Embers of Sun and Flame (Fuegoleon Vermillion x OC)

Chapter 14 Nightmares

Fuegoleon's eyes fluttered open. His body felt heavy and tired, despite having just slept, if that was what it could be called; the tossing and turning he had done last night. But even if he had tried to fall back asleep, he knew that he wouldn't have slept. No, not now. Because rest didn't come to him. Quite frankly, it had been difficult to sleep ever since he had woken from his coma, the nightmares and the memories of the Midnight's Sun's attack tormented him in his dreams. But it had been tolerable. And he tried to convince himself that he'd get used to it; the nightmares would pass...eventually.

He pushed the covers off of him and sat up, placing his feet onto the cool floor while slouching forward. This can't be everything that I can do. This just...can't be it. Yes, it's true that if you're high up enough in the society, personal relations aren't just 'personal relations', they're also politics to an extent. And I have no place in interfering with the politics of a foreign nation. I have no place... I just- He let out a sigh and stood up, staring into the depths of the floor as he started going through his morning routine.

There has to be something...anything...His jaw clenched as he thought about it; as he tried to find answers, but came up with none. Only the sound of the sleeping base was with him; as devoid of ideas as he was.

Anything... he felt his heart swirling into the depths of a black ocean in his chest, as he closed his bedroom door, making his way into the dining hall.

To keep her here... Even if he didn't feel hungry. But even if he didn't feel like having breakfast, he ate, forcing the food down his throat.

To keep her safe... He was just going through the motions until he was by his desk, staring at the stacks of paper in front of him. And happy... His body was still feeling heavy as he sat there; the scent of jasmine having faded already, making him miss it all the more. Anything... just... anything.

---

Solara rested her head against her hands as she sat by the dressing table; staring into the depths of the wooden surface. Her hair was unbrushed and there were bags under her eyes from all the tossing and turning she had done last night; it having taken hours for her to fall asleep. And even after she had done so, her sleep hadn't been restful, even if she hadn't seen dreams. Or nightmares. No, she had stopped doing so years ago. Now her sleep was nothing more than falling into a state of temporary unconsciousness, only to be woken from it, hours later. But most often, it was still restful. Just not that night. So, she was left sitting there, trying to make sense of it all, as she let out a sigh. Lena is overreacting. She is. But...what am I supposed to do with this? I-, I don't think he's bad, no... But, just... The hell? I've known him since we were kids and this is the...okay, maybe there always was something, but I thought it was just him tolerating me better than the rest. He's a solitary person after all... And Lena does have a point...with him knowing a lot about me...Just-, maybe I should call mom...

She lifted her head and gazed to her communicator on the table, staring it for a while before letting out another sigh. This is ridiculous. Mom knows that I'm not trying to depend on her, and there's nothing wrong with asking for advice. There isn't. It's perfectly justifiable to call her in this situation. And besides, she needs to know in any case, she though while picking it up and selecting her mother's name.

"[Hm? Solara? This is unexpected,]" said a voice on the other end.

"[You sound almost disappointed mother,]" she joked with a broken chuckle.

"[No, no. It really is just that. Unexpected.]" There was a small pause, before she continued. "[What's on your mind?]"

"[That obvious huh?]"