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Durin couldn't sleep. He was trying, that was for sure, but sleep just didn't want to come tonight. It wasn't even a bad night. The winds were calm, the sky clear. It wasn't like there were any external factors keeping him awake. It was just him.
And he hated it.
He sighed and rolled over again. Probably the 50th time this hour honestly. It just didn't feel like he could get comfortable. He was restless. His body wanted more. But he didn't. He wanted to sleep. Why couldn't his body listen to him? Wasn't he the boss?
Durin opened his eyes. The moonlight was trickling into the cave. Dragonspine was pretty at night when the moon was visible. The way it reflected off everything never failed to amaze him.
His gaze traveled around the area, taking in everything as if he didn't know where it all was. Then his gaze paused. A certain someone was awake still, hunched near the fire and scribbling into their sketchbook.
Right... Albedo had insisted he wasn't leaving Dragonspine tonight. Too much work to do or something.
How long had he been sitting there for? Durin was positive that was the same position Albedo had been in when he had first laid down.
Durin sat up slowly, taking a good look out the cave. The moon was high in the sky. It had barely been above the lowest peaks of the mountains when he had called it a night.
Albedo must've been like that for a good few hours now. And it looked as if there was no sign of him stopping anytime soon.
"Albedo?" Durin spoke quietly as he untangle himself from the blankets on him and stood.
"Hmm?" Albedo only gave a small hum in response, focusing completely on whatever he was currently doing in his sketchbook.
"You're still working?" Durin asked, his voice still quiet. He slowly walked over, taking a seat nearby. He withheld himself from daring to try and sneak a glance at what Albedo was working on.
"Mmhmm." Albedo hummed in reply, giving the slightest nod to go along with it.
Durin sat silently for a while, unsure how to continue a conversation when all Albedo was giving him in response were just noises. He probably didn't want to be distracted from his work.
"I can't sleep." Durin mumbled, rubbing his head. "I feel restless, you know?"
"Why not take a walk then? It's not a bad night for such things." Albedo responded, surprising Durin with the actual worded response this time.
Durin pondered the suggestion. Would a walk help calm him? Maybe if he used up some more energy his body would have no choice but to let him sleep? But he also didn't really want to go on a walk.
"But I don't want to go out." Durin stated, shifting closer to Albedo's side. "I just wanna sleep but I can't."
"I can't help you if you don't want to do anything more than complain about it." Albedo replied, still focusing all his attention onto his current work instead of so much as glancing at Durin. "Perhaps having a cup of tea or something might be a better suggestion?"
"Do I have to do something else to sleep? Isn't there just some easy method. 'Oh, just quick do this and then you'll easily sleep.' Not all these extra steps." Durin complained.
"Every method requires steps."
"Seriously? This is the worst..."
Durin frowned before butting his head into Albedo's shoulder and resting it there. Why did this have to be so complicated? He didn't want to have to go and do extra things just to maybe fall asleep. Why couldn't there be something that he just had to be with his mind or whatever? Why external forces?
Durin startled slightly at a sudden touch on his head. Albedo slowly began to run his fingers through Durin's hair.
"Is it that something is bothering you to the point you can't sleep?" Albedo questioned.
"No. At least, I don't think so. My mind is quiet. It's just my body doesn't want to shut down for the night." Durin replied, letting out a small sigh of defeat.
"Then moving would be good for you as much as you don't like the idea of a midnight walk." Albedo said, still slowly threading his fingers through Durin's hair. His free hand was still busy writing away.
"Will you at least come with me?" Durin requested, lifting his head to look at Albedo. The movement caused Albedo to drop his hand from Durin's hair.
Albedo finally looked away from his work, turning to meet Durin's gaze. "Why? You know the area well by now."
"Maybe... I just don't want to go out alone? And besides, you've been sitting still like this for hours. Stretching would be good for you too." Durin replied.
Albedo sighed before a fond smile made its way to his face. "I suppose that is a fair assessment. Alright. Let's go take a short walk."
The two of them got to their feet. After a moment to prepare, they set off, hiking up the mountain. Neither spoke much as they walked.
They stopped at a one of the cliff areas, gazing up at the sky.
"It's pretty at night." Durin commented. "When there's no clouds, you can really see a lot of stars."
"Indeed. It is quite a mystical feeling when it's clear out like this." Albedo agreed. "And up here away from the lights of the city, it's even clearer."
"Have you ever seen a shooting star?"
"A few times. They aren't as rare as you would think, but still not very common of a sight."
"I hope I'll see one soon."
"Why?"
"To make a wish. Isn't that what you do with shooting stars? I think it'd be fun to get to do that."
Albedo smiled. "I'm sure you'll see one soon enough."
Durin smiled back. "I hope so."
"Shall we start heading back?"
"Sure."
They traversed back to the camp in silence. Albedo moved to head back to his work not long after they returned.
"Aren't you going to rest?" Durin asked, making Albedo pause. "It's already past midnight."
"I'm still finishing up some things. It won't be much longer." Albedo replied.
"Is it that important to finish tonight?"
"Why do you ask? I'm capable of handling myself."
"Well, maybe I'd like to sleep beside you?" Durin tilted his head and gave a nervous smile.
Albedo stared for a moment before shaking his head fondly. "Demanding tonight, I see."
"I am not. I just... wanna make sure you're taking care of yourself too." Durin protested. "You can finish it in the morning, can't you?"
"It'll put some things behind schedule, but I suppose it isn't too major of a setback."
"Does that mean you're agreeing?"
"Just don't make this into a habit."
Durin smiled. "I won't. Promise."
Albedo grabbed some more blankets and set up a better bed for the two of them to use for the night. They settled into the makeshift bed, staying each to a side.
Durin closed his eyes, a bit more content now. Hopefully now, his body would relax and actually let him get some sleep.
It didn't take long. Durin was fast asleep within a few minutes. Albedo was in no hurry to rest. He glanced at Durin then back at where he had set his sketchbook.
Before he could consider getting back up, arms wrapped around his stomach, trapping him in place. Albedo winced as a horn poked into his neck. He gently brought his hand up and repositioned Durin, keeping his horns out of direct contact with anything.
Durin buried himself against Albedo's side, his grip tightening slightly. Albedo gave a small smile.
"Guess you aren't letting me finish even in your sleep." He spoke softly, running a hand down Durin's back. "You win tonight."
Albedo pressed a gentle kiss to Durin's head before closing his eyes and settling down for the night. Nothing else he could do with the grip Durin had on him, after all.