crack_van | Common Courtesy by The

Fandom: WELCOME TO NIGHT VALE
Pairing: Cecil/Carlos
Length: 1,489 words
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: works on AO3
Notes: Set between “One Year Later” (ep. 25) and “Cassette” (ep. 33)
Why this must be read:

The author’s summary: “Cecil sneezes. Carlos fails to respond appropriately. Though, in his defense, it's not everyday you catch a glimpse beyond your boyfriend's human form.”

Eldritch!Cecil is a popular trope in Night Vale fanfic. Sometimes he tells Carlos; other times, Carlos finds out by accident. This is a particularly charming example of the second type.

This, Carlos thinks, is what the inscrutable Other looks like when it pouts.

"I, uh . . ." Carlos is stalling, mind racing. Does he know what he is? Cecil watches him with wounded, hopeful eyes, and Carlos dismisses the question as meaningless. Of course Cecil doesn't know. Of course he doesn't not know. The clocks aren't real, but they still keep time.

Carlos clears his throat.

"I'm sorry. I . . . don't know what happened." True enough. Carlos hasn't known what's happening in a long time. It's strangely liberating.

Cecil smiles. The not-quite-visible something retreats. His eyes shift back to human.

"Well, as long as you feel better," he says magnanimously, and kisses Carlos on the cheek . . . which probably shouldn't be possible, given their respective positions. Carlos finds this doesn't bother him as much as it should.

“Common Courtesy” on AO3; podfic linked in notes

Common Courtesy by The_Bookkeeper (G)