Disclaimer: Not mine
"You're addicted to your work, you know that?"
"You say addicted, I say dedicated," Trip countered as he kept typing. It wasn't that Trip didn't appreciate Katie looking out for him-- far from it. But the Morphers weren't going to repair themselves. "Don't worry about me," he said around a yawn. "This isn't the first time I've pulled an all night, after all."
Katie rolled her eyes. "It'd be kind of hard doing your first all nighter since you've already pulled them three times this week." She was scowling, but her eyes were soft. "I know this is important, but so's making sure you don't pass out."
"I'll be fine-- really." Trip gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "Xybrians need less sleep than humans--"
"You haven't gotten any sleep! I don't think you've even taken a break to stretch your muscles--"
"I'll be fine," he repeated. Trip hated making Katie worry, but this needed to be done. And he really would be fine. Once his vision cleared. Trip moved his hand to rub his eyes-- and a sharp, stabbing pain went through his shoulder and back. He automatically seized up…
And then Katie was there, rubbing the pain away. "This is what happens when you hunch over a computer for a whole week." How someone could sound that annoyed and that tender at the same time, Trip would never know.
Trip couldn't help but lean into her touch. "I know." He let his eyes close shut as Katie kept rubbing his shoulders. "I-I just… I just want to be useful."
"You are useful." Trip opened his eyes as she leaned over him, grinning warmly. "Which is why you need to take a break-- you won't be able to do anything if you're keeling over in pain."
Trip allowed himself a smile, patting her hand. "Maybe you're right."
"Try definitely."
Before Trip could do anything, Katie grabbed him by the collar and hurled him onto the couch (which was roughly five feet away from his computer). She then plopped down next to him, holding him so tightly that escape was impossible.
Still, Trip tried squirming. "Katie, what are you--"
"You're tired and overworked." Her tone was matter-of-fact as she held him tighter. "And since you're too much of a workaholic to fix that, I'm doing an intervention."
Trip was about to protest… but Katie was warm. And her arms were wrapped around him. And her breathing was nice and even… maybe it would be okay if he…
"… still gotta lot of work to do…"
"Do it in the morning, when you're rested."
"Right… rested…" Then the rest of the world faded away, and all he knew was that Katie was holding him.
