When he awakens in the middle of the night, it's not from a nightmare but from the sound of footsteps outside his door. And he knows they're not Princess Celine's.

Fogado hasn't been himself lately; quiet, more brooding, often lost in thought, overly concerned with his training, and this isn't the first time Alcryst has heard him wandering the Somniel at night. But anytime someone asks if he's okay, Fogado brushes it off like nothing's wrong and anytime Alcryst is about to ask, he backs out. He doesn't want to pry, and maybe he's just imagining things. Or projecting his own anxiety onto other people.

But tonight, concern for his friend eclipses anything else he might be worried about. He can tell the moment he walks into the cafe; Fogado sits alone on the chaise with his head in his hands, shoulders slumped, only looking up when he realizes Alcryst is there.

"You couldn't sleep either?" Alcryst just nods as he sits down at the other end of the chaise, not wanting to blame Fogado for his waking up.

"It's been a long couple of days."

"Long couple of weeks is more like it." Fogado's smile doesn't reach his eyes. "What's on your mind, Alcryst?"

"Are you okay?" The question leaves his mouth before he can stop it. "Sorry if you're tired of people asking, but-"

"No." Fogado shakes his head, his smile fading. "No, I'm not. In fact, the whole reason I'm up is because I know you're usually up around this hour, and...well, I know you've been worrying. You always seem to know when someone's feeling down, so I figure I owe you the truth."

"You don't owe me anything." Alcryst stays in his spot, hands to himself despite the temptation to reach for him. If anything, he's the one who owes Fogado for all the times he's lifted him up, encouraged him, listened to Alcryst's pathetic stories about his sad childhood. "Just...tell me whatever you think you can. If you want to."

"I don't even know where to begin." Fogado buries his head in his hands again. "It's just...every battle feels like no matter how much stronger we're getting, how many Emblem Rings we get back, they're still one step ahead. And that's not counting all the people we failed to save. Florra and Givre can be rebuilt, sure, but nothing can bring back a lost life." His shoulders shake. "I thought as a Sentinel I'd seen everything, that I was used to this..."

His voice trembles on the last few words, and Alcryst moves closer, until he's sitting right next to him, resting a hand on his shoulder.

Fogado is sunlight, shining and dazzling, so amazing Alcryst still struggles with feeling worthy of being in his presence. No one is flawless, Diamant told him, but as far as he's always been concerned Fogado had it all together. Confident, cheerful, always smiling.

It should be a relief to know even someone like Fogado has weaknesses, insecurities. Instead, Alcryst's heart aches seeing him this close to falling apart.

"I must sound pretty pathetic, huh?" Fogado murmurs. "I'm supposed to be this confident party Prince, the one who lifts everyone's spirits, and here I am about to start blubbering."

"You're not pathetic." Alcryst squeezes his shoulder, cups his chin in his other hand. "It's normal to be scared at a time like this."

"But if anyone else saw me like this..."

"They wouldn't hold it against you," Alcryst says. "But...I promise, I won't tell a soul about this. You don't have to tell anyone else about it if you don't want to...well, except your retainers or your sister, but they're your family, so-"

"I know. My guess is they've probably figured it out already." Fogado leans his forehead against Alcryst's shoulder. "But I wanted to talk to you."

"Me?"

"You're always so good at comforting other people," Fogado says. "You're such a kind person, you always know all the right things to say. Every time someone comes to you they leave feeling better about life." Alcryst's face flushes and he curses inwardly, this is not the time to get flustered over praise he doesn't deserve.

"I wouldn't go that far." His hand moves around to Fogado's back, stroking gently. "But if talking to me makes you feel better, I'm glad I can be of some use." He smiles a little. "And I meant it, earlier, I promise I'll never breathe a word of this to anyone."

"I know." Fogado slowly looks up at him, his gaze soft. "Thank you, Alcryst."

His smile is small, but this time it reaches his eyes. He feels safe, Alcryst thinks, safe enough to be afraid and vulnerable and admit to his weaknesses. To admit them to someone like me. He's not sure how much he deserves it, but he can't deny it feels good.

"We should go back to bed," he says, but neither of them makes any move to get up. Fogado tucks himself under Alcryst's arm, Alcryst tentatively rests his head against his friend's, and the chaise is really so comfortable.

If anyone asks tomorrow, Alcryst will just tell them they stayed up all night playing word games.