Oblivious

Part Three.

Yawn exhausted and stretch out over the sofa. Hear more than see Billy and Dom shift around in their armchair. It’s well and truly their’s. No one ever sit in it except the two of them. I always sit on the sofa to read or watch TV. room to stretch. Hear Elijah pad softly back from the kitchen. Glance up and look for him in the dull light. He’s walking slowly, careful. Trying not to trip and spill either of the coffee’s in his hands. Watch as he comes round the end of the sofa, bends down and puts the mugs on the coffee table. Watch as he stretches a little, trying to get kinks out of his back and shoulders.d tid tilted back exposing ag lig line of neck, arms going up and back, making the muscles expand and contract under his shirt. Blue, perfect match for his eyes, but his eyes are closed right now. Realize I’m staring again and force my yes back to the screen. Snort, sigh, a wordless protest. Look back at Elijah who’s looking down at me. Pouting. He’s tired, can see the shadowed bags under his eyes. Lift my hands up and motion him down.
“But…” eyes wide, protesting.
“Just come here.” Gesture at him again impatiently.
He frowns wary and moves closer slowly.
“Turn around.” Gesturing at him again.
More frowning but he’s obedient, doesn’t protest this time, just sinks down when I grab his hips. Pull him back into me. Slide one leg off the sofa and shift him all the way back, arms coming up around him to cradle him against me.
“See, better.” Statement but he seems to think it’s a question.
“Yeah.” Quiet.
Grin at him and wrap my arms round his chest, feel his back warm against mine. It’s been awhile since I held anyone like this, and then it was only girls. But it feels alright with Elijah, he’s small enough.
“See now you relarelax and stretch out.”
His feet barely reach the second caramel coloured cushion.
“Hmm.” Non-committal.
Chuckle at him and slide a hand through his hair, listen to his so soft moans barely louder than sighs. Eventually let my hand fall back down and there’s a little whimper of protest. Cuddle him closer and he doesn’t complain.
Don’t even ize ize I’m twitching my fingers, stroking over his shirt till his hands cover mine, stilling them. Without warning he rolls over, rests his side and half his chest over me. Feel his arm side round my waist, his cheek warm against my stomach. Rest a hand on his head and slide fingers through his hair. Feel his silent sigh breathe over my stomach, through the shirt, his whole body melts against me. Stroke his hair and go back to watching TV.

After awhile Dom and Billy stir and say they’re off. Elijah doesn’t even stir, he’s sound asleep not even bother to face the TV.
“Alright then I’ll see you tomorrow, we still on for lunch?”
“Yeah.” Dom pauses. “You want us to take Lij home?”
Look down and stroke fingers through his hair, softly down his cheek. He still doesn’t stir. Not surprising really. Ten days of long, hard shooting and he’s exhausted. I’m surprised he made it all after how he looked after yesterday’s wrap. Thank god we’ve got three solid days down time. He doesn’t have to act exhausted anymore, he just is.
“Nah, he’s fine here. I’ll take care of him. You know how bad he is when he gets this tired. I’ll bring him to lunch tomorrow.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah.”
Dom’s frowning slightly and I realize I’m still stroking his hair. Seem to be doing it a lot lately.
“We’ll see you tomorrow then.” Billy smiling and yanking on Dom’s arm.
“Okay, good night.”
Soft goodnight’s from both of them they’re gone, leaving me with a very much asleep Elijah.

Sit stroking his hair awhile, just watching him sleep. Till finally all the good TV is finished and I want a bathroom break from Elijah’s weight pressing in all the wrong places. Shouldn’t have drunk all that coffee, but without it I wouldn’t have stayed awake. At least not long enough to eat dinner and have a few beers. Bar was a little empty, being as it is Monday and most people were starting their working week. Not us, no our weekend starts on Monday. Frown. Don’t even notice what day of the week it is when we’re working, just …work. Stare down at Elijah, need to get up.

Carefully shift, try to slide out from underneath him but his arm tightens, brows knitting together. Try to gently pry his arm out from under me. Whimper this time.
“Orli!” grumbling.
Cringe, hate that name, the way American’s drag it out. ys hys hated it in school. Try again to move his arm.
“Orlando?” sleep slurred, suddenly blinking at me.
He looks lost, unsure of where he is and what’s going on.
“Yeah it’s me.” Fingers stroking in his hair again, softly over his cheek.
Soft ‘hmm’ing sigh, eyes fluttering closed.
“Can you let me go?” gentle, tapping fingers on his arm.
Eyes open again, sleep tousled Elijah. He slowly slides his arm out, effectively releasing me. Accept his entire body pins me to the sofa, more weight in the wrong places.
“I need to get up.”
Slow blink, watch recognition dawn and he struggles to sit up.
“Sorry O’lando.” Blinking and absently scratching his arm, watch him yawn.
He’d be useless by himself. He’d never make it to bed, or out of it to eat. He just looks so vulnerable, so helpless and sweet.
“Go get into bed.”
“Your bed?” blinking, frowning, clarity returning to those eyes.
“Yeah my bed, now up, go.”
Standing myself and stretching. He just stares at me, something undefinable in his eyes. Smile down at him.
“Come on Hobbit, it’s not that far, just half a dozen steps that way, no more than a dozen for your little Hobbit feet.”
He grins, suddenly, before I can feel stupid about teasing him. It lights up his whole face. Especially those big blue eyes.
“Come on.” Reach down and help him to his feet.
He leans forward and suddenly too close, rests his head against my chest. Reach out and hold him. Bring him closer till I can feel his warmth down the length of me. Felt cold even in the minute without him there. His arms wrap slowly round my waist, feel him sigh softly, melts nst nst me.
“Oh no you don’t, bed, no sleeping standing up!”
His head turns, tilts up, luminesce eyes suddenly pinning me. The world freezes, time stops then the room swims. His eyes down even blink. Gasp soft and clutch at his shoulder.
“You alright?”
Can’t speak, mouth too dry.
“Orlando are you alright?” frowning, worried.
“Fine…just…” can’t even begin to explain it.
Maybe I’m coming down with something.
“I’m alright.” Blink, take a deep breath. “Just stood up too fast or something.”
It’s the ‘or something’ that’s niggling.
“You sure?” still frowning, still worried.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Go...climb into bed.”
He pauses. Frowns at me then goes. Watch him walk away then turn out all the lights, turn the TV off and head towards the bathroom.

He’s still awake with the lamp on when I climb into bed beside him. Dark and pale blue stripes framing him this time. Makes him look pale, washed out. Watch him yawn, eyelids heavy. Turn out the light and slide down under the covers.
“Good night.” Soft, when I’m comfortable.
“Night.” Quiet in the dark.