I am in love with the Tick series and everything surrounding it, so I've written this.

Arthur lay in bed, unable to sleep, staring at the wall, the ceiling, the other wall… Thoughts were buzzing through his head, he tried to remember if he'd had coffee at any point in the evening but he was pretty sure he hadn't. It sure felt like he had.

He forced his eyes closed and focussed on sleep. Was that what you were meant to do? Maybe he should let his mind wander? Try not to focus? Count sheep?

Nothing helped.

He didn't often find it hard to sleep anymore, even less so since he'd started helping out Tick, he'd come home exhausted and he'd be out before his head hit the pillow.

He used to find it hard to sleep, back when he was a kid.

What used to help him then? It was so long ago it was hard to remember.

Milk. The thought struck him. His mother used to give him warm milk to help him drift off.

He looked at the clock before getting up, it was almost 1:30, he'd have to be careful on his way through the house or he'd risk waking Tick, although he was a heavy sleeper Arthur didn't want to risk it.

Slowly he stepped through the house, looking through to the livingroom where Tick slept from the kitchen.

Arthur paused to look at Tick, watch him sleep for a moment and assess how deep he was into sleep.

Tick snored, loudly, he sounded like a chainsaw meeting a tree, and Arthur decided he probably had nothing to worry about; if that noise didn't wake him then Arthur ambling around the kitchen would do nothing, but he'd warm his milk on the stove, in case the beeping of the microwave was too sharp.

It had been almost two months since Arthur had first asked Tick to stay with him, recently he'd realised that Tick didn't plan on leaving and he'd decided to invest in a sofa bed so Tick could be a little more comfortable. Tick had been amazed by the concept.

Arthur pulled a bottle of milk from the fridge and retrieved a small milk pan from the cupboard, trying his hardest to not bang the pots and pans together as he got it out, his heart rate increased for a moment and then settled back down as he put said pot on the stove.

He poured the milk out and turned the heat up, looking back towards where the Tick slept, keeping tabs on his every twitch and breath.

Arthur's life had changed so much recently and all due to that man, he had so many friends now, more than he'd ever had before. He could run into old acquaintances and have more to tell them than just 'Yeah, I'm doing ok' while questioning in his head if that were true. He was happy now, he was proud of what he was doing, and he loved it, it was terrifying and tiring but he loved it. He was living a proactive life where he actually made a difference, he helped helped people, he wouldn't dream of going back to 'normal'.

He felt a swell in his chest, moving closer to the kitchen so he could see Tick clearly, listening again to his snoring, there was something grounding about the low noise, it was making him feel a little more tired.

A soft breath left him as he looked back to his milk, stirring it with a spoon and taking it off the heat. He poured the liquid into his favourite mug and walked towards the living room with it, leaning against the doorframe and continuing to look down at Tick. Maybe he should tell him?

Maybe he should tell Tick about how much he'd improved his life, how much happier he was with him, how much better everything was in general.

Or would that be redundant? Surely Tick could tell Arthur was happier? That he was a better with Tick than without him?

He lifted the drink to his lips as he debated in his head, but found the thoughts sliced in half by the hot milk searing his tongue.

He let out a scream, spitting the mouthful of liquid onto the floor, his hands shaking from the sudden pain and tears springing to his eyes. He hurriedly put the cup down on the surface closest to him and sprinted the few steps to the sink, turning it on full blast and holding his mouth under the faucet.

He let out a small annoyed whine as the cold water filled and left his mouth; now he was more awake than ever, and he wouldn't be able to taste anything for a week.

"Damnit," he said into the stream of water, his words garbled and pointless.

"What's with the screaming?" Ticks voice came from behind him.

Arthur felt himself tense a little, cursing himself in his head, how stupid he was. He held up a finger to indicate he needed a moment.

Tick let out a small grunt of understanding, and Arthur could hear him moving around behind him.

"Oh, you made warm milk?" Tick asked, "Were you having trouble sleeping Arthur?"

Arthur frowned and pulled himself away from the tap, turning it off. "Uh, yeah," he said quietly, speaking painful for him now. "I burned my mouth." Arthur turned to look at Tick, his mouth lulling open and a breath leaving him at the sight of him downing the drink.

Tick let out a small hum as he finished the milk, nodding as he put down the cut and licked his lips, "It is a little warm."

"Tick," Arthur whined, "I made that for myself."

"It caused you pain, Arthur, I needed to deal with it," Tick joked, smiling.

Arthur shook his head, "...I guess I can make more."

"And make one for me too would you? It was very good."

Arthur huffed and nodded, turning to pour out some more milk, turning the heat back on, but not so high this time.

"So what's keeping you up this evening, Arthur?" Tick asked, crossing his arms, "Is there some evil that's gotten you cogs turning too fast?"

"No," Arthur shook his head, frowning, "...I don't know actually. My head's just buzzing, like I've had too much coffee or… someone injected bees directly into my skull," he let out a soft chuckle.

Tick's antenna twitched as he shifted on his feet, looking Arthur up and down, "That doesn't sound healthy, who would do that..?"

"It… it was a joke," Arthur said, waving his hand dismissively, "It doesn't matter anyway, warm milk'll help."

Tick nodded, squinting a little, "Ok, so milk dispurses the head-bees?" he smiled and chuckled, "I always learn new things around you Arthur."

Arthur nodded, looking down at the milk, he felt a small knot in his stomach as he planned out what he wanted to say in his head, "Uh, Tick..?"

"Yes, chum?" Tick replied quickly, his smile brightening his face.

"I uh, I just wanted to say thank you."

Tick paused, looking around and bobbing on his feet a little, obviously trying to determine where this was going, "What for?"

"For uh," Arthur lifted a hand to scratch his neck absently, his eyes fixing again on the pan of milk, "Well, I've been a lot happier uh, since you came into my life, and uh…" he bit his lip, moving away to pour the milk into a couple of mugs, "I love my life now, I really do," he let out a small breath and turned to hand Tick his milk, "I just wanted to say thank you. For this, for everything."

Tick took his mug and sipped his milk, smiling brightly still, "That's no problem Arthur, it was destiny that brought us together, you should be thanking her!" he chuckled softly, "I'm happy with you too Arthur, you're a smart man and you care about so many things and you also have a sofa that is secretly a bed. You have an amazing life and I'm happy to be part of it."

Arthur felt himself smile into his drink, he nodded, "Good, good… I'm glad you're happy here, Tick."

"As am I, chum!" Tick grinned down at him, "... Now that we've finished our drinks would you like to try going back to sleep? Your brilliant mind needs it's rest."

Arthur nodded, "Y-yeah, that's probably a good idea." He put his mug in the sink, smiling to himself, "Night Tick."

"Good night, Arthur."

Tick took the few steps back to his bed, Arthur stood smiling for a moment before beginning back towards his own room, feeling a little better about himself. He felt as if some strange weight had been lifted from him having had that conversation, as brief as it was. He lay back in bed with a warm feeling in his stomach and chest, he told himself it was caused by the milk, but found himself searching for the sound of Tick's snoring as he found a comfortable place in bed.

There is more to come. please leave a review.