8. Only one bed.

                                    

                                          
Simon was certain the Gods were taunting him. 
They'd arrived at the inn close to nightfall. The innkeeper said that they had but only one room left within the building and at that point, both Simon and Eskel agreed, too tired to ask many more questions. 
Though Simon supposed they should have, upon seeing the one bed. 
"I'll sleep on the floor" Simon said immediately, which made Eskel give him an odd look, 
"Why would you do that?" 
"Why wouldn't I?" Simon asks, now throughly confused as he looks up at Eskel, who drops the packs near the rickety looking desk. 
Eskel gives him an odd look in return, "Perhaps because it's almost no different to how we've been sleeping close together for the past weeks?" 
Simon's cheeks turn purple. That was true, they had been sleeping closer together. Eskel holding Simon against his broad body which seemed to radiate heat, it helped a lot for helping Simon to fall asleep. 
"...I suppose" Simon says softly, chewing at his lip as he looks at the bed, "I just...I don't know, a bed seems different" 
"How so?" Eskel asks, sounding curious and Simon is sure his complexion must resemble a ripened plum, 
"...No matter, just my own silliness" Simon says softly, going and laying on the bed. 
It feels like a forever but really only must be a few moments before Eskel lays down as well. The bed thankfully big enough to hold them both and Eskel whispers quietly to Simon, 
"Goodnight" 
"...Goodnight" Simon whispers, allowing the heat radiating from Eskel to lull him to sleep. 
~!~!~!~
Simon wakes up in the dead of night. 
The moon is still hanging high in the sky. The crickets outside chirping and the wind softly blowing. 
And Simon is in a taverns bed, with the man of his affections. 
He sighs, rolling to face Eskel. 
He's really...quite beautiful, despite what he says about himself. He has soft chestnut hair that is falling into his face, beautiful lips and a strong nose. The entire one side of his face is marred with long scars, but Simon almost thinks they enhance how gorgeous he is. 
And his eyes...Simon wishes he could see them. 
A beautiful amber yellow with a catlike pupil, they're so soft when they look at Simon, he almost doesn't believe the stories of Witchers being cruel beasts. 
Though since he's started travelling with Eskel, he believes every lie about Witchers less and less. 
Eskel is wonderful. He's intelligent, kind, caring, strong and handsome. Simon trusts him with his life. 
Simon doesn't register Eskel's bright yellow eyes staring back at him from the dark, until the soft rumble comes, 
"Simon?" 
Simon squeaks when he hears Eskel's voice. The two stare at each other a few moments, before Eskel whispers,
"Are you okay?" 
"I'm fine! Everything's fine" Simon whispers back, sure that if his heart was beating, it would leap from his chest, 
"Were you staring at me?" 
"...I'll leave" Simon says weakly and Eskel stares at Simon before he shakes his head, leaning in a bit which makes Simon inhale sharply. Eskel pauses, 
"Tell me to stop, and I will" he whispered, Simon wets his dry lips, 
"...I don't want you to" he whispers, and Eskel leans in, closing the gap between them.