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There were scary nights when sleeping in the beds that the Foundation allowed them left the children feeling overly exposed.
Admittedly, Mono and Six knew they should've been more comfortable than a cold shelter offered by wet boxes in Pale City's alleys, or stifling vents aboard the Maw where monsters couldn't reach.
Lying atop their lumpy mattresses with nothing to conceal themselves however, save for scratchy blankets to cover up... it came across as far too dangerous.
No wonder than when Six had bad dreams, Mono, a light sleeper just like her and any other kid who'd struggled to survive back in the Nowhere, heard Six crawl out of bed and hide underneath it.
She'd shiver and silently sob. A sad sight that tugged at his heart.
Every single time.
Mono refused to let her suffer alone.
He'd walk across their cell and crawl underneath to join her. Six always faced the nearest wall because it was easier to pretend prying eyes couldn't see her there. But she always shook hardest just before he huddled next to her.
Yet Six would melt into his warm touch as Mono wrapped his arms around her, resting his head against the back of her own while his breath caressed the nape of her neck.
He'd softly whisper into her ear.
"Everything will be okay."
Neither of them believed that lie. But it was easier to try and hide from the truth.
He'd already made a terrible mistake, hiding alone under a bed once, and Six was still paying the price to this day. So even though Mono knew, he couldn't actually stop the Foundation's staff on nights when Six had a nightmare, if 'monsters' came for them, at least they needed to take him first.
Because she'd also do the same for him.