Aly rubbed his back softly as Eke said all he did.

"Oh, Eke..." she said.

"It's okay. I'm here, and so is Ryker." she told him.

"She's right." Ryker said from the doorway.

"Sounds like you had another bad one, bro." he then said to Eke.

Ryker just sighed.

"These things can run deep." he said.

"So what do we do?" Aly asked.

"No idea." Ryker replied.

"I'm not a head doctor, and I've learned not to trust any of them." he went on, venom in his tone.

"So this is entirely up to Eke and his subconscious, admittedly."

Aly nodded.

"I'll make you some tea." she said, before getting up and leaving to do so.

"Things are a right mess now." Ryker commented to Eke.

"Been a mess for a while." he said further.

"But it'll all be ending soon. For better or for worse, this is ending soon." he continued.

"Seems we have an ally helping us at this very moment." he added, before telling Eke about the dragon on the roof, and the storm they were causing, as well as the reasons behind it.

Aly had brought him some tea, and was trying to comfort him.

Ryker had talked with Eke (or tried to), until he became too tired, and went back to try and get some sleep.

As he lay in his bed, he sighed.

'...think we can really win this?' he thought.

'Oh yeah.' was the response he received.

'It all depends on the dragonling, though.' the demon added.

"......I know." was all Ryker mumbled, looking out the window, watching the storm.

Aly was still asleep, but returned the hug.

She held him close, and snuggled into him.

As she did, Eke could hear her muttered.

She was muttering his name, and how much she loved him.

Aly responded by nuzzling into him, and wrapping her tail around his legs.

She smiled softly, and he could see the love in her expression.

She was still there.

Ryker was still there, in the house.

They were both there for him.

It was clear that they weren't going anywhere.

His muttering to himself caused her to shift slightly, and open her eyes softly.

"Hm?" she mumbled.

"Hey, Eke." she said with a smile.

"Did I fall asleep?" she asked.

"Sorry about that." she apologised.

"...but you're so warm and comfortable." she reasoned as she kissed his cheek.

Aly just smiled back at him, looking into his eyes.

"I love you too, Eke." she replied.

"Always will." she said.

She then yawned again, before cuddling in close and burying her face in his chest.

He could hear her rhythmic breathing as she slowly drifted off back to sleep, and he felt her chest rise and fall with each breath she took.

The hours passed, and sure enough, the morning came. Aly was still asleep, but Eke heard Ryker milling about. It seemed he was awake and up, and getting things done.

Sure enough, he was.

He'd made his way down to the kitchen, and was thinking for a moment.

"Hm." he mumbled.

"What to make... what to make..." he muttered to himself.

"Would he even be hungry...?" he wondered, thinking about Eke's appetite, and how it was seemingly random these days.

Ryker seemed a bit surprised by hearing Eke, but turned around.

"Hey bro." he greeted him.

"You look a lot better." he commented.

"And fish?" he asked.

"Yeah, I can do that." he said.

"There's a maple-glazed salmon recipe I can try out, if you're interested."