Upstairs

[creator_raven]

Raven is sleeping.

It is a thing that happens, on occasion.

Usually, however, with fewer crumbs.

And no hot chocolate.




Perhaps he is not really sleeping.

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[creator_raven]

It is fortunate, perhaps, that the room is small enough that by the time Magic actually tangles herself between Raven's feet, they are already by the bed.

At least the landing is not on the floor?

Raven, meanwhile, rests his cheek on Ace's hair, eyes closed, humming softly.
I'm sorry.
"I do not know, I think, which 'them' you are meaning."

[nitro-is-ace.livejournal.com]

"All of them. Eddie's gone. An' Wash is gone, an' He's gone, an' Moiraine is goin'... it hurts too much. It hurts, bird." She's got herself tangled around him, as if to physically hold him here if he gets the wild idea to disappear on her as well.

[creator_raven]

He holds her a little tighter, resettling them more comfortably on the bed.

Raven's foot will do for prodding at Magic, because his arms are otherwise occupied at the moment.

"Well I know it, Ace. But some of them are coming back, yes? It is better than in other places."

[nitro-is-ace.livejournal.com]

"I dunno." She leans into him, tired from the emotional wringer. "I dunno what t'believe anymore. All I know now is they're gone." Magic, a bit annoyed that she can't join in with the cuddling, gently closes her jaws (and the needle sharp little puppy teeth she's still got in her head, there's still a few months until she loses all of those) around Raven's poking foot.

[creator_raven]

Raven's foot twitches. Repeatedly.

"It is better, perhaps, not to bite clay."

But really, Ace is of greater concern than his foot at the moment.

"You are still here, I think. And I am."

His voice is quiet.

"There are others, I think, who would prefer to stay, also."

[nitro-is-ace.livejournal.com]

Magic huffs and flops on the floor, entirely put out.

"What about next time? Who am I gonna lose next? It won't stop, Raven. It's gettin' worse, not better." The time between skips is getting shorter, and while Ace has gotten a lot less prone to panicking, this certainly does seem like a panicking sort of situation.

[creator_raven]

"Possibly I will lose you, instead."

This does not result in a slightly tighter hold. Not at all.

"It is a thing that happens. It is almost impossible not to risk, I think."

[nitro-is-ace.livejournal.com]

Raven might not be holding tighter, but Ace is.

"Don't even joke. Just... can I stay here? For a bit? It's... really quiet, on the TARDIS." Quiet, and empty. Semi-sentient or not, the TARDIS herself just doesn't make for a good travelling partner.

[creator_raven]

"I will not, then."

He shifts a little further on the bed, swinging his feet up, as well.

"Possibly I will never mind you staying, Ace."

Minus the possibly part.

"Will you sleep?"

[nitro-is-ace.livejournal.com]

"... I could try." Ace makes no promises. Especially once such things like Dream Lords could get involved. Or even their realms.
"Just... don't go. A'right?" She demands as she shucks off her boots. Magic snags one and takes it away for retribution chewing.

[creator_raven]

Raven snorts softly as Magic disappears, then shifts around on the bed until both he and Ace are comfortable.

"I have said before I will not. It still holds. Shh."

There is humming, after a time, soft and quiet.

And he doesn't go.

That's something, right?

[nitro-is-ace.livejournal.com]

It's everything.

She curls up against him, smelling warm clay and smoke and blood under all, but more importantly the clear night air when everything's fresh and free. There she could run forever.

Run forever, and still there would be someone there when she came home.

Maybe that's what she dreams about, tonight.

[creator_raven]

Raven, however, stays awake.

Just to be sure.

It has often been so.