does it almost feel like nothing changed at all?

[docwithablog]

[ He's standing in the doorway to the kitchen while Khan, a couple of hours into his stay, is sitting at the table, fixing -- something on the kettle again, what is it with the bloody thing, it worked fine last he used it, didn't it? Licking his lips a bit nervously, he steps into the room fully and walks over to the kitchen counter, leaning back against it, facing the other man. Hands gripping the edge of the counter. Sock-clad feet shifting a bit restlessly from side to side.

It shouldn't be this damn hard, honestly. It's just a -- suggestion, the man can tell him no and they can go fuck in the bedroom as per usual. But John isn't stupid, he knows what the implications are. You don't go from being fuck buddies to buddies, once you decide a friendly outing is in order, no, if you go out, then -- you go out as something else entirely and he has absolutely no idea how well that is going to play out. For either of them.

Nevertheless -- okay, good, here goes. A deep breath. ]

I was thinking I'd take you to the National Army Museum today.

Comments

[insuperiorstrength]

[ A slow eye-brow raise. Well, hard to expect much beyond that, isn't it - if he'd been in John's shoes, he wouldn't have believed it either. He doesn't respond to the liar comment - beneath him, really, having to explain why lying isn't something he'd even need to do - watching as the other man inches closer, more and more, staying out of touch. It's charming, in it's own way. How he never presumes. At his question, Khan shrugs. ]

Until my 24 hours are up.

[ It doesn't particularly matter to him what they'll be doing - whether they'll be eating, fucking, visiting another museum. Regardless, he'll be ready to return once his time runs out, to work out a new plan for his crew, for getting them all out of there. He closes his eyes slowly, breathing in the scent of John, warm and musky and very uniquely him. Then, on an impulse, he reaches out and pulls at his shoulder, urging him to roll over onto his other side. To lie against him, as seems proper somehow, with how they manage to connect more and more with each visit. He's too sated now to think about the consequences. All he knows is that the distance feels terrible.

Right now, things are not supposed to feel that way. ]

[docwithablog]

[ 24 hour window, every bloody time. Although John understands the rules, because he knows the game, it's getting increasingly more -- insufferable to see (and sometimes, not even that, sometimes Khan's just gone in the morning, isn't he) the other man leave without promises or guarantees. When what they've shared has been like this, yes? It gets harder and harder to let go of and honestly, John thinks he's let go of too much already, he's let it all God damn go, his career, his life, his -- He licks his lips and thinks about Sherlock only for a second, then Khan's hand on his shoulder, urging him to roll over onto his other side, grabs his attention instead.

He looks up at the other man in the dark of the room, his skin pale and almost translucent in the moonlight falling in through the window. Despite his height, he's not actually used to being the little spoon in this constellation of spooning people, but he rolls over anyway, a slow movement, not quite as fluid as it could have been, hadn't he just been fucked within an inch of his life. He'll be sore as all hell tomorrow, he can tell. With a harsh exhalation, he gets his back positioned against Khan's strong, strong, strong front, shuffling backwards until they're pressed against each other rather tightly, rather nicely, too.

Then, the tiredness breaks over him, like a wave and he yawns, completely gracelessly, head sinking back against Khan's shoulder comfortably, snugly. He blinks against the shadows around them for a moment, until they slowly blur into a whole lot of -- dark blobs. It occurs to him that if the man really wanted to snuggle, he could probably just have lifted John into position, like he did, right? Earlier. It occurs to him that he was urged, yes, but asked. Another yawn, bigger and louder, and he reaches for Khan's arm, slinging it carelessly over his waist.

He'll appreciate it. Until his 24 hours are up. ]