fandomhigh | Library [7.03]

Library [7.03]

Karal was late. It wasn't to be helped. He was simply thankful he wasn't a horse any more, and would not be thinking about waking up in stalls.

When he opened the library, and immediately got a face full of dust from a fluffy, orange, hopping rabbit, he just sighed. "Altra?"

The Firecat crouched and pounced, the bunny skittering away, Altra giving chase, and the two ran into the stacks.

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He immediately leaned into the touch, a visceral reaction as opposed to anything thought out.

Then he swallowed, though he didn't move.

A nod.

Which is when Karal figured out what was wrong. He shook his head and moved to give him a hug. "You only have to ask, you know."

"I shouldn't have to," he said, very quietly. This was not when he wanted to wake up Andrew.

"It's ridiculous. I lived without it the entire rest of my life and now I'm acting like a nit because I haven't been hugged all week. As if it's food or water or a roof over my head."

Not that he hadn't gone without those at various points either.

Karal poked him in the shoulder. "Everyone needs to be touched. It is part of what makes us people," he said firmly. "It is nothing to be ashamed of or to feel silly for needing, especially when you went so long without."

"If I went so long without," he said, wondering at his sanity that even the poke had been mildly satisfying, "then I don't need it."

Karal huffed and just looked at him. "No, it means you need it more."

He looked at Karal skeptically.

"That logic doesn't quite work."

Not that he was moving out of Karal's arms.

"Yes it does. If you never have enough food to eat, that doesn't mean you somehow no longer need food. If you are trapped in the desert with little or no water, you do not suddenly case to need water." Karal hugged him firmly. "My logic is perfectly sound."

He rolled his eyes but didn't argue with Karal. Instead he breathed in and soaked as much warmth from Karal and his black robes as he could get into himself and stayed there, content not to move until he was told to. Or until he would be late to work.

But it worried him.

Because what would he do when eventually everyone went away?

Karal just held him, rubbing his back, until he knew Liir was going to be late, and then he stepped away. "Better?"

"You're not Andrew," he admitted very quietly, "but you are Karal."

Brother time wouldn't make up for boyfriend time, but brother time made things much better.

"Thank you," he said. He was somewhat ashamed of himself for needing it as he had, but he had to admit he felt better.

"I'm going to have to fly to get to work on time," he said with a faint smile.

He laughed and ruffled Liir's hair. "With anyone else, that would simply be a figure of speech!"

He smiled at the ruffle to his hair and leaned to give Karal a kiss to the cheek.

"Yes, well, I've always got to be difficult, as well you know."

He nodded and pulled back.

"But I should be going, if you don't mind."

Karal waved him off. "Go, or you'll be late. I'll speak with you later."

"I'm sure. Enjoy your lunch!"

At which point he started running off, slinging one leg over the broom before pushing off the ground and going.

Thank Ozma that Andrew was still asleep.

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Library [7.03]

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