Bowie was lying half awake in bed when Dev returned from wherever he went in the middle of the night. Bowie was used to uncertainty at this point, and he’d become a rather light sleeper.

The bed dipped and Bowie rolled to look over his shoulder, startled into proper consciousness. Dev’s eyes found his and his partner frowned, reaching out to brush back Bowie’s hair. Bowie ducked to avoid the touch, instead scooting closer and wrapping his arms over Dev’s shoulders. Dev only huffed and brought him further into his embrace, hands finding their way to his back and rubbing comforting circles over the tense muscle.

“Where’d you go?” Bowie asked groggily, sinking into Dev’s seemingly eternal warmth and gentle touch. The darkness was supposed to feel cold, but Bowie had never felt warmer than when he was with Dev.

“Eliza needed orders.” Dev said, “Can I touch your hair?”

Bowie hesitated for a moment before nodding. To his great relief Dev didn’t pull it, instead combing it back with his fingers gently.

“You’re not sleeping well.” Dev said quietly.

“I sleep fine when you’re next to me.” Bowie countered, choosing to dance around the point Dev was trying to make instead of confronting it.

Dev didn’t push. He pressed a kiss to Bowie’s forehead and brought them both down to the pillows. Bowie couldn’t remember exactly when it started. He just couldn’t relax anymore. Being alone felt like he was putting himself in imminent danger and left him constantly on edge. Always ready to start a fight or finish one.

With Dev’s arms wrapped around him though, he was safe. He could relax just enough to close his eyes and dose off until some noise would inevitably wake him again.