Archive of Our Own ^beta

   Dreams are like fog. Sometimes they're thick and cloying, and sometimes they're thin, wavering ideas. But either kind would consume you, leaving you unable to see anything else, most especially the real world. At least, that's what Silver normally thought. It was only the dreams of his fellow trainee, Sebek, that felt like clarity. Sebek, who called his name in his present dream.

   "SILVER!"

   No, that was too loud for a dream.

   "ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?"

   That was.....Silver blinked, roused back to the scene of the school stables. When exactly had he fallen asleep? "Sebek? How long have you been here?"

   "Humph! I arrived just a minute ago, exactly when we said we'd meet. Only to find you drifting off as usual."

   "Well thank you for waking me."

   "It's a wonder anything gets done when you're on your own."

   Silver considered that. When he was younger, he might have been a little bit offended. Certainly anyone else would be, even now, but...it was true, wasn't it? "I guess it's good I always have you then, right?"

   For some reason that made Sebek quiet for a moment before he huffed and turned away "Come! We must get the blankets for the horses."

   Winter made even the fairy-guarded grounds of Night Raven quite frigid, and the winds off the sea did little to help. They were surely due for snow and the animals would be grateful for the extra coverage. After all, horses' winter coats weren't as thick as other animals, and the snow was predicted to be on the heavier side this year.

   The blankets were freshly cleaned just the day prior–Riddle wouldn't accept anything less than as fresh as possible–and recently checked for any wear and tear. It was a quick job even with just the two of them, though working with Sebek always felt natural. Was it just the product of growing up together, this familiarity? Surely so. Surely those youthful dreams of being knights together and retiring together were also because of that. It's a normal thing to always desire someone you know by your side...right?

   "You're falling asleep again!" His voice almost sounded like a pouting child more than disappointment.

   "No, I was just thinking," Silver sighed.

   "If it's enough to distract you, do you want to share?"

   "That's thoughtful of you."

   "I-It's for the sake of the horses, not your own!"

   Silver studied him. Was he blushing? Rather cute of him. "I was thinking again that it really is good that I have you. I feel most capable of productivity with you around to help."

   Now he was certainly blushing. "You....are you teasing me!? You are, aren't you??"

   "Not in the slightest." Silver found his voice growing fond as he spoke "You've always been reliable, even if you're stubborn. It's a shame you don't get along with others, because I think they could learn from you as much as you could from them."

   "That's it, you are definitely teasing me!" He turned, grumbling to himself, and headed for the barn doors.

   Silver looks to the horse at his side "Awfully sensitive today, isn't he?" The horse nickered at him and he patted her neck before following Sebek. "Sebek, where are you going??" He caught his arm before he could think about it.

   He clicked his tongue and sighed, not meeting Silver's eyes. "Twice now you've said that you're glad to have me...do you really mean that?"

   "Yes."

   "Truly?"

   "I do."

   He kicked at the grass a bit. "For how long have you thought that?"

   "A few years, I suppose. I know that you're dedicated, so I can always feel comfortable working alongside you." He glanced down, only to realize that his hand had never left Sebek's arm, and instead found it's way to his wrist. Should he let go? He didn't want to...

   "Well...you're reliable too."

   "Huh?"

   "As long as you remain dedicated to lord Malleus first, of course! And stop sleeping so much! Otherwise....I guess the sentiment is shared." He went to cross his arms, only then noticing Silver's hand.

   For a moment they both stood quietly, staring at their nearly joined hands like some sort of alien creature. Then they stumbled apart from each other, each feeling warm despite the chill. Silver flexed his fingers a bit, feeling a little sad that the moment was over.

   "Your hand was rather cold," Sebek remarked, surprisingly quiet.

   "It is winter."

   "Did you forget you gloves?"

   Silver felt around in his pockets "I guess I did."

   Sebek thrust out his hand again, still pointedly looking anywhere but at his dormmate. "Here. You can wear mine."

   "But then your hands will be cold."

   "Well–! Then–! Augh, give me your hand!" He took it before Silver could reply, and started to half drag him back towards the mirror hall. "I'm not going to forget what you said! It's good that you find me reliable, you're hopeless!"

   "Maybe a little." But Silver found himself smiling when he said it.

   As they walked, snow began to drift down from the sky. It gathered quickly, dampening their hair and clothes as they trudged through it. By the time they made it to the mirror hall, their faces bore a red blush of cold and Sebek was bemoaning how the snow had washed his hair into his face.

   "You should leave it like that sometimes, it doesn't look that bad."

   "I know that you don't exactly keep up appearances, but I would much rather look nice in lord Malleus's presence."

   "Well I like it, for what it's worth."

   Sebek frowned a little, then gave his hand a light squeeze "You're even colder now."

   "So are you."

   "Usually when it's cold like this my parents tend to kiss each other a lot more. Something about keeping their faces warm, they say." He spoke rather stiffly, almost forcing himself to keep talking.

   "That makes sense. Sharing body heat and whatnot."

   "Yes, but...." a frustrated sigh "Is your face cold?"

   "It is."

   "Well then...." he shook his head, looking at the ground, the sky, the ground again.

   "Say, Sebek...is there a reason you've hardly looked at me today?"

   "Because you're annoying."

   It was too petulant to be true. Silver turned his head, trying to catch the other's gaze. "That's not it. If anything that usually makes you look at me more."

   "I....would show you...but it's more proper to ask."

   "Ask? What do you mean? If it's easier to show me something, I trust it wouldn't be something harmful."

   "......Alright. But if you don't like it, I'll apologize to you later!"

   "Why would you wait until–" he was cut off by Sebek's lips abruptly meeting his.

   They were freezing, far more than Silver's own, but he found he didn't mind in the slightest. But the moment he started to acclimate to the situation, Sebek was releasing him and making a mad dash for their dorm. Silver was left standing in the snowfall, slightly dazed, yet feeling as though his thoughts had never been clearer. It all made sense now. He would follow those dreams, the clear ones, the ones where Sebek was at his side. Those were the path he was meant to follow. It was tempting to go to the warm fireplace in the dorm, but for now he turned back to the stables. Perhaps the horses would like to hear about this new development.