Sleeping arrangements?
Sleeping arrangements?!?!
Nathan froze at words. "Uh, I-I-I j-just thought th-that I'd-I'd sleep out h-here again." He could barely get the words out, he was stuttering so badly. "You know. In my wolf form."
Griffin looked over at him again. "Why would you want to when you could sleep in a warm bed?"
Huh?! A bed?!
"I thought you only had one bed," Nathan said, staring at the man.
"I do," Griffin grinned. "I'm willing to give it up for the night." He turned back towards the basin and pulled the plug that would drain it. After placing the dishes on the drying rack he walked back to the fireplace and sat on the chair that was still sitting there.
Nathan couldn't seem to close his mouth as he processed his words before shouting, "No! I'm not taking your bed from you! I'm used to sleeping on the ground. It really doesn't bother me."
"Well, I'm not comfortable with the idea." Griffin stood again as he moved to loom over the small boy, hands placed on the armrests, caging him in. "If it's alright with you, we could share the bed. It's more than big enough for two people. Especially when one of them is as small as you."
Nathan started stuttering again. "Well, um, I-I have n-no pr-problem with-with that. B-but a-are you s-sure?"
Griffin couldn't help but grin at the boy's stuttering. It was just so cute how flustered he was. "Of course I'm sure," he assured in his smooth baritone. He leaned closer until his mouth was right next to his ear, "Are you going to go on your own or do you need help?"
Nathan's face, for the umpteenth time that evening, was once again a bright red at feeling the dragon's breath on his ear. "I'm, I'm not sure. But I can try."
Griffin straightened up and held out his hand to pull the boy up. "At least let me help you. I don't want to risk you falling and hurting yourself."
Nathan pressed his lips into a line as he grabbed ahold of the offered hand. "Thanks," he muttered.
Suddenly he found himself pulled up and into the arms of the dragon.
"Oops, sorry, kinda forgot just how light you are." Griffin laughed under his breath. "Here, grab onto my arm and we'll take it slow."
After adjusting their grip on each other, they turned towards Griffin's bedroom and slowly started making their way across the room. It only took three steps before Nathan's legs were trembling, just trying to hold him upright.
"Crap," he muttered under his breath. "I didn't realize walking was so hard."
Griffin didn't say anything, just staying a steady support and making sure Nathan didn't fall.
After another five steps, Nathan had had enough. "Sigh. I hate to ask, but can you carry me the rest of the way. I don't think I'm going to make it."
Griffin released his own sigh of relief before scooping the wolf into his arms. "Of course. Anything for you. And I'm proud of you for trying. We'll build your strength up and you'll be running around in no time."
He quickly crossed into the bedroom and straight to the bed before setting Nathan down. "Do you need anything before I go lock up for the night?"
"No, I'm fine, thank you though."
Griffin nodded before moving back the the main room, making sure the door was latched and that the fire had plenty of wood on it. He motioned to the light crystals, letting them dim into darkness before reentering the bedroom.
He shrugged out of his shirt next to the dresser. "Is it alright with you if I don't wear a shirt to bed? I run warm and overheat easily if i do." After a moment of silence he turned his head to glance at the bed, only to see Nathan staring at him, slack-jawed and eyes wide. "Nathan?" he asked again.
Nathan flinched at his name, "I'm sorry, what?"
"I was just asking if you minded if I slept without a shirt on." Griffin crossed his arms as he repeated the question, pushing up his sculpted pecs in the process.
Nathan quickly shook his head, "No! No, not at all! After all this is your cabin, you can do whatever you want." He averted his gaze, looking at the wall trying to not stare at Griffin's muscular torso.
[Oh Goddess. He was actually checking you out,] Kael cackled. [Maybe you should wear a shirt otherwise he might jump you in the middle of the night.]
"He wouldn't do that. Even if he did, I wouldn't complain." Griffin quite liked the idea of Nathan groping him in his sleep.
[Oh, great. Now you're a pervert.]
"Shut up and sleep," Griffin groaned. He walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge before dimming the light crystals in the room. "Good night, Nate," he said as he laid down.
Nathan moved to lay beside him, "Good night, Griffin."