A Restful Heart
Lady Dimitrescu x gender neutral reader
As a small child you were plagued with countless nights of little to no sleep. By nature you were a light sleeper, and any rest you got was like gold dust.
Your parents had taken you to sleep specialists and in the end. Nothing came of it. During your years as a teenager you became victim to bouts of transient insomnia. In hindsight it was probably from the stress of exams and how vicious teenagers could be to one another.
As an adult you were always a little on edge and had acute insomnia more often than not. Coupled with how you were a light sleeper resulted in you feeling fatigued. But you manage to push through it.
~
Tonight was a night were you could sleep. Curled up, head resting on your wife’s chest as you both hold each other in a tangle of arms. The wind maybe howled too loudly, or the castle’s bones creaked too much. Whatever the sound was it woke you. Your eyes fluttered open as you stare at Alcina’s skin. You’re still in a slight haze and that’s when you pick up on the abject silence. You can’t hear her heartbeat. And if she’s breathing. It’s very shallow, if she is at all.
Within seconds you daze breaks and you’ve shot up into a sitting position. Hand placed firmly against Alcina’s chest where the heart lies. You can’t feel a heart beat. You press two fingers at the side of her neck. Nothing. Panic sets in as you grab her wrist hoping for a pulse. Again nothing.
You hadn’t noticed her stirring awake amidst your oncoming despair. Her voice causing you to jump in fear, and cry in relief.
“Draga mea,” her voice is husky from sleep, it’s a low raspy whisper, “what’s wrong?”
You take her in. Her hair’s tousled from her slumber, and her eyes are half open, you can tell sleep has its clutches on her.
“Nothing,” is all you can choke out.
At the hint of distress in your voice she fully awakens. She can feel your racing heart and can hear your shaking breaths.
“My sweet darling, something’s upset you,” she scoops you up into her lap and presses a soft kiss to your forehead.
The dam breaks. And your eyes fall with tears.
“I thought you were dead… I couldn’t feel your heartbeat, and I just. I panicked,” you mumble between soft sniffles and sobs, embarrassment creeping onto your face.
“Did you forget again?” There’s a hint of amusement in her voice. The rasp is still there. It’s such a pleasant tone to hear.
“Yes…”
“I’m still here, in all my health,”
“I know, I just panicked,” you say it more like a sigh as you lean forward and cuddle into her. Arms wrapping around her midriff with all your might.
“Hush now lubirea mea,” she rubbed your back. And held you close. Enjoying the warmth your body gave off.
“I love you Alci…” a small mewl, “I don’t want to lose you ever. Or the girls,”
“I know, you need sleep though,” Alcina carded one hand through your hair, “I will always be here,”
You didn’t fall asleep again, but you lay for the remainder of the night snuggled into your slumbering wife. Feeling more calm. And you’d settle for that sense of relaxation.