Mutants: Normal

6-6: Just sleep

Against her will, she gasped at the sight that awaited her.

Hua had always known that there existed a room underneath the base, but the last time she had witnessed it, it had still been an unimpressive and gloomy old room. Poor ventilation, sparse lighting, and no furniture.

Now it had been transformed. The chamber before her was relatively spotless. There was a wooden desk at the entrance, on top of which were propped a new laptop and some meaty books. Newly installed lights hung from hooks on the ceiling. A bookshelf stood in the far corner of the room, crammed full of more texts that Hua couldn't wait to get her hands on.

But what caught her eye the most was the bed. The bed mattress looked positively luxurious, soft, silky... Soft. The four pillows at the head of the mattress seemed just the perfect size and height, and the blue blanket covering the mattress seemed to just suit the silver and wood combination bedframe. Aside from these details, there was also a person curled up in bed.

Still reeling from the welcome surprise, Hua padded over to the bed and saw that it was Shuigu who was sleeping there soundly. She shook her head in disbelief. Now she knew where he had gone all those hours while the others had been in Jingcheng, popping out only sparingly to greet her so others in the base wouldn't find out he had ditched. But she reckoned he had also been a regular in the room before that, seeing as the place had been completely redecorated. Hua didn't bother wondering where he had found the stuff. After all, he had advanced training in stealth and persuasion.

Most of all, Hua was glad Shuigu was sleeping soundly even after Ranulf had chewed him out. He looks cute! Her brother was peaceful and quiet in his sleep—so much more refined than Teria had been in hers. Hua found herself absentmindedly thinking about what he was dreaming about.

Suddenly, his grey-flecked eyes flew open and a look of horror appeared on his face. "Hua!" he shouted, looking panic-stricken. He jerked upright in the bed, his features pained, his eyes still unfocused.

In response, Hua sprang back, startled by her brother's crazy awakening. "What? What's wrong?!" she yelped. "Did I do something?" 

Shuigu seemed to recognize his surroundings after hearing Hua's voice; however, his scared eyes turned and gave her a once-over before his tight muscles loosened. Hua had noticed he hadn't been sweating, but he was now. His fists were clenching and unclenching as they gripped the bedsheets. "Nothing," he said. His voice was husky, wavering. "It was just a nightmare."

"About what?" Hua pressed, frowning. Why did he have to keep closing up to her? "Tell me."

"I... You died. And it was my fault." The dream must have been realistic--Shuigu was quaking. "I... I couldn't do anything. The whip--I was too scared... Dammit, I... I--" He started mumbling incomprehensibly.

He's still not awake. "Shuigu, hey, I'm alright! Get a grip!" Hua exclaimed, trying to shake him by the shoulders, before realizing she couldn't make him budge. He's gotten so much stronger...

At last, her words seemed to bring back some sense into him. "Right, you're alive," he murmured. Without warning, his hands came up and grabbed the sides of her head, his fingers curling into her hair.

"Yes, I am?" Hua squeaked as she suddenly found herself face to face with her brother. She couldn't believe how helpless she sounded. But why should I feel helpless against my brother? Hua berated herself. "Shuigu?" He had leaned forward, and their faces were incredibly close, their noses almost touching. Hua took in his uneven breaths, his unfocused eyes, and realized she could only calm him down by showing she was safe beyond any doubt. "Please, relax. Everything's okay." Hua forced the tenseness from her frame, spreading her lips into a small smile. "I'm okay." She closed her eyes peacefully and covered his hands with her own smaller ones, using a gentle grip. "And you're here with me.