I don't own Gankutsuou.

"...!!!"

The same nightmare replayed over and over in Haydee's subconscious mind. As she woke up sweating and nearly out of breath, she gave a relieved sigh. The merciless storm in her head receded yet again.

But the unspoken terror still remained in Haydee's fragile heart.

She quickly got out of bed and could think of nothing but to look around the ship for his comfort. Her mind was still throbbing with images of her recent dream, urging her to act at a quicker pace. The tranquil night did nothing to soothe her soul. Its darkness only added to Haydee's uneasiness.

Dim light streaming from a slightly ajar door immediately caught her attention. Haydee ran to the door of the room and quietly peeked inside.

"Count?"

Her eyes suddenly widened and she quickly clamped a hand to her mouth. Inside the room was the Count, sitting on a seemingly comfortable couch with his elbow propped simply on one of its arms. A gloved hand supported his cheek as he slept peacefully and without any interruptions. Even Haydee's unexpected entrance did nothing to rouse him from his sleep.

Haydee entered the room to gaze at her master. She stood directly in front of him and smiled. In all her years of service and company towards him, never in her life had she seen the Count take a decent nap, even for a short while. At that moment, he didn't quite have the austerity he would always show whenever the two of them would go out and watch an opera just to pass the time. No. Instead, his countenance revealed a look of serenity and relaxation. He looked more appealing that way.

Impulse kicked in and made Haydee approach the immovable form of the Count. Somehow, she felt all weird and uncomfortable inside. It was probably because she knew she was doing something she had never done before. Her pale cheeks turned pink and she found it suddenly hard to breathe. She reached out to touch the Count's cheek and, closing the gap in between them, she kissed him.

It wasn't much, but it was enough to make Haydee's heart beat at an incredibly fast pace. She parted after a few seconds, the taste of the Count's lips still lingering in her mouth. Before she could straighten up and leave the room, however, their lips met again, and it wasn't at Haydee's will.

The Count, who had actually woken up at the first contact of Haydee's lips to his, took this moment to reveal to Haydee how he truly felt for her. Placing a hand at the side of her neck, he deepened the kiss even further. Though Haydee's slight shock didn't completely disappear, she decided to give in, feeling nothing but pure bliss and calmness.

As soon as they parted, Haydee sat beside the Count and snuggled close to him, tucking her head under his chin. The Count wrapped an arm around Haydee's frame, giving comfort and security to her. Haydee smiled and knew that words were no longer necessary to express her love for the Count. And she had a feeling that the Count was thinking the same thing as well.

Inevitably, Haydee drifted to sleep, knowing that the nightmare was never to return again.