I snuggled in closer to his warmth, today had been a trying day. I pulled the blankets closer around me, then drew small circles across his chest. Tracing his scars and more patterns, my eyes began to get heavy.

I hadn’t remember the last time I felt this serene, it had been such a long time. I was looking forward to sleeping in his arms. Wait, does he need to sleep? I sat up abruptly looking at him, my eyebrows arched. He followed me, sitting up and looking around rapidly.

“Wait do you even have to sleep?” Erik blinked, stared at me with raised eyebrows, and then let out his booming laugh. He actually doubled over laughing, and wiped a tear of amusement away. He laid back down and shook his head slowly.

“No, not really. Sleep serves to ‘reset’ me - it anchors me to where I will wake up if and when I die. Unless I need to do that, not really. And even that sleep is short.” He shrugged. “So if I sleep here, here is where I will wake up if I die. Otherwise, I think… It’s a field somewhere outside of town, the last place I did so.” He looked mildly thoughtful.

“So, will you just watch me sleep then?” My question was innocent yet curious. He tilted his head to the side, considering me. He shrugged, his muscles rippling with the motion.

“If you wish me to I'll stay here with you and keep watch over you. I'd planned to perform some maintenance on our gear, before wandering the town a little. I'd not want you to think me a strange stalker or something, waking up in the middle of the night to find me just sitting and staring while I think.” He looked at me with warm eyes as he smiled softly.

I smiled softly, curling into him a little more, “no stay.” I sighed my eyes started to get heavy again. I could feel sleep trying to claim me quickly. “Today was one of the best days in a long time for me, Erik.” He curled his arms around me a bit, and resumed stroking my hair as he settled down on the bed.

“I have to agree. This was…a rather wonderful day for me too, Camille.” I could feel his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm - thought this close, I could tell something was off. There… Was no heartbeat? No, there it was, just, very slow. Very, very slow.

“Mmm, your heart beats so slooow.” I mumbled, my tongue clumsily tripping over it’s tired self. He let out a soft laugh that I could feel vibrate in his ribs under my head.

“I'm surprised it beats at all, sweetheart. Now shush, and rest. You need sleep. I'll keep you safe.” He admonished me gently, flicking my nose with his forefinger. Then he curled his arms around me, embracing me as I rested against him.

It didn’t take long before I was out, completely lip against Erik. My light barely audible snores. Perfect ending to a perfect day was all I needed.