To be fair, neither of them chose to correct the man at the counter, who immediately counted them as a couple and gave them a key to a room with a large king bed. So, really, they deserved everything they got with the cozy little room. The bed had taken up a good chunk of the room, but there was still enough space to move around. Besides the living quarters, there was a small bathroom, but that was it. The two bed sharing occupants, however, were hardly thinking about the dimensions of this room. Instead, rather, they were thinking about how screwed they were.

Emery was calculating how he'd be able to sleep in this bed without touching Ceony by accident, as surely, he didn't want to have an odd conversation in the middle of the night. She was his apprentice. No need for that...regardless of what they had shared already. He had suggested the floor twice already, but Ceony wouldn't comply and refused to let him, explaining that he needed his rest properly. She, then suggested the floor, but he wouldn't budge for the same reasons, so really, they were at a stalemate. So Emery had to work with what they placed in front of them, unfortunately.

Ceony, on the other hand, felt her pulse quicken and her cheeks flush as she thought of all the scenarios in her mind. She loved him, ever so much, yet they would never cross any boundary. Not like this. They kissed in front of the station, but then what? They never really properly discussed the...moment, as Ceony just recovered from her attack with Grath and her studies never really gave them time to discuss. Emery was seldom in speaking with her as well, after it. He had made sure she made a speedy recovery from the hospital, but then that was it. He wouldn't tell her what was going on underneath his emerald eyes.

Before, Ceony had attempted to bring up the topic, but each time, they were interrupted and Ceony's confidence would deflate. She had tried several hours ago, but Alfred called for them to go on a two hour buggy trip south for some conference about capturing the three most deadly Excisioners and what techniques they had used. Emery had agreed, after some coaxing from Ceony, who was excited to get out of the cottage. 'You could use some of the outside air!' and 'It'll be fun.' How wrong she was.

Perhaps this could be worse than fighting an Excisioner: sharing a bed with Emery Thane.

"We might as well call it a night. We don't want to arise at the wrong time." Emery prompted and Ceony snapped from her little daydream, nodding slightly. "You can use the bathroom first." Ceony nodded again, sighing through her small bag she had brought for some nightwear. She found the garments and trudged into the bathroom. Once it was shut, she looked towards the mirror and saw the redness of her cheeks, greatly contrasting her olive skin. Great. She sunk down to the floor, covering her face with her hands.

This was going to be quite the evening.

Once the two had made each other comfortable and washed up, Emery enveloped them in complete darkness with a blow to the candle, except for the trickle of moonlight that made its way through the curtains. Ceony shifted uncomfortably, moving as far as possible from Emery, despite the cold she felt, regardless of the covers. Emery was set on the same quest and was also plagued with the same longing. He wanted to hold her in his arms, but that was improper. He couldn't go that way, so he lay there, thinking up Folds and spells, doing his best to ignore the sleeping female to his left.

An hour ticked by and Ceony starting to sweat as her night went on. Although she fell asleep easily, that didn't mean good dreams came just as well.

She was walking down some path. Destination? She wasn't sure, it could be anywhere. It was dark, but she could spot Mg. Aviosky's house in the distance. She was inexplicably drawn to it, despite the clear feeling of dread that lingered around her body, especially after what had occurred. She opened the door to the silent home and it opened with ease. Due to her amazing memory, every little detail was absolutely precise, down to the shoes that were perfectly placed to the side on the right and the chipping of the wood near the staircase. Her feet had a mind of their own, leading a trek down to Mg. Aviosky's mirror room. Her hand reached for the doorknob and she could hear whispers. They belonged to a disembodied voice of her fears, as she recognized it from her nightmares with Anise. The thoughts of doubt came trickling in, just like it always did with every single night.

'You weren't fast enough.'

'You could have saved her.'

'Why did you stand still?'

'You should have known.'

'She's just like Anise.'

'It's your fault.'

'All your fault.'

Ceony pushed the door open, only to be met with the sinister look of Grath, with his large hand pressed onto Delilah's face.

"You're too slow, pet." Grath said, a nefarious smirk on his face as he took the life out of Delilah, who had silent tears running down her face, begging for Ceony to save her. She didn't do anything. She couldn't do anything.

She was useless.

Ceony cried out, waking herself up as well as which shaking up Emery from his Folding pattern ideas. She sat up quickly, her eyes wide in the darkness. She was hyperventilating, she knew that, but she couldn't calm herself down- especially because of how recent the event the nightmare chose to latch onto. The rustling of the blankets as Emery lit a candle and hugged her from behind, completely ignoring his whole gentlemanly conduct and only caring to comfort Ceony. Emery then turned her around and whispered sweet nothings into her ear, ones filled with love and honesty, allowing her to cry on his shoulder. She wanted nothing more than to remain in his embrace until the end of time, the light smell of his aftershave hitting her nostrils, being completely comfortable with his warmth.

"Shh," he whispered, rocking Ceony gently. "Everything's alright. Nothing is going to harm you. Nobody is going to hurt you. I'm right here, Ceony. Everything's okay. Do you want to tell me about your nightmare?" He asked gently to the still shaking Ceony.

"Grath," she breathed, more tears spilling without hesitation. Emery stroked her hair lovingly, the borders between mentor and student now shattered. "He...he killed Delilah. He's just like Anise and I just...I-,"

"I know, I know. I'm so sorry, Ceony." Emery murmured, "I'm so sorry. But he's gone. We stopped him. It's okay."

"I'm scared, Emery." She admitted openly, "What if-,"

"What if nothing. Grath is gone and Saraj has been captured. Nothing will harm a single strand of hair atop your head." He moved Ceony so she was facing him. "If something happens, I will protect you, for you are the one thing I care about."

A small smile crept onto Ceony's face as his words warmed her heart. Although she already knew that Emery would protect her, just hearing it from his lips made her happy.

"Thank you." She said as he wiped the tears off her face in a loving manner. It appeared to be so natural between the two to anyone else. "Sorry, I must look like a mess."

"You are magnificent, Ceony." Emery murmured, "In the light, darkness, or anything, you aren't a mess." He kissed the top of her forehead in adoration. She looked to him, before tentatively kissing him on the lips. Soft lips meeting chapped ones along with the slight taste of salty tears. He didn't oppose to the kiss, but returned it instead. It took them a few beats before Emery pulled away. She felt dizzy, just like he did. They both wanted more, but neither didn't want to step over the line- even if in all technicalities, they already did.

"Sorry." She murmured, cheeks turning a bright shade of red. "I know you don't want to..." He hushed her with a finger to her lips and smiled.

"It's okay." Emery sighed, "We have a big day ahead of us. If any nightmares plague you, I'm right here."

"Can you..."

"Yes?" He asked, his emerald eyes twinkling in the soft light.

"Can you hold me?" She requested, "I...I mean, we don't have to, I just..."

"It's fine. Hold on." He moved to the side slightly and blew on the unlit candle, shrouding them in darkness besides the moonlight. He motioned for her to lie on his shoulder, to which she did. He carefully wrapped an arm around her and she did the same. In minutes, the tension they had released and their legs intertwined, bringing them to a comfortable embrace.

The night continued on with no nightmares, just the two of them in each other's embrace until the end.