Grian woke, his heart pounding out of his chest and his tears flowing freely down his face. He had just woken up from a nightmare, though it was foggy and he couldn't recall the events of the strange dream. Stress ran into the temporary room, seeing Grian hugging his knees tightly and crying softly, trying to comfort himself. She had also noticed that his wings were wrapped around him, almost as if it were a shield.

"Grian?" She said, slowly walking forward and sitting on the edge of the bed.

"O-oh Stress! I-... I'm sorry if I woke you up..." Grian replied, frantically wiping the tears from his eyes, acting as if everything was fine.

"Gri, it's okay to cry. I know you're scared of him. But you're safe here! He can't get you here! I doubt he even knows my ravine exists." Stress comforted the Hermit as he shuffled around a little.

"Yeah... probably!" He smiled, feeling a little better.

"Well, I'll be asleep in my room if you need anything." She said, leaving the room and gently closing the door.

Grian wondered where everyone else was. He fell asleep hugging Xisuma, but he couldn't remember anything after that. He stood up from his bed and looked around. The room was quite big, but obviously a guest room. There was a large closet and also a set of drawers. Grian decided to explore the rest of the house- he was sure that Stress wouldn't mind. He exit his room, entering a hobbit-like living room. Everything was made of dark oak and spruce. The green couch was embroidered carefully- definitely hand-made. He saw a light coming from the kitchen and entered, seeing Xisuma looking in the fridge.

"X?" Grian asked.

He was definitely surprised, because he jumped backwards, staring at Grian.

"Oh! Grian! You should be asleep..." Xisuma said, recovering from the fright.

"I couldn't. Anyway, what are you doing up?" Grian said, feeling a little awkward.

"I got hungry. Want to share these grapes with me. I found them in the fridge." Xisuma questioned.

"I guess... but wouldn't Stress be angry. It's her food, after all." Grian replied.

"No. She said we could help ourselves to food if we get hungry." Xisuma said, smiling.

He pulled them out of the fridge, and placed the stalk in a bowl, which was then gently put on the table. He also took his helmet off. Grian hadn't really seen Xisuma without his helmet before and it was strange. It felt illegal but Xisuma seemed fine with it, so Grian sat down opposite the taller man.

Xisuma had golden-brown curls that fell evenly against his neck. His freckled face had two scars in the shape of an 'X' across his nose and some of his eye. His skin was slightly tanned, despite being shielded from the sun all day, showing that he took it off whilst Grian wasn't around. His eyes were a deep brown colour, complementing his green outfit and grey helmet.

"So, what was your nightmare about?" Xisuma asked, noticing the very awkward silence.

"W-what? How did you know..." Grian asked, becoming a little suspicious.

"Stress told me before going back to her room. She seems quite worried about you, and honestly,  I am too. If there was anything seriously bothering you, you would tell me, right?" Xisuma said, eating another grape.

"Yeah... of course! I'm fine though. My high school days were a long time ago. I'm over it now!" Grian laughed nervously, not fooling Xisuma with his pitiful attempt at lying.

But Xisuma didn't ask Grian again. He knew that it was Grian's choice on who he told, and Xisuma wasn't one of them yet. All he could do was be there for his winged friend- no matter what.