home is where the sleep is

As much as he had wanted to go see Vesper upon his return, he had needed sleep more. Exhaustion riddled his bones as he dozed off into a restless slumber. The sudden appearance of her scent at the mouth of his den lured her image into his dream. His facial muscles twitch, something between worry and relief before the sound of her plopping onto the ground has his eyes blinking open.

The sass and annoyance laced in her tone makes it clear she’s unhappy, but be can’t quite figure out why. His brow furrows as he lifts his head, staring at her sleepily. “Well, this is a nice surprise,” Wilder rumbles in his thick western accent. “Was jus’ tryin’ to get some sleep ‘fore I came to see ya,” he offers in way of an apology. It’s not a good one, but it’ll do. After all, it wasn’t like they were together and even if he had feelings for her like that, she was still a slave.