It is, as they say, a beautiful night. The sky is clear, millions of little stars shining down upon the world, and the gentle lapping of the waves luring the land to sleep like a lullaby—the tropical colours of Sindria somehow still vibrant despite the muted veil of night. All is calm, all is silent, but Hakuryuu can't sleep.
He lies awake, curled up within soft, silken sheets, eyes wide open and staring aimlessly into the night. Sleep won't come to him; every time he closes his eyes, tries to rest, the dreams come. At first it's just red, red everywhere, and he's terrified because he knows what's coming. The red starts moving, flickering, shades of orange and bright piercing yellow joining it, and he's surrounded by fire. Everywhere he looks it's in his way, scorching his skin, closing in on him, and he screams. Screams because the left side of his face starts burning; screams because his brother's voice calls out to him, pleading, and he can't do anything about it; screams because he's trapped, suffocating, and his world is falling apart around him.
Now he doesn't sleep, but he's tired, so very tired. So he crawls out of bed, dragging his heavy limbs with him, to Alibaba's room. He knocks quietly, hesitating only briefly before pushing the door open. And Alibaba's sitting on his bed, eyes still slightly lidded from sleep, but his arms are wide open.
Hakuryuu already feels some of the weight lift from his shoulders as he climbs into Alibaba's lap, leaning against his chest as he relaxes. One arm finds its way around his waist, tightening protectively, as another hand rubs soothing circles on his back. And with a sigh of relief, he falls asleep with his head burrowed in Alibaba's neck, a murmured chant of "It's alright, my love…" lulling him into slumber.
