Lloyd's eyes snapped open, the tendrils of his nightmare slipping away, leaving behind a lingering unease. He lay still for a moment, the echo of the dream fading into the shadows of his room. Determined to shake off the residual fear, he took slow, deliberate breaths.
The dim light from the hallway spilled into the room as Lloyd swung his legs over the edge of the bed. The floor felt cool beneath his feet as he navigated through the darkness, drawn by the comforting hum of the kitchen.
As he entered, the soft glow of the refrigerator cast an ambient light. Lloyd set about preparing the kettle, the rhythmic clinking of mugs a gentle cadence against the quiet of the night. The scent of chamomile and lavender wafted through the air, a balm for his restless mind.
Lloyd's gaze wandered to the dining table, where a silhouette sat with shoulders slumped, head bowed. Startled, he squinted to see Kai, seemingly lost in thought. The darkness masked Lloyd's presence, and for a moment, he watched Kai, hesitating to disturb the quiet scene.
Kai, sensing a presence, looked up, meeting Lloyd's eyes with a mixture of surprise and weariness. The two locked gazes in a silent acknowledgment of shared vulnerability.
"Couldn't sleep either?" Kai finally spoke, his voice a hushed admission.
Lloyd nodded, understanding passing between them. They exchanged a knowing glance before Lloyd poured a second cup of tea. The warmth of the mug transferred from Lloyd's hands to Kai's as he offered it, and they both sat in companionable silence, finding solace in the shared ritual of tea and the quiet company of someone who understood the haunting grip of the night.
Lloyd's gaze flickered between the swirling steam of his tea and the haunting images that lingered in his mind. The echoes of the nightmare were replaced by vivid memories of the fight, the visceral sounds of struggle, and the anguished screams that refused to fade.
His eyes shifted to Kai, the dim light highlighting the stark bruises around his brother's neck. The sight struck Lloyd like a silent accusation, a painful reminder of the recent turmoil. Concern etched across his face, he cleared his throat before speaking.
"Kai," he began tentatively, "we need to talk about what happened. I can't shake off the feeling that something is eating at you."
Kai's distant gaze shifted, meeting Lloyd's eyes. A heavy silence hung in the air, thick with unspoken words. Lloyd pressed on, a mix of worry and determination in his voice.
"I know things have been tough, and we've both been through a lot, but keeping it all bottled up won't help. You're my brother, and I need to understand what's going on."
Kai sighed, his shoulders slumping further. He traced the rim of the teacup with his fingertips, a subtle sign of the internal struggle he was facing. After a prolonged moment, he finally spoke, his voice carrying the weight of unspoken burdens.
"It's just... everything feels so overwhelming, Lloyd. The fight, the nightmares—it's like I can't escape it. I don't know how to deal with it all."
Lloyd nodded, empathy in his eyes. "We're in this together, Kai. We can't change the past, but we can support each other through whatever comes our way. Let's face it together, okay?"
Lloyd picked up on the vulnerability in Kai's admission, the raw edges of fear and loneliness seeping through his brother's stoic facade. Sensing Kai's reluctance to delve deeper, Lloyd respected the unspoken boundaries, silently acknowledging the pain that lingered beneath the surface.
"I get it, Kai," Lloyd said gently, pouring another cup of tea. "You don't have to talk about it if you're not ready. But remember, I'm here for you whenever you are."
YOU ARE READING
Incoming Doom
FanfictionAcronix and Crux have returned with a plan to get all four of the time blades and there doomsday device. they knew they would need strong metal that would be able to withstand time travel. Soon they relised that the time blades were able to withstan...
