Hardison wakes up slowly, stretching out his pleasantly achy muscles. The sun is shining brightly around him, and he keeps his eyes shut against the harsh light. The bed is cozy and inside the blankets are warm. He sees absolutely no reason why he ever needs to move again, never mind open his eyes. Instead, he pulls the covers back up his chest to rest under his chin and snuggles deeper into his pillow.
There's music playing from somewhere outside, an indistinguishable song with far too much bass, but he doesn't mind it. It's strangely soothing, almost feels like the thumping of the bass is beating in time to his heart.
The alarm goes off and he wastes no time smacking the offending device onto the ground where it beeps once more in indignation before going blessedly silent. A moment later, his phone starts ringing, he recognizes the old Eagle's song as Nate's ringtone, but he resolutely ignores it. The voicemail alert beeps cheerfully a few moments later, but he pays it no mind.
The truth is, Hardison is a little bit afraid to open his eyes. If he does, he may just have to admit that last night was only a dream. A wonderful, amazing, perfect dream. He's not sure he could handle that truth. As long as his eyes are closed, the world doesn't exist yet, and last night was real.
His phone goes off, this time a Taylor Swift song that Eliot threatened to kick his ass over unless he changed it. Hardison had merely ignored him, long past actually fearing Eliot's wrath over inconsequential things. Again, he ignores the sound, smiling to himself when the hitter doesn't leave a voicemail.
He's not surprised when "Madame Butterfly" starts up, and he even hums along a bit before Sophie gives up and the noise stops again.
That only leaves Parker, and he waits eagerly for "The Pink Panther" theme to start. But it doesn't come. He frowns, thinking that maybe this whole 'staying in bed and avoiding the world' thing might not be the best idea after all.
He sighs, but resolutely keeps his eyes closed, and pulls the blanket even tighter around himself. Last night was just a dream, he decides, but as long as his eyes are closed, he can pretend it was real.
The Eagles start playing again, and he groans out loud. He doesn't expect what happens next.
"Hello?" Parker says, talking into Hardison's phone, "Go away, Nate. We're sleeping."
Hardison catches his breath as he hears the girl speaking beside him. Last night wasn't a dream!
"Mm-hmm," he hears her say, "We'll be there soon."
Finally the call ends and Hardison feels Parker shift around, until she's leaning over him, long hair tickling his chest.
"Wake up," she says, and he can hear the smile in her voice.
Still half wary it's all a dream, Hardison opens his eyes at last, looking straight up into hers.
She smiles, a soft and beautiful thing he never tires of seeing.
He decides then and there that his dreams have nothing at all on their reality.
THE END