thunderstorm
Summary: When a storm hits, Luneth, Ingus, and Arc are blissfully asleep and unaware of the frightening thunder and lightening. However, Refia is in dire need of company during the storm.
A loud lightening bolt descended from the heavens and crashed onto the earth.
Staying at a small inn near the City of the Ancients, the Warriors of Light had gone to sleep for the night, hoping to be refreshed and ready by the morning. Refia, being the healer in the group, knew that having a good night's rest was the key to strength and energy. So, she decided, no matter what came her way, she would sleep like a baby throughout the night.
Then, the storm hit.
Refia was sitting on her bed, her knees drawn to her chest. She hid underneath the covers, covering her ears and whimpering whenever she saw lightening or heard thunder. Refia was the only one awake—Luneth and Ingus were in the next room, completely asleep.
It was obvious that the two heaviest sleepers would also be the best fighters. Most of the time, Ingus was a Red Mage and Luneth was a knight, meaning that they would have to use their physical strength more than Arc and Refia, the mages who mostly relied on their magic abilities.
As another lightening bolt hit, Refia couldn't help but allow a loud whimper to escape her lips. This was so bad—she was extremely frightened of the storm and she wouldn't be able to get any sleep! In the sudden stillness, Refia heard bed springs. Arc was shifting around in his bed.
'Better not wake him,' she thought. Taking in a deep breath, Refia tried to prepare herself for the next disturbance caused by the storm. Too bad it didn't work.
BOOM
Refia shrieked, nearly jumping out of her bed. She was already shaking with fear underneath the thin blanket.
"Refia?" Arc's groggy voice called. The said young woman slowly lifted the blanket off her head and peeked at Arc, who began to sit up. As he moved, the rest of Arc's sleeping shirt—which was tan with buttons at the top—was revealed. He looked at the red-haired girl with curiosity. "What's wrong?"
"Eh…n-nothing! No, I had a nightmare, nothing big!" Refia replied lamely. She knew that if Arc found out about Refia's weakness, he would most likely reveal it to Luneth. She knew that he wouldn't do it to make fun of her, but Luneth would use her fear to his advantage.
"Are you sure? You look very disturbed," Arc said, not quite sure if Refia was telling him the truth. Refia, intent on persuading Arc, only laughed lightly and shook her head, mumbling something about going back to sleep and getting some rest while wiggling back into the covers and turning away from Arc. As another lightening bolt struck the sky, Refia held in her shriek and flinched.
"Good night!" she said. Refia waited until she heard Arc's bed springs shift, knowing that Arc had gone back to sleep.
Okay, she told herself. Pull yourself together! You are better than this; you are a Warrior of the Light! And as a Warrior, I shall show bravery in the time of fear!
This wasn't the case as a large bolt of lightening pierced the purple-black sky. Refia instantly knew that a loud thunder clap was following…
And before it hit, Refia had placed her hands beside her head, shut her eyes so tight she was seeing small specks of light, and curled her body into a small ball.
The thunder hit, and Refia bit her lip as the loud booming sound decrescendo. Refia rolled around to make sure that Arc was still sleeping, but she found herself gasping as she looked up and saw him standing next to her bed.
"Refia, please tell me the truth when I ask you if you are okay. The storm is obviously keeping you up—it's really bothering you, Refia," he said in a concerned tone. Refia sighed and sat up.
"I know, I know…I'm sorry. I feel terrible for not telling you Arc, and I'm sorry if I offended you, but I was afraid that you would tell Luneth. No one but my father knows about my fear of storms, and I wanted to keep it that way," she said. Arc bit the inside of cheek, obviously deep in thought.
"The storm is not going to wear down until morning—what do you want to do? Turning the lights on is too risky and I'm more than sure that the lights have gone out, anyway. Those winds are pretty brutal. Staying up isn't the answer since tomorrow we are leaving and we need to be alert—all of us, that is," Arc said aloud. Refia nodded and a chill ran up her spine as yet another boom was heard outside. The gusting winds shook against the window, and Refia wasn't too sure if the windows were sturdy enough to remain intact.
"Arc…may I sleep…in your bed? Please? I promise I won't cause you any trouble, and we can put up a barrier!" Refia murmured, looking down as she said this. Arc was dumbfounded—he had absolutely no idea what to say!
"W-well…fine. You are miserable, and if company helps you, then you may sleep…on my bed," he said, also looking down to hide a blush. Refia's eyes twinkled as she leaped from her bed to Arc's.
"Thanks, Arc! I owe you!" she happily gushed. Arc merely shook his head and gave a frail smile. Then, he went to his side of the bed.
"Refia, the bed isn't big enough for a barrier. I think we'll just have to along without it," Arc said as he looked at Refia kneeling on the bed.
"Yes, you're right—then let's just sleep back-to-back. I promise I will not kick or punch or hit or slap! I'm a pretty calm sleeper!" Refia assured. Arc hoped so as he slid his body next to Refia's.
This night will be over, we will wake up, and go about like we normally do. Don't worry, Arc, it's only for a couple hours more, Arc thought to himself.
However, the small, warm body would press up against him every now and that broke his train of thought. It was even worse when Refia unconsciously turned to face Arc's back and then pressed her full body against him. Arc prayed to the Heavens that she would turn once more, but nothing happened.
Oh well, he thought, at least I've learned two things: the first being beware of Refia's fear of thunderstorms and the second being never share a room with Refia when one hits!
song listened to while typing
Stand by Me
By
the brilliant green