Chapter Text
Turtle POV
I was never one for silence.
Growing up with 31 brothers does that to you.
When Umber ran away with his sister sora, I found it difficult to sleep without the warmth of his back against mine. without the sound of his snoring, without the feeling of waking up with someone still there.
It reminded me of when my family thought I was the reason my sister got killed.
I tried to distract myself with writing, but my thoughts would always drift back to the silence.
I sit up in my pile of pillows, pushing the paper and ink away from my area, looking towards the cave exit. Qibli and Winter wouldn't mind if I spent one night in their room, right? I'm a quiet sleeper, or, at-least, by what Umber told me, and I can help them study for tomorrows test... I should ask. I will never know if I don't try.
I stand up and make my way to the exit, poking my head out into the main area of the jade winglet dorm. I saw kinkajou and moons cave. I would go in there if my sister Tsunami didn't make it clear to everyone that boys and girls should not have sleepovers...
I spot perils dorm. I would go in there too. I know I cant touch her, but her presence would be enough for me, but again with the whole no boys and girls thing...
my eyes finally landed on Wnter's and Qibli's dorm. I slowly made my way to it, my talons making a light tapping sound against the stone floor.
I reach my talon up to the door, knocking gently. I await an answer from the other side. I know Qibli is probably awake at this time, but Winter? not certain. The door opens and I'm met with a pair of Pitch black Obsidian eyes.
"Oh! Turtle? what are you doing here bud?" Qibli asked. I lowered my head.
"Could I potentially stay the night? I'll keep out of the way, I just cant sleep. its too quiet tonight." I said as I lifted my head to meet Qibli's eyes. I noticed a twinge of sympathy underneath those glassy black eyes.
"Ofcourse Turtle. We're a winglet. we stick out for eachother, right Winter?" Qibli looked behind himself, turning a little, revealing Winter behind him. Winter was laying on his blanket pile, reading a scroll quietly. He rolled his eyes and mumbled something about it 'already being to warm'. Qibli turned back to me with a wide toothy smile.
"You can sleep on my side of the cave then. I have some spare blankets, and Winters loud grunting and scoffs wont bother you as much." He said playfully, giving Winter a teasing smirk. I gave qibli a smile and walked past him inside the cave. the cave was decorated with scattered blankets from the sand kingdom, as well as some icewing style hanging crystals. there was a scroll shelf as well as a tapestry on the wall of Phyrria. Near Winters bed was a box, probably containing his jewels and trinkets. Near Qibli's bed was something completey different. There was a Blade, as well as some other tools. There was one or two earings, and a bracelet.
Beside Qiblis bed was also a pile of warm toned blankets, woven from materials commonly found in the desert parts of Phyrria, in the sand kingdom. I picked one up and looked at Qibli, silently asking if I could use it. He gave me a reassuring nod and closed the cave up. I walked to the edge of his bed and curled up. I glanced at winter from across the room. I recognised the scroll he was reading. It was the scroll we were assigned for herbology class, something about what herbs are more useful in which kingdoms. He seemed partially interested, taking his time with the scroll.
Qibli walked to his bed and Curled up. He was careful to keep the barb of his tail away from my face, which I was thankful for.
I don't know when I fell asleep, but I woke up to shuffling from Winters bed. I peeked my eyes open, looking across the dark cave, my eyes adjusting to the lighting quickly. I saw winter was struggling to get comfortable. I sat up slightly, trying to stay as silent as possible to avoid drawing Winters attention to me.
He gave up on trying to get comfortable and he sat up completly. he got up and made his way to the exit to the cave, opening it up and sliding out. He left it open just a bit, so I decided to follow him. To protect him, even though he's much Moore capable than I am.
He walked down the hallway, and I followed as quietly as I could, my talons feeling cold against the stone floors.
I followed him outside of Jade Mountain Academy, and followed him to the nearby lake that swaeings usually swam in to refresh their scales. He sat near the edge, and he looked at the moons reflection, and then mine. He turned quickly, claws drawn. I Lifted my Talons in surrender.
"I-I wasnt stalking you!" I said. wow Turtle. Good job. Perfect thing to say. Winter just scoffed and rolled his eyes, looking back at the water.
"Wouldn't care if you were. You cant hurt me." Winter said. Ouch. I totally could. I just don't want to. Winters a friend. Dragons dont hurt their friends. I shook my head softly, looking out at the lake as well. "Light sleeper or something?" he followed up, and I nodded. He nodded slowly himself and he sighed.
"Never been able to sleep very deeply." I said, looking up at Winter. I was shocked to meet the Icewing Princes eyes.
"Neither. The ice kingdom was very strict on sleeping, and I struggled with it. My sister would a.ways wake me up or deliberately make it difficult to sleep." He said, and I nodded with a soft, sympathetic smile.
"My sister never did that, but its hard to sleep when you share a room with numerous brothers. Snoring, moving around constantly, talons on your tail, all of it." I said, and Winter nodded. He wasn't being as snappy or rude as he usually would be, instead he was more calm. Maybe its because hes Tired? Maybe he doesn't have the energy to be annoyed.
Winter and I eventually went back to the cave, finding Qibli was sprawled out where I was previously sleeping. I sighed, and was about to leave before Winter grabbed my talon gently.
:Wait: he said. I looked back at him in surprise, and he looked away as he began to speak, his voice quiet and calculated. "You can sleep on the edge of my bed. You're not nearly as discustingly warm as Qibli.." He said, and I looked at him, surprised, before I looked around, and I reached for the blanket I was using on Qiblis bed, and made my way to the edge of Winters.
"You sure?" I asked. there was no way Winter of all dragons was offering me to sleep on his bed.
"Do you kick or snore?" He asked, ad I shook my head. "Then whatever." He said, before laying down and curling up, trying to sleep.
I curled up on the edge of his bed, lookig at the wall.
I fell asleep to the sound of Winters Tail swing softly, the sound making a slight scrape against the stone on the edge of the bed. I close my eyes, and I let slumber take me.