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The Akademiya’s library was silent, even with finals creeping not far behind each student the library was empty, spared to one girl the top student Layla, for how hard she worked she never gave herself a break but there she was, surrounded by half open book, finally catching up on those nights of sleep she had skipped. She was tranquil
“Geez Layla what do I keep telling you” Aether whispered his tone soft “I’ll take you back to your room”
Aether gently scooped the girl up into his arms she groaned slightly in her sleep, her eyelids twitching, before she gripped his scarf. That seemed to settle her
“We’re going to talk about this when you wake up” He warned in a stern whisper.
He walked slowly the sound of his footsteps echoed through the empty auditorium each step made Aether cringe with the thought of waking her up from her sleep was too much even for him.
After some time of walking, they finally reached her dorm room and as the door shut, Layla’s eyes slowly opened, those tired amber eyes unknowingly locked with his
“A... Aether~” She grumbled “Aether why are you here?” Layla asked stifling a yawn
Aether just looked down and smiled “This is just a dream Layla close your eyes~” He muttered in a low warming voice
“If this is a dream and I’m aware this is a dream then...” She paused a through rushing through her head
Layla’s hands reached out and gently cupped Aether's cheeks, she looked at him for a moment before pulling him into a kiss, the kiss wasn’t long only a peck
“If this is my dream, it means I’m lucid dreaming and tonight my dream is about Aether~ can I kiss you again Dream Aether?” Layla asked as she racked the logic of this ‘Dream’
Aether just looked stunned he blinked rapidly his words caught in his throat “Well don’t be hasty now La—”
She cut him off with another kiss, this time she was more confident, not the timid girl he knew, when she pulled away his face was flushed red his eyes wide
“L...L... Layla!” She blurted out in pure shock
“Yes?” She said tilting her head to the side as she ran the back of her hand up and down his cheek gently
“It's my dream, dream Aether won’t you let me enjoy myself~” She protested quietly before pulling him back into a deeper much more confident kiss
She savoured this one, when she broke the kiss again, she licked her lips afterwards “This feels so real I love you Aether~” She yawned pressing two fingers against her lips a very tired smile pulling at her lips
“That's because it is real~” Aether sighed as he regained his composure
The tidal wave of realisation washed over the poor girl, her face went red, her pupils shrunk and her whole body shook in embarrassment “But... B... But you said I was dreaming” Layla retorted her voice shaky
“That normally sends people back to sleep” He chuckled
“But... But I kissed you... three times! Don’t you find that weird”
That just made Aether laugh “Layla I'm dating over 30 women do you really think one kiss from a girl I also like is going to kill...” He tilted his head down, so they were now face to face “And what if I enjoyed it?” He muttered against her lips
“You... You like me!” She now blurted out her face impossibly red, her eyes spirals as she tried and subsequently failed to wrap her head around this whole situation
He just ruffled her beautiful long blue hair, “Hey don’t sweat it ok, if it makes you feel any better, I can stay with you tonight”
“S.. S.. S.. Stay with me tonight” Layla stammers stumbling over her own words, Aether swore he could see steam puffing out of her ears
“Ye to make sure you’re asleep the whole night~” He cupped her cheek and gently rubbed under her eyes, his thumb gently running over her puffy eye bags
“You worry me so much Layla, don’t push yourself” he told her his tone riddled with concern
“But Midterms are—”
He cut her off “And what if you collapse mid exam because you’ve worked yourself to the bone”
Layla just nodded sheepishly, Aether smiled as he gently tucked her into bed pulling up a chair to sit next to her bed, the room was quiet the only sound heart was the ticking of the clock.
Hesitantly Layla reached out her hand and grabbed his “Aether?”
Aether just hummed in response
“I love you” the girl muttered sheepishly
Aether just smiled “Well you did kiss me a whole three times, I kinda guessed that”
“Well, uhh does that make me your girlfriend then?” She asked through a yawn, her eyelids growing heavier
Aether just kissed her forehead and smiled “I considered you my girlfriend when you pulled me into that kiss, you are much more confident when you think you’re in a dream”
Layla flushed red again covering her face “Don’t remind me... How embarrassing”
“I found it cute... Now” He kissed her one final time “Go to sleep, I’ll be here when you wake up, I promise~”
Layla slowly drifted off once again and with Aethers warm hand locked with hers, she slept ever peaceful and it was the best night of sleep she had, and it was the first time she was late for a lecture