Myocardium

Part 32

Then, I can suddenly not hold back the urge to yawn, my body is warning me. I'm exhausted. Rafael notices and asks me suspiciously calmly.
"Hey, it's late already, do you want to stay for the night? Don't worry, I don't mind."

Without overthinking it, I reply,
"Only if I'm not bothering you."
Rafael chuckles and gets up, making an effort I don't even want him to make for me.
"Okay, let me rephrase that. Please, Eli, can you stay over my sleepover? It'd be soooooo much more fun if you did."

"Okay, fine. I have to admit, your sleepover does sound pretty convincing. Thank you so much, but please let me return the favour at some point. Otherwise, I'll forever feel bad. Hey, you could come over to my place sometime, I could make us some dinner, or...something. Of course, only if you can handle two overly energetic kids and me on top of that, that is," I offer with a laugh.

"Oh hell yeah, I like a challenge. Just kidding, but sure, if the opportunity occurs and I don't bother you, I'd love to. Other than that, you are very welcome, Eli," Rafael brings the empty glasses back to the kitchen. 

"Uhm, I should have a spare toothbrush and some toothpaste in the bathroom, you can use that. Hold on, I'll give you a towel," Rafael explains, his planned spontaneity fascinates me. A spare toothbrush? Damn, maybe that's something I should write down on my grocery list too, just in case.

"You really don't need to make all that effort, Raf. It's kind enough of you to let me stay over, I appreciate it," I try to stop him from doing all of this for me, but he is in his element and absolutely unstoppable.
"Eli, it's fine. Hey, I haven't had guests over in such a long time, I appreciate the company. Now, let me at least try to be a good host, so...there," he tells me and gives me a soft grey towel.
"Do you want some clothes to sleep in?"
"Thank you, but it's okay. You're being so considerate, it's very sweet of you." I thank him and get up too, in a lack of knowing what to do. It's past midnight already.

"By the way, just so you know, I'll need to leave at around 5 o'clock in the morning to take care of my siblings when they wake up," I admit to Raf, who nods understandingly, then sighs while crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"Let me guess, you're not going to let me drive you back so you're quicker and maybe sleep 20 more minutes? Come to think of it, I don't even know if trains go back to where you're from by that time. I think I've read somewhere that the earliest one leaves by 5:30."

"Really? Oh shit, I totally didn't think about that," I utter desperately.
"Okay, so let's say you'll let me drive you back to your place in the morning and when you come over the next time, you can come by car if you like that better, okay? Okay!", Raf suggests, and I acquiesce, nodding hesitantly.
"Okay. Thank you so much, Rafael. I know I can't say it enough, but...thank you."

"You're very welcome," Raf says in a calm voice and shows me the items I may use in the bathroom. After thanking him profusely once again, I lock myself in the bathroom and get ready for bed. It's so bizarre, I haven't slept outside my own bed...well, ever, really. Not in a context so pure and innocent. When I'm done, I leave the room and sit down on the sofa, pulling my arms fully into my hoodie and resting my chin on my knee, waiting for Rafael. 

In the background, a nice jazz song is playing quietly. I enjoy his choice of music quite a lot. As I get closer and closer to falling asleep, I suddenly hear the door to the bathroom open and lift my head off my knee, yawning sleepily.

"Fuck, stop being so adorable already," Raf chuckles and yawns too.
"By the way, where do you want to sleep? You can sleep in my bed alone, on the sofa alone, in my bed with me or on the sofa wi-...okay, maybe not that, it might be a bit of a tight squeeze," Raf gives me his suggestions. Well, I haven't thought about this. Can't I just sleep on the floor? I don't want to cause him any inconvenience.