Both Alexzander and Adaline were fast asleep when Phillip crept into the tent. Tiptoeing around them, not wanting to wake them up. They must have been so tired from the day, so Phillip didn’t want to tell them that he had returned. 

They would wake up and fuss over him, especially when they would see his rosey nose and swollen eyes. Not to worry them any further. Phillip slipped to the back of the tent, leaving his boots near the front. He took off his cape, using it as his pillow and curling up into himself. 

It was cooler outside than in the tent, but with the three of them in there, the body heat helped. Phillip didn’t need a blanket, he did however reach out to get Juliett but she wasn’t around. She hadn’t followed him back to the tent but he knew that she would be fine. Phillip closed his eyes, trying to fall asleep. It took a while but slowly sleep crept and took over, sending Phillip into a dreamlike state. 

In this dream he was back at home, yet it didn’t feel like home. It was dark and gloomy, shadows roamed around his apartment. They looked at him but didn’t care for him, sitting down on the couch in his attire. The pjs he wore before he came into the book but the essence of stronger magic from the book. 

Phillip wasn’t too alarmed by this dream, many before have been worse than this one. He got up from the couch and walked towards the front door, opening it to find out that he was back in the forest. Phillip stepped out of his home, causing the ground to fade away and yet he stood there. He took a few more steps forward watching everything around him slowly start to vanish. 

He thought it was a bit strange, shrugging it off, Phillip kept walking around. Nothing really piqued his interest, just an aimless forest that would fade away wherever he walked. Phillip stopped walking and looked around for anyone but didn’t see anything except trees, grass and bushes.  

Phillip turned around to walk back into his house but it wasn’t there, it also had disappeared. Slightly confused by this Phillip turned back to where the house was and started walking. However when he took a few steps he fell, the ground had disappeared when he walked so he fell straight through. Phillip kept falling and falling, till his vision started to turn red, everything got hot and he woke up.

Startled by whatever was at the end of the dream, Phillip crept out of the tent, taking in the air and calming his nerves. He couldn't see what it was but something was there at the end. He walked away from the tent, making sure he was away from anyone else’s as well. Phillip didn’t know how long he slept but the night was still dark, although the stars started to fade and the moon was making its way down behind the trees. 

“Can’t sleep?” 

Phillip turned towards the voice to see Valentino. 

His white hair was a mess, the blonde highlights hid within the mess. His white shirt and brown pants were bagger and wrinkled, he had slipped on some shoes that were clearly not for the dirt. His face looked tired and sleepy but his eyes were awake. 

“What's with you? Why are you up?” Phillip questioned.

“It’s a lot more peaceful at night, everyone else is asleep so the night isn’t as chaotic.”

“But you look like you just woke up.”

“And you look like you just killed a squirrel.” Val countered. 

Phillip scoffed at him, agreeing that the night was calmer with everyone sleeping. 

Valentino walked up to him and Phillip watched him. 

“Have a nightmare?” Valentino asked, reaching his hand out.

Phillip flinched, swatting his hand away.

“Sorry, was just going to fix your bed head.” Valentino defending, taking a small step backwards.

“Mine? You should fix yours.” Phillip snickered.

Both guys started messing with their hair, trying to get it to look less messy. 

“Better?” Val asked.

“No.” Phillip answered. 

Phillip stepped closer, standing on his tippy toes. He combed his hands through Valentino’s hair, trying to tame it down. When he thought it looked good, he dropped down to his feet. 

Valentino grabbed one of his wrist before Phillip stepped back, kissing his wrist. Making Phillip blush and pulling his hand away. He looked down at his wrist, rubbing it with his other hand. Valentino swiftly combed through Phillip’s hair before he could reject. 

“You did that on purpose.” Phillip smacked his hands away.

“It was just a little distraction.” Valentino admitted.

Phillip rolled his eyes and started walking away, not towards the tent but just around and away from Valeninto. However he followed after him like a little puppy. 

“What is it?”
“You never answered my question. Did you have a nightmare?” Val repeated.

“Why do you care?” 

“Just wondering, it’s better to at least be near someone after one. I like to have someone around after I have a nightmare, which makes things a little less scary.” Valentino explained.

Phillip didn’t answer and thought about it. It was nice getting out of the tent for some air and walking around but ultimately he couldn’t deny that he liked Valentino’s company. 

Although Phillip never outright admitted it, Valentino knew that he liked having him around; if he didn’t then Philip would’ve tried shoving him away. 

Phillip didn’t explain the dream and Valentino didn’t ask about it. Phillip did ask if Valentino had one which he answered no, just got a little homesick was all. 

They walked around together in silence asking a few questions about each other here and there, having a good time together. Until the night started to become lighter and the stars were fully gone. 

Valentino walked Phillip back to his tent, whispering a sweet bye before walking off towards his tent. Phillip watched him go, not really understanding if he liked Valentino as a friend or just liked his company. 

Phillip slipped back inside the tent, seeing Juliett curled up with Adaline, both still sound asleep. Phillip carefully tip-toed over to them and scratched behind Juliett’s ears, making them stir. Phillip walked around them to the back of the tent to get a few more winks of sleep. 

“Phillip?”

Alexzander had woken up when Phillip was walking around in the tent. His tired voice and rubbing of the eyes indicated to Phillip that he had just woken up.

“Yeah? I just had a nightmare and went for a walk, I’m okay now.” Phillip explained.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Alex yawned, patting the ground next to him. 

“No. It’s fine now, you can go back to sleep.” Phillip answered, squatting down next to Alex.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes I’m sure.”

“Okay. Lay down, if you have another one then you can just hug me.” Alexzander offered, laying back down.

Phillip took the offer, laying down facing Alexzander. Alex gave a small tired smile, trying to keep his eyes open. Phillip thought it was cute and rubbed Alexzander’s head, making him more sleepy. Alex took Phillip’s hand off his head and just held it in front of him, rubbing his thumb over Phillip’s wrist. 

“You’re safe, so you don’t need to be scared.” Alexzander yawned once more.

“I’m not scared, just concerned is all.”

Alexzander had drifted off to sleep, leaving Phillip awake. Phillip just admired the sleeping Alex, his even breathing and soft facial expressions. The warmth of everyone in the tent started to make Phillip sleepy, he yawned trying to fight against sleep; not wanting to go back into the dreamland in case the nightmare came back but failed when sleep took over.

As dawn broke over the land, the air started to get colder. Adaline had moved to Juilett, grabbing Juilett and snuggling her like a teddy bear, Juilett stretched in Adaline’s arm getting comfortable. Alexzander draped an arm over Phillip pulling him closer, Phillip settling in his arms. Everyone cuddled together, nestled up in the warmth with one another, having the best sleep they’ve ever had.