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If you asked him, Legundo would say he always struggled getting to sleep. In reality, what he struggled with was being alone with his thoughts with nothing to distract him. He struggled with trying to suppress the loudness of his fears and insecurities in a time where the body should be relaxing. It was when he tried to force sleep that he felt like he struggled. In reality, he was able to pass out very easily and slept like a log.
When Legundo first started to understand Graecie had been struggling to sleep, he began to wonder how he could help her. There were military techniques which Olsted had mentioned in passing, practices which were not at all comfortable nor something Legundo would ever wish to subject Graecie to. Then there was the environment. Legundo had been in Graecie's room a few times, she kept her place tidy and comfortable looking. A little too tidy for Legundo's liking, not because he liked messiness but because he knew Graecie's tendencies. Finally, there was mental state. Legundo knew Graecie disliked sleeping because it meant she couldn't help anyone. He had been trying for weeks now to get it through to her that she didn't owe anyone anything. It was a struggle getting through to her.
It was a midday ramble with Sausage when the alternative was proposed.
"You could always sleep together."
The nonchalant tone in Sausage's voice made Legundo choke on his water. Gadget immediately rushed to his side, observing his rider to try and figure out how to help him.
"I'm fine, Gadget." Legundo coughed out, smiling as the young dragon nuzzled into his lap. "Good boy."
Sausage didn't miss the way Legundo's eyes fixated on Gadget just a little too strongly, as if he was trying to ignore what Sausage just said.
"Well I knew you were smitten with Graecie but I've got a feeling I touched a nerve there." His expression moulded into a coy smile, leaning back on the sofa arm.
"S-SAUSAGE!" Legundo wacked his friend's arm incredulously, furiously trying to hide his blushing face. "I-I wasn't - "
"Oh I know." Sausage giggled mischievously. "Oh, you young-en's are too innocent for that!"
"You're not that much older?" Legundo said with a strained tone, taking Gadget into his arms.
"What I'm saying is…" Sausage clarified slowly, scratching behind Penny's ears. "I bet if you two got all close and personal, Graecie could let her guard down. Coax her to fall asleep in your arms and she'll get some well needed slumber."
"I don't want to coax her into anything…" Legundo mumbled bashfully.
"Ah, poor wording on my part." Sausage slapped a hand on Legundo's shoulder, earning a small yelp. "Obviously ask beforehand, just tell her how you want to get her comfortable and you'll help her get some sleep!"
"But that would require telling her…"
How I feel… Legundo's mind supplied.
"Then lock in!" Sausage gripped the sides of Legundo's arms so passionately he thought he might shatter from embarrassment. "She might not want you to do it if she knows it's to help her sleep because she'll feel bad. But if you express your deepest desire to just hold her close and nuzzle in her hair - "
"You're making this weird!" Legundo squeaked.
"You're impossible." Sausage rolled his eyes with a groan. "Propose it like a date."
"A date." Legundo repeated with a kind of sarcasm. "Oh yes hey Graecie want a date? Yeah it's just in my bed, just cuddling, not suspicious at all."
"Exactly!" Sausage cheered.
"It sounds creepy." Legundo deadpanned. "It sounds like I'm insinuating…well you already know where my mind went. What if hers does too?"
"Isn't that a good thing?" Sausage cocked an eyebrow.
"Not if she doesn't want that!" Legundo freed himself from Sausage's grasp to bury his head in the sofa arm. "And goodness knows what the patriarchy structure was like in the flock, what if she feels obliged when she doesn't actually want to?!"
Sausage relented slightly, leaning back with an inquisitive expression.
"You're right." He hummed, stroking his chin. "I hadn't considered that."
"I think about it a lot." Legundo confessed with a sad sigh. "I forget that I'm…"
The young rider froze, catching himself before he revealed too much to Sausage about his gender. He stole a peek to try and see if his friend had reacted. Sausage seemed unbothered and just kept stroking his stubble. Gosh, Legundo wished he had stubble. He wished he had Sausage's face in general. It was handsome, masculine and a little rugged. Legundo already knew jealousy didn't look good in him, nothing he did with his appearance seemed to.
"Graecie's vulnerable." Legundo spoke quietly. "I need to be gentle with her."
"And that starts with helping her sleep." Sausage added.
"I just don't know how." Legundo curled up on himself.
A whole week had passed since that conversation. Every night as Legundo tried to sleep, he wondered about Graecie. In his delirium, he let his mind wander about what she would look like in that calm and peaceful state. His face would turn red as he pictured her beautiful face. and then his heart would drop as he remembered she wouldn't be sleeping as comfortably as he was at the moment. Not by inability, but because she didn't want to. And there was nothing Legundo could do to help her.
It wasn't until one night he found himself awaking prematurely. As his eyes adjusted to the lights, he noticed something peculiar.
He wasn't in his bed. He was standing in the corridor near the infirmary.
"Legs?"
Legundo turned towards the heavenly voice, finding himself starring at a worried Graecie.
"Graecie?" His voice came out weak and groggy. "W-What happened, why am I here…"
The next thing he noticed was the way Graecie's arm settled around his waist. Far too close, far too comforting.
"Am I dreaming?" He stated flatly.
"Nono, you were sleeping walking." Graecie's voice sounded like a melody to Legundo's ears, on par with the tingling of bells at her side. "Gadget got me."
"Gadget did?" Legundo peered down at the dragon nuzzling at his feet. He leaned slightly to pet his head. "Well done, boy."
"Yes, he got me from the kitchen." Graecie beamed.
"The kitchen…" The wheel in Legundo's head turned painfully slow. "Graecie…what time is it?"
"Oh it's a little early." Gracie responded cheerfully. "The sun hasn't risen, I woke up about an hour ago."
"You woke…Graecie." Legundo turned to face Graecie, holding her shoulder's for support. "How long were you asleep?"
"Two hours."
"TWO - " Legundo almost stumbled back in shock.
"It's more than enough for me." Graecie assured him, moving to once again support his waist. "Now you need to rest again, you're going to collapse."
"Graecieeeeee." Legundo whined, the exhaustion stripping away any reservations he had. "Graecie, I love you, but you're such a hypocrite."
They had barely taken two steps before Legundo realised what he said and froze.
"Please forget everything I said…" Legundo groaned, trying to hide his blushing face in his hands.
"Legs, hey." Graecie leaned too close. "It's okay."
Legundo's eyes darted between Graecie's and just past her. "What?"
"You can call me a hypocrite. It's okay." Graecie affirmed with a gentle smile.
"So you didn't catch - " Legundo practically clamped his lips against his fist before he could spill any more. "Let's just go to bed."
"T-Together?"
Oh Graecie was far too cute for her own good…
"Screw it." Legundo mumbled, his hesitancy slipping once more. "I want to make sure you get some sleep. I'm a bit of a clingy sleeper, you won't be able to get up for a while. But if it means you actually get some rest for once - "
"I'm okay, Legs." Graecie assured him carefully.
"But you're not!" Legundo groaned sleepily. "Look. I won't force you to do anything you don't want to do. But please, Graecie, I need you to sleep."
There was a moment of silence between them. Legundo's heart thrummed in his chest. Did he overstep?
"…okay." Graecie's voice came small. For a moment Legundo worried she was replying out of compulsion but when he saw the slight tint on her cheeks, he had a wonderfully gnawing feeling she was responding from the heart.
"Thank you, Graecie." Legundo whispered, pressing a small kiss to her hair. He was absolutely overstepping now, he couldn't think with how tired he was. When Graecie giggled, he paused. "What?"
"You're pretty cute when you're tired." Graecie smiled gently, the flush going straight to Legundo's cheeks. "Let's get to bed before you collapse on me."
"…okayyyyyyy." Legundo barely squeaked, embarrassed and incredibly flustered.
They walked carefully down the corridor. When they passed Legundo's room, his footing stuttered. Were they about to sleep in Graecie's room? It felt far too intimate for Legundo's brain to handle, it felt like he was invading Graecie's safe space.
"Can I check how you are with cuddling?" Legundo nervously asked as Graecie opened the door. "I know I said I'm clingy but if you don't want any contact, I can keep my distance."
"I'm okay with contact!" Graecie beamed cheerfully.
"You're not just saying that to make me happy, right?" Legundo clarified carefully. "Are you absolutely sure?"
"I've missed being able to sleep with larger mammals." Graecie admitted softly. "Fleece is a great companion but she prefers to sleep untouched. I miss being able to bury my head in the warm fleece of the lambs."
An image of Graecie nuzzled against Legundo made him beam bright red once again. He reminded himself this was no time for fantasy. The real Graecie was right here and he should focus on what she was willing to do.
Graecie guided Legundo to the edge of her bed. She looked so pretty.
Oh he was screwed.
"I'm curious though, what about cuddling makes you happy?"
"Uhm…" Legundo fumbled over his words, his brain reacting incredibly slow at the sight of Graecie in front of him. An angel in every sense of the word. "I want to be close to you. I want you to feel safe, warm and comfortable. I want the slowness, especially after all we have been through."
"Oh, Legs." Graecie smiled softly, placing a burning hand on his cheek. "When Sausage told me you had feelings for me, I didn't think hearing them would be this adorable."
Legundo's ribcage shattered.
"H-HE TOLD YOU?!" Legundo stood up in shock, the blood rushing to his brain and causing him to grip Graecie's shoulder to avoid fainting.
"Was he not supposed to?" Graecie's face twisted with innocent worry. "Oh no."
"No no no, it's okay I…" Legundo faced the floor. beat red. "I wanted to tell you myself."
"I see." Graecie nodded carefully. "Well you still can!"
Legundo shook his head, brows furrowing.
"Not now." Legundo mumbled painfully. "Not when I can hardly get my words straight to give you the confession you deserve…the one that gets all my feelings out."
His lips were far too loose for his own good.
"Can we just sleep?" Legundo pleaded gently. "Can I just make sure you're okay and comfortable and then in the morning I'll tell you my deepest affections? I want it to be perfect."
Like you, Legundo's whirring brain added.
"If you're sure." Graecie smiled, placing a soft kiss to Legundo's cheek. "If it helps the nerves, whatever you say to me, I'll reciprocate."
Legundo glanced up with sparkling eyes. "R-Really?"
"Really!" Graecie giggled. "I really like you, Legs."
"Oh my goodness." Legundo's voice cracked, a smile bleeding onto his face. "Graecie!"
"Mhm!" Graecie's laugh was the most beautiful song.
"I-I like you too - " Legundo's proclamation was cut off by Graecie placing a finger on his trembling lips.
"Save it for tomorrow." Graecie smiled brightly. "You said you would tell me your deepest affections, yeah?"
A wave of boldness overtook Legundo as he settled a hand on Graecie's waist.
"What if I can't wait?" Legundo's lips trembled excitedly. "What if I have dreamed of this moment for weeks now and the thrill is so much I just can't contain myself?"
"Oh blessed bells, you're adorable, Legs." Graecie leaned into Legundo's chest.
They stood there for a few moments, hugging tightly and enjoying each others presence. Gadget had long since retreated to Fleece's nest, the ensuing turf war never once distracting their riders from each other.
Then Legundo's knee buckled.
"I need to sit down - "
Graecie guided him back to the bed. Their contact never broke however, as Legundo kept his arms around Graecie. His head was almost flush with her stomach as his looked up at her with wonder and adoration. Graecie on the other hand let a hand run through Legundo's hair, unrestricted since his goggles were removed.
"I'm going to get changed into my nightgown." Graecie mumbled sweetly.
"I'll look away." Legundo promised her.
"You don't have to, you know." Graecie chuckled.
"Graecie, I think I will die." Legundo stammered with a joking tone.
"Okay, okay." Graecie giggled, placing a kiss on Legundo's hair. "A true gentleman."
Legundo flushed at the praise as he screwed his eyes shut, listening as Graecie hummed to herself. It gave him a moment with his thoughts to freak out internally about how he got here. Graecie liked him? He convinced her to sleep? He had a chance? He needed to cool down before he combusted.
He felt Graecie's presence before he heard her.
"You can open your eyes now."
Legundo wanted to. He wanted to look at the person he had fallen head over heels for in her gorgeous glory. Yet there was some invisible force stopping him from doing so.
He didn't deserve to see her in this vulnerable state.
"Legs?" Graecie's voice came worried.
"Y-Yeah?" Legs trembled.
"Are you starting to drift off?"
Truth be told, he was. Closing his eyes was introducing sleep back to his body.
"Mhm." He mumbled sluggishly.
He felt Graecie move him onto the bed, pulling gently to get him under the covers. He especially didn't dare open his eyes now, he was sure Graecie looked beautiful and he would definitely perish.
It wasn't until he felt Graecie squeeze next to him that he peeled his eyes open. Her hair was worn looser with the bow removed, falling around her face perfectly. She looked at him with soft, happy eyes that burned into his heart.
"Hi." He giggled.
"Hey." Graecie responded.
Legundo let his hand smooth along Graecie's back, bringing them closer.
"Can I kiss you?"
The question caught Legundo off guard. His eyes fixated on Graecie's slightly parted lips. They were a little chewed up from what he could only assume were nervous habits but he didn't care.
"Or…I guess…Can you kiss me?" Graecie bashfully corrected. "I don't really know how."
"I can…" Legundo spoke with comfortable certainty, allowing his lips to connect with Graecie's lovingly.