At the stroke of midnight, the giant grandfather clock sounds, twelve times the air is pierced with the noise of ringing chimes before finally falling silent.
Leo lays on his back, his eyes wide open and staring at the textured ceiling. The clock wasn't what woke him, in fact he had never fallen asleep. Even when Elliot dozed off beside him, Leo's mind couldn't seem to find peace, let alone relax enough for him to slumber. He had to keep his eyes closed though until his master fell asleep, the blond found it unsettling when his servant refused to close his eyes.
The noirette's eyes travel across the room, picking up small details in the dim light that the crescent moon outside gives off. A cobweb in the corner of the ceiling, the window slightly open, lets in a cool breeze causing the drapes to sway silently.
On nights like these, sometimes Leo would light a candle and make his way quietly to the Nightray library, where he would read until morning came, once or twice Elliot had even found the boy curled up in one of the big chairs with a book in his hands fast asleep. He considers getting out of bed and reading but the noirette is scared Elliot might wake, the blond's body is pressed so close to him Leo can feel his master's heart beat, slow and steady, just like the ticking of the grandfather clock.
He lets his gaze rest on Elliot's sleeping form beside him, Leo takes in his master's face, his eyes trail down the bridge of his nose, over the strong jawline, down the pale neck, the noirette even catches a glimpse of his collarbone where Elliot had failed to do up a button on his nightshirt. The smaller boy watches the rise and fall of the scion's chest, his lips are slightly parted and warm air escapes hitting his servants neck with every breath.
Elliot looks less irritable when he's sleeping Leo thought with a small chuckle.
The noirette reaches out with slender fingers to touch the blond's cowlick, Elliot would have never let him do it if he was awake. The thought makes Leo's mouth curve into a small smile as the light hair tickles his fingertips. His master frowns slightly in his sleep, Leo held his breath, hoping he wouldn't wake, and Elliot doesn't, he stirs slightly, but his eyes stay closed. For a moment the noirette is a little disappointed, he loves the striking blue color of his master's irises, to Leo, that is true beauty, something bright and radiant as that cobalt blue, not the dark color or his own eyes.
The noirette sighs and lets his hand fall back to his side. He turns his head to face the window again, the breeze becomes stronger, the curtains are no longer silent, the fabric rustles disturbing the stillness of the night. Leo's small frame shivers, he and Elliot are both going to catch a cold if the window remains open. The noirette slowly pulls himself into an upright position trying his best not to wake Elliot, as Leo sits up the bed springs squeak loudly.
The scion's eyes open slightly, startled when he no longer feels the warmth of Leo's body beside him.
The noirette begins to get up and make his way towards the open window, when a wiry arm wraps itself around his slender waist and pulls the servant back onto the bed.
"Don't go" Elliot mumbles drowsily.
Leo frowns and tries to sit up again, but the blond pulls the noirette back down. "Elliot it's windy outside and the window is open, you're going to catch a cold if I don't close it"
"No, not if you keep me warm" Elliot says pulling Leo closer and wrapping both arms around his small form.
Leo sighs when his master snuggles closer, but he admits he feels much warmer now. The noirette pulls the blankets around them both to try and block out the cold wind.
"Good night Elliot" The noirette whispers as his eyes begin to close.
"Good night Leo"