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[arkfall]

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[endthem]

[Despite the things that haunt him, Legato has never had an overt tendency toward nightmares. Aside from a short period of time after he'd first been rescued when he was young, Legato's sleep has been quiet.

The past few months have been a drastic change, however. Legato nearly matches Vash in the poor quality of his sleep now, with even his absurd levels of willpower not enough to completely fend off the effects. He's been wearing thin around the edges and there are dark circles under his eyes now.

Usually, when he wakes up from his nightmares in the middle of the night, he does so relatively quietly, and quickly leaves the room so that Knives' rest isn't disturbed. Tonight, he's not so lucky. This time, when he jolts awake, it results in him banging his elbow into the wall over on his side of the room.]

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[Knives jerks away at the sound and seems poised to attack until he realizes what is happening.]

Bluesummers?

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[He's still too unwound over whatever he'd just woke from to catch the harried sound that escapes him.]

It's fine. Go back to sleep.

[Already gathering himself to get up and leave the room.]

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[There's no way that's happening, but Knives does give him a moment before he's up and following out of the bedroom.]

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[Legato is still acclimating to being awake, still sorting things out between dreaming and the present, but he's already heading to the kitchen and beginning to autopilot his way into warming water for tea. This is habit for him by now.]

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[Knives watches him for a moment and then sits down at their table so he can watch Legato.

He still doesn't say anything, just watches for now.]

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[And if any further proof is needed to show how distracted Legato is, he doesn't actually notice that Knives has followed him out until he catches him seated at the table. Even with how he can't help but track the presences around him, especially those of the brothers, Knives almost manages to sneak up on him.

He frowns as soon as he realizes he hasn't been left alone.]

I apologize for waking you. You can go back to bed; it won't happen again.

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I'm sure it won't. You'll probably cut out your own tongue before you react to a dream loudly enough for me to wake.

[He rubs the bridge of his nose.]

I happen to use your tongue now.

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[His frown deepens--for more than one reason--at those comments. And his sigh is a resigned one, too tired to argue, as he reaches into the cabinet that houses the mugs.]

...Would you like something to drink, then?

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Fine.

[He doesn't actually care for the tea. He isn't sure why he's out here at all.]

How long have you been suffering with these nightmares?

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[Legato can only assume that Knives is out here to inspect the integrity of his property. Asking if he'd like tea is mostly to give himself something to do, getting two mugs ready for when the water finishes heating, before finally having to join Knives at the table.

He's procrastinating. He doesn't feel stable enough to face his master's scrutiny right now.]

A couple of months.

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And they've always driven you into the kitchen to make tea?

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...In an effort to avoid waking you, yes.

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You need sleep. Who cares if you wake me? I would prefer that you not break down.

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What good would it do anyone if you were just as tired?

[But, he sighs and leans his lower back against the counter while he waits for the water to warm.]

...Though, you're right. I should at least be trying to fall back to sleep on the couch.

[Which he had considered before, but the wish to avoid the nightmares returning had always kept him from trying.]

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What are you dreaming about?

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[for all the people he doesn't want to talk about this with, there's no reason to hide it from Knives.]

The day you rescued me... except, in the dream, you never arrive.

[There's more to it, of course, but that's the important part.]

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[Knives feels his eyes narrow.]

Then... waking up to find me near should be enough to reassure you.

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[Legato frowns, already beginning to regret admitting anything, but he tries to continue anyway.]

It isn't something that logic can simply dispel. It's... as vivid as if it was actually happening, and yet somehow worse. The suffering simply continues to loop instead of ending, and there are eyes watching every detail...

[Feeling exposed even standing there in their safe little apartment, he can't help but hunch into his shoulders a little bit.]

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And then you come out here and stay awake the rest of the night?

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[The shame burns him. He has nothing logical to argue Knives with, so he falls silent.

He doesn't answer as he turns to tend to the heated water, busying himself with making two cups of tea while feeling stupid for having so much trouble dealing with simple dreams.]

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[Knives watches him for a moment before speaking again.]

Wake me on purpose next time.

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[Taking another moment to compose himself, he gathers the mugs of tea, along with the containers for milk and sugar, and brings them to the table. Only once he's there and setting things down does he reply.]

For what reason?

[arkfall]

Perhaps I can do something to ensure you go back to sleep.

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[...Forgive him if he's a little dubious here.]

Such as what?