Work Text:
“Rose, Rose!” Jed whispered urgently.
“Jeddy? Why are you whispering?” Rose groggily lifted her head from the pillow and stared uncomprehendingly at her alarm clock. “It’s three am.” She sat up and looked at him, hovering nervously at the door to her bedroom.
“I didn’t want to wake up Ara,” Jed whispered. “I heard a noise.”
Rose nodded. She tucked the blankets carefully around Ara and snuck out of the room, closing the door gently so she wouldn’t wake her up.
“Come on, let’s check it out.” She put her arm around Jed and he leaned into her chest. He was so brave during the day, and even in his dreams he was a Knight and Hero. But once in a while, in the darkest part of the night, he had trouble banishing his memories of rats crawling on him in a dark basement, and adults who were supposed to protect him punishing him instead, for the crime of being a child. Rose was glad she was there for those moments, even if it meant she was a bit more tired the next day.
They got to Jed’s room and stood very still, listening for the sound he’d heard.
“It’s gone now,” he announced finally, frustration showing in his voice. Rose was pretty sure he didn’t want to be alone yet.
“Now that we’re up, do you want some warm milk? Or maybe just a cuddle for a while?” she offered.
He looked surprised at the offer, and then thoughtful. “Actually I’m quite tired,” he rubbed his eyes. “Do you think… would it be okay… can you hug me in my bed for a while so I can fall asleep better?”
“Of course, Jeddy,” Rose said warmly. She lay down on his bed and held her arms out, and he stretched out beside her and hugged his teddy bear while she put her arms around him. She calmed her breathing and listened to his follow, and soon she heard him drop off into sleep.
The next thing she knew, Ara was whispering her name. “Rose?”
“Why are you whispering?” she asked blearily.
“I didn’t want to wake Jed up,” Ara explained quietly, “but your alarm went off and you weren’t there.” Rose raised her head groggily and saw Ara hovering by the doorway. She tucked the blankets around Jed and snuck from the room, closing the door gently so she wouldn’t wake him up.
“He had a rough night. Let’s let him sleep in a bit,” she said as they walked back to their room. “Thanks for getting me, though, I’d hate to have been late to my meeting today.”
As they got to their room, Ara turned and took Rose in her arms. “You’re a good sister to him. I’m glad he has you now.” Rose melted tiredly into her embrace.
“Me too.”