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A boom shook the area. Durin jolted up out of his bed, curling his wings in front of him defensively. His body started to shake as he peered out through his wings for the perpetrator of the noise.
He looked around. He was in Dragonspine. Albedo was asleep nearby, clearly unfazed by whatever that noise had been. Their fire burned still, though it was running out of kindling. Nothing looked out of the ordinary.
Another boom shook the area, this time earning a yelp out of Durin as he curled up against the wall of the cave. Just what was that noise?
"Durin...?" Albedo's tired voice broke through his panic anchoring him to reality for a bit.
Durin lowered his wings slightly, glancing over at where Albedo was now sitting up and rubbing his eyes. The brothers locked eyes for a moment. Durin could only imagine what expression was on his face right now. Albedo looked so calm despite everything.
"Are you okay?" Albedo asked, moving over to sit beside him.
"W-what's with those... those loud noises? It sounds like something is exploding?" Durin asked, hating that his voice was trembling as he spoke.
Albedo stared at him for a moment before his face lit up in realization. "I see. This is the first thunderstorm you've ever seen."
"Thunderstorm?" Durin repeated, "What's-"
Before he could finish, another loud boom echoed throught the cave, making him instinctively duck his head back under the cover of his wings.
"Those booming noises you hear are thunder. It's a natural storm reaction sometimes. I'd give a scientific explanation but given your current state, I feel that's just going to confuse you." Albedo wrapped an arm around Durin's shoulder, pulling him against his side. "There's nothing to be afraid of. It's not dangerous."
"It's loud." Durin mumbled, burying his face into Albedo's side.
"The rocks do echo more than you'd get in a regular house." Albedo said, "I don't have much to help with the noise, unfortunately. I've just grown accustomed to when these nights happen."
"You promise it's not something bad?" Durin wrapped his arms around Albedo, clinging on for dear life.
Albedo patted his head reassuringly. "I promise. It's nothing to worry about. Lightning accompanies thunder, but we are covered and safe here. The storm will pass. You'll be fine."
Thunder sounded once more, prompting Durin to cling even tighter to Albedo, making the other gasp a bit at the pressure.
"Durin... you're okay." Albedo said calmly, trying to loosen the hold to no avail. "It's just noise. I promise."
Despite the reassurance, Durin continued to hold on tight. Albedo frowned slightly. He had never been the best with words. Especially trying to comfort someone like this.
"Why don't we sleep next to each other? Will that make you feel safer?" Albedo tried a slightly different approach.
"How can you sleep through this?" Durin lifted his head, giving Albedo a look of distress. "It hurts my ears. It's loud. It's... it's scary. Even if you say it won't hurt me it..."
Albedo pulled Durin into an actual hug, holding his trembling brother close. He placed a hand on Durin's head and wrapped his other arm firmly around his back. Durin buried himself into Albedo's shirt, wrapping his arms around him tightly in response.
"I know it's loud. I'm sorry I can't make it quieter." Albedo said quietly. "I'm here though. Nothing bad will happen to you while I'm here. You know that. I'll protect you."
Durin didn't respond nor react to his words. Just continued to hold onto him as if letting go would be the end. Albedo kept his own hold on the shaking boy, scrambling his brain for potential other ways to soothe him.
Thankfully, Durin finally began to calm. In part, it was no doubt due to the storm beginning to pass. Thankfully it was such a quick one.
Albedo didn't let go even as he felt the tension drain from Durin. Durin didn't exactly let go of him either. They stayed there in silence, the only noise the dripping rain from outside.
"The storm is over. It's alright now." Albedo spoke softly after a few minutes. "You should try to get some sleep."
"Stay...?" Durin asked quietly, his voice muffled by Albedo's shirt.
"Of course. I'll be right by your side for the rest of the night." Albedo agreed without hesitation. It wasn't like he hadn't already offered that.
It took a bit of prodding before Durin let go of him. Albedo tugged the young boy back into his bed. Durin immediately curled up against his side, burying his face against Albedo's stomach.
Albedo smiled softly, starting the thread his fingers through Durin's hair. Durin lifted his head for a moment, meeting Albedo's gaze. There was still a lingering look of panic in his eyes, but much calmer than before.
"I... I'm sorry I... panicked so much over nothing..." Durin mumbled before quickly burying his face back down in Albedo's shirt.
"It's alright." Albedo replied softly, moving to rub Durin's back. "Thunderstorms are quite scary when you're young from what I've heard."
"I'm not a kid." Durin protested.
"Durin, you've been alive in this form for less than two weeks. You're basically a kid." Albedo countered. "You don't know much about how this world works still. There's no shame in getting surprised by some things. It's a natural process of learning."
Durin just huffed. He hated being called a kid. Even if technically he may qualify as one.
"Get some sleep, okay? Tomorrow we can have a lesson about some of the weather conditions you might encounter in this area." Albedo said, "Sweet dreams."
Durin was silent for a while before he quietly mumbled out something that sounded like a good night.
Unfortunately, sleep didn't come as easily after getting so worked up. Durin tried, but nothing seemed to be working. Albedo forced himself to remain awake until Durin fell asleep, holding him close and trying what he could to soothe the other to sleep.
Which, unfortunately, resulted in morning arriving with neither getting back to bed before they had to get up and go about their day.
Albedo sighed as he started preparing food, thinking of what all he might be able to do to gather some extra energy for the day ahead. Of course the day he had to head to town was the night he doesn't get much sleep.
The joys of raising a child, it seemed.