| closed / complete |
CHARACTERS: Gabriel (divine_strength) & Igraine (forgivenot)
DATE/TIME: Mid-morning
LOCATION: Bellevue
RATING: Tame
WARNINGS: Angst, tears.
SUMMARY: The siblings find out who the other is.
Despite the pain medications he had been put on, it had been a restless night for him. He had never been alone, vaguely he was aware of Michael and Uriel passing through and the constant presence of his sister.
As he woke up more fully, he felt her fingers intertwined with his and upon opening his eyes, saw Leola sleeping with her head on his bed. Gabriel watched her for a moment, feeling horrible that he had caused his sister so much heartache and she didn't even understand why this had happened.
He had to tell her who he really was.
But he couldn't bring himself to wake her, she had been up late last night with him, helping him sleep that he would let her get the rest she could, even if he felt this overwhelming feeling to wake her now so he could tell her after holding it in for nineteen years.
Leola's dream had been a random splicing of different events over the week, and those of her past: her brother in a bed inside the walls of Tintagel, gutted livestock lining the walls as she passed through the corridors in nothing but a sheer gown. Her forehead had creased throughout the nightmare, and that was how she slowly woke, brows drawn into a concerned frown.
Her eyes opened to stare at nothing but blurriness until she glimped upon the bedsheets. So much white. A sea of it. Bringing up her free hand to part the blonde from her face, Leola adjusted her head to face her brother, cheek pressed into the linen.
The little smile on her lips was genuine, but tired.
"I'm sorry, did I wake you?" he asked quietly, seeing how tired she was. Gabriel gave her hand a squeeze, more worried for her than for himself. She had been at the hospital since she had been informed of where he was. He wouldn't ask her to leave though, he knew she stayed because she cared for him and besides that, he couldn't think about being alone right now as selfish as that was.
The shake of her head wasn't particularly effective, and so with a soft, sleepy movement, Igraine, playing her part of Leola, she lifted her head to kiss the tips of her brother's fingers, careful not to brush her own against the bandages encircling his wrist.
"I would've had to wake up anyway." Her voice was so very slightly hoarse from sleep, but soon it would fade away. "How're you feeling? Do the meds make you feel sick?"
He didn't try to sit up, he had tried that earlier so knew it wasn't a good idea unless he really had to. "A little but I'm fine, don't worry," he assured her, stifling a yawn, forcing himself to stay alert. He had to tell her now before he lost the courage.
"There is something I need to tell you though..." he started, uncertain. There was no way but to be direct but he still hesitated. "It's important."
Igraine shifted so that she was positioned upright, making the effort to be attentive for her brother as she squeezed his hand back. The exhaustion was slowly kicking in, what with having to spend those long hours at work, then come stay with Daniel for the rest of the night, attempting what sleep she could.
Nothing would come out of not taking care of herself while watching over him when she could, especially not when she knew Jude and the man who'd introduced himself as Carmine had made it clear they would alternate their stays and never leave Daniel alone. She'd eaten and slept, but her mind was all over the place, her heart lurching within her rib cage every time she laid eyes on him.
All the bruises, the cuts. His fragile ribs. Everything else that had happened to him. No matter what, Igraine was going to love her brother, and never hold what his body had to undergo against him. Could any sister?
Again she kissed his hand, this time aiming for his palm. "Tell me, Danny."
He looked sad when she called him Danny, his resolve faltering again. He wondered if she would ever call him that again, how things would change between them. "I hope you don't blame me, I know I've been keeping this for you for 19 years, but at first I didn't know how to tell you and then Michael and I agreed that it was best not to say anything," he explained.
"You may not believe me, but please don't tell anyone what I've told you aside from Jude and Carmine, they already know everything."
Those words were enough to shake the tired from Igraine's head, and so she straightened, only after a moment coming up to her feet so that she could find a place on the edge of her brother's bed, her hand still gently holding his.
While she was afraid to ask what it was, as she had her own nineteen-year-old secret, Daniel's tone implied that this was going to be a serious conversation, and she owed it to him to give him her full attention.
"What is it?" She spoke gently, encouragingly.
"I don't know how much you've seen on the community, those who've claimed to be gods, angels and demons..." he started slowly, choosing his words carefully, taking as deep of a breath as he dared to with his sore ribs. He held her hand a little tighter, as if he was a little worried that she would pull away once he told her the truth. "You will find out eventually now but I am one of those angels," Gabriel finally got out the words, forcing himself to keep his eyes on her.
"I'm Gabriel."
Nothing could have prepared her for that. Igraine was aware her brother had to be someone after her conversation with Regina, her Morgause, but Gabriel? Gabriel the archangel, God's messenger? Was that even possible? So many questions ran through her head at alarming speed, one pushing the next out of the way until all that she could do was stare, unspeaking and confused beyond words.
Her brother was an angel. An angel. All of the wrong ideas began to flood in; that God was watching her through Daniel was the worst, and most painful, of all. Would he admit that next? That God was keeping a close eye on her?
Suddenly, she wasn't sure if she wanted to cry in shame or not.
Her reaction worried him. When she said nothing his heart sank and he slowly let go of her hand. He knew he would have eventually told her the truth some day, he had imagined many things, though he should have expected this.
"I'm sorry. I've known who I was since that day with the dove when I was 10, it took me years to accept but I was never able to tell you," he confessed, his heart heavy at seeing her close to tears.
Wordlessly, Igraine drew his hand up to her lips and kissed his palm again, soft lips lingering there. She was thoughtful for a couple moments, her mind speeding at hundreds of miles per hour, fast enough to keep her from honing in on one single thought.
Why, God? Why her brother?
Soon the bridge of her nose was pressed to his hand, lashes fluttering against his warm skin as he eyes closed. "You have nothing to be sorry for. Not when I have something to tell you as well." Gods above, she loved Daniel with all of her heart, but an archangel was too much right then. She needed time.
He let out a breath when she finally spoke, relieved that she hadn't turned away from him. His family, both angelic and human, were the most important thing for him, especially during this time. He wasn't sure what he would have done without his sister.
"You can tell me anything," he assured her gently, trying to sit up a little then, the best he could at least.
But she'd spoken too soon, it seemed, because her words halted in her throat, stuck there and unwilling to come out. How could one tell a nineteen-year-old secret? Igraine had spent years determining how to inform Daniel, but never had she imagined it may actually happen. With Merlin's reveal, she was unsure whether or not Daniel had seen it or not. If he had, there was no need to be nervous. Yet if he hadn't and he went to look if she couldn't get it past her lips, then perhaps it would be more difficult.
Her eyes flew up, concern swimming within the tears there. "I don't know how," she whispered against his knuckles, heart aching.
"I'm still your brother, even if I'm Gabriel too," he reassured her, he felt bad that she couldn't talk to him as they used to, but then again this is the first time they had ever kept anything from each other like this.
"You don't have to if you don't want to though," Gabriel added quickly, not wanting her to think he was pressing her.
She took in a deep breath, counting the seconds that ticked by in her head. "It's not that," came her soft assurance. "I've been wanting to tell you for so long, but nineteen years is a long time, Daniel." Igraine didn't feel quite right calling him that, not when he was someone else.
"... Gabriel." The name felt strange on her tongue, but not unpleasant.
As much as he was used to being called Gabriel, it seemed strange coming from her. He had always been her brother, always been Daniel to her and it felt as if there was distance between them now that she thought of him as the archangel instead of her brother.
"It is, I know I almost told you many times over the years, but something always stopped me. I never wanted to stop being your brother."
Fear gripped at Igraine's heart at his words and she moved her lips to Gabriel's knuckles. "You'll never stop being my brother, Daniel. You'll always be my little brother, and nothing can change that. Not even if I'm..."
She trailed off, unsure how to carry on. Tell the truth or stall? No, the truth had to come. But why was it so difficult? The blonde touched a kiss down to the first patch of pale wrist she saw. Do it. Say it.
"... King Arthur is my son. My name is Igraine."
He wished he could hug her, give his sister that much comfort but he was worse than useless with only being able to lay there. "And even though you're also Igraine, you are still my sister," he said "Always."
He tried to reach for her hand, the next best thing to a hug, wincing slightly when he reached too far.
Both of Gabriel's hands were taken in hers, and she kissed the space between his knuckles and fingertips in assurance. "I've never told anyone," she whispered, as though afraid someone would overhear. "I've wanted to tell you forever, for more than half of my life. But how could I tell you I was some reincarnation of a queen? How could that be easy?"
The first tear fell against the bedsheet, and Igraine didn't have the heart to pull away from her brother's hands to wipe at it. "I've been scared for nineteen years, Daniel. I love you and nothing will ever change that."
"It's not, and it saddens me that you were scared for so long," he said softly, his heart heavy at hearing her words. Though she usually ended up looking after him, he had always looked after Leola in his own way, being there for her.
"I love you too and you don't have to be scared any longer, I promise." Though he was not in the best position to be making promises, he would still do his best.
Igraine was moving before her brain could stop her, closer to him so that she could brush the hair from his brow and kiss his forehead. Her lips lingered there for a couple of moments before she pulled back.
"I'm scared now," she admitted with as much honesty as she could muster. Her fingers came up to brush his cheek. "I'm scared because I don't know how to... An angel, Daniel. I've..." The second tear skid down her cheek.
"I've made so many mistakes in my life," was about all her throat could manage.
"I'm not here to judge you, that isn't why God made me your brother, I'm sure of it," he quickly said, a pained look in his eyes. He may be so distant from his Father now but he knew God was all-loving and all-forgiving and would not have sent him down to judge someone like that.
"God always forgives those who repent, He is not so cruel."
Heart lurching once again, Igraine leaned in to press her lips to her younger brother's shoulder, if only to hide her tears this time. And to be close, always to be close. "Sometimes... I feel that no matter how much I pray every night, he'll never forgive me."
Capitization couldn't be noted in this case; it was up to Gabriel to figure out if she was speaking of Him or another he.
Though it caused pain, he brought an arm up to wrap around her shoulder the best he could. "Forgiveness always comes to those who truly atone and repent from God, and He is the only one who can judge our sins," Gabriel said softly.
With a courage that was hard to swallow, she lifted her head so very slightly. Her fingers brushed at Daniel's neck, tracing bruises. The next set of tears fell. "I haven't felt free for nineteen years, Danny. I repent, and I pray, and I don't... I feel trapped. Trapped in my own skin."
A fresh set of tears skid down her cheeks. "How do I let him know I'm still so sorry?"
When she touched the bruise on his neck, he couldn't help but wince even if it was her gentle touch. It was still sensitive, and he had to chose his eyes for a moment. To see her cry hurt just as bad, he wished he could make things better.
"If you are repentant, and have atoned, that is the most important thing. I can't imagine God or anyone else would want you to suffer like this, Leola. No one deserves that."
Her hand immediately fell away at his wince, as the intention hadn't been to cause him further pain. All of the right words caught in her throat, which had been painful to swallow through, and so she shook her head instead, blonde falling free. His words rang true, but she couldn't believe them after the last decade spent feeling cornered by invisible forces.
Igraine reached up to wipe at her cheeks. Did she deserve it? Surely. Any noble wife should've been able to tell her husband from another taking his appearance, yet Merlin had intervened, and for that she could not forgive him yet.
The intake of her breath was shallow. No more of this. "I don't know what I deserve. But I know one thing for sure," she carried on, taking her brother's hand in hers, "and that's He sent you to me to watch over and care for. He would want me to look after one of His most beloved angels. So that's why I won't leave your side."
Regardless of the last tear over her cheekbone, there was a smile.
He squeezed her hand in his, giving her an encouraging smile. "You deserve God's love, that much I know," he promised her. "You've always looked after me, I can never tell you enough how much I love and appreciate it. I know you'll never leave me," he said, starting to get drowsy as the pain medications started to kick in but he was glad to see a smile on her face once more as he resisted the urge to yawn.
That was picked up on, and so Igraine graced her brother's hand with one last tender kiss. "I deserve you, too, Gabriel," she gently insisted. "If nothing else, that's what I know. No one could have a better little brother." Following that, she leaned in to busy his temple with a kiss.
"Go to sleep." Gentle fingers carded through his hair, like a mother soothing her child. "I promise I'll be here with you."
That made Gabriel relax as she kissed his hand. "I am blessed to have you as well, more than anything," he said sleepily, not able to resist the drugs coursing through his system anymore. He only hoped that he would be able to sleep without the dreams but he clutched her hand, knowing it was selfish that he didn't want to be alone.
"I know.." he murmured as his eyes began to drift shut and in moments, he was asleep.
She had fallen silent, patiently waiting for the younger boy to fall victim to sleep, and so when those soft arms of exhaustion took him in, she adjusted the sheets, settled his wrists comfortably on top. Brushed the hair from his forehead.
"I love you," Igraine whispered to a quiet room, her heart heavy in her chest.
DATE/TIME: Mid-morning
LOCATION: Bellevue
RATING: Tame
WARNINGS: Angst, tears.
SUMMARY: The siblings find out who the other is.
Despite the pain medications he had been put on, it had been a restless night for him. He had never been alone, vaguely he was aware of Michael and Uriel passing through and the constant presence of his sister.
As he woke up more fully, he felt her fingers intertwined with his and upon opening his eyes, saw Leola sleeping with her head on his bed. Gabriel watched her for a moment, feeling horrible that he had caused his sister so much heartache and she didn't even understand why this had happened.
He had to tell her who he really was.
But he couldn't bring himself to wake her, she had been up late last night with him, helping him sleep that he would let her get the rest she could, even if he felt this overwhelming feeling to wake her now so he could tell her after holding it in for nineteen years.
Leola's dream had been a random splicing of different events over the week, and those of her past: her brother in a bed inside the walls of Tintagel, gutted livestock lining the walls as she passed through the corridors in nothing but a sheer gown. Her forehead had creased throughout the nightmare, and that was how she slowly woke, brows drawn into a concerned frown.
Her eyes opened to stare at nothing but blurriness until she glimped upon the bedsheets. So much white. A sea of it. Bringing up her free hand to part the blonde from her face, Leola adjusted her head to face her brother, cheek pressed into the linen.
The little smile on her lips was genuine, but tired.
"I'm sorry, did I wake you?" he asked quietly, seeing how tired she was. Gabriel gave her hand a squeeze, more worried for her than for himself. She had been at the hospital since she had been informed of where he was. He wouldn't ask her to leave though, he knew she stayed because she cared for him and besides that, he couldn't think about being alone right now as selfish as that was.
The shake of her head wasn't particularly effective, and so with a soft, sleepy movement, Igraine, playing her part of Leola, she lifted her head to kiss the tips of her brother's fingers, careful not to brush her own against the bandages encircling his wrist.
"I would've had to wake up anyway." Her voice was so very slightly hoarse from sleep, but soon it would fade away. "How're you feeling? Do the meds make you feel sick?"
He didn't try to sit up, he had tried that earlier so knew it wasn't a good idea unless he really had to. "A little but I'm fine, don't worry," he assured her, stifling a yawn, forcing himself to stay alert. He had to tell her now before he lost the courage.
"There is something I need to tell you though..." he started, uncertain. There was no way but to be direct but he still hesitated. "It's important."
Igraine shifted so that she was positioned upright, making the effort to be attentive for her brother as she squeezed his hand back. The exhaustion was slowly kicking in, what with having to spend those long hours at work, then come stay with Daniel for the rest of the night, attempting what sleep she could.
Nothing would come out of not taking care of herself while watching over him when she could, especially not when she knew Jude and the man who'd introduced himself as Carmine had made it clear they would alternate their stays and never leave Daniel alone. She'd eaten and slept, but her mind was all over the place, her heart lurching within her rib cage every time she laid eyes on him.
All the bruises, the cuts. His fragile ribs. Everything else that had happened to him. No matter what, Igraine was going to love her brother, and never hold what his body had to undergo against him. Could any sister?
Again she kissed his hand, this time aiming for his palm. "Tell me, Danny."
He looked sad when she called him Danny, his resolve faltering again. He wondered if she would ever call him that again, how things would change between them. "I hope you don't blame me, I know I've been keeping this for you for 19 years, but at first I didn't know how to tell you and then Michael and I agreed that it was best not to say anything," he explained.
"You may not believe me, but please don't tell anyone what I've told you aside from Jude and Carmine, they already know everything."
Those words were enough to shake the tired from Igraine's head, and so she straightened, only after a moment coming up to her feet so that she could find a place on the edge of her brother's bed, her hand still gently holding his.
While she was afraid to ask what it was, as she had her own nineteen-year-old secret, Daniel's tone implied that this was going to be a serious conversation, and she owed it to him to give him her full attention.
"What is it?" She spoke gently, encouragingly.
"I don't know how much you've seen on the community, those who've claimed to be gods, angels and demons..." he started slowly, choosing his words carefully, taking as deep of a breath as he dared to with his sore ribs. He held her hand a little tighter, as if he was a little worried that she would pull away once he told her the truth. "You will find out eventually now but I am one of those angels," Gabriel finally got out the words, forcing himself to keep his eyes on her.
"I'm Gabriel."
Nothing could have prepared her for that. Igraine was aware her brother had to be someone after her conversation with Regina, her Morgause, but Gabriel? Gabriel the archangel, God's messenger? Was that even possible? So many questions ran through her head at alarming speed, one pushing the next out of the way until all that she could do was stare, unspeaking and confused beyond words.
Her brother was an angel. An angel. All of the wrong ideas began to flood in; that God was watching her through Daniel was the worst, and most painful, of all. Would he admit that next? That God was keeping a close eye on her?
Suddenly, she wasn't sure if she wanted to cry in shame or not.
Her reaction worried him. When she said nothing his heart sank and he slowly let go of her hand. He knew he would have eventually told her the truth some day, he had imagined many things, though he should have expected this.
"I'm sorry. I've known who I was since that day with the dove when I was 10, it took me years to accept but I was never able to tell you," he confessed, his heart heavy at seeing her close to tears.
Wordlessly, Igraine drew his hand up to her lips and kissed his palm again, soft lips lingering there. She was thoughtful for a couple moments, her mind speeding at hundreds of miles per hour, fast enough to keep her from honing in on one single thought.
Why, God? Why her brother?
Soon the bridge of her nose was pressed to his hand, lashes fluttering against his warm skin as he eyes closed. "You have nothing to be sorry for. Not when I have something to tell you as well." Gods above, she loved Daniel with all of her heart, but an archangel was too much right then. She needed time.
He let out a breath when she finally spoke, relieved that she hadn't turned away from him. His family, both angelic and human, were the most important thing for him, especially during this time. He wasn't sure what he would have done without his sister.
"You can tell me anything," he assured her gently, trying to sit up a little then, the best he could at least.
But she'd spoken too soon, it seemed, because her words halted in her throat, stuck there and unwilling to come out. How could one tell a nineteen-year-old secret? Igraine had spent years determining how to inform Daniel, but never had she imagined it may actually happen. With Merlin's reveal, she was unsure whether or not Daniel had seen it or not. If he had, there was no need to be nervous. Yet if he hadn't and he went to look if she couldn't get it past her lips, then perhaps it would be more difficult.
Her eyes flew up, concern swimming within the tears there. "I don't know how," she whispered against his knuckles, heart aching.
"I'm still your brother, even if I'm Gabriel too," he reassured her, he felt bad that she couldn't talk to him as they used to, but then again this is the first time they had ever kept anything from each other like this.
"You don't have to if you don't want to though," Gabriel added quickly, not wanting her to think he was pressing her.
She took in a deep breath, counting the seconds that ticked by in her head. "It's not that," came her soft assurance. "I've been wanting to tell you for so long, but nineteen years is a long time, Daniel." Igraine didn't feel quite right calling him that, not when he was someone else.
"... Gabriel." The name felt strange on her tongue, but not unpleasant.
As much as he was used to being called Gabriel, it seemed strange coming from her. He had always been her brother, always been Daniel to her and it felt as if there was distance between them now that she thought of him as the archangel instead of her brother.
"It is, I know I almost told you many times over the years, but something always stopped me. I never wanted to stop being your brother."
Fear gripped at Igraine's heart at his words and she moved her lips to Gabriel's knuckles. "You'll never stop being my brother, Daniel. You'll always be my little brother, and nothing can change that. Not even if I'm..."
She trailed off, unsure how to carry on. Tell the truth or stall? No, the truth had to come. But why was it so difficult? The blonde touched a kiss down to the first patch of pale wrist she saw. Do it. Say it.
"... King Arthur is my son. My name is Igraine."
He wished he could hug her, give his sister that much comfort but he was worse than useless with only being able to lay there. "And even though you're also Igraine, you are still my sister," he said "Always."
He tried to reach for her hand, the next best thing to a hug, wincing slightly when he reached too far.
Both of Gabriel's hands were taken in hers, and she kissed the space between his knuckles and fingertips in assurance. "I've never told anyone," she whispered, as though afraid someone would overhear. "I've wanted to tell you forever, for more than half of my life. But how could I tell you I was some reincarnation of a queen? How could that be easy?"
The first tear fell against the bedsheet, and Igraine didn't have the heart to pull away from her brother's hands to wipe at it. "I've been scared for nineteen years, Daniel. I love you and nothing will ever change that."
"It's not, and it saddens me that you were scared for so long," he said softly, his heart heavy at hearing her words. Though she usually ended up looking after him, he had always looked after Leola in his own way, being there for her.
"I love you too and you don't have to be scared any longer, I promise." Though he was not in the best position to be making promises, he would still do his best.
Igraine was moving before her brain could stop her, closer to him so that she could brush the hair from his brow and kiss his forehead. Her lips lingered there for a couple of moments before she pulled back.
"I'm scared now," she admitted with as much honesty as she could muster. Her fingers came up to brush his cheek. "I'm scared because I don't know how to... An angel, Daniel. I've..." The second tear skid down her cheek.
"I've made so many mistakes in my life," was about all her throat could manage.
"I'm not here to judge you, that isn't why God made me your brother, I'm sure of it," he quickly said, a pained look in his eyes. He may be so distant from his Father now but he knew God was all-loving and all-forgiving and would not have sent him down to judge someone like that.
"God always forgives those who repent, He is not so cruel."
Heart lurching once again, Igraine leaned in to press her lips to her younger brother's shoulder, if only to hide her tears this time. And to be close, always to be close. "Sometimes... I feel that no matter how much I pray every night, he'll never forgive me."
Capitization couldn't be noted in this case; it was up to Gabriel to figure out if she was speaking of Him or another he.
Though it caused pain, he brought an arm up to wrap around her shoulder the best he could. "Forgiveness always comes to those who truly atone and repent from God, and He is the only one who can judge our sins," Gabriel said softly.
With a courage that was hard to swallow, she lifted her head so very slightly. Her fingers brushed at Daniel's neck, tracing bruises. The next set of tears fell. "I haven't felt free for nineteen years, Danny. I repent, and I pray, and I don't... I feel trapped. Trapped in my own skin."
A fresh set of tears skid down her cheeks. "How do I let him know I'm still so sorry?"
When she touched the bruise on his neck, he couldn't help but wince even if it was her gentle touch. It was still sensitive, and he had to chose his eyes for a moment. To see her cry hurt just as bad, he wished he could make things better.
"If you are repentant, and have atoned, that is the most important thing. I can't imagine God or anyone else would want you to suffer like this, Leola. No one deserves that."
Her hand immediately fell away at his wince, as the intention hadn't been to cause him further pain. All of the right words caught in her throat, which had been painful to swallow through, and so she shook her head instead, blonde falling free. His words rang true, but she couldn't believe them after the last decade spent feeling cornered by invisible forces.
Igraine reached up to wipe at her cheeks. Did she deserve it? Surely. Any noble wife should've been able to tell her husband from another taking his appearance, yet Merlin had intervened, and for that she could not forgive him yet.
The intake of her breath was shallow. No more of this. "I don't know what I deserve. But I know one thing for sure," she carried on, taking her brother's hand in hers, "and that's He sent you to me to watch over and care for. He would want me to look after one of His most beloved angels. So that's why I won't leave your side."
Regardless of the last tear over her cheekbone, there was a smile.
He squeezed her hand in his, giving her an encouraging smile. "You deserve God's love, that much I know," he promised her. "You've always looked after me, I can never tell you enough how much I love and appreciate it. I know you'll never leave me," he said, starting to get drowsy as the pain medications started to kick in but he was glad to see a smile on her face once more as he resisted the urge to yawn.
That was picked up on, and so Igraine graced her brother's hand with one last tender kiss. "I deserve you, too, Gabriel," she gently insisted. "If nothing else, that's what I know. No one could have a better little brother." Following that, she leaned in to busy his temple with a kiss.
"Go to sleep." Gentle fingers carded through his hair, like a mother soothing her child. "I promise I'll be here with you."
That made Gabriel relax as she kissed his hand. "I am blessed to have you as well, more than anything," he said sleepily, not able to resist the drugs coursing through his system anymore. He only hoped that he would be able to sleep without the dreams but he clutched her hand, knowing it was selfish that he didn't want to be alone.
"I know.." he murmured as his eyes began to drift shut and in moments, he was asleep.
She had fallen silent, patiently waiting for the younger boy to fall victim to sleep, and so when those soft arms of exhaustion took him in, she adjusted the sheets, settled his wrists comfortably on top. Brushed the hair from his forehead.
"I love you," Igraine whispered to a quiet room, her heart heavy in her chest.