When Adolin woke up the next morning it took him a moment to realize why he felt so warm and safe. He lifted his head and smiled at the sight of Kaladin, still fast asleep, He didn't think he'd seen the Radiant ever looking so peaceful. Adolin knew he probably should wake the man up before a servant came to deliver breakfast. Or worse, his father might come by. But he couldn't bring himself to break the spell of this moment. So he carefully rested his head on Kaladin's chest again and just enjoyed being so close to him.

After a few minutes Kaladin began to stir.

"Morning, my beautiful Radiant," Adolin smiled.

Kaladin's eyes snapped open and he scrambled to sit upright.

Adolin felt a sting of hurt at how quickly Kaladin tried to get away from him. But he pushed it aside and heaved himself up. "Did you sleep well?"

"Uh...yes...I did." Kaladin sounded a little confused.

At a sudden knock on the door, Kaladin immediately tried to climb out of bed, but Adolin placed a hand on his arm. "Relax, it's probably just breakfast. Before Kaladin could protest, Adolin said, "Come in."

It was Dalinar.

The man stepped inside and was about to say something but the words died on his lips when he saw his son and Stormblessed sitting in bed, apparently with no or very few clothes on.

Kaladin looked mortified. Dalinar looked like he wished he was somewhere else. A battlefield. Or just anywhere else really. The only one who looked like he was perfectly fine with it was Adolin. "Morning father," he smiled.

"Morning son. I just wanted to know how you're feeling today." He tried to sound casual and avoided looking at Kaladin.

"I'm fine, father. Slept better than I have in ages."

"Good. Lirin will come by soon to check you over."

Kaladin cursed and it was followed by a thud. When Dalinar turned to see what caused it he found the Radiant on the floor, legs tangled in the sheets.

Kaladin scrambled to get up and reached for his clothes

Dalinar cleared his throat. "Well, I'll leave you to it then." He turned and walked out of the room somehow managing to look calm and dignified.

Adolin chuckled. "Sorry, Kal. I didn't know it was my father."

Kaladin was hastily pulling on his clothes. "You better get dressed too. You heard the man, my father will be here soon."

"So?" Adolin said as he stretched lazily. "Your father must have seen a thousand men without their clothes on."

"Yeah, well…" Kaladin buttoned up his shirt. "You know what I mean."

"No clue." Adolin patted the bed. "Why don't you come back in? It's not like you have to go somewhere."

"You're not serious are you? My father will be here any minute."

Adolin rolled over to his stomach and smiled teasingly. "Are you saying you would have come back to bed if your father wasn't about to knock on the door?"

That made Kaladin blush.

Adolin chuckled. "Has anyone ever told you that you can look very adorable?"

"No. And I'd like to keep it that way."

When Kaladin heard a knock on the door he let Lirin in. "Morning, father."

Lirin smiled at his son before turning to Adolin. "Goodmorning, Highprince. I hope you are doing well."

Adolin sat upright. "Never felt better. But that might have something to do with your son watching over me."

Lirin had a feeling that there was more going on than air sickness but he was specifically told by Dalinar himself to examine the Highprince, not to ask questions, and to report back to him. So he put his bag down and started to check Adolin's pulse.

Kaladin walked over to the door. "I'm leaving. I need to talk to Dalinar."

Adolin smiled. "As long as you come back soon."

Kaladin gave a short nod and left. He let out a sigh of relief when the door closed behind him.

Syl hovered beside him. "Did you sleep well, Kal?"

Kaladin muttered something under his breath and started walking.

She moved so she was in front of his face. "You did, didn't you? You didn't have nightmares."

He hadn't. And although part of him was very grateful for a whole night of peaceful sleep, another part of him was freaking out.

…

Navani was in her study going over every note and drawing she made of the fabrial that Adolin had activated. It just didn't make sense. How could a device that was specifically built for Parhsendi affect a human? Love might be universal but their physique most definitely wasn't. Humans couldn't change form. Then again, there were quite a few among them now who could inhale Stormlight and do things that defied logic. She leaned back and closed her eyes. What if Adolin really felt the need to be with Kaladin forever? She couldn't just change him back. There was no rhythm for human form.

One of her scholars walked in carrying an orange gemstone. "I have managed to infuse another one with Livelight, Brightness."

Navani took it from the scholar's hand and studied it. The light inside was swirling like it was trying to escape. "Thank you," she said. But what was she to do with it?

And how come Kaladin hadn't been affected? Although his powers may have protected him, didn't it make more sense that someone like Stormblessed would soak up that light much easier? She sighed and placed the gemstone in her safe. Maybe she should study Adolin. See how exactly it had changed him.

….

Kaladin decided he wanted to see Bridge Four first. So he headed outside to the training grounds. Sigzil and Skar were training the new recruits and Lopen and Drehy were watching from the edge of the Plateau.

Lopen flashed a smile when he saw Kaladin approach. "Morning, captain. Everything okay with our formchanging Highprince?"

Drehy gave him a nudge. "You do know he's a Highmarshall now, right?"

Lopen shrugged. "He'll always be my captain."

Kaladin smiled. "Agreed." He sat down next to them.

Drehy studied him. "You look...different. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Why would you say that?"

"I don't know. You look so...rested."

Lopen nodded. "He's right. You look like you slept for a week."

"He slept in Adolin's bed," Syl blurted out.

Lopen's eyes widened. "He did what?"

Kaladin glared at Syl but she was bouncing up and down in the air. "Kal, you have to tell them. They're worried. They think you're in danger. And you're not. Well, not really," she added with a grin.

Kaladin let out a deep sigh. "Fine. But you have to swear not to breathe a word about this to anyone."

Drehy looked a little offended. "Kal, do you really have to tell us that? You know that every secret is safe with us. We didn't tell anyone that the Highprince has been exposed to that fabrial."

"I know," Kal said. "I know I can trust you. It's just…" he glanced at Lopen. "Promise me you won't tell a soul."

Lopen nodded. "Promise."

Kaladin took a deep breath. "The formchange he, or rather we, were exposed to wasn't warform. And it hasn't affected me at all. But since I was closest when it happened…" He hesitated. Should he really share this with his men?

Drehy frowned when Kaladin went quiet. "You're not really reassuring us, Kal. Almighty, it wasn't stormform, was it?"

Kaladin shook his head. "Mateform," he whispered.

"What did you say, Kal?" Lopen stared at him. "Mate...but that means…" It took a moment to fully sink in but then he started to laugh so hard that he almost toppled over the edge.

When he had finally caught his breath, he said, "Storms, I do hope the Highprince isn't so out of it that he thinks you're going to give him babies."

Drehy grinned. "I hope he isn't so out of it that he actually thinks he can top."

That made Lopen burst out in another fit of laughter.

Kaladin wanted to be annoyed. And part of him was. But it was also good to see his men laugh out loud again. Teft's death had been hanging over them like a dark cloud and seeing them having fun felt like some of that darkness had been lifted.

"Yeah well, I'm glad you all think it's hilarious but now I have to stay with him in his room or he might follow me around everywhere."

Drehy tried very hard to look serious but he didn't succeed completely. "So how long will this last?"

Kaladin shrugged. "Navani isn't sure. She was surprised it worked on a human."

"Well," Lopen said with a grin on his face, "at least I'll sleep a lot better knowing he doesn't want to kill you."

"I still might need your help though," Kaladin said. "Maybe you can distract him."

"Oh no," Lopen said, "You're on your own, captain. Besides I don't have your looks. I don't think he'd fancy me," he chuckled.

Drehy grinned. "Maybe you're the perfect cure, Lopen. One kiss from you and the man will never want to mate with anyone again."

Lopen tried a glare but he was having too much fun to be offended.

Drehy finally managed to get the grin off his face and turned to Kaladin. "We'll help you anyway we can, but honestly I don't see how."

Kaladin got up. "If I figure that out I'll let you know. I'll see you later."

As he headed back to the Tower he couldn't help but remember how it had felt to hold Adolin and watch the man fall asleep with his head on Kaladin's chest. It had stirred something inside of him that he thought he buried a long time ago. And he found that part of him wanted to go back to Adolin. Stay with him and close the door. Don't let anyone in.

Meanwhile, Adolin was laying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Lirin had given him a thorough checkup and had found nothing wrong with him. That was hardly a surprise. Adolin knew he was fine. He was just in love. He'd known he was attracted to Kaladin and it had seemed like the perfect opportunity to get the man close and maybe get a chance to kiss him. It had been a fun challenge. But when he'd woken up in the Radiant's arms this morning he had felt something he'd never felt before. With sudden clarity he'd realised he wanted to wake up like this for the rest of his life. Then Kaladin woke up and the man had pulled away like something had bitten him. That hurt. More than Adolin cared to admit. Maybe he should claim that the effect of the fabrial was wearing off and let Kaladin go. But this would be his last chance to sleep next to the man. So he wouldn't tell anyone just yet. He wanted to hold on to the illusion a little longer. Even if it would eventually break his heart.