#they're both like 18-ish by the end of EW btw not that that matters in this lol

[emc2beans]

For that word prompt game, I hope you don't mind me sending more than one! 16, 46, 47 💜

I ended up combining all of three prompts since they had a similar theme.

16. Daybreak, 46. Skies, 47. Stars

Nights in Garlemald were far quieter than anything Llewellyn had experienced before. Save for the faint hum of the ceruleum heater and the gentle rhythm of Alphinaud's breathing next to him, he was alone with his thoughts.

He couldn't sleep. Not when memories of dead stars, and endless expanses, and black feathers and hollow eyes and violet smog and, and-

"Mn, Llewellyn, are you awake?" Alphinaud whispered, breaking Llewellyn out of his mounting panic and making him realize just how fast his heart was beating. Alphinaud shifted so as to prop himself up with one arm, his other hand on Llewellyn's sternum. "Is everything alright?"

"Y-yeah, just thinking about..."

...lunging forward, ready to jump, ready to save you, to follow you, to die with you,

being held back by arms wrapped around my torso, held tightly to her chest, 'I'm sorry' she repeats again and again as I fight against her,

the empty space you left behind...

"...everything that's happened. You know, in Ultima Thule." Even saying the words out loud made bile rise in the back of Llewellyn's throat. He took a couple deep breaths and put an arm around Alphinaud, pulling him in close so Llewellyn could kiss the top of his head.

"It certainly wasn't an enjoyable experience, but at least we all made it back in one piece." Alphinaud rested his head on Llewellyn's chest, listening as his heartbeat calmed slowly. "Would you like to talk about it? How you're feeling, I mean." There was a brief quiet as Llewellyn considered his answer.

"I know it all turned out alright in the end, but I still can't help but be, I don't know, upset with Gwyn. She promised she would let me make my own decisions." He said.

"She did, although I'm certain she draws the line at letting you run into certain doom. Your sister loves you dearly." Alphinaud replied, shifting his position so that he could look up at Llewellyn. "Were things different, I know I would have at least tried to stop Alisaie from sacrificing herself, though I doubt I would be successful." They both laughed quietly at the absurd idea that Alisaie could ever be stopped from doing what she pleased.

"You're right." Llewellyn sighed. "But I'm still upset with her. Angry, maybe? Frustrated? I don't know." He mused to himself.

"Have you written her recently? Not that I would recommend discussing this issue via letters." Alphinaud stifled a yawn. "You could ask her to come to Garlemald in order to talk things out."

"Not yet. I'll write something to her the next time we put together everyone's outgoing letters for Tataru to mail." Llewellyn turned himself so that he and Alphinaud were laying on their sides facing one another, his arm draped over Alphinaud's waist. "We should get some sleep. It's likely getting close to sunrise." He settled into the pillows as Alphinaud hummed in agreement, nestling into Llewellyn's chest.

"Do you feel any better?" Alphinaud asked.

"Yeah, I do. Thank you." Llewellyn closed his eyes and hoped that sleep would find him easily.