It was easy to make excuses with Forest being so gullible.<i>Tripped over a nefarious chair leg while heading back through the kitchen</i>had been a fine enough reason to sate the farmer's curiosity.<i>I can be awfully clumsy at times.</i>Lex stayed with Forest until he retired, watching with attentive eyes as he climbed into bed and pulled the blankets up over himself. Thoughts of Mason and his earlier disrespect lingered at the front of his mind, but he didn't wish to allow that to taint the time he spent chatting with Forest. He was relieved to find Mason wasn't intent on creating a scene--he'd been half worried the pissed man would come stomping up the stairs and into Forest's room to yell or throw some more fists. Nothing of the sort occurred, and Lex dragged himself to bed without considering what Mason would want that night. He imagined the irate man was simply sitting there in his room fuming, or perhaps he was still laid up on the couch like some kind of useless lout. Wasn't like it was out of character for Mason to do such a thing.<br/><br/>Sleep came to him easily once he had stripped off his clothes and loosely wrapped his own body in a white bed sheet. Taking care of Forest all day seemed to sap more energy from him than he would have expected, leaving him in need of some rest in case the fevers started again tomorrow.<br/><br/>A crisp breeze flowed in through the cracked window, kissing at Lex's bare skin as Mason eased his hand along the sharp line of his hip. Lex mumbled incoherently, eyes fluttering open and settling on the dark shadow cast across Mason's face. Apprehension initially clutched at Lex once he realized who was hovering at the edge of his bed. Lex had expected--even hoped--that Mason was passed out somewhere, unable to burden him with more aggressive words. Before he could open his mouth to shoo Mason away, the latter spoke. Words were stilted, but they were coming via what appeared to be great effort on Mason's part.<br/><br/>Lex sighed, his tense body settling back against the bed. "Oh, for fuck's sake," he laughed, a gentle smile on his face. Mason was an ass at times (most of the time), but perhaps there was something redeemable in there. He had never apologized before. That was certainly something new. In the past, their problems had typically been settled by a round of aggressive sex or just ignoring their bitter feelings until they melted away completely. Something about Lex's outburst had triggered a guilty nerve in Mason. It was unusual, but it was something, and Lex was flexible and habitually forgiving.<br/><br/>"C'mere, mate," he whispered, tugging on Mason's arm and pulling him down on top of him. Lex spread his legs, letting Mason settle between them. "You'll catch more blokes with honey than vinegar, love. You know that, right?" His hands rubbed down the length of Mason's muscled back, feeling the bunched up knots beneath the skin. Even with the alcohol, Mason was tense. Perhaps he was feeling more stress than he was capable of explaining. Why, Lex certainly couldn't understand. Staying in Forest's home, with their own beds and plentiful food and water (for the time being, anyway) was something they should be celebrating. What did Mason have to be so agitated about?<br/><br/>"Don't care how much booze you pour down your gullet, you don't speak to me like that, you got it?" His tone was subdued, like a mother gently chastising a toddler for some minor offense. "You be nice to me, you get to enjoy the good things. If you're mean, then we're not going to be having much of a good time, understand? Now, enough of all that." He hummed softly, reaching up to twist his fingers into the hair at the back of Mason's head. He pulled the thicker male down onto him, kissing him and letting his tongue explore the dark cavern of Mason's mouth. He still tasted of whiskey, but it wasn't so overpowering now.<br/><br/>"Need some assistance getting to sleep, mate?" Lex inquired playfully, grinning as his hand found itself between Mason's thighs. "Let me help you with that."