The first few hours of a long, cramped trip are always the hardest, and Rai, despite whatever stubborn resolve he'd started with, failed to keep his hold on reality.
Zade had been observing the slow-motion collapse for a full minute now. Rai's eyes closed automatically, his head bobbing back and forth like a loose pendulum.
Finally, letting out a quiet, resigned sigh, Zade reached out. He placed a hand at Rai's side and gently guided the bobbing head down onto his own shoulder.
Yeah, Rai definitely wouldn't have wanted that if he were awake. But Zade didn't want him twirling around for the next few hours and waking up with a miserable neck ache either. Wasn't he just the epitome of generosity and kindness?
Zade glanced down at the sleeping Rai one last time, then shifted his gaze out the window. Hour after hour bled together. Outside, the sun was slowly bringing light to the world, striking the glass and waking up the other passengers one by one with its creeping warmth.
