Comfort Levels

Summary: Sequel to Dealing With The Past. David teaches Nelson how to accept affection and care.
Warning(s): Spanking for discipline. Platonic D/s. Semi-consensual; Boundaries being tested/explored. Potential spoilers for Flatliners. AU

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David woke up fairly early, despite the fact that it was his day off and he didn't need to be awake so early. It was hard for his body to stop waking up at about five in the morning. And he wasn't really able to go back to sleep, so he got up and slipped out of his room.

The door to the other bedroom, to Nelson's bedroom, was closed. He was still asleep and that didn't surprise David. After all, the other man had been working...pushing himself...leaving first thing in the morning and not getting home until after David had already retired for the night.

David had allowed the behavior to continue for a few days, but the long hours Nelson was putting in weren't sustainable. Since the other man was showing no signs of stopping himself, David decided that he was going to put a stop to it. And it helped that both of them had the day off.

Since he was awake anyway, David began to clean the apartment, taking care of the chores so that, when Nelson woke up, there'd be nothing for the other man to claim he needed to focus on and use as an excuse not to have the conversation they needed to.

***

Nelson had got home very late, the experiment he was working on hitting an unexpected snag and causing him to have to stay later than intended. Even so, he woke up earlier than he needed to. He'd been waking up very early in the morning and leaving the house before David awoke, just so he could avoid answering questions about his experiment. He knew David wouldn't like what he was doing. The only reason he wasn't going in this morning was because the building where his experiment was being conducted was closed for fumigating and he wouldn't be allowed in. So, he tried to get a little more sleep.

Two hours after initially waking up and trying to continue sleeping, he finally gave up and got up, getting dressed and heading out into the rest of the apartment.

David heard Nelson moving around and stepped out of the kitchen. "Good morning," he said. "I'm just making breakfast. We'll eat. Then we're going to talk about the last few days."

Nelson blinked. "Okay..." he said hesitantly. He and David hadn't had a lot of interaction, so he wasn't sure what they'd talk about.

David headed into the kitchen to finish plating up their breakfast.

Nelson followed him into the kitchen, getting out silverware and two glasses for juice.

After putting the plates on the table, David sat down and waited for Nelson to sit as well before he began eating.

Putting the glasses of juice on the table and handing David silverware, Nelson sat and began to eat hungrily.

David was silent until they finished eating. Then, he spoke. "What have you been working on the past few days, that's got you out of the apartment for so long?"

"Just an experiment... it's kinda hard to explain... has to do with reaction times and various factors affecting them..." Nelson said, in a brief explanation.

"So, it's not a time-sensitive experiment?" David asked. "Not one that has to be completed within a certain timeframe?"

"Not time sensitive, no. Certain conditions need to be met, though..." Nelson said hesitantly.

"So, it wasn't necessary for you to leave so early and come home so late," David said.

"It made it easier to meet those conditions... but otherwise, I suppose not..." Nelson said uncertainly, not cetain where David was heading with the conversation.

"This is the kind of thing you were doing before," David said. "And like I said to you before. You can't do this. It isn't sustainable, Nelson. You'll make yourself sick."

"It wouldn't be forever... just until the tests are done for my experiment..." Nelson argued. Of course, part of the reason he was doing it was because he was having difficulty sleeping again, but he didn't want to admit that.

"You don't need me to tell you that kind of behavior is unhealthy," David said. "You need to take care of yourself. And if you can't do that yourself, then I'll have to do that for you."

"I realize it isn't the healthiest... but it is necessary for my experiment..." Nelson sighed.

"It's not necessary," David replied. "You said it yourself. It wasn't an emergency, or an experiment that needed to be completed by a certain time. I'm not going to stand back and let you harm yourself. I care about you too much to turn a blind eye to this." 

"You don't understand... not necessary because of any time constraints. Necessary because of the test itself. Test was how reactions were affected by early morning time, by little sleep, by late night, by doing things after a long day of work.... " Nelson explained reluctantly.

"Nelson." David leaned forward slightly. "We both know that you shouldn't be doing those kinds of experiments. Harming yourself for that?" He shook his head. "We did that already. Remember? The results were awful."

"I...." Nelson sighed. "I know," he finally admitted.

"I need to make sure this sticks in your head." David stood up. "We'll continue this conversation in my room."

Nelson grimaced. "We don't have to, David... I know. I won't forget..." Nelson whined. He hadn't forgotten this time, after all. Forgetting wasn't his problem.

"I don't think you did forget," David replied. "I think you just decided it didn't matter. And I'm going to prove to you that it does matter. That you matter."

"I... I know I matter!" Nelson argued, even as he followed David, unable to stop himself from obeying the other man.

"This isn't the first time you've acted in ways that hurt yourself," David said, as they reached his room. "And I don't need to explain to you exactly why that isn't acceptable. I told you I wouldn't leave you to flounder alone, and I intend to follow through with my promise." He reached to take Nelson's arm and draw the other man towards the bed.

Nelson swallowed hard, torn between wanting to argue about the need for David to step in and affection toward his friend who kept his promises. He didn't fight and soon, they were by the bed. "You don't have to..." he whispered, in a small voice.

"If I don't care about your health and wellbeing, this self-destructive behavior will carry on," David replied. "And I'll run the risk of losing you. Again." He took a seat on the bed and guided Nelson into place across his lap.

"Maybe you'd be better off if you did lose me..." Nelson mumbled unhappily, as he was tilted over David's lap.

In response to the words, David didn't immediately begin swatting, instead pushing Nelson's shirt up so that he could rub the bare skin of his friend's back. "I wouldn't be better off, Nelson. I care about you. I love you."

"I... I know." Nelson sighed softly, almost apologetically. "That's the reason I can't fight you when you decide you need to step in... You realize if you were anyone else, you'd be risking a black eye?" He tried to sound teasing, but there was a lot of truth in the words.

"I get it," David replied. "I know the amount of trust you're putting in me. And I won't let you down," he promised, even as he tugged Nelson's pants and underwear down.

Nelson winced at feeling himself bared. "I know..." he acknowledged softly.

Still rubbing Nelson's back gently and soothingly, David lifted his other hand and brought it down in a firm smack that he then repeated, before delivering another pair of swats just below the first.

Nelson exhaled quickly, gulping, automatically reaching down to twist his fingers into David's pants leg. "I'm sorry I'm so difficult..." he whispered.

"It doesn't matter how difficult you can be at times. I'm not going to stop caring about you. I'm not going to decide you're too much work." David continued to swat with each word, covering every inch of Nelson's bottom from the crest to mid-thigh. Then, he paused to remove his friend's clothing entirely.

"David..." Nelson's voice was shaky, but he didn't fight his friend. The more David took over, the less Nelson wanted to argue.

"There's no reason for these barriers," David said quietly. "You're at home, with me, and safe. No hiding." He took a tighter, firmer grip on Nelson as he began a second circuit of smacks.

"N... no hiding..." Nelson agreed, his voice falling further before he just gave up and relaxed. He was fully accepting of David's decision. His bottom was beginning to burn and all he could do was whimper softly.

David began a third circuit of swats, going a fraction harder and faster. At the same time, he rubbed Nelson's back, comfortingly and soothingly. "You won't be overworking yourself anymore, Nelson. No leaving the apartment in the early hours and not getting back until after midnight."

"...My experiment?" Nelson asked woefully, unable to keep from squirming.

"You're going to make a list of the conditions that need to be met," David said. "And we're going to go through them together and figure out the safest way for the experiment to be run."

"Yessir..." Nelson finally slumped in submission, accepting the hard smacks... almost seeming to seek them out by arching his back and pushing his bottom up slightly.

Continuing to gently rub Nelson's back, giving comfort at the same time, David began to focus more smacks to his friend's sit spots and thighs. He wanted to make sure this spanking was effective enough to stick in Nelson's mind for as long as possible.

Nelson accepted the punishment quietly at first, but eventually, the burn was too much. One tiny sob escaped, then another. And then he was just quietly crying as his friend made his bottom burn.

Hearing the tears, David stopped spanking, rubbing his friend's bottom instead. "I won't lose you, Nelson." His voice was quiet, but no less sincere. "If I have to take you over my knee every day to remind you of how you're meant to take care of yourself, I will."

"You'd... every day?" Nelson asked, in a teary, shaky voice.

"Every day," David confirmed. "Whatever it takes to keep you alive. To keep you safe. To keep you with me."

"I... I understand..." Nelson swallowed. Part of him suspected the everyday thing would end up occurring, but he wasn't going to say so.

David helped Nelson up to cuddle on his lap and continued to rub his friend's back and over his bottom, offering comfort and affection. "I love you. I don't care how difficult you can be at times. I'm not going to give up on you," he promised.

"I don't deserve you..." Nelson pressed closer, laying his head on David's shoulder.

"That's not true," David replied, letting his fingers stroke through Nelson's hair. "You deserve to have someone looking out for you. To take care of you. Even if taking care of you means a trip over my knee."

"I shouldn't have needed to go over your knee. I knew you wouldn't like what I was doing. S'why I didn't tell you..." Nelson admitted.

David snorted softly at that. "You're lucky you're not going over my knee again for doing something you knew I wouldn't be happy with." He was only half-joking. He wrapped his arms more tightly, more firmly, around Nelson...as if afraid that if he let go, his friend would disappear.

"I'd deserve it..." Nelson sighed. "I knew... think part of me wanted you to find out, though."

"I would have done eventually," David commented. "You couldn't hide what you were doing forever." He let one hand rub gently against Nelson's lower back, against the base of his spine. "Considering how close you came to dying before, when there was no one to pull you back from the edge, I'm very tempted to follow through with spanking you daily as a reminder," he commented. "I'd rather give you a sore butt than run the risk of losing you to your own reckless behavior."

"Considering part of me is already trying to figure out a way to keep doing what I've been doing, even now that you know and have told me no... Maybe I need that..." Nelson cleared his throat and glanced away, blushing.

"That doesn't surprise me," David said. "I think it'll be easier to keep an eye on you if you go back to sleeping in here, with me."

"That's not... you shouldn't have to be uncomfortable just because I have no sense of self-preservation or obedience..." Nelson protested.

"I wouldn't be uncomfortable," David responded. "I want to keep you close, Nelson."

"What about dating? It will seriously crimp any ability to have someone over if you have me sharing your room..." Nelson pointed out.

"I don't have much interest in dating at the moment," David admitted. "Besides. My main focus is you right now."

"I'm derailing your life..." Nelson said regretfully.

"No, you're not," David replied. "I want you in my life. I want to be here for you, Nelson. I'm not doing anything I don't want to do."

"It feels like I shouldn't want to share your bed," Nelson muttered. "Our relationship isn't... it makes no sense...."

"Our relationship isn't sexual," David replied. "But we are close. There's no reason not to accept affection. You're letting me hold you right now. Is it really so different to share my bed? It helped you with your nightmares before."

"Maybe not... but it feels like it should be..." Nelson sighed, laying his head on David's shoulder again.

David brushed a light, affectionate kiss against Nelson's head. "I need to keep you close in any case," he said frankly.

"Because if you don't, I'll mess up..." Nelson said quietly.

"No, because I feel better with you close," David replied. "Because I like keeping you close. Because I care about you. Because I love you."

Nelson smiled crookedly. "Love you too, man...."

"Then believe me when I say that keeping you close isn't to make sure you behave and it won't make things difficult for me," David said. "I feel better when you're close to me."

Nelson breathed in deeply, then nodded. "Okay...."

"Does the idea of it bother you or upset you?" David asked.

"Other than feeling like I shouldn't want it..." Nelson said. "It doesn't."

"There's nothing wrong with wanting it," David responded. "We're friends. I'd venture to say we're more than friends...more like brothers. And there's no reason not to share a bed with your brother."

"Different than brothers... but that's the closest to what we are," Nelson acknowledged.

"Exactly. So, there's nothing wrong with accepting the affection. Being taken care of. Staying in here with me," David said.

"Okay... should I gather my stuff and move it to your room? I'm assuming I'm not allowed to do any work." Nelson smiled crookedly.

"No work for at least today and tomorrow," David replied. "After that, we'll see how things are. And yes. Moving your stuff in here would be a good idea."

Nelson nodded. "Now?"

"Now's as good a time as any," David agreed. "We can carry on cuddling afterwards."

Nelson carefully got up, looking at the pile of clothes near the bed. Then, sighing silently, he left to gather his belongings. It felt just as odd being completely naked while David was clothed, but this was how his best friend had put him and Nelson was still submissive enough not to do anything without the other man's permission, so redressing or asking to redress didn't occur to him.

While Nelson went to gather his belongings, David cleared some space so that the other man would easily be able to put away what he needed to.

It took a few trips to bring enough of his clothes over that he wouldn't constantly be running to the other room. By the time he finished putting items away, he was feeling more in control of himself and picked his clothing up off the floor, beginning to get dressed again. David may feel it perfectly fine and normal to cuddle him like he was a fragile treasure- naked no less- but Nelson couldn't help but feel there was something wrong with him to not only go along with it, but like it. The least he could do was make sure he was clothed, before his best friend decided to tug him back in to coddle and baby.

Once Nelson was dressed, David commented, "I'm sure you haven't slept as much as you should have done. I figure we can have a nap now. Do something together later on."

Nelson looked reluctant, but he couldn't come up with a good excuse not to do as David said. "Okay," he whispered.

David wrapped an arm around Nelson's shoulders, drawing him back over to the bed. "I know it's hard to let yourself relax and accept comfort from someone else but doing that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you."

"Maybe not..." Nelson wasn't really in a mood to argue the merits or problems of accepting comfort. It would be easier to argue that he didn't necessarily need comfort at this moment, but David seemed determined that he did, and he figured arguing that he didn't wouldn't convince the other man. He let himself be pulled into position and tried to relax.

David settled them both onto the bed, guiding Nelson into a tight embrace. He let his fingers stroke through the other man's hair, rubbing down his back. "There's nothing wrong with you. Nothing wrong with accepting comfort and affection. You understand that, right?"

"Yeah... Yeah. I mean... I accepted it when everything was falling apart, and we decided to move in together... just... not sure I need it all the time..." Nelson said uncertainly. He wasn't used to constant hands-on-affection, wasn't really comfortable with it, but also didn't want to go into any deep discussions about it, or any hang-ups he might have, so it was easier to just capitulate. For the moment.

Rubbing his hand down Nelson's back, David murmured, "You haven't felt comfortable letting anyone in for a long time. I figure you aren't used to anyone caring about you on a personal level."

"Just you and the rest of the gang... mostly you..." Nelson admitted. "I'm okay, though...don't need to have physical affection all the time...."

David tightened his arms around Nelson, rubbing his hand up under his friend's shirt to rub his bare back. "I don't think you're right about that, but that's something you'll learn in time."

Nelson debated stating that he didn't appear to have much choice in the matter; and he did his best not to tense up when David rubbed under his shirt.  Now that he wasn't being punished and wasn't emotionally upset, it was hard to submit to all the touching. But... he didn't want to fight with David and didn't want to upset or hurt him. So, he held still and forced himself to remain relaxed and accept the affection.

"I know it's difficult," David said softly. "But you're doing pretty well, all things considered." He left unsaid his assumption that Nelson had received very little affection as a child. That Nelson had never been able to forgive himself until he was an adult and forced to face up to the sins of his past made it clear no one had tried to heal him emotionally.

"Yeah... okay..." Nelson sighed, forcing himself to remain relaxed, even though every part of him felt like he should pull away. And it was daytime. He shouldn't be in bed napping. But again, he didn't figure arguing with David would accomplish anything.

David let his fingers stroke gently through Nelson's hair, even as he continued to rub his friend's back. He didn't remove Nelson's clothing, even if he thought it might be more comfortable if the other man was at least in pajamas. It was enough that Nelson was accepting the affection.

Nelson took a slow breath and closed his eyes, trying to 'nap'.

"You know, you'd probably be more comfortable wearing pajamas," David murmured. He actually thought Nelson would find it easier if he wasn't wearing clothes at all, but he didn't make that comment.

"I'm okay..." Nelson mumbled, yawning despite himself. "I'd hafta change again when we got up and don't feel like doing that...."

"We're not leaving the apartment for the rest of the day. No reason to get changed again." David continued to stroke Nelson's hair and rub over his back, under the shirt.

"Yeah. Never felt comfortable wearing night clothes during the day. Just feels weird..." Nelson chuckled.

"I think you'd be better off not wearing any clothes at all," David said frankly. "At least for when we're in here."

Nelson stiffened up again. "Why?" he asked bluntly. The idea of being naked... beyond being completely vulnerable to David and on unequal footing, since David would presumably still be dressed... felt at odds with everything he thought was normal. People didn't go around naked in front of their best friends unless they were drunk, or there were extenuating circumstances.

"Because I think it'll be better for you to let go of all that iron control you keep over yourself normally," David answered frankly. "Because I think you need to let someone else be in control of you and to take care of you. You found it easy to submit to discipline at my hands. I think you need to learn to accept comfort and affection as easily."

"You think I'm that messed up that I should just let you be in control of me all the time?" Nelson didn't know if he was offended that David thought he should just give up control over his life, or hurt that David thought he needed to.

"I don't think you're messed up," David said. "I think you've been hurt, deeply hurt, by what happened in your past. By the fact that it's taken you a long time to start being able to forgive yourself. That it's clear no one else saw how wounded you were, because otherwise, you would have got the help you needed to start healing long before now. You wouldn't have needed to kill yourself in order to find any kind of closure." He tightened his embrace around Nelson. "I think you've been failed by people who should have been on your side, in your corner. I won't fail you, Nelson. I'm asking you to trust me."

"I trust you... Just don't understand what you're trying to do, really. I can listen to you and stuff without having to do half of what you are asking..." Nelson mumbled. He didn't try and pull away. He knew if David insisted, he'd take off all his clothes and nap in the other man's arms fully naked, no matter if he hated the idea and was so completely uncomfortable, he'd be tense the whole rest of the day.

"I'm trying to help you heal," David said gently. "So that you don't end up destroying yourself like you so very nearly did. I didn't step in when I nearly lost you, but I know I should have done. Because it would have proved what I'm saying. The idea of losing you isn't acceptable." Tightening his embrace, he added, "I know you think there's something wrong with you for accepting affection and comfort like this, but there isn't. I won't say this is a normal, conventional relationship, but I don't think normal and conventional is what's needed between us."

"I'm not against accepting affection. Just... have a hard time accepting it at all times, no matter when or where..." Nelson wrinkled his nose. He did relax slightly again, hesitantly returning the hug to try and prove his words about not being against it.

David wrapped his own arms that bit tighter around Nelson, still rubbing his back and stroking his hair. "You're more open to receiving affection and comfort when I've taken you in hand," he observed quietly. "When I just spanked you, it was easier for you to respond to the affection I was giving you."

"Kinda hard to not respond when you've been completely in control of me and I'm trying to calm down." Nelson snorted softly.

"You weren't second-guessing yourself," David said. "Or questioning if it was okay to accept affection or not. I was completely in control when I spanked you," he added. "That didn't upset you or bother you, did it? That's why I think giving up control, even with just the two of us, will be helpful and beneficial to you."

"It isn't that giving up control didn't bother me. It's always unsettling and nearly scary whenever it happens. I just felt like I deserved what you were doing, so didn't try and fight it..." Nelson sighed. "Just giving up control to you so that you can hug all over me and tell me I'm being a good boy and give me all the affection you believe I need feels like a really... I don't know that I can give up control for that...."

David raised his eyebrows at the words, not entirely sure that Nelson wasn't joking or being sarcastic. "I don't think I'm wrong in believing you need affection. And if you need me to tell you you're being a good boy...." He paused, so that he could see Nelson's reaction to that. To see if his friend needed that verbal praise, as well as the physical affection.

Nelson cringed at the words. He hadn't mentioned that because he wanted David to do it. It was as uncomfortable hearing words like that as it was to have David rubbing his back randomly and hugging him continually. Surely there was a time and place for everything, but David seemed to think the time and place was all the time and it was disconcerting.

"It's all right," David said wryly, noticing Nelson's reaction to the words. "I won't tell you that. But I think you need the physical affection. I think it feels uncomfortable to you because it's been so long since you had any...at least outside of a sexual relationship. You're closer than a brother to me, Nelson. I'm not looking to harm you."

Nelson gave David a startled look. "I know you aren't planning to harm me. That's not...." He frowned, swallowing. "You want me to be naked?" he asked softly. If being naked like David wanted would help the other man know he trusted him, then he'd do it, no matter how uncomfortable it made him.

David took a few moments to respond; and when he did, it wasn't an immediate answer to Nelson's question. Instead, it was a question of his own. "I know that you feel uncomfortable being like this, but beneath the surface...how do you feel when I hold you? Do you dislike it?"

"I don't dislike it..." Nelson finally answered honestly. "I'm not comfortable with it and my first inclination is to pull away, but... it isn't something that I actively hate or dislike."

Nodding in acknowledgement, David asked quietly, "Do you think maybe your first instinct to pull away might be because you think you shouldn't like it? Because you think you don't deserve it? Because there's still that hurt child inside of you?"

"It feels weird..." Nelson wrinkled his nose. "No one I know is so... hands on... even if they are affectionate, they limit the hands on to occasional moments when it 'fits' the situation." He didn't say it might be any of the reasons David suggested. He didn't know if it was any of those reasons. He'd never given it much thought.

"It's a different situation between us," David commented. "You said it yourself. Not quite brothers, but that's the closest word to our type of relationship. We're family."

"Yeah.... but. I don't know of many families that... that have that kind of platonic affection either..." Nelson wrinkled his nose.

"Different doesn't necessarily mean bad," David commented. "And the first time I stepped in with you, before we moved in together, the affection seemed to help settle you a lot. I won't make you get naked, though. We'll take it small steps at a time. I can tell you're trying and that's good," he said encouragingly.

Nelson blushed at hearing David say him trying was good. It was so close to him saying Nelson was good, he thought for a second that's what he was saying. "I... if you think my being naked will make it easier for you to accomplish your goal...."

"I think it will help," David said. "But I'm not going to make you take your clothes off." Gently rubbing Nelson's back, he continued, "Alternatively, as skin to skin contact has been proven to be beneficial, it wouldn't be a problem for us both to be naked."

"That would feel even more odd..." Nelson admitted. "But... if you really believe it will help...I'll undress again."

David nodded. "Thank you for giving it a try," he said honestly.

Swallowing again, Nelson stood up long enough to remove all his clothing, folding it carefully and setting it on a chair before climbing back into the bed. He took a slow breath and forced himself to move close enough for David to take hold of again. He was blushing.

Immediately, David wrapped his arms around Nelson once more, hugging him tightly, gently stroking over his hair and back. "That was very good," he murmured softly. "Thank you."

Nelson blushed. David was doing exactly as he'd suspected he would, hugging and rubbing, while all but calling him a good boy. He had no clue how to react. It felt good and made his stomach flip, which he also did not know how to react to.

David continued to stroke and rub over Nelson's hair and back, pulling his friend close enough that their bodies were pressed entirely together. "I know this is hard, but you're doing really well," he continued encouragingly.

"I... how... how long do you plan...?" Nelson shivered, forcing himself to relax in David's arms. He didn't pull away. Despite his uncertainty, it did feel good.

"How long do I plan to what?" David asked, rubbing his hand down Nelson's spine, squeezing gently.

"To hold me close and rub me..." Nelson flushed.

"It's not like I have any other commitments today," David replied. "And I know you don't either. Apart from eating and bathroom breaks, there's no real reason not to stay like this for the whole day."

Nelson sighed again, slumping slightly. "Yeah. Okay," he said quietly. He was beginning to feel less and less in control the more David rubbed.

"It feels good to me too," David said quietly. "Holding you and rubbing you, it helps me. Helps me feel that you're still here, with me. That I didn't lose you." He was still rubbing Nelson's back. Still stroking his hair and down over his neck.

"I really hurt you with what I did..." Nelson acknowledged sadly.

"I was terrified." A slightly hoarse note crept into David's voice, remembering the desperation...the thought that Nelson was gone. That he wasn't coming back. "I thought I wouldn't get you back. They say you don't realize how important someone is to you until you face losing them. I felt that. Then I brought you back and I was...too relieved to turn you over my knee and give you the tanning you deserved then," he said wryly.

"Not sure I could have accepted it then," Nelson said softly. "I wouldn't have fought, but after..." He shrugged faintly.

"Yeah," David agreed. "But any more dangerous behavior now will earn you a trip over my knee." He was still rubbing and stroking over Nelson's hair and back, holding his friend close and tight.

"Yessir," Nelson agreed quietly, laying his head against his friend's shoulder. Despite it still being morning and the fact, he hadn't been tired, he was soon fighting sleep.

Gently stroking his fingers through Nelson's hair, David murmured, "You should sleep, Nelson. I've got you."

"Yeah... you do..." Nelson whispered, before falling asleep.

David held his friend close, continuing to stroke and rub Nelson's hair and back. The physical contact with the other man helped to soothe the pain that lingered from so nearly losing Nelson.

Nelson stayed asleep throughout David's affections.

The End