Jon didn’t realize when he went to sleep. He just noticed when he awoke that Tallow was asleep beside him.

He sat up in shock. He had just barely stopped himself from calling out her name.

He observed her, wondering how she was able to sleep so long without hitting him until he focused on the injured arm still bandaged and slung around her neck.

Oh. He felt bad. If she had both of her arms ready, she probably would have been flailing around like normal.

He had started frowning when she opened up her eyes.

“Huh?” She sat up fervently. “I’m awake! I’m awake!”

She turned to Jon. “Did I fall asleep?”

Jon nodded.

“Oh, sorry, I packed everything, and I guess I got tired, and…”

Jon looked past her. On the floor was the bag his mother had given him. It was stuffed.

“It’s okay,” Jon said, realizing that she must have packed everything while he was still asleep. “Get rest.”

“Thanks,” Tallow said. She dropped down into slumber again.

Jon looked up to the few windows they had in the room. It was very early. From what he could tell, the sun had just barely started coming over the horizon.

He heard walking from the front door and turned around.

Mercy and Hector had entered the door. Mercy had gone back to wearing her original black clothes, and Hector still had his golden armor on.

“You’re still awake?” Hector asked.

“I went to sleep,” Jon said defensively.

“Right.” He turned to Mercy. “How long did we take?”

Mercy rolled her eyes. She walked up to Jon.

“It’s wonderful to see you too, Jon.”

“Yeah.” Jon looked down to the floor but nodded.

“No, Jon, I mean it.”

She threw her arms around his shoulders and thrust her head over his shoulder.

“Thank you…” she said. “Sorry… if I failed us.”

“It’s fine,” Jon said. “You’re safe. I’m happy.”

“Well, you guys can make out if you want,” Hector said, walking over to another of the beds. “We got 2 hours before we depart.”

He tossed himself face-first onto the bed. He then reached back to his neck and poked at the back of his collar, deflating his armor.

“Get some rest,” he muttered from his pillow.

“...Guess I’ll leave you two,” Mercy said.

Jon was distracted, as he was thinking about the act of kissing Mercy, and what any of it would mean. He was so focused he must have accidentally taken himself out of the conversation.

“Huh?” He looked down at Tallow.

She had gone to sleep in his bed again.

Before Jon could answer, Mercy had already walked away to her bed.

She sat down on it cross-legged and rested her elbows on her knees.

She closed her eyes.

“Where’s Mallory?” she asked, eyes still closed.

“He’ll be with us when we leave,” Hector answered loudly through his pillow.

Jon watched Mercy, wondering how long she would stay in that position.

He tried to think about laying back down, but he couldn’t.

Instead, he walked over to Mercy’s bed and sat down next to her.

She reached out and rubbed the back of his head.

“I’m glad you’re here,” she said.

Jon gradually laid back down next to her. At least until Tallow woke up, he wouldn’t leave Mercy's side. She may have been holding everything in, but he wouldn’t leave her alone with thoughts.

“Me too,” Jon said.

He truly and dearly meant it.