You know how The Old Guard’s old immortals’ wardrobe tends to look really worn and somewhat…vintage at times? Ofc they simply might have had it for a while but… what if they go to thriftstores bc they are less likely to get tracked down there AND bc they might find something they remember from earlier days? :>
The fifth time Joe turns over, thumps his pillow, and flops back down, Nicky reaches for his hand and pulls it toward him.
“I’m sorry,” Joe mumbles, only one eye visible over his much-maligned pillow. “Can’t sleep.”
“I hadn’t noticed,” Nicky says smoothly, and rubs his thumb up the crease of Joe’s palm.
“Mmph,” Joe says, blinking at him.
Nicky works slowly and patiently, easing out the tiny knots in Joe’s hand, smiling a little when he presses hard against the base of Joe’s thumb and gets a soft “oof,” of contentment for his effort. He pulls gently on each finger, pausing to rub each knuckle in turn, watching as Joe grows sleepier by the second.
“S’magic,” Joe sighs, hand heavy in Nicky’s, body lax.
“Perhaps,” Nicky whispers. Perhaps there is magic in knowing someone else’s body so well; knowing the places to touch, with exactly the right pressure, to coax sleep from a body so tired it cannot rest. Perhaps magic is made up of the ordinary, not the spectacular, woven from the reassurance of hands that can ground as often as they arouse, that comfort and steady and make peaceable things that are fraught. Perhaps magic is wrinkled sheets and the weight of blankets and the soft heat of Joe’s body close like this. He lifts Joe’s hand to his lips and presses a soft kiss to his palm, then holds that hand against his chest so that Joe might dream with Nicky’s heartbeat beneath his fingers. “Perhaps,” he says again, and closes his own eyes.
the old guard x if we were vampires by jason isbel
if we were vampires and death was a joke
we'd go out on the sidewalk and smoke
and laugh at all the lovers and their plans
i wouldn't feel the need to hold your hand
If you’re wondering how short of a comic this will be: Estimates are at 15+ pages. I have drawn/sketched nine so far. 😳 So thank you to everyone who’s been so encouraging! 💗