A/N: First off, I'm very sorry for once more abandoning my account. Anyway, I thought I'd try something different, so here's a one-shot using two of the characters of Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep.
DISCLAIMER: Kingdom Hearts and its characters belong to Square Enix, not me. So, if you want to sue me, forget it.
It had been a long, tiring day. Between the majority of his experiments going kaputt and Braig being more of a wiseass than usual, Even had been looking forward to this - a rest. Some sleep. All was quiet, and he now lay comfortably in his bed, in the soothing darkness of bedroom. And yet - he could not sleep. How odd, he thought, for he ought to have fallen asleep the minute he'd gotten into bed; that's how tired he'd been. But now - nearly two hours later - Even found himself wide awake, and he hadn't the slightest idea as to why. Is it my experiments? Is that why? Am I upset about all the experiments I lost today? Yes, that must be it, he thought. Well, whatever happens, happens. If I'm to start a clean slate tomorrow, I need all the sleep I can possibly get now. With these thoughts the young scientist comforted himself, and closed his eyes in another attempt to fall asleep.
CrreEEEEAAAaakk... It was the sound of a door being opened. Even had been so close to finally drifting off when the noise roused him back into consciousness. He sat up with a start. Pat...pat...pat... Now he was hearing footsteps. Who could that possibly be? He listened for a few more seconds, but the footsteps had ceased. I must be going mad, he thought. I'm hearing things, I know I am. Not even Braig would be sneaking around at this time of the night. Just proves how tired I am... Lying back down, he shut his eyes again and tried to focus on sleep.
Once more, he'd nearly slipped into slumber when he was roused again, this time, by a pair of tiny arms encircling his middle. He felt a small figure gently pressing against his back. Even groaned inwardly. Sakes alive, the boy's incorrigible! "Ienzo!" He whispered sharply. "What in the world are you doing awake?"
"I had a nightmare," came the orphan boy's reply. "Could I please sleep with you?"
The older apprentice sighed. I'm spoiling him, really. He could just picture Aeleus shaking his head in disapproval. "Oh, alright, Ienzo," he promised the little boy, "but only for tonight."
"Thanks, Uncle Even," Ienzo said sleepily, and snuggled closer to the tall blond man.
If the others find out about this, I'll be the laughingstock of the apprenticeship in no time flat, Even mused to himself. And yet...lying there in the quiet darkness, feeling the warmth of the slumbering child who lay beside him...Even now felt oddly peaceful. He leaned over and kissed Ienzo's forehead, then lay his head down on his pillow...and at last he was able to fall asleep.
-END-
A/N: Sorry if it sucks, but reviews are very much appreciated!