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Trench was sure that if he blinked, or even moved, he'd be a dead man.
It was an awful sort of morning. It was barely 5, the sun wasn’t up, and he was awake as could be. So, he'd carefully crawled out of bed to go make some coffee. A headache was already forming, and he doubted sleep was capable by that point. Thankfully, Casper kept right on snoring when he stood, oblivious to the world. Despite being a bit of a blanket stealer, Trench had to admit it was cute.
Now, however, it was the farthest thing from his thoughts. Every ounce of his attention was trained on the intruder in the kitchen, rudely placed between him and the coffee machine.
He stared, and it stared right back.
Checkmate.
So, being a reasonable man, he'd done the only logical thing; trapped the menace in said kitchen.
His only regret was that he'd used a clear glass overtop the spider, now having to watch it freak out in its clear prison. He felt ill watching from his perch atop one of their barstools.
Trench could've sworn time passed slower than normal just by the evil intent of the spider, like it was some dark magician. Finally though, a little after 5:30 according to the oven clock, he hears Casper yawn from the bedroom. Never had he been so thankful that the man was an early riser himself.
A few minutes later, Casper emerges looking vaguely confused until his eyes fall on Trench. He’s still in nothing but his black nightshirt and some boxers, not unlike Trench, and if he wasn’t so focused on the crawler in the kitchen he’d find Casper’s tousled look attractive.
"I was wondering where you were. You aren't usually up before me."
Trench hums noncommittally, only watching Casper out of the corner of his eye, "I needed coffee."
"And you just decided to stay here?" Casper questions, coming up behind Trench and running a hand through his hair, “Usually you at least bring it back to the room.”
Admittedly it feels nice, and Trench really does want nothing more than to drag Casper back to bed, but not until the villain was vanquished.
"Casper," Trench sighs, shakily, "our kitchen has been compromised."
The hand stills abruptly, "What?''
Trench gestures to the glass sitting on the floor. The spider ran in a circle then, as if aware of the new attention. Trench didn't doubt it.
Casper lets out a sudden bark of laughter beside his ear, and Trench finally looks toward him to glare.
“Seriously?”
“I don’t see how this is funny.”
“Zach, it’s about as harmful as a paperweight. Is this what kept you out here?”
“I had to keep an eye on it,” Trench definitely doesn’t pout - that would be childish - promptly ignoring another laugh from Casper, “I wasn’t going to wake you. So this was the next best option.”
Casper shakes his head in disbelief, but he’s smiling at Trench with something along the lines of adoration, “It’s alright, I’ll take care of him. I’m proud of you for getting the cup over it at least.”
Trench doesn’t reply as Casper approaches the thing, feeling slightly, better but still on edge. Casper pauses for a moment, crouching by the clear glass as if studying the thing. His head tilts to the side, and Trench thinks he looks a bit like a curious dog.
Then he’s moving the glass, scooping up the spider, and Trench then thinks he may pass out.
“See? He’s a harmless little guy,” Casper beams, holding up his hands where he’s now keeping the spider hostage, “I’m just going to take him outside. Can you get the door please?”
Warily, Trench does get the door as asked, eyes never leaving Casper’s hands. Once he’s out the door, Trench closes it with more force than was probably necessary, but he couldn’t be sure. He doesn’t lock it though, opting not to wait there like a kicked puppy.
Afraid to step foot in the kitchen still, he just heads back to their bedroom. He lays there on his back, eyes closed but not really asleep. It was habitual for him; sleep wouldn’t come unless he knew Casper was within the apartment. Even as the adrenaline wore off and left him exhausted, he didn’t relax until he heard the door click open and shut a while later.
He never opens his eyes, just listening to the telltale sounds of lightswitches and footsteps toward the room. Then Casper is crawling into bed, settling partially on top of Trench with his arms wrapped around his midsection.
“He won’t be back to bother you. Are you alright?”
Trench hums in reply, “Yes. Better, now that the menace has been removed.”
“What would you do without me?”
The answer comes without pause, “Burn the apartment and just live in my office.”
“Well, then I suppose it’s a really great thing you do have me.”
Trench sighs through his nose but doesn’t deny it. They both know Casper is around for far more than being his personal spider removal service.
They lay there in silence for a while, just listening to each other's breathing, until Casper speaking suddenly startles him back into full awareness.
“Do you think spiders can get into the Oldest House?”
Trench pales, finally opening his eyes to stare at Casper, while the traitor just grins into his nightshirt while peering up at him, “Why would you ask me that? ”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m sure they don’t make it that far inside if they do. At least…surely not that many of them.”
“You’re insufferable.”
“You know you love me, Zach.” Trench grumbles when the sentiment is punctuated with a poke to his ribcage.
“I’m seriously beginning to doubt my judgment.”
They both know it’s a lie, which is precisely why Casper just moves to straddle him before leaning forward and finding his lips. It’s languid, a relaxed connection between them, and it accomplishes settling Trench’s nerves.
When they part, they’re breathless and Casper smiles. It’s one saved for moments like this between them; full of love and affection. The last of his anxieties have drained away as Casper lays down properly on him, and Trench raises his hand to card absently through his hair.
He mentally retracts his comparison of a dog from earlier - Casper is so much more like a cat getting scratches behind the ear. Devious and devoted.
“You’re right, you know,” He mumbles, wrapping his other arm around Casper. “I do love you anyway.”
It’s times like these, laying in bed with Casper post-removal of the spider, that Trench knows he’d have it no other way.