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The start of the year at a new school was always an exhausting kind of chaos. Edgar was looking forward to the coming weeks, when everyone had settled into a new routine and life would start to feel predictable again. For now, though, he had to suffer through finding his way around the maze-like castle, trying to remember everyone’s names, and figuring out what each teacher actually expected of him.
The day passed in a blur of chaos and noise. As the sun began to set, he’d helped Monty into his pyjamas - making sure they weren’t inside out or upside down - before settling into his own bed. Blowing out the candle on his nightstand, he braced himself for a sleepless night as the room plunged into darkness.
Another sleepless night.
He hadn’t kept count of how many nights it has been since he’d gained Poe, but that was exactly how many nights he hadn’t slept. The bird kept waking him - scratching at his face or pecking at his hair. Pulling the blankets over his head never helped as Poe always managed to wriggle underneath. Cawing loudly and angrily when Edgar unconsciously pushed him away.
It was a miracle he hadn’t fallen asleep in class yet - or worse, during battle training.
He knew why he was in this school, but calling Poe a curse felt like a bridge too far. Calling something that clearly had a mind and feelings of their own a curse felt disrespectful. Poe wasn’t just some immaterial annoyance; he was supposed to be family.
Edgar drew the blankets high over his head, relieved that it was finally bedtime and he no longer had to pretend to be awake. He knew the blankets wouldn’t protect him, but for a moment it was nice to imagine they could.
He lowered the blankets to his chin when he heard Monty wishing him a good night. Edgar mumbled a “sleep well” in return, already dreading the hours until sunrise. There was no need to open his eyes; by now he had become well acquainted with the sight of Poe perched upon the wardrobe, his eyes gleaming in the moonlight and his glossy black feathers catching just enough light to make him look like a spectre.
An angry rustle of feathers made his breath hitch in fearful anticipation, and he prayed to whatever god might be listening that Monty hadn’t heard what sounded suspiciously like a sob.
“Edgar?” Monty’s voice broke the illusion.
Edgar briefly considered pretending to be asleep, But he’d blown out the candle only moments before and even he realised it would be awkward not to answer.
“Yes?” He mumbled against his pillow.
“Are you okay?”
Edgar closed his eyes tightly, trying to keep the tears at bay. Monty’s concerned voice felt like too much. Like the other boy was picking at the one tread that was keeping Edgar together.
He didn’t answer. What was he even supposed to say?
The room stayed quiet for a long moment before the harsh sound of talons scratching on wood resonated between them. He flinched and the bed squeaked in protest at the sudden movement.
He couldn’t help it – and suddenly, it all felt like too much. He started crying, clasping his hands over his mouth to stifle the sound, unaware that Monty had left his bed and padded over to Edgar's side of the room.
A sudden weight at the side of the bed made him startle. The moonlight was just bright enough to reveal the concerned frown on Monty’s face.
“I’m fine,” he hiccupped, convincing neither of them.
“You’re obviously not fine.” Monty said softly. “What’s going on?”
For a moment, Edgar felt like the biggest loser to have ever existed, crying from pure exhaustion and feeling utterly ridiculous, like a child throwing a tantrum. Then Monty’s warm hand rested on his shoulder, and a fresh wave of tears rolled over him.
“Hey, hey, it’s okay,” Monty’s voice remained soft. “Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it together, yeah?”
“It’s Poe.” he admitted, his voice barely louder than a breath.
He could see Monty turning to look at the crow, still nestled atop of the wardrobe.
“What about him?” Monty asked, sounding confused.
“He won’t let me sleep,” Edgar admitted, his voice cracking. The words came easier now that he had started. “He keeps waking me during the night - pecking or scratching. Cawing if that doesn’t work.” He wondered where the tears kept coming from. “I’m just so tired.”
Edgar didn’t dare look at his friend’s face, too scared of the judgment he might find there.
“Alright, move over.” Monty said firmly, pushing against Edgar’s arm.
Edgar shifted silently, finding himself boxed in between the wall and Monty, who had settled with his back against the headboard and his hip near Edgar’s head.
“Monty?” Edgar whispered, not understanding what his friend was doing.
“Go to sleep Edgar, I’ll keep watch.”
There were a thousand reasons this shouldn’t be happening, but Edgar was too tired to care. The soft smile on Monty’s face told him that, for now, it was perfectly alright.
He allowed his muscles to relax and melted into the bed for the first time in what felt like years. Curling in on himself, he lifted one hand to rest on Monty’s knee, a small reminder that the other was truly guarding his sleep. When a warm hand settled on his back in return, he let out a deep breath, his lips curling into a smile as he let the world fade away.
Monty’s presence became a blessing as Edgar could hear Poe ruffling his feathers and Monty’s subsequent: “Don’t you dare.” His voice carried a quiet warning, and the crow settle down again. Edgar was surprised that he hadn’t tensed at the familiar sound and squeezed Monty’s knee in thanks.
For just a moment he wondered if this was what it was like to have a brother. The comforting presence of newfound family carrying him gently into sleep.