When Tom arrived home, Sam and Carlos were already there. Carlos's head was in Sam's lap, his mouth open as he snored. Sam's head was tilted forward, her arms crossed over her chest. She opened her eyes first, sharp as a tack.
"Morning," Tom said, voice rusty and exhausted. The sun had crept up into the horizon, just barely peering at the world below.
"It's fucking very early in the morning." She scooted Carlos off, letting him sleep easier on the suede couch. He sank down, claimed by the pillows. "I heard you got shot! Let me see right now." She moved close to Tom and lifted his bloodied shirt. "A fuckin' graze."
"It's fine. As I keep telling everyone."
Sam frowned, her brown eyes black in the early morning. "How'd the rest go?"
"Good. Caleb's in custody, and Iilo and Inaraa are helping get everyone settled back at the I'na settlement. Though they won't be staying there. BrightStart owns the property, so they're probably all heading to the Center until they can get into other settlements."
"Wait, what about some temporary housing?" Carlos asked from the couch. His curly black hair was the only thing visible amidst a pile of blankets.
"What do you mean, blanket monster?" Tom asked.
"Well, if people want, we could all take in a family. I mean, I dunno. Just until they find new places to live? No one's said anything about them staying with humans." It was true. There was always the wayward traveler, but most of the I'na stayed together for fear of sickness or their blood. If the secret would be out soon enough, what did it matter? Better them safe in loving homes than displaced.
"That's not a bad idea," Sam said. She leaned over, ruffling Carlos's hair. "Sometimes you say such smart things."
"Oh, how kind of you to acknowledge it." Carlos swatted her hand away when he freed himself from his blanket burrito. He tumbled off the couch. "I'll take in a family or two."
"Same," Sam said.
Tom wanted to show more excitement, but he wavered on his feet. Anxious to get into a bed with his dog. But the idea was good. One he wanted to ask Iilo about.
"But we can talk about this later. Go to sleep, Tom." Sam flicked Tom's shoulder. "Me and Carlos got the couch."
"Or we could all sleep together on the big comfy bed!" Tom took the stairs two at a time. He regretted it at the top, dizzy.
Eventually, Carlos and Sam came in.
They climbed in on either side of Tom. Peach snorted at the foot of the bed. She walked between Tom and Carlos's bodies before plopping down atop Carlos's pillow.
"Hey!" Carlos scrubbed his hand over her head. "Spoiled."
"Go to sleep, you two." Sam took her pillow and slammed it over her head.
Giggling, Carlos and Tom put their heads closer together. They used to whisper to each other all night during basic. A fact that drove their corporal mad.
"You and Iilo good still, Amigocho?"
"Yeah. We're great."
Carlos's smiled wide, his teeth reflecting the moonlight. He looked almost like a child, big eyes and a bright smile.
"I'm gonna have him and his family move in with me. If they want."
Carlos still smiled. "Gonna be a loud house. Think you'll stand Letic?"
Tom snorted. "Lord only knows. But I'm excited." The thought of a full house exhilarated Tom. After years of law school and being on his own, it was about time he heard familiar footsteps in his home again. The nights he'd slept with Iilo were the nights he slept the soundest. He'd enjoy them all in the house, even Letic.
Carlos snuggled into his spot on the bed, a sigh of content passing his lips. "You really should get some sleep, Amigocho."
So Tom did.