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Nowadays, it's rarer for Kage to have dreams of any sort, nightmares included. Between his mother's murder and every other horror he had to live through, his mind and heart had no choice but to erect sturdy walls, to protect him even in his sleep.
However, his walls have cracks. Some of them are a good thing: powerful, precise, little cracks made by Bojji's kindness, contagious smile and friendship, as if he actually used his rapier against the walls's weakest points, encouraging him to be the best he can be every single day.
Some of them... not so much, as they let sadness and resentment slip through and take quite the variety of forms: intrusive thoughts, mean words and intentions, night terrors.
He wakes up in a cold sweat, after a particularly bad one, breathing heavily. He hopes he didn't scream - he knows it wouldn't make much difference even with Bojji sleeping in the same room as him, but it's a matter of principle. He isn't a little kid anymore.
Speaking of Bojji, Kage turns to face him and finds him predictably sleeping soundly on the other bed Despa-san offered them, exhausted by their rigorous training. Just looking at his peaceful expression and rhythmic breathing helps him calm down a bit, however he doesn't think he'll get anymore rest.
With a sigh, he quietly crawls towards him to adjust his sheets - nights in the Underworld are surprisingly mild, but he'd rather not take the risk of Bojji getting a cold, and gently pat his head, then he leaves their room. Maybe he can cook him and the old man something nice for breakfast...
On his way to the kitchen, he notices light creaking from beneath Despa-san's door.
***
Despa's sleep has been plagued by all kind of dreams since he can remember. His mother used to tell him it is due to his incredible intellect, and he believed her - still does.
Given the circumstances, it didn't take long before nightmares started mixing together with the colorful, weird dreams appropriate for a child and his fervent imagination.
Even after all this time, he still gets many of those, what's changed is that he can't take shelter between his mother's reassuring arms anymore nor, once she was gone, in his brother's awkward hold.
Dreams of his horrible father are not so bad, they never have been: much like in his wake, a young, brave Desha would always come to speak in his defense, sometimes even take hits meant for him. Ouken wouldn't be far, cheering him up with his blinding smile and unwavering optimism, even as a child. Dreams of losing him are always the worst ones.
Sitting on the edge of his bed, Despa rubs his temples, then lights a candle to find some comfort in its warm light and takes a long sip of water from a glass he took the habit to keep on the nightstand, for when he goes into town.
He evens his breath, slowly recovering from that last cruel dream. It was disturbing enough that he barely suppressed the urge to reach out to Desha - Despa knows plenty well that his brother is actually a softie under that odious personality, and that he wouldn't turn down a lighthearted talk from him, probably guessing what occurred without him needing to explain himself, but... He can't do that, he's not twelve anymore.
His head killing him, he mentally curses at whatever they served him back at the tavern - he drinks so that he can stop thinking, at least for one blissful evening, of his brother turning into a bloodthirsty monster, not the other way around!
Still, it's the middle of the night, and dwelling on the matter won't help him feel any better, nor it'll bring Ouken back any sooner, so he shakes his head and reaches for the candle, when a soft knock startles him.
"Come in!" he says, eyeing curiously at the door. It doesn't open, but little Kage slips from under it.
"Kage-chan? Is everything alright?" He asks surprised, worry weighing on his stomach - did Bojji get sick? Did they spend some of his money behind his back? Did he wake them up because of his nightmare?
Kage sure looks restless, torturing his hands and avoiding his gaze like that. He swiftly regains his nerves, so that he can better study him. Maybe...
"Kage-chan" he speaks gently, "did you have a a bad dream?"
That startles him. "What?! No! I was- I was just thirsty, then I saw the light coming from your room, so I was so kind enough to come and check on you! What are you even doing awake at this hour?! I hope you're taking Bojji's training seriously, or I'll--" finally, Kage looks up. Whatever he finds in Despa's gaze - fond amusement, he hopes, makes him stop in his track and blush in embarrassment.
Still smiling, Despa pats the bed, and after only a moment of hesitation, Kage slithers right next to him.
"Okay, maybe I did have a nightmare. What about it?" he mutters, giving him the stinky eye.
"Nothing, Kage-chan. Actually, I just woke up from one too." Despa explains, patiently, "would you like to talk about it?"
Kage just stares. "Would you?"
Despa snorts at that. This kid and his tongue are too sharp for his own good and age, but that is just on of the aspects that makes him so easy to love and care for. Despa has always be very fond of children, anyway.
"Touché." He concedes.
A comfortable silence settles between them. Kage unconsciously got close enough to his hand that he is almost touching it. He still looks pretty shaken, and mostly sad. Knowing his history, he can picture what kind of bad dreams may have disturbed his sleep... he really can't blame him for needing some comfort.
Just thinking about it makes Despa's heart sinks, as a treacherous corner of his mind offers him the image of two children trying their best not to sniffle while crawling into their elder brother's bed. It was the day after their mother left them, and Desha didn't even try to act annoyed as he hugged and lulled them.
He takes a deep breath and does his best not to do the same with Kage. Earning his trust was not an easy task, and the last thing he wants is to overwhelm him, or worse, have him think Despa pities him.
The thing is, it's a little too easy for Despa to see himself whenever he looks at him, but he tries his best not to. Doing the same with Bojji - not looking at him and see Ouken that is, is harder... he will work on that too. He must.
Several minutes pass, and when Kage finally relaxes, a loud yawn leaves his mouth. Despa takes a quick look at the window - it's still pretty dark outside, and finds himself aching for his bed and sheets as well. He scratches his chin, pensive.
"Kage-chan, would you like to stay here for tonight?" He asks him, keeping his tone casual.
Kage goggles at him, rendered speechless. Despa thinks he sees his eyes brighten for a second, but it may have been a trick of the light.
"Why-" Kage begins anyway, raising his voice and flushing, and Despa patiently resigns himself to another round of outraged blabbers.
However, "you know what? Fine. If anything, you look like you need some company." He huffs unexpectedly, before plopping unceremoniously on his pillow. Despa just blinks, incredulous.
"So? Are you going to sleep or not? And don't you dare drool on me, or I'll tell your gremlin brother!"
Despa's geuine laugh at that takes them both by surprise. "Settle down, Kage-chan. And thank you for your consideration." He amuses him, blowing out the candle and laying down as well. When he's done adjusting the sheets so that they're both properly covered, Kage is already half-asleep.
"Sweet dreams, Kage-chan."
"Mmh... g'night... pa..."
***
Kage dreams of a gentle voice lulling him. It sounds so very different from his mother's, yet it feels no less caring. He feels warm, and safe.