Before: Coping

[sliceitwithwind]

Ansem's new apprentice has been part of the team for three weeks, two days, six hours, and fourteen minutes.

In that time he has managed to screw up four experiments, three desks, five computers, and Dilan's filing system.

Dilan is in the labs several hours before he's expecting anyone else to even be awake (the sun isn't due for another hour),

Comments

[thinkitwithguns]

When Dilan didn't go home with him the previous night... Well, that happens all the time, and sometimes he's the one who stays late, so it's no big fucking deal.

When he woke up in the middle of the night for a piss and a snack... Still no big deal, 'cause it wasn't that late, and who the fuck knew? Maybe Dilan went to one of the girlfriends.

When he woke up again, and Dilan still wasn't home, and none of the girlfriends had seen him (Braig checked)... Then it was time to get his ass out of bed and go back to work, and turns out it's a good thing he did, too.

"Dude. You never came home last night," he says from just inside the door, leaning back against the frame.

[thinkitwithguns]

"I'll stay if you want me to, dude."

Dilan is more important, ultimately, than anything they happen to be doing in the labs. Just the facts.

[sliceitwithwind]

"Yeah." Dilan says after a moment, "I do. It was a really bad night, Braig. I didn't even realize how late it was until you got there."

[thinkitwithguns]

"Hey, that's what I'm there for, right?"

[sliceitwithwind]

"Among other things." Dilan agrees, bending down to kiss the top of his head, "Which waffle place is it? The closer one or the farther one?"

The adult version of are we there yet?

[thinkitwithguns]

"Farther one, dude. You do want fresh fruit, not that syrupy shit from a can, right?" he asks. "It's not too far, you know, so just hang on, 'kay?"

[sliceitwithwind]

"Right. Real fruit." Dilan agrees, "I'm just suddenly really tired." he says it like his body has betrayed him.

[thinkitwithguns]

"No sleeping until you've eaten, dude. You're a fucking giant, and you need a gazillion calories to maintain, you know? Look, see, we're almost there," he said, pointing at the next intersection. "Just two more blocks. you can totally make it."

[sliceitwithwind]

"Al is a giant. I'm just reasonably sized." Dilan argues sleepily, "I can make it." he's more leaning against Braig than not, however.

[thinkitwithguns]

Fortunately, Braig is stronger than his size would suggest, and it really isn't that far to the waffle place.

When they get there, ordering at least is easy - two of every kind of fruity waffle, and a triple order of bacon, sausage, and eggs with everything in them.

[sliceitwithwind]

Dilan dozes off in the booth, head against Braig's shoulder, while waiting for the food to come. PDA isn't usually their thing but he's exhausted and Braig is much softer than the wall.

[thinkitwithguns]

Braig lets him doze until the food arrives, and then prods him in the shoulder.

"Eat, dude. I got you some kiwi-strawberry juice, too."

[sliceitwithwind]

"Mmmmm." Dilan chugs the juice, then kisses Braig's ear, "Thank you." He's half asleep while eating, too, although that doesn't stop him from managing it with minimum fuss. He's definitely getting all the fruit in.

[thinkitwithguns]

Braig leans back, and watches him carefully, as he eats his on breakfast.

"Any time, man."

[sliceitwithwind]

Dilan makes his way through the entire mountain of food marked for him before getting a second glass of juice, drinking it down, and casually passing out.

He worked a long day yesterday and didn't even pause last night.

[thinkitwithguns]

Braig waits all of five minutes after Dilan passes out, before he starts calling the girlfriends.

Eventually, thanks to their help, he makes it home, and puts Dilan to bed. And, true to his word, he climbs in, and curls up with him.