Squalo had never found himself as frustrated with a mission as he did right now – but it was all because Fran kept asking for him to either stop the car so he wouldn't start panicking, or the boy acted as if Squalo was about to crash the vehicle despite him doing absolutely nothing wrong.

Squalo tried his best to stay patient with the boy, but there were still times he snapped at Fran, telling him to stop sooking and shut up. The younger male hadn't appreciated it at all, but he didn't comment on it, instead wrapping his arms tight around himself as he drew his knees to his chest, crying into them.

And now, almost eight hours after they should have arrived at the town Squalo's mission was located in, the man was carrying a sleeping Fran into a hotel, the cold night air sending shivers down Fran's spine.

The woman behind the reservation desk smiled as they entered the building, her long, curly brown hair flowing languidly down her back.

"Late night?" The woman asked, smiling at the boy curled up peacefully in Squalo's arms.

Squalo shrugged. "Don't ask. Room for two."

The woman was quick as she signed them in, handing them a key for room thirty-two. She watched as Squalo snatched the key in a disgruntled manner, his eyes heavily lidded with dark bags beneath them; the man must have been exhausted, she thought.

"Come on, shithead…" Squalo muttered to his sleeping companion as he drudged up the stairs and to their room. Fran just tightened the hold his tiny fist had on Squalo's Varia jacket, a soft mumble escaping his lips.

Traversing the staircase had been tiring, and the Strategy Captain was relieved to find his room just a minute after stepping into the corridor.

The long-haired male shifted Fran as he worked to unlock the door and, when he stepped in, he moved the younger just enough to switch the light on.

The room itself wasn't two bad; there was a bathroom to their right, a small TV stand to their left, just a little further into the room. Two beds rested against the far wall next to the blue-curtained window, a bedside table separating them.

Taking Fran to the closest bed, Squalo shook him awake. "Wake up, brat."

Fran moaned and tossed his head as he felt someone sit him down on something soft. "Mmm…"

Squalo knew it wasn't fair to wake the boy at four in the morning after such a long and stressful car trip, but he wanted Fran to get changed into his pyjamas so he was more comfortable sleeping in them instead of his Varia uniform.

Squalo dropped the two bags that were hanging off his arm to the floor, kicking his travel bag away in favour for Fran's backpack.

Fran lay back on the bed, closing his eyes again as he tried to go back to sleep. Squalo just growled and shouted at him, forcing him back into a sitting position.

"N-no!" Fran protested loudly as his jacket was ripped from his frail body, not wanting to do anything other than sleep. "Go away!"

"Voi!" Squalo pulled the black turtleneck Fran had been wearing beneath his uniform over the younger's head, a frog-patterned pair of pyjamas lying next to them. "Keep it up and people will think I'm raping you!"

"You are!" Fran snapped, jerking away from the strong hands that tried to get him into his pyjama top. "You're raping my sleep!"

"That makes no sense!" Squalo roared as he got to his feet, throwing the boy's pyjama top onto the bed. He kicked his own bag over to the spare bed, too exhausted to deal with this. "What-fucking-ever! Sleep in your uncomfortable uniform!"

Fran didn't reply, already beneath the blankets, too tired to put any piece of clothing over his naked torso. He was laying on his side, his back to Squalo, and the older man wasn't sure if he was already asleep again or not.

Squalo muttered angrily to himself as he dressed himself in his own pyjamas, light blue material built for the cold.

Stupid little shit… Squalo snatched his phone from the pocket of his uniform jacket, stomping over to the light-switch. He should be grateful I took the time to care about him…

Bathing the room in darkness, Squalo used the light of his phone to guide him towards his bed.

The mattress wasn't uncomfortable, but the white blankets could have been thicker for such cold weather.

I mean, it's not like I was obligated to dress him so he'd be more comfortable, right…? Squalo didn't know why Fran's resistance bothered him so much; all he knew was that he had tossed and turned for countless minutes, fretting over it. I didn't have to bother scarring my mind by seeing the brat naked, but I did it anyway – even if I only got his shirt off.

It's not like I want to see him naked or anything… Right…? Squalo was feeling very uncomfortable with where his thoughts were heading. So why do I feel annoyed I only got so far?

Voi… I really need to go out and get laid some more…

Squalo tried his hardest to get back to sleep, to stop his thoughts about Fran from plaguing his mind.

The man was almost successful in his attempt, on the brink of sleep, and then –

"Fuck!" Squalo's body jerked uncontrollably, his heart racing as he sat up, searching for danger. At first, he didn't know what had startled him so badly, thinking it was probably just a hypnic jerk, something he experienced every now and then.

It wasn't until Fran mumbled from beside the long-haired male did Squalo realise he had just reacted instinctively towards an unexpected touch as he slept; Fran had climbed into the bed next to him, cuddling in close to his body.

"Squalo…?" Fran yawned. "Can you lay back down…? Your chest made a comfortable pillow…"

"Little shit," Squalo snarled as he did as requested, feeling a small head come to rest on his chest. "You almost gave me a heart attack. If I had my sword with me, I'd have killed you."

"You never minded me sleeping with you before…" Fran mumbled in a sleepy tone.

"Yeah, but I knew you were next to me when I fell asleep…" Squalo sighed as he ran a hand through teal hair. "…Just don't get into bed with me when I'm already asleep – it won't end well next time."

"What?" Fran was on the verge of sleep and, though he didn't know why he replied in such a snarky manner, it felt almost natural to him. "Do you have wet dreams about me or something?"

"Voi!" Squalo sneered. "Fucking shithead, you are. Should have left you back home."

Squalo's words were wasted on the boy, Fran fast asleep once more. He sighed, wrapping an arm around the half-naked boy, holding him close.

You're a little bastard, Fran… Squalo thought as he felt himself slipping into oblivion – sleep came so much easier now that he had Fran beside him once more. Should… put your mouth to better use one day…

With that thought, the two males were fast asleep.