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The military had instilled a certain regime into John Stewart, and the effects still haunted him, even all these years later. One part of that regime was one of the more inconvenient things his body had learned to adapt to, and that was waking up before the sun had even risen above the horizon. Sometimes, his body even dreamed of the bugle, startling him upright and immediately out of bed. Often, he'd just get up. There was no use sitting around in bed, trying to sleep, when his body was already wound up and ready to get going for the day.
A recent addition in his home-life had changed that. It wasn't often that this new addition was around, nor had John really found himself startling awake when it was around. Yet… things were just different.
That change was Guy Gardner.
If you'd told John a few years ago- hell, even a few months ago- that he'd be sharing some private time with Guy Gardner of all people, he might have actually laughed in your face. Now, though… Now he would just tell you he hadn't expected any different.
John wakes up before the sun does, the imaginary sound of the bugle still rattling around in his sleep-addled brain. He yawns, taking stock of his surroundings and trying to get his bearings when his mind kindly reminds him that he had no reason to be getting out of bed.
There's a warmth pressed up against John's back, an arm draped across his waist, and a leg stuck in between his own. Guy Gardner was snoozing away, his nose buried in against the nape of John's neck. His soft breathing tickles his skin, but it brings a smile to John's face to see such a tough man so soft. He himself wasn't much different in that regard, what with being a more rigid military man- but it was still nice to see Guy without a smirk or a frown smearing his handsome features. Handsome. John chuckles at that. I find that ugly mug of his handsome .
John's careful as he slowly turns over in Guy's hold, careful not to jostle him around too much. John settles back in now that he's got a better view on Guy's face, resting his hand against his cheek. He gently brushed his thumb across Guy’s skin, his eyes searching across the man’s face. His square jaw, the splatters of freckles across his cheeks and nose, the nick in his lip from a battle wound… Lots of things John had taken the time to admire and remember, ones he'd never considered before.
He and Guy hadn't always gotten along. They'd had their ups and their downs, their fights and bickering. In the end, they both knew they could trust each other. John knew how Guy wasn't the total prick he and everyone else made him out to be. Guy knew John wasn't just strict rules and regimens. They'd found a balance, an understanding. Things had grown naturally from there- shared looks, fleeting touches, teasing remarks… Until John bit the bullet and confronted him. It was one of the best decisions he'd ever made.
“How about ya shut off that brain of yours and go back to sleep?” Guy’s gruff voice pulled John out of his thoughts, focusing back on Guy’s face. His eyes are open but they're lidded, blinking slowly, like Guy was fighting to stay awake. John might have been an early riser, but that didn't mean Guy was. The man hugged him even closer. “Ya keep wigglin’.”
“Sorry.” John chuckles, brushing his hand through Guy's short hair before going back to how he'd been laying before. Guy tugs him in close, burying his nose in against the top of John's head. Even though his hair was cropped short and had to tickle Guy's nose when he did this, Guy did it without hesitation. “I'm guessing you're still tired? I didn't mean to wake you up. Just wanted to admire you a little.”
“S'alright.” Guy's voice is still laced with sleep, his words mumbled and jumbled altogether. The speech is familiar to John, able to decipher it with ease nowadays. “M'not much to admire, though… So ya should go back to bed now. I'm still tired, like ya said.”
“ You can go back to sleep.” Guy grunts, clearly displeased with that. “I'm wide awake now, so I doubt I'll be getting any more sleep. You know how it is. Once I'm up, I'm not going back down until the day is over with. You just go back to sleep, Guy. I'll be here when you wake up.”
“Nah. I'm not havin’ that.” Guy takes a moment to reposition how they're laying, and the change has John feeling encased in Guy's muscular arms and against his body, feelings like a warm, comfortable cocoon. John sinks into the hold, finding he quite likes it, actually. “... How's that? Ya gonna be able to fall back asleep now? You're all cozy and safe now, or whatever.”
John snorts, Guy's bluntness ever attractive. He just slips his arms around Guy's waist with a bit of difficulty, but he lets out a satisfied noise once he settles back in. “... Yeah. This is nice, Guy. Thanks. I'm getting sleepy already.”
It's only partially a lie. He was very comfortable, and it was nice, but he wasn't quite sleepy yet. He felt like he could be, though, and that was enough to count in John's book. Guy seems satisfied with this, finally settling back down, his muscles relaxing. John enjoys feeling how Guy's body relaxes, his muscles going lax, breaths deepening, and heart rate slowing. He loved being able to experience this, letting his eyes fall shut as he listened to the rhythm of Guy's heartbeat thumping inside his chest.
“... I love you, Guy.” The words come naturally and without a second thought from John, sweet and honest, even if plain. He can feel the way Guy smiles against him, can feel the way his arms tighten their hold just the slightest bit, as the man acknowledged his words.
“I love ya too, John. There's no doubt about that.”
John hated early mornings, but sometimes- just sometimes- he hated them a little less.