"John…" Lin said softly as he returned to find John whimpering and panting with the covers twisted around his legs. He was still dreaming, turning his head and twitching against the mattress. His heart was racing like he'd run a marathon as he took in small gasps of air. Lin climbed onto the bed slowly, ebony locks dripping from his recent shower. "Wake up, you're dreaming," he soothed, catching John against his chest as he shot upright, a tight cry strangled in his throat. He was trembling. Terrified. Lin held him tighter, rubbing circles on his pale skin.
"L-Lin?" John murmured eventually, the terror fading from his blue eyes as he gradually settled into the strong embrace. He shifted closer, desperate for comfort. He didn't notice that he was still naked, or that Lin's body was warm and damp from the shower. He just wanted, needed, the close contact. Lin hushed him quietly, wondering what he'd been dreaming about. He calculated his chances of successfully getting John to tell him, but concluded it was unlikely. Maybe later…he thought as he stretched out and pulled John down to lie with him. "What are you…" John trailed off as Lin eased his head against his chest, pressing his ear against his power core.
"Shh…just listen," Lin soothed in a gentle tone, feeling John slowly relax as he listened to the measured thud of his thirium pump. It was like a human heartbeat, but he could hear something else. The gentle hum of Lin's power core as it whirred in the background. It was so soft, like a vibration. Lin's chest was firm but giving beneath him, and his synthetic skin was warm from the shower. He felt Lin pressing gentle kisses into his hair as he held him close in a warm embrace. It made him feel safe and secure, but he didn't want to go to sleep. He didn't want to see it again. "Do you want to talk about it?" Lin offered despite his better judgement.
John shuddered as remembered the sound of rushing feet, the loud thuds of rubber boots on wood. The uniformed officers had come bursting in and dragging Donald's cold body away from him. He'd screamed and cried, grabbing the inactive android tightly until he'd been torn away. He'd seen his sister's small body, red splattered across the wooden floor from a dark chasm in the back of her head. Her doll's face had smashed, the bloodied dress still clutched in her curled fingers. He'd screamed and clutched Donald's deactivated body, refusing to move until his father was there, lifting him up with gentle assurances. Assurances John hadn't believed. Lin's grip tightened.
"No…" John replied in a small voice, almost curling himself up into a ball despite Lin's gentle hold. He was greedy as he tried to press closer, and Lin didn't deny him. He also didn't press him. John appreciated that more than anything. It was enough to for Lin to know that he was scared and in need of comfort. If John wanted to tell him, then he would. John tried to focus on the gentle thuds and measured hum in Lin's chest. It almost reminded him of Donald. He wouldn't always sleep with him, but he still remembered when he'd been very small and woken from nightmares. Donald had always been at his bedside to offer him comfort.
His nightmares had been so silly and simple once. Giant robots chasing him through crumbling streets. Tornados appearing out of nowhere to lift their large house and spin it in endless circles as it disintegrated around him. Falling from the top of a high cliff, seeing the icy water and rocks rushing up to meet him as he fell. His father not making it home for his birthday for the fourth year in a row, despite promising that he would. Not all nightmares were fantastical. Some of them even came true. John sniffled a little as he shuffled closer to Lin. He'd take a hundred missed birthdays if it would bring back what he'd lost that day.
Lin hushed and soothed him, ignoring the small wet patch appearing on his chest as John's tears trickled out silently. He tried to hold it back. He felt vulnerable crying in front of someone else. His body shook as he held his breath to keep it down. Lin was patient and comforting. The warm hand on his back never stopped. The arms that embraced him never loosened their hold. Gentle whispers and assurances fell constantly from his lips.
"I'm here." The thought was somewhat comforting as John felt sleep claiming him once more. Lin remained attentive all night, monitoring John's vitals. They were gentle. Soft and measured. Like static. He wasn't stressed or scared anymore. Whatever he'd dreamed of before didn't bother him again. Lin closed his eyes and focused on everything. John's warmth washing through him. The beating of his heart soon matching that of his thirium pump. Lin matched their breathing, enjoying the sensation of their chests rising and falling in tandem. He breathed in John's scent, nuzzling his soft hair.
Beyond the bedroom, he was aware of the shop, too. There was a gentle hiss that a human wouldn't be able to hear as hot water rushed through the radiators and internal pipes. John didn't like the cold, so the heating was always on. There was a clock out in the living area, an old one that ticked slowly. The shop below was quiet, suggesting that the GT300 had already gone into stasis until morning. The room was dim once Lin had flicked the bedside lamp off. John had left the curtains open, as he often did. Outside, Lin could see the rooftop of the house across the street, lit by the gentle orange glow of the streetlights. This part of town was generally quiet, so few vehicles passed by. Lin recorded three motorbikes, seven small cars and one large truck all night.
Lin breathed in John's light scent again. It was sweet, almost like honey. He'd showered since working, so the lingering scent of thirium and grease had been washed away. Lin sighed lightly as he ran his fingers through John's soft locks, huffing as he stirred for a moment before dropping off once again. One of his hands rose to rest against Lin's pecs, fingers grasping, as if to grip the fabric of a shirt that wasn't there. Lin hadn't even dressed yet. His torso was as bare as John's. He took John's searching hand and held it gently, which seemed to appease the slumbering mechanic. He shuffled and nuzzled closer before going still.
Lin remained vigilant, watching his vitals flutter and hum with sleep. He remained slightly alert for any sounds of danger, but he didn't really expect any. John's was a small business, sitting outside the main city. It was unlikely to become the target of thieves. Even if someone tried to break in, they'd likely be scared off by the GT300 activating. Even the older model androids were slightly stronger and more durable than humans. Lin didn't keep track of his chronometer, but it didn't feel like that long before John was stirring once more.
"Good morning," John greeted shyly as he stared up with bleary blue eyes. Lin returned the soft greeting, his hand still stroking through John's fluffed locks. It was early, and John seemed content to remain a few more minutes more. He hummed as he curled further into Lin's arms, his soft human flesh slightly tacky against Lin's synthetic skin. As an android, Lin didn't produce sweat, so his flesh was always dry and smooth. Lin moved his hand lower, stroking circles on John's spine, enjoying the trail of small bumps beneath the surface.
"How are you feeling?" Lin asked softly as turned on his side, moving their bodies slightly further apart so that he could see John's face better. He looked a little troubled by the question, biting his lip almost nervously, as if he was worried he'd annoyed him somehow. Lin's eyes were warm as he reached up and tugged John's lower lip with his thumb, freeing it from the biting grip of his teeth. He stroked the redden skin, tracing the darkened teeth indents with his mismatched eyes.
"A little better," John admitted as he shuffled a little further down, the duvet raising to his chin. Lin smiled softly as he allowed his fingers to caress John's neck, massaging his skin and the back of his head affectionately. John closed his eyes and leaned into the touch, grateful for Lin's quiet companionship. He didn't press for answers or pry beyond his comfort zone. John felt a flutter in his stomach as Lin asked if he could do anything to make him happier. "T-there might be one thing…" he admitted, blue eyes darting up hesitantly as he tilted his chin up in a silent request.
Lin didn't respond with words. He huffed softly as his touch became firmer, fingers softly gripping John's neck as he pulled him closer. John leaned in willingly, savouring the press of Lin's lips against his own. It remained chaste, just simple presses and light touches. John took a breath as he reached for Lin in return, a hand easing him closer with a grip on his shoulder. Lin obeyed the tug, his hand moving away from John's neck to plant itself in the covers as he leaned over his smaller body. The press of lips because firmer, John's mouth opening in invitation as a small sound of contentment slipped out.
Since Lin had shifted, John was now mostly on his back, allowing him to reach up to embrace Lin with both arms and pull him down. Lin moved lower as his hold tightened, tongue lazily stroking along John's teeth and caressing his lips. He didn't allow things to get too heated, well aware of John's physical fatigue and the busy day ahead, but he was content to keep the gentle pace for a while. He hummed as John stroked through his thick hair, drawing back with a few gentle kisses and returning to their earlier position. John was content in his arms, both of them sharing the peace of the morning and the lazy atmosphere they'd developed.
