eyes blink open slowly, looking up at him. Confusion and disgust are clear in Alex's eyes as they look at each other, his lip curls, a near snarl before Nigel shifts, moving to straddle him, hands on his chest.

Despite the disgust in his eyes, Alex's hands move to Nigel's hips, holding him to the hardening heat of his lap. Nigel looks down at him through heavy eyes, disconnected from sensation, a slight tremor to his hands from exhaustion.

"I-" He licks his chapped lips, mouth dry. "I want you to love me."

"I don't love you, Nigel," There's pity in Alex's voice, masking amusement as the boys face crumbles, distress palpable.

Nigel digs his nails into the shirt covering Alex's chest, resting his weight on his hands. "I don't care," He insists. "I don't. You don't have to just- pretend that you do."

Hehehe - happy pride ??

Extra thoughts about piece below (involving gender and hcs)