I do not own magi or the characters. I do own my oc.

Chapter 2: Can't Sleep

—Leila's POV—

I sit up again, still unable to close my eyes. I've dealt with trauma before, so why is it affecting me now. Maader didn't do anything to me I haven't experienced before. It should be bothering me or causing this pain in my chest.

"Damn it," I mutter lowly throwing the blanket off of me.

I look around seeing everyone else sleeping peacefully, including Salena. After what she's been through I'm surprised, but maybe she's to tired to fight it. Even with my body protesting for me to lay back down, I stand up. Hopefully some fresh air will help relax me, but most likely it won't.

Without hesitation I head up towards the roof. It's always where I end up. I just like looking at the stars. Their constant in the turmoil of everything else.

Not wanting to think, I move in a very ungraceful way to lay on the roof and watch the stars. In a way it feels good on my back. The solidity feels familiar. I just focus on my breathing and letting my muscles relax.

"Leila," speaks up a voice snapping me from my thoughts. I sit up and turn to find Sinbad coming out the doorway. He pauses before coming closer. "What are you doing up here?"

"I can't sleep," I say as he sits next to me. "To much running through my head. What about you?"

"Same thing," he says laying down. "I can't seem to turn it off. How are you feeling physically right now."

"Not great, but not unbearable either," I say watching a flicker of regret in his eyes. "What about you?"

"Physically, I don't have any complaints other than my neck being a little sore," he says still not looking at me.

"Can I ask what she did to you," I say quietly. I watch as Sinbad pauses before sitting up. "I just want to know."

"Why," he asks sliding me closer.

"It will sound stupid," I mutter looking at my right hand and flinching. I had forgotten that I'm missing a few of my finger nails. "I just want to get some things off my chest, and I don't want to explain it to someone who doesn't get it. I don't want pity, just-"

"Someone who understands," says Sinbad reach over and gently pulling my right hand over so he can look at it. "It hurt like hell," he say moving to hold my hand and showing me his nails. They're shorter than they are supposed to be, but all there. "I tried not to but I couldn't help but scream. They weren't pleasant feeling as they grew back either."

"I'm not looking forward to that," I say quietly. "I tried not to scream. In order for me to do that though I ended up insulting the person who was doing it. He only got through part of each hand before he got fed up with me. He sent me to another man who whipped me."

"My back hurts just thinking about that," shivers Sinbad, moving to look up. "I kept passing out during it. You didn't stay awake for all of it each time I hope."

"Usually not," I say shifting as the hot pain seems to sear my back again, but I know it's not real. "I was kind of used to it though from dealing with Sham Lash that I was awake longer than I wanted."

"Is your back still hurt," he asks using his hand to gently turn me towards him. "Are there open wounds? You just-"

"Sometimes remembering what happened causes these phantom pains," I explain leaning my forehead on his shoulder. "It's scarred, but not actually hurt. My stomach does hurt a little though."

"Not used to eating much," he guesses. I nod now worried she starved him too. "The first day Maader let me around the other slaves was the first meal I had eaten. That night I could hardly sleep it hurt so much. You didn't eat much on our way back here, so I could take a guess."

I nod and let a silence fall over us. It not odd or uncomfortable, just quiet.

"I know you said you aren't hurt, but can I see your back," he asks gently. I must look surprised because he looks away. "I just want to make sure. Rurumu told me you wouldn't let anyone help with your injuries."

"Sin…it's just that…I mean…."

"I know you can take care of any other injuries, but it isn't easy for you to take care of your back," he says. I can only see genuine concern in his eyes. No ulterior motive or goal.

"It's still a little tender to touch," I warn.

He nods before moving so that I'm sitting in between his legs. I shiver as his fingers brush against my skin as he slides the shirt up to expose the still raw skin. I can feel the very tips of his fingers gently running along my back, barely able to feel them touching my scars.

"You should keep it covered for a while," he says letting his shirt fall back into place. "The skin's still raw, but no open wounds."

"Okay," I say as he moves next to me.

"I never really cared about what she did to me physically," I say after a few moments of silence. "The worst thing she ever did was that day she forced our paths to cross after she manipulated you. I cried every time I though if you after that. And then I got angry, but I shouldn't have been. Losing you…I wouldn't have survived."

"She made me listen to them torture you," he says calmly. "That was the worst thing she did to me. She would sit me in a cell or room close to you. I was gagged so I couldn't yell and tell you I was there. I admired you so much when you got smart with them, cause I knew you were still fighting. But when you were silent…it was like someone was crushing my windpipe. I kept begging and praying that you would say something so that I knew you were alive."

I look up at him, but he's avoiding my eyes, protectively holding my waist. He just continues to look up, making no moves at continue talking.

"We're both here now though," I say finally. He smiles a little before turning towards me. "Promise me that you'll talk to me if this stuff or anything really starts to bother you."

"You have to do the same," he urges. I nod. "Then I promise too."

I smile and lean back on Sinbad's shoulder again. I feel better after talking to him about this. It eased some of the pain in my chest.

—Sinbad's POV—

I can't help but smile as Leila starts to doze off. She's struggling to keep her eyes open. The longer we sit here the more she keeps sitting up as she realizes she's falling asleep.

"Come here," I say pulling her so, we're laying down. "Let's watch the stars for a little bit and then I'll take you back inside, okay?"

She hums in agreement, snuggling close. After a few minutes she's breathing softly, still trying to keep her eyes open. She mutters something I don't quite hear before nuzzling my neck.

"What did you say," I urge, knowing she'll probably tell me in her drowsy state.

"I love you," she says quietly. I tense a little watching as she nuzzles my neck again. She starts to fall asleep moving one leg on top of mine.

"Come on," I say sitting up, supporting her. "It's getting too cold out for you."

"No," she pouts, before covering her mouth as she lets out a little yawn.

"Yes," I say picking her up quickly. She doesn't argue and just holds on tightly. "You're cute when your sleepy," I chuckle as she continues to doze off. "I'm glad our talk helped."

"Aren't you sleepy," she pouts, her eyes half-lidded.

"Not as tired as you," I tease moving inside. "You need to sleep. I'm worried that if I didn't come up you'd end up sleeping on the roof."

"It was comfy," she argues with another yawn. "I had a nice pillow."

"That was me," I chuckle.

"Can you be my pillow tonight," she mumbles.

"I don't want us to get in trouble," I tell her smiling as she pouts. "You're really worn out."

She nods as I open the door. Everyone else is sound asleep inside. Quietly, I lay her down on her bed, tucking her into the blankets carefully. Before I can even finish, she's snoring softly. It's very cute.

"I love you too, Leila," I whisper kissing her forehead. She just continues to sleep calmly. In so many ways, this is the only reassuring thing for me. The one thing that tells me it will be okay. That she's calm and relaxed here. That she's safe here.