‘Stay.. please.’
Arandoros lay awake, arms resting behind his head and eyes glued on the ceiling. It was much further away than his own bedroom’s–more than likely because he wasn’t in his own. He stayed with Naivaria tonight in her room within Lady Devonshire’s estate, and the evening had grown too warm for cuddling to be an option after she’d fallen asleep. So, covers completely shed and Naivaria sound asleep beside him, he’d had time to think.
And it was blessed. This was one of few nights he and Naivaria had actually been able to enjoy together considering how busy work had kept him these past couple of months, and their conversations ranged all over the place. He’d told her a bit about what he’d been up to lately, what work had been keeping him late with, and even his investigation into his past. It was nothing yet, but Caelendras and he had agreed on a future appointment, so it was progress.
Soon enough she yawned, and within ten minutes of that first yawn she was unconscious, her tiny form curled up against and partially onto him, Arandoros’ arm wrapped around her shoulders. Eventually, though, he had grown too warm and gently extricated himself, content to know that she slept comfortably beside him. But that hadn’t lasted long.
No, soon enough there were soft sounds coming from his lover, and not of the pleasant sort. Her brow was furrowed and body shaking, breath coming in short gasps. Finally her eyes darted open and she looked around, terror striking her. On seeing that Aran was fully out from under the blanket she clutched at his arm, looking him pleadingly right in the eye. “Stay…please,” she whispered, burying her face in his side and shifting closer.
“Sweetheart,” he sighed, curling around her in response and pressing a protective kiss to her hair. “You know I’m not going anywhere,” he said, one hand soothingly stroking up and down her back. “It was only a dream. You’re safe now, I promise.”
[ naivaria, theladydevonshire, caelendras for mentions]
