A sharp, short breath escaped Shirou's lips as he awoke with a jolt, shaking the bunkbed that he shared with his twin brother, Atsuya. "Another one..." He thought aloud, thinking about the dreadful nightmare which had him in it's terrifying grasp just moments before. Shirou's gaze drifted torwards the digital clock resting on the twin's dresser, which happened to be giving off the only light illuminating in the room.
4:30 am, it read. Still too early to wake up.
Shirou sighed, pulling the blankets from his body. He crawled torwards the ladder which led to the floor and carefully began to climb down, desperately not trying to fall. He did that on accident once before. It was scary and Atsuya had scolded him for not being careful afterwards which had made it an extra unpleasant experience. It was definitely not something that he wanted to go through again.
Once he felt his feet make contact with the carpeted floor, he slowly and cautiously began to walk up to his brother who was sleeping soundly on his side. "Ah.. uhm.." Shirou began, pondering on what he should say to his brother. "Atsuya..." He layed his hands on his shoulder and gently shook his brother, trying to get his attention. "Hey, Atsuya.. wake up.."
Atsuya's eyes slowly began to open themselves, trying to find some path of sight in the seemingly endless darkness. "Shi.. rou..?" said Atsuya, his voice obviously seething with drowsiness. "Is that you?" He managed to get himself to sit upright as he rubbed his right eye with his hand.
Shirou nodded slowly. "Yeah.." he almost muttered. He nudged himself closer to his pink-haired brother, trying to find the words that he oh-so-desperately sought.
"I.. uh... uhm.. ah.." Shirou stuttered as he found himself gazing anywhere but at his twin. "I had a nightmare and I.. was hoping you'd let me sleep with you tonight.." he bravely finished, his gaze finally set upon Atsuya who was looking a mixture of confusion and sympathy. "You're hopeless, Shirou." Atsuya finally muttered out, handing Shirou a stuffed bear.
"Ah..?" Shirou looked down at the bear with confusion then back up at his brother. Atsuya bit the side of his mouth with frustration as he continued to eye his brother in the dark. "It's to cheer you up, Idiot!" He lightly bonked Shirou on the head with the palm of his hand before laying back down. Much to his expectations, Shirou curled up next to him, hugging him close with the stuffed bear sandwiched in the middle.
Atsuya smiled softly to himself and held his brother's hand with nothing but affection.
"Sleep well, Shirou."