Sleeplessness

[luv_johnny]

WHO: May, Duo
WHERE: Maxwell Church
WHEN: Thursday September 25th- midnight
WHAT: A not-so uncommon occurrence these days, where May's mind begins to wander...

Comments

[happy_reaper]

It was actually a few minutes before Duo stirred enough to notice the missing body in bed. Groggily, he sat up, raising himself with his arms to look around the room. "May?" No response, though in the dark, he didn't expect one. Shaking his head a little, he slowly eased his way out of bed, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as he stood. When he blinked again, he noticed the slightly open door, and drew in a long breath. He hoped she was down in the kitchen; midnight snack, of course. But when he peered out to see the entire downstairs darkened save for the usual lights, he knew that option was out. He stepped back to his dresser, grabbing his robe and his pajama top, before returning to the hall. He pulled the top on as he padded quietly to the stairwell at the far end...

Sure enough, the doors were unlocked. All the way along the repeated sets of stairs, until at the top, he opened the door quietly... to see the ladder. Propped against the wall, providing access to the highest ledge. Sighing lightly to himself, he tucked the robe under one arm, and grasped at the steel rungs to begin ascending to where he knew the pirate princess would be. Even on such a ladder, situated as it was against the wall, Duo still proved why he was the stealthiest junior in Clairbourn, making no sound as he hauled himself up to the ledge. As his eyes came over the lip, he barely saw May sitting on the far end.

Slowly pulling himself to his feet, he stepped over to her, unrolling the robe as he came closer. When he was within steps over her, he leaned out, settling the clothing over her shoulders. "It's not winter yet, but it's still cold up here." He gave her a slight smile.

[luv_johnny]

May had nearly nodded off as she spaced out, only noticing Duo behind her a step before the blanketing comfort of the robe was settled onto her shoulders. Lifting her head up to look at him and rubbing an eye groggily, she gave a half-grin, the kind a kid would give for getting caught, before lowering it again to look out over the view. "Sorry... I couldn't sleep and I didn't wanna wake you," she mumbled with a small yawn blurring her last words. "It's... only a little chilly... It's not bad." Looking up to him again, she scooted over a little, as if to invite him to sit down next to her. "I guess I figured it'd be best to get my midnight roof sitting over with while there's still no snow up here to freeze my butt," she added with a tiny chuckle.

She hugged the robe closer, before straightening out of her tightly-tucked knees to hang over the ledge, and leaning back a little to slip the robe on. "I didn't worry you, did I? Sorry..."

[happy_reaper]

Duo smiled as he settled down next to her, his hand coming to rest on her back, stroking across it gently. "Well, yeah... it's hard to do nighttime brooding when you have ice soaking into your pants." Hanging one leg off the ledge while resting his elbow on the other knee, he leaned his head down, looking at her.

"Not worried... at least, not that you were missing or dead or anything." He touched her cheek lightly. "But... I'm always gonna worry. I mean, it kinda comes with the territory, doesn't it? Besides, you're up here, which means..." He brushed away a few hairs that had fallen over her eyes. "Something's bothering you, Princess."

[luv_johnny]

May leaned against his hand, giving a tiny sigh. She wiggled closer again, head leaning in to rest against his side, dipping under his arm. "Well... I guess I can't argue against that up here, huh...?" She sighed, giving a tiny puff-sigh to flip her bangs out of her eyes a little. "It's just...."

"The usual again," she finished after a deep sigh. It wasn't the first time she'd been caught up here going over this subject, after all. She kicked her legs lightly as they hung over the ledge, thinking of what exactly to say on the matter this time. It was the same old, she was sure he'd gotten tired of her whining about it by now...

"Maybe he's out on some great adventure somewhere abroad... and he'll come back someday with a big ship as a famous pirate and take us all on back with him to the ocean," she murmured aloud, wringing her hands in her lap as she stared out over the inky blackness of the town, only a faint and few lights shining dimly below. "That'd be cool..."

[happy_reaper]

"Maybe... He's probably on his way back here to get us all, you know." Duo shook his head internally. Lying to May wasn't fun, but if Johnny didn't want her to know, then he wouldn't tell her he was back. He'd play along with the idea that he must be on some grand adventure, pillaging the world. "I'll bet he's seen all the sights all ready... fabulous tales of far-off lands, right?" He pulled her closer, hugging her against his side.

"It makes me wonder though... what's gonna happen when he comes back?" He knew the Jellyfish would fall back into the usual rank-and-file, but... "I mean, you know, with you guys helping out Lelouch and giving Elena a place to stay, all that stuff..." He turned out, facing the stars. "And what about you, May? What're you gonna do when he comes back?"

[luv_johnny]

"Huuh~? Ya think so~?" May grinned, giving a short giggle as her fantasy was given another moment's thought, her mind multiplying it. "Maybe he's found all sorts of treasure, even, from all over the world! Gold and silver and diamonds and rubies and... Must be pretty heavy, I hope he's careful that the ship doesn't sink...." she trailed off, looking considerate.

"When he comes back? Well... things will be like... before, right? He'll be our captain and we'll go on like we always did," she mumbled, unable to hide the worry in her voice. "I think he'll be fine with Elena, and I'm sure he'd still help Lulu... within reason. And...." Her head drooped a little, and she grew silent. "And.... I...."

What was she going to do? She hadn't really thought of that. If Johnny did indeed come back as a victorious adventurer, it'd be pretty hard to resist saying no to becoming the princess on his new ship! But, couldn't she just take Duo with her? "And... the fighting will start again, won't it..." she mumbled sadly, shoulders drooping.
"If Johnny came, to whisk me away, I.... I'd stay with Duey. I've found where my home is- My home is with Duey, so if Duey came with me, maybe...?" She trailed off softly, worry clouding her face. "Would Duey come sailing with us?"