"Psst."
Ralph spoke directly in his ear, which sent shivers down Simon's spine. He suppressed any visible reactions he had, and rolled over to find himself almost nose to nose with Ralph. He smiled and nudged their noses in a friendly way before pulling away.
"Sorry. Yeah?"
Ralph looked almost embarrassed, as if interrupting the other boy's sleep was an inconvenience to them both, which was ridiculous considering Simon would have woken up even if Ralph had just wanted to have a chat. He obviously didn't though. Ralph's emerald eyes trailed up his face until their eyes met, sighing.
"I can't sleep."
Simon raised his eyebrows. He rested his hand on Ralph's hip, splaying his fingers out and sending warmth down the other boy's back.
"How can I help?" he murmured into Ralph's ear.
Ralph laughed shakily.
"Well you're certainly not helping now."
Simon giggled and removed his hand. They lay quietly, watching each others' faces humorlessly. Ralph's pupils were blown wide from lack of sleep, and still managed to look tired but entirely and tragically awake at the same time.
An idea then occurred to Simon, and he sat up next to Ralph, crossing his legs. Ralph started to sit up too, but Simon put a hand on his shoulder, forcing him to stay lying down.
"Relax."
Ralph's eyebrows knit together.
"I don't think I can."
"Just try. Now close your eyes. Take a deep breath."
Ralph smiled up at him amusedly through closed lids and breathed deeply.
Simon began to sing:
"Deep in the shadows in their cave
Three playful lions misbehave
Soon they'll grow tired, lay in a heap
Mother will watch them go to sleep."
It was a lullaby that they used to sing in their choir when performing. It sounded best when mixed with Jack's high tone and his low, but this would have to do. His voice was barely a whisper, yet it rang and echoed through the forest clearly.
"You're in the choir. Of course," Ralph breathed, and Simon responded by brushing his fair hair out of his face.
Simon stopped for a moment and watched the other boy, his lips parted contentedly. Ralph was so... beautiful. That was quite a feminine word to use, but it was true. It wasn't just that he was attractive. He had a kind of quality that was just completely gorgeous, with lovely bone structure and piercing green eyes that seemed to see right through him whenever they rested on him. And his figure...
Simon didn't realize how transfixed he was until Ralph whispered, "Keep going."
He continued.
"High in an oak tree, safe in a nest
Four tiny robins take their rest
Mother beside them, sweetly they peep
Evening is falling. Go to sleep."
"You're perfect," Ralph mumbled, and Simon just continued softly, sweetly.
"Stars are shining, day is done
Close your eyes 'till morning sun."
Ralph's breathing was evening out, but Simon sang the last line barely audibly.
"Then you'll awaken from slumber deep
But 'till the morning, go to sleep."
"C'mere," Ralph muttered, half asleep.
Simon lay next to the the other boy, fitting his head to Ralph's collarbone and falling asleep to the song of his friend's heartbeat.