Baby, it's cold outside
Dec. 1st, 2012 07:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
anachronosRipley hadn't meant to fall asleep. He never seemed to mean to fall asleep, really. It just happened. When and where were rarely up to his discretion. He had been sitting on a bench just down the road a ways from the station, watching the snow fall from the dark night sky. Drinking a cup of hot coffee, the Sheriff's set a little off to the side while Ripley waited for him to get off of his shift. He had been so distracted, watching the soft white flakes floating down from the sky, that he had not noticed at all, the sudden wave of exhaustion. Lulled into it more than usual by the cold and the quiet.
No, Ripley had not meant to fall asleep waiting for the Sheriff. But he had. He had fallen right over on that cold metal bench, coffee spilling across the ground and slowly freezing into a discolored spot among the snow. To any passing person unaware of his condition, it would have just looked as if some homeless man had not had the frame of mind to get under somewhere covered. But Ripley remained unaware of the snow as it fell from the sky in fine white sheets. Covering him, the bench and the streets in a layered dusting of white.
No, Ripley had not meant to fall asleep waiting for the Sheriff. But he had. He had fallen right over on that cold metal bench, coffee spilling across the ground and slowly freezing into a discolored spot among the snow. To any passing person unaware of his condition, it would have just looked as if some homeless man had not had the frame of mind to get under somewhere covered. But Ripley remained unaware of the snow as it fell from the sky in fine white sheets. Covering him, the bench and the streets in a layered dusting of white.
no subject
Date: 2012-12-02 03:31 am (UTC)The last word was accentuated by Graham yanking at the cover to get it away from under Ripley so that he could lay it over the guy instead.
The truth was of course that he didn't mind Ripley's size at all. He liked the other man's solid build, liked it rather a lot, but sometimes grumbling helps when something needs doing, and so he grumbled.
Once Ripley was covered Graham got rid of his own clothes as fast as he could and got in next to the other man, hissing when cold skin was pressed against his comparatively scorching one.
no subject
Date: 2012-12-02 03:54 am (UTC)"Ahm srry ahm nought one of thos thyn women."
It was amused and sleepy retort, and as he said it, he ducked his face down, pressing it into the crook between Graham's neck and shoulder. He breathed in deeply, his next words even more muffled against skin.
"'S coold Grhm."
no subject
Date: 2012-12-02 03:59 am (UTC)The word was more like a gasp because damn Ripley was cold.
Graham still wrapped his arms around the other man and against all instincts for self-preservation pressed himself closer. Screw being comfortable, what mattered was getting Ripley warm.
"Yeah I noticed."
no subject
Date: 2012-12-02 04:09 am (UTC)It was a low, apologetic murmur. The shivering had died down, but he was not letting go any time soon. He did feel guilty for dragging Graham into his foolishness. It was his own fault he had ended up so cold.
Graham was entirely too good to him. He was really far more patient about Ripley's condition than anyone he had ever run across.
no subject
Date: 2012-12-02 04:13 am (UTC)Sure he growled and grumbled, but he wasn't really annoyed with Ripley. He was annoyed with the condition that made life more difficult for someone that he cared a lot about.
"Not your fault."
He gently rubbed Ripleys back, encouraging blood to flow faster at the same time as he wanted to soothe the guilty conscience he could sense behind Rip's apology.
no subject
Date: 2012-12-02 04:57 am (UTC)He closed his eyes, relaxing against the warmth of Graham's body next to his. It should have sent him right back to sleep, but he was awake now, considering how much worse than chilled skin and shivers the night could have ended.
"Hve any plans for th res of th nigh't?"
Because if he didn't, Ripley planned on keeping him there for as long as he could.
no subject
Date: 2012-12-02 09:44 am (UTC)He was very glad this wasn't one of those nights when he was supposed to be in his appartment waiting for Regina to come over. He would've cancelled, taking care of Rip was a valid excuse even from just a "fellow human being" standpoint but he was glad he didn't have to deal with it. The longer Rip could stay mostly under the mayor's radar the better.
no subject
Date: 2012-12-02 09:50 am (UTC)"Could wrm you back up 's well." He knew it was a terrible thing to suggest, considering everything, but having Graham naked in his bed was not helping him think clearly.
no subject
Date: 2012-12-02 10:18 am (UTC)"That's very nice of you."
no subject
Date: 2012-12-02 05:29 pm (UTC)God, Graham was warm. And unfairly attractive. How had Ripley ever been meant to stand a chance with the Sheriff around? How was everyone in this town not after him?
"Just returning the favor." A low murmur against the side of his neck. His hands were moving up and down along Graham's sides, half to warm both them and the sheriff, and half to just enjoy the feel of him.