A Series of Aru Shah Oneshots

If you're scared...just turn on the light

A/N Not really Aru x Aiden, I just wanted to write something about them that developed their relationship more. Kind of short, but enjoy!

Aru's sleepover had been going well. Until she woke in the middle of the night, heart pounding. She didn't remember her nightmares anymore: all she could recall were disappointed faces and hateful sneers and writhing shadows chaining her and dragging her down...

She shook her head, dispelling the thoughts with some difficulty. Something was wrong. Her gaze was drawn to the empty sleeping bag on the floor. The bedroom door was open. Carefully she slid out of bed and padded into the hall.

The bathroom door was ajar and there was a light on inside. She knocked on the frame. "Hello?" she said softly.

"Shah?" Aiden's voice issued from inside.

She poked her head around the door. Aiden sat cross-legged on the floor, leaning against the bathtub. He wore a green hoodie and black sweatpants. In his hands he clutched Shadowfax tightly. "Sorry, I'll get out if you need to use it," he mumbled, starting to stand.

Aru shook her head, leaning against the door frame. "Couldn't sleep. Dreams."

He settled back against the bathtub and nodded. "I have them too."

"Should I close the door?" Aru asked, deliberating whether to leave him alone or not.

"Yeah..." Aiden hesitated, glancing down at his camera.

Aru compromised. She quietly closed the door and walked over to where Aiden sat, settling next to him. "I'll stay here with you. As long as you need."

Aiden started to say something, but simply nodded. He swallowed and spoke. "In my nightmares you and Mini and Brynne are captured, and I'm the only one left. I fail every time I try to rescue you all. I'm failing my mom. I'm failing the Otherworld." His fingers trembled on Shadowfax as he flicked through pictures. Aru saw that they were all of her and her friends and Malini, caught in various expressions and poses. She put an arm around his shoulder.

"I'm here now. We're here now."

Aiden looked at her, studying her. "I know," he said at last. He let go of the camera and it dangled on its strap around his neck. "I'm going back to bed."

Aru stood with him. Her arm slipped to her side and she felt slightly awkward as she followed him. He paused in the bathroom doorway, and turned to look at her. His blue-specked eyes were kind. "You said you have nightmares too?" he said.

"I--yeah," Aru said. Her throat felt tight. She looked at the mirror and was startled by the shadows under her eyes. She quickly switched off the light, plunging them into darkness.

"Do you want to talk about them?"

"I'm being captured by shadows," Aru blurted. The words rushed out and she couldn't stop them. "Again. I'm failing all of you, I'm losing all of you. They hate me and I'm afraid of what I'll do." She scrubbed her face hastily. "Maybe I'm more like the Sleeper than I think."

It was painful to say, but some of the weight eased off Aru's shoulders. She'd never told anyone about her nightmares before. She closed her eyes and waited for Aiden's response.

Aiden was silent for a moment. Then he hugged her. Maybe he could see that her hurt wasn't one that could be healed with words quite yet. And what could someone even say to that?

Aru let herself relax just a little in Aiden's arms. He was warm and comforting in this cold, edged world. "Thanks," she whispered. They stood there for a while until Aru reluctantly pulled away. "I guess we should get back now."

The two walked side by side back to the bedroom.

"You know I'll be here if you need me," he said, sliding into his sleeping bag.

"Likewise," Aru said, climbing back into her bed. She rolled onto her side. "Good night, Aiden."

"Good night, Aru."