A/N: Nothing special here, just a piece of Jinbaki fluff that I randomly found inspiration for.

Midnight at the NOL Academy in Torifune. A deathlike stillness permeated the halls and chambers of the school; very few dare to face the consequences of being caught wandering this long past curfew. For some, it was the punishment that would ensue; for others, particularly those of nobility, the smear it would create on their family name.

Thus, to find class president Jin Kisaragi out alone in a student lounge this late absolutely beggared belief. He sat on a couch, hunched over, breathing heavy. Cold sweat dripped down the side of his pallid face. Why? Why did such haunting visions still creep into his mind when he slept? And why the hell did they have such an effect on him? It was stupid. Utterly stupid. He should be long past this crap. But…

"Ah! …Jin?" Tsubaki, carrying a stack of books and papers, rounded a corner and cocked her head at the sight. Another late night of studying, this time to the point of losing track of time. She hoped to return before anyone could catch her, so the sight of class president Kisaragi was somewhat unwelcome in that regard. And all too welcome in another… However, his terrified demeanor bayed both anxiety and joy. She crept over, setting her books down on a table along the way, and looked down at him. "What's wrong?"

"Tsubaki…" Jin started at her gasp, but calmed once he saw her. His eyes narrowed. "Shouldn't you be in bed? It's too late to be wandering the halls."

"My apologies. I lost track of time while studying." Just like him to try to deflect his problems. She took a seat beside him, gaze wide with concern. "I…could say the same to you. It's not befitting of the class president to be up so late."

"…It's nothing. Don't worry about it." Still, it was nice to have someone showing concern for him. The green flint of his eyes flickered away from her and he sighed. "I'll be fine. You should go ahead."

Tsubaki stared at the side of his face, tracing a bead of sweat's wavering path. No, she wouldn't just leave him alone. What on earth could make someone as amazing as Jin Kisaragi this terrified? Her hand, timid and shaking, trailed up onto his shoulder, drawing a jump of surprise. "…Please, Jin. What's the matter?"

"…It's stupid. Really stupid." And he hated that he was weak enough to succumb to such a childish fear. "Don't worry about it."

With a sigh, Tsubaki shook her head. Her hand didn't leave his shoulder though. "Well, if you don't wish to talk about it, it's fine. But maybe some company would be welcome?"

"Hm?" Jin turned to her, icy gaze softening. "…Are you certain? I mean, considering how late it is…"

"It's worth whatever punishment may be in store." With a brilliant smile, Tsubaki laced her arm around his shoulders and pulled him in for a soft embrace. "Um, was it a dream? If so…maybe resting like this would help…"

"…Heh. It might." At last, Jin smiled and rested his head on her shoulder, giving in entirely to the comfort she brought. Already, fear subsided as drowsiness set back in. Yes, it would be bothersome if anyone saw him in this position. But right now? Who gave a damn? "…Thanks, Tsubaki."

"It's no problem, Jin." With a soft smile, Tsubaki leaned back into the couch to get as comfortable as she could while listening to the decreasing tempo of Jin's breathing. After a few minutes, certain that he was asleep, she shifted over and gently snuck his head to her lap. Her fingers threaded Jin's hair in rhythmic strokes, almost unconscious, altogether relaxing enough to coax her into drifting off. Yes, so this was hardly the most comfortable sleep position, she would be due several weeks' worth of teasing from Makoto and Noel, and they were both quite likely to end up in detention for this breach of academy rules.

Helping to quell whatever demon of fear lurked in Jin's heart was worth it.