Crest's head lay gently on your shoulder and their hands busied themselves with twisting old string from their shirts into a pretty bracelet, it was late, the two of you were up on account of nightmares. They had your free hand in their lap so that they could measure how much string they needed to finish the bracelet for you, "There was this specific chant that the duke would always use when I messed up. Sometimes when I hit the wrong string or fumble my words I still hear it."

They tied the bracelet on your arm and smiled, before glancing over at Astarion where he was curled up reading in silence. He'd been awoken by a nightmare as well, "What were you both having nightmares about? Anything specific?" Crest stretched out and flopped forward to lay on their stomach in the dirt.

Crest wasn't comfortable around many people, but melding around you and Astarion just felt natural. They didn't need to pretend to be okay, or to stop themself from flinching, they were finally able to relax without having to pretend to be completely relaxed, "Sometimes you just wake up because you're stomach feels like a pit."

"We should find some bread tomorrow... bread and cheese. That sounds like a good time."