rayemma oneshots & other

Let Them Sleep

• Oneshot

Spoiler warning for chapter #69 and onward - mentioned characters, mentioned location

It was one week into the journey to Cuvitidala.

Everyone took turns being the nightwatch. A new person replaced the last one every hour and a half, beginning with Emma at the start of the night, and ending with Ray watching until dawn. This way, everyone got an adequate amount of sleep, and also stayed safe.

Zack was the second-to-last nightwatch. He was the one to wake up Ray to exchange his post. And that had never been a problem before. 

But one night, he just couldn't bring himself to bother the kid.

It was in the dreadfully early morning, no later than four. The sky garnered the slightest tint of light blue as the sun hinted its arrival.

With this dim, little light to guide him, Zack could see that Ray had wandered away from his own blanket, and settled in Emma's. And when he looked at Emma's blanket, he saw that Ray had wrapped his arms around her from behind. Not only that, but Emma was holding onto one of his sleeves with a peaceful little smile on her face, leading Zack to believe that they had both agreed on cuddling.

Zack was over eighteen now, declaring him an adult. He wasn't like Lucas or Yugo yet, but being Emma and Ray's senior, he couldn't help but feel slightly protective over them. 

They were just kids sleeping so peacefully. He wouldn't dare ruin that. So he let them be, and returned to his post until sunrise.

The following day was normal and uneventful, but Zack eventually went to scout out a surrounding area, and Ray asked to join him.

"Thanks," Ray said, rubbing the back of his neck. "...For letting me sleep. I'm sorry if you're tired. That won't happen again." 

Yes, making sure everyone slept for a healthy amount of time was important for their performance during the day. But for two kids barely twelve years old, Emma and Ray had seen a lot of traumatic things in their time, and worked themselves to death on the daily. If sleeping together that night was the only time they got to relax and just be children for a moment, then Zack definitely didn't mind staying up another hour. 

"It was my own decision. Don't worry about a thing," Zack said with a smile. 

The next night, just as Ray had promised, he did not oversleep next to Emma. 

...That only lasted for one night, though.

On the night after that, Zack strolled over to find Ray yet again next to Emma. This time, they faced each other, hugging under a shared blanket. 

Zack could not disturb something this sweet in a million years, so he once again retreated to his post. 

However, it was only a few minutes later that he heard someone shuffling awake. With a twinge of disappointment, he thought it was Ray at first. But then he felt a familiar smack coming down hard on his shoulder. 

"You better not be turning into an insomniac again." Violet quietly chided. "Or I'll slap you to bed, you hear?"

"Yes, Big Sis," Zack teased. Violet just rolled her eyes.

"So, are the lovebirds the reason why you've been skipping sleep?" 

"It's just an hour and a half. I think they deserve it more than I do."

Violet scoffed. "I'd still wake them up." 

A brief silence followed, and they both gazed out toward the slowly brightening horizon. 

Violet crossed her legs. "When I first started talking to him, I thought he was the standoffish, aloof type. But he's actually a puppy dog just like her." 

"What does that mean?" 

"He's all soft and cuddly with Emma, he's super nice to kids, and he's kind to the rest of us. Even though he has a cold exterior, he's just a big baby inside." Violet sighed. "And it also seems like he won't admit it to himself that he likes Emma. I guess stubbornness runs in Gracefield kids. Maybe he'll realize it when he's my age."

Zack chuckled. "They don't have to realize anything now. I have a feeling they won't realize it until they're older."

Violet furrowed her brow. "I'll be real ticked off if it takes them thirty years to confess!"

Zack leaned back a bit, tilting his head up to the sky.

"They love and protect each other. That's all they need."

Violet huffed in wordless agreement, crossing her arms as well. 

The two sat together until dawn, while Emma and Ray continued to sleep in each other's arms. 

Zack was very amused to see Ray scrambling for an excuse in the morning.

After that evening, though, it stopped happening. For the next three nights, when Zack went to wake up the boy, Ray was already awake and especially vigilant in keeping watch. He even went so far as to move his bedroll further away from Emma's. It looked like he had resolved that enough's enough. 

Zack understood that. It was plain important, and Ray already took things seriously. But he couldn't help but want kids to be kids sometimes.

They were nearing the end of their trip to Cuvitidala, and Zack had just started his watch for the night when he overheard whispers from the other side of their camp. 

"Are you mad at me?" Murmured Emma.

"No," Ray said vaguely.

"Then why are you avoiding me?" 

"I'm not avoiding you, I just don't want to get distracted. If you're cold, then you can have my blanket. I'll be fine without it."

"This isn't about me."

Ray seemed to hesitate for a moment, then sighed.

"I always end up oversleeping if I'm next to you. But I have to take my turn as the nightwatch, too, and if I sleep with you, I'll put a strain on Zack." 

"You still can!" Emma desperately persisted. "You don't have to stay the whole night, just until you have to take your turn!"

"...I don't want to take the chance." He mumbled.

Zack didn't need to see Emma's face to know she looked hurt. 

Silence covered the camp.

Then, startling all three of them, Violet turned over and groaned.

"Zack doesn't care. Cuddle each other already." 

They went quiet for a minute, then Zack heard shuffling and Emma's giggle. He assumed that she had promptly latched onto Ray, and since Ray was silent, he'd likely resigned.

Zack glanced at Violet and met her gaze. They smiled at each other.

Once the sun rose and the six set out again, Emma had an incredible spring in her step, looking much happier than usual. 

"Man, do you think something's up with Emma? She has the biggest grin on her face." Don remarked.

"I'm not sure, but it's so nice to see her all cheerful," Gilda chimed in.

Meanwhile, Ray lingered behind the rest of them for most of the day, seemingly keeping a low profile. He didn't want to make things obvious. 

Eventually, Zack slowed down to match his pace, and nudged him in the shoulder.

"Hey-!" Ray mumbled. "What was that for?"

"Stop worryin' so much." Zack grinned. "I don't mind staying awake longer. Just keep protecting her." 

Ray went silent after that, and averted his eyes. 

They made it safely to Cuvitidala shortly after. Once they got the information they'd been looking for, they headed back to the Shelter. 

And on every evening of their travels, Zack remained awake just a little while longer, so that Emma and Ray could spend the night together.