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Cole woke up with a gasp, drenched in a cold sweat. A freezing, icy sweat
Nightmares were fairly common for them. Sounds sad to say out loud but you get used to them after years of experience. But none had been as severe as this one. At least, not the ones of recent.
It was still dark.
Cole, now past the initial shock, was feeling a little dry-mouthed. And while they normally wouldn’t have the motivation to actually get out of bed, the idea of getting water instead of risking sleep and experiencing another nightmare was enough to get them up.
Cole reluctantly removed the covers and slowly, climbed out of bed. But before they could take another step, they heard a slight rustling coming from their bed.
If this had happened a few months ago, Cole would have been petrified. Living alone in the middle of nowhere was like a gamble. You could either have full peace of mind or live in pure terror every time you stepped into your home. It was uncertain really.
If this was a few months ago, Cole would’ve fainted right there and then. But that was then, and this is now. Cole could already guess what, or rather whom, the noise was coming from.
“Clemmie~” Cole called softly.
Surely enough, Cole spotted a Clemmie-sized lump next to the spot they were previously sleeping in. The lump then started to giggle softly
“Clemmie”
Cole said more assertively. The giggling got louder. Cole slowly reached over to grip the blanket. They then quickly yank the cover to reveal that it was, in fact, Clementine.
“What’s the point of having our own rooms if you always end up resting in mine?” Cole asked, happier to see their partner than they were eager for the answer.
“Well,” Clemmie nuzzled closer into the sheets “There is nowhere more comfortable than being with you. My rooms okay...”
Clemmie yawned before continuing
“But any room with you is way better”
Cole blushed. Clemmie couldn't see it though. Part of Cole wished Clemmie could see. They didn’t know why but they really wished they could.
“Ok, I’m going to get a cup of water. I’ll be back”
Cole gave Clemmie a small peck on the cheek. Just then, the door slowly creaked open.
“Cole?” A small voice with a slightly bigger accent called. It was Kingsley. “Are you here?”
“Kingsley?” Cole replied. Kingsley sighed in relief
“Thank the Harkers” Kingsley quickly entered the room, closing the door behind them. “I can’t find Clemmie or Perrine, anywhere!” said frantically. Kingsley searched a table for a lamp, then quickly turned it on. The sudden light made them both flinch. “They might have run away.”
Cole could see the panic on Kingsley’s face. Then they smiled at the misconception.
“Clemmie’s with me”
Clementine rose up with a goofy smile on their face, to show Kingsley they were okay.
“As for Perrine, they’re probably in the bathroom. Don’t worry, I’ll look for them. You can go back to bed”
Kingsley stood in place; their face slightly scrunched.
“I don’t want to” They muttered, looking at the floor.
“Why not?” Cole asked softly.
“I... had a nightmare,” Kingsley said embarrassed.
Cole didn’t really know how to respond. They knew what the correct response was, they just didn’t know how to say it properly.
“Oh, um... I’m sorry that happened”
It’s funny really. For someone who’s had many, they didn’t know what to do here. Do they tell them to simply go back to bed? Do they ask them to talk about it? They know neither would help them. But would it help Kingsley?
“I know’ Clemmie spoke up “You can stay with us!”
“What?!” Cole exclaimed
Cole loved Kingsley but wasn’t very keen on sleeping in the same bed as them. Despite being one of the only members of their little band with some access to properly bathe, they simply chose not to. The rest of the Lark took any opportunity they could, Kingsley had it simply handed to them, and still refused, somehow solidifying themself as the smelliest member of the Lark.
Kingsley looked upset at Cole’s reaction.
“No, wait I mean- ‘
Kingsley's face perked up. Cole took a deep breath “Fine Kingsley, you can stay” They said reluctantly but with a slight smile.
Clemmie rolled over and patted the spot next to them. Kingsley quickly put down the lamp and quickly rushed to the bed, dropping themselves next to Clemmie.
“Don’t break it” Cole chided
“Sorry!” Kingsley responded excitedly. Cole rolled their eyes. They took a few steps toward the door before stepping on ... something. Something strangely large.
The object made a loud yip noise. Cole quickly grabbed the lamp to take a closer look.
“Perrine?!” Cole said surprised. Perrine opened their eyes, then winced at the light. Kingsley moved to the end of the bed to see what was going on. They smiled when they saw it was really Perrine.
“Perrine! I was looking everywhere for you!
Perrine quickly stood up. They looked at Cole like they had been caught committing a crime
“Hehe....hi guys” Perrine spoke feeling strangely guilty. Clemmie also moved to the end of the bed, mostly unaware of what was happening.
“Oh, hey Perrine, what are you doing here?” Clemmie said half-asleep
“Actually, that’s a good question, what are you doing here? Kingsley chimed in
Perrine looked away. Cole still had the lamp up to their face.
“Well, you know that...you know how you usually say...well, I just...” Perrine tried to explain in a more assertive tone
All three of the other teens looked at them confused. Cole looks just slightly more annoyed than Clem and Kingsley.
Perrine looked blankly at them before sighing, putting their pride down.
Perrine had established themselves as the most mature of the group. That wasn’t a title they were willing to let down. So, this came as a shock to the rest of the group.
“I came here after you fell asleep, Cole. This isn’t... even the first time” Perrine rubbed their arm in embarrassment.
“...but...why?” Cole replied, even more confused
Perrine's face flushed a slight red “I... get lonely at night.”
“How have I never noticed this?” Cole asked
“I usually leave before you wake up,” Perrine said, practically burring their face into their sleeve. Cole lowered the lamp. Kingsley and Clemmie tried to hide a slight chuckle. Very poorly; Perrine noticed.
“You guys aren’t any better! At least I had the hospitality to sleep on the floor instead of taking up space on their bed!” Perrine blurted more embarrassed than ever. Kingsley and Clemmie only laughed louder. Clemmie then patted the bed again, signaling Perrine to come over.
“Clemmie, no!” Cole said putting their foot down
“They’re right Clem, I can’t,” Perrine said quietly.
“Why? There’s plenty of space. It’ll be like one big sleepover!”
“Yeah!” Kingsley added
Cole looked visibly pissed. Perrine was a bit taken aback by it. Cole, noticing Perrine’s discomfort, took a deep breath and put on a shaky smile.
“You know what, I don’t see why not. Cole said.
Perrine reluctantly walked over to the bed and took a seat on the edge. Cole looked blankly at the three of them. Kingsley and Perrine looked away. Clemmie put on a mischievous grin before tucking themselves in.
“We’ll be waiting for you Cole. Go get your water” Clementine teased.
Cole liked their space. But they also liked their friends. And if this was a few months ago, they would’ve probably gotten up to a sad little home, with no atmosphere and anxiety from its various noises. So, Cole went to the empty room they called a “kitchen”, grabbed a cup, dipped it in a bucket of river water they had collected that evening, and downed the whole cup in a few gulps.
When they returned, they found the three of their friends, one of which they called their partner, all chatting happily waiting for their return. If this was a few months ago, they would’ve never felt the happiness the moment brought them, despite their initial frustration. So, Cole, still slightly reluctant, took a spot in between Clemmie and Kingsley. Clemmie’s face lit up when they saw them.
“Nice of you to join us Cole” Clemmie teased, booping Cole’s nose. “Hey! Remember whose room this is” Cole said playfully back.
Cole turned to face the ceiling. Clemmie inched toward them, laying their arms on their chest.
“I love you, you know that?” Clemmie said sounding increasingly tired. Cole blushed, hard. And this time Clemmie could see it.
“Your hearts pounding faster’ Clem pointed out “Why are you blushing so hard?” Clem giggled again, leaning even closer.
“If you two kiss, I’m gonna vomit all over you...” Kingsley stuck their tongue out in mock disgust.
“Again, don’t forget whose room you’re in,” Cole said singsong.
“Yeah, whatever” Kingsley replied rolling their eye
Clementine then gave Cole a small kiss on the cheek, making sure Kingsley saw it. Kingsley turned around and made fake vomiting sounds causing all three of them to start laughing.
“Can one of you idiots please turn off the lantern for Hark's sake?!” Perrine yelled turned away, startling the rest of the larks. Perrine chuckled in amusement at the other’s slight spook.
“Sorry Perrine” Clemmie responded. Kingsley got up to turn the lantern off. Then slowly climbed back in.
Perrine was already starting to doze off, and everyone knew it was time to actually get some rest. Cole turned to Clementine and gave them a long kiss on the forehead. It was safe to do so knowing that the others couldn’t see.
“Goodnight,” Cole said softly
“Night...” Clemmie said, touched by the gesture.
It was a peaceful scene. All four of them were almost fully asleep. That was until Kingsley decided to let one rip
“Kingsley!” Perrine shouted.
“I’m sorry,” Kingsley said, unapologetically as they burst into laughter
“Ewww” Cole and Clemmie said in unison, inching away from Kingsley, in the process accidentally pushing Perrine off the bed. Perrine landed on their head with a thud. Clemmie quickly sat up to help.
“Are you okay?” Clem asked
Perrine slowly got up, now rubbing their head.
“Yep” Perrine lied, “I think there’s a bump... you know what, I’ll sleep it off”
Clemmie lied down and scooched over to make space for Perrine.
“Pull something again and it’ll be your demise” Perrine threatened. But the others knew it wasn’t genuine. Their threats were rarely truthful. Most of them were just playful, like most things they said.
“Sorry Perrine” The three of them muttered. Perrine scoffed and finally fell asleep. Soon all of them were asleep. All except Cole.
If this were a few months ago, they would’ve returned to an empty bed, with an empty brain. Empty, that’s what it feels like being alone. But Cole didn’t need to worry about that now. They probably never have to worry about it again. Because now they had great company. Dirty, hotheaded, and mischievous company, but company. The perfect company.
Cole then fell asleep, unafraid.