[ As with every other decision, Mace picking the floor to sleep is an ultimately strategic move; it'll mean he can get up faster and not sleep for as long, won't fall into the coma-like slumber that a comfortable mattress would have him enter.
He's about to summarize this best as he can when Ian speaks up, explain that it's not on him to worry about this. But then he continues in that utterly exhausted voice, summoning a joke out of god knows where through all the residual pain he must be feeling, and ...
Third date. ]
Think we qualify for a common-law partnership after all this.
[ Faintly, only a little wry as he gets back on his feet, turning off the lamp and heading to the other side of the bed next to Ian. He takes off the shoes he'd been intending to sleep in and then crawls into bed, the tactician in him protesting at the softness underneath him, the rest of him welcoming it as he stretches out, supine and with his arms and legs close to him.
He'd intended to stay conscious at least until he could know for sure that Ian was asleep, but he's got no chance of that now. Well, at least he's used to sleeping in a small enclosure without much movement, so there won't be any chance of him accidentally knocking into him into the night.
Right before exhaustion finally drags him into his usual dreamless sleep, he murmurs his answer to the question Ian had asked. ]
no subject
He's about to summarize this best as he can when Ian speaks up, explain that it's not on him to worry about this. But then he continues in that utterly exhausted voice, summoning a joke out of god knows where through all the residual pain he must be feeling, and ...
Third date. ]
Think we qualify for a common-law partnership after all this.
[ Faintly, only a little wry as he gets back on his feet, turning off the lamp and heading to the other side of the bed next to Ian. He takes off the shoes he'd been intending to sleep in and then crawls into bed, the tactician in him protesting at the softness underneath him, the rest of him welcoming it as he stretches out, supine and with his arms and legs close to him.
He'd intended to stay conscious at least until he could know for sure that Ian was asleep, but he's got no chance of that now. Well, at least he's used to sleeping in a small enclosure without much movement, so there won't be any chance of him accidentally knocking into him into the night.
Right before exhaustion finally drags him into his usual dreamless sleep, he murmurs his answer to the question Ian had asked. ]
Her name was Cassie.