He can't have Atlas falling into a ditch or unable to keep up with him because he was too tired.
Sebastian tilted his head as he told him, "Go to bed. There's no point in staying up this late, and we'll have a long day tomorrow. I need you to be at your best."
Atlas scowled to refuse. "What about you? Are you going to sleep? I won't slow you down tomorrow."
Sebastian glanced up at the sky as he prayed for patience. His eyes bored into Atlas without a hint of refusal. "Come on. Don't start now. I don't need to sleep much. You are going to be a deadweight on me tomorrow because you won't go to sleep."
Atlas's nose flared as he crossed his arms, a stubborn expression fixed on his face. "I won't be a deadweight. I don't want to go to sleep."
Sebastian was getting annoyed by his persistence, but something in his eyes told him there was something more to this. Atlas is not usually this stubborn. Oh, wait. That's a lie. He can be obstinate, but not to this degree. Sebastian can see a tiny flicker of fear in his eyes that confirms his suspicion. He ask, "Why? I can tell you're really tired. Your body needs it."
Atlas swallowed hard as he hesitated. His mouth opens and closes repeatedly. He turned crimson where a flush crept up to his face. "Uh? I—I—"
Sebastian regarded him with confusion. What is it so hard for him to say? It can't be that bad. His brow knitted as he scrutinized him from head to toe.
"What is it? Just spill it."
Atlas clenched his teeth as he avoided looking him in the eye. He declared. "I can't sleep because I get nightmares."
Sebastian was dumbfounded. Nightmares. Sebastian assessed whether he was telling the truth. Atlas's face was bright red, but there was a genuineness in his gaze. He was genuinely upset and distressed by his nightmares.
Sebastian tilted his head while asking, "What kind of nightmares?"
Atlas wanted to explain, but his tongue felt tongue-tied. He wanted to tell him what he dreams of, but deep down, he was afraid to tell Sebastian of the things that truly haunt him in his heart. Things that don't make sense, so he opens his mouth and tells a hidden lie amongst the truth. "I don't remember them. I only wake up feeling scared and alarmed; my heart's racing. Every time I go to sleep, I'm afraid I won't wake up."
Atlas doesn't realize that Sebastian knows that he told him a lie. Sebastian observed his behavior, especially his hands that were fidgeting, constantly tapping his left knee.
Sebastian wanted to confront him about it, but Atlas really needed to get some rest now. They would talk about it tomorrow. Sebastian remembers the first time Atlas asked him nervously to sleep next to him because he doesn't like to be left alone.
Sebastian crawled next to him and wrapped his arms around his thin shoulders, which felt like solid ice.
Sebastian was aware that Atlas was radiating tension beneath his hold. His body was rigid and stiff, as if he were deciding whether to escape this embrace that must feel like a prison.
Sebastian whispered playfully, a featherlight touch brushing against the edge of his ear. "Why are you behaving like a virgin? You and I had slept on the bed before. You weren't this tense before?"
Atlas's nostril flared as he struggled to formulate his words. "Y–Yeah, we slept in a bed before, but n—not like where you're holding me. Let go of me. I'm not a child."
Sebastian let out a light-hearted chuckle. "Or what? What can you do?"
In an unexpected move, Atlas reared the back of his head backwards in an attempt to strike his chin.
Wham!
With swift reflexes, Sebastain raised his hand to catch the back of Atlas's head, preventing the blow from landing.
Sebastian was filled with fury that he was unable to control it. He said through gritted teeth, "You fool. What the hell are you doing?"
Atlas was taken aback by the intensity of anger conveyed in his voice. He stuttered, "What do you mean? You can't try to gaslight me. I told you to release me. You didn't, so it's not my fault."
Sebastian was astounded at his words. He shut his eyes tightly, clenching his teeth in an effort to remain calm, reminding himself that Atlas was simply unaware of the gravity of the situation.
His eyes opened calmly, where he bottled up his anger behind the mask, although the hand that tightened on Atlas's hair reveals his inner thought.
Atlas winced in pain as he grunted, "Hey. You're pulling too hard."
Sebastian loosens the tight hold on his hair as he massages the area gently. He whispered lightly, although it carried a hint of irritation simmering beneath the surface. "Fool. Had your head hit my chin, your brain would have been fractured."
Atlas expressed his confusion, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
Sebastian closed his eyes and let out a weary sigh. "Imagine a large boulder before you. If your head hit that thing, your brain would shatter. A vampire's physical body is not the same as a human. Vampires are blessed with stronger bodies, so their bodies can endure under almost anything."
Atlas felt his heart increase akin to a horse galloping. He realized that if Atlas hadn't caught the back of his head, his skull might have shattered upon impact. The mere thought sent a shiver down his spine.
Sebastian was attuned to the sound of his heart, which was racing, and he knew that Atlas was aware of the consequences. He sighed out loud as he pressed his fingers gently against Atlas's forehead.
Atlas closed his eyes at the feeling of kneading pressure on his head. It was soothing and eased up the tension in his body.
Sebastian's smooth voice echoes in his ears. "Go to sleep. I'll be right next to you."
Sebastian watched his eyes close, and the dark circles underneath his eyes appeared more notable and apparent. The dark circles are a distinct contrast with the pale skin.
He observes the tension in his body become loosened up and mellowed out. Atlas's expression didn't look as tormented as it had previously.
Sebastian could tell that he had fallen into a deep sleep. He waited for a while longer as his fingers ran through his thick, black curls.
His dark eyes roamed over the scars on his pale chest, where the youth had suffered from a abusive childhood.
As the youth lay in deep slumber in his arms. Sebastian untangled his arm from Atlas's warm body. He slowly tucked the youth on the ground gently, careful not to wake him up.
Altas jerked slightly, making Sebastian freeze in his movement. His fingers didn't move an inch from his shoulders as Atlas curled his arms around his bare stomach. Then he remains still once again.
Sebastian removed his long-sleeved shirt from his body as he lay it over his sleeping form. He tucked the corners between his body and the ground; he can conserve heat in that way.
Sebastian slowly rose from the ground as he watched youth remain asleep. Sebastian ran his fingers through his messy hair as he sighed frustratedly.
He hasn't eaten in days, and he's starving. The entire time he was near Atlas, he had refused the urge to sink his teeth into the youth's neck to quench his thirst, to relieve the burning sensation in his throat.
He swallowed hard as he stared at Atlas with dark crimson eyes on the ground.
Atlas continues to lie on the ground, unaware that he's a ravenous sight for the lurking beast watching him with eager, crimson eyes in the shadow of the night.
He bit his lip hard enough that blood tasted sweet in his mouth. He licked his lips dry before turning around to head into the shadowy trees.
As he walked further into the shadowy trees, he was startled by a movement behind him.
His neck turned back to look at the sleeping figure near the glowing fire. Sebastian narrowed his crimson eyes as the realization hit him. He was snoring.
He turns around as he lets out a light-hearted chuckle. He used his supernatural hearing to zone in on the nearest sounds that alerted him to his unfortunate prey.
In the distance, he heard leaves crunched underneath.
He opened his crimson eyes as he let out a soft, sinister smile, "Found you."
He launched into the dim wood with supernatural speed, invisible to the eye of humans. The sky, trees, and grass all became a fading background as he focused on his prey.
His hair whipped against his face as he stopped, breathless but calm, as he sharply observed his prey.
He noted it was the deer and the fawn from before. They were strolling and eating green pasture, unaware of the insatiable predator that was in their midst, yearning for their hot blood beneath their flesh.