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Nauls settled down on his bunk, exhausted physically and mentally. There was just too much going on, and to say the least he was tired. Tired of people arguing and tired of watching his back for ages. For once he could finally sleep after two days without. It was likely he was only going to get an hour or few at best, but sleep was sleep and he wasn't about to miss out on that chance. Maybe just for now he could afford to let his guard down and just relax.
With an exasperated sigh he leaned back and slipped his usual blue headband off, setting it down on the drawer next to him and resting his head on his rough yet somewhat comfortable pillow.
He attempts to shut his eyes and drfit into the sweet sweet abyss that is sleep, but he just cant.Each attempt is met with rebuttal after rebuttal so he gives up trying and settles with listening to the dripping of the leaky pipe near the radiator,that Palmer had yet to fix. the noise of footsteps thrumming up and down the hallway fills his ears as he goes overs the rules in his head-always in pairs or groups, never alone. It was best to stay in groups for now, and Nauls just thought being alone or in a pair was just stupid. It was like you were asking for something bad to happen. But at the same time he himself was alone, and to say the least it was starting to grow on him. What if that thing came through the door and got him? What if he was wrongly accused?
With a groan he tossed himself onto his side in an attempt to get more comfortable, the old and rusted bed springs creaking underneath his weight, seeming louder than they actually were in the dreadfully silent space. He would have to sleep eventually, it'd catch up with him if not. The hallways had gone completely quiet apart from the faint hum of the air vents outside and water sloshing through the pipes overhead serving as gentle white noise for the time being.
After what felt like an eternity Nauls found himself slowly drifting off into a peaceful and welcome sleep, and despite how bad the situation was he felt a small smile of relief twitch at the corner of his lips.
Suddenly there was a set of single footsteps coming through the hallway, and his eyes slowly flickered open. At first he thought they were moving further from the sleeping quarters, but soon enough he realized that they were actually coming towards him, and most importantly- his room.
Nauls moved up to a sitting position begrudgingly, quickly snapping out of his sleep induced stupor as he felt himself becoming more alert with each footstep. They were agonizingly slow, as if someone were nervous or anxious to enter the room. He was too scared himself to open the door though, and opted to stay within the sheets of his bed as though the blankets would protect him from whatever was behind that door.
He wasn't sure he wanted to know anyways, and quietly prayed that whoever was out there left. But they didn't, and there was a light knock on the door. Slowly but surely the man climbed out of his bed, still barefoot and wearing just his long johns and sweater. Not a very flattering look, but it is what it is. The cook lay his hand on the door handle, holding it there for a little while before taking a deep huff. What if it was important, or what if opening the door could get him killed. There was no point in waiting though, and with a final huff he opened the door in one brisk and heavy motion.
On the other side of the door, much to his surprise, stood Windows. He was wearing the usual blue button up, loosely buttoned at the top slightly revealing his collarbones. Underneath was his dark navy under-shirt, messily tucked beneath the half buttoned flannel. Nauls didn't know why he insisted on dressing like that when it was so cold, taking note of his thin dress trousers as well. At least he was wearing proper boots. He looked the shorter man up and down, he looked upset and tired. Anyone would be though, and almost by instinct he stepped back as if to invite Windows inside. It was a stupid choice, a choice that could get him killed if he wasn't careful.
"What's goin' on..?" Nauls asked tentatively, watching as the younger man paced around.No doubt stressed about the situation they were in;Then again Nauls couldn't blame him, anyone would be stressed if they were suddenly pitted against an shape shifting alien that wanted to brutally murder them.
Finally Windows spoke.
"Listen man, I can't sleep.. with that.. thing going around."
Understandably so, nobody could. He was surprised he even tried to sleep himself, but they all needed to sleep eventually so it was best to do so in shifts. Part of him felt like turning Windows away, considering he himself should be catching up on lost sleep and he could secretly be an alien for all he knows. But he cant bring himself too, especially after seeing the state hes in, so he just lets it slide either way and settles with a more suitable option.
"You wanna talk bout' it then?"
Nauls settled down on his bed while the other man leaned up against the wall, pressing his back up against the cool wall as if he were trying to focus on something else completely, letting out a low but irritated and long groan.
A whole minute had passed until finally he spoke.
"Its just.. ive been lying about alotta shit man, i don't actually have a girlfriend back in the states alright?"
He had a feeling he had been lying about that, no offense to Windows- but he seemed like too much of a loser to get one.
"Shit man, really? That's crazyyy."
He pretends to act surprised, rubbing the back of his head and leaning forwards slightly, adjusting his band and using his free arm to rest on his knee and support himself. It was a weird thing to lie about, but Windows was young and it's not like he can call her up for proof or anything. And it wasn't like anyone gave a shit either,so it flew over most people's heads for the most part.
"Thats somethin' we've all lied about at one point or another…not me though, jus sayin'."
The aura in the room suddenly became awkward and slightly tense, and for a moment Nauls thought, if Windows was the thing, then would it really know all of this so well? But yet again it could perfectly replicate organisms perfectly, take every little bit of a person- even down to their core memories and secrets.This all didn't matter as he had quite literally let him into his room, so if he died now it'd technically be his own un-doing at this point.
“Hell i've never even had a first kiss,so not only might i die a virgin i'll die a kissless one at that…".
Shit, he really was a loser.
“Damn."
"you really aint got no game huh?, that's tough.” Nauls looks back at him and grins
Windows lets out a snort
“Yeah, shits tough man.”.
A whole minute passes before Nauls finally speaks up
"How about I fix that for ya?"
Windows is completely taken aback, eyes widening slightly. The fuck? Nauls basically offered to kiss him, and he fell quiet, hands tensing up slightly.
“You messin' with me?”.
"No". Nauls says.
"You pulling my leg?".
"Nope".
"You playing tricks on me?".
“Nope, now you gonna kiss me or what?”.
“L-like right now? Or–”.
“Windows hurry up before I change my damn mind.”.
Windows raises his hands in mock surrender.
“Alright, fine! Jeez…”
He stands up and saunters his way over to the bunk Nauls is settled on, and sits himself down next to the other man.
Nauls cant help but giggle at how overly nonchalant hes trying to act despite the fact that he knows damn well that underneath those shitty aviators hes wearing hes making zero eye contact with him, he'd be lying if he said he didnt find it cute though.
“You that nervous?”.
Windows gulps and finally looks him directly into his eyes
“Well no shit, I did mention this being my first kiss in case you weren't paying attention;besides i've never done somethin’ so…..intimate before and especially not with another guy….” He looks down at the floor as he says the last part, with his voice now having gone down to a whisper and the blush across his face more evident .
“And especially not with anyone as pretty as you - no homo though”.
Nauls lets out a snort. “I don't think that's how it works, but ight.”.
“I'm just saying, what? can another man not appreciate another man's beauty every now and then?”.
Nauls playfully rolls his eyes and sighs “Anywayys, do you wanna kiss or not?”.
Windows finally wills himself too look at him and tries and fails miserably not to get sucked into staring at Nauls brown, beautiful eyes and noticing how mesmorizing the little reflections in his eyes look when lit up, how warm his hand feels when it gently caresses his cheek and fills him with warthmness he hasnt felt since ever since he came to this frozen wasteland.
What he also cant help but notice is how soft Nauls lips are when he kisses him, the kiss is sweet and gentle;but ultimately short which dissapoints him when their lips eventually have to depart from one another and hes left wanting more.
And when its over Nauls cheekily smirks back at him as he patiently waits for a response
"That werent too bad for a first kiss now was it?"..
Windows stares at him.
"I think we might need to go again - you know just so i can uh....make a proper "re-assesment" that is.".