gerome.

nightmares were the plague of those from future past. his own had been full of risen reaching for him, suffocating behind the walls of regna ferox while his father fought somewhere in the distance.

when he lifts his head from washing his face, he jolts at the offered candy.

" oh - you still carry this stuff around? "

it's not a complaint or an insult. he takes the offered sweets and pops one into his mouth quietly, letting the sugar take his mind off the old frightening thoughts.

" ah, right on the head with that one. i don't get them as often anymore, but with the latest battles. . .seems i've been restless. "

a pause, as the silence lingers.

As much as he hates whenever people mention it. So he chooses to ignore the comment.

"You speak too much. You will wake the others. Talk outside." he said, tone blunt as ever, turning away to leave the tent and meet the moonlight outside.

He didn't need to leave with Inigo but he did so anyway.

[ from @wyvernsolitaire ]

inigo can't help the way he jolts at gerome's hand on his shoulder, the way he reaches for a blade already kicked out of the way - and he breathes in deep to stop the panic from blooming hot under his skin.

it takes a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dark shape of gerome, half-armored, and a moment longer for him to register the words.

oh.

" oh - uh. s...sorry? if i woke you. "

he sits himself upright, rubbing at his brow, before he exhales a little sigh.

" ugh. well, i'm definitely up for the night. "

"You did not wake me."

He withdraws his hand and immediately roams to find his mask and put it on. It seems trying to sleep in the tent tonight was a bad choice.

Uncharacteristically maybe, Gerome walks back to his bag, coming back seconds later with a couple of wrapped candies from his secret stash. He offers it to Inigo.