Chapter Text
Yuu sat in bed after attempting to get some shut-eye and not being able to fall asleep, a routine that has haunted them for almost their whole life.
They look over to make sure Grim is still asleep, a ritual that Yuu goes through almost every night. Being sure Grim is snoozing away, Yuu gets up and makes their way to the door, before slipping on a pair of shoes and making it outside.
Usually, a walk is what helps Yuu get tired and helps them fall back asleep faster, is what Yuu noticed after one-too-many midnight walks.
As Yuu steps outside, they take in the slightest chill that roams the air at this time of year, the chill that always means that autumn is coming soon. They walk down the steps that made their way to the Ramshackle dorm, hoping that they wouldn’t have to be out here for too long.
Albeit, when they made it to the end of the steps, they heard footsteps near them that weren’t their own. Their first thought was that Tsunotaro was up, but he was barely awake this late, which was a bit unusual. Usually he’d be out a little bit before or after curfew.
Looking over the fence, Yuu sees the familiar silhouette of the kind fae, before smiling.
“Tsunotaro,” they call out to him, causing the horned fae to shift their gaze to the magicless student.
“Yuu-san,” Malleus replies back, making his way over to the Ramshackle gate, where Yuu was standing. “What are you doing up so late?”
“I could ask you the same,” Yuu replies with a slight chuckle.
Malleus chuckles as well, “Are you going on a stroll? Usually you're not awake this late in the night.”
“Uh, yeah,” Yuu replies, nodding their head. “I couldn't sleep, so I thought if I got out the rest of the pent-up energy in my system then it would help me sleep a little faster.”
“My, that sounds rough. It sounds like you do this often,” Malleus points out, walking next to Yuu as they start their walk.
“I do, honestly.” Yuu replies, looking down as they fidget with their fingers. “It's a problem with my condition, I'm used to not falling asleep most of the time.”
“Yes, I heard.” Malleus thinks out loud, “You had a sleep condition. Like Silver, correct?”
“Yeah,” Yuu looks away, a bit embarrassed.
“Don’t worry so much about it. Silver sometimes has trouble falling asleep, too. Then he has trouble waking up. Do you… have that, too?” Malleus tilts his head in confusion.
“Uh.. sometimes. It doesn’t usually happen to me, but sometimes I fall into… such a deep sleep that… I can’t wake up at all.” Yuu explains.
“That sounds troubling. So now, you can’t sleep at all… how upsetting. I think I would also… be upset if I wasn’t able to fall asleep when I needed to.” Malleus attempts to comfort Yuu.
The two walk in silence for a moment, before Malleus finally speaks up.
“Truth is, Yuu, I’ve been learning a new spell. It’s for Silver, since he has so much trouble with his sleep. Would it…… be okay if I… tested it on you? Since… you, too, have trouble with your sleep.” Malleus asks, and hopes for an answer.
Yuu looks up.
“Really? You.. can do that?” Yuu’s eyes glint with a little excitement. Maybe this time around they’ll be able to sleep well the whole night.
“I… can. It’s a new spell, so it is not guaranteed to help for long, but it can help with your sleep troubles for tonight.” Malleus explains.
“That’s okay! I’ve been having so much trouble sleeping… thank you so much, Tsunotaro!” Yuu smiles, and Malleus smiles back.
Back at Yuu’s room, Malleus takes out his magestone. “Just relax.”
“Tsunotaro..?”
“Hm?”
“Thanks again. You’re so… kind. To everyone. It’s so… inspiring…” Yuu drifts off to the magic of Malleus’s spell.
Malleus smiles, softly pushing a strand of hair out of Yuu’s face. “Goodnight, dear Yuu.”
In the morning, Yuu found themselves much more relaxed than usual. Like their sleep tonight was much, much better than usual, as if they’ve finally relaxed for the first time in so long.