Throughout the night people switched out for patrols, or healer's duty, or sleep, but the fire was kept roaring all night. The children were sent to bed by their corresponding parents as soon as the moon rose, and most of the others slept in shifts, or called it a night when the moon was high.
Jack and Anna fell asleep before leaving where they were at by accident, but Reed stayed up. He watched the sky.
I miss you, Jess. I know I haven’t talked to you in a while, but it’s not because I forgot about you. I promise. It’s because I’ve been so busy. You’ve seen, I’m sure. It’s chaotic, but so, so interesting. You would’ve enjoyed every second of it. Well, not every second, but a lot of it. But Jess, I’m not as strong as you. I’m terrified. I need you. Please. And although his brother was dead and gone, Reed felt his necklace heat up against his chest. He wiped tears away remaining silent.
Someone came up behind Reed, giving him a hug.
Reed stayed still, saying, “Hello?”
"I thought you needed a hug" Said Skye gently, pulling away a little, "I hope you don't mind… but I accidentally overheard your thoughts…"
“I don’t mind. And you’re right. I did need that.” Reed said, smiling shakily.
"I figured," said Skye, slipping next to him, arm still on Reed's shoulders. "I can't imagine what it'd be like to lose one of my brothers…"
“It’s…. hard.” Reed sighed. “Really, really hard.”
Skye squeezed his shoulder, "Well, you have me now" said Skye softly, gazing up at the stars.
Reed instinctively leaned into Skye a little bit. “Thank you.”
Skye smiled, glad he could help.
“My brother didn’t die of the flu. I told everyone that that was what happened, but that was only part of the truth.” Reed had never said it loud before, but it felt good to say it.
Skye looked down at him, not saying a word, instead giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
Reed took a deep breath. “The same accident that killed my friends’ brother got my brother hurt. It got infected… he got sick and it killed him.”
Skye carefully, gently, pulled the other boy into a hug, not saying a word, as he watched Reed's face.
Reed tried to swallow the lump in his throat. “I watched him die.” He whispered.
Skye wrapped his arms around the other boy, pulling him into his warm grip.
“Sorry.” Reed whimpered.
"It's ok…" said Skye softly, "Better out under the stars, then trapped in your heart."
Somehow, that was one of the most de stressing things Reed had heard in a while, and he relaxed a bit, stopping crying st least.
Skye eventually began humming a quiet song, it had no discernable rhythm, but the melody was sweet. Soon after he began singing, in a language that was foreign to Reed,
This made Reed feel even more relaxed, even if he couldn’t understand the words.
"Calma sawrenata foka micska daragante…" his singing was soft, and gentle almost a lullaby.
Reed was finally able to breathe again, sighing deeply.
Skye kept singing, his song never stopping, although it seemed to turn seemlessly into a completelt different song at one point.
It took quite a bit in Reed not to fall completely asleep, although he occasionally drifted off a bit before waking back up.
Skye smiled when he felt Reed fall asleep, and weather or not Reed had noticed he wasn't sure. But the starlight had cause violet and blue streaks to appear all over his dark skin, his Violet, blue, and silver hair had also begun to glow softly in the starlight.
Reed was glad he felt safe enough to fall asleep, and he was also glad that he had stopped thinking about Jesse.
Skye finally stopped singing, his arms still around Reed. Skye carefully adjusted his position, shifting so that Reeds head rested in his fur. Sighing he looked up at the stars, I wish my brothers were this easy to soothe
(Timeskip to when Reed wakes up?)