Viktor's dreams are short and aimless, but none of them are nightmares. He never seems to have bad dreams when he sleeps next to Skan, as though his subconscious can tell that he's safe. A dream where Jayce asks him a nonsensical question, and upon receiving an answer, hugs him for no reason. A dream of being an octopus again, cradled by Xander's hands. A dream of flying with Skan to the tippy-top of the Hexgate and looking off of it, Skan expressing his pride in Viktor's work on it.

Eventually, he becomes aware of his surroundings in intermittent hazy spurts. There is nothing like waking up surrounded by a big, feathered, warm body. Especially one that is there to care for and protect him. In the blissful space between awake and asleep, there is only comfort where there might otherwise be cold and emptiness and pain.

Not that he's without pain or stiffness this morning, especially curled up and leaning on Skan the way he is, but it's very secondary to the comfort. It sure beats waking up with your face smushed against a desk, surrounded by whatever you fell asleep working on.

He breathes in deeply to try to rouse himself, squinting his eyes open, and automatically his hand moves to pet the black feathers on Skan's side.