Friends Don't Let Friends [attn; Locke]

[Avyra]

Avyra felt the wind knocked out of her as he pulled her tighter to his chest; she'd have to have a talk with him about just how strong he was and how delicate she was. It had taken all her self control not to squeak. “I’m sure you’ve had plenty of opportunities over the last few months. Baring that, you could have kicked my knee out or something.” He laughed and gently lowered her to the ground, she now forced to crane up at him. There was something about his height that made him even more attractive. She felt... well, safe. He bent down, almost over double, to kiss her on the head before pulling her in for another hug. She returned it, burying her head in his shoulder. “Thanks for… just thank you for being you. Trust me, I’d love to stay here all night, but we should move on. I feel like I’m about to fall on my face, and we’ve broken enough rules for tonight.” Avyra smiled, pulling away. "I too. But I'd rather not have you fall on me. That'll hurt both of us." She paused. "Thank you. I might be lost tonight without you."

[Locke]

Gaval Hanania

Gaval had always had a hard time sleeping after battles. Once the adrenaline and fear died down, he was just left with questions. What could he have done better? Who were those men he killed? Did they have loved ones? At least none of his allies had died this night. He’d never dealt especially well with losing people. Even as a cavalry sergeant, a supposed veteran, in his weaker moments, he was haunted by the men who’d died under his command. This was one of those moments.

The sounds of battle echoed across the city, but Gaval’s part in it was over. Instead he tossed and turned in bed sleep eluding him. At one point, he climbed from bed to pour himself a glass of lukewarm water from the pitcher on the dresser. Terric hadn’t returned yet. His pillow and blanket were still pristinely tucked for inspection. The strange Aielman never slept in the bed though, instead preferring to bed down on the floor. Before climbing back into bed himself, Gaval pulled the blankets off and laid them on the floor. Terric had bloody well not make a big deal about it. He climbed back into bed and at long last began to fade.

His eyes snapped back open at the sound of the door quietly shutting. “Light, Terric, I was sleeping,” he grumbled at his roommate, “You should have stayed with the little Cairhienen, instead of barging in here waking me up, bloody Aiel.” He rolled over, and watched the tall man pick his way through the darkness. “So, how’d it go?” He asked, pressing for juicy gossip. Instead he got a boot chucked at him. Sometimes the man could be downright stuffy.

“Whatever you think happened. Tone it back a few steps,” Terric mumbled groggily. “I just need…” he trailed of, “I need to think about some things.” He chucked the second boot, “Now get your nose out my sleeve and go to sleep.”

Eventually, Gaval managed to drift off to a dreamless sleep. He did distinctly remember a glimpse of Terric sitting on the floor pensively, before falling asleep.