After the Scarf: Cuddle

Most of everyone had retired for the evening, eager to get to their warm beds. You, however, had spent your time looking for the corporal, wanting to have some time with him before you went to bed.

Rivaille didn't look up as you sat beside him. He didn't make a sound of acknowledgement, just simply kept staring at his book.However, when you leaned into him, he rested his arm on you, drawing you closer to him. 

"I haven't seen you all day." You muttered.

Rivaille made a small hum, probably distracted by his book. 

You glanced up at him, his eyes narrowed in concentration, scanning the words printed on the pages. That look of concentration had been seen many times, in different situations, mostly on the battlefield, but sometimes off duty, in a certain bedroom.

The thought made you blush, you directed your gaze to the fire. Your eyes were mesmerized by the slow dance of the flames, curling and undulating around the logs that burned brightly. You could feel the heat on your face, even from this distance.

The hand resting on your shoulders moved silently to your hair and began to run fingers through your silky locks.

Rivaille crossed his legs, an unconscious movement, you supposed. You draped an arm over his lap, pressing against his side quietly. He only continued to bury his nose in his book. 

You reached up and with the arm not draped over his lap, began to fiddle with his hair in a silent demand for attention. 

Rivaille sighed and tried to ignore you, but after a few moments, the hand stroking your hair reached up and seized your hand gently, bringing it to his lips and kissing them softly, making you smile. 

"What are you reading?" you asked him softly, causing him to glance down at you for a moment.

"A history of Wall Sina."

You sighed, rolling your eyes. "Sounds boring." You said, yawning. Sleepiness was beginning to set in.

Rivaille glanced down at you again briefly upon hearing your yawn. "Tired?" he asked.

"No." You lied, rubbing your eyes.

"You should go to bed."

"I don't want to." You whined. There was a pause before you said your next words: "Not without you at least."

Rivaille lowered his book so he could look at you properly. "If I go to bed too, will you sleep?"

You nodded sleepily.

Rivaille smiled slightly, a hand bringing itself to your head and pressing it closer to him. A pair of lips descended to your hair.

"Alright then."

With that he stood, making your head drop onto the couch. You whined a complaint. Rivaille glanced down at you and offered you a hand to help you up.

You raised your arms up, pouting like a child. "Carry me."

Rivaille raised an eyebrow at you, but nonetheless deposited his book in a pocket and slipped his hands under you, cradling you into his arms bridal style.

You yawned and wrapped your arms around his neck. 

"Tch. So childish." The words were meant as a chiding, but it came out soft, so you knew he didn't mean it.

The two of you walked down the hallways, your head close to his heart, enough that you could feel his steady heartbeat going 'th-thump, th-thump, th-thump...'

You reached his room, where Rivaille lay you gently down on the covers before disposing of his straps and buckles and jacket. You did the same, tossing them somewhere into the darkness. Rivaille made a sound of disgust before picking them up and folding them next to your disposed boots at the foot of the bed.

He crawled under the covers with you. You were already half-way asleep. he snaked his hands around your waist, bringing your back flush with his chest.

Soft lips kissed your hair once more. 

"Goodnight, _______."

You smiled in the darkness. "Goodnight, Rivaille."