"Can I sleep with you?" He'd be a liar if he were to say he never dreamt of those words passing her lips and directed towards him. She can barely look at him, afraid to admit her feelings and weight of the world is crushing her. Abby Griffin doesn't show fear, Abby Griffin doesn't ask for help, she pushes through until it nearly kills her. Marcus knew by that question was a white flag surrender to the universe she was tired of being strong.
"That's fine. Come on Indra set me up with a room at the end of the corridor." After everything he had done to her during those horrific days while chipped Indra had forgiven him. Not a forgiven because as she told him there was nothing to forgive because she knew it wasn't him. Leaving for Arkadia won't be viable option for a few days. There was too much to clean up and deal with here. Luckily those in Polis were willing to open up spaces for them to stay and sleep. Which left Marcus and all of them incredibly grateful.
"Thank you." He only nods as they walk in unison to his temporary room he pulls the door open and allows her to enter first. He turns to shut it and to latch the lock. He felt safe here, still he locked any door out of habit.
"Abby do yo…" He finds the words have vanished from his vocal chords upon turning back to face the room and her to discover her standing there without her top on and pulling at her pants. She finished undressing and looks around the room; her brow furrowed, biting her lip an Abby Griffin sign that something was amiss.
"Marcus I need to go back to my quarters." She mutters and begins to retrieve the shirt that had just been removed. He walks over and places his hand on hers stopping the movement.
"What is it? I'll get it."
"I need something to sleep in." He almost laughs. His smile seems to relax her.
"Pretty sure I can find something in here for you.' He pats her hand before stepping away and begins to pull open drawers and sifting through them. Marcus knew this was someone's room, these clothes and belongings were the possessions of another. Some of the Polis resistances were doubling and even tripling up on rooms to give those from Arkadia space. Some from Polis had luckily been out of the city and had no idea strangers were making their beds their own. What the case was for here Marcus did know. But he could tell whoever it was they were of a good size. He pulls out a shirt and holds it up. 'Will this do?" Abby nods and reaches out to take it.
"Thank you."
"Do you want to shower?" He at last asks to question that had failed him. She shakes her head.
"I should. But I'm so tired. I…" It's at moment he can really see that weigh of the world reflected in her eyes. He's amazed she's still standing.
"That's fine. I'm tired too. Come on." He gestures towards the bed and she walks towards it and climbs underneath the covers. He stands where he is watching in near amazement after only seconds her struggle not to fall asleep. A hard sleep.
"Marcus?"
"Yes Abby?"
"Are you coming?"
"No. I thought I'd sleep on the couch."
"Oh." Two letters and it broke his heart and he felt like a fool. Can I sleep with you? Wasn't asking to sleep in same room only. Can I sleep with you? Was asking for comfort. Her needing to be close to another. And she picked him. Needed him.
"Actually it doesn't look very comfortable." He tries to play off his error as he begins to undress until he's only left in his underwear. He decides not put on any other covering like she had. He walks first to the only light source a lantern on the desk and turns it down until it's off and walks over to the bed. She gives him a tiny smile.
"Thank you Marcus."
"You're welcome. Sleep well." He lays down next to her and immediately she flips so her back his against his bare chest, his arm on near instincts wrap over her hip onto her thigh. Her breathing quickly becomes deep. He closes his eyes as well.