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Lethargy settled into every part of his being, his very essence. He knew he’d buried his skull against her outer thigh, while his arms curled around her, so she couldn’t escape and might give him want he wanted.

Contentment made him whimper when she started her song once more. Her scent was so close now, her voice next to his sensitive ear, and she was so warm that it melted him. All three of these began to pull him under.

His broken orbs leaking ethereal tears blackened again, and he huddled around his salvation.

A snorted huff came out muffled from how his nose hole was pressed against this heavenly being. Finally, after years, he truly and deeply fell asleep.

Quiet, blissfulsleep.

Eyelids fluttering in surprise, Linh stared down at the Duskwalker who snoredloudly.

Each one was muffled, and long. The kind of snores that were evident the person was exhausted and so deep in sleep, it’d be near impossible to wake them.

She didn’t even try.

His orbs are black. I’ve only seen them remain like that once.On the first night he’d brought her into his home, and it’d been for less than fifteen minutes, if that.

Has he really beenawakethis whole time?

Pity filled her. Linh continued to sing, and petted his bony forehead softly as she did.

He... spoke.She’d heard himaskher to keep singing.

It hadn’t sounded like a human’s voice. His mouth had also been closed, when usually he opened it to ‘speak’ from the memories he stole, like they came from his gut. It was creepy and made her skin crawl in dread.

This had been nice. His voice was deep, and kind of growly. Since he was a monster, she’d expected more bass in his tone,but it was smooth.

When minutes, maybe even an hour, passed, Linh finally stopped.Is this all you needed? For someone to sing you a lullaby?A small, but saddened smile curled her lips.I’ll sing you one every night if you need it.

Her eyes drifted to what she could see of his body. His torso was pressing against her back, while his hips had partially curled around the opposing leg his skull pressed against. The length of his tail pushed around her feet, but then swayed back and became a wiggly line leading from the cave entrance.

In some ways, it almost looked like he was in the foetal position, the first bend of his tail like a set of knees.

He appeared remarkably innocent in that moment.

As silence dragged on for a long while, Nathair eventually stiffened. He pulled in tighter, just as white flickered in his orbs like the beginning of a trance.Are the memories returning?Linh quickly sung, and he instantly softened. His snores resumed.

I guess singing a lullaby isn’t enough.Her brows drew together.

When she stopped again, she had about thirty minutes to rest before his orbs flickered white. She started back up, realising she needed to keep going to keep his trances at bay.

My throat is starting to hurt.She hummed instead, wondering if that would be enough. He remained asleep, and she took that as a win.

As boring as it was, Linh pushed herself to stay awake, even when the hours dragged by. She did accidentally nap, but upon waking, she instantly started to hum to keep him resting peacefully. She also got up to go to the bathroom, eat, and drink some water, but she always returned for his sake.

Nathair had barely moved an inch, and she always came back to be seated where he originally held her.

He’s done so much for me. This is the least I can do.

Only when he stirred of his own volition did she stop.

Lifting onto a singular arm while clutching at his forehead, Nathair groaned. Linh twisted to greet him.

“Good morning, sleepyhead. Well, afternoon really.” He’d been out for what could only be a day. She patted herself on the back for making it that long with little sleep, and she bet she looked frazzled and tired.

“It’s been so long since I slept like that,”he stated, his voice rich and soothing like before.“Fuck. It’s been forever.”

Oh, he swore,Linh thought, her cheeks heating a little. She didn’t think a Duskwalker would swear, since it was a rather human thing to do.He’s also still talking.