In the morning, Viva woke up before Clay, her eyes slowly blinking open and seeing nothing but the details of his tshirt up close, as she was still nuzzled against his chest;

She also felt his arms still wrapped around her as she'd become adjusted to her surroundings while waking up, blinking her eyes open slowly.

As soon as she was awake enough and her vision was blurry, she quickly bit her lip to hold back even the quietest squeal as she would get a glimpse of her partner's sleeping expression. Her ear being close to his mouth made it no better as she could also hear the soft breathing that accompanied said sleepy expression, gripping the blanket they were both under tightly.

She didn't understand how anyone could look this adorable while sleeping!

Now normally she'd just stay there with him until he himself woke up, but she had a few things she had to take care of this morning, so soon to her dismay she slowly and carefully removed his arms from around her waist and slipped away from his grip entirely.

She didn't get off the bed just yet as she propped herself on her knees to watch him snooze just for a few minutes longer; her smile was as soft as her entire bedding as she readjusted the blanket over top of him.

Gosh, she didn't wanna leave him.

Making him spend every night with her was one of the best ideas she's ever had, she definitely could use a cuddle buddy during the night anyhow, and what better than for her lifelong best friend to be that?

After taking a few more minutes of thinking and staring she finally climbed out of her spot from the bed, untying her hair from it's ponytail while she looked around for her cape with a skip in her step.

~~~

Clay had woken up an hour or so later, finding her to not be there.

He usually would get up early before or with her, but ever since his nightmares began his sleep schedule started to become a bit wonky and he'd wake up a little bit later, much to his dismay.

It was especially on days like these he didn't like to be up later than he usually would be, because he would hold his sad book club meetings that he'd originally hold from three to six pm five days a week, but after making a compromise with Viva it would change to three days a week which was now every other day.

Of course it was still early, but he liked to plan the meetings ahead of time since it took a little bit of time to do so, and especially if he had other things to do, such as helping Viva or any other putt putt trolls.

Because of all of this he'd tell himself he would try and get back into the groove of things or, as he'd say, "shift back into his regularly scheduled program" not just for him, but for her as well, no matter if she'd tell him to get all the rest he needs.

Being of use and actively playing a part in the village was not only a duty to him, but it also helped distracted him from the nights before, which is also part of why he'd try and convince Viva that he was fine.

Pushing away annoyance that started to rise in his chest, both from being up later than he wanted to be and already missing his partner in crime, he groaned lightly and began to push himself out of bed and nearly fell flat on his face on the ground from moving too fast.

He'd replace the tshirt he was wearing with the green patterned shirt that matched with his shorts and created his casual attire, fixing his hair up just a bit but not too much before reaching in there to grab the clipboard he was always walking around with.

After making sure he had everything ready, he'd finally make his way to the exit, dragging a hand down his face a few times as if it would get rid of the last of the sleepiness on it.. which it did.. to an extent.

For a second though, right as he approached the door, he remembered one last thing he forgot.

Dragging his hand down his face out of annoyance now, he turned and walk to the middle of Viva's room near where her couch was, placing his clipboard down on it.

After a few seconds he began to do a few stretches, stretching his arms to his legs and eventually behind his head; he'd repeat this a few times before standing back upright, sighing in a bit of.. relief as he closed his eyes.

He'd do these as his daily morning stretches. It was something he used to do as a child before going on to do rehearsals or perform with his brothers, and normally he probably would've left it behind for obvious reasons, but they'd usually help to wake him up more in the morning and get his mind in the right place, especially after exhaustion from a nightmare.

At first he was afraid that continuing to do them would bring back painful memories or even possibly trigger a worse nightmare later, but he'd eventually find that doing them actually helped, not just physically but mentally; sometimes he'd find himself doing them at other times rather than just the morning, even at random times.

The first time Viva caught him doing such, which was in fact at a random time when they were announcing something to the putt putt trolls, she found it kind of silly; she thought it was just because they'd been standing in one place for a while, but discovering that they were actually helping him she of course encouraged him to keep it up.

Clay opened his eyes back up after that quick breather and grabbed his clipboard back, making his way back to the door with no detours this time.

A few steps outside were taken and he saw that the Princess herself was already either tending to trolls or giving them requests.

Even though she was a distance away, he still found himself smiling at her interactions with the other trolls. Even while doing business she's always kept and held the brightest aura, which admittedly before when they were still new to each other he used to think it was because her people needed it the most, but he's now happily come to terms with the fact that it comes natural to her.

He wouldn't say this to her, but that was something that also helped him wake up in the morning.

~~~

During the day, Viva usually had or gave herself a few errands to run, being the Princess of her own kingdom and all of course.

Clay had his own set of tasks that either Viva would assign him for him to complete for her assistance or for them to complete together, as well as his own that he'd remind himself to do, being that he does take care of or operate on different areas of the home they've made for themselves, that being the boring stuff.

But since he was having his nighttime troubles that got a little in the way of things at times, Viva of course would berate him gently either to take it easy, let her handle certain tasks or just leave it until later, and a little against his will he'd hold off on hosting meetings for his book club until this issue of his would settle down at least a little.

They were both stubborn, but he also just didn't want her to do everything alone and frankly felt better working alongside her even if he was working on his own tasks without her, so he'd constantly reassure her that it was fine, and she'd eventually give in but quickly and irritably remind him to not push himself.. while pushing him, and he'd make a compromise to change the meetings for his book club to every other day a week. She wanted him to consider changing the duration of the meetings as well but knew how important they were to him and frankly enjoyed taking part in them herself, so she just left it to changing the amount of days that he'd hold the meetings.

Right now, the village didn't know about what was going on with him, but she really didn't feel the need to make an announcement about it, as well as she just respected his privacy in general. It would only be up to him to inform their fellow putt putt trolls about such a matter if he ever wanted to.

Today specifically, Viva and a few other putt putt trolls, who were more skilled in the areas in planning or brainstorming, were discussing and coming up with ways to update the look of the golf course and figuring out what changes would best benefit the livelyhood of the home that once only served one purpose, which was to hide away from the Bergens whom she'd shortly discover were not looking to consume trolls anymore, but changes that wouldn't take away its beauty either.

It's been a thought in the Princess' head for a while, but today she wanted to officially set forth and confirm ideas before taking action.

Though planning, something that was considered boring stuff which was more of Clay's thing, she'd find ways to sort of incorporate them in whatever tasks she had while still being able to make it fun as she found it helpful, a way to try new things which was something she was trying to get more into, and found it as a way of still having her partner involved even when he wasn't there.

"And that's why I think we should not get rid of the clown, but make it look less threatening for when we get new visitors!" A light green troll with short brown hair named Hazel spoke.

"Agreed! Plus- trying to get rid of it would be a loooottt of work-" Another troll with light purple skin and indigo hair named Ivy added, nodding, "and we're already hardworking trolls as it is!"

"GREAT idea Hazel! And so trueee like yasss gworl-" Viva jumped excitedly as she nearly ripped a hole in her paper from writing it down so fast.

"Anyone else got any suggestions?!"

"Hmmm.. OOH OOH," A light Cerulean troll with Dark green hair named Blaze started, "how about we put a sign that says-"

"What can I do to help?"

The curly headed troll's ears perked up against their will when she heard the familiar voice tug not just at her eardrums but her heartstrings.

"..well that's not what I was going for but that could work too! Hello Mr. Clay!"

She didn't greet him just yet but would hear the putt putt trolls around her greet him happily.

"Hi Mr. Clay!"

"Morning Mr. Clay!"

"Guysss come onnnn I told you just call me Clay," The light teal troll assured them, waving them off; he'd tell them that everytime but of course they didn't listen, they just thought it was more polite. Viva had the same situation for when she tried to tell them and others they can just call her Viva.

What could they say? They just had a lot of respect for the people that practically saved them.

"Oh hey! You're up late," Viva suddenly and purposefully teased him though it wasn't late but she knew it would still irk him, not looking at him but still holding a smirk; she'd continue holding that smirk as she reached in her hair and pulled out a chocolate chip muffin, his favorite go-to snack for when he didn't have time for a full meal or just in general, handing it over to him almost sneakily,

"didn't forget to do your daily stretches did you?"

"Uhhh huh, yeah okay, somebody's got jokes," Clay playfully raised an eyebrow over at her before taking the muffin from her, still eyeing her as he took a bite, trying to hide back his clear as day delight, "and no mom, I didn't-"

Viva giggled quietly before eyeing him as he took another bite, turning his focus away from her onto the delectable pastry and failing to successfully shade away his enjoyment of it.

The Princess' smirk would slowly emerge into a warm smile as she would begin to seemingly walk past him but actually stopped next to him.

"How'd you sleep?" She mumbled, finally looking over at him.

She felt her heart beat a bit faster as he turned back to look at her as well, his own expression softened with a smile and his chewing slowed down.

"Good," he said with chewed up muffin still in his mouth, beginning to swallow some of it down, "all thanks to you.. I mean you know this, it's always because of you."

"Oh stoppppp," She cheesed and punched his shoulder lightly, trying to make it seem like it wasn't a big deal, though deep down it really was for her.

Not just the fact that it was because of her, but because he was able to get a good night's sleep at all.

She'd always be there for Clay and always has been, but if her being there when he sleeps was what he needed to somewhat help ease him through the night, then she was more than happy to be of service.

Clay chuckled a little before taking a small step closer to her.

"Really though.. even if.. these nightmares are still a problem for me, they get a liiiittle bit easier to deal with knowing that you're there." He shrugged, smiling.

She continued to smile back at him before reaching down to take his hands gently, squeezing them lightly.

She also took a step closer.

"And I'll always be there." She mumbled again.

They had a stare off for what felt like forever before one of them decided to slowly begin interlocking their fingers together, looking down at said fingers as the other would do the same.

Their fingers were the center of attention for a bit as Clay gently squeezed hers into his and rubbed his thumbs overtop of them.

Viva didn't realize just how close they were until he felt the small warm breath her partner released from his nostrils hit her gently and turned her gaze upward a bit, watching him continue to study their fingers with the slightest smile.

He looked at her for only a few seconds, still holding the smile before returning to their fingers, slowly raising one of her hands up.

She didn't understand what he was doing at first until she saw her hand get closer to his lips, and she could practically almost feel his breath on the back of her hand, gasping over so quietly.

And he'd continue to bring it closer.. and closer.. and closer-

"LOOK, I TOLD YOU THEY WERE DATING!"

Suddenly, the two shot their gazes up and away from one another towards whomever just shouted, seeing another putt putt troll who was standing a short distance away from the group with others alongside them point over at them.

"CLEMENTINE! Shut-"

Quickly, they let go of each other's hands with widened eyes, Clay quite literally almost yanking Viva's arm out of it's socket from accidentally pulling on it, hearing things such as "NO WAY are they actually?!", "I knew it I KNEW IT!" or "Shush! No they aren't!" and eventually would witness someone getting pushed away out of sight with other trolls either following behind them or just standing there in confusion or wonder.

Slowly, Hazel Ivy and Blaze turned their gazes from where those trolls were back over to their leaders, who were staring at each other before looking back towards their direction, seeing their perplexed expressions.

"..we're- we're not-" Clay started, holding his hands out in front of his chest.

"YEAH- yeah yeah yeah definitely not-" Viva quickly joined him, shaking her head rapidly, "we'd never- we're just- yeah-"

"Yeah nuh uh- we'd never- heeeellll no-"

"Okay well now you're just making it sound like a bad thing-" Viva mumbled while side eyeing him.

"Wait- oh wait no no no that's not what I-"

"Suuure made it sound that way-"

As the two would continue to mutter to each other in banters, the three trolls across from them would look over at each other for a few seconds before turning back to them, waiting for them to be done.

"Come on Veevvv," Clay was poking her side and kept it up once he saw she was trying her hardest to hold back laughs, "you know I'd never-"

"Hm, what? Date me?" She joked, though she tried to act and sound annoyed as she kept her body turned away from him with crossed arms.

Why was being annoyed at him physically impossible?

"Yes! I mean- no?! GAH look now you're confusin me!" He lightly shoved her side.

Finally though, he heard a giggle, and at last he was relieved of her fake annoyance.

He now simply just waited for her to turn around and face him again, which eventually she did with a small smile on her face.

And of course, he smiled back.

"Hmph- meanie." She teased, sticking her tongue out lightly pushing him back like he did earlier.

"Oh you are SO one to talk!" He shoved her once more before grabbing her hands to pull her back, watching as she'd laugh and tilt her head back.

"You okay now?" He said almost quietly, watching again as she'd lift her head back up, her smile never leaving as she held a slight grip on his hands and she nudged his side with her arm.

"Yeah, 'course." She mumbled.

"Good, cause uh.." Clay eyed over to the side of them with a small smirk, which Viva would see he was talking about the three trolls who were so patiently waiting for them to be finished.

They didn't look agitated in the slightest though, more like.. entertained in a way, though they tried to hide it but of course failed.

"...thisisnotembarrassingatall- OHHH GOSH GUYS I'M SO SO SORRY FOR THAT HUGE UNEXPECTED INTERMISSION!" Viva turned to face them and waved her hands around rapidly.

"Not a problem at all Princess Viva!" Hazel waved her off with a smile. "Ready when you are!"

"Yeah! ...are you guys really not dating though-"

"Blaze!" Ivy plucked him in the back of his neck.

"Ow- what! Wait, I'm sorry, that wasn't inappropriate to ask was it-"

"No no it's fine," Clay chuckled, "me and Viva are very close but just as friends, nothing more."

"Yeeaaaaap! That's how it's always been!" Viva nudged him again. "Mhm!"

Unknowingly and unwillingly, she for whatever reason hesitated saying those few words, and just hoped no one noticed as she herself didn't even notice until after she said them.

She thought maybe it was because of how awkward the situation had progressively become ever since it started, but really she didn't care nor want to think more about it and overall just wanted to move on from it entirely.

"Weeelllll anyways- if we're done with allat- anyone wanna tell me what we're doin? I got a little bit of time before I gotta start preparing for the book club meeting today, whiiich you lucky ducks are always welcome to attendddd-"
Clay bowed down to the group playfully.

Yep, that's all it took, she definitely felt better now.

"Weeeelll I'm a VIP guest so no need for the inviteee," Viva held her clipboard back up to her chest and winked at him.

"Riiiight of course, myyyy mistake." He rolled his eyes playfully.

"Heyyyy gang!" Viva turned back to the group, "Why don't you look around and make a few more suggestions to either yourselves or to each other as to what we can renovate while I take a few seconds to tell Mr. Clay here what we're doin!"

The group of three gave each other glances before turning back to them and nodding in agreement, turning to look around and brainstorm once again.

Viva watched them for a second before turning her attention back to her partner.

"Basically we're just doin a few renovations around Hole N' Fun. Or- planning them." She shrugged to him with a smile.

"Oh? Niceee niceee," He replied while nodding in interest, "gettin too dull around here?" He joked afterward, snickering.

"Not at all mista funny man!" She gently bopped him in the head with her clipboard, "I just thought since our previous intention with making this place was to hide away from the Bergens and we know that they're cool and all now, we could make a few updates for EVERYONE to be welcome! And just make it more welcoming in general-"

"Ahh gotcha, makes sense- weeeell count me in, serious boy Clay is here to help! ..for the next half hour-"

"Alrighty then funny boy," She snickered this time, reaching up to his ear and playfully tugging at it, "your help would be very much appreciated."

Clay grumbled after hearing her call him that again and rolled his eyes playfully, slouching his shoulders as he tried looking unamused even though he knew she wasn't buying it one bit.

"Vivaaaaa-"

"Whaaaat! You're my funny boy!"

Truthfully though, even if he despised being referred to as "fun" or "funny" because of how it reminded him of his past, he wasn't necessarily bothered when Viva would use the words around or toward him, especially because she made sure to be careful when with how she used them, and never did it to purposefully trigger him. She wouldn't even make the joke a lot, and when she did it wasn't to refer to him as his old title, it was genuinely because she loved how he would make her laugh and smile, and he loved that more than he hated those words.

And though half of the time his actions that one would consider fun or funny weren't intentional, the other half of the time it truly was, which is something he would probably never admit. He knew it was a part of him and wouldn't get rid of that, he just still preferred to not refer to himself in that manner.

Hate was a bit of a strong word too, he didn't necessarily hate them, he just hated the memories they brought. But luckily his best friend knew what his limits were, which he didn't even really have much around her because he was so comfortable around her.

Plus, her calling him his funny boy left the right kind of tingle in his ears. Not the funny boy, her funny boy.

She let go of his ear and lowered her hand but still kept it close as her smile didn't leave but faded just a bit as she seemed focused on something, Clay watching as she just stared up at him for a few seconds.

Suddenly, she started to lift her hand back up to his face again, and Clay didn't know whether to shift his focus on her hand or keep them on her eyes.

"Wh- What're you-"

Her hand gently touched his left cheek as she moved her thumb in a stroking motion next to his mouth three times.

He didn't even spend five seconds without that tingling feeling in his ears-

She moved her hand away from his face, having to snicker a bit at his confused expression.

"You had your favorite snack stuck to your face." Is all she'd simply say, before skipping back over to the group, keeping her gaze on him for a bit before turning to talk with them again.

He didn't follow behind her just yet and instead just stood there for a bit. There was nothing even shocking about it, but somehow he was still just left speechless.

That was there this whole time and she waited until now to make it obvious?

Well, there were a few things.. she either saw it and didn't wanna just randomly wipe it off of his mouth especially after earlier, she didn't wanna embarrass him even more, or she honestly just now saw it.

Knowing how she was full of surprises, there was really just no telling which one of them it could be.

~~~

It was a little later in the day and Clay had just finished up his book club meeting, telling a few trolls goodbye as they parted ways while a few others followed alongside or behind him still conversating in interest.

"IIIII get the feeling that this book in particular is one of your favorites," Viva was walking next to him as she held up a book titled 'The Little Trolling That Could.'

"Pfff," Clay scoffed, "how do you figure tha‐"

"You literally almost started breaking down every five minutes!" Viva laughed.

"Uhh, yeah, because it's a sad book club Viva, d u h." Clay playfully got in her face before bopping his own copy of the book on her forehead.

"Uh huh, but you usually only almost break down every twenty minutes," She raised an eyebrow over at him.

"..WHY DO YOU KEEP COUNT?!"

"AHA! SO you ADMIT it!"
Viva suddenly jumped in front of him and pointed accusingly, smirking at him.

"FINE!" He stepped to the side so she was out of his way, "but it's not my top favorite, it's just in the list, I've read sadder books! And that kid just reminded me of myself!"

"Awwww Clayyy," She stood next to him again and gently rubbed his shoulder, feeling a little bad even if she was just teasing.

Clay got the sense that she was starting to feel bad when she got sort of quiet, quickly reassuring her as he wasn't at all upset, especially not at her. Sure the book hit home for him but it wasn't the first time this has happened, and regardless, the entire point of the club was to be able to be vulnerable with one another while doing a fun activity.

"Hey, I'm all good, really!" He turned to her, patting her hand that was on his shoulder with a smile.

She was gonna ask if he was sure, but his smile was all the confirmation she needed as she let go of his shoulder and took his hand in hers.

...except she still asked him anyway.

"You sure?"

"Like I said," He squeezed her hand, "I've read sadder books-"

She chuckled.

"Okay."

"Mr. Clay, Mr. Clay!"

The two would turn and let go of the other's hand when three trolls, Mabel, Topaz, and Ginger, started approaching them.

"Oh, hey! Wassup?" He greeted them.

"Um, well, well, I-"

"Mabel wants to share more of her thoughts on today's book." Topaz spoke for her.

"Topaaaz!" Mabel whined, looking over at her before back over at Clay.

"What?" Topaz shrugged, "You were taking too long to say it-"

"Oh yeah? Shoot!"

"Oh, so, about today's book! I reeeeally enjoyed it but can we go into more of the symbolism?? I know we discussed it already but I honestly have SOOOO much more to say about it!!"

"Oh HELL yeah!" Clay exclaimed excitedly, "Hit me with them metaphors!"

"So for example, the part where the trolling can't use his hair at first because he thinks he can't but just by doing simple tasks throughout the book-"

"-he strengthens it more and more and it's when he realizes he CAN use his hair it's at it's full potential YES I LOVED that! UGH!" The light teal troll pumped his fist in the air.

"Uh yeah adding onto that- I also really liked when people around him were encouraging him, but it pushed the idea that he had to be able to encourage himself to see what he was capable of." Topaz added onto Mabel's statement.

"OOOH I really liked that too!" Ginger squeezed her book excitedly, "it was good that everyone believed in him, but him believing in himself was the most important part!"

"YESSSS! He had to understand that being able to trust yourself is important! UGH there's so MUCH and I LOVE IT!!"

For a few more minutes, the trolls would continue to chatter with him and go on tangents excitedly.

Viva brightened up at his interactions with everyone, especially with how excited he got over books. He was so sweet and humorous and had such a way of bringing everyone together that just blended so well with hers; she really couldn't ask not only for a better partner, but a best friend as well.

Then her smile faded slowly when she remembered something.

His nightmares.

After the day was over, a fun and exciting day may she add, he would have to go straight back to enduring such horrible events.

While making that realization, something inside of her just started to break, and she didn't know how she didn't just fall apart right then and there.

She was always there with him now when it happened, sure, but she didn't know how much more she could take of it, having to constantly watch it all happen. Him waking up at late hours from a peaceful slumber to the horrors that his mind constantly put him through. And they were always about the same thing.

His brothers hating him then leaving all over again.

Now that she was thinking more about it, she wanted to be able to understand why he kept having these same nightmares. It wasn't like Clay even knew himself, but she still wanted to find out what was causing his brain to turn this direction when he wasn't conscious.

She didn't know if it was even possible to figure something like that out.

But she was still willing to try.

She wanted to take a step towards doing so, it was just a matter of deciphering what that certain step that was going to be taken would be.

Thinking about it more, she finally came to a decision in her mind before looking over at the troll she cared about deeply, still interacting with their putt putt peers.

Inhaling and exhaling quietly, she started to make her way over towards them and gently touched Clay on his arm when she got close enough.

Immediately recognizing the touch, his ears perked up before turning to see that it was her, the trolls alongside him turning their attention to her as well.

"Hi! Sorry I- don't mean to interrupt, I just have to ask my bushy haired partner here something really quickly," Viva patted his back playfully with a slightly goofy smile, trying to keep her voice in its normally optimistic tone.

"Oh ho hooo okay, it's like that princess?" Clay joked back with her, rolling his eyes playfully before turning back to the troll.

"I'll just be one second." He informed them before they nodded at him with a smile, and he was then off with his blonde curly haired partner to a spot a few inches away.

There was a bit of silence when they reached to a slightly quieter and private spot, and Clay noticed Viva was visibly looking at everything but him, playing with her fingers, which was even more of a sign to him.

She'd normally just take his hands and play with his fingers.

"Hey," he started in a soft voice, trying to catch her gaze, "you okay?"

She didn't respond for a bit and it seemed like her mind was running around someplace else.

"Vi," He gently nudged one of her hands with one of his own, eventually taking hold of it, "what's going on?"

Eventually she would break out of the little intermission in her mind and turn her attention towards him, ever so slowly, though it still took her a second to respond as his concerned expression was taking it's time to burn in her mind.

"...OH, right, sorry! Um-" She then paused for a second, thinking over her words even if she didn't have much to say.

At least not now.

"..when we're done with everything for the day.. I need to talk to you about something."

Clay's hold on her hand loosened a bit as his eyes widened just a little.

When she told him she needed to talk to him about something, it was normally more casual in her happy go lucky personality. The only reason he didn't suspect anything when she pulled him to the side earlier was because nothing seemed to be wrong at that moment, so he thought maybe she was going to tell him something she only wanted him to know, which she's done pretty much a lot.

But here, she seemed pretty bothered about something. He hasn't seen her like that since all the times she came out to him about everything that happened with her father, the King and little sister, the now Queen.

"Oh.. uh, okay! Yeah, sure!" He nodded.

Despite looking slightly distressed, she still offered him a friendly smile; and as much as Clay wanted it to warm his heart and heat up his ears like it normally did, it instead turned them cold and caused the organ in his chest to feel like it was getting caught in his throat.

"Uhm, well.. yeap, that's it! Sorry, you can- get back to your conversation now, I just wanted to let you know, heh-"

"Yeah, you know I gotchu."

Her smile never left and only got bigger, except also.. sadder?

"I'll see you later tonight, kay?"

She slipped her hand out of his hand that she felt he still had a slight grip on before beginning to turn around to walk away.

"Y-Yeah! See ya!"

She started getting farther and farther.

"..did I uh.. do something?" He raised his voice a little so she would hear him, which to his luck she did as he saw her stop in her tracks.

Quickly, she turned her attention back towards him hearing his troubled question and now seeing his troubled expression.

He didn't mean to sound dramatic at all, but it was the first thought that came to his mind and he wanted to know right then and there if it really was him.

"No! No of course not!" She quickly reassured him.

"...RIGHT, right! Okay! Sorry!" Clay replied in slight relief and embarrassment, rubbing the back of his neck while waving over to her, "are you okay though?!"

"I'm fine Clay!" She had to laugh a little at how concerned he was, "I'll see you tonight okay? We'll talk then!"

She finally left after she felt like he was reassured enough, and Clay just watched for a little as she walked away, sighing to himself.

He turned back to the putt putt troll who was standing there with a now slightly concerned look of their own, and started to walk back over to them.

"She's fine." He quickly eased them of any worries as he watched them sigh in their own relief afterwards.

~~~

Nighttime fully approached, and trolls were saying their goodbyes and heading to their respective homes.

Viva and Clay had just gotten back to her home, but during their walk back together they didn't talk very much, which was the only oddity.

Clay at this point knew that something was up, but waited until they actually got to her home to speak up about it.

He watched as she walked past him inside to her living room, closing the door behind him.

"Veev, are you sure everything's all good?" He asked, walking forward without taking his eyes off her; he felt his blood run slightly cold when she kept silent and just walked over to sit down on her couch almost quietly.

She didn't turn to look at him but just pat a spot on the couch next to her.

"Come.. sit next to me please."

Wanting to say something else but not knowing what or not wanting to somehow make things more complicated, he obliged quietly and walked around the couch to sit by her.

"What's.. going on?" He asked quietly, trying to catch her gaze but saw how she was kinda just staring down at her knees, as if she was trying to think of what to say.

Finally after a few more minutes of painful silence, he saw her close her eyes for a second before sighing quietly, licking her lips lightly.

"Clay, listen.. I-"

"I did do something didn't I-" Clay suddenly interrupted her, "alright come on you know you can just tell me you don't have to make it so sentimental-"

"What?" She turned to look at him finally, "No, I already told you it isn't about you!"

He was about to say something else until Viva suddenly spoke up again.

"..okay well it is about you but-"

"Awe DAMN-"
Clay flopped back into the couch.

"LET-" Viva immediately silenced him by putting a finger on his lips before he could freak out any more, "me finish-"

Clay didn't react or move at all, just staring up at her as he waited for her to say what she needed to say.

"It's.. nothing bad, it's just.."

She slowly moved her finger away from his lips.

"..it's about your nightmares."

Clay's eyes widened just a little in surprise and sat back up in his spot, staring her in her eyes as he took in all her concern but calmly responded.

"Yeah? What about them?"

She didn't answer for a second as her eyes strayed away from his for a bit, her teeth involuntarily sinking into her bottom lip.

"Well it's.. been a month, and.. they haven't gotten any better.. I mean.. not even you sleeping with me has done anything."

"Viva.." Clay would start before letting out a light chuckle, "of course it has, being by your side makes a thousand times more tolerable-"

"You say that but we both know it's not true, Clay."

For once, his enthusiasm wasn't colliding with hers.

For once she wasn't enthusiastic at all.

"I..I want you to get actual help.. I wanna know what's going on with you but I want you to be able to know what's going on with you more.. I want you to be okay."

Clay was of course left frowning at this point.. he wasn't sure where she was trying to go with this. Did she not think that she was of any use or help at all? Even if she wasn't necessarily the cure to these nightmares coming to an end, it was no lie that he still felt a lot better when she was there.

"Well I.. I know they haven't really gotten better, but- they'd probably be worse if you weren't here! I at least feel better going to sleep knowing that you're-"

"I don't wanna make it better Clay, I don't wanna make it tolerable, I wanna make it stop!" Viva raised her voice a little before quickly turning back to him, "But- but I don't know how to! And neither do you! I mean it's gotten to the point where I almost don't even wanna go to sleep because I know what's gonna happen!"

"Vi‐"

"I mean we don't even know why they're happening they just started happening not long after you saved Floyd! What if it's- what if it's something deeper than them just being regular ol' nightmares? I mean is there something you're not telling me?"

"No of course not!"

"Ugh see it's hopeless!" She grabbed a pillow and hugged it close to her.

"Viva I'll be fineeee," He scooted closer to her, "I am fine!"

"No you're not."

"I can get through it, it's oka‐"

"No, no, no no no it's not okay," Viva was shook her head, "it hasn't been for a while and I'm tired of pretending like it is."

She took a slightly longer pause from before and shut her eyes tightly while pursing her lips together, before she just decided to drop the ball on him entirely.

"Viva?"

She opened her eyes back.

..

"..I think you should go back to troll village.. maybe even stay there."