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Sleep hadn't come easily after the dungeon. Be it the nightmares or the daunting quiet of the castle, Marcille had found sleep elusive. When Falin was around, it wasn't too bad. Just having someone else around was helpful. Izutsumi was not always the best bed buddy but she was better than nothing. But Izutsumi and Falin both left, leaving Marcille alone with her nightmares again.
So, she turned to the one party member she had left. Laios had been so gentlemanly about it, offering to sleep on the couch. But he had looked as tired as she felt and she had insisted he stay in the bed. It was big enough, she had said, that there was plenty of space. And she trusted him! There was no good reason for him not to sleep in the bed with her. Laios conceded, slipping into the covers on the other side.
At first, she only joined him when she was having a particularly hard time sleeping. She didn't want to be a bother, after all. One night, when she went to join him, he did not wake when she entered. He did whimper though before tossing. When she called his name, he jerked awake, staring at her with wide golden eyes. He had never had a nightmare when she was with him..
After that, she found herself in his bed most nights. Especially in winter. He was so very warm and only mildly complained when she tucked her frozen toes between his calves. And he never mentioned when she awoke, curled against his back on the particularly cold nights.
It was one of these cold nights when Marcille felt the bed shift behind her. Light as a feather, Laios slowly wound his arm around her, pulling her against him. There had been mornings where she thought he had been the one to cuddle her but it was always hazy, borderline a dream. She hadn't realized how cold she was until he was pressed against her. She inhaled slowly and felt sleep sinking its claws into her.
And then, with no warning, a barely there kiss, pressed against her shoulder. A whispered confession followed by an apology. He thought she was asleep. Emotions welled in her chest, confusion, excitement, anger. "Laios?" Her voice was thick with sleep and she wandered if maybe she had been dreaming.
But the way he jerked at her voice told her otherwise. "I'm so-" He tried to pull away, only for her to grab his wrist and pull him closer. His heart was beating wildly against her back, alive. So very alive. Maybe that's what she loved about him. Warm, alive, here.
The mage pulled his hand to her lips, gently kissing his knuckles. "I love you too. Now go to sleep."