Alrighty guys, I've been really busy the last several days, with family holidays and overtime at work, so I apologize for not updating, but I've got plenty of new prompts/ideas, so be looking for them! This one isn't a prompt per say, but it was inspired by a scene from a fic I wrote a while back. Here goes!

The entire house was completely silent. And from the inside it seemed that perhaps the entire world had fallen still as well.

There were times when Vanessa relished the silence, the dark, and then there were times like these, when the darkness was out to get her and the silence opened the doors to all the thoughts she'd closed away.

Tonight, she paced around the hallways of her home, up and down the stairs, roaming with no real destination in mind. Her only goal was to waste enough time to see the sun rise again, so she could properly start her day.

She entered the drawing room for the sixth time that night, and was startled upon finding someone there. She hadn't seen anyone on her way up the stairs, and the only footsteps she'd heard were her own, but there he was.

"You should be in bed, " She murmured quietly, approaching him with enough noise not to startle him.

She crossed her arms over her torso, perching on the edge of the sofa. He laid casually, a book in his hands and a cigarette caught between his lips. He glanced up at her through his hair and smirked,laying the book across his legs and plucking the cigarette from his lips,

"I'd say the same to you, but I'm sure you know that," he adjusted his position to allow her to slide down beside him, "Rough night?" He asked, offering her the cigarette, surprised when she denied it. She drew her legs up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them, laying her head against her knees and watching him thoughtfully.

"No more than usual," She murmured quietly, unable to stifle the yawn the broke

free from her delicate pink lips. She looked horrible. Dark circles ringed her eyes; they were hazier, and less sharp than usual. Her skin was gaunt, lacking any real color, and when she adjusted her hands against her legs, he noticed how strongly she was trembling. He already worried for her, but seeing her unraveling made it even worse. During the day, she managed to maintain composure, her facade unbreakable and her will made of iron, but in the night, he could see how truthfully close to shattering she was.

"How long has it been since you've slept?" he asked curiously. She didn't immediately respond, barely stifling another yawn as she was thinking about it.

"Honestly, I couldn't tell you, a few hours, two days ago, I believe." She murmured, and even her voice was weaker than normal.

"But what about you?," she retorted, "You should be asleep as well."

He chuckled at her words, hearing an undertone of defiance in them.

"I sleep every night. It just so happens that tonight, I chose not to." She made a small noise in response, but didn't speak again. He picked up his book again, but couldn't see the words, instead his eyes kept traveling to her face, watching her curiously. Her eyes were trained on the flickering candles, scattered across the room.

They sat in silence for a moment longer before she spoke again,

"Read to me." she requested softly, turning her large blue eyes towards him, wide and childlike in their sleeplessness. He watched her for a moment, waiting for her to elaborate, or say something else, but she didn't. He was curious as to what her motivations were, but he didn't ask.

When he cleared his throat and began to speak.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody but unbowed

She relaxed in the seat beside him, and giggled quietly. Her eyes were wide open when he glanced up to meet her gaze.

"What's funny?" he asked, amused by the sound of her laughter.

"Nothing particularly. You just never struck me as a poetry person. Please continue." she murmured, watching him intently until he continued,

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the horror of the shade

And yet the menace of the years

Finds and shall find me unafraid

It matters not how strait the gate

She spoke again, before he could continue to the next line. Her eyes were closed, her head resting on her knees, but she finished the poem as if reading it from the book he held.

Or how charged with punishment the scroll

I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.

Her voice was softer than his, the words whispered, rather than spoken aloud, as if they would shatter into pieces and disappear if she spoke too loud.

"That has always been one of my favorites." She murmured,opening her eyes, and watching him again. "Would you mind reading another one, please?" He watched her face; the longer they sat together, and the more he read to her, the heavier her eyes got.

"Of course," he murmured,

O, have you blessed, behind the stars,

The blue sheen of the skies,

When June the roses around her calls

Then, do you know the light that falls

From her beloved eyes

And have you felt that sense of peace

That morning meadows give?

Then do you know the spirit of grace

The angel abiding in her face,

Who makes it good to live.

She shines before me, hope and dream.

So fair, so still, so wise

That winning her, I seem to won

Out of the Dust and Drive and Din

A nook of paradise.

He glanced up to find her eyes closed, and her breathing heavy. How long she'd been asleep, he couldn't say, but it was a relief to see her so peaceful. She was still curled up tightly, defending herself from her surroundings, even in her sleep.

"Vanessa?" He whispered softly, not wanting to wake her, but still needing to check. He stood up carefully, as not to disturb her, and laid the book aside. As carefully as he could, he wrapped his arms around her. She didn't stir, and even dead asleep she was all but weightless.

Even after carrying her upstairs, and settling her into her bed, she had still not woken up. The poor thing really was exhausted, he thought, watching her for a moment to ensure that her sleep was not disturbed.

He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, before he left the room. She curled up tighter, and before closing the door, he could have sworn he saw her smile.

Okay my darklings! That is one fic out of several that I plan on posting within the next few days! Be sure to let me know what you think! If you're curious, the poems are both by William Earnest Henley. I don't know if his poems would have been available to read at the time the show takes place, but they are two of my favorite poems, and I feel as if they fit the theme of the show very well. The first poem is called "Invictus" the second is called "O, have you blessed behind the stars."

~Until Tomorrow!~