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The mind returns in dream -Amy Bonner
"Did you know that Queen Victoria had a 14 year old stalker who broke into Buckingham Palace at least four times?"
"I didn't know that." Harry mumbles, turning himself on his side to look at Avery. She is lying on her back, eyes trained on the ceiling, saying anything that comes across her mind.
"Apparently he even stole her underwear once!"
"Avery, we're supposed to sleep." There was a small bat of silence after Harry's statement. In truth, Avery had been doing everything she could to avoid sleeping, despite agreeing to rest.
"Oh right" She murmurs, closing her eyes before opening them again. "I'm sorry. What time is it? Is it morning yet?"
"It must be around 1am."
"That's not close to morning at all," Her lips start to quiver at the realization. He watches as she takes two deep breaths, shuts her eyes, and turns to face him; the quivering coming to a stop.
"can't we drink a cup of tea? I always sleep better with tea."
Harry can hear the desperation in her voice. He can see her clinging to any possible scenario that will keep her awake. Every possibility that will prolong the inevitable. She needs sleep. At this point, more than anything.
"You've had more than enough tea for the night. We can make more in the morning. But first, we have to sleep." Right outside the window streetlights cast ambient light upon Avery's bedroom. The golden rays dance across her face so elegantly; so gently.
Her eyes are trained on something Harry can't see, but he is acutely aware of her. He can see the three freckles that have made themselves home on her nose, the heart shape of her lips, the cerulean blue hue of her eyes. He's never seen anything more beautiful in his entire life.
If only he could take a photograph. Try to capture this moment in its entirety, in all of its beauty. Show them how amazing these small, intimate moments are. Or maybe he didn't want that. Maybe he just wanted to keep her close. Keep this for him, and only him.
"What about my Valerian pills? They help me fall asleep."
"Love, don't they make it worse?"
"Sometimes, but at least I'll be asleep." Her eyes finally trail up to his own. While his are calm and reassuring, hers are filled with fear. Fear that runs deeper than he could ever imagine.
"What do you dream about, Ave?" His fingers caress her cheek, he can feel her breath hitch as he gently brushes her hair behind her ear.
"I've never told anyone," She mutters, her eyes never leaving his own. Not for a second. "not anyone I cared about."
"Then let me be the first" With his hands on her cheeks, his eyes fall to her rosy lips. The familiar urge to kiss her resurfaces, flowing from his head to his toes. But he can't, he knows he can't. What they have is too delicate to risk.
