It takes a lot to wake Yda up. Heavy-sleeper is an understatement, even when they are deep in the Shroud and the fire between them has gone out. She is supposed to be keeping watch but she can afford to close her eyes, she tells herself; they aren't in any danger. Her snores would scare off any beast anyway, Papalymo always tells her and he has gotten used to the sound. She often sneaks into her sleeping roll after Papalymo has fallen asleep when she knows the area poses no threat. He can scold her in the morning.
Papalymo, though, has found it hard to sleep lately. It's the dreams. And he will never admit to anyone how much he blames himself for the attack on the Sand and their capture but he does and it settles in his lungs and claws at his eyelids when he dreams. He tries to wake himself up but the memories are so real. The cries of the murdered and the sound of gunshots. He remembers the cold of the Garlean cell and when they brought Minfilia back her face was swollen and red. They had tried to make him talk, too, of course and he always hid the marks from Yda afterwards. He always made sure they took out the worst of it on him and not Taturu or Minfilia or Urianger.
There's a pride in hiding his emotions, his fear and his shame but tonight he jerks upright, panting. His throat is tight and he is shaking. He isn't sure what is sweat and what is tears. Yda jumps, fists at the ready and practically does a back-flip over to his sleeping roll. Papalymo nearly tumbles backwards, still shaken up and now even more so with her sudden movements but she grabs his arm.
He can't speak, just tries to calm himself. He's still crying.
She hushes him, tugging him close. "More nightmares?"
And he wants to ask her how she knows but she rolls up his sleeve, finding one of his scars he was so proud of hiding. She leans down and kisses it.
"I'll go back there and kill anyone left if that will make you feel better."
He's still confused about everything, dizzy and stunned but instead he mumbles, "I'm surprised you didn't fall asleep on the job again."
Yda laughs awkwardly, "I did..."
He looks at her, eyes narrowed.
"I...think it's just your voice..." she admits sheepishly.
There is a long silence and then Papalymo says, "Do you think you keep yourself awake long enough to help me keep watch then?"
