They didn't usually sleep as a messy tangle of arms and legs, Takumi noted as he tried to adjust himself into a more comfortable position. The task was made especially difficult because one of little Kana's legs was draped over Takumi's abdomen. He managed to turn over onto his side, facing Corrin and their boys. Kiragi, the older of the two, was snuggled up in his mother's arms, sleeping quite peacefully from the looks of it. Kana lied back to back against his brother, his arms outstretched toward Takumi.

The first time Kiragi had asked to sleep with them, Corrin had graciously picked him up and allowed him to lie in between them. The second time, they also obliged, though this time Corrin told him he would have to sleep in his own bed, eventually. Of course, this trend continued, and after Kana was old enough to sleep in his own bed, he would come running to his parents' bed at night, too.

And so it was that a four-year-old Kana and an eight-year-old Kiragi found themselves back in bed with their mother and father. It didn't happen nearly as often as it used to. In fact, the only reason Kiragi still came to his parents' bedroom was due to his night terrors. Kana simply followed because he felt lonely in their shared room once Kiragi left.

Takumi hated that his eldest son had inherited his overactive psyche. Every time Kiragi came running into their room practically screaming bloody murder, he understood, and would scoop the boy up in his arms. He would whisper to him over and over again that everything would be alright, and that he was here now. After a few minutes, Kiragi's breathing would slow down, and his tears would stop flowing. It was then that Takumi knew he could lie down and pull the boy over his chest. He would hold him tightly throughout the entire night.

Tonight had seen a similar occurrence. Kiragi came into their bedroom with a tear-streaked face. He said nothing to them even when they asked. He just simply climbed into bed with them and clung to his mother as if she had come back from the dead. In that moment, Takumi knew that Corrin had died in Kiragi's dream. He'd had many that ended that way, himself.

Takumi silently wondered if his wife was asleep, then decided to test if she was. "Corrin?" he whispered, not wanting to wake up the children. At first there was no reply, but a moment later he heard a faint 'yes?' "Do you think it's safe to take the boys back to their room?"

Corrin sighed, turning her head to face him. "I think we can let them stay here all night. Just this once," came her reply. Funny, she had said the exact same thing every other time he'd asked. "Kiragi might feel betrayed if he wakes up again and discovers that we moved him."

Takumi hadn't thought of this. "Yeah, you're right." He turned over onto his back again, and in the process, aroused Kana from his sleep.

The little dragon boy's face brightened instantly upon waking. "Daddy? Is it morning already?" he asked, pouncing on top of his father.

Takumi grunted from the sudden weight thrust upon him, making Corrin giggle softly. "No, it's still the middle of the night," he answered, taking Kana into his arms. "It won't be morning for several hours yet."

Kana 'hmphed' at that, settling his head into the crook of his father's neck. "I always wake up so early," he complained. "I'm not even tired anymore."

It amazed both Takumi and Corrin that Kana could function with so few hours of sleep each night. He always seemed to have an unlimited amount of energy. "Well, maybe you can go back to your room so you can play without waking up Kiragi?" Takumi suggested, hoping, or rather praying, that he would take the bait.

Kana only giggled in response, then lifted his head up to look his father in the eye. "Nice try, Daddy!" Takumi's face took on a surprised expression. At only four years old, Kana was already so smart.

"Mama?" Kiragi asked drowsily as he also came to from his sleep.

Takumi sighed, putting a hand to his forehead and stifling a yawn. "And now they're both awake."

Corrin laughed, running her fingers through Kiragi's hair. "Yes, what is it?"

Kiragi looked pleadingly at his mother. "Promise me that you and Dad will stay with us forever?"

Corrin looked taken-a-back at his request, but smiled again after a moment. "Oh, sweetie," she said, tightening her arms around him. "I promise."

Takumi reached over and patted Kiragi's head. "Don't worry, kiddo. Your mom and I will always be here." Kiragi's unsure expression was replaced with a bright smile, and then he too piled onto his father's chest. Takumi laughed amidst the wind being knocked out of him. "Hey, what is this? Dog pile on Dad?" he asked playfully. The boys released gleeful peals of laughter, both resting their head on Takumi's chest.

"I like hearing your heartbeat, Dad," Kiragi said after a while.

"Oh yeah?" Takumi responded, not prepared to hear that.

Kiragi nodded. "Uh huh. It's always so strong no matter what you're doing. Even when you're sleeping it sounds like you'll rule the world someday."

"Heh, well I never thought about it that way," Takumi said, grazing his fingers over Kiragi's silvery blonde locks. "But I bet you've got a strong heartbeat, too."

Kiragi's eyes lit up. "You think so?"

"I know so," Takumi said, smiling. "Let's have a listen, shall we?" Takumi pressed his ear to Kiragi's chest, feeling nothing but joy at hearing his son's own beating heat. "Just as I thought. You have the heart of a mighty hunter."

"Really?" Kiragi said in awe.

Takumi nodded. "I'd never lie to you, Son."

Kana immediately butted in, not wanting to be left out. "What about me, Daddy? What does my heartbeat say?"

Takumi listened for a moment, then gave his consensus. "Yours is the heart of a fierce dragon warrior."

Kana beamed. "No way!"

Corrin watched all this from her side of the bed, not wanting to get in between Takumi's bonding with his boys. She propped herself up on one elbow and just observed quietly, locking this special memory away in her heart, where she knew it would be safe for all eternity.

A/N: Thanks so much for reading! Remember to follow, favorite, and review! :)