Sitting upon the edge of his bed, feet hanging over the carpet floor, I stubbornly encourage Sora to eat that which Aeris has made.
"Come now, you need to eat," I repeat myself once again, forcing the soup spoon forth to his clamped lips.
"Mmm-no. I saw the look on your face as well when she first opened that pot," he said, shoving the palm up to block his mouth, "you are just as hungry as I. If not more."

I do not even bother to deny it, releasing an exasperated sigh, "Yes, I am hungry – as are you – however, with what you have been through, I believe you need this more than I."
"No. And that is final." his words do seem final; however, there is an unsteady resolve behind them. A way to a man's heart is truly through his stomach.

An order, which is what I ordinarily would have taken his words to be if we had not already established my free will no more than an hour ago.
Hmmm… I can still turn this in my favour.
"Final? Is that an order now, sir?" I say, masking my anticipation with hurt. To truly treat me as a servant after releasing me of my duties would not only be contradictory, but cruel. I hasten to continue as I watch his hand fall and his face pale in shock – near horror, "I understand. I will return this to the kitchen before I-"
"Danella!" he finds the will to croak past his dried throat, gripping my wrist as I had begun to move off the bed, "That is not what I meant at all. Please, I did not mean to say it the way I did. I just – I want you to eat – ugh, even that sounds like an order! No, I am sorry; I meant it with good intentions…"
"Sora, hush." No longer wishing to prolong his suffering, I stop his flustered blabbering, "I was only jesting. I know you did not mean to say it in the context that you did. I understand, I was being nearly as stubborn as you in the desire for you to get some food in the gut of yours."

My apologetic smile eased his tension as he released a deep lungful of breath.
"I never want to order you around again, Danny…" he mumbled, eyes downcast as he traces my wrist with his thumb, "I never deserved your dedication."
"No more, Sora," I said, cupping the dish and firmly thrusting it into his arms, "enough of such talk. Please. Eat, and I will promise to do the same once I see Aeris back in the kitchen – no doubt she has reserved a plate of my own."

With another restrained twitch of his mouth he accepts the spoon from my grasp before proceeding to relish in the soup. The smell alone makes the roof of my mouth water. I prayed for my stomach not to grumble for my inevitable embarrassment.

"Here." Sora said, offering me a spoonful before my lips, "Please? Eat before you drool across the duvet."
And cue the blush that now burns the apple of my cheeks.
Well, he did say please… I thought, leaning forward to take some of the soup, letting it slide along my tongue, coaxing a pleased moan from the back of my throat.
"Mmm?" Sora mimicked my moan, managing to make it sound like a humming question. His eyebrow was quirked, amused.
Smiling, I swallow down the soup before I "mmm" in returning confirmation.

"Aeris has really outdone herself with this dish." I said, running a finger against the corner of my mouth to ensure I did not miss a sip of what I have been given.
"Glad we can agree on that," Sora said cheerfully, gulping down the rest of the soup, "you do know that if you had just listened to reason, you would be having your fill right away. Rather than waiting to return to the dining room."
I suppress the urge to rolls my eyes skyward, nibbling the inside of my cheek as my stomach growls in agreement with his statement, "Do not start that again. This is your bowl of soup – you eat it. I can wait."
He merely shrugs. Stubborn young man.

Setting the finished dish aside, Sora refuses to shift from his perch, facing me within an arm's length of space from each other. Now, with naught to say, my wandering thoughts drift to the situation I found myself in when I first sat upon this bed not so long ago. His proximity was not helping the matter of my embarrassment in result of our actions.

I never knew one could lose themselves so deeply in the heat. The desire and animalistic passion. So new, however, I knew deep within my bones that it was right. The natural instinct to draw another so close to oneself that you all but crawl into their skin. To be devoured and consumed in fire. And what a blissful blaze it was. I truly have been neglected in this area of my youth, as Catherine, my café manager, had suggested.

"Danella?" Sora's voice breaks me from my thoughts, alerting me to the fact that I had been staring, vacant and shamelessly, upon him. The flush was back in his right cheek for which he scratches nervously.

His red cheek has no comparison to my own blush at the moment. How mortifying…
"There…something on your mind?"
"No!" I squeaked.
He chuckled, encouraged by my growing nervousness, "Does not seem that way. What areyou thinking about?"

Oh, my lord, Axel's teasing truly has rubbed off on him.
"Nothing of concern." I said, trying my very best to meet his eyes and to hold our gaze. My face still burns nevertheless. The bed dips and creaks under his weight as he draws closer, laying his hands on either side of my knees as I sit back on my ankles. Now our faces are so close to one another, I can feel his quickened breath dance along my face, sending my skin into a fit of gooseflesh.
"Really? There is nothing whatsoever on that mind of yours?" he questions, eyes dancing between my own eyes and lips, "Nothing that has to do with me?"
Dear lord, help me.

I shake my head half-heartedly, unable to form words as my breathing hitches and accelerates. He hums before brushing his parted lips over my own, coaxing me forward for more.
"No?" he whispers, "Mmm, I would hate to think you were lying to me, Danella." Though playful, his words still hold a warning. A warning that I do not know whether or not to take seriously. All the same, I gulp, the nerves connecting my brain to the muscles of my mouth to form words seemingly detached.

"Maybe I need to investigate further." he said, running his nose along my heated cheek bone, his words brushing his lips against me, "Find out the truth behind the tempting colour of your cheeks."
His 'investigating' prompts my neck back, allowing access to his hungry caresses. My eyes find their way into the darkness of my skull.
"Were you, by any probability, thinking about what we were doing..." he said, releasing a warm pant of breath against my collar bone as he nuzzles the material of my blouse's neckline aside, "on this bed...little over an hour ago?"
I can only manage a suffocated mumble.
"Were you thinking of when I had you under me, perchance?" For where I now find myself to be once again, "Of my hands here?"-upon my ankle-"Or, perhaps here?"-upon the bare skin of my lower thigh.
"Aah…"
"Hmm, it sounds like I am getting rather close to the answer, Danella." He said, kissing and nipping the swell of the gradually exposed flesh of my chest.
When did he manage to loosen the ties of my bodice? Oh, who on this given earth cares!

"Hey, Sora, I wanted to ch- Woah, woah, woah!" Sora's lips and fingers are suddenly gone, leaving behind a burning cold in their wake. I want them back…however, with Axel now in the room; something tells me that that will be all but impossible. Cue the stuttering and flustered faces as we jump away from each other. I quickly fumble with the ties of my blouse, "None of that, kiddies! Tsk, tsk, no bing-bing without a wedding ring."
Oh, good lord, kill me now…
"Axel, what the hell! Get outta here!" Sora shouted, proceeding to throw a pillow at the redhead standing with his arms crossed, leaning against the doorframe. He dodges the flying cushion of feathers with ease before he begins to make his way into the room.
"No way José," he said, a smirk is plastered on his face, "I am gonna stay here till I am sure you won't take advantage of my lil rose petal, again. Got it memorized?"
"Not this nonsense again, Axel," Sora huffed, "she is not your anything - let alone your 'rose petal'. Got that memorized?"
I cannot help but giggle.
"Deny it all you want, little man, but I am still gonna protect her innocence-"
"Axel!" I squealed, begging him to stop.
"-from the likes of your overactive hormones."

All falls silent as I conceal my burning face within my hands. I cannot look at them.
Humiliating. I thought, wanting nothing more than to bury myself into the sheets and stuffing of the bed beneath me.
"A-Axel…" Sora stutters. I do not need to see to know his eyes have gone wide, his cheeks are burning, and his jaw has gone slack like a gapping fish. A moment passes before I hear his voice lose emotion, adopting an indifferent tone, "You have all but three seconds to leave my room with all limbs intake before I call for Aeris. She would not appreciate the fact you have reduced Danella to a mortified and cowering lump of skirts…"

Finally gaining the courage to lift my head, I am surprised to see Axel looking slightly…fearful? Truly? What could Aeris possibly do to him?
"U-u-uh," he trips over himself as he rips off his hat, and dips himself into a bow in my direction, "I beg your pardon, Danella. I did not mean to embarrass you as I have."
If I did not know any better, I would say that he was sweating bullets down his brow.
"I only meant to tease Sora – er, which possibly wasn't the best idea - could you maybe notmention this to Aeris? Please, Danny?" he tried to chuckle off his plea, but it was still unsteady. Aeris truly had power over this young man – I did not want to know why. If it results in him ceasing his teasing, then I will take what I am given.

I nod, mouth still dry as I finger the collar of my newly buttoned blouse self-consciously. From this moment on, I believe I will never be able to look at Axel levelly again – not after what he just witnessed.
"Good. Um, yes." Axel said, repositioning his hat as he scratches the back of his hair, avoiding eye contact with either of us, "I should be going…um, now."
And within the moment of the single heartbeat, the young hatter was gone. Left behind to fend for myself. What now?
Gulping, I draw my knees up against myself. Idly, I play with my skirt, twisting the fabric around my fingers, silence filling the hollow pit in my stomach.
Say something, Sora. Please! I scream desperately within my thoughts. I cannot bring myself to speak for myself, fearing something beyond the normal stupidly will slip from my lips.
"Um,"
He speaks.
"I'm sorry. 'Bout Axel and…well, about the situation I put you in." An apology. Now that I did not expect. I force myself to stop fidgeting enough to look at him, meeting his flushed and wary expression, "I should not have been so forward with you. It was unkind of me to- um, well, bring up what we did…er, earlier."

Now, while I do agree that bringing up what we had done before had dug me deeper and deeper into a sea of nerves, what he had done while he spoke of such things…
Oh my, why did Axel have to interrupt that?I mentally swoon.

"Please, Danella." he sounds so unsure of himself. Such a contrast to his confidence from moments ago, "Speak to me."
A simple enough request. However, that does not prevent the parching of my throat as I realize I must seem like a thoughtless mute at present.
"No need to apologize." I said, gnawing my bottom lip. Shaking his head, I know he is about to protest,"Truly, Sora. No harm done, I will just have to ensure I do not cross Axel's path without Aeris graciously by my side." I try to laugh off my embarrassment. It does not seem to work as I watch him frown.
"Da-"
"I must be going." I hastily interrupt him, "As you pointed out beforehand; I have yet to eat. And I must say; I cannot wait to have a bowl of that soup to myself."
Unsure of what to say, Sora stares wordlessly as I relinquish my place from atop his bed and scramble to gather his discarded plate. Before I can make a move for the door, his frown slips away to be replaced by a crooked smile as his dark locks fan along his line of vision.
"Yeah." He said. The happiness his smile tries to convey fails to reach the soul of his eyes, "You're right. I hope you enjoy your dinner, Danella. Please give my thanks to Aeris for me?"
I nod, unsure whether or not I should leave him in this state.
Too late now…

"Good night, Sora," I said, dipping my head only slightly as not to upset him. I do not mean to make it seem in any way demeaning of myself.
"Good night, Danella. Sleep well."

…

Reaching my destination, I am surprised to see Aeris left, once again, by herself to attend to the kitchen. Clearing my throat with a breath of courage, I enter the room further until I am situated at her side.
"Hello, Aeris," I said, resting Sora's plate onto the bench to be washed. She pauses in her cleaning long enough to address me with a smile, "Sora gives his thanks for the meal."
"How kind. He always did favour my cooking," she muses, dusting off the soap suds from her hands, "however, you have yet to eat your own dinner, my dear, if I am not mistaken?"
"Um, yes."
"Now that will not do at all. Come on, I'll fix you a plate."
Still hot in its pot, Aeris fills another bowl with the delectable soup before decorating the plate with a side of croutons. Seating myself upon one of the kitchen stools, I thank her before eagerly shovelling the warming broth into my growling stomach.
A taste is naught compared to the entire dish. I concurred, nibbling on the soup dipped croutons.

Before I know it, the rest of the soup is gone. That does not reason that I have had my fill, however, one bowl should be enough to last me the night.
"Thank you, Aeris." I said, wiping the corners of my mouth to ensure I do not leave a mess, "That truly was delicious – and I am sure Sora will testify to that."
She laughs lightly, eyes shining as she clears my plate away along with Sora's, "Oh, I have no doubt. The little master has always seemed to favour my cooking. Even when he was little."
"For good reason, I assure you."
"Thank you, Danny. You truly are sweet to say such things."
I blush with a shy titter, flicking the ringlets of my fringe aside.
"All went well I trust?" she asked, draining the sink before she sits upon a stool at my side.
"Went well?"
"Yes. When you brought the little master his dinner earlier. You two talked?"
Oh...well I do not need to share all that happened. I did promise Axel after all.
"Yes, um, we talked before he finished his plate."
"And...?" she encourages me to continue. I would not put it past her that she knows that I am evading in order to keep a certain series of events to myself.
"And...I have decided that I wish to stay." I recall my previous declaration I made to Sora. Aeris would not mind that I desired to stay, correct? "Here. With you all."

"Oh, Danella! This is wonderful news!" She all but squealed as she drops from her perch to wrap me into the embrace of her arms. To which I eagerly return, "You will not regret this, Danny. I promise you."
Presenting me with a kiss on the cheek, in turn, the weight of my worry is lifted from my shoulders by her joy. Allowing the beaming warmth of my heart to swell.
"I know I will not," I said, "I have come to care for this household too much to abandon it."
I feel the curve of Aeris' smile against the crown of my head before she draws back in order to place a hand against the side of my face.
"As this household came to care for you. From the very beginning."
It takes me a moment to consider these words. And once I do…I can see the truth. I havebeen cared for since the very moment I awoke on that cemented floor. Each of them cared. However, it was not obvious from the very beginning…

Sora concealed his own fear and concern beneath his orders. Fear of what I would uncover. Fear of what I might do should I ever get close enough to find out the least bit of information about his past. However, that fear did not hinder his concern and need for my safety. Despite the monster within, my life was saved – not ended. I was kept at a needed distance…until yesterday.
"I believe I have come to see that very truth, Aeris."
"You know," she begins whilst tracing the curls back behind my left ear, gaze never wavering, "I believe Sora to be blessed to have someone like you in his life. To mend that what once was broken inside of him. I hold no doubt in my heart that can, Danny."
I cannot think of any sort of suitable response. 'Mend'? How can I repair anything? I am hardly restored myself.
"No need to worry." She told me. I must have let my doubts slip through my expression, "You would be surprised how much progress Sora has made since you came into his life. Occasionally, repairing someone requires no action at all. Only your support."

…

Slipping into my cashmere nightgown, I think back on the events of today. Countless varying emotions. My mental state had been pushed to the limit. So distinct from my condition now as I ready myself for bed. Almost as if all the palaver is dispatched by the setting sun. I chuckle to myself, thinking of what the morrow's sunrise will bring. Certainly events will be more subdued than that of today.

Setting my hairbrush aside, I gaze into my dressing table mirror. I begin to regard my reflection, for the first time since residing here in this mansion. Left naked without Aeris' makeup. I see myself. Freshly tamed, my golden curls frame my doll-like face. Small and heart shaped. Vastly pale, the candlelight almost shimmers across my skin. The settling blush from today; a splash of red paint on a white canvas. The days gone by of cleaning indoors with little to no time in the sun were no doubt the cause of my growing pallor.

My golden-brown eyes, wide and beaming, take in the details of my brightened state curiously. Begging the day with such misfortune and misery, I never would have thought I would…glowlike this ever again. Yet, Sora made it feasible. He saved me from the shadows, once again. In more ways than one.

How I wish I could repay such actions…I thought as I turn from the mirror and settle into the sheets of my bedding. I wish to help him. Save him. But I am not sure by what means. What Aeris said still puzzles me.

'Occasionally, repairing someone requires no action at all...' No action? So am I to just live here and watch him suffer through such torments and miseries? '...no action at all. Only your support.'

I sigh, burying my teary eyes into the plush of my pillows. Support. Support can only take you so far…

…

"Someone has to draw those things away," he said, running his thumb over the tear on my cheek, rubbing it dry.

Roxas. He's here. He is alive!

"And I'm...I should be the one to do it."

What? No. No, do not leave me. Do not go! You will die!

"They'll never stop."

No! Stay with me!

Blood. Brother's blood. Brother is gone. Brother cannot cry out anymore.
"Well done, my pets."

…

I gasp into consciousness as I shoot forth from the depths of another nightmare. Heaving through gasping breath, I hurry onto my weakened legs to reach the readied bucket by my bedside. 'Ready' for such occasions…
The heaving does not stay dry for long as I lose the contents of my stomach into the cold pail. The floor beneath my knees seems to sway uneasily as I grip the rim of my silver saviour. I break out into a cold sweat, the smell twisting my stomach further as every inch of my body aches. In particular, my throat.

I fight the urge to lick my dry and cracking lips. The roof of my mouth tingles as the remains of dinner passes by.

Ugh…I hate this part of the day… I grumbled within the disorder of my thoughts. I have had enough of this! Leave me be. Have I not suffered enough for you?
A dazed spell slips over me, encouraging me to relinquish my hold on the pail in order to lie back onto the carpet floor. Pushing the silver container away, I cease breathing through my nose to avoid another wave of sickness.

It takes little over a few minutes to steady myself and settle my stomach. However, I know I will need to wash out my mouth sooner rather than later. Save my tongue from reaching the foul taste.

Time to pay a visit to the master bathroom.

After finding a tooth brush in the mirror cabinet one night, I had been saved of bile-mouth for many days past.
With a few minty stokes of the brush and a gargle of water, I dry the rims of my lips the hand towel hanging over the wall ring.
Thank heavens for toothpaste. I lastly massage my temples, taking a deep breath before I look back at my own reflection. My skin now gleams with a green sheen. And my eyes, once so bright, are now hollow and grim. Such memories can cause such an effect to oneself. I remember Sora's eyes reflecting such expressions before. His memories. In their way, more traumatizing then my own.
Sora.
Reaching out for the door handle, my vision sways, shifting my hand-eye coordination before I quickly brace myself against the solid and still door frame. My arm and hip complains as they are slammed against the creaking wood.
I am no better than a toddler!My mind complains, seeking much needed rest. My body physically protests as I gain my footing enough to open the door and head down the hall for my bed room.

"…Aaah!"
I almost jump out my skin. The cry reverberates off the walls, shaking the glass of the windows. I follow its source and my heart is kicked into gallop as I come face to face with Sora's bedroom door.

Screaming. It raises gooseflesh across the skin of my neck's back as I step into the creaking doorway.
"No!" I flinch, "Stop!" Sora's voice – hoarse and panicked – sends my heart into a humming-bird pace. What little moonlight left of the night slips through the tattered drapes, bathing a thrashing bundle of sheets and skin in phantom light. Frantic, I scan the room for impending danger...however; nothing remotely dangerous resides amongst the shadows.

"Nmm..." I hear him drone from his tussled bedding. His lips are pulled tautly across his bared teeth in a grimace as his stiffened fingers tear the bed sheets. Eyes clamped tightly against dimming reality, he dreams.
A nightmare.

"Leave 'em..." a broken sob breaks his anguished plea as I hasten to his side. Grasping his trembling shoulders, I shake him, prompting him to awaken, his head falling limply.
"Come back, Sora!" I yell, still shaking, "It is but a dream, now awaken. Please!"

"Take me!" he shrieks before prickling pain seizes my upper arms. His hands, once occupied by his bed spread, are now cutting the circulation of blood to my entire arms. Wide and distraught, pale blue eyes bind me within their fear. Tears swim along the brim of his lashes as he gradually comprehends his surroundings.

"Dan...Danny," despite his hold on me, I find the ability to reach forth and trace my fingers along the coarse scars of his temples to the fine hair upon his head.
"Hush now..." I cooed lightly to him, easing my touch along his scalp, stroking his brunette knots away, "…just a nightmare. You're home."
With every word and every stroke of his hair, Sora's breathing hitches, revealing his chocking agony in the form of crystal-clear tears. His trembling causes my own as his grasp gradually eases.

"Danella-" he starts once again.
"Hush. It will be okay. I'm here now."
His eyes linger over me desperately as if to ensure the truth of my presence, in flesh and blood, and will not slip from his loosening grip. Cupping his jaw, I nod as I whisper my assurances and hush his sobs.

Once I am free, I wrap my arms around his shoulders and rest his head under my chin and against my collar, rocking him as I comfortingly pet his hair.
"Easy now…I'm here. I'm here." becomes my soothing lullaby as I await his calm.

"I had…" he croaks out through his tears, "another…vision – a me-memory."
He has no need to further explain what he means.

'…Sora doesn't remember what he has done when the Heartless takes total control. Those memories are locked away for what could be months or years on end. Only when he dreams - when his guard is down at its most vulnerable - do the memories resurface.'

"They w-would…still be-"
"Enough." I intrude, stopping him from upsetting himself further. I know of what he was planning to say.
…still be alive had I been strong enough to stop it…
His jaw and hands clench against his need to convince me of his guilt.
"It is not your fault, Sora. Please, think yourself not as the monster but as the victim. You did not choose this life; you do nothing of evil willingly."
His whimper is muffled within the fabric of my nightdress' collar. The barrier around his trauma has shattered around him, leaving him vulnerable to the Heartless' deeds. How I wish I could piece together the wall, break down the rush of nightmares, and save him from himself. Wishful thinking…

'…repairing someone requires no action at all. Only your support.'

"Think of it no more, Sora." I said, tracing his cheek with my thumb, smearing the trails of his tears, "Please, try to rest."
No longer sobbing, his breathing continues to hitch lightly as he pulls his head free from my grasp to level himself with my gaze. Emotionally drained, eyes dulled and darkened, he seems worried – scared even.
"I'll d-dr-dream again!" he said through stuttering breath, once again gripping my arms, emphasising his words with jolts of my shoulders, "I'll s-s-see their deaths. I cannotre-rest."

I know how you feel…

Contemplating his words and our circumstances, I draw my fingers up along his temples before cradling his face close to my own.
"Then lie with me," he blinks, surprised by my bluntness no doubt, "We can…not-rest together…?"
My heart beat spikes nervously as I await his answer. Maybe he would rather leave the room to explore his restlessness then rest on his bed here with me. His Adam's apple bobs harshly as he reaches forth to trace the pad of his thumbs along the shadows beneath my eyes, truly seeing them for the first time.
"You suffer the nightmares…of what I-" noticing my sharp glare, he quickly recovered, "- it did…to your family."
I nod slowly, not wishing to discourage his touch as it lingers along my paled cheeks. His eyes dart from the base of my hairline to mine own eyes, and once again, before he gradually begins to lean forward. I stifle a gasp as his lips part an inch before mine…prior to slipping up and placing a warm, tender peck upon my brow. Slightly perplexed by his action, I frown questionably towards him only to receive a sheepish twitch of his mouth and his rosy cheek.
"My mother…used to do that for me," he struggles to keep eye contact with me as he explains, "in order to keep the bad dreams away. 'A kiss on the forehead at night will dull the nightmares' bite'."

I can tell it is not easy for Sora to speak of his parents, the expected darkening glaze of his eyes show his pain where his body does not. Smiling lightly, I return his gesture, lingering against his forehead longer than he to draw in the musk and tang of his scent. Masculine and pleasant. I force myself to pull away before I get exceedingly carried away.
"And now their bite will dull along with yours," I said, stomach still unsettled somewhat.

Losing his grip on my arms, they barely grasp my fingers as he eases himself down onto the shredded bedding. Resting his head against his goose feather pillows, he tugs me forward, silently asking me to recline alongside him. Licking my dried lips, I gulp, unsure of myself and this new development.
"Danny…" my internal battle is silenced by his shy call. He is clearly as nervous about this situation as I am – if not more so. "Please?"
My nerves relinquish to my desires as I lounge down on my side, resting my own head against his pillows. Soft. His bed is soft despite their recent wear, offering me comfort.

We, now, face one another – mirroring reflections. Sharing the same pillow, the smallest of animals could rest itself in the space between us, a fact neither of us is ignorant of. The yearning to reach out and make contact with his body grows every second we hold each other's gaze and hands. It is not even nearlyenough for me…

Wa-wait – warmth…

Otherwise occupied by my thoughts, I failed to realize the shift in Sora's movements. His unrestricted left hand now reached across the valley of space between us, tracing the stitching of my garment along my waist. It was not quite a tickle, though it was hardly a stroke either. It was a caress - a hesitant, uncertain caress. Distinct from his previous passion-ridden fondling, this was slow and awakening. My limbs ached to reach forth and encase him within my embrace whilst my body trembled and practically purred in pleasure of his given attentions.

While also pleasant, it was, furthermore, reassuring. He cares – his touch says it all. He cares for me, my emotional fragility cradled as he comes to lay his hand upon my shoulder before shifting forward. A deer in the torch light, I am still as he rests his chin upon the crown of my head, further curving his reach over my shoulder to draw me forward from the hold he has on my back. My hands find their way against the clothed padding of his chest, warm and beating expressively as I settle into his hold, our legs brushing against one another. I find it within myself to release a content sigh…which is soon echoed by his own in the form of my name. How it does please me to hear him call me by name. My heart swells, fuelling my need to say something to pass through the silence. Something to give in return for what he has given me.

"Hush-a-bye…" I sing against the pulse of his throat, his grasp on me strengthening in return,
"Don't you cry
Go to sleep, my little baby…
In your bed
Momma said
'Baby's riding up to dreamland…'"

As the base of the lullaby fades, I draw my head back from Sora's chin to look back upon him. Eyes closed to the world around him, his breathing has settled into a steady rhythm, fanning my hair with its warmth. He sleeps…with the grace of a smile upon his lips. The lips that I kiss before settling under his chin once more, seeking the darkness of sleep that soon consumes me as I listen to the beat of his heart settled beneath my ear.

…

I stir, surprisingly tranquil, after being roused by the rising sun. Stomach settled and heartbeat calm, I breathe a sigh of satisfaction. To slumber the night away, at long last, with naught to disturb my restlessness. No nightmares…

I snuggle further into my silk covered pillow, breathing in its alluring scent, like a cub drawn to a mother's pelt. However, I find it quite interesting to find that the pillow is somewhat…stiff. It does not sink beneath my weight as it should. Almost as if it has weight of its own. My sluggish musings are further perplexed as my fingers trace up the material rested against my face to shuffle over a mound of cloth and land against naked human flesh. Human flesh that jumps beneath my touch. It is so warm. Pounding beneath the tips of my fingers. Why is it doing that?

Blinking past the crusted sleep at the corners of my eyes, I clear my vision enough to see the light of morning bathing my white 'pillow'. My breathing expires as I slowly follow the path of my arm to see my hand resting against the bared flesh of a very pale - very male- chest. His nightshirt is rumpled to thoroughly that only a fair few buttons remain intact, exposing the rise and fall of the chest it encloses. And…from what I can tell, I am currently resting against his shoulder and collarbone. I have a clear view of a gulping Adam's apple and neck.

Oh god. Sora!I all but mentally squeal as I lie frozen against my human pillow. Forcing my staggered body to function, I take a much needed breath as I try to examine my current position without appearing to have awakened.

My left arm is now curled between his pillow and his right shoulder, my hand had been gripping it snuggly within my sleep. The same arm of his shoulder is settled down to rest against my back. I can feel my face turning a bright shade of red as I realize how my right leg is settled across both legs of Sora, hitching the material of my nightdress up my thigh that now rests along his hips. He is the tree to my koala...
I am wrapped around him like a vine!

"Uh, yes," I cannot help but flinch, breaking what little remains of my slumbering illusion, "you have quite the grip, I must say."
He chuckles, causing the palm I have against his chest to tremble and jump. I draw back my head, putting slight pressure against him in order to lift my upper body to see him properly. Once within his sight, I bite my lip as I try to regain what little nerve I have left. So much for not-resting together.

Here I was, thinking I was going to get through one day without a single traumatizing moment beneath my belt.
His expression was so amused; his canine tooth digging into the side of his bottom lip shows me he is trying to restrain his enjoyment. I fight the urge to slap my hand over my eyes and hide from the situation at hand. Absurd unconscious koala tendencies.

Sora raises his hand, slow but determined, up and along the side of my face. Moulding his fingers beneath my cheekbone and against my jaw, he traces the heated skin, eyes focused on his patterns. His grin slowly eases as he finally stops to cradle my jaw.
"Thank you." He said whilst bracing himself up to further increase our proximity to one another. Now, shoulder to shoulder, my stomach sinks, only to fill with weightlessness, "For last night. It is sad to think that was the first time I have had a few decent hours sleep since my par-…si-since they died."
He slept peacefully as well…

An apologetic smile tugs happily at the corners of my mouth, drawing Sora's brightly reflected eyes. The radiance of the sun dances within their depths as he follows the path his thumb makes across my bottom lip, pulling it from my two front teeth. I had not realized I was still doing that…
"I slept peacefully also. Well," I said, truly heartened by current events, "then I guess those forehead kisses did the trick, right?"
My stomach continues to stir uneasily as his eyes flicker forth to my own, still tracing the plump lining of my lip beneath his thumb.
"I could not believe it was those kisses alone." I feel so cradled by warmth at this given moment. His stare, with eyes so clear and vivid, warms me to the very bones as the sun at my back massages heat into the skin, "I still had nightmares now and again after my mother's kisses. No. I believe the cause was something of a different nature entirely, Danny."

I am not sure I wish to know his theory or not, should it lead to further embarrassment. And yet, I cannot stop my curiosity, whatever it may cost.
"Your theory…?" I ask tentatively.
He begins to lean forward, brushing the bridge of his nose along mine, "For one thing; your lullaby. How I missed my mother's songs. And to gain them back with your voice…" he drifts off, eyes closed as he breathes a sight of deep content, "as well; you. Your mere presence. To have someone, like you, care for me so…that you would stay by my side during the night. That you would let me hold you the way I did. It was you. I believe it was naught but you."

One word. Euphoric. I feel euphoric, left dazed by his confession. I did make a difference – like Aeris believed I would. And it required no exertion of effort on my part. To think, something as simple as a song and my company was enough to heal that part of Sora for one night. The shadows beneath his eyes do not seem so heavily lain now.
"I am glad," I confess myself, returning his gesture along his nose as I reach up to comb his sleep-ruffled locks, "glad to aid you in any way.
"Now, um, I may be selfish in saying this but, I would like to sleep under the same conditions, on perhaps…a regular basis? For it seems you drive my own nightmares away, Sora."
He laughs inwardly before opening his eyes to me, "I would not have it any other way. For you see? My intensions are also selfish."

Now that I can quite easily believe…

AN:
For all my BATT readers.
The poll for this story is still running as there has not been a voted majority.
An outtake in Sora's point of view will be written, but I want you guys to tell me which chapter - excluding the prologue - you want to be written through his eyes.

Chapter 1~12

Comment or review to let me know. Thanks.