Starry night at the shelter [RayEmma fanfiction] [The Promised Neverland]
(This fanfic is set after the events of Goldy Pond and Emma woke up from their recovery from the battle of Lewis. Based on the events of the manga of chapter 96, when Emma wakes up and in chapter 98, when they say they have been quiet in the shelter, before Andrew's arrival.)
It was almost midnight. Ray was doing a final round to make sure everyone was in bed resting. Even Yuugo and Lucas had gone to sleep, it had been a hard day of hunting and everyone was exhausted. He was about to go to bed when he heard sounds coming from Emma's room.
“Uh? Why is she still awake?”
With a candle in his hand, he went to the room where his friend rested from her wounds. The light was on and the door was ajar. Ray pushed the door quietly to see what was going on inside.
- Eh!? R-ray!? - Emma said surprised.
- Emma, what are you doing up? You should be resting! It´s only been a week since you woke up. Also, at this hour...
Emma was sad, even if she was smiling. She had just gotten out of bed, had clothes on, and was wearing crutches. Ray realized that something wasn't right. He relaxed his body and approached his friend.
- What's going on? - Ray asked.
- Get out? What do you mean... Get out?
- Yes, I want to breathe air from the outside. I want to see the horizon. I want to see the stars.
Ray realized that she was serious, so, with a snort, he helped Emma cross the shelter making as little noise as possible and climbing the stairs at the entrance. Ray was the first to poke his head out and with a quick glance he made sure it was feasible to leave. Once her friend was out, he made sure again, this time, more accurately, that it was safe.
- Ok, all quiet - he said with a snort.
He saw that Emma had been lying on the floor near the entrance. He looked a third time that everything was quiet and sat down beside her. The two begun to contemplate the starry sky.
E: Ahhh ... I needed to get out. The air of the chelter is fine, but nothing like being under the sky.
R: It is comforting in a way.
R: Check it out. The same stars as in Grace Field. The same stars as in Goldy Pond. And the same stars of the shelter. But they feel different. Here ... Right now... I feel happy.
E: Weren't you happy at Grace Field?
R: I enjoyed the moments I spent with Norman and you but ... I've never really been happy. Always concerned about getting the maximum score, thinking about every detail of a plan, for our brothers ...
R: But now, even if life is harder, I´m happy. In a certain part.
E: Aren´t you happy that we could escape?
R: Every night when I go to sleep in the shelter, I think about it. It used to be not so frequent, but since we arrived here ... I cannot stop thinking about what he would have done in each of the situations we have experienced.
E: I also miss him very much. I would have wished to see how he would have dealt with Mr. Yuugo! Do you imagine? A serious and terrifying Norman hahaha.
R: Yes. And surely, he would have followed you to the Goldy Pond hunting ground even if Yuugo had to stop him. I bet he would have made a better plan than yours!
E: Ehhh! My plan wasn´t so bad ...
E: But luckily, I had you and all my friends to help me. I wasn´t alone.
R: You´ve never been alone Emma, no matter how hard you insist on it.
E: Eh? But ... If I just said ...
R: Yes, I know what you just said. But you don't act like that. Always with that smile you try to carry everyone´s weight. No ... Don't get me wrong, I adore your smile, but ... I know you´re hiding a lot of sadness in it. You don't have to carry all of yourself, okay? Lean on me, I want to be trustworthy.
E: Did you just say you like my smile?
R: BUT YOU JUST LISTENED SOMETHING I'VE TOLD YOU!!??
E: Hahahaha. I ´ve heard you loud and clear. You like my smile.
R: That, that. You pretend you haven't listened to me, but you know I'm right.
E: I knoooooow. Actually, having you by my side gives me strength to go on. If you hadn't fled with me that night at the orphanage, I don't know if I would have been able to guide all our siblings.
R: You would have been able; you are amazing Emma.
E: Eh? Do you think that?
R: Of course. I never thought I I'd ever get to know someone so amazing who does extraordinary things.
E: Eh? What do you say that now?
R: I remember one day at Grace Field. All three of us were creating the escape plan. You told me you wanted to change the world.
E: Oh yes? Did I say that?
R: Yup. What you did at Goldy Pond was just that. You started a little revolution to change the world. I never thought I'd see anything like that. And I will always be thankful to Norman for that.
E: I'm grateful to Norman too. I can't avoid thinking about how it could have been but ... I think I will live to the fullest for him.
R: I think the same. However, I must take good care of you. I´m not going to allow you to put yourself in danger again!
E: But it went well in the end ...
R: I REPEAT: ALMOST DIES.
E: And I say to you again: thankfully I had you by my side.
R: You are amazing on a pair of unconscious Emma.
E: And you are stubborn man on a par with adorable, Ray. I find that expression of yours very funny.
E: When you´re sad, instead of crying, you get angry. You frown in a very peculiar way, trying not to be sensitive. Even if now you have yelled at me that I almost died, I know that deep down you want to cry.
E: I know you very well, don´t I?
Emma, who was lying on the floor, looked at Ray, who was sitting looking at the stars. She couldn't be sure, but she seemed to see a tear run down his cheeks.
- Hey Ray ... - he said in a very soft voice. - Would you lie next to me? I want to see the sky by your side.
- Mmmmm ... - Ray hesitated. He looked at her and, as Emma had thought, a tear slipped out of him. He had glassy eyes. - We'd better get back to the shelter.
- So soon? - Emma was clearly disappointed.
- Yes, we've been out long enough. We shouldn't take any more risks - Ray said sweetly.
- ... I can stay with you until you fall asleep. We´ll go out a little more to see the stars another night.
Emma's face lit up. She nodded vigorously and they entered the shelter together. They reached Emma's room and together they got into bed. They were telling stories, recalling anecdotes, laughing and enjoying each other's company.
- Ray, I'm going to fall asleep right away.
- Oh, then I'm leaving. Good ni ...
Ray got caught off guard that cut.
- I mean ... Would you mind sleeping with me? Even if it's only for tonight ...
For a moment, they looked at each other sweetly.
- Well, if you ask me like that ...
Ray huddled very close to Emma and they hugged.
- Emma, you know we´re going to have to get up earlier so nobody notices, right? I don't even want to imagine what Lani and Thoma would say.
- I counted on it hahahaha.
They were talking a little more until they fell asleep deeply.