GOOD AS GONE ☆ dreams

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i heard you were looking like the moon — tags

Unbeknownst to Wormwood, the boy has been awake the entire time.

Sleep and him - they did not have a very good relationship. He tried to patch it up, make it better, but those attempts had all fallen flat. Memories may be gone, but that doesn't stop the nightmares. The feelings and fears still remained, even if his young mind could not remember why those fears existed in the first place. They visited him most times he tries to rest. And when they didn't, he simply could not sleep. Not for long. His body simply would not let him, it seems.

A life spent in the lab did not lead to healthy sleeping habits.

At first, he did not bother trying to hide it. He didn't have to. Most members would not be seeing him at night, or even during the day. He was sheltered when he was trapped in the swamp. He did not have to run into many individuals, other than the bugs, and the birds, and the prey. No one had to even know of his existence in their very group.

But, his flames are gone. And he has a father now. And he has a proper home now.
It was clear, from the very first night, that he is expected to sleep.
But, he wasn't sure. He didn't think he could. And then the next night - the same expectation. And then the next. And after that, too. He had been caught off guard. To sleep at night - every night. It was a strange concept to him. Most nights, he simply looked to the stars, listened to his surroundings, entertained himself. But now, he is expected to spend the nights inside, sleeping.

Well, the fact was...he really couldn't. Even if he tries to, he can't really do it. His nightmares did not result in a screaming boy waking up in a frenzy, but a soft fear. A silent sadness, as he curls up by himself on his bed, staring out with glowing orange eyes as he gets over the terrors he cannot possibly comprehend.

Tonight, though, instead of having nightmares, he simply could not fall asleep at all. He remains in his bed, staring out as he breathes quietly. It is only when he hears nearby movement, that he closes his eyes, accomplishing the old childhood trick of appearing asleep in front of a parent. This deception would last for a while, his body remaining still as he awaits his father to have safely fallen asleep so he may entertain himself with his surroundings once more.
A master of remaining still, and keeping himself from being bored.
And so, he remained fixated on the room around him, perfectly still.

It wasn't until a scream pierced through his senses that he would break his attention from it, causing his ears to pin against his head, blinking harshly. His fur sticks upward, body curling into a defensive position as he listens to the following sounds, keeping his mouth parted as he tries to figure out what exactly was happening. But, by now, Wormwood is getting up and leaving - he can hear this much, and see, from the corner of his eye. Sobbing is being released from his father, he can hear. He can feel a bit of heat rise in him, but the boy's fur remains as it is; no flames.

After a moment or two, he would shift his position, slowly and carefully getting out of bed, holding his head low as he slinks close to the shadows, eyes narrowed, ears alert. The tiger makes his way outside, remaining in the entrance for a few moments as he takes in his surroundings once more, fear laced in his eyes until he finally determines that it was only Wormwood and there doesn't seem to be any immediate threats nearby. So, Roy approaches his father carefully, the fear being replaced with concern. He quietly and slowly reaches out towards the male, gently attempting to press into his side in hopes of comforting him. He doesn't say anything, and simply sits there with his father, gaze drifting towards the sky.

If nothing else, at least, they have each other, and the stars.