Interlude: Shooting Stars
"Wake up, Ienzo."
This is followed by Ienzo's light switching on. Ienzo grumbles and lifts his hand to shield his eyes from the offending light. It's late and Ienzo is exhausted. This is the first time he's been able to fall asleep properly, so whoever has woken him up had better have a good reason.
Ienzo lowers his hand and sees Aeleus standing next to his bed so he knows it's important because he knows Aeleus would rather let him sleep.
"What's wrong?" he asks, swallowing a yawn.
"There's something I want you to see," Aeleus says
He doesn't elaborate and Ienzo is okay with that because that's Aeleus's way.
It's only because Ienzo loves and respects Aeleus that he stumbles out of his bed even though he's exhausted and his joints ache because he's just so tired.
"You don't need to get dressed, but I would put on a jacket," Aeleus says.
Ienzo's fingers barely work as he pulls on his shoes and socks and puts on his jacket over his pajamas. Aeleus waits patiently for him.
Ienzo stumbles behind Aeleus, barely able to stay upright. Then, they reach the landing and Aeleus turns to Ienzo. Somehow, he knows that Ienzo is having trouble walking because he picks Ienzo up. Normally, Ienzo would protest. He's nine now and he can do things for himself. It's only because he's tired that he lets Aeleus carry him like when he was younger. And as much as he hates to admit it, he likes Aeleus carrying him. It makes him feel safe and secure, like nothing can hurt him while he's in Aeleus's arms. So he just rests his head on Aeleus's broad shoulder and closes his eyes.
He's able to track where they're going through the sound of Aeleus's heavy footsteps make on the marble floor and then the barely audible sound of a doorknob being turned. Aeleus's footsteps become muffled and Ienzo smells the soothing scent of old books. Then, there's the sound of another doorknob turning.
The air on Ienzo's skin suddenly turns cold and he knows he's outside. Aeleus walks for a while and then stops. Ienzo raises his head to see where they are. They're in the gardens behind the castle.
They seem to have arrived at their destination; Aeleus sits on a stone bench, not at all bothered by the fact that he's still carrying Ienzo.
"What's going on?" Ienzo asks.
"Look up," Aeleus says gently.
Ienzo does and his breath catches in his throat. The sky is lit up with thousands of meteors falling from the heavens. He's seen pictures of meteor showers before, but they don't do it justice, not by a long shot. And he doesn't have to endure Even's technobabble about the science involved, which makes it even better.
.o.O.o.
Ienzo is pretty much asleep by the time Aeleus carries him back up to his bedroom after the meteor shower has ended. Aeleus carefully lays him in his bed and goes about removing his jacket, shoes, and socks. Ienzo only stirs a little during the entire process. Aeleus makes sure he's covered with a blanket before heading for the door. He pauses in the doorway and turns around to watch Ienzo for a few moments. Ienzo's breaths are slow and even and Aeleus is relieved to see him sleeping peacefully for the first time in weeks. Then, he turns and walks out, making sure to shut the door softly behind him so he doesn't wake Ienzo up.
.o.O.o.
Author's Notes
Woefully short, I know. But seeing as this is an interlude chapter, it's gotta be short. The action will return next chapter.
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