Work Text:
It was hours past midnight, at the peak of the ‘witching hour’. Sleeping became less of an issue for me, but I still wake up at inconsistent times and I still have nightmares. Just not worse. Dozing from the enchantment of slumber, I saw my left side of the bed still vacant. Nico hadn’t been around, even if it was just for a short amount. Was work really that long?
Slowly sitting up, I heard low voices - from speakers and Nico outside the bedroom; Faint blue light seeping from the door narrowly cracked opened. Tossing the lightweight blanket aside I approached to the door, carefully pulling it open as I peer through the faint light.
There Nico was, sitting comfortably on his chair as Command from Halcandra and Mystefall discussed about … whatever diplomatic stuff they were talking about. It’s a bit odd, seeing Nico act like a leader. Once upon a time, he was just someone I — once a leader, dragged into.
The worst part is, he’s good at it. It must be the leadership he’d learned as someone who Mayuri relied on as second in command. He’s got experience … unlike someone here.
I couldn’t really blame Ava. She trusted me with the duties of a Dandelion leader, and yet…
… Nico’s also got a record of trying to ruin his eyesight. Even for me, the large projectile screen is too bright and vibrant even if it were adjusted to fit the night schedule. I reached over to the light switch nearby, gliding my finger on the light tab to its warm brightness.
He noticed the slight change in atmosphere, his chair rolling to where I notice his attention gaze towards me. Shit. Panicked for interrupting I pulled my hand from the switch about to shut the door until Nico’s voice stopped me,
“Did I wake you?”
It was soft in the cold night, almost like a whisper. I tried to make no remark, standing still as every inanimate object here as if Nico will be fooled to think I wasn’t right by the damn frame of the door.
“No, you didn’t.” I began, “I was just…I didn’t see you and…” The words grasped to me, but I still can’t unravel them. It’s been hard talking to Nico, even if it was just a small conversation. The things I want to say will end up being subsided to oblivion, replaced with another that mask my intentions into shadow.
But Nico still finds it no matter how deep it’s buried through lies or breakaway silence. I couldn’t really get away with it, so I pushed whatever courage I had…
“… I’m sorry..” Or it was just cowardice.
“Don’t be. I was up working nearly all day anyways, you’re right to be worried.” I heard a soft chuckle, bringing my gaze back up to Nico’s workspace where he dismissed Command with simple gestures. Holographic projections ended their transmissions, blue lights dimming and overlapped by the room light. He stretched his arms and legs for a bit before pushing himself up, his footsteps muffled by the soft flooring as I felt him close — in front of me, caressing my face and brushing my bangs away from my weary eyes,
“Unless you had another bad dream?”
I pulled myself together once Nico asked. I’ll hate to admit it, but I also hate lying. Yet anxiety flails that I look like a toddler continuously running to their mother for comfort whenever they have one bad dream. They’re not real, and yet I still scream and cry whenever I would have them. I could only stare down at the floor, rubbing my arm.
“… Come back to bed with me…” A selfish request whispered loud enough for him to hear. I personally call it a gentle outburst.
“I was going to.” Replied Nico with his most silk voice that sounded like the evernight shores. I pined to his palm that cupped my face — both sides tracing as he satisfied my suppressed nightly yearn for his sweet touch. I closed my eyes to take all of it in, slightly opening them to watch the melodies of infatuation dance upon his lips. Ah, the same one that would kiss me goodnight … and there it is. Leaning down as I tiptoed for this starshower kiss, Nico was always so tall. On the bright side, this only meant that I had a shoulder to always lean on.
Our breaths part yet we didn’t dare let each other go, I could tell fatigue had finally caught up to him as he pressed his forehead against mine, “The night’s always lonely,” he said with a raspy voice, “yet rewarding once I embrace you in reality and my dreams.”
“How do you think I feel?” I pout with playful venom. Jerk.
“Aw, is the little dandelion getting upset now that he’s switched roles with his starlight?” Here comes the bantering, pressing my face so gently as he peppered to my cheek with teasing kisses, giggling. It was contagious as I was unable to keep my pout,
“S-Stop it…!” I implored between stifled laughs, “Y-You’re so cruel—!” Of course that was a lie, I really enjoyed the attention. Nico spoiling me eventually overwhelmed me to lose my footing, I backed into our shared bedroom falling back to the bed tickled as he continued to snuggle up on me. Trapped by his loving embrace, I felt my heart flutter for his small ‘I love you’s and laughter plastered by his exhaustion. Or maybe … it was both of our hearts fluttering in harmony.
This night reminded me, that I’m going to wake up being held by Nico the next morning; that I wasn’t dreaming.