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Sleep.

Something pivotal to not only success in school but also one of the only things needed to survive each day — next to eating, of course. I recently was having sleeping problems, not that I told anyone, but I arrived at my classes on time either way, covering up my exhaustion with a plastered smile.

Many of my classmates, the Blue Lions, didn't bat an eye. Not that I minded. Whether I slept well or not wasn't exactly their issue, so it'd be better if I didn't dump it onto them.

It's better to just cherish the few precious hours of slumber that I received than keep trudging on the following morning. Falling behind on my assignments. Dozing off in class. Sluggish reflexes in battle. I was doomed to be kicked out of Garreg Mach before I got a drop of actual sleep.

In the evenings, to clear my mind, I walked the monastery's halls... for hours. Even if I tossed and turned in my bed, it wouldn't change much. I'd rather spend the sunsets both being miserable in the dark by myself. At least out here I could watch the Pegasus fly overhead and listen to the wind dashing through the trees.

It wasn't long before everyone was shut up in their dorms, and I was aimlessly roaming the grass fields behind the kitchen and sinking into my thoughts that chugged along slower than a snail. One more day of this and I'd probably collapse trying to walk to the classroom.

"(Y/N)?" A voice carries across to my ears, and I perk up slightly.

I spun around to face a male I knew well. "Hello, Sylvain." I greet him half-heartedly.

He jogs up to me. "Fancy meeting you here!" Sylvain exclaims, flashing his charming smile that made many girls drop dead. He was the academy's resident flirt, skirt-chaser, playboy – you name it. And to top it off, he was the successor to an important noble's house in the Kingdom.

"Everyone's already asleep," I note wearily. "May I ask why you're up so late? Not up to no good, I hope?"

Sylvain's attentive deep brown eyes size me up a bit, but I don't give a second thought about it. After a moment of silence, he puts his hands on his hips. "You answer first. Why is a fragile but stunning lady like you out at this hour? I would think you'd value your beauty sleep."

"A shame I don't get much sleep at all," I grumble under my breath, but Sylvain's narrowed eyes tell me he heard. "Nevermind. Goodbye, have a good night. Enjoy whatever girl you're going to run after tonight." I turn around and give him a curt wave, deciding to head back to my room, hoping he wouldn't pry.

"Hey, wait...!" He calls after me, and for some reason, my feet drag to a stop. "(Y/N)?"

Exhaling, I turn back around. "Yes?"

"You're not getting any sleep?" His gaze betrayed what could almost be mistaken as emotion, but I knew that after all the lies I'd seen come out of his mouth, there was no doubt he didn't mean a word of it. I'd been close to Sylvain since childhood, but I knew enough not to completely trust him. "Why? Did something happen?"

"I'm not sure why. But it's fine, and you don't have a reason to worry." I answered simply, a little perplexed at his personality, which had turned around so suddenly.

"Is there something I can do to help?" Sylvain asks, and I begin to question my resentment against him. "Like, I don't know... I could cuddle you, to help you fall asleep."

"You're going to try something funny, I just know it." I frowned, back on guard.

His eyes widen, and he waves his hands hastily to deny it. "N-no! (Y/N), I swear, I wouldn't do anything – promise!" Just as I was going to respond, a wave of dizziness hit me hard, causing me to stagger a bit.

I press my hands against my head, trying to force the sudden pounding to stop as the world tilts and slides in unstable circles around me. So out of wack, I couldn't even stand straight, I clung onto the nearest thing to me so I would topple over completely. My lack of sleep was robbing me of any physical function now, it seemed.

"Ngh..." I groan, still clutching my head. When I looked up, Sylvain was staring at me, concerned and panicked as he gingerly stabilized me where I stood. "...Y'know what?" I mumble. "Maybe I will take you up on your offer, Sylvain."

He doesn't say a word, but I can tell he's shocked beyond words. He evidently didn't expect me to accept, but now I was at my wits end with this.

"Here, allow me to carry you."

Sylvain cautiously lifts me up, seemingly careful not to drop me, and I don't protest but feel heat rise in my cheeks. He carried me with ease, and we had arrived at my dorm room before long. I unlocked my room and flopped onto the bed, Sylvain following behind me.

Strangely timid, Sylvain stood just in front of the entrance after closing the door. The academy's top lady's man was nervous? From where I lay on my back on the mattress, I could see his eyes darting across the room, and he ran his fingers through his scarlet hair.

"What's the matter?" I ask, casting a dubious look at the nobleman's heir.

He flinches. "Uh, no... nothing, really."

I realized the stalemate we were in at the moment. My headache was dying down now that I wasn't struggling to stand, and I was worn out from the past week of nearly sleepless nights. "Alrighty then... what're you waiting for? There's no way this is the first time you've been in a girl's room."

Sylvain exhales, his ears reddening. "Yeah, no, it's not. But, I mean, it's your room, so..."

"Why does that matter?" I roll my eyes. After all, he's the one who insisted so fervently in the first place. But now that I think about it, I didn't really know what in the world I was supposed to do next. Welp, here goes nothing... "C'mon, then. Are you going to help me sleep or not?"

"Right," he says sheepishly and gently sits down on the edge of the bed. Now was the time he chose to be shy?! Where did all of his cocky confidence and flashy smiles go?

At my last straw, I snatch his arm and pull him closer.

"Uh, (Y/N)?"

I ignored his uncertainty and tossed the covers so they covered both of us, then promptly flipped over and closed my eyes. If he was half the professional in love and whatnot as he claimed to be, then I'd be fine. Not that I'd ever really snuggled with anyone other than family...

Before I could say anything, I felt his arms wrap around me, hugging me close to his chest. I was still facing away from him, but his warmth enveloped me. I sunk deeper into contentment and comfiness, letting my mind drift as I sunk deeper into drowsiness.

Just as I was on the verge of falling asleep, I sensed Sylvain shift beside me.

"You are legally obligated to keep holding me," I murmur, turning around and returning the embrace. I feel him stiffen slightly, but I raise a hand to softly trace his jawline.

His stunning chocolate-brown eyes search my face frantically, but I merely offer a sincere smile. After a brief moment, he buries his head in my shoulder, running his fingers through my hair.

Eventually, Sylvain speaks in a hushed tone. "Can I kiss you?"

"I've never been in a relationship before, so I don't really know how to do the whole... Kissing thing." I whisper back gradually.

"Don't worry, I do."

When his lips are lightly pressed against mine, it dawns on me that maybe I really do love him. I knew that the only way that I could sleep this soundly ever again was with him.

And I'd never have problems with sleepless nights with him beside me.

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Author's Note:

This was a request by Owlwood97 who also writes a bit about Fire Emblem!

Today's question: Who's your favorite Blue Lion? I love Dimitri (I've S-Supported him!) and Ashe is so cute! I suppose Sylvain is fine, but all I really want out of him is more support conversations with Bernie and/or Manuela!!

Thank you, and don't be a silent reader,
Lillian

Word count: 1441 words

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