He's watching her, all curled up in that bed, what little light slipping past his frame stretching his shadow, making him taller. She seems so small in sleep, the sheets and pillows drowning her in their center, and when he walks over, his fingers catch on the blanket that he draws up over her arm.
Julian leans over, giving Cessily a small, light kiss on her temple -- the gesture more natural than anything else he's ever done, barring his mutant abilities. Not that he's had much control in recent events. Not that his power has come naturally, easily, as of late.
She whimpers just a little and he sits down, his hip against the curve of her back. He knows she's awake. He can tell by the way her eyes are just slightly open, the tears running down the smooth silver of her face to seep into the fabric that cushions her head.
"It still hurts," she says in a soft, frightened voice. "I still dream of it."
And his heart twists just a little, "Go to sleep, Cess. I'll hang around for a bit longer." He murmurs, his fingers clumsy as he gently strokes her limp, damp, wet hair. "You're safe now." He tells her, the words a promise to himself. "You're safe."
prompt: 10. power (New X-Men, 616 continuum), written for the 50 Prompts challenge, pairing/characters Cessily Kincaid & Julian Keller. Set after Mercury Falling.