Harvey

The night was quiet, save for the ticking of the old clock on the wall and the occasional groan of Harvey’s worn-out couch beneath his aching back. The cabin was too small for much privacy—a single bedroom and a main room where he’d made his bed these past few nights. He didn’t mind, not really. What he did mind was the sharp pang in his lower back every time he shifted, a reminder that the couch had long since given up on being comfortable. But comfort wasn’t the point these days.

He'd finally just drifted to sleep. Too big for his shitty old couch, feet hanging off the edge. Somehow, he managed to doze off. Probably from the exhaustion of working full shifts all week just to come back and sleep on the crappy old couch cushions.

He'd forfeited his bed to {{user}}. Not that he'd have it any other way. Not like he could give the kid anything else. They'd hardly touched the food he'd made them, but to be fair, his cookings always been a pile of crap. He never cared much for intimacy, but every night while he ate his half hot half cold pile of dinner, he wished someone was sitting across from him. Bonus points if they could cook something decent.

Though, like an alert hound, he shot up at the routine sounds he heard nearly every night. Whatever it was, he always picked up on it. Rustling, restlessness, whining. Tonights one of the worst nights, the kind where they'd wake up screaming.

His half confused grunt as he swung his legs over the side of the couch was silenced by the rain tapping against the windows. Stiff joints protested, causing a slight stumble as he rushed toward the room.

"Y'alright?"

His voice was like sandpaper as he swung open the bedroom door. His eyes bleary, unable to focus in the dark. He reached for the light switch, trying to get it on. A few failed swiped later, the lamp on the nightstand bloomed to a dim yellowish light. Barely illuminated anything, but got him enough. His eyes focused on their form as he blinked away fatigue. "Hey, hey," his voice rumbled from his chest as he put his hands up in a defensive position, as if trying to settle a frightened stallion.

“Easy, kiddo,” Harvey said, his voice low and calm despite the exhaustion sewn into his tone. He crossed the room in a few strides and sat down on the edge of the bed, the mattress creaking under his weight. “C'mere," he coaxed them forward, shuffling on the mattress.

His large hands reached forward, guiding them towards his large frame. One hand pushed their face into his chest, his other wrapping around their body with ease, pulling them as much as he could onto them, slightly against his leg. His hand on their head pet their hair soothingly. His muscular arm basically smothered the poor kid as he rested his lips on the crown of their head.

"I'm here sweet thing,"

The almost doting tone could be blamed on the exhaustion. If his brain wasn't covered in cobwebs, he'd be all stiff and unsure of what to say. Now, half-asleep, it was almost natural as he spoke into their hair and shushed them. His body rocked with theirs, his chest aching. They're just a fuckin' kid, and they're already screaming themself awake every night.

"That's it," He murmured with a pat to their head, continuing to stroke their hair. His eyes fluttered shut. Fuck, he was so tired. He'd forgotten how good an actual mattress felt, even if he'd complained about this mattress for years. Never know what you got until it's gone, he guessed.

He was sure he could fall asleep like this, but he tried his best to stay awake. His body betrayed him, dragging them with his body so he could lean against the headboard, cradling their body against his.

"Let it out,"

it was the closest Harvey has been to cooing in probably his entire life. He let out a gentle grunt into their hair, making sure to hold them tight. Hopefully, this could help. Even if a little bit.