An Empty Bed
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Devin, Bree
Date Posted: 11th February 2007
Series: Saving Each Other
Characters: N'vanik, Talryne
Description: N'vanik has trouble sleeping alone, and goes to see how Talryne is doing.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 2, day 18 of Turn 4
He couldn't count how many times he'd changed position, trying to get comfortable. No matter how he moved, all he was aware of was the space next to him and how empty and cold it was. **This is ridiculous,** he thought, turning over again. If _he_ was having trouble falling asleep, what about Tal? "Scorching crackdust," he muttered as he sat up. Fine, he'd go check on her. Just to make sure she was okay. N'vanik pulled on a pair of pants and walked across the main room. He glanced at Loseth, curled up on his couch and breathing deep. At least _he_ didn't have any problem falling asleep.
The halls were quiet at this time of night, and N'vanik didn't meet anyone on his way there. At the door, he paused to knock quietly. When there was no answer, he opened the door and walked in. Talryne was curled up on her couch, wrapped up in the blue blanket he'd given her and with that silly romance lying open on her stomach. A smile tugged at his mouth as he watched her sleeping form. **I'll just carry her to bed and then I'll go.** N'vanik bent to lift her and then paused, looking at the book again. He lifted it from her and set it beside the couch, planning to take it with him when he left. Then he slid his arms under Talryne and picked her up off the couch.
She mumbled something against his chest and shifted in his arms. "N'vanik? S'at you?"
"Yeah. I'm just gonna tuck you into bed," he told her. "You shouldn't be sleeping on the couch."
"I wasn't sleeping..." The words were interrupted by a muffled yawn. "At least, I thought I wasn't... the bed was too..." **Empty.** "Unfamiliar."
"You should try to get used to it. It's yours now." N'vanik stepped into the sleeping room and set her down on the bed.
She blinked up at him from her tangle of blankets, her hair sticking to the side of her face and tumbling around her shoulders in a mess. "Could you... would you mind sitting with me? Just for a little bit."
N'vanik was relieved he didn't need to make the offer. "Sure I can stay. Until you fall asleep."
"Thank you." She smiled sleepily and shifted to the side to give him room before setting about untangling the blankets. It made a convenient excuse for not meeting his eyes.
He reached out to help her, getting the blankets in order so they could both get into bed. Then N'vanik slid in beside her and got her settled against his chest. "Much better."
"Mmmmmm." Talryne closed her eyes and relaxed against him. "You're warm."
"Better than a blanket," he joked. He was more comfortable now than he had been alone in his own bed.
"Most of the time," she agreed in a sleepy voice. Her hand slid down his arm until she could twine her fingers with his. "And you make a nice pillow."
"Glad I can be useful." N'vanik closed his eyes and rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. He had no intention of leaving, and he could use the convenient excuse of dozing off while waiting for her to fall asleep.
Her breathing had almost steadied out when she suddenly spoke again. "Are you just going to go steal my book as soon as I'm asleep?"
How did she know that? N'vanik was surprised into a chuckle. "No. I was gonna wait til morning."
"Oh." Well, she was just going to have to get up before he did. It wasn't like she was going to leave the bed now, not when she was so warm and comfortable...
Before she could finish the thought, Talryne had drifted off to sleep. It didn't take long for N'vanik to follow.
Last updated on the February 17th 2007
[Prev: Moving On, Moving Forward] Series: Saving Each Other [Next: No Accounting For Taste]