Stretched Too Thin (1): Sleepless Night

Writers: Eimi, Shelly
Date Posted: 2nd September 2005

Characters: U'kaiah, Kamira
Description: U'kaiah is soothed back to sleep by Kamira on a restless night
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 7, day 16 of Turn 3

The bronzerider lay awake listening to Kamira's breathing. They had both drifted off to sleep, but U'kaiah found himself awake soon after. He stared up at the ceiling, flight plans for the following morning's Threadfall at Dolphin Cover drifting through his mind.

The lack of restful sleep was frustrating. He knew he would need his rest for the morning. But hard as he try, he could not fall back asleep, and every time he moved to try to find a more comfortable position he could hear Kamira stirring too. And so he continued to stare, running flight plans, and trying to shake the unsettled feeling that was growing in the pit of his stomach.

Finally he could take it no more. He quietly swung his legs over the side of the bed and tried to gently slide his arm out from under her head. Perhaps a bath would help him relax.

Despite his efforts, Kamira woke up with his movement.
She knew that he hadn't slept much because he had stirred her out of sleep enough times to tell her that something was wrong. Kamira wasn't entirely sure what morning-after etiquette called for here. She should go after him? Should she just leave? After a few moments she decided that bedmate or no, she was still U'kaiah's friend and should be concerned that about his behavior. Kamira got up and followed him to his bathing chamber with a blanket around her to cover what needed to be covered.
**Shells. You just slept with him and you _still_ have to cover yourself up?** The girl had to laugh at herself, bt quickly covered it up when she entered the bathing chamber. Wordlessly, she slipped into the bath beside U'kaiah, gently resting her head on his shoulder.

"Good morning, Kamira." He kissed the top of her head lightly and said, "I'm sorry if I woke you. I tried not to."

Kamira shrugged. "I'm a light sleeper so don't worry about it." She lifted her head from his shoulder and moved in front of him so she could look him in the eyes. "What I would worry about, though, is why you're not sleeping..."

U'kaiah shrugged. "I wish I knew. I really should be sleeping. I have to fight Thread with Dolphin Cove today, and then lead drills after that. And I should be tired enough to sleep for a day after the evening we just had." He gave the young woman an appreciative smile. "Yes, you should have..." she dryly. "Which is why I'm concerned. How long has this been going on?"

"Just tonight really." He sighed. After fighting Thread the day before, and spending his restday with his son and Kamira, he should be exhausted. "I don't know. I guess I'm just not really looking forward to going to Dolphin Cove. The whole timing thing is... well, I just don't feel right when I'm in two places at the same time."

Kamira could only nod; she had no idea what it was like to fly, let alone what it was like to time it.
"Well then come here and let me see what I can do..."
Kamira was at his side once more and gently pushed U'kaiah's shoulders so she could more easily give him a massage.

He turned his back to her, grateful for the attention to his tense muscles. "I really shouldn't be worried about it. It's just... well, I can't describe what it feels like when you are two places at once. It's like..." he shook his head. There was no way to describe how _hollow_ he felt at that time. It would be all right if it was only for a few minutes, but it was going to last hours...

"Well you're doing a great favor to Dolphin Cove - and all of Pern." She slipped in a few gentle kisses along his neck and shoulder blades "You don't have to talk about it. Unless it helps you, just relax."

He closed his eyes under the gentle touch of her lips.
She was very good at making him forget. "If I keep talking will you keep doing that?"

"I'll keep doing this as long as you're enjoying it.
Talking is up to you." She moved a hand into his hair and began toying with it, too. "The idea is to relax you into sleep so if talking takes the load off your mind then that's what you should do."

"Well, maybe not sleeping, but that would be dangerous in a bathing pool anyway," he said, eyes still closed.
U'kaiah has always loved it when a woman played with his hair. It was the main reason he kept it a little long on top.

"Well then let's go back to bed." Kamira drew him from the water and led him back to bed. She laid him back down and laid behind him so she could keep playing with his hair.

The bronzerider settled back against her. Her skin, warmed from the bath, felt so good against his back, and her fingers were so gentle. He knew it would take him a long time to fall back asleep with such insentive to keep him awake, but he wasn't bothered. At least his mind had something else to think about for a while.

Kamira began to hum a little, remembering that her mother used to hum her to sleep as a little girl. She wasn't entirely sure she was doing much, but seeing as she was half the reason why he was up so late, Kamira figured she should at least make an effort.

Slowly U'kaiah's lids began to become heavy as he listened to her humming and felt her fingers in his hair. He was very grateful she had stayed the night with him, and though he felt it was a bit selfish of him he was glad he had woken her up. As his eyes drifted closed he half wished he had someone who could stay with him every night. He slipped into a soft sleep, with a whistful smile on his lips.

Last updated on the September 3rd 2005

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Stretched Too Thin (1): Sleepless Night