Things of Little Importance - JHS

9 - Sleep Talk

When the food was gone and the dark had set in, the two of you wandered upstairs. Your star-lit room called you towards your beds, and neither of you resisted. After that eventful day, it wasn't hard to melt into the blankets and pillows like they were your own personal heaven.

After just a few minutes, the quiet sung you both to sleep with smiles on your faces.

* * *

It was Hoseok's mumbling that woke you in the early hours of the morning. You were too tired to do anything but listen, keeping your eyes closed as your tired mind processed his quiet words.

"...I don't believe you.....look around.... so much beauty..."

Despite his innocent words, his tone was distressed. You couldn't help but crack your eyes to look over at him. His back was facing you, so you could barely see the shallow breathing of his dark figure.

"..it means something...it has to..she means something."

His voice broke on 'she' and it became apparent to you that there was fear in his voice. He must have been having a nightmare, and you felt a pang in your heart as you realized it. Not thinking, you pushed yourself up off your bed and stumbled over to his side, placing a hand on his shoulder and shaking him gently. 

"Hoseok." As the name left your mouth, his hand flashed up and grabbed your wrist. Your shocked eyes met his now-wide ones and for a moment neither of you spoke. You could see the pain and fear in his eyes as the dream still clouded them 

In a moment of desperation, he pulled on your wrist and you fell into the bed beside him. His arms immediately encircled you and after regaining your wits, you returned the gesture. His body shook with every heartbeat, and you stroked his hair gently until his breaths became even again.

"I'm sorry." He whispered.

"It's alright, Hobi. It was just a nightmare." Your voice was low and scratchy with sleepiness, but you hoped it was at least a bit comforting.

"Yes, a nightmare. The same one every night."

"Wanna tell me about it?"

He paused for a moment, and shifted on his back beside you. When the two of you were facing up like that, you could see the origami shapes dangling from the ceiling.

"Just a week ago, I was at the worst state of my life. There was one thing that dominated my mind, and it controlled my every move. I'm afraid of meaning nothing. I'm afraid that there's nothing after this life and this is all we have. But your grandfather, he gave me this job and told me something before he left. He showed me a small pile of pebbles and he said maybe it all means nothing, but at least we have these little things. The small things that make us smile. So that even if everything means nothing, we enjoyed the time we had here. And I'm still afraid, but he gave me a way to deal with it."

His eyes weren't clouded anymore as he gazed up at the origami.

"The elephant and the plant...and the tattoos." You said, connecting the dots in your mind.

"Yes, and Po." At your confused look, he laughed and explained. "Po is the porcelain elephant on the piano."

"That's...that's lovely. I really like that."

He smiled. "Me too." 

And then the both of you fell asleep again, this time with your hearts and bodies entwined.

Second-to-last chapter!
Just a small story, but a lovely one I think. 

Stay safe, loves.