part 2 of all the cuddles and soft family feelings
achilles is wonderful and a good Dad(tm), arno absolutely loves elise even before he falls in love with her, ned should've known from the start that he'd never get rid of the twins, and here we are introduced to my ocs who absolutely love desmond like everyone should
do you know how annoying it is that we know nothing about desmond's time in new york. it offers a lot of creative freedom but come on. also, i wish i had a mandatory nap time with my friends because that sounds amazing.
Achilles thought he had died. It started with the deaths of Abigail and Connor, to the fever, and then with each and every subsequent loss to the Templars. As the years passed, he didn't know if he had died with his wife and child, or if it was a slow death.
But still, his spirit had withered away and his body had yet to catch up. He existed on the Homestead, waiting, his old wounds aching in the cold winters and hot summers. He didn't care.
Some days, he wondered why Haytham Kenway had let him live. Other days he knew it was because this long wait for death was torture in itself. Time passed by, unnoticed save for the changing of the seasons, and Achilles didn't care. He was dead, and now he just waited for his body to follow.
At least until that whelp of a Native boy started pounding on his goddamned door.
Achilles didn't know what prompted to take the kid in, when years of isolation, depression, and sheer stubbornness screamed at him to send him away. There was no need to take in and train a child when Achilles was dead. He wouldn't do that to himself, and enough heart remained that he refused to do that to a child, either.
He didn't count on the kid managing to out stubborn him. And what a kid this was; he was practically half-trained as an Assassin already. He climbed and tracked well, and was drawn to shiny things like the magpies Assassins tended to be- a sign that the child had Eagle Vision, as well.
Achilles waited for the kid to leave, but kept a distant eye on him. This was still his property, and his history, and he refused to let some random child from the woods cause a mess. What he saw, despite it all, damn him, intrigued Achilles.
The kid- Ratonhnhaké:ton, and Achilles could pronounce the name just fine, thank you, but if the kid really wished to be an Assassin, then he'd best start getting used to how people would treat him- saw spirits.
Which, frankly, explained a lot. One, why he would search for the Assassins in the first place. Goddamn Ezio Auditore, who opened the cork bottle and started a whole mess of things with the artifacts from bygone eras. And also, Ratonhnhaké:ton's odd behavior.
Oh, he seemed to control the impulse well, but Achilles did not reach his rank or his age by not being observant. Even a few years out of practice as he was.
The way Ratonhnhaké:ton looked, focused, on things and people not there. The way he tilted his head in a direction towards a sound unheard, much too pronounced for the kid just having better hearing than Achilles. How he made subtle movements, as if responding to something. The kid didn't just see the spirit that directed him to the Homestead, but others as well.
Not that it was any of Achilles business. The spirits seemed helpful regardless. Ratonhnhaké:ton wasn't hampered by it, and that was all that mattered in this case.
Despite it all, despite Achilles stubbornness, despite his refusals, despite his denials, despite the fact that for all intents and purposes, Achilles should be dead- he couldn't help but like the kid. He was honest and curious, and had an observant eye.
Just as Achilles watched him, the kid watched Achilles in turn. Achilles didn't want to know what, exactly, Ratonhnhaké:ton observed in the old Assassin, but he couldn't deny that it was good for the kid.
And, yes, Ratonhnhaké:ton did have Eagle Vision. His second sight, he called it, and brought up something that Achilles had wondered at prior, though never confirmed with the others who also had Eagle Vision. The ability and its uses was the same for everyone that had it, but everyone perceived that use differently.
Achilles himself saw the world as grains of colored… well, grain. The colors were the same: red, blue, golden, white, and grey, but the intensity of a particular emotion or status was portrayed by how dense the granules were around the person.
Helpful, when Achilles wanted to know if people were his enemy based on the color his skin versus hating the Assassin. Much different to Ratonhnhaké:ton, who said that people and things appeared as the color.
If Achilles also started watching as the color started drifting away from the kid to attach itself to figures that technically shouldn't be there, like grain settling on shoulders and in the creases of clothes… well. Still wasn't his business.
Achilles knew that life would be easier in the long run if Ratonhnhaké:ton was given a second name. And, despite the ache in his heart, he gave him the name Connor. The kid took the name with grace, even if he didn't understand the need.
And… as time passed, though the ache still remained, it lessened. Because Connor suited the kid. He wore the name well. If Achilles hadn't watched as he slowly got used to responding to the name, he might have thought that Connor had been his name from the beginning.
There was no replacing his son. That loss and ache still remained even years later. But as Achilles trained Connor, and watched him grow into a man… no one said that he wasn't allowed more than one son.
Even if he seemed dead set on killing Achilles through sheer stress.
Like, say for example, taking all of the children out to wear them out and to give their parents' some free time, and not coming back at the time he said they would.
"And you haven't seen any of them recently?" Achilles asked Prudence, who wrung her hands in worry.
Of course the one day that his knee barely bothered him something like this happened. It's why he never hoped for good days anymore. Achilles can't have nice things without something else coming along and ruining it.
"No," Prudence said, shaking her head. "It's not that I don't trust Connor- oh, I trust him to guard our children with his life. But it's been several hours, Hunter's missed one of his set meal times, and it's- oh, I'm just worried."
Achilles hummed, and stretched how far he could sense with Eagle Vision. He rarely used the ability anymore, had no need of it, but he always made sure to keep the children's presence memorized. Memories of his son told him that that was a good idea all told, as it saved he and Abigail much grief when Connor had just started walking.
"Let's check the barn," Achilles said, turning in that direction.
"But- why would they be there?" Prudence asked, following alongside him.
"Children love animals and would sleep with them if allowed," Achilles said dryly. "And as strong and mature as Connor acts, he is still very much a child himself." Because Connor had the misfortune of hitting all of his growth spurts early, and towered over pretty much everyone.
"I see," Prudence said, brow furrowed. "The other ladies aren't so worried, but Hunter is only a baby right now. He's only starting to be weaned off of milk."
"Your worry is understandable," Achilles assured her, "Make sure to give Connor a piece of your mind when we find them. But trust me when I say that they are unhurt."
"How do you tell?"
"It's a gut feeling," Achilles said. "Connor and I share that ability- yes, we have plain old anxiety that hits us from time to time, but that tends to be different than what we feel in our guts."
Which was a handy explanation of Eagle Vision. He could get into the technical details all he liked, but Eagle Vision was an Assassin's skill. Prudence didn't need to hear it.
Prudence expression smoothed out, and she looked more thoughtful than not. Her brow still furrowed with worry, but she didn't look quite as concerned.
Good. Achilles really couldn't handle a crying woman.
"Oh, the barn door is open," Prudence said, frowning at it. "We already let the animals out this morning, I don't know why it'd be open again."
Achilles hummed. "I do believe I know where our missing children have gone."
He and Prudence entered the barn, pausing lightly to let their sight adjust to the dimness. It wasn't dark with the sun shining through open windows, but the shadows were deep below the hay lofts. Achilles glanced around, Eagle Vision activated, and blinked.
"Oh," he said, watching, before he could call out Connor's name. He stopped using Eagle Vision to see what he was looking at looked like in regular vision.
Prudence followed his line of sight and gasped lightly, bringing her hands to her mouth. "Oh no," she said softly, a smile growing on her face, "That's adorable. Oh, I wished I had a way to paint this right now, I want to remember this forever."
Achilles would never say it out loud, but it absolutely was adorable.
Connor laid in a pile of hay, with a horse blanket over the top to prevent the group of them from sinking into it. Hunter was sleeping on his chest, sucking a thumb, with Connor's hand on his back to hold him in place. The other children all used Connor's broad frame as a pillow, curled up alongside him, with one of them snoring. One child was actually spread out, with his sister resting her legs across his chest.
"Oh dear," Prudence said again, and stepped closer quietly. "I don't want to wake them up. They look so peaceful."
"Did you need them right away?" Achilles asked softly, watching them.
He had known Connor was good with children, but to wrangle this lot into all settling down for a nap… that honestly might be one of the most impressive things Connor had done while on the Homestead.
Achilles had known that Connor was prone to napping when he had the time for it. He didn't shirk any of his duties or chores, but when time permitted, he would spend an hour or two napping kind of anywhere. In a tree, in his room, in a wooden cart, and one very memorable occasion on the rooftop. Achilles honestly should have expected this.
"I'd like to take Hunter to feed him, but I think that can wait until he wakes up on his own," Prudence said. "Do you think we can bring everyone here before they all wake up? I imagine Ellen especially would like to see her daughter sleeping so peacefully."
Well, Connor was stirring lightly, as he felt their focus on him. Still, it was evident that he trusted them with how slow he was to wake, and Achilles swallowed against the bubbling happiness in his chest. With the children sleeping, Connor wouldn't move for a good while yet.
"Well, we can try," Achilles said.
Prudence grinned and left the barn quietly. Achilles kept his attention on the kids. Honestly, just looking at them made him sleepy. He wasn't so old that he needed to sleep in the middle of the day, was he?
0o0o0
Arno bounced lightly in place, doing his best not to cause a ruckus. He had already been teased enough by his friends, no need for the servants to do the same. Not that that ever stopped gossip. He couldn't help it, though. Elise was returning from her schooling for a mid-winter break!
Oh, how he'd missed her. He had fun, roaming the streets and causing non-violent problems for the people of Paris, but it wasn't the same without Elise. She'd often borrowed Arno's clothing when they were younger, as they were the same size then, and led him around. It was exciting, sneaking out.
He didn't think it was the problems they caused together that made her be sent off to a school. It wasn't like they weren't able to afford tutors. Arno was still being tutored in Paris, after all. But Elise had been sent off, and he'd missed her the entire time she was gone.
But! She was returning today! Not for long, unfortunately, but at least he could see her. Letters really weren't the same at all.
"Master Arno, you're being a nuisance! Go take a long walk and calm down," one of the servants, Clara, hissed and pushed him out towards the back entrance.
"But Elise is coming back!" Arno said.
"I know, I'm excited that she is as well! But we've all got jobs to do, and your fidgeting is distracting!" Clara said. "She'll get here when she gets here. And she'll be excited to see you as well! Now go!"
"Fine, fine!" Arno said, pouting, and went to do as Clara bid him to do.
It really wasn't her place to do so, but Clara did what she wanted. Her obstinance served her well in this particular household. Besides, Arno was somewhat of an outsider here himself, and the servants were all used to him being underfoot.
He decided that he'd wait in Elise's room. She wouldn't be bringing much luggage, she was too practical for that, so there wasn't anyone that would be entering her room. It had been cleaned the previous day, too, so it wasn't like a maid would be stumbling in either. And Elise would be carrying her own luggage, for the most part.
Elise's bed it was. It also had the benefit of being just so very comfortable. Arno's own bedroom wasn't bad, by any means, as he'd adjusted everything to suit his tastes. But Elise's room was comfortable in an entirely different way.
Arno face planted into the mattress and sighed heavily, contentedly. He could wait for Elise here. Then they could go out and explore like they did before. Paris was a city that continuously changed, after all, and Elise had been gone for months. She'd like to see what was different than before.
He didn't mean to, but Arno fell asleep. He woke up maybe a few hours later when he felt the bed shift and someone place a hand on his head. He blinked tiredly up and-
"Arno, you fell asleep waiting for me?" Elise asked, smiling amusedly.
"Elise!" Arno exclaimed. He sat up quickly and tackled her to the bed. "You're back!"
Elise laughed and wrapped him in a hug. "I am! Did you miss me?"
"I missed you a lot," Arno said seriously, face pressed into her shoulder. "Paris just isn't the same without you here."
"School is no fun without you there, either," Elise said.
"Yeah, but you have seven other selves to keep you company. I don't have another Elise," Arno said, tightening his arms.
"Still didn't have fun without you," Elise said, pressing her cheek to his. "Now get off me, I need to change out of my traveling clothes."
Arno grumbled but did as she asked. Elise quickly climbed out of bed and started pulling off her heavy traveling dress, revealing the trousers underneath, as well as the thinner and more comfortable shirt.
"Weren't you warm, wearing all those layers?" Arno asked.
"I'm always warm with too many layers," Elise grumbled, rolling her eyes. "But societal norms are what they are. You've no idea how much I wish I was with Desmond. There are still a ridiculous amounts of pressure and expectations placed upon women, but dresses aren't one of them."
"Oh, you sound different," Arno said, blinking at Elise, "You're speaking more formally than you did before."
Elise scrunched her nose, displeased. "Unfortunately. It's not something I'm against, honestly, but it is pressed upon me. I am way too young to be speaking like a grown woman."
"I don't know," Arno mused, "You always did act several times your age regardless."
Elise rolled her eyes, and pulled off her trousers and shirt. It might've been improper, with her just wearing her undergarments and a loose tunic, but they'd grown up together. Any improperness was entirely by personality and not by dress. "Yeah, we've heard that before."
"You ever figure out why?" Arno asked curiously, watching her fold her clothes like she normally did.
Habit, she said, from Jun and Desmond. They were neat to a fault. The others didn't have nearly the amount of clothes that needed actual care. Ezio, of course, was a mess, when he didn't have several different people nagging him into cleanliness.
"Evie thinks it's because we add our experiences as a whole instead of living even a little separately," Elise said, shrugging lightly. "We live our lives as we, individually, but we sort of share everything, even if we don't mean to. And since we all live rather eventful and exciting lives, it adds up."
"So you're basically eighty years old, then," Arno said, "If you're adding everyone together."
"If you want to get really specific, we'd be eighty-eight years old all together," Elise said dryly. "But that's a bit much. And our bodies are still only eleven or twelve, so it's more like we're maybe in our twenties."
"Only maybe?" Arno asked.
Elise shrugged. "Just because the experiences are added together, it doesn't mean that it's a logical addition. Sometimes our lives are very exciting, and we remember that. Sometimes it's just living day to day, and we forget that easily."
"You've just got an old soul," Arno said, remembering what he'd heard some old ladies say. He didn't really understand what that meant, but it sounded like it would fit here.
"Yes," Elise agreed. She looked to him, and studied him. Arno fidgeted just a little. "How much sleep have you been getting, if you fell asleep waiting for me?"
Arno flushed lightly and looked away. "...a full night's sleep every night?" he offered.
Elise snorted and started walking back to the bed. "I figured. Shove over. I'm tired from traveling and need a nap."
Arno brightened, and moved over. He took his shoes off, and threw them off the side of the bed. He took his coat off and handed it to Elise, who hung it off the foot of the bed. He didn't take anything else off, comfortable enough with that.
Elise climbed into bed, and put her face into a pillow. She turned on her side and sighed heavily, and contentedly. She looked off to the side for a moment, speaking with her other selves, and then looked to Arno.
"Come here. We're having a proper nap time," Elise said.
Arno laughed and crawled next to her, wrapping his arms around her waist. It was a warm enough day that they didn't bother going under the blankets. He closed his eyes and strained his second sight, so new to him still. And, if he turned his thoughts sideways, he could almost imagine that there were more bodies pressed against theirs.
"Sleep, dummy," Elise said, and closed her eyes.
"Sleeping," Arno replied.
0o0o0
Ned hummed in thought as he climbed onto the Train that the Assassins claimed as their Hideout. Of course, it wasn't the entire train, as that would be impractical to keep running, but they did claim several train cars as their own. Ned was more familiar with the one they used as an office and for research, but it wasn't the only one they had.
"Oh, Mister Wynert, you're here," Henry Green greeted, blinking surprisedly at him.
He didn't have the twins' rather impressive second sight- and how that had been a revelation regarding their skills, honestly- but… Assassin. For all that Mister Green acted surprised, he had to have been aware of Ned the moment he stepped foot on the train. Or as close to.
"Hello, Mister Green," Ned greeted in turn. "I was actually looking for either of the Frye twins. One of the Rooks actually told me that they'd be here."
Ned had an investment in the Rooks; it might be because Jacob was the one to organize them in the first place, but there was a very refreshing lack of expectations placed on Ned whenever he went in that direction.
Ned had been in the city long enough, and had developed his businesses long enough, that most of the Rooks recognized him as Ned Wynert, and didn't ask questions. But the ones that didn't know took Jacob's introduction at face value in all honesty, and didn't ask further questions either. Considering that some of the Rooks had figures Ned recognized in the mirror… well, Ned didn't ask questions. That information was offered or not at all.
"Ah," Henry said, looking back to another car. He hummed thoughtfully. "Normally, I'd just turn you away. But they trust you, so- they're in their car, right now."
Ned blinked at him in surprise. Huh. What were the twins doing that Henry Green acted as a bouncer of sorts? He definitely wasn't turning down this opportunity for a secret. "So, just head to their car?" he clarified.
Henry nodded. "Yes, it's the one after the next. Just knock first. They'll know it's you."
"Handy, that second sight of theirs," Ned commented.
"Yes, it is," Henry said, looking wistful. "It's an ability that tends to pop up in Assassins only, because of its utility. It's not rare, but it's not common either."
"Interesting," Ned said. It was, too. But that wasn't why he was here. "Thank you for greeting me, Mister Green, but I'm afraid I really must see the twins."
"Word of warning, Mister Wynert," Henry said. Ned looked to him, but relaxed lightly when he saw the amused glint in his eye. "You'd best be prepared for this taking a while, for reasons you're likely not expecting."
"I'll see that for myself, thank you," Ned said, intrigued. He nodded to Mister Green, and walked to the other car.
Ned had never been past the 'office' and looked around. He didn't stay and linger, but he sure made certain to observe as much as he could.
The next car appeared to be storage, and Ned noted amusedly how many spare hats Jacob kept on the rafters. Ned had wondered about that. It looked mostly like non-perishable foods, spare clothing, and weapons maintenance items as well as a load of extra weapons in general.
He walked to the next car, the one that was the twins sleeping and/or personal space. He knocked loudly and sharply, and waited. Assassins. They'd answer or not, and to knock some more when they all knew they heard it would be rude.
He waited for a long moment, before the door to the car opened. Miss Evie Frye stood there, and Ned blinked in shock at the state of her dress. He wasn't one to judge on what one wore, but he had gotten used to a certain sense of poise from Evie.
Instead of her usual thick leather and cloth hood and armor, she wore what looked very much like pajamas. It was a simple set of trousers and a short-sleeved shirt. Her hair was in a loose braid, and Ned saw that it was much longer than her usual braids made it seem, tumbling down even past her hips.
"Ned, you're here!" Evie said, smiling at him.
"Hello, Evie," Ned said in response automatically. "You look rather cozy."
"Ha, yeah," Evie said, and stepped aside to let Ned in. "Is what you want urgent enough that we need to dress?" Evie's voice was throaty with sleep. Ned had known the twins came from the countryside, but now he heard it. He'd been in London long enough that he had gained an ear for the various accents.
"No, it's merely discussion. No need for that," Ned assured.
"That's good," Evie said, and yawned. "Because today is our day off. Emergencies only."
"Assassins have days off?" Ned asked amusedly.
"These ones do," Jacob said, sitting up in bed. He wore a sleeveless shirt, leaving his tattooed arms on display. It was of the same color and style as Evie's. Ned smiled lightly, and debated on mentioning how the twins matched.
Evie didn't go to another bed, as Ned had expected, but dropped next to Jacob and leaned into his shoulder. The way they both looked, with Evie's bangs framing her face, and the half-lidded sleepy look the two gave him… Ned thought the two had never looked so alike. Of course it happened when they were half-asleep like children.
"What'd you need, Ned?" Jacob asked. He peered at Ned. "Nothing important, is it?"
"Well, it's important enough for me to come here, if that's what you mean," Ned said, "But it's not urgent, so feel free to remain as you are."
"Good," Jacob said firmly. "You got free time today?"
"...yes, somewhat, but I do still have my duties," Ned said, "Why?"
"If you're here, you got to take the day off too," Evie said simply. "We were napping, you know. You need a nap too."
"Really?" Ned asked flatly, staring at them.
"Bah, don't act like you're above naps," Jacob said, rolling his eyes. "Come on, it's comfy. We're all human, we need contact."
"Promise, it's good for you," Evie said, smiling amusedly at him. "Nothing as energizing as a good nap with family and friends."
"Do you sleep with Henry?" Ned asked.
"Of course," Jacob said, blinking in surprise as if Ned asked something ridiculous. "Assassins tend to be huggy people in general, you know, with those they trust."
"Jacob also naps with some of his Rooks," Evie said. "Those that care to at least."
Ned sighed, recognizing that stubborn look. "I am a rather busy man, if you recall."
"Pshh," Jacob said, and flailed a hand in Ned's direction. "Yeah, yeah. Still said you had some free time today."
"You don't have to sleep in our bed, but I do insist on you sleeping here," Evie said, and motioned to the other bed in the train car. "Promise, nothing improper."
Ned sighed. "You aren't going to let me leave unless I agree to this, are you?" he asked. Now he knew why Henry Green had looked so amused at him going there.
"Nope," Jacob agreed.
"You can nap, and then we can discuss what you came here for," Evie added.
Ned stared at them. At this point, he knew that he really couldn't escape. For all that they were listing on each other's shoulders, and acted tired, Ned just knew that one or both of them would chase him down to make sure he didn't leave.
He glanced at his watch. "One. Hour. That's all I have," Ned said, narrowing his eyes.
"Of course," Evie agreed, and the twins both smiled smugly.
Assholes.
Even if a nap did sound lovely.
0o0o0
Ami sighed and took her glasses off to rub at her eyes. Oh, but she was tired. It had been a long day of programming their new phones, and an even longer double-checking their network security.
It was nowhere near as powerful as it would be in even five years, but as long as she stayed ahead of the market, they'd be fine. Computer tech was on a steep incline, with civilian tech catching up rapidly to everything off market. The Assassins and Templars might be the ones introducing a lot of the tech, but people weren't stupid. They took what was presented to them and ran with it.
She blinked when she registered a hand holding a bowl of pasta in front of her. It looked like alfredo, which was risky. Ami had a come-and-go lactose intolerance, and right now she was in the mid-swing. Another hand came into her field of vision with lactose pills.
Oh. Never mind, she'd be okay.
"Eat, Ami," Tristan said, and held the bowl and pills in front of Ami until Ami took them from her. "You haven't eaten all day."
"I was busy," Ami said, blinking tiredly up at her. Oh, there was the eye strain. She needed to work on that.
"And you'll be busy tomorrow too, like we always are," Tristan said. She sat down in another chair and grabbed her own bowl. "But it's mandatory nap time with Boss."
"Already?" Ami asked, popping a couple of lactose pills and drinking the room-temperature water on her desk.
"You haven't come up from work all day," Tristan said. "You've been good all week, so Boss decided that you could take today as a full work day."
Ami sighed. "I'm going to have to take tomorrow off, aren't I?"
"Maybe only a little," Tristan said amusedly. "But then again, Ziv and Seda both had busy days too. I think Boss might be planning something."
"For us, or for us to do?" Ami asked. It could go either way. Or maybe both. Desmond tended to move things around so that they had something to do, and the results often helped them out greatly.
"For us, I think," Tristan mused. "He's being very shifty about it, and that only happens when-"
"When he wants to do something nice for us," Ami finished. Desmond didn't have a deceitful bone in his body. He was brilliant at keeping secrets when he needed or wanted to, but he didn't like to lie with those he liked and trusted.
"Anyways, Harper is finally coming back from their trip to Hawaii, so it might be related to that," Tristan said.
"Oh, really?" Ami asked. It had been a quiet two weeks without their resident thief. Ami had enjoyed the peace for about three days before getting incredibly bored and missing one of her best friends.
"Yeah. Boss probably wants to throw a party," Tristan said, grinning in anticipation. "And when Boss throws a party-"
"We get drinks made exclusively for us," Ami said, returning the grin.
"So, that's something to look forward to," Tristan said, "Now, finish your food. It's still mandatory nap time."
"Yeah, yeah," Ami sighed, and ate her alfredo. Maybe not the most difficult dish to make, but it was warm and delicious. That was all that mattered.
Not ten minutes later, after brushing her teeth, Ami climbed into the pile of foam mats that dotted the group bedroom. They had their own rooms, of course, for privacy and storage. But this room was meant for sleeping and napping with other people.
It had been a strange idea at first, but one that they all came to appreciate. Ami didn't know how touch starved she was until she had access to constant physical contact with other people. Now she couldn't imagine life any other way.
"Hey," Desmond said, opening a golden eye to look at them. "Yeah, you're not working as much tomorrow Ami," he said.
"Fine," Ami sighed, and pressed her head between a pillow and Desmond's chest. He put his arm over her, so that his hand rested against her shoulder.
"We can take a half-day, probably," Seda said softly, tiredly, voice slightly muffled from her spot under her afghan. "There's a recipe I want to try out tomorrow."
"Ooh, is it gonna be a Turkish one or one of the recipes Desmond finds?" Ziv asked.
"I was actually going to try blending a Turkish dish and an Italian dish that Nonna gave us the recipe to," Seda replied.
"Sounds good," Desmond said. "Gonna be interesting, at the very least."
Seda made a humming noise of agreement. Ami nestled deeper, feeling nice and cozy with these people around her. Desmond ran a hand through her hair almost automatically, and she leaned into the touch. She reached out and tangled a free hand with- ah, there was rings, so Ziv's hand. She felt Tristan press a leg along her back, and Seda shift to throw her legs across Desmond and Ami's own.
Ami wondered how many of Desmond's other selves were there with them. Sometimes they napped with them, but mostly they didn't. Desmond had said that mandatory nap time was for them mostly. The other seven were always welcome, of course, but they knew better…
With a sigh, Ami closed her eyes and fell asleep. Oh, but mandatory nap time was honestly the best idea ever…
0o0
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