✰ common vision ☇ private w/ mercury.

☇ wally openly notices how quick carter is to perk up at the idea of spending the night out seeing a movie, eyes brightened behind their glass lenses as he takes the cushion just besides him. as per, the doctor thoughtlessly shifts closer once their thighs are touching one another, just managing to restrain himself from clambering directly into the ex - pilot’s lap. instead, he’s opted to untuck his legs and throw them into the other’s lap in what would be his place. his toes wiggle idly, sleepy smile draped across his features as his gaze flickers up to carter’s face. it was simply so sweet to see him in such a relaxed state, not really minding what was going on around him or any other situation that wasn’t as hand. it was carter, and wally, and then everything else that was less important within these little moments of mindless chatter. ❛ - aye, a movie! ❜ he’s sure to repeat for good measure despite the phrasing of the original quip being obviously rhetorical. with soldiers just being sent home in the last span of two weeks, the doctor wasn’t too stunned to learn that only one was playing as of this month. notwithstanding this fact, holly had already gone and seen it once, and reported back to her younger brother that it was worth the seven quid in cinema tickets. ❛ some sort of horror film is playin' this month. dunno' f'r sure, but that's what i've been told. ❜ it wouldn't exactly be a shock to hear wally was disinterested in such a genre. he was easily frightened by simplistic things, much less a movie on a large screen that was striving to strike him with fear. though, he believes it'll be bearable with carter to clutch onto. he somehow doubts the ex - pilot would have much of a complaint about such a response, anyhow.

he's excited to hear there was one activity they could agree on. wally knew heading out to dinner together wasn't going to be carter's first choice. perhaps it would be another time, after the doctor showed him around eyemouth. one of his favourite things about the small town was the fact that everyone did truly know one another. with such a minuscule population, everyone was forced to get along whether they wanted to or not. after several generations of people being raised with this aspect in mind, none in the village appeared to care about sexual preference, and it left walter reeling in realisation each time he wasn't home. it wasn't like that everywhere; hell, it probably wasn't like that anywhere else. others were told it was taboo the entirety of their lives, while the citizens of eyemouth never saw anything different in such an aspect. ❛ - good, ❜ he breathes, fighting to keep from getting lost within his thoughts on the little scottish town. ❛ - can't wait t' show y'a 'round town when we go. i think y'er gonna' like it! got a... certain kinda' vibe t' it, y'a know? can't really pinpoint it. somethin' sleepy. ❜

a giggle spills from his parted lips, curious eyes watching as carter fetches the tea he'd nearly forgotten about. on the cue of remembrance, he stretches out to snatch a quickened sip of his own. breakfast was the perfect blend to mix with his copious amounts of milk and sugar, creating something particularly sweet that coated the inside of his maw. ❛ - didn't say they were bad! ❜ he jests in return, ginger brows knitting in amusement at the ex - pilot's blatantly forced tone of defence. wally quite liked them, actually. though not particularly the best with any sort of greenery besides flowers, he still found a certain joy in how perfect the houseplants fit in the setting. nothing felt out of place in the man's flat, each item having a legitimate balance to it. as the topic of conversation drifts back to ella, the doctor huffs a dulled sigh through his nostrils. though he'd been thrilled at the prospect of meeting her prior, his drunken argument with her the night before wasn't going to make that an easy task. it'd take him some time to work up the gall to even face her again, much less engage in a full discussion with carter hawking over them. ❛ - oi, 'course. still got time in the day; y'a should go see her. ❜ coyly, the doctor avoids any reference to him tagging along for such a visit. he can feel himself getting worked up over the issue when he didn't need to; with him sitting back in the pad, carter would most likely work to cut any discussion with her short. if he went by his lonesome, he suspects the woman will keep her complaints meagre, or not mention them at all. plus, he wanted to respect her wishes. she'd specifically stated for carter to visit her without walter in his footsteps. ❛ could make us somethin' f'r a late lunch by the time y'a g'it back? ❜

☇ while the slowly methodical touch was rather ticklish against the skin of his bare leg, wally refrains from yanking it back. if carter didn't mind the sockless feet resting within the confines of his lap, neither should the doctor. when the ex - pilot blissfully agrees to his offer of lunch, wally's lidded eyes flicker towards the kitchen. though it was rather small in general area size, that didn't mean it was less than well stocked. he's left to wonder how often the other cooks, if at all. knowing carter as well as he did, an easy assumption was made that the man would most likely eat simple foods such as sandwiches and pre - made meals one only had to toss into the range. ❛ - mm, what y'a wanna' eat? ❜ straight to the point, but that was how it had to be with the likes of the ex - pilot. he never really appeared to openly give a legitimate answer about something unless the question was no nonsense. an unoccupied hand continually holds his teacup close, tiny sips progressively stolen from from it as they sat within this softened discussion. he could listen to the man speak all day; about plants, his auntie, brandon. it wasn't the topic that mattered, but the pleasure he derived from hearing him sound so genuinely relaxed. there was no stress between the duo, no worry. it was an overtly welcoming feeling, and if their plans for the remainder of the day weren't being discussed, he could comfortably doze off with carter sitting at his side. ❛ can cook jus' 'bout anythin' if y'a got the stuff f'r it! ❜

he isn't blind to the sudden nervousness that's quick to build up across the other's expression. there was no real way of hiding it, and it didn't seem as if carter was striving to. wally's head dips curiously, cuppa tea discarded back onto the coffee table with but a meagre sip or two left within it. that wasn't what mattered now anyway, as he silently takes in the ex - pilot's struggle to find the correct words on his tongue. of course, he should have been expecting to hear that. either way, his shoulders droop and his gaze lowers for an unnoticeably fleeting moment. the first thought to run itself clearly through his mind was that it was all his fault, somehow by accident, without his proper consent. the man was embarrassed by him. his hands feel unbelievably clammy at the forced suggestion, the burn on his palm giving off a dull ache of pain as his fingernails dig into it mindlessly. ❛ - that's alright! ❜ he rebounds at a shockingly fast pace, smile returning to his features as if it had never left in the first place. notwithstanding his outward appearance, it feels far more like a grimace to the doctor. it's a fight for his eyebrows not to furrow into something more saddened, to hang his head in a shameful display. still, he refrains. this was carter's choice to make, and if he found himself too embarrassed to share the information with his family, wally wasn't going to push him on it. he'd support him to the best of his ability, putting forward that coddling attitude of optimism towards everything, just as he always did. ❛ - it ain't an easy thing t' admit, i understand that. ❜

finally, wally makes the first move up from the sofa. he pulls his legs back from carter's lap with a tired sigh of defeat, grasping his teacup before making an instant beeline for the kitchen. blinking down at the now emptied mug, he swallows the lump forming in his throat. his mind was asking him a million questions at once; questioning why no one found him competent to be around, pointing out that he was just that much of a nuisance. had the ex - pilot not been in the same room, he most likely would have put his head into the cusps of his hands and give out a sob by now. he knows carter loved him; god, he'd said, he'd said it over and over. - but, his state of thinking does not agree with him for reasons beyond his comprehension. instead of choking out tears, he continues to act as if the thoughts aren't dragging him down by filling the sink with heated water as he had for the prior few washes. ❛ - i'll be sure t' start on whatever y'a want, now. have it nice an' fresh by the time y'a g'it back! ❜ hands now lathered with soap as he scrubs his used cup free of liquid lines, his head opts to bob towards the coat rack. ❛ - still comin' down out there. don't y'a go forgettin' y'er jacket, now. ❜

☇ oh, god. oh, god, he’d been bad. he’d been so bad, he’d done the wrong thing. wally damn well knew the difference between right and wrong, and what he’d done was so very wrong. his original bout of excitement when carter stepped back into the flat all drained away, leaving him feeling sickeningly empty as he stood at the counter, munching down on a small portion of his pre - made lunch to sate himself for the other’s return. he’d been gone far longer than the doctor would’ve assumed, and his heart had fluttered at the simple sight of him. with a swivel of his head, the man’s lips had instantly upturned from their neutral expression, and his cheeks tinted a rosy shade as he thinks back to the quickened goodbye. not only had the ex - pilot ever so willingly pressed a delicate kiss onto his cheek, but he’d made use of a sweet little pet name that left him feeling woozy. he’s gone ahead and quickly created a decently sized portion of ruben sandwich for the both of them, even going as far as to throw together a cobb salad they could each snack of beforehand. though, his happiness at cooking for the other seems long gone as his stomach replaces itself with that nauseatingly empty feeling of absolute terror.

duncan had never gone easy on him. every time he did something he shouldn’t have, he was violently punished for the actions. wally was no stranger to any of it; pushing, pulling, throwing, punching. it was the russian roulette style of plausible corrections that made his heart pound hard against his chest, as if it was going to die out at any moment from exhaustion. he blinks at the lunch he’d made for the man, and wondered if it would get him possible brownie points in his eyes. he knew how these things worked, and duncan had frequently been easily persuaded out of the oncoming beating with something such a home - cooked meal. his mouth is disgustingly dry, as if it’s unable to form the words he wants it to. he wishes to beg, and scream, and cry for carter’s forgiveness. instead, he’s gone mute for the time being. his hands shake where they sit, fingers curling tight as they uselessly grab at nothing in an attempt to soothe himself from all these rushing thoughts. each one made him more sickened than the last, feeling lightheaded with all that was going on. god, ella had told him. ella had told him fucking everything. why had the woman done that? did she truly despise wally so much that she wanted the satisfaction of knowing carter would return home and beat him? while the one half of him fears mindlessly, the other fights uselessly against those urges. carter loved him, duncan did not. he was confusing the only relationship he ever had with reality, believing needlessly that each was filled with contempt and malice. he knows the ex - pilot god dammit, he knows that man would never lay a finger on him in any sort of violent retaliation about something. - but, the doctor’s fear wins this battle.

he sputters out a noise of distress, breathing picking up at a painfully shaking pace. ❛ - i - i’m sorry! oh, my god, that was s’ bad’a me! ❜ once he manages to muster up some sort of speech, hands fly to the back his head in an openly protective gesture as he struggles to not instantly sink to his quaking knees. he gives a rushed sob, disgustingly messy with snot and rushing tears as he eventually gives in to his instinct of dropping to the flooring beneath him. ❛ - god! god! i’m s’ sorry! i’m s’ sorry, carter! please, i - i know it was bad! ❜ wally blubbers, bleary eyes squeezed tight behind his steamed glasses as they pick up on a steady stream of tears. he was so scared, so fucking scared. he didn’t want to be hit and kicked, he didn’t want to be screamed at, he didn’t want to be called stupid for his actions. even though all this was given major priority due to how truly awful he’d been the night previous, that doesn’t stop him from praying that none of it happened. of course he’s more than remorseful for leaving carter all to his lonesome. of course he’s more than remorseful for drunkenly arguing with the man’s auntie. of course he’s more then remorseful for being a laughing stock, for being embarrassing. his breathing is rapid, an absolute mess as to where it sounds as if he could easily slump over unconscious at any second now. he’d gone that far before; gotten himself so disgustingly worked up about some predicament with duncan that he dropped like deadweight. ❛ - please, forgive me! i - i wasn’t thinkin’ clearly, an’ - an’ - ❜ wally isn’t even sure what he was now supposed to say. continue begging? kick it up a notch? with clenched teeth, he muttering has yet to come to an end. ❛ - don’t hurt me! please! j - jus’ don’t hurt me! ❜

☇ carter's voice was hardly audible over his childish sobbing, but it was nevertheless audible as a whole. the ex - pilot had just said it himself - his whimpered apologies were unneeded. god, why did he have to act like this? though he hadn't broken the behaviour as of yet, he knows it to be rather idiotic. this wasn't how normal people from normal backgrounds reacted to normal situations. it was a habit of his he was never able to get rid of, the fear of a hand striking him far too strong to simply will away, no matter how much he wished he could. duncan had put a lot of needlessly embarrassing fears into him, and this was one of them. wally presumes that there would be a day when he doesn't react in such a manner, but for now, there was no changing it. he curled up, and cried, and attempted to make himself appear even smaller in some sort of protective curl. even in a state like this, he found carter's tone to be extremely soothing. he spoke so sweetly, far too delicate for how he looked, yet worked to suit him so well. gulping down the air that fleets so painfully from his lungs, the doctor's widened eyes snap upwards on command. the hands that'd been holding his head slowly retract from their placement, instead balled into fists so he could paw sloppily as his bleary tears. he supposes this is what duncan got out of all this; he feels so belittled in this second, tiny and useless as he begs for continued mercy from someone that should rightly be giving it to him in the first place. carter loved him - carter loves him. just as he'd stated prior, and walter already knew, no hand would be laid on him in any violent or vulgar means.

he wanted to apologise? wally didn't understand what for. the night's events were indefinitely wally's doing; he'd been the one who suggested going to drink over seeing a movie, he'd been the one to originally go along with carter's drunken antics, he'd been the one who left him to fend for himself in the middle of the street. in all honesty, it wasn't fair for the doctor to willingly take in any offered apologies, but he sits in mainly silence besides the few raggedy breaths that drawl air into his lungs. walter did regret what he did, that much was fact. he could only worriedly wonder what sort of extra information ella had relayed without his knowing, but he'd already struggling to keep himself from becoming exhaustively lightheaded, and a terrifying thought such as that wasn't going to be helping him. he manages to brush it off for the time being, sure to bring it up later when he fully regained his gall. for now, he's listening carefully to the ex - pilot as he pushes up from the cold flooring. he gets himself back into an awkwardly sat position, ginger brows knit into a soured expression as he blinks up at the other. god, what the hell was he thinking? he always let fear get the better of him, past experiences that didn't need to have a tightened grasp on his life anymore. his head slowly nods as to confirm the final statement, another sob wracking his small frame as he lets it froth solemnly past his lips before breaking the minimal distance that separated the pair.

❛ - i'm sorry. ❜ he knows carter told him he didn't have to apologise, but as his arms wrap gently around his boyfriend, this apology was meant for something else. ❛ - i - i can't help it. i dunno'. i dunno'. ❜ he shakily explains, eyes squeezed shut as he rests his chin on carter's shoulder. though disgustingly embarrassed not only with his behaviour, but the reasoning behind it, he feels as if it's something he can genuinely share with the ex - pilot. even if it was but a minimal titbit into their relationship, it would most likely be more than anyone else knew. he never openly discussed the few months time he'd been with the other man, as it'd rightly been the worst of his life. it wasn't something he spoke about with anyone, much less willingly. - but, here he found himself, with someone he trusted enough to say anything to. ❛ - i jus'... it's... duncan used t' g'it s' angry at me! - an' - an' - god, i know y'a would never hurt me, carter, i - i know that damn well. ❜

☇ the doctor's shoulders sag tiredly, an exhausted sort of sigh spilling from his nostrils as carter returns the touch. though the ex - pilot had explicitly stated he wasn't upset with him, nor angered, wally didn't know how he'd take the implication of all this. he didn't want the man to think he didn't trust him; he sure as hell did. he trusted carter more than anyone else he'd met in his life, and he felt so comfortably safe sharing any titbit of information that may find itself tumbling off his tongue. from the looks of it thus far, the other didn't mind too much either. he seemed to appreciate this fact, whether he understood the weight held behind it or not. ❛ - i know. ❜ he breathes, gaze flickering up towards the flat's ceiling but for an idly fleeting moment. despite all that had gone on, it was indeed still a joyous day. while the morning sickness from carter's hangover and the quirk from wally's past attempted to bring down the mood, they somehow managed to keep it lighthearted all the same. he believes that to be happening a lot whenever he's around the likes of the ex - pilot; though he may be seen as a pessimist by those around him, the doctor simply believed he had a different way of thinking about the world. while his own views in comparison to wally's should be seen as heavily clashing in the long run, it was evidently nothing like that. the duo may be complete opposites in just about every aspect of life, but that didn't mean they worked together any less. hell, they probably better than most. it was all about the effort, and if they loved one another enough to bypass what may be seen as a flaw, their relationship had nowhere to go but in the right direction.

his eyes blink wide as carter parts the hug and pushes back to his feet in a quickened instant, wally forcing up onto his haunches with a curiously blank expression. he nods slowly at the comment, taking the offered hand in due time. he remains careful about his movements, not wishing to burden the ex - pilot's sole arm anymore than he had to. his posture stays slack as a whole, a hand rubbing nervously at his forearm as he silently listens to the other man encourage about the lunch he'd gone and made. there was truly little cause for excitement in this situation, as he'd simply put effort into making a ruben sandwich for him. sidestepping away from the scene, wally snags a seat at the counter before delicately sliding a plate in carter's direction with knitted ginger brows and an unreadable emotion sprawling his features as he does so. he'd lost a majority of his appetite by this point, so he'd encourage him to chow down on both pieces if he was feeling peckish. ❛ - jus' a ruben, is all. ❜ he softly explains, voice continually lacking that generally upbeat tone is possessed no matter the predicament at hand.

scratching thoughtlessly at the burn on his palm, wally has yet to look up from this new activity. it was enough of a mindless distraction to keep him occupied for the time being, lips pulled back into a tightly sour display. not wanting to ruin the fine afternoon they'd built for themselves, he strives to pick his mood back up with the suggestion of something as as carter munched away at his prepared meal. ❛ - what time do y'a wanna g' see the film? ❜ he quips into the empty air, genuinely interested in the topic. sparing a glance out the nearest window, he does hope the weather picks up nicely for a few hours tomorrow. it was going to be their last day tottering about brandon for the meantime, and the doctor would appreciate some chilly fall breeze over icy downpour. though a decent majority of their time would be spent within a darkened cinema, he's well aware rain could be heard indoors. finally giving a lopsided smile, he looks to carter with a chortle of bemusement. ❛ - i'm kinda' scared easy! hope y'a ain't gonna' mind me grippin' y'er leg f'r dear life the entire time. ❜

☇ wally nods his head at the inquiry, thinking on ahead to the train ride they'd be sharing together tomorrow night. he somehow doubts carter of all people would mind it, but some place like a train car was always one that managed to make him uncharacteristically sleepy. perhaps it was simply the small amount of space offered to shift about within it, or the surprisingly comfortable booths they offered. either way, he could snooze through an entire trip on the mode of transportation, be it eight hours or not. he had a tendency to pack some sort of thinly knit blanket within his supplies, but had failed to do that this time. it'd simply been a very long time since he'd had a leisurely ride, and the habit had nearly been buried in the back of his mind. for one thing, though, he did bring a rather laughable raincoat. it was purposefully oversized, meant to drape down to the top of one's boots so they could be kept dry of any excess droplets. it also happened to be an obnoxious lemon tone of colour; an eye - burning shade of yellow that would make anyone stand out in the crowd. it originally had a hat that came along with it, but wally only wore that if it was truly a downpour he was forced to walk through. what the doctor was thinking over now was how good of a blanket it could possibly be for the pair. eyes flickering up at the immature tease, he gives a giggled sneer, tongue sticking out from between his teeth.

❛ - wheesht! ❜ he whines out, much like he was talking to some naughty child that was stomping around his office. of course, he wasn't actually annoyed by the teasing, more so greatly amused. when the excess curly strands are brushed away from his face, that pinkened tint of embarrassment returns itself to his soft features. his smile is full once again, eyes crinkled behind his frames as they blink up at carter. indeed, he was one who tended to have continuous nightmares after something frightened him enough, and this film would most likely be one of those things. his heart was quick to race, fast jumps of movements causing him to leap from whenever he was sat, and a movie that was striving for that reaction was surely going to get it from the doctor. with a dulled hum of thought, wally allows his head to rest atop carter's shoulder. the ex - pilot didn't come across to him as much of a frequent moviegoer, but he does hold some hope the man would have fun. if there was any film coming to the cinema about pilots, he'd be sure to once again drag his boyfriend to something of that calibre. that appeared more his speed, even if the doctor himself didn't hold much of an interest in such a genre. he was a snob for romance movies, specifically comedies that strayed away from any sort of in - depth or heartbreaking topic. he paid for tickets to enjoy himself, not shed tears in the public theatre. ❛ - good! i'll try t' keep back the waterworks long as i can. ❜ he jokingly promises, a hand rubbing up carter's arm in an idly soft action. grasping fingers catch on the hem of his sleeve, tracing loosely at the small stitches of fabric that hold it together.

the doctor can't help the chuckle of bemusement that bubbles up from his chest at the offer of the sandwich. he was very joyous that carter found it to be somewhat tasty, specifically as someone who took pride in their culinary skills. he'd been perfecting them for some time now, though they were far rustier these days. he hopes in a few weeks time of being back home, he'd return to the groove of such things. he hadn't eaten much, no, but his appetite wasn't quite there either. perhaps it was the military diet that had worn him down over the years, but he could hardly chow on a fully portioned meal. wally found himself rather uncomfortable to look at if he was to wear a tightly fitted shirt; the lack of rations had dwindled his weight to something meagerly survivable, and he isn't blind to how odd he may look in comparison to the civilians who'd been home through all of the war. ❛ - nah, y'a eat it! i made it f'r y'a! ❜ he insists with a lopsided smile, eyes lidded as they peer over the ruben. ❛ heh, i know. i ain't very hungry, though. ❜

☇ wally huffs an amused chuckle at the comment on his lack of eating, ginger brows raising in acknowledgement of its honesty. his mother had recently gotten into the habit of saying the same thing, jabbing a painful index finger into his showing ribs in some attempt to encourage him to eat her food. he simply assumed this was because the woman thought he was no longer fond of her cooking, and wanted him to rattle her off a sheet of compliments about her culinary skills. while the thought caused the doctor to roll his lidded eyes behind their frames, it was most likely the truth. he knew his mother better than most did, and if she'd given anything to her child, it was that craving for assurance on such things. ❛ - mm, well not everyone can have the appetite of a bear, darlin'. ❜ he jests back in return, snort spilling from his nostrils no matter how hard he tries to keep a serious expression. while a larger majority of wally's disdain for meals at the moment came from lack there of for the last few years of his life, he was still a small man. he found it near impossible to eat anything beyond a child's sized portion, even long before his time in the service. ❛ y'er metabolism must be obnoxiously fast! maybe it jus' goes t' all that muscle. ❜ there's another fit of giggles, but in the far more embarrassed sense, shaking his head once the comment has been said allowed. it was already fact the doctor had little to no filter as is, but this only appeared to be multiply tenfold when carter was around him. all he wished to do was endlessly gush about the ex - pilot, and he'd clearly take any opportunity to do just that. his fingers stop toying with the short sleeve, instead opting to wrap their way around the other's bicep to the best of their ability for accurate clarification.

❛ - mhm! ❜ he eventually agrees to the question, eyes fluttering as carter pulls his head away. though it was true the pair hadn't done too much outside of the flat today, more so the ex - pilot had gone for his walk while wally stayed behind, that didn't mean they did nothing. they had a decent try at swing dancing for a solid five minutes before the taller man took a tumble to the ground, and they spent far longer attempting to perfect their go at ballroom. despite the routine being watered down to something simple in comparison to a legitimate in - step routine, it was more than enough movement to make anyone tired. the dreary weather that continually pressed on outdoors wasn't exactly aiding in keeping the doctor awake, and he suddenly feels his lids growing ever heavier now that it'd been mentioned. it was chilly in here, or perhaps he hadn't taken heed of the flat's temperature prior. whatever it was, he found himself cold. he wanted nothing more than to kick off his uncomfortable shorts for in - turn coddling warmly underneath carter's linens. he didn't look to ditch the tee just yet - it was snug despite its size, and made it feel like he'd spent the entire afternoon swaddled with that rustic scent that clung to carter. it was far from a bad one; something mixed with dully toned shampoo and dirt from the houseplants that sat about. it was just right.

indeed, the counter was far from the perfect place for either of them to drop down for a nap. though, with the afternoon continually ticking away, just a power - nap on the sofa would keep the duo up for the remainder of the night. besides, what else did they have to do anyway? if carter was up for it, wally would be just fine clambering into bed for the day. brandon was a rather beautiful town, notwithstanding what the ex - pilot had drunkenly muttered about it, but his giddiness grew more and more each time he remembered they'd be heading home tomorrow. he'd not only be heading back to eyemouth, but carter would be accompanying him. the night train wasn't going to be coming until a later hour, and they'd be seeing their film in the early afternoon, which surely gave his boyfriend enough time to pack what he wished. wally picks his head up from carter's shoulder, nodding towards the small hall down the way. ❛ - how 'bout we call it a night? y'a managed t' make me sleepier! ❜

☇ wally’s eyes trail carter as he rises from his seat to take a peak out the nearest window. he doesn’t bother wobbling to his own feet just yet, presumably awaiting the other to drag him off to the bedroom. when just that occurs, a sleepy giggle spills from past his lips, small fingers loosely attempting to wrap themselves around the far larger hand as they stumble down the hall. it always amused the doctor greatly when he was forced to take in how small he truly was, especially in comparison to his boyfriend. the ex - pilot was a big man, managing to make him appear even tinier than he already was; frail and petite in a way that others really couldn’t. he’d grown up conditioned to this being a fact with just about everyone he meant, but he specifically didn’t mind it with carter. perhaps it was their newly found relationship that’d recently been formed, but he thought the size difference was laughably adorable in their situation. ❛ - y’er hands s’ warmmm... ❜ he drawls the final word out as if it’s a stick in the mud, clearly wishing to accentuate this. his lips tug into a soured expression once the hand in question has been dropped from his own, and carter shuffles away to search for something he is unsure of. wally hadn’t rightly been around long enough to know all the ins and outs of the man’s bedroom yet, and instead opts to unbutton his shorts in the meantime. they’re quickly dropped to the floor, gently shucked aside towards the doctor’s pack so he would remember to bring them along tomorrow. the shirt he’d been loaned earlier in the day is kept on, as he found it to be comfortably swaddling.

he watches with tired bemusement as carter is so swiftly getting himself situated for the night. by the time walter has removed his frames and carefully manoeuvred to set them atop the ex - pilot’s desk, the other is already snug under his creme toned linens. they were a warmed touch to the darkened coloured room, and fit it perfectly well. just as he’d been hoping, wally bounces towards the light switch in a fluidly childlike action, a hum lifting under his practically silent breath as all lighting is snuffed out from the bedroom. while this may make it impossible for someone else to make way around the space, it was nothing new for the doctor. without his frames balancing on the bridge of his nose, his eyes were already particularly useless, so traversing his way in the dark was hardly a different problem. he snorts at the question, climbing underneath the blankets with a pleasured sigh before he bothers to offer up an answer of any sort. his now completely bare legs jostle about thoughtlessly, shifting him ever closer to the other man before his back was to carter’s chest. ❛ - gee, guess i gotta’! ❜ he’s eventually yawned in delayed response, working to keep his voice up an extra octave so his statement was at least audible in some capacity. it was more than laughable to the doctor to have someone ask him to remember something; wally was always the forgetful one anywhere he went. he’d forget to stash away extra bandages within his supplies, he’d forget to bring a blanket on an excessively extended train ride, he’d forgot to eat each and every meal of the day. somehow, someway, his tendency for this always got him in the end. here though, he’d giddily try his best. this trip back to eyemouth was exciting him beyond belief, just the simple idea of it enough to joyously role him up as if he was never tired in the first place. at the fleeting last comment, his feels his finger brows knit curiously. ❛ - well, first time f’r everythin’, right? ❜

he’d truly gotten himself into an exhausted state. be it the scene prior that wore him out beyond belief, or all their dancing throughout the late morning, something had done him in, and he wanted nothing more than to be held close in carter’s grasp and safely snooze that way. he never felt more protected than in a moment such as this, where he was sleepy and vulnerable, but carter still worked to coddle him delicately close. smile drifting dreamily across his paled features, the doctor’s eyes have already fluttered shut as he shushes his boyfriend’s worried thoughts about packing. it was something they could do together when the morning rolled around, wally refolding his own clothing while in - turn hawking over the ex - pilot to make sure nothing had been forgotten. ❛ - mm, never mind all - all that. ❜ he was interrupted by a smacked yawn mid - sentence, burying his face into the nearest pillow with a mewl. ❛ i love y’a. ❜ he tacks on, knowing very well he would be slipping asleep any moment now. ❛ - had a really great day wit’ y’a, babe. like jus’ sittin’ ‘round wit’ y’a. ❜ - and with that, he’s out like a light. his head drops weightlessly, refusing to hold itself up any longer for conversation purposes or not. his jaw is slack, allowing for squeaky snores that sound like they’d come from nobody but the doctor himself puffing out as he seamlessly drifts off without hardly a moments notice.

☇ for seemingly once in his life, wally wasn’t the first one rolling awake. though it was an indefinitely rare occurrence, he could sleep in if he was somehow comfortable enough. this generally wasn’t the case, as he didn’t quite like laying alone at night. an empty mattress felt far colder once you’ve experienced sharing it with someone, and he found himself waking up at the first few signs of morning’s approach with his own arms hugging him tight in some sort of attempt to simulate being coddled. it felt nowhere near as heartwarming as carter’s actual grasp on him, fingers grasping a delicate fistful of the tee shirt he’d never taken off from the day prior. despite feeling the warmth the ex - pilot was practically radiating behind him, he hardly does anything but lazily shift with a meaningless mewl when the man rolls away. the quiet snores still spill from his gaping maw, a laughable amount of drool having collected on his pillow thus far. it was inevitable with how he’d fallen asleep, but he’d find the time to be embarrassed by it at some point. for now, his arms grope for nothing, instead dropping around his drool - smeared pillow. his legs remain partially entangled with carter’s, only subconsciously flinching away on occasion when a sore bruise that litters across his pale flesh is accidentally bumped or otherwise jostled. just as he’d woken up the day before, the entirety of his body was painfully aching from practically head to toe. he doubts it’d be any different this morning, no matter how joyous he’d be for the occasion.

finally, the sound of a voice rings within his head. he’d know carter’s dulled tone from miles away, and a dreamy smile etches across his lips at the simple thought of the man. ❛ - hmm? ❜ wally slurs out in exhausted confusion, still not gathering enough energy just yet to forcibly peel his eyes open, much less lift his head off the pillow he’s now made work of clinging to loosely. the ex - pilot’s bed was so comfortable and swaddling in comparison to the one walter found himself sleeping on as of late. it was a spare mattress that’d been pulled from a closet, some leftover that his mother had little use of now that the doctor was back home. it’d originally been brought along to his old flat, but now that he’d forcibly been evicted during his time away at war, there was only one real place for the dingy thing. the springs creaked with each little twitch throughout the night, and fresh linens were always needed due to the ominously disgusting stains that span the material. though the first whisper of his name hadn’t actually been enough to rouse him, the quipped question appeared to eventually do the job. he flails in annoyance with a grumbled noise, ginger brows knitting as he rolls over to face his boyfriend. an arm is quickly thrown around one of his thighs, position ever so slowly shuffling so his head may rest delicately atop the bare limb.

❛ - mm, i’m awake... ❜ wally insists with a childish pout, non - busied hand slipping itself lazily underneath the confines carter’s boxer shorts. while it may seem far too intimate this early in the morning, it’s simply so the doctor may toy about with the article’s elastic strap. while he’s more than well - aware the duo have set plans for their day, and need to spend these early free hours before the film packing for the trip. he’s already thinking needed objects over within his head, fingers coiling thoughtlessly. he’d have to remind carter boots were a must, as snow had already begun to coat the scottish streets this early in the fall season. the olden scarf he’d been gifted by the doctor himself all those years ago would also be helpful, keeping that generally exposed part of flesh warmed with a knitted wool fabric. ❛ - how’d y’a sleep, baby? ❜ the quip is overtly gentle, voice hardly above anything but a mutter as to keep that sleepy morning conversation between them. a smile lifts onto his lips, lopsided as pearly whites show themselves. ❛ excited f’r the trip today? ❜

☇ wally hadn't really suspected much of a reaction besides some lingering embarrassment, considering it was carter he was talking about in this situation. - yet, his expression appeared so far from that as he huffed at the ceiling with a studious face. the doctor wasn't really grazing on his flesh, nor was that what he'd been aiming to touch at. his fingers simply needed a distraction, and the waistband of the ex - pilot's boxers that he could continually tug at without consequences besides the occasional snap was his best choice for just that. ginger brows furrow out of curiosity, lips pulled back into some sort of unreadable emotion that was on par with carter's own weirdly constricted features. he has yet to voice any sort of concerns as the other speaks up before he does, even if it's just a frantically spat stutter. the doctor couldn't rightly tell if his manner was truly anything to go off of, mainly due to the fact he was lacking a better view without his glasses. nevertheless, his eyes remain tightly squinted while his hand doesn't appear to be making any movements away from where it sat. if the ex - pilot hadn't the gall to complain aloud about it if it was supposedly bugging him, then it mustn't be that much of a problem in the long run. instead of striving to shift the conversation in that uncomfortable direction just yet, wally keeps it curtly in reference to their conversation. ❛ - oi, that's good. ❜ he eventually concludes with a sleepy bob of his head, breath tiredly heavy against the bare limb he finds himself resting atop. though it may not come across as one's first selection for a snug position, he found nothing wrong with it. though carter would not hug him back from down here, it felt childishly sweet to cling on.

an intrigued hum lifts under the cusp of wally's breath as carter's uncharacteristically shrill laughter spills into the nearly silently room. as he awaits some sort of explanation for the giggles, his hand ever so slowly retracts itself while the ex - pilot continually shifts about underneath his touch. the doctor was often oblivious to things, but the other sure as hell wasn't responding well to his touches. perhaps it was the early morning hours getting to him, or the plausible intimacy was just too much. in all honesty, he hadn't been expecting the answer he was given. of all possible people, carter was ticklish in such an odd area. he's subsequently unable to stop that usual smile from sprouting across his lips, his own bemused snort spilling past his upturned lips. ❛ - no way! ❜ he chokes out, cheeks tinted a rosy shade of pink as he teases the ex - pilot for the responsive gesture he was unable to help. plenty of people were ticklish, as was wally, but the doctor happened to get far more entertainment value out of centring carter specifically. it was an immature answer to such a simplistic movement, and the other man happened to be the last human on earth he was expecting it out of. no matter what had happened, he generally managed to remain sternly cold - faced as he spoke, but not here. this was on the complete opposite side of the emotional roller coaster to the point that walter hadn't even been close to expecting it out of him. ❛ - y'a 're such a child! ❜

of course, if carter truly knew wally in any capacity, he should have expected the next flurry of activity. he pulls away from where he ever so snugly rested on the other's thigh, opting to instead sit up on his haunches before leaning forward with lifted hands and crinkled eyes. the ex - pilot only has but a split second before the doctor has begun to giddily tickle at the man's sensitive sides, giggled snorts of blatant hilarity impossible to miss as he does so. it's only a moment before wally seats himself rather swiftly on his legs, some most likely useless attempt to keep him from kicking or escaping, though walter's weight wasn't really doing anything to hinder that in the first place. ❛ - ticklish! all the way up, t'? ❜ he jests in a mocking tone, fingers shifting upwards towards carter's ribs. ❛ - if y'a pee y'erself, i'm gonna' get a craic! ❜