Work Text:
“Hey-”
Azure's voice was hushed. Soft as the moonlight that painted the floor in a dull glow. Two Time shifted, rolling in their bed to face their beloved and away from their half hearted attempts to rest.
It's not like they could sleep well anyways. Hunger gnawed at them and overthinking made them restless. They had done something wrong again. Sent to work and pray. Missing out on meal time entirely. Then again, now that they thought about it, Azure went through this plenty. In fact, they had been told Azure was a bad influence on them. Maybe they just were a complainer. They could be better. They could manage the hunger-
“Hey, buttercup, you there?” Azure's soft laugh broke them from their thoughts. He sat crouched on their floor, looking up at them.
“Yes- of course, sorry Azure”
Azure just stuck his tongue out at them. Two Time sat up, swinging their legs over the side, making room for Azure to join them on the bed. As soon as they motioned for him- he moved, quietly sitting next to Two Time. His warmth was comforting. Their shoulders brushed against each other as Azure leaned over to press a quick kiss to Two Time's forehead.
Two Time smiled. It was hard to see, but it was always safer to keep quiet. Elders would make routine checks. Azure had long since figured out how to hide by the sound of the wooden floors creaking under the elder's steps. He couldn't seem to help himself, slipping in and out of trouble. More often than not, it'd be doing something for Two Time. Though, Two Time had managed to convince him to cause less trouble, he'd also managed to convince them to cause trouble of their own.
Reaching into a side pocket of his cargo pants- ones he wore to make working with plants easier. Azure pulled out something- wrapped in the cheap napkins provided with communal meals. In his hands he unwrapped a bread roll, which he quickly pushed into Two Time's hands. Next came an apple, which he did the same with.
“I'm sorry, I couldn't bring you more,” Azure spoke in a mournful whisper, head pressed close to Two Time's. Two Time just stared at the gifts pressed into their hands.
“You.. had no need to bring me anything at all. Spawn bless you, Azure, are these from your own meal?” Two Time stopped to blink at Azure with soft concern.
Azure gave a cheeky grin in response, before motioning at Two Time, “Eat. I still have one thing left to share… and you know I don't like to eat without you.”
Two Time frowned, before taking a moment to give a quick prayer. Thanking the Spawn for the food they had, and thanking the Spawn for someone so loving as Azure to be there to light up their life. Azure held the moment of silence with them, likely giving a prayer of their own. Once they had finished, they bit into the bread roll, trying to make as little mess as possible. They couldn't help how quickly they ate it. The hunger had gotten the better of them, they were starving.
The apple went next- just as fast. The two of them had long since figured out that if you were hungry enough- and if you needed to get rid of food scraps that badly, you could just eat the core with the apple. There wasn't enough cyanide in the seeds to do any harm anyways. It was almost a struggle to eat quietly, but Two Time wasn't about to turn down the food.
Two Time couldn't help but feel guilty seeing the look of concern that crossed Azure's face. Once they had finished eating- they paused whatever plans Azure had to first thank him with a hug. Azure clung to them like he would lose them if he blinked, taking the moment to press his face into their hair. They both looked out for each other. Of course- the elder's did as well, the whole congregation did so, but what they had was something special.
“I snuck off today- to study in the woods,” Azure started to explain, as quietly as he could.
It wasn't a surprise. Azure would spend hours observing and studying the plants they had. Would help with garden duties at the drop of a hat. Loved flowers and was always up to something.
“I had been keeping an eye on some bushes for a while- and… well,” There was a smile in the way he spoke.
When he pulled back from the hug, still leaning on Two Time, he pulled a wax paper bag from his pocket. Opening it up, was a collection of raspberries. Wild grown if Two Time had to guess. They were a bit smushed and messy, but a joy nonetheless. Pulling them out, Azure split them between the two. Two Time couldn't help but start snacking on them as quickly as they got the berries, smiling with a childlike joy.
“Careful to not make a mess- it’d be hard to explain,” Azure warned in a hushed tone, “Here, let me help-”
Azure leaned forward, taking Two Time’s chin in his free hand. With their faces close enough for Two Time to feel his breath on their skin, he moved in and licked a small stain off of the skin beneath Two Time’s lips, transitioning the lick into a quick kiss that had Two Time flustered.
As Azure leaned back, he gave a soft laugh, returning to eating his share of the berries as Two Time flushed pink. The berries didn't last long between the two of them. Azure continued to sneak in kisses where he could. It was the creaking of floorboards nearing that had Two Time rushing to get back under their blankets. Azure must've been feeling brave- instead of his usual spot under their bed, he ducked under the blankets, pressed against the wall and Two Time’s side on their small bed. In the darkness- it would work, most of the time, unless the elder checking in was already suspicious of them, but tonight? The footsteps came and went with no issue, leaving Azure cuddled up- though a bit cramped, at Two Time's side.
As the creaking of wooden floors faded, Azure wriggled his head out from under the blankets. Two Time moved up just enough for Azure to slide under them, Two Time using his chest as a pillow. Wrapped in Azure’s arms was the safest place they felt they could ever be. The fatigue hit them like a wave and the last thing they remember fading in and out of sleep, was the way Azure gently combed through their hair with his fingers.
When Two Time next awoke, it was in the hours before dawn, as Azure crept up to leave for his own room. Two Time’s eyes barely able to focus on their lover as Azure pressed a kiss goodbye to their forehead. As quickly as Two Time woke up, they were out again, just this time with the distinct lack of warmth at their side.