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At last, the day has come! Garlond was as a clueless child as Nero perfected the ultimate magitek. No more would he have to live in another's shadow. No more would he be second-rate. No more-
Nero grunted as his eyes shot open. Her elbow was in his side for a moment before it receded to her side of the bed. He could hardly see, it was so dark in the room. He groaned again as he sat up, and looked over to his left as his eyes adjusted to the darkness. He felt her small weight shift and heard the groaning of the mattress filler as she moved. Her eyes were closed, but a pained look was writ on her face.
"D'rena?" he asked quietly.
"Neer..." she slurred.
He still wasn't sure whether she was awake. "D'rena, it's me." He laid back down and draped an arm over her small shoulders.
She stilled, eventually rolling on her side to face him. "Nero?" she mumbled.
"Yes, it's me. Whatever is the matter?"
"Thought I lost you."
"'Lost me?' I'm right here."
"Portal closed. Couldn't find you." She didn't move anymore. She really must be talking in her sleep again.
Nero smiled gently, though it'd go unseen. "Garlond grabbed hold of me at the last second. I assure you, I am right here." He snaked his other arm underneath her waist and brought it around her back. "Now if only you would stay put." He saw her briefly smile, for as little as he could see in the dark.
Eventually, her breathing slowed and seemed to fully drift back to sleep. He doesn't know how long they stayed that way, but he already began to feel the pins and needles in his left arm. He'd regret this in the morning, but to keep her at peace was worth the cost. He shifted over to plant a kiss on her forehead before finding a half-comfortable position to return to sleep himself.