Quick idea I had when I was writing some Christmas one shots. Sorry I haven't updated in awhile my school does semester long classes and finals are absolutely horrible but here it is anyway.

Sleep

Kendra looked up from her book at the sound of keys jingling in the lock of the cabin. She remembered insisting they didn't need a lock on the door when living in the woods of Fablehaven but Bracken, being the overprotective person that he was, had put one in any way. Truthfully, though she was too stubborn to admit it, Kendra was thankful to have it as an extra measure of protection. Closing her book, Kendra smiled as she slid off the couch and walked over to the door just as Bracken unlocked it. Her smile quickly faded to a frown of concern as she looked at her husband. Bracken was a sight. Truthfully, after all the long hours he had pulled, she had expected it, but never to this extent. He looked absolutely spent, and he swayed in a way that suggested he could fall over and sleep at any moment. However, despite all this, he looked amazing. His silver hair was messy from running his fingers through it, giving him a roguishly handsome look and his cloudy, sleepy, Blue eyes gave him an almost endearing look. She hated it when he did this. Worked himself this hard. However, whatever anger she had melted when he stumbled toward her and pulled him in a hug, kissing the top of her head.

" Hey princess, it's late, I appreciate you waiting up for me, but you really don't have to stay up this late. I know you're tired." Bracken said in a low, slow voice. Trying, and failing to hide his own exhaustion.

" I am tired." Kendra admitted pulling back to look him in the eyes. He smiled lovingly down at her as he stared through half kissed tired eyes. , " But so are you. You can't keep working yourself like this. Your Mother will understand."

" I know there's just so much work to do and not a lot of time to accomplish it. The fairy realm has to be perfect by next solstice for the gala." Bracken explained, untucking his shirt as he walked to sit on the couch. However, the poor exhausted unicorn missed the edge of the couch, ending up sitting on the floor. He groaned too exhausted to get up, allowing his head to roll back and rest on the couch. Kendra tried her best to stifle the giggle that rose in her throat. Upon hearing the giggle Bracken fixed her with a playful glare.

" It's not funny." He replied, trying and failing to hide the smile that graced his lips and swallow his own laugh that rose up in his throat. Kendra knew he hated the fact that he was unable to keep a poker face even if it was just her at the moment. Kendra walked over to the couch sitting on the spot above Bracken as she picked up his head and set it in her lap beginning to play with his hair. Bracken's eyes fluttered shut as he sighed in content.

" The Gala is still a few weeks away and the fairy realm looked amazing when I last saw it. " Kendra said quietly, trying to soothe his worries as easily as he soothes her. The Winter Gala was like a Fairy Realm New Year and Christmas all wrapped into one. It was held four days after Christmas. This was a huge event and it was also the first time Bracken had been put in charge of it. He spent the entirety of his day decorating, rebuilding, and touching up 'rougher' parts of the fairy realm. Truthfully Kendra didn't think much more work needed to be done but Bracken had proven to be a 'Go big or go home ' kind of person. In his eyes nothing was down until it was extravagant, perfect, and everyone was happy.

" It may be a few weeks before the Gala but it's only two weeks before the winter solstice and that's when people start arriving. " Bracken replied and Kendra sighed, knowing that it was true. Creatures of light from all over would begin arriving after the solstice, some even a few days before and would stay until after the Gala had passed. Putting endless amounts of pressure on the preparations crew as they rushed to find places for them to stay, prepare meal plans and menus, and if course decorate the Fairy Realm itself.

" Well, either way, I was there yesterday and it looks beyond amazing." Kendra said not exaggerating. The Lights and decorations beat even the shows in New York. The beauty of the Fairy Realm never failed to amaze her, but this time of year was especially beautiful. It was made even more so by Bracken's careful planning and design. Bracken cracked open his eyes, giving her a rueful smile.

" No offense sweetheart, but most of the people coming to the Gala aren't nearly as easy to impress. They expect bigger and better all the time. "

Unfortunately Kendra couldn't disagree with that. While not all the creatures felt entitled to the best, most did and It put unnecessary pressure on everyone involved. So instead of replying Kendra let her hands slide down to Bracken's shoulders and rub at the tension there. Bracken shifted, sitting up somewhat to allow her better access to the knots. She didn't know how long they sat like that with the only sounds being the rustle of his shirt as she kneaded at his back and the crackling of the fire, but eventually Bracken slowly stood up, sleep clear in his eyes, as he reached for her hand and gently pulled her up from the couch. Slowly they made their way to their bedroom. Kendra watched in mix of concern and amusement as Bracken stumbled over to their bed somehow managing not to trip, as he collapsed on the bed almost instantly starting to snore slightly. All of his usual grace and coordination, gone. Kendra walked over and pulled the blankets over her sleeping husband before crawling in on the other side. As she settled she felt Bracken's strong arm wrap around her pulling her close and his lips kiss the top of her head despite his exhaustion. Kendra smiled. While she hated that Bracken worked himself so hard, she did have to admit that sleepy Bracken was one of her favorites.

Again sorry I haven't updated in awhile. I should have some Christmas one shots out here soon and after everything calms down after the holidays I should be able to update more often. So we'll see!