Insomnia
Prompt: #292, Insomnia
Summary: Ian returns home from an assignment.
Ian was tired and wrung out, after a week and a half spent on the trail of Barry Thewson, general lowlife, and all he wanted to do was curl up with his lover and go to sleep.
In fact, that was about all that had gotten him back to the Eppes house, rather than waiting another night in a hotel and returning the next day. Of course, when he got there, letting himself in and slinking past Alan's room silently, Charlie wasn't in bed.
Ian leaned against the doorframe for a moment, then turned around and went back downstairs, hoping Charlie had only gone as far as his garage workroom.
Ian entered quietly, but purely out of habit, as he had expected Charlie would be awake and working furiously.
It actually took him a moment to locate Charlie, curled up on the uncomfortable - Ian knew from painful experience, and he was accustomed to waiting on dirt and concrete - wooden chair, eyes mostly shut, scribbling something on a loose sheet of paper.
At least, Ian thought that was probably what he was attempting to do, but he was hitting the surface of the desk as well, likely because Charlie could not see his hand, or his worksurface, anymore.
"Babe." Ian called softly, trying not to startle Charlie too much.
It worked - to some extent. Charlie only shot upright, dashing three pencils and a slide rule across the room, he didn't yell.
"Ian! You're back." Charlie sighed, slumping back down. When Ian reached him, he was nearly asleep again.
Ian shook his head, bending to wake Charlie. He stirred grudgingly, climbing up with Ian's aid.
"Can't sleep properly without you anymore." Charlie mumbled petulantly, slightly more awake, as they settled into bed. Ian swallowed, kissing Charlie softly before admitting his own difficulties.
~Fin~
This is actually the first one I posted, but I thought it would be neat to start with the first prompt - which was the one I wrote first, so. . .