It was late. Bowie had gone to bed early and was waiting for Dev to join him. Things had cooled down substantially since his last deployment. The air felt strange and hazy, like he was walking through a veil of mist.

Or a thick smog. 

Dev entered the room, his walk slow and deliberate before sitting at the edge of the bed and reaching his hand out. Bowie allowed him to pull his fingers through the curls of his mullet, frowning a bit when he felt Dev’s fingernails scratch softly against his scalp.

“Dev?” His voice sounded strange. The room looked as though it were melting and Dev wasn’t there anymore.

###

The dream had startled him awake. Bowie was laying down on Saros’ couch in his office of the Palace. Dark walls and floors reflected the light and were temporarily disorienting.

“Are you alright, Bowie?”

Bowie blinked the sleep from his eyes, looking over the back of the sofa and out of the conversation pit to see Saros smoking by the window. Whenever Bowie was there, he made a point to air the room out. 

“Just a dream.” Bowie murmured, searching for his jacket. He felt cold. The memory of Dev’s touch on his skin left him wanting.

Bowie heard the window close, listening to Saros’ footsteps as they closed the gap between them. And then Saros came down into the pit, he was wearing his usual robe and pants, his ink dark hair freshly sheered and stark against the acidic brightness of his skin. Bowie thought about saying something but didn’t.

Saros seemed hesitant for a moment before opening his arm. An invitation to come closer. On any other night Bowie might have refused it, but he felt strange and lonely right now, and he knew Saros would be warm. Bowie scoffed a bit before scooting closer. Saros brought him in, sharing his warmth. It was almost enough to put him back to sleep.

“You know I don’t love you right?” Bowie asked quietly. Maybe he was pushing his luck again. Maybe he didn’t care.

Saros didn’t seem upset by the proclamation, instead canting his head in acknowledgement, “It’s the only reason that I enjoy your company.” He said, “Everyone out here wants something from me. Power, money, freedom. Some things that I can’t give them. I don’t have to worry about that with you.”

Bowie closed his eyes, “You don’t think anyone will come for me?”

Saros shrugged, “Maybe he will.” Saros said lowly, “Maybe that’s what I want.”

Bowie was too tired to dissect what that meant. There was no way for Saros to know about his relationship with Dev so he let the odd comment slip through the cracks of his memory. Soon sleep would swollow him whole and he would be left wanting to kiss the lips of his dream lover who was somewhere else, galaxies away.