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Treasure was well acquainted with late nights. Thoughts loud enough to keep them awake often haunted them well until the witching hour, when the rest of the world was quiet save for the never-ending drone in their mind.
They had tried to find ways to stop it, taking melatonin or following breathing exercises to distract them from the noise, but it persisted into the ungodly hours of the morning, when the sun was just peeking over the horizon with the sky still dark.
Eventually, Treasure just accepted the fact that their mind wouldn't quiet down the way it was supposed to, and they spent the long nights reading or watching cheesy movies, the drone still ever-present.
The incoherent thoughts that made up the insomnia-inducing noise were bad ones. Ones that had plagued Treasure a few years earlier, now slowly creeping back into their psyche. The thoughts didn't affect them like they used to, opting to keep them up instead of causing physical harm.
Every now and then, Treasure would find that the drone had gone quiet, and they could get a good night's worth of sleep. They loved those nights, when whatever greater power granted them some peace from their mind's incessant torment, and they could feel comfortable in their own headspace for once.
Other times, Treasure would be so tired from work that they would collapse in their bed and fall asleep, disregarding the drone altogether. Those were the nights they had strange dreams, the noise of their thoughts made manifest in a cacophony of ever-changing imagery that they could barely remember upon waking. However, they did remember how the dreams made them felt, which was the same feeling they got on the nights they couldn't sleep: a sort of suffocating hopelessness, combined with a sense of acceptance and serenity.
Treasure accepted the fact that they couldn't sleep until the blaring red numbers on the clock read 4:30 AM and the stars were winking out of the sky, one by one. They accepted that their thoughts kept them up, even if they weren't actively thinking them. They just wished that they drone would quiet more frequently, fizzle out more often, so that they might feel alive in the morning.
The long nights were a little more bearable now, due to a certain fluffy someone.
Cinnamon was just like any other cat, sleeping all throughout the day, and prowling about during the night. She liked chewing on Treasure's fingers while the latter read or watched TV, though more recently they had taken to just watching the small kitten nibble on their fingers.
Cinnamon was their child, essentially, and they loved the nights they spent with her, fawning over her and taking her in their arms when she finally got sleepy. Treasure was finding that they were also sleeping a little more now, the drone growing quieter more often than it usually did. They liked to think that it was because of Cinnamon, that the little kitten had changed their otherwise unchanged nighttime routine, and sleep came easier because of it.
There were some nights where Cinnamon fell asleep early on, and Treasure would simply hold her close as they read. Other times, when they were feeling creative, they'd gently lay her on their bed before adjourning to the bathroom, pulling out their makeup kit in a fit of artistic inspiration.
It was no secret that Treasure loved wearing makeup, specifically clown-inspired makeup. They didn't know why, but they felt a strange comfort in wearing the interesting looks they created late at night. It was a different way to pass the time, a little change in pace from the same books they had read a thousand times over and the movies they had rewatched more times than they could count.
Every time they got that artistic itch in their brain, they would create something new, something different, something that truly distracted them from the drone that persisted through the night.
It was a change of pace, and it brought on a new feeling: one of accomplishment and peace, instead of the usual hopeless serenity that they were used to.
It was during one such night that, while focusing on keeping their hand steady, Treasure heard a faint knock coming from the front door. They froze, paranoia setting in. Who the hell would be knocking at this hour?
The knock sounded again, and they put the eyeliner down on the counter. Their artistic expression would have to wait.
Slowly, they made their way down the hall and into the living room, staring apprehensively at the door. They had the lights dimmed and the curtains closed, so whoever was outside couldn't see in.
Treasure looked through the peephole in the door, and was surprised to find a certain vampire waiting outside. They quickly unlocked the door and opened it, blinking up at the taller man.
Porter smiled down at them, his silver eyes glinting in the dark. "Hello, stranger. Am I interrupting?"
Treasure shook their head. "No, not at all. What are you doing here?"
Porter let out a light-hearted huff. "Am I not allowed to grace your presence?" he asked playfully. Treasure rolled their eyes jokingly, a small smile appearing on their face.
"You are, I'd just like to know why you're here."
"I wanted to see you."
Treasure gave him a look. "Again?" they asked in over-exaggerated suspicion.
Porter raised his eyebrows in return. "I have no... ulterior motive this time around, I promise. I really did just want to see you."
"Just because?"
"Just because."
Treasure pressed their lips together as they studied Porter's face. He had visited once or twice beforehand, and always because he wanted something out of them, which they gave willingly. He was a welcome change in their nighttime routine, and they would be lying if they said they didn't want to get to know him beyond the fun nights they had together.
They'd like to think that they knew him well enough by now to know if he was lying or not, and when they looked into his eyes, they saw sincerity. He really had just wanted to see them.
Treasure opened the door wider and stepped aside, inviting Porter in without words. He smiled, a bit less coy and a bit more gentle, and entered.
"How long will you stay?" Treasure asked, closing and locking the door behind them, before turning to face the taller man.
"As long as you'll have me, Treasure. Or until the sun comes up. Whichever you prefer."
Treasure shuffled around Porter, aiming to enter the kitchen. "You can stay as long as you'd like, I don't mind. Do you want anything? Water?"
Porter huffed again as he followed Treasure. "Water would be nice, actually," he said. Treasure nodded, opening a cabinet and withdrew two glasses.
"How have you been? Did that family event thing go well?" they asked as they filled the glasses with water from the fridge. Porter shrugged.
"It was... interesting, to say the least. We played a game of Clue," he said as he took his glass from Treasure, nodding his thanks.
Treasure leaned against the counter next to him. "You played Clue?" they asked, a smile on their lips.
"Do you find that hard to believe?" Porter retorted in return. Treasure made an ehh sound.
"I mean, kinda? You made it sound like it was a big, fancy deal or whatnot. Like, everyone there would be dressed to the nines, and they'd all secretly hate each other."
Porter laughed at that. "Well, it was like that, for the most part. But the game sort of... shook up the usual antics that take place every year."
"Hm." Treasure took a sip of their water, momentarily forgetting that they had lipstick on their lips.
"Why are you wearing makeup?" Porter asked, having noticed the bright colors dashed across their face upon seeing them at the door, but only now voicing the question.
"Hm?"
"You're wearing makeup at... 2:26 AM, but you're in your night clothes, which suggests that you're not going anywhere."
"Ohh. Right," Treasure mumbled.
Porter gave them an amused look. "Did you forget you were wearing it?" he asked light-heartedly.
Treasure chuckled. "Yeah, I did. And, as for the why I'm wearing it... I couldn't sleep. I can't sleep most nights, and usually I'll just pass the time by reading, but sometimes I'll... express myself artistically. It takes my mind off of things."
"I see," Porter murmured, taking a sip from his glass. "What keeps you up, if you don't mind me asking?"
Treasure looked up at him. They hadn't really told anyone about the constant drone that plagued their mind at night, except for Jax. They trusted him with that, the imperfect part of themself.
But they trusted Porter too, even though they probably shouldn't.
"I have thoughts that keep me up. Thinking about situations where I could said or done something differently, how it could have turned out. Or, how others treat me, and what they may or may not think of me. I also think about really stupid shit, like how people are sent to the hospital because of bagels.
"I think that I'm so busy and distracted throughout the day that the thoughts kinda get put on hold, which is why they're more apparent during the night, when I have nothing to do. So, they keep me up, until they finally fizzle out and I'm able to sleep."
Treasure kept their eyes on Porter's face, studying his reaction. He kept silent for a few moments, seemingly contemplating what they said. His usually glinting silver eyes softened.
"I know what you mean," he murmured. "I have nights like that, sometimes. Things past come to haunt me, keeping me awake with their incessant noise. I know what it's like."
Treasure gave him a soft smile. "I'm glad we understand each other," they said softly.
They stood in silence for a while more, taking drinks from their waters occasionally and enjoying each other's presence. It was strange, how little they knew about each other, yet they felt comfortable just standing next to one another without talking. Some people just clicked like that, though they were few are far between.
Eventually, they drained the waters in their cups, and Treasure refilled them. A sudden idea came to them, and they asked, "Would it be okay if I did your makeup?"
Porter looked at them, surprised, though now he was smiling. "What for?" he asked.
"Because I feel like it. And your face needs some color anyhow."
Porter chuckled. "Lead the way then."
Treasure took his hand and guided him to their bathroom, all the while excitedly chatting about what they had in mind.
"Maybe I could do one similar to the one I have on right now... Oh, or maybe stars! I saw this one particular star look on pinterest, I think it'd suite you." They paused as they entered the bathroom, turning to face Porter. "Sorry, I'm a little excited. Is there a specific look you want? Or do you just want me to free style it?"
Porter thought for a moment, before saying, "Surprise me."
Treasure lit up at that. "Great! I'll grab my stuff, and we can head out to the living room, there's more room there."
Quickly, they gathered everything they'd need into a bundle before taking Porter's hand again and leading him to the living room. They deposited the makeup bag onto the couch before scurrying off to the kitchen real quick to return with another glass of water, though clearly not for drinking. They sat on the couch next to the bag and had Porter sit before them.
"Now, I'm not gonna put on any foundation or bronzer or shit like that, cuz I usually just freehand everything with water activated eyeliner anyways," Treasure said as they rooted around in the bag before finding a small container with red pigment in it.
Porter listened as Treasure continued listing out ideas as they came to them, watching as they opened the small container before grabbing a brush and swirling it around the glass of water they had sitting on the small coffee table next to the couch.
"I already said stars... Maybe a star that has little drips coming off of it," they murmured as they took a moment to study Porter's face. "Star on the nose, maybe?" they asked themself quietly. They shrugged, dipping the brush into the pigment and swirling it around, tapping the excess off.
"Close your eyes," they murmured. Porter did so.
"Your eyes remind me of stars," Treasure said as they began applying the pigment to Porter's face, slowly painting a star on his right eye.
"They do?" Porter asked, intrigued.
"Yeah. They sparkle in a starry-like way, and when they softened, the silver gets brighter. It's beautiful."
Porter smiled softly at that. "Thank you," he murmured genuinely.
Treasure continued their work, expertly applying the eyeliner in a way that clearly showed they had been doing this for a long time. Slowly, the outline of the star was filled, and a smaller star was added underneath it. They started on the other eye, outlining it with red before adding some drips, creating a sort of crying affect.
A sudden mew caught both of their attention, and Cinnamon clambered into Porter's lap, meowing at him while pawing at his fingers.
"Is that your cat?" Porter asked, laughing a little as he let the small creature gnaw on one of his fingers, gently petting her with his other hand.
"It sure is. Someone woke up from her nap!" Treasure cooed, reaching down and scratching Cinnamon's head with a finger before returning to their work. "You remember Porter, don't you?"
Cinnamon meowed, still chewing on Porter's finger.
"She's still teething?" Porter asked.
"Eh. Kinda. I've noticed that she just likes biting people's fingers in general, as a sort of gesture of affection. As I said, she's not like any cat I've ever had."
Porter hummed in agreement. "She feels bigger," he commented, smiling as Cinnamon starting purring and rubbing her face against his hand.
"Yeah, she's been growing up so fast! I swear, I feel like it was yesterday that I got her, when she was just a little baby. I still love her, though."
Cinnamon mewed again, returning to chewing on Porter's fingers.
Treasure continued painting Porter's face with the singular red eyeliner, both chatting about the cute little kitty who was currently shuffling around in Porter's lap, purring contentedly.
Eventually, Treasure pulled back, smiling. "There we go! All done," they beamed, closing up the eyeliner container and putting it in the bag, before pulling out a mirror from an inner compartment and handing it to Porter. "Take a look," they said.
Treasure again watched for Porter's reaction as he looked into the mirror, studying the stars and drips on his face. His eyes softened, glinting like stardust in the dimmed room.
"It's lovely," he murmured, smiling warmly. Treasure brightened.
"You like it?"
"Of course I do. It's beautiful, and was created by someone even more so," Porter said genuinely, causing Treasure to blush.
"I- Thanks," they murmured, caught off-guard but pleased nonetheless.
"Did it quiet your mind?"
"What?" Treasure asked, confused for a moment.
Porter gestured to the makeup on his face, having put the mirror down. "Doing this. Did it quiet the thoughts in your head?" he asked.
Treasure contemplated their answer. The drone in their mind was subdued now, slowly fading away; and that feeling of accomplishment and true peace was taking it's place, making them feel content. "Yeah... It did. Thank you."
Porter let out a light-hearted huff. "Thank me? For what?"
"For being here. And quieting my head," Treasure replied, yawning.
"You must be tired," Porter murmured, gazing at Treasure as he cradled Cinnamon in his arms.
"I'm tired and sleepy. But..." Treasure looked away from his starry eyes that seemed to be piercing into their own.
"But?"
Treasure huffed. "I... don't want you to go just because I'm sleepy."
Porter shook his head gently. "Who said I'm going anywhere? You said I could stay for as long as I'd like."
"I did."
Porter cupped one of Treasure's cheeks, guiding their gaze back to his own. "So I'm staying. Even if you are sleepy. I don't mind."
Silver eyes stared into soft ones, showing sincerity and vulnerability.
"... Thank you," they murmured softly.
Porter smiled softly in return. "You're welcome, my treasure."